Deuteronomy 4:3

Authorized King James Version

Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baal-peor: for all the men that followed Baal-peor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
עֵֽינֵיכֶם֙
Your eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#2
הָֽרֹא֔וֹת
have seen
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#3
אֵ֛ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#5
עָשָׂ֥ה
did
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#6
יְהוָ֥ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#7
בְּבַ֣עַל
H0
#8
פְּע֔וֹר
Baalpeor
baal-peor, a moabitish deity
#9
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#10
כָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#11
הָאִ֗ישׁ
for all the men
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)
#12
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#13
הָלַךְ֙
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#14
אַֽחֲרֵ֣י
that followed
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#15
בַֽעַל
H0
#16
פְּע֔וֹר
Baalpeor
baal-peor, a moabitish deity
#17
הִשְׁמִיד֛וֹ
hath destroyed
to desolate
#18
יְהוָ֥ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#19
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
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
#20
מִקִּרְבֶּֽךָ׃
them from among
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

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

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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