Deuteronomy 28:24

Authorized King James Version

The LORD shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
יִתֵּ֧ן
shall make
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#2
יְהוָ֛ה
The LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
מְטַ֥ר
the rain
rain
#5
אַרְצְךָ֖
of thy land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#6
אָבָ֣ק
H80
powder
light particles (as volatile)
#7
וְעָפָ֑ר
and dust
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
#8
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#9
הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙
from heaven
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
#10
יֵרֵ֣ד
shall it come down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#11
עָלֶ֔יךָ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#12
עַ֖ד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#13
הִשָּֽׁמְדָֽךְ׃
upon thee until thou be destroyed
to desolate

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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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