Joshua 7:2

Authorized King James Version

And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Beth-el, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּשְׁלַח֩

H7971

sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ

H3091

And Joshua

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

אֲנָשִׁ֜ים

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מִֽירִיח֗וֹ

H3405

from Jericho

jericho or jerecho, a place in palestine

הָעָֽי׃

H5857

ai, aja or ajath, a place in palestine

אֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עִם

H5973

which is beside

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

בֵּ֥ית

אָ֙וֶן֙

H1007

Bethaven

beth-aven, a place in palestine

#10

מִקֶּ֣דֶם

H6924

on the east side

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

#11

לְבֵֽית

#12

אֵ֔ל

H1008

of Bethel

beth-el, a place in palestine

#13

לֵאמֹ֔ר

H559

and spake

to say (used with great latitude)

#14

אֲלֵיהֶם֙

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#15

לֵאמֹ֔ר

H559

and spake

to say (used with great latitude)

#16

וַֽיַּעֲלוּ֙

H5927

Go up

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

#17

וַֽיְרַגְּל֖וּ

H7270

and view

to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be a tale-bearer (i.e., slander); to lead about

#18

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#19

הָאָ֑רֶץ

H776

the country

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#20

וַֽיַּעֲלוּ֙

H5927

Go up

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

#21

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#22

וַֽיְרַגְּל֖וּ

H7270

and view

to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be a tale-bearer (i.e., slander); to lead about

#23

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#24

הָעָֽי׃

H5857

ai, aja or ajath, a place in palestine

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Joshua. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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 divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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