Deuteronomy 22:15

Authorized King James Version

Then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel's virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְלָקַ֛ח
take
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#2
אֲבִ֥י
H1
Then shall the father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#3
הַֽנַּעֲרָ֛
of the damsel
a girl (from infancy to adolescence)
#4
וְאִמָּ֑הּ
and her mother
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
#5
וְהוֹצִ֜יאוּ
and bring forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#6
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#7
בְּתוּלֵ֧י
virginity
(collectively and abstractly) virginity; by implication and concretely, the tokens of it
#8
הַֽנַּעֲרָ֛
of the damsel
a girl (from infancy to adolescence)
#9
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
זִקְנֵ֥י
unto the elders
old
#11
הָעִ֖יר
of the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#12
הַשָּֽׁעְרָה׃
in the gate
an opening, i.e., door or gate

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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