Exodus 18:7

Authorized King James Version

And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֵּצֵ֨א
went out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#2
מֹשֶׁ֜ה
And Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#3
לִקְרַ֣את
to meet
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
#4
חֹֽתְנ֗וֹ
his father in law
to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage
#5
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֙חוּ֙
and did obeisance
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
#6
וַיִּשַּׁק
and kissed
to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with weapons
#7
ל֔וֹ
H0
#8
וַיִּשְׁאֲל֥וּ
him and they asked
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
#9
אִישׁ
each
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)
#10
לְרֵעֵ֖הוּ
other
an associate (more or less close)
#11
לְשָׁל֑וֹם
of their welfare
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
#12
וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ
and they came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#13
הָאֹֽהֱלָה׃
into the tent
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original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