Exodus 6:14

Authorized King James Version

These be the heads of their fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel; Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: these be the families of Reuben.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֵ֖לֶּה
these or those
#2
רָאשֵׁ֣י
These be the heads
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#3
בֵית
houses
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#4
אֲבֹתָ֑ם
H1
of their fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#5
בְּנֵ֨י
The sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#6
רְאוּבֵֽן׃
of Reuben
reuben, a son of jacob
#7
בְּכֹ֣ר
the firstborn
first-born; hence, chief
#8
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#9
חֲנ֤וֹךְ
Hanoch
chanok, an antediluvian patriach
#10
וּפַלּוּא֙
and Pallu
pallu, an israelite
#11
חֶצְרֹ֣ן
Hezron
chetsron, the name of a place in palestine; also of two israelites
#12
וְכַרְמִ֔י
and Carmi
karmi, the name of three israelites
#13
אֵ֖לֶּה
these or those
#14
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת
these be the families
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
#15
רְאוּבֵֽן׃
of Reuben
reuben, a son of jacob

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 Exodus 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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