Deuteronomy 33:8

Authorized King James Version

And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּלְלֵוִ֣י
And of Levi
levi, a son of jacob
#2
אָמַ֔ר
he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#3
תֻּמֶּ֥יךָ
Let thy Thummim
perfections, i.e., (technically) one of the epithets of the objects in the high-priest's breastplate as an emblem of complete truth
#4
וְאוּרֶ֖יךָ
and thy Urim
urim, the oracular brilliancy of the figures in the high-priest's breastplate
#5
לְאִ֣ישׁ
one
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#6
חֲסִידֶ֑ךָ
be with thy holy
properly, kind, i.e., (religiously) pious (a saint)
#7
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#8
נִסִּיתוֹ֙
whom thou didst prove
to test; by implication, to attempt
#9
בְּמַסָּ֔ה
at Massah
massah, a place in the desert
#10
תְּרִיבֵ֖הוּ
and with whom thou didst strive
properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
#11
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#12
מֵ֥י
at the waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#13
מְרִיבָֽה׃
of Meribah
meribah, the name of two places in the desert

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Deuteronomy. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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