Exodus 1:15

Authorized King James Version

And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙
spake
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
מֶ֣לֶךְ
And the king
a king
#3
מִצְרַ֔יִם
of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#4
לַֽמְיַלְּדֹ֖ת
midwives
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
#5
הָֽעִבְרִיֹּ֑ת
to the Hebrew
an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber
#6
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#7
וְשֵׁ֥ם
and the name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#8
הָֽאַחַת֙
of the one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#9
שִׁפְרָ֔ה
was Shiphrah
shiphrah, an israelitess
#10
וְשֵׁ֥ם
and the name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#11
הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית
of the other
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
#12
פּוּעָֽה׃
Puah
puah, an israelitess

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Exodus. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the period of Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1440-1400 BCE) 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 revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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