Exodus 22:3

Authorized King James Version

If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#2
זָֽרְחָ֥ה
be risen
properly, to irradiate (or shoot forth beams), i.e., to rise (as the sun); specifically, to appear (as a symptom of leprosy)
#3
הַשֶּׁ֛מֶשׁ
If the sun
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
#4
עָלָ֖יו
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#5
דָּמִ֣ים
upon him there shall be blood
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
#6
ל֑וֹ
H0
#7
יְשַׁלֵּ֔ם
restitution
to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate
#8
יְשַׁלֵּ֔ם
restitution
to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate
#9
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#10
אֵ֣ין
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#11
ל֔וֹ
H0
#12
וְנִמְכַּ֖ר
if he have nothing then he shall be sold
to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)
#13
בִּגְנֵֽבָתֽוֹ׃
for his theft
stealing, i.e., (concretely) something stolen

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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