Exodus 12:9

Authorized King James Version

Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#2
תֹּֽאכְל֤וּ
Eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#3
מִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#4
נָ֔א
not of it raw
properly, tough, i.e., uncooked (flesh)
#5
וּבָשֵׁ֥ל
boiled
#6
מְבֻשָּׁ֖ל
nor sodden
properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen
#7
בַּמָּ֑יִם
at all with water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#8
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#9
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#10
צְלִי
but roast
roasted
#11
אֵ֔שׁ
with fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#12
רֹאשׁ֥וֹ
his head
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#13
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#14
כְּרָעָ֖יו
with his legs
the leg (from the knee to the ankle) of men or locusts (only in the dual)
#15
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#16
קִרְבּֽוֹ׃
and with the purtenance
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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