Exodus 8:26

Authorized King James Version

And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us?

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

מֹשֶׁ֗ה

H4872

And Moses

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

לֹ֤א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נָכוֹן֙

H3559

It is not meet

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

לַֽעֲשׂ֣וֹת

H6213

so to do

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כֵּ֔ן

H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

כִּ֚י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תּֽוֹעֲבַ֥ת

H8441

the abomination

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol

מִצְרַ֛יִם

H4714

of the Egyptians

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

#10

נִזְבַּ֞ח

H2076

lo shall we sacrifice

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

#11

לַֽיהוָ֣ה

H3068

to the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#12

אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ

H430

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

#13

הֵ֣ן

H2005

for

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

#14

נִזְבַּ֞ח

H2076

lo shall we sacrifice

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

#15

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#16

תּֽוֹעֲבַ֥ת

H8441

the abomination

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol

#17

מִצְרַ֛יִם

H4714

of the Egyptians

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

#18

לְעֵֽינֵיהֶ֖ם

H5869

before their eyes

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

#19

וְלֹ֥א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#20

יִסְקְלֻֽנוּ׃

H5619

and will they not stone

properly, to be weighty; but used only in the sense of lapidation or its contrary (as if a delapidation)

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 sovereignty 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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within Exodus chapter 8 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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Moses