Exodus 2:13

Authorized King James Version

And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֵּצֵא֙
And when he went out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#2
בַּיּ֣וֹם
day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#3
הַשֵּׁנִ֔י
the second
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
#4
וְהִנֵּ֛ה
lo!
#5
שְׁנֵֽי
behold two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#6
אֲנָשִׁ֥ים
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)
#7
עִבְרִ֖ים
of the Hebrews
an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber
#8
נִצִּ֑ים
strove
properly, to go forth, i.e., (by implication) to be expelled, and (consequently) desolate; causatively, to lay waste; also (specifically), to quarrel
#9
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙
together and he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#10
לָֽרָשָׁ֔ע
to him that did the wrong
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
#11
לָ֥מָּה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#12
תַכֶּ֖ה
Wherefore smitest
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#13
רֵעֶֽךָ׃
thou thy fellow
an associate (more or less close)

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original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