Exodus 18:13

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽיְהִי֙
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔ת
And it came to pass on the morrow
the morrow or (adverbially) tomorrow
#3
וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב
sat
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#4
מֹשֶׁ֔ה
by Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#5
לִשְׁפֹּ֣ט
to judge
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
#6
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#7
הָעָם֙
and the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#8
וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֤ד
stood
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#9
הָעָם֙
and the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#10
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#11
מֹשֶׁ֔ה
by Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#12
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#13
הַבֹּ֖קֶר
from the morning
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
#14
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#15
הָעָֽרֶב׃
unto the evening
dusk

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 covenant community 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 covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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