Deuteronomy 28:49

Authorized King James Version

The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
יִשָּׂ֣א
shall bring
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#2
יְהוָה֩
The LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
עָלֶ֨יךָ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#4
גּ֕וֹי
a nation
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#5
מֵֽרָחֹק֙
against thee from far
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
#6
מִקְצֵ֣ה
from the end
an extremity
#7
הָאָ֔רֶץ
of the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#8
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#9
יִדְאֶ֖ה
flieth
to dart, i.e., fly rapidly
#10
הַנָּ֑שֶׁר
as swift as the eagle
the eagle (or other large bird of prey)
#11
גּ֕וֹי
a nation
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#12
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#13
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#14
תִשְׁמַ֖ע
thou shalt not understand
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#15
לְשֹׁנֽוֹ׃
whose tongue
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Deuteronomy. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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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