Genesis 10:19

Authorized King James Version

And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֞י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
גְּב֤וּל
And the border
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
#3
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙
of the Canaanites
a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c
#4
מִצִּידֹ֔ן
was from Sidon
tsidon, the name of a son of canaan, and of a place in palestine
#5
בֹּֽאֲכָ֞ה
as thou comest
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#6
גְרָ֖רָה
to Gerar
gerar, a philistine city
#7
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#8
עַזָּ֑ה
unto Gaza
azzah, a place in palestine
#9
בֹּֽאֲכָ֞ה
as thou comest
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#10
סְדֹ֧מָה
unto Sodom
sedom, a place near the dead sea
#11
וַֽעֲמֹרָ֛ה
and Gomorrah
amorah, a place in palestine
#12
וְאַדְמָ֥ה
and Admah
admah, a place near the dead sea
#13
וּצְבֹיִ֖ם
and Zeboim
tseboim or tsebijim, a place in palestine
#14
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#15
לָֽשַׁע׃
even unto Lasha
lesha, a place probably east of the jordan

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination 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 consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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