Deuteronomy 9:28

Authorized King James Version

Lest the land whence thou broughtest us out say, Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them, and because he hated them, he hath brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
פֶּן
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
#2
יֹֽאמְר֗וּ
say
to say (used with great latitude)
#3
הָאָ֖רֶץ
Lest the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#4
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#5
הֽוֹצִיאָ֖ם
them he hath brought them out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#6
מִשָּׁם֒
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#7
מִבְּלִי֙
properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc
#8
יְכֹ֣לֶת
was not able
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
#9
יְהוָ֔ה
Because the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#10
לַֽהֲבִיאָ֕ם
to bring
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#11
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#12
הָאָ֖רֶץ
Lest the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#13
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#14
דִּבֶּ֣ר
which he promised
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#15
לָהֶ֑ם
H0
#16
וּמִשִּׂנְאָת֣וֹ
them and because he hated
hate
#17
אוֹתָ֔ם
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#18
הֽוֹצִיאָ֖ם
them he hath brought them out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#19
לַֽהֲמִתָ֥ם
to slay
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#20
בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃
them in the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

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 covenant 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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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