Genesis 24:23

Authorized King James Version

And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙
And said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
בַּת
daughter
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#3
מִ֣י
Whose
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
#4
אַ֔תְּ
art thou
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#5
הַגִּ֥ידִי
tell
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#6
נָ֖א
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#7
לִ֑י
H0
#8
הֲיֵ֧שׁ
me I pray thee is there
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
#9
בֵּית
house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#10
אָבִ֛יךְ
H1
in thy father's
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#11
מָק֥וֹם
room
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
#12
לָ֖נוּ
H0
#13
לָלִֽין׃
for us to lodge in
to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)

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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