Deuteronomy 26:19

Authorized King James Version

And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּֽלְתִתְּךָ֣
And to make
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#2
עֶלְי֗וֹן
thee high
an elevation, i.e., (adjectively) lofty (comparatively); as title, the supreme
#3
עַ֤ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#4
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#5
הַגּוֹיִם֙
above all nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#6
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#7
עָשָׂ֔ה
which he hath made
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#8
לִתְהִלָּ֖ה
in praise
laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn
#9
וּלְשֵׁ֣ם
and in name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#10
וּלְתִפְאָ֑רֶת
and in honour
ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)
#11
וְלִֽהְיֹתְךָ֧
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#12
עַם
people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#13
קָדֹ֛שׁ
and that thou mayest be an holy
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
#14
לַֽיהוָ֥ה
unto the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#15
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#16
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#17
דִּבֵּֽר׃
as he hath spoken
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

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 sovereignty 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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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