Exodus 19:14

Authorized King James Version

And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֵּ֧רֶד
went down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#2
מֹשֶׁ֛ה
And Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#3
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#4
הָהָ֖ר
from the mount
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#5
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
הָעָ֔ם
the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#7
וַיְקַדֵּשׁ֙
and sanctified
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
#8
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
הָעָ֔ם
the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#10
וַֽיְכַבְּס֖וּ
and they washed
to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative
#11
שִׂמְלֹתָֽם׃
their clothes
a dress, especially a mantle

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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original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