Daniel 4:12

Authorized King James Version

The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
עָפְיֵ֤הּ
The leaves
a twig; bough, i.e., (collectively) foliage
#2
שַׁפִּיר֙
thereof were fair
beautiful
#3
וְאִנְבֵּ֣הּ
H4
and the fruit
fruit
#4
שַׂגִּ֔יא
thereof much
large (in size, quantity or number, also adverbial)
#5
וּמָז֨וֹן
and in it was meat
food
#6
כָּל
for all
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#7
בֵ֑הּ
H0
#8
תְּחֹת֜וֹהִי
under
beneath
#9
תַּטְלֵ֣ל׀
had shadow
to cover with shade
#10
חֵיוַ֣ת
the beasts
an animal
#11
בָּרָ֗א
of the field
a field
#12
וּבְעַנְפ֙וֹהִי֙
in the boughs
a twig (as covering the limbs)
#13
יְדרּוָן֙
dwelt
to reside
#14
צִפֲּרֵ֣י
it and the fowls
a bird
#15
שְׁמַיָּ֔א
of the heaven
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
#16
וּמִנֵּ֖הּ
of it
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of
#17
יִתְּזִ֥ין
was fed
perhaps properly, to be plump, i.e., (transitively) to nourish
#18
כָּל
for all
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#19
בִּשְׂרָֽא׃
flesh
flesh

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

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Daniel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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