Deuteronomy 4:32

Authorized King James Version

For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כִּ֣י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#2
שְׁאַל
H7592
For ask
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
#3
נָא֩
H4994
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#4
הַיּוֹם֙
H3117
now of the days
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#5
רִֽאשֹׁנִ֜ים
H7223
that are past
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
#6
אֲשֶׁר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#7
הֲנִֽהְיָ֗ה
H1961
which were
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#8
לְפָנֶ֗יךָ
H6440
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#9
לְמִן
H4480
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#10
הַיּוֹם֙
H3117
now of the days
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#11
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
בָּרָ֨א
H1254
created
(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)
#13
אֱלֹהִ֤ים׀
H430
that 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
#14
אָדָם֙
H120
man
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
#15
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#16
הָאָ֔רֶץ
H776
upon the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#17
קְצֵ֣ה
H7097
and ask from the one side
an extremity
#18
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם
H8064
of heaven
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
#19
וְעַד
H5704
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#20
קְצֵ֣ה
H7097
and ask from the one side
an extremity
#21
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם
H8064
of heaven
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
#22
הֲנִֽהְיָ֗ה
H1961
which were
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#23
כַּדָּבָ֤ר
H1697
thing
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#24
הַגָּדוֹל֙
H1419
unto the other whether there hath been any such thing as this great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#25
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#26
א֖וֹ
H176
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
#27
הֲנִשְׁמַ֥ע
H8085
is or hath been heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#28
כָּמֹֽהוּ׃
H3644
as, thus, so

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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