Deuteronomy 13:17

Authorized King James Version

And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְלֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#2
יִדְבַּ֧ק
H1692
And there shall cleave
properly, to impinge, i.e., cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit
#3
בְּיָֽדְךָ֛
H3027
to thine hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#4
מְא֖וּמָה
H3972
nought
properly, a speck or point, i.e., (by implication) something; with negative, nothing
#5
מִן
H4480
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#6
הַחֵ֑רֶם
H2764
of the cursed thing
physical (as shutting in) a net (either literally or figuratively); usually a doomed object; abstractly extermination
#7
לְמַעַן֩
H4616
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
#8
יָשׁ֨וּב
H7725
may turn
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#9
יְהוָ֜ה
H3068
that the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#10
מֵֽחֲר֣וֹן
H2740
from the fierceness
a burning of anger
#11
אַפּ֗וֹ
H639
of his anger
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
#12
וְנָֽתַן
H5414
and shew
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#13
לְךָ֤
H0
#14
רַֽחֲמִים֙
H7356
thee mercy
compassion (in the plural)
#15
וְרִֽחַמְךָ֣
H7355
and have compassion
to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
#16
וְהִרְבֶּ֔ךָ
H7235
upon thee and multiply
to increase (in whatever respect)
#17
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#18
נִשְׁבַּ֖ע
H7650
thee as he hath sworn
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
#19
לַֽאֲבֹתֶֽיךָ׃
H1
unto thy fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

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 mercy 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 mercy in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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