Joshua 6:8

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֗י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כֶּֽאֱמֹ֣ר
had spoken
to say (used with great latitude)
#3
יְהוֹשֻׁעַ֮
And it came to pass when Joshua
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
#4
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
הָעָם֒
unto the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#6
שִׁבְעָ֨ה
that the seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#7
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֡ים
priests
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#8
נֹֽשְׂאִים֩
bearing
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#9
שִׁבְעָ֨ה
that the seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#10
בַּשּֽׁוֹפָר֑וֹת
trumpets
a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn
#11
הַיּֽוֹבְלִים֙
of rams' horns
the blast of a horn (from its continuous sound); specifically, the signal of the silver trumpets; hence, the instrument itself and the festival thus i
#12
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#13
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#14
עָֽבְר֕וּ
passed on
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#15
וְתָֽקְע֖וּ
and blew
to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become
#16
בַּשּֽׁוֹפָר֑וֹת
trumpets
a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn
#17
וַֽאֲרוֹן֙
and the ark
a box
#18
בְּרִ֣ית
of the covenant
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
#19
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#20
הֹלֵ֖ךְ
followed
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#21
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃
them
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

Analysis

This verse develops the covenant theme central to Joshua. The concept of covenant reflects the development of covenant 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 covenant. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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