Deuteronomy 17:1

Authorized King James Version

Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto the LORD thy God.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#2
תִזְבַּח֩
Thou shalt not sacrifice
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
#3
יְהוָ֥ה
unto the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
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
#5
שׁ֣וֹר
any bullock
a bullock (as a traveller)
#6
וָשֶׂ֗ה
or sheep
a member of a flock, i.e., a sheep or goat
#7
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#8
יִֽהְיֶ֥ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#9
בוֹ֙
H0
#10
מ֔וּם
wherein is blemish
a blemish (physically or morally)
#11
כֹּ֖ל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#12
דָּבָ֣ר
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#13
רָ֑ע
or any evilfavouredness
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#14
כִּ֧י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#15
תֽוֹעֲבַ֛ת
for that is an abomination
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
#16
יְהוָ֥ה
unto the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#17
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
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
#18
הֽוּא׃
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

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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