Deuteronomy 12:5

Authorized King James Version

But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כִּ֠י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#2
אִֽם
H518
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#3
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
הַמָּק֞וֹם
H4725
But unto the place
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
#5
אֲשֶׁר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#6
יִבְחַ֨ר
H977
shall choose
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
#7
יְהוָ֤ה
H3068
which the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙
H430
your 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
#9
מִכָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#10
שִׁבְטֵיכֶ֔ם
H7626
out of all your tribes
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
#11
לָשׂ֥וּם
H7760
to put
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#12
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
שְׁמ֖וֹ
H8034
his name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#14
שָׁ֑ם
H8033
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#15
לְשִׁכְנ֥וֹ
H7933
there even unto his habitation
a residence
#16
תִדְרְשׁ֖וּ
H1875
shall ye seek
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
#17
וּבָ֥אתָ
H935
and thither thou shalt come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#18
שָֽׁמָּה׃
H8033
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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