Joshua 8:28

Authorized King James Version

And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּשְׂרֹ֥ף
burnt
to be (causatively, set) on fire
#2
יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ
And Joshua
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
הָעָ֑י
Ai
ai, aja or ajath, a place in palestine
#5
וַיְשִׂימֶ֤הָ
and made
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#6
תֵּל
it an heap
a mound
#7
עוֹלָם֙
for ever
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
#8
שְׁמָמָ֔ה
even a desolation
devastation; figuratively, astonishment
#9
עַ֖ד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#10
הַיּ֥וֹם
unto this day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#11
הַזֶּֽה׃
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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