Exodus 4:6

Authorized King James Version

And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּאמֶר֩
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
יְהוָ֨ה
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
ל֜וֹ
H0
#4
ע֗וֹד
furthermore
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
#5
וַיָּבֵ֥א
And he put
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#6
נָ֤א
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#7
יָד֖וֹ
his hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#8
בְּחֵיק֑וֹ
into his bosom
the bosom (literally or figuratively)
#9
וַיָּבֵ֥א
And he put
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#10
יָד֖וֹ
his hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#11
בְּחֵיק֑וֹ
into his bosom
the bosom (literally or figuratively)
#12
וַיּ֣וֹצִאָ֔הּ
and when he took
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#13
וְהִנֵּ֥ה
lo!
#14
יָד֖וֹ
his hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#15
מְצֹרַ֥עַת
was leprous
to scourge, i.e., (intransitive and figurative) to be stricken with leprosy
#16
כַּשָּֽׁלֶג׃
as snow
snow (probably from its whiteness)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Exodus. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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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