Judges 1:7

Authorized King James Version

And Adoni-bezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹֽנִי

בֶ֗זֶק

H137

And Adonibezek

adoni-bezek; a canaanitish king

שִׁבְעִ֣ים׀

H7657

Threescore and ten

seventy

מְלָכִ֡ים

H4428

kings

a king

בְּֽהֹנוֹת֩

H931

having their thumbs

the thumb of the hand or great toe of the foot

יְדֵיהֶ֨ם

H3027

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

וְרַגְלֵיהֶ֜ם

H7272

and their great toes

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

מְקֻצָּצִ֗ים

H7112

cut off

to chop off (literally or figuratively)

#10

הָי֤וּ

H1961

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

#11

מְלַקְּטִים֙

H3950

gathered

properly, to pick up, i.e., (generally) to gather; specifically, to glean

#12

תַּ֣חַת

H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

#13

שֻׁלְחָנִ֔י

H7979

their meat under my table

a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal

#14

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#15

עָשִׂ֔יתִי

H6213

as I have done

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#16

כֵּ֥ן

H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

#17

שִׁלַּם

H7999

hath requited

to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate

#18

לִ֖י

#19

אֱלֹהִ֑ים

H430

so God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

#20

וַיְבִיאֻ֥הוּ

H935

me And they brought

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#21

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם

H3389

him to Jerusalem

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

#22

וַיָּ֥מָת

H4191

and there he died

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

#23

שָֽׁם׃

H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

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 sovereignty 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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within Judges chapter 1 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
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?

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