Deuteronomy 5:23

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֗י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כְּשָׁמְעֲכֶ֤ם
And it came to pass when ye heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
הַקּוֹל֙
the voice
a voice or sound
#5
מִתּ֣וֹךְ
out of the midst
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
#6
הַחֹ֔שֶׁךְ
of the darkness
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
#7
וְהָהָ֖ר
for the mountain
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#8
בֹּעֵ֣ר
did burn
to be(-come) brutish
#9
בָּאֵ֑שׁ
with fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#10
וַתִּקְרְב֣וּן
that ye came near
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
#11
אֵלַ֔י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#12
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#13
רָאשֵׁ֥י
unto me even all the heads
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#14
שִׁבְטֵיכֶ֖ם
of your tribes
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
#15
וְזִקְנֵיכֶֽם׃
and your elders
old

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Deuteronomy. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, 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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