Judges 10:16

Authorized King James Version

And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיָּסִ֜ירוּ

H5493

And they put away

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֱלֹהֵ֤י

H430

gods

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

הַנֵּכָר֙

H5236

the strange

foreign, or (concretely) a foreigner, or (abstractly) heathendom

מִקִּרְבָּ֔ם

H7130

from among

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

וַיַּֽעַבְד֖וּ

H5647

them and served

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֑ה

H3068

the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַתִּקְצַ֥ר

H7114

was grieved

to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)

#10

נַפְשׁ֖וֹ

H5315

and his soul

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

#11

בַּֽעֲמַ֥ל

H5999

for the misery

toil, i.e., wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind

#12

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original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

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?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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