Joshua 5:14

Authorized King James Version

And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
לֹ֗א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#3
כִּ֛י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#4
אֲנִ֥י
i
#5
שַׂר
Nay but as captain
a head person (of any rank or class)
#6
צְבָֽא
of the host
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#7
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
עַתָּ֣ה
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
#9
בָ֑אתִי
am I now come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#10
וַיִּפֹּל֩
fell
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#11
יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ
And Joshua
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
#12
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#13
פָּנָ֥יו
on his face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#14
אַ֙רְצָה֙
to the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#15
וַיִּשְׁתָּ֔חוּ
and did worship
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
#16
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#17
ל֔וֹ
H0
#18
מָ֥ה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#19
אֲדֹנִ֖י
my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#20
מְדַבֵּ֥ר
unto him What saith
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#21
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#22
עַבְדּֽוֹ׃
unto his servant
a servant

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Joshua. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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