Exodus 8:27

Authorized King James Version

We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God, as he shall command us.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
דֶּ֚רֶךְ
journey
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#2
שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת
three
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
#3
יָמִ֔ים
days
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#4
נֵלֵ֖ךְ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#5
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר
into the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
#6
וְזָבַ֙חְנוּ֙
and sacrifice
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
#7
לַֽיהוָ֣ה
to the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ
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
#9
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#10
יֹאמַ֥ר
as he shall command
to say (used with great latitude)
#11
אֵלֵֽינוּ׃
near, with or among; often in general, to

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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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