Exodus 39:3

Authorized King James Version

And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽיְרַקְּע֞וּ
And they did beat
to pound the earth (as a sign of passion); by analogy to expand (by hammering); by implication, to overlay (with thin sheets of metal)
#2
אֶת
into
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#3
פַּחֵ֣י
thin plates
a (metallic) sheet (as pounded thin)
#4
הַזָּהָב֮
the gold
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
#5
וְקִצֵּ֣ץ
and cut
to chop off (literally or figuratively)
#6
פְּתִילִם֒
it into wires
twine
#7
לַֽעֲשׂ֗וֹת
to work
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#8
בְּת֤וֹךְ
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
#9
הַתְּכֵ֙לֶת֙
it in the blue
the cerulean mussel, i.e., the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith
#10
וּבְת֣וֹךְ
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
#11
הָֽאַרְגָּמָ֔ן
and in the purple
purple (the color or the dyed stuff)
#12
וּבְת֛וֹךְ
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
#13
תּוֹלַ֥עַת
a maggot (as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of h8144) the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the color from it, and cl
#14
הַשָּׁנִ֖י
and in the scarlet
crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it
#15
וּבְת֣וֹךְ
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
#16
הַשֵּׁ֑שׁ
and in the fine linen
bleached stuff, i.e., white linen or (by analogy) marble
#17
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֖ה
work
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
#18
חֹשֵֽׁב׃
with cunning
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou

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 revelation 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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