Genesis 25:32

Authorized King James Version

And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
עֵשָׂ֔ו
And Esau
esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity
#3
הִנֵּ֛ה
lo!
#4
אָֽנֹכִ֥י
i
#5
הוֹלֵ֖ךְ
Behold I am at the point
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#6
לָמ֑וּת
to die
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#7
וְלָמָּה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#8
זֶּ֥ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#9
לִ֖י
H0
#10
בְּכֹרָֽה׃
and what profit shall this birthright
the firstling of man or beast; abstractly primogeniture

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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