Exodus 16:13

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֣י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
בָעֶ֔רֶב
And it came to pass that at even
dusk
#3
וַתַּ֣עַל
came up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#4
הַשְּׂלָ֔ו
the quails
the quail collectively (as slow in flight from its weight)
#5
וַתְּכַ֖ס
and covered
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
#6
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#7
לַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃
the camp
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#8
וּבַבֹּ֗קֶר
and in the morning
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
#9
הָֽיְתָה֙
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#10
שִׁכְבַ֣ת
lay
a lying down (of dew, or for the sexual act)
#11
הַטַּ֔ל
the dew
dew (as covering vegetation)
#12
סָבִ֖יב
round about
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
#13
לַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃
the camp
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

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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