Deuteronomy 31:13

Authorized King James Version

And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּבְנֵיהֶ֞ם
H1121
And that their children
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
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#3
לֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#4
יָדְע֗וּ
H3045
which have not known
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#5
יִשְׁמְעוּ֙
H8085
any thing may hear
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#6
וְלָ֣מְד֔וּ
H3925
and learn
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)
#7
לְיִרְאָ֖ה
H3372
to fear
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
#8
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
יְהוָ֣ה
H3068
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#10
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֑ם
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
#11
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#12
הַיָּמִ֗ים
H3117
as long as
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
#13
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#14
אַתֶּ֤ם
H859
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#15
חַיִּים֙
H2416
ye live
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#16
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#17
הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה
H127
in the land
soil (from its general redness)
#18
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#19
אַתֶּ֜ם
H859
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#20
עֹֽבְרִ֧ים
H5674
whither ye go over
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#21
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#22
הַיַּרְדֵּ֛ן
H3383
Jordan
jarden, the principal river of palestine
#23
שָׁ֖מָּה
H8033
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#24
לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃
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

Analysis

Within the broader context of Deuteronomy, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Deuteronomy.

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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