Exodus 40:31

Authorized King James Version

And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְרָֽחֲצ֣וּ
washed
to lave (the whole or a part of a thing)
#2
מִמֶּ֔נּוּ
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#3
מֹשֶׁ֖ה
And Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#4
וְאַֽהֲרֹ֣ן
and Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#5
וּבָנָ֑יו
and his sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#6
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#7
יְדֵיהֶ֖ם
their hands
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
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
רַגְלֵיהֶֽם׃
and their feet
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

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 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 revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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