Deuteronomy 28:21

Authorized King James Version

The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
יַדְבֵּ֧ק
cleave
properly, to impinge, i.e., cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit
#2
יְהוָ֛ה
The LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
בְּךָ֖
H0
#4
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
הַדָּ֑בֶר
shall make the pestilence
a pestilence
#6
עַ֚ד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#7
כַּלֹּת֣וֹ
unto thee until he have consumed
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
#8
אֹֽתְךָ֔
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
מֵעַל֙
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה
thee from off the land
soil (from its general redness)
#11
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
אַתָּ֥ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#13
בָא
whither thou goest
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#14
שָׁ֖מָּה
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#15
לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃
to possess
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

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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