Exodus 19:3

Authorized King James Version

And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּמֹשֶׁ֥ה
And Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#2
עָלָ֖ה
went up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים
unto 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
#5
וַיִּקְרָ֨א
called
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#6
אֵלָ֤יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
יְהוָה֙
and the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#9
הָהָ֣ר
unto him out of the mountain
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#10
תֹאמַר֙
Thus shalt thou say
to say (used with great latitude)
#11
כֹּ֤ה
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#12
תֹאמַר֙
Thus shalt thou say
to say (used with great latitude)
#13
לְבֵ֣ית
to the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#14
יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב
of Jacob
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
#15
וְתַגֵּ֖יד
and tell
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#16
לִבְנֵ֥י
the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#17
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis

Within the broader context of Exodus, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. 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 historical context of the period of Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1440-1400 BCE) provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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