Deuteronomy 1:23

Authorized King James Version

And the saying pleased me well: and I took twelve men of you, one of a tribe:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּיטַ֥ב
pleased me well
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
#2
בְּעֵינַ֖י
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#3
הַדָּבָ֑ר
And the saying
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#4
וָֽאֶקַּ֤ח
and I took
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#5
מִכֶּם֙
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#6
שְׁנֵ֣ים
twelve
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#7
עָשָׂ֣ר
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#8
אֲנָשִׁ֔ים
men
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
#9
אִ֥ישׁ
of a tribe
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#10
אֶחָ֖ד
of you one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#11
לַשָּֽׁבֶט׃
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

Analysis

Within the broader context of Deuteronomy, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to Deuteronomy's theological argument.

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 Deuteronomy 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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