Exodus 5:15

Authorized King James Version

Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
שֹֽׁטְרֵי֙
Then the officers
properly, a scribe, i.e., (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or magistrate
#3
בְּנֵ֣י
of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#4
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#5
וַיִּצְעֲק֥וּ
and cried
to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)
#6
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
פַּרְעֹ֖ה
unto Pharaoh
paroh, a general title of egyptian kings
#8
לֵאמֹ֑ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#9
לָ֧מָּה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#10
תַֽעֲשֶׂ֦ה
Wherefore dealest
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#11
כֹ֖ה
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#12
לַֽעֲבָדֶֽיךָ׃
thou thus with thy servants
a servant

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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