Exodus 6:16

Authorized King James Version

And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari: and the years of the life of Levi were an hundred thirty and seven years.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאֵ֨לֶּה
these or those
#2
שְׁמ֤וֹת
And these are the names
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#3
בְּנֵֽי
of the 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
#4
לֵוִ֔י
of Levi
levi, a son of jacob
#5
לְתֹ֣לְדֹתָ֔ם
according to their generations
(plural only) descent, i.e., family; (figuratively) history
#6
גֵּֽרְשׁ֕וֹן
Gershon
gereshon or gereshom, an israelite
#7
וּקְהָ֖ת
and Kohath
kehath, an israelite
#8
וּמְרָרִ֑י
and Merari
merari, an israelite
#9
שָׁנָֽה׃
and the years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#10
חַיֵּ֣י
of the life
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#11
לֵוִ֔י
of Levi
levi, a son of jacob
#12
שֶׁ֧בַע
and seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#13
וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֛ים
thirty
thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth
#14
וּמְאַ֖ת
were an hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#15
שָׁנָֽה׃
and the years
a year (as a revolution of time)

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

Questions for Reflection

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