Deuteronomy 34:4

Authorized King James Version

And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לֵאמֹ֔ר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
יְהוָ֜ה
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
אֵלָ֗יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
זֹ֤את
this (often used adverb)
#5
הָאָ֙רֶץ֙
unto him This is the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#6
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#7
נִ֠שְׁבַּעְתִּי
which I sware
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
#8
לְאַבְרָהָ֨ם
H85
unto Abraham
abraham, the later name of abram
#9
לְיִצְחָ֤ק
unto Isaac
jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham
#10
וּֽלְיַעֲקֹב֙
and unto Jacob
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
#11
לֵאמֹ֔ר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#12
לְזַרְעֲךָ֖
it unto thy seed
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
#13
אֶתְּנֶ֑נָּה
I will give
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#14
הֶרְאִיתִ֣יךָ
I have caused thee to see
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#15
בְעֵינֶ֔יךָ
it with thine eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#16
וְשָׁ֖מָּה
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#17
לֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#18
תַֽעֲבֹֽר׃
but thou shalt not go over
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Deuteronomy. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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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