Judges 1:6

Authorized King James Version

But Adoni-bezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּ֙נָס֙
fled
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
#2
אֲדֹ֣נִי
H0
#3
בֶ֔זֶק
But Adonibezek
adoni-bezek; a canaanitish king
#4
וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֖וּ
and they pursued
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
#5
אַֽחֲרָ֑יו
after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#6
וַיֹּֽאחֲז֣וּ
him and caught
to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)
#7
אוֹת֔וֹ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
וַֽיְקַצְּצ֔וּ
him and cut off
to chop off (literally or figuratively)
#9
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
בְּהֹנ֥וֹת
his thumbs
the thumb of the hand or great toe of the foot
#11
יָדָ֖יו
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
#12
וְרַגְלָֽיו׃
and his great toes
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

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 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 Judges Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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