Deuteronomy 21:14

Authorized King James Version

And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָיָ֞ה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
אִם
H518
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#3
לֹ֧א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#4
חָפַ֣צְתָּ
H2654
And it shall be if thou have no delight
properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
#5
בָּ֗הּ
H0
#6
וְשִׁלַּחְתָּהּ֙
H7971
in her then thou shalt let her go
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#7
לְנַפְשָׁ֔הּ
H5315
whither she will
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#8
תִמְכְּרֶ֖נָּה
H4376
but thou shalt not sell
to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)
#9
לֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#10
תִמְכְּרֶ֖נָּה
H4376
but thou shalt not sell
to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)
#11
בַּכָּ֑סֶף
H3701
for money
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
#12
לֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#13
תִתְעַמֵּ֣ר
H6014
thou shalt not make merchandise
properly, apparently to heap; figuratively, to chastise (as if piling blows); to gather grain
#14
בָּ֔הּ
H0
#15
תַּ֖חַת
H8478
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
#16
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
of her because
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#17
עִנִּיתָֽהּ׃
H6031
thou hast humbled
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)

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 revelation 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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