Joshua 1:12

Authorized King James Version

And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְלָרֽאוּבֵנִי֙
And to the Reubenites
a reubenite or descendant of reuben
#2
וְלַגָּדִ֔י
and to the Gadites
a gadite (collectively) or descendants of gad
#3
וְלַֽחֲצִ֖י
and to half
the half or middle
#4
שֵׁ֣בֶט
the tribe
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
#5
הַֽמְנַשֶּׁ֑ה
of Manasseh
menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#6
לֵאמֹֽר׃
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#7
יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ
Joshua
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
#8
לֵאמֹֽר׃
saying
to say (used with great latitude)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment 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 saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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