Deuteronomy 28:32

Authorized King James Version

Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look, and fail with longing for them all the day long: and there shall be no might in thine hand.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בָּנֶ֨יךָ
Thy sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#2
וּבְנֹתֶ֜יךָ
and thy daughters
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#3
נְתֻנִ֨ים
shall be given
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#4
לְעַ֤ם
people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#5
אַחֵר֙
unto another
properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc
#6
וְעֵינֶ֣יךָ
and thine eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#7
רֹא֔וֹת
shall look
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#8
וְכָל֥וֹת
and fail
pining
#9
אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#11
הַיּ֑וֹם
with longing for them all the day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#12
וְאֵ֥ין
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#13
לְאֵ֖ל
long and there shall be no might
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
#14
יָדֶֽךָ׃
in thine hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

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 covenant community 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 covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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