Deuteronomy 22:14

Authorized King James Version

And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְשָׂ֥ם
And give
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#2
לָהּ֙
H0
#3
עֲלִילֹ֣ת
occasions
an exploit (of god), or a performance (of man, often in a bad sense); by implication, an opportunity
#4
דְּבָרִ֔ים
of speech
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#5
וְהוֹצִ֥א
against her and bring up
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#6
עָלֶ֖יהָ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
שֵׁ֣ם
name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#8
רָ֑ע
an evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#9
וְאָמַ֗ר
upon her and say
to say (used with great latitude)
#10
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#11
הָֽאִשָּׁ֤ה
this woman
a woman
#12
הַזֹּאת֙
this (often used adverb)
#13
לָקַ֔חְתִּי
I took
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#14
וָֽאֶקְרַ֣ב
and when I came
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
#15
אֵלֶ֔יהָ
near, with or among; often in general, to
#16
וְלֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#17
מָצָ֥אתִי
to her I found
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
#18
לָ֖הּ
H0
#19
בְּתוּלִֽים׃
her not a maid
(collectively and abstractly) virginity; by implication and concretely, the tokens of it

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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