Deuteronomy 14:1

Authorized King James Version

Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בָּנִ֣ים
Ye are the 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
#2
אַתֶּ֔ם
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#3
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֑ם
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
#5
לֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#6
תִתְגֹּֽדְד֗וּ
ye shall not cut
to crowd; also to gash (as if by pressing into)
#7
וְלֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#8
תָשִׂ֧ימוּ
yourselves nor make
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#9
קָרְחָ֛ה
any baldness
baldness
#10
בֵּ֥ין
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#11
עֵֽינֵיכֶ֖ם
between your eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#12
לָמֵֽת׃
for the dead
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Deuteronomy. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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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