Joshua 7:5

Authorized King James Version

And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיַּכּ֖וּם

H5221

and smote

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

מֵהֶ֜ם

H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

אַנְשֵׁ֣י

H582

And the men

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

הָעַ֗י

H5857

of Ai

ai, aja or ajath, a place in palestine

כִּשְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים

H7970

of them about thirty

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

וְשִׁשָּׁה֙

H8337

and six

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

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)

וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֞וּם

H7291

for they chased

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

לִפְנֵ֤י

H6440

them from 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

#10

הַשַּׁ֙עַר֙

H8179

the gate

an opening, i.e., door or gate

#11

עַד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

#12

הַשְּׁבָרִ֔ים

H7671

even unto Shebarim

shebarim, a place in palestine

#13

וַיַּכּ֖וּם

H5221

and smote

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

#14

בַּמּוֹרָ֑ד

H4174

them in the going down

a descent; as architecture, an ornamental appendage, perhaps a festoon

#15

וַיִּמַּ֥ס

H4549

melted

to liquefy; figuratively, to waste (with disease), to faint (with fatigue, fear or grief)

#16

לְבַב

H3824

wherefore the hearts

the heart (as the most interior organ)

#17

הָעָ֖ם

H5971

of the people

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

#18

וַיְהִ֥י

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#19

לְמָֽיִם׃

H4325

and became as water

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

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?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
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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