Joshua 10:27

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave's mouth, which remain until this very day.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֞י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
לְעֵ֣ת׀
And it came to pass at the time
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
#3
בּ֣וֹא
of the going down
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#4
הַשֶּׁ֗מֶשׁ
of the sun
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
#5
צִוָּ֤ה
commanded
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
#6
יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙
that Joshua
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
#7
וַיֹּֽרִידוּם֙
and they took them down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#8
מֵעַ֣ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
הָֽעֵצִ֔ים
off the trees
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
#10
וַיַּ֨שְׁלִכֻ֔ם
and cast
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
#11
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#12
הַמְּעָרָ֔ה
in the cave's
a cavern (as dark)
#13
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#14
נֶחְבְּאוּ
wherein they had been hid
to secrete
#15
שָׁ֑ם
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#16
וַיָּשִׂ֜מוּ
and laid
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#17
אֲבָנִ֤ים
H68
stones
a stone
#18
גְּדֹלוֹת֙
great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#19
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#20
פִּ֣י
mouth
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#21
הַמְּעָרָ֔ה
in the cave's
a cavern (as dark)
#22
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#23
עֶ֖צֶם
which remain until this very
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
#24
הַיּ֥וֹם
day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#25
הַזֶּֽה׃
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

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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