Exodus 32:5

Authorized King James Version

And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּ֣רְא
saw
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#2
אַֽהֲרֹן֙
And when Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#3
וַיִּ֥בֶן
it he built
to build (literally and figuratively)
#4
מִזְבֵּ֖חַ
an altar
an altar
#5
לְפָנָ֑יו
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#6
וַיִּקְרָ֤א
made proclamation
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#7
אַֽהֲרֹן֙
And when Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#8
וַיֹּאמַ֔ר
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#9
חַ֥ג
is a feast
a festival, or a victim therefor
#10
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
to the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#11
מָחָֽר׃
To morrow
properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter

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 historical context of the period of Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1440-1400 BCE) provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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