Deuteronomy 21:20

Authorized King James Version

And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאָֽמְר֞וּ
And they shall say
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
זִקְנֵ֣י
unto the elders
old
#4
עִיר֗וֹ
of his city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#5
בְּנֵ֤נוּ
This our son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#6
זֶה֙
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#7
סוֹרֵ֣ר
is stubborn
to turn away, i.e., (morally) be refractory
#8
וּמֹרֶ֔ה
and rebellious
to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)
#9
אֵינֶ֥נּוּ
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#10
שֹׁמֵ֖עַ
he will not obey
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#11
בְּקֹלֵ֑נוּ
our voice
a voice or sound
#12
זוֹלֵ֖ל
he is a glutton
figuratively, to be loose morally, worthless or prodigal
#13
וְסֹבֵֽא׃
and a drunkard
to quaff to satiety, i.e., become tipsy

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Deuteronomy. The concept of divine revelation 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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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