Exodus 5:8

Authorized King James Version

And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#2
מַתְכֹּ֨נֶת
And the tale
proportion (in size, number or ingredients)
#3
הַלְּבֵנִ֜ים
of the bricks
a brick (from the whiteness of the clay)
#4
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#5
הֵם֩
they (only used when emphatic)
#6
עֹשִׂ֨ים
which they did make
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#7
תְּמ֤וֹל
properly, ago, i.e., a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before yesterday
#8
שִׁלְשֹׁם֙
heretofore
trebly, i.e., (in time) day before yesterday
#9
תָּשִׂ֣ימוּ
ye shall lay
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#10
עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#11
לֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#12
תִגְרְע֖וּ
upon them ye shall not diminish
to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold
#13
מִמֶּ֑נּוּ
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#14
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#15
נִרְפִּ֣ים
ought thereof for they be idle
to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
#16
הֵ֔ם
they (only used when emphatic)
#17
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#18
כֵּ֗ן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#19
הֵ֤ם
they (only used when emphatic)
#20
צֹֽעֲקִים֙
therefore they cry
to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)
#21
לֵאמֹ֔ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#22
נֵֽלְכָ֖ה
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#23
נִזְבְּחָ֥ה
and sacrifice
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
#24
לֵֽאלֹהֵֽינוּ׃
to our God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

Analysis

Within the broader context of Exodus, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Exodus.

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

Questions for Reflection

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