Acts 27:34

Authorized King James Version

Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
διὸ
Wherefore
through which thing, i.e., consequently
#2
παρακαλῶ
I pray
to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
#3
ὑμᾶς
you
you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
#4
προσλαβεῖν
to take
to take to oneself, i.e., use (food), lead (aside), admit (to friendship or hospitality)
#5
τροφῆς·
some meat
nourishment (literally or figuratively); by implication, rations (wages)
#6
τοῦτο
this
that thing
#7
γὰρ
for
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
#8
πρὸς
for
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
#9
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#10
ὑμετέρας
your
yours, i.e., pertaining to you
#11
σωτηρίας
health
rescue or safety (physically or morally)
#12
ὑπάρχει
is
to begin under (quietly), i.e., come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, particip
#13
οὐδενὸς
not
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
#14
γὰρ
for
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
#15
ὑμῶν
of you
of (from or concerning) you
#16
θρὶξ
an hair
of uncertain derivation; hair
#17
ἐκ
from
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#18
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#19
κεφαλῆς
the head
the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively
#20
πεσεῖται
fall
to fall (literally or figuratively)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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