Exodus 32:13

Authorized King James Version

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.

Word-by-Word Analysis

זְכֹ֡ר

H2142

Remember

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

לְאַבְרָהָם֩

H85

Abraham

abraham, the later name of abram

לְיִצְחָ֨ק

H3327

Isaac

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל

H3478

and Israel

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

עֲבָדֶ֗יךָ

H5650

thy servants

a servant

אֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נִשְׁבַּ֣עְתָּ

H7650

to whom thou swarest

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

לָהֶם֮

בָּךְ֒

#10

וַתְּדַבֵּ֣ר

H1696

by thine own self and saidst

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

#11

אֲלֵהֶ֔ם

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#12

אַרְבֶּה֙

H7235

unto them I will multiply

to increase (in whatever respect)

#13

אֶֽת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#14

לְזַרְעֲכֶ֔ם

H2233

unto your seed

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

#15

כְּכֽוֹכְבֵ֖י

H3556

as the stars

a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince

#16

הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם

H8064

of 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

#17

וְכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#18

הָאָ֨רֶץ

H776

and all this land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#19

הַזֹּ֜את

H2063

this (often used adverb)

#20

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#21

אָמַ֗רְתִּי

H559

that I have spoken

to say (used with great latitude)

#22

אֶתֵּן֙

H5414

of will I give

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#23

לְזַרְעֲכֶ֔ם

H2233

unto your seed

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

#24

וְנָֽחֲל֖וּ

H5157

and they shall inherit

to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate

#25

לְעֹלָֽם׃

H5769

it for ever

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

Analysis

Within the broader context of Exodus, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Exodus.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Exodus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Moses