Deuteronomy 9:25

Authorized King James Version

Thus I fell down before the LORD forty days and forty nights, as I fell down at the first; because the LORD had said he would destroy you.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הִתְנַפָּ֑לְתִּי
Thus I fell down
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#2
לִפְנֵ֣י
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
#3
יְהוָ֖ה
at the first because the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
אֵ֣ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
אַרְבָּעִ֥ים
and forty
forty
#6
הַיּ֛וֹם
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
#7
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
אַרְבָּעִ֥ים
and forty
forty
#9
הַלַּ֖יְלָה
nights
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
#10
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#11
הִתְנַפָּ֑לְתִּי
Thus I fell down
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#12
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#13
אָמַ֥ר
had said
to say (used with great latitude)
#14
יְהוָ֖ה
at the first because the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#15
לְהַשְׁמִ֥יד
he would destroy
to desolate
#16
אֶתְכֶֽם׃
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

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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