Deuteronomy 2:31

Authorized King James Version

And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
אֵלַ֔י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
רְאֵ֗ה
unto me Behold
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#5
הָחֵ֣ל
I have begun
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
#6
תֵּ֣ת
to give
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#7
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#8
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
סִיחֹ֖ן
Sihon
sichon, an amoritish king
#10
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#11
אַרְצֽוֹ׃
and his land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#12
הָחֵ֣ל
I have begun
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
#13
לָרֶ֖שֶׁת
that thou mayest inherit
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
#14
לָרֶ֖שֶׁת
that thou mayest inherit
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
#15
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
אַרְצֽוֹ׃
and his land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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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