John 7:42

Authorized King James Version

Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
οὐχὶ
G3780
Hath not
not indeed
#2
ἡ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#3
γραφὴ
G1124
the scripture
a document, i.e., holy writ (or its contents or a statement in it)
#4
εἶπεν
G2036
said
to speak or say (by word or writing)
#5
ὅτι
G3754
That
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#6
ἐκ
G1537
of
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#7
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
σπέρματος
G4690
the seed
something sown, i.e., seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting)
#9
Δαβίδ,
G1138
David
david, the israelite king
#10
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#11
ἀπὸ
G575
out of
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
#12
Βηθλέεμ
G965
of Bethlehem
bethleem (i.e., beth-lechem), a place in palestine
#13
τῆς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#14
κώμης
G2968
the town
a hamlet (as if laid down)
#15
ὅπου
G3699
where
what(-ever) where, i.e., at whichever spot
#16
ἦν
G2258
was
i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
#17
Δαβίδ,
G1138
David
david, the israelite king
#18
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#19
Χριστὸς
G5547
Christ
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
#20
ἔρχεται
G2064
cometh
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

Analysis

The divine love theme here intersects with God's covenantal faithfulness demonstrated throughout salvation history. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation from covenant love in the Old Testament to agape love in the New. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about hesed in the Old Testament and agape in the New Testament.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of divine love within the theological tradition of John Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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