Genesis 37:9

Authorized King James Version

And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
חָלַ֤מְתִּֽי
And he dreamed
properly, to bind firmly, i.e., (through the figurative sense of dumbness) to dream
#2
עוֹד֙
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
#3
חֲלוֹם֙
a dream
a dream
#4
אַחֵ֔ר
yet another
properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc
#5
וַיְסַפֵּ֥ר
and told
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
#6
אֹת֖וֹ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#7
לְאֶחָ֑יו
it his brethren
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#8
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#9
הִנֵּ֨ה
lo!
#10
חָלַ֤מְתִּֽי
And he dreamed
properly, to bind firmly, i.e., (through the figurative sense of dumbness) to dream
#11
חֲלוֹם֙
a dream
a dream
#12
ע֔וֹד
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
#13
וְהִנֵּ֧ה
lo!
#14
הַשֶּׁ֣מֶשׁ
more and behold the sun
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
#15
וְהַיָּרֵ֗חַ
and the moon
the moon
#16
וְאַחַ֤ד
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#17
עָשָׂר֙
and the eleven
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#18
כּֽוֹכָבִ֔ים
stars
a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince
#19
מִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֖ים
made obeisance
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
#20
לִֽי׃
H0

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

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources