Exodus 16:14

Authorized King James Version

And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתַּ֖עַל
was gone up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#2
שִׁכְבַ֣ת
that lay
a lying down (of dew, or for the sexual act)
#3
הַטָּ֑ל
And when the dew
dew (as covering vegetation)
#4
וְהִנֵּ֞ה
lo!
#5
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
פְּנֵ֤י
behold upon the face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#7
הַמִּדְבָּר֙
of the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
#8
דַּ֥ק
as small
crushed, i.e., (by implication) small or thin
#9
מְחֻסְפָּ֔ס
round thing
a shred or scale
#10
דַּ֥ק
as small
crushed, i.e., (by implication) small or thin
#11
כַּכְּפֹ֖ר
as the hoar frost
properly, a cover, i.e., (by implication) a tankard (or covered goblet); also white frost (as covering the ground)
#12
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
הָאָֽרֶץ׃
on the ground
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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