Exodus 19:6

Authorized King James Version

And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְאַתֶּ֧ם

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תִּֽהְיוּ

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לִ֛י

מַמְלֶ֥כֶת

H4467

And ye shall be unto me a kingdom

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

כֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים

H3548

of priests

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וְג֣וֹי

H1471

nation

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

קָד֑וֹשׁ

H6918

and an holy

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

אֵ֚לֶּה

H428

these or those

הַדְּבָרִ֔ים

H1697

These are the words

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

#10

אֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#11

תְּדַבֵּ֖ר

H1696

which thou shalt speak

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

#12

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#13

בְּנֵ֥י

H1121

unto 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

#14

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing kingdom relates to eschatology and the ultimate purpose of God's redemptive plan and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

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 kingdom of God particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show imperial and royal imagery familiar to subjects of ancient monarchies, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding kingdom of God as presented in this verse, particularly in light of providing hope in times of political and social upheaval?
How does this verse's literary context within Exodus chapter 19 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does understanding kingdom in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about kingdom of God?

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