Genesis 33:14

Authorized King James Version

Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
יַֽעֲבָר
H5674
I pray thee pass over
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#2
נָ֥א
H4994
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#3
אֲדֹנִ֖י
H113
Let my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#4
לְפָנַי֙
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
#5
עַבְדּ֑וֹ
H5650
his servant
a servant
#6
וַֽאֲנִ֞י
H589
i
#7
אֶֽתְנָהֲלָ֣ה
H5095
and I will lead on
properly, to run with a sparkle, i.e., flow; hence (transitively), to conduct, and (by inference) to protect, sustain
#8
לְאִטִּ֗י
H328
softly
(as an adverb) gently
#9
וּלְרֶ֣גֶל
H7272
according as
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
#10
הַמְּלָאכָ֤ה
H4399
the cattle
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
#11
אֲשֶׁר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
לְפָנַי֙
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
#13
וּלְרֶ֣גֶל
H7272
according as
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
#14
הַיְלָדִ֔ים
H3206
and the children
something born, i.e., a lad or offspring
#15
עַ֛ד
H5704
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#16
אֲשֶׁר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#17
אָבֹ֥א
H935
until I come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#18
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#19
אֲדֹנִ֖י
H113
Let my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#20
שֵׂעִֽירָה׃
H8165
unto Seir
seir, a mountain of idumaea and its indigenous occupants, also one in palestine

Analysis

This verse develops the creation and providence theme central to Genesis. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects God's absolute sovereignty over all existence. The divine name or title here functions within foundational narrative establishing God's relationship with creation and humanity to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the patriarchal period (c. 2000-1500 BCE) and primeval history provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The ancient Near Eastern world with its creation myths, flood narratives, and patriarchal social structures provided the cultural backdrop against which God's revelation stands in stark contrast. The ancient Near Eastern cosmology and patriarchal society would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Ancient Near Eastern creation texts like Enuma Elish provide comparative context for understanding Genesis's unique theological perspective.

Questions for Reflection

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