Judges 10:18

Authorized King James Version

And the people and princes of Gilead said one to another, What man is he that will begin to fight against the children of Ammon? he shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּֽאמְר֨וּ
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
הָעָ֜ם
And the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#3
שָׂרֵ֤י
and princes
a head person (of any rank or class)
#4
גִלְעָֽד׃
of Gilead
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
#5
הָאִ֔ישׁ
What man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#6
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
רֵעֵ֔הוּ
to another
an associate (more or less close)
#8
מִ֣י
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
#9
הָאִ֔ישׁ
What man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#10
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#11
יָחֵ֔ל
is he that will begin
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
#12
לְהִלָּחֵ֖ם
to fight
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
#13
בִּבְנֵ֣י
against the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#14
עַמּ֑וֹן
of Ammon
ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country
#15
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#16
לְרֹ֔אשׁ
he shall be head
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#17
לְכֹ֖ל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#18
יֹֽשְׁבֵ֥י
over all the inhabitants
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#19
גִלְעָֽד׃
of Gilead
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Judges. The concept of covenant community 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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