Exodus 32:15

Authorized King James Version

And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּ֜פֶן
turned
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
#2
וַיֵּ֤רֶד
and went down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#3
מֹשֶׁה֙
And Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#4
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#5
הָהָ֔ר
from the mount
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#6
מִשְּׁנֵ֣י
and the two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#7
לֻחֹ֗ת
tables
probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal
#8
הָֽעֵדֻ֖ת
of the testimony
testimony
#9
בְּיָד֑וֹ
were in his hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#10
לֻחֹ֗ת
tables
probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal
#11
כְּתֻבִֽים׃
on the one side and on the other were they written
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
#12
מִשְּׁנֵ֣י
and the two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#13
עֶבְרֵיהֶ֔ם
their sides
properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning
#14
מִזֶּ֥ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#15
וּמִזֶּ֖ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#16
הֵ֥ם
they (only used when emphatic)
#17
כְּתֻבִֽים׃
on the one side and on the other were they written
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Exodus, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. 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

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