Exodus 13:14

Authorized King James Version

And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָיָ֞ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#3
יִשְׁאָלְךָ֥
asketh
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
#4
בִנְךָ֛
And it shall be when thy son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#5
מָחָ֖ר
thee in time to come
properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter
#6
וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֣
What is this that thou shalt say
to say (used with great latitude)
#7
מַה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#8
זֹּ֑את
this (often used adverb)
#9
וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֣
What is this that thou shalt say
to say (used with great latitude)
#10
אֵלָ֔יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#11
בְּחֹ֣זֶק
unto him By strength
power
#12
יָ֗ד
of hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#13
הֽוֹצִיאָ֧נוּ
brought us out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#14
יְהוָ֛ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#15
מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם
from Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#16
מִבֵּ֥ית
from the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#17
עֲבָדִֽים׃
of bondage
a servant

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 sovereignty 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

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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