Exodus 3:5

Authorized King James Version

And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#3
תִּקְרַ֣ב
Draw not nigh
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
#4
הֲלֹ֑ם
hither
hither
#5
שַׁל
put off
to pluck off, i.e., divest, eject or drop
#6
נְעָלֶ֙יךָ֙
thy shoes
properly, a sandal tongue; by extension a sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of occupancy, a refusal to marry, or of something valueless)
#7
מֵעַ֣ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#8
רַגְלֶ֔יךָ
from off thy feet
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
#9
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#10
הַמָּק֗וֹם
for the place
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
#11
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
whereon
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
אַתָּה֙
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#13
עוֹמֵ֣ד
thou standest
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#14
עָלָ֔יו
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#15
אַדְמַת
ground
soil (from its general redness)
#16
קֹ֖דֶשׁ
is holy
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
#17
הֽוּא׃
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

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

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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