Deuteronomy 33:22

Authorized King James Version

And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp: he shall leap from Bashan.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
דָּ֖ן
And of Dan
dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them
#2
אָמַ֔ר
he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#3
דָּ֖ן
And of Dan
dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them
#4
גּ֣וּר
whelp
a cub (as still abiding in the lair), especially of the lion
#5
אַרְיֵ֑ה
is a lion's
a lion
#6
יְזַנֵּ֖ק
he shall leap
properly, to draw together the feet (as an animal about to dart upon its prey), i.e., to spring forward
#7
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#8
הַבָּשָֽׁן׃
from Bashan
bashan (often with the article), a region east of the jordan

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

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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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