Exodus 8:23

Authorized King James Version

And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְשַׂמְתִּ֣י
And I will put
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#2
פְדֻ֔ת
a division
distinction; also deliverance
#3
בֵּ֥ין
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#4
עַמֶּ֑ךָ
and thy people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#5
וּבֵ֣ין
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#6
עַמֶּ֑ךָ
and thy people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#7
לְמָחָ֥ר
to morrow
properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter
#8
יִֽהְיֶ֖ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#9
הָאֹ֥ת
shall this sign
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
#10
הַזֶּֽה׃
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

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 covenant community 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 covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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