Joshua 7:3

Authorized King James Version

And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיָּשֻׁ֣בוּ

H7725

And they returned

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ

H3091

to Joshua

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

וַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ

H559

and said

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָיו֮

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַל

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יַֽעֲל֖וּ

H5927

go up

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

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָעָ֔ם

H5971

and make not all the people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#10

אֲלָפִ֣ים

H505

thousand

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

#11

אִ֔ישׁ

H376

men

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)

#12

א֚וֹ

H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

#13

כִּשְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת

H7969

but let about two or three

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

#14

אֲלָפִ֣ים

H505

thousand

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

#15

אִ֔ישׁ

H376

men

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)

#16

יַֽעֲל֖וּ

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

וְיַכּ֣וּ

H5221

and smite

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

#18

אֶת

H853

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

#19

הָעָ֑י

H5857

ai, aja or ajath, a place in palestine

#20

אַל

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

#21

תְּיַגַּע

H3021

to labour

properly, to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil

#22

שָׁ֙מָּה֙

H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

#23

אֶת

H853

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

#24

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#25

הָעָ֔ם

H5971

and make not all the people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#26

כִּ֥י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#27

מְעַ֖ט

H4592

thither for they are but few

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

#28

הֵֽמָּה׃

H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

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

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
In what ways does understanding covenant community 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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