Judges 1:14

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֣י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
בְּבוֹאָ֗הּ
And it came to pass when she came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#3
וַתְּסִיתֵ֙הוּ֙
to him that she moved
properly, to prick, i.e., (figuratively) stimulate; by implication, to seduce
#4
לִשְׁאֹ֤ל
him to ask
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
#5
מֵֽאֵת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
אָבִ֙יהָ֙
H1
of her father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#7
הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה
a field
a field (as flat)
#8
וַתִּצְנַ֖ח
and she lighted
to alight; (transitive) to cause to descend, i.e., drive down
#9
מֵעַ֣ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
הַֽחֲמ֑וֹר
from off her ass
a male ass (from its dun red)
#11
וַיֹּֽאמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#12
לָ֥הּ
H0
#13
כָּלֵ֖ב
and Caleb
caleb, the name of three israelites
#14
מַה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#15
לָּֽךְ׃
H0

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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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