Deuteronomy 4:21

Authorized King James Version

Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, and sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
יְהוָ֣ה
H3068
Furthermore the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#2
הִתְאַנֶּף
H599
was angry
to breathe hard, i.e., be enraged
#3
בִּ֖י
H0
#4
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#5
דִּבְרֵיכֶ֑ם
H1697
with me for your sakes
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#6
וַיִּשָּׁבַ֗ע
H7650
and sware
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
#7
לְבִלְתִּ֤י
H1115
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
#8
עָבְרִי֙
H5674
that I should not go over
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#9
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן
H3383
Jordan
jarden, the principal river of palestine
#11
וּלְבִלְתִּי
H1115
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
#12
בֹא֙
H935
and that I should not go
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#13
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#14
הָאָ֣רֶץ
H776
land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#15
הַטּוֹבָ֔ה
H2896
in unto that good
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
#16
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#17
יְהוָ֣ה
H3068
Furthermore the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#18
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
H430
thy 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
#19
נֹתֵ֥ן
H5414
giveth
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#20
לְךָ֖
H0
#21
נַֽחֲלָֽה׃
H5159
thee for an inheritance
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

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 sovereignty 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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