Genesis 37:13

Authorized King James Version

And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל
And Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
יוֹסֵ֗ף
unto Joseph
joseph, the name of seven israelites
#5
הֲל֤וֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#6
אַחֶ֙יךָ֙
Do not thy brethren
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#7
רֹעִ֣ים
feed
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
#8
בִּשְׁכֶ֔ם
the flock in Shechem
shekem, a place in palestine
#9
לְכָ֖ה
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#10
וְאֶשְׁלָֽחֲךָ֣
and I will send thee
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#11
אֲלֵיהֶ֑ם
near, with or among; often in general, to
#12
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#13
ל֖וֹ
H0
#14
הִנֵּֽנִי׃
lo!

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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