Genesis 9:2

Authorized King James Version

And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּמוֹרַֽאֲכֶ֤ם
H4172
And the fear of you
fear; by implication, a fearful thing or deed
#2
וְחִתְּכֶם֙
H2844
and the dread of you
concretely, crushed; also afraid; abstractly, terror
#3
יִֽהְיֶ֔ה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#4
עַ֚ל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#5
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#6
חַיַּ֣ת
H2416
shall be upon every beast
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#7
הָאָ֔רֶץ
H776
of the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#8
וְעַ֖ל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#10
ע֣וֹף
H5775
and upon every fowl
a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively
#11
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם
H8064
of the air
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
#12
בְּכֹל֩
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#13
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#14
תִּרְמֹ֧שׂ
H7430
upon all that moveth
properly, to glide swiftly, i.e., to crawl or move with short steps; by analogy to swarm
#15
הָֽאֲדָמָ֛ה
H127
upon the earth
soil (from its general redness)
#16
וּֽבְכָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#17
דְּגֵ֥י
H1709
and upon all the fishes
a fish (often used collectively)
#18
הַיָּ֖ם
H3220
of the sea
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
#19
בְּיֶדְכֶ֥ם
H3027
into your hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#20
נִתָּֽנוּ׃
H5414
are they delivered
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

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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