Exodus 9:10

Authorized King James Version

And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּקְח֞וּ

H3947

And they took

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת

H853

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

פִּ֣יחַ

H6368

ashes

a powder (as easily puffed away), i.e., ashes or dust

הַכִּבְשָׁ֗ן

H3536

of the furnace

a smelting furnace (as reducing metals)

וַיַּֽעַמְדוּ֙

H5975

and stood

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לִפְנֵ֣י

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

פַרְעֹ֔ה

H6547

Pharaoh

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

וַיִּזְרֹ֥ק

H2236

sprinkled

to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles)

אֹת֛וֹ

H853

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

#10

מֹשֶׁ֖ה

H4872

and Moses

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

#11

הַשָּׁמָ֑יְמָה

H8064

it up toward heaven

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

#12

וַיְהִ֗י

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#13

שְׁחִין֙

H7822

and it became a boil

inflammation, i.e., an ulcer

#14

אֲבַעְבֻּעֹ֔ת

H76

with blains

an inflammatory pustule (as eruption)

#15

פֹּרֵ֕חַ

H6524

breaking forth

to break forth as a bud, i.e., bloom; generally, to spread; specifically, to fly (as extending the wings); figuratively, to flourish

#16

בָּֽאָדָ֖ם

H120

upon man

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

#17

וּבַבְּהֵמָֽה׃

H929

and upon beast

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

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 revelation 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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