Deuteronomy 2:16

Authorized King James Version

So it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֨י
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כַֽאֲשֶׁר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#3
תַּ֜מּוּ
H8552
were consumed
to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive
#4
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#5
אַנְשֵׁ֧י
H582
So it came to pass when all the men
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
#6
הַמִּלְחָמָ֛ה
H4421
of war
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#7
לָמ֖וּת
H4191
and dead
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#8
מִקֶּ֥רֶב
H7130
from among
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
#9
הָעָֽם׃
H5971
the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Deuteronomy. The concept of covenant community reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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