Deuteronomy 6:12

Authorized King James Version

Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הִשָּׁ֣מֶר
Then beware
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#2
לְךָ֔
H0
#3
פֶּן
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
#4
תִּשְׁכַּ֖ח
lest thou forget
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
#5
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#7
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#8
הוֹצִֽיאֲךָ֛
which brought thee forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#9
מֵאֶ֥רֶץ
out of the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#10
מִצְרַ֖יִם
of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#11
מִבֵּ֥ית
from the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#12
עֲבָדִֽים׃
of bondage
a servant

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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