Exodus 2:20

Authorized King James Version

And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
בְּנֹתָ֖יו
unto his daughters
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#4
וְאַיּ֑וֹ
where?
#5
לָ֤מָּה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#6
זֶּה֙
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#7
עֲזַבְתֶּ֣ן
And where is he why is it that ye have left
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
#8
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
הָאִ֔ישׁ
the man
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
קִרְאֶ֥ן
call
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#11
ל֖וֹ
H0
#12
וְיֹ֥אכַל
him that he may eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#13
לָֽחֶם׃
bread
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Exodus. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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 revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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