Exodus 31:13

Authorized King James Version

Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאַתָּ֞ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#2
דַּבֵּ֨ר
Speak
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
בְּנֵ֤י
thou also 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
#5
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#6
לֵאמֹ֔ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#7
אַ֥ךְ
Verily
a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only
#8
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
שַׁבְּתֹתַ֖י
my sabbaths
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath
#10
תִּשְׁמֹ֑רוּ
ye shall keep
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#11
כִּי֩
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#12
א֨וֹת
for it is a sign
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
#13
הִ֜וא
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
#14
בֵּינִ֤י
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#15
וּבֵֽינֵיכֶם֙
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#16
לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם
between me and you throughout your generations
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
#17
לָדַ֕עַת
that ye may know
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#18
כִּ֛י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#19
אֲנִ֥י
i
#20
יְהוָ֖ה
that I am the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#21
מְקַדִּשְׁכֶֽם׃
that doth sanctify
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

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

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