Exodus 32:30

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽיְהִי֙
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔ת
And it came to pass on the morrow
the morrow or (adverbially) tomorrow
#3
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#4
מֹשֶׁה֙
that Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#5
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
הָעָ֔ם
unto the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#7
אַתֶּ֥ם
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#8
חֲטָאתֶ֖ם
Ye have sinned
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
#9
חֲטָאָ֣ה
sin
an offence, or a sacrifice for it
#10
גְדֹלָ֑ה
a great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#11
וְעַתָּה֙
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
#12
אֶֽעֱלֶ֣ה
and now I will go up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#13
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#14
יְהוָ֔ה
unto the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#15
אוּלַ֥י
peradventure
if not; hence perhaps
#16
אֲכַפְּרָ֖ה
I shall make an atonement
to cover (specifically with bitumen)
#17
בְּעַ֥ד
for
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
#18
חַטַּאתְכֶֽם׃
your sin
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

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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