Joshua 8:19

Authorized King James Version

And the ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand: and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted and set the city on fire.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָֽאוֹרֵ֡ב
And the ambush
to lurk
#2
קָם֩
arose
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#3
מְהֵרָ֨ה
quickly
properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly
#4
מִמְּקוֹמ֤וֹ
out of their place
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
#5
וַיָּר֙וּצוּ֙
and they ran
to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)
#6
כִּנְט֣וֹת
as soon as he had stretched out
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
#7
יָד֔וֹ
his hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#8
וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ
and they entered
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#9
הָעִ֖יר
into the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#10
וַֽיִּלְכְּד֑וּהָ
and took
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
#11
וַֽיְמַהֲר֔וּ
it and hasted
properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)
#12
וַיַּצִּ֥יתוּ
and set
to burn or set on fire; figuratively, to desolate
#13
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#14
הָעִ֖יר
into the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#15
בָּאֵֽשׁ׃
on fire
fire (literally or figuratively)

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 divine revelation 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 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 revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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