Deuteronomy 11:29

Authorized King James Version

And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָיָ֗ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כִּ֤י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#3
בָא
hath brought thee in
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#4
יְהוָ֣ה
And it shall come to pass when the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#6
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
הָאָ֕רֶץ
unto the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#8
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#9
אַתָּ֥ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#10
בָא
hath brought thee in
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#11
שָׁ֖מָּה
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#12
לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּ
to possess
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
#13
וְנָֽתַתָּ֤ה
it that thou shalt put
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#14
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
הַבְּרָכָה֙
the blessing
benediction; by implication prosperity
#16
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#17
הַ֥ר
upon mount
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#18
גְּרִזִ֔ים
Gerizim
gerizim, a mountain of palestine
#19
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#20
הַקְּלָלָ֖ה
and the curse
vilification
#21
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#22
הַ֥ר
upon mount
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#23
עֵיבָֽל׃
Ebal
ebal, a mountain of palestine

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

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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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