Exodus 17:9

Authorized King James Version

And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
מֹשֶׁ֤ה
And Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙
unto Joshua
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
#5
בְּחַר
Choose us out
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
#6
לָ֣נוּ
H0
#7
אֲנָשִׁ֔ים
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#8
וְצֵ֖א
and go out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#9
הִלָּחֵ֣ם
fight
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
#10
בַּֽעֲמָלֵ֑ק
with Amalek
amalek, a descendant of esau; also his posterity and their country
#11
מָחָ֗ר
to morrow
properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter
#12
אָֽנֹכִ֤י
i
#13
נִצָּב֙
I will stand
to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)
#14
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#15
רֹ֣אשׁ
on the top
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#16
הַגִּבְעָ֔ה
of the hill
a hillock
#17
וּמַטֵּ֥ה
with the rod
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
#18
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים
of God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#19
בְּיָדִֽי׃
in mine 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

Analysis

Within the broader context of Exodus, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Exodus.

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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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