Exodus 4:14

Authorized King James Version

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּֽחַר
was kindled
to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy
#2
אַ֨ף
And the anger
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
#3
יְהוָ֜ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
בְּמֹשֶׁ֗ה
against Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#5
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙
and he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
הֲלֹ֨א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#7
אַֽהֲרֹ֤ן
Is not Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#8
אָחִ֙יךָ֙
thy brother
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#9
הַלֵּוִ֔י
the Levite
a levite or descendant of levi
#10
יָדַ֕עְתִּי
I know
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#11
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#12
יְדַבֵּ֖ר
that he can speak
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#13
יְדַבֵּ֖ר
that he can speak
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#14
ה֑וּא
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
#15
וְגַ֤ם
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#16
הִנֵּה
lo!
#17
הוּא֙
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
#18
יֹצֵ֣א
And also behold he cometh forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#19
לִקְרָאתֶ֔ךָ
to meet
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
#20
וְרָֽאֲךָ֖
thee and when he seeth
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#21
וְשָׂמַ֥ח
blithe or gleeful
#22
בְּלִבּֽוֹ׃
in his heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

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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