Exodus 9:1

Authorized King James Version

Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אָמַ֤ר
him Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
יְהוָה֙
Then the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
מֹשֶׁ֔ה
unto Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#5
בֹּ֖א
Go
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#6
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
פַּרְעֹ֑ה
in unto Pharaoh
paroh, a general title of egyptian kings
#8
וְדִבַּרְתָּ֣
and tell
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#9
אֵלָ֗יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
כֹּֽה
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#11
אָמַ֤ר
him Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#12
יְהוָה֙
Then the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#13
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
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
#14
הָֽעִבְרִ֔ים
of the Hebrews
an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber
#15
שַׁלַּ֥ח
go
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#16
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#17
עַמִּ֖י
Let my people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#18
וְיַֽעַבְדֻֽנִי׃
that they may serve
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

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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