Deuteronomy 5:15

Authorized King James Version

And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְזָֽכַרְתָּ֞֗
And remember
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
#2
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#3
עֶ֤֥בֶד
that thou wast a servant
a servant
#4
הָיִ֣֙יתָ֙׀
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#5
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ
in the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#6
מִצְרַ֔֗יִם
of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#7
וַיֹּצִ֨אֲךָ֜֩
brought
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#8
יְהוָ֣ה
and that the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#9
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
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
#10
מִשָּׁ֔ם֙
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#11
בְּיָ֤֥ד
hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#12
חֲזָקָ֖ה֙
thee out thence through a mighty
strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)
#13
וּבִזְרֹ֣עַ
arm
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
#14
נְטוּיָ֑֔ה
and by a stretched out
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
#15
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#16
כֵּ֗ן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#17
צִוְּךָ֙
commanded
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
#18
יְהוָ֣ה
and that the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#19
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
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
לַֽעֲשׂ֖וֹת
thee to keep
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#21
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#22
י֥וֹם
day
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
#23
הַשַּׁבָּֽת׃
the sabbath
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath

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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