Exodus 20:22

Authorized King James Version

And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.

Word-by-Word Analysis

תֹאמַ֖ר

H559

Thus thou shalt say

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָה֙

H3068

And the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁ֔ה

H4872

unto Moses

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

כֹּ֥ה

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

תֹאמַ֖ר

H559

Thus thou shalt say

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּנֵ֣י

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל

H3478

of Israel

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

#10

אַתֶּ֣ם

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

#11

רְאִיתֶ֔ם

H7200

Ye have seen

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

#12

כִּ֚י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#13

מִן

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

#14

הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם

H8064

with you from heaven

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

#15

דִּבַּ֖רְתִּי

H1696

that I have talked

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

#16

עִמָּכֶֽם׃

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

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 sovereignty 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

How does this verse's literary context within Exodus chapter 20 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

Related Resources

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People

Moses