Deuteronomy 2:14

Authorized King James Version

And the space in which we came from Kadesh-barnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, was thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the LORD sware unto them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהַיָּמִ֞ים
And the space
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#2
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#3
הָלַ֣כְנוּ׀
in which we came
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#4
מִקָּדֵ֣שׁ
H0
#5
בַּרְנֵ֗עַ
from Kadeshbarnea
kadesh-barnea, a place in the desert
#6
עַ֤ד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#7
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#8
עָבַ֙רְנוּ֙
until we were come over
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#9
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
נַ֣חַל
the brook
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
#11
זֶ֔רֶד
Zered
zered, a brook east of the dead sea
#12
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים
was thirty
thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth
#13
וּשְׁמֹנֶ֖ה
and eight
a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
#14
שָׁנָ֑ה
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#15
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#16
תֹּ֨ם
were wasted out
to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive
#17
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#18
הַדּ֜וֹר
until all the generation
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
#19
אַנְשֵׁ֤י
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#20
הַמִּלְחָמָה֙
of war
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#21
מִקֶּ֣רֶב
from among
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
#22
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה
the host
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#23
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#24
נִשְׁבַּ֥ע
sware
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
#25
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#26
לָהֶֽם׃
H0

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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