Deuteronomy 11:21

Authorized King James Version

That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לְמַ֨עַן
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
#2
יִרְבּ֤וּ
may be multiplied
to increase (in whatever respect)
#3
כִּימֵ֥י
That your days
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#4
כִּימֵ֥י
That your days
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#5
בְנֵיכֶ֔ם
of your children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#6
עַ֚ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה
in the land
soil (from its general redness)
#8
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#9
נִשְׁבַּ֧ע
sware
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
#10
יְהוָ֛ה
which the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#11
לַאֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֖ם
H1
unto your fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#12
לָתֵ֣ת
to give
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#13
לָהֶ֑ם
H0
#14
כִּימֵ֥י
That your days
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#15
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם
of 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
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#17
הָאָֽרֶץ׃
upon the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 sovereignty 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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