Joshua 11:7

Authorized King James Version

So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּבֹ֣א
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
יְהוֹשֻׁ֡עַ
So Joshua
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
#3
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#4
עַם֩
and all the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#5
הַמִּלְחָמָ֨ה
of war
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#6
עִמּ֧וֹ
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#7
עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#8
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
מֵ֥י
with him against them by the waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#10
מֵר֖וֹם
of Merom
merom, a lake in palestine
#11
פִּתְאֹ֑ם
suddenly
instantly
#12
וַֽיִּפְּל֖וּ
and they fell upon
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#13
בָּהֶֽם׃
H0

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 covenant community 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

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

Questions for Reflection

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