Genesis 43:24

Authorized King James Version

And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּבֵ֥א
brought
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֖ים
And the man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֖ים
And the man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#5
בֵּ֣יתָה
house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#6
יוֹסֵ֑ף
into Joseph's
joseph, the name of seven israelites
#7
וַיִּתֵּ֥ן
and gave
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#8
מַ֙יִם֙
them water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#9
וַיִּרְחֲצ֣וּ
and they washed
to lave (the whole or a part of a thing)
#10
רַגְלֵיהֶ֔ם
their feet
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
#11
וַיִּתֵּ֥ן
and gave
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#12
מִסְפּ֖וֹא
provender
fodder
#13
לַחֲמֹֽרֵיהֶֽם׃
their asses
a male ass (from its dun red)

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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