Exodus 1:18

Authorized King James Version

And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּקְרָ֤א
called
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#2
מֶֽלֶךְ
And the king
a king
#3
מִצְרַ֙יִם֙
of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#4
לַֽמְיַלְּדֹ֔ת
for the midwives
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
#5
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
לָהֶ֔ן
H0
#7
מַדּ֥וּעַ
unto them Why
what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?
#8
עֲשִׂיתֶ֖ן
have ye done
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#9
הַדָּבָ֣ר
this thing
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#10
הַזֶּ֑ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#11
וַתְּחַיֶּ֖יןָ
alive
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
#12
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
הַיְלָדִֽים׃
the men children
something born, i.e., a lad or offspring

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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