Deuteronomy 31:24

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֣י׀
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כְּכַלּ֣וֹת
had made an end
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
#3
מֹשֶׁ֗ה
And it came to pass when Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#4
לִכְתֹּ֛ב
of writing
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
#5
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
דִּבְרֵ֥י
the words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#7
הַתּוֹרָֽה
of this law
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
#8
הַזֹּ֖את
this (often used adverb)
#9
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
סֵ֑פֶר
in a book
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
#11
עַ֖ד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#12
תֻּמָּֽם׃
until they were finished
to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original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