Exodus 32:22

Authorized King James Version

And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אַֽהֲרֹ֔ן
And Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#3
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#4
יִ֥חַר
wax hot
to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy
#5
אַ֖ף
Let not the anger
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
#6
אֲדֹנִ֑י
of my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#7
אַתָּה֙
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#8
יָדַ֣עְתָּ
thou knowest
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#9
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
הָעָ֔ם
the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#11
כִּ֥י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#12
בְרָ֖ע
that they are set on mischief
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#13
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

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

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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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