Deuteronomy 8:4

Authorized King James Version

Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
שִׂמְלָ֨תְךָ֜
Thy raiment
a dress, especially a mantle
#2
לֹ֤א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#3
בָֽלְתָה֙
waxed not old
to fail; by implication to wear out, decay (causatively, consume, spend)
#4
מֵֽעָלֶ֔יךָ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#5
וְרַגְלְךָ֖
upon thee neither did thy foot
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
#6
לֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#7
בָצֵ֑קָה
swell
perhaps to swell up, i.e., blister
#8
זֶ֖ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#9
אַרְבָּעִ֥ים
these forty
forty
#10
שָׁנָֽה׃
years
a year (as a revolution of time)

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 revelation 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 literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Deuteronomy Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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