Deuteronomy 25:2

Authorized King James Version

And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָיָ֛ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#3
בִּ֥ן
be worthy
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#4
וְהִכָּ֣הוּ
and to be beaten
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#5
הָֽרָשָׁ֑ע
And it shall be if the wicked man
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
#6
וְהִפִּיל֤וֹ
shall cause him to lie down
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#7
הַשֹּׁפֵט֙
that the judge
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
#8
וְהִכָּ֣הוּ
and to be beaten
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#9
לְפָנָ֔יו
before his face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#10
כְּדֵ֥י
according
enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases
#11
רִשְׁעָת֖וֹ
to his fault
wrong (especially moral)
#12
בְּמִסְפָּֽר׃
by a certain number
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

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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