Deuteronomy 3:18

Authorized King James Version

And I commanded you at that time, saying, The LORD your God hath given you this land to possess it: ye shall pass over armed before your brethren the children of Israel, all that are meet for the war.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וָֽאֲצַ֣ו
H6680
And I commanded
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
#2
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
בָּעֵ֥ת
H6256
you at that time
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
#4
הַהִ֖וא
H1931
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#5
לֵאמֹ֑ר
H559
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
יְהוָ֣ה
H3068
The LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#7
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֗ם
H430
your 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
#8
נָתַ֨ן
H5414
hath given
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#9
לָכֶ֜ם
H0
#10
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#11
הָאָ֤רֶץ
H776
you this land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#12
הַזֹּאת֙
H2063
this (often used adverb)
#13
לְרִשְׁתָּ֔הּ
H3423
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
#14
חֲלוּצִ֣ים
H2502
armed
to pull off; hence (intensively) to strip, (reflexive) to depart; by implication, to deliver, equip (for fight); present, strengthen
#15
תַּֽעַבְר֗וּ
H5674
it ye shall pass over
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#16
לִפְנֵ֛י
H6440
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#17
אֲחֵיכֶ֥ם
H251
your brethren
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#18
בְּנֵי
H1121
all that are meet
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#19
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#20
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#21
בְּנֵי
H1121
all that are meet
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#22
חָֽיִל׃
H2428
for the war
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

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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