Judges 10:4

Authorized King James Version

And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havoth-jair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽיְהִי
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
ל֞וֹ
H0
#3
וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים
And he had thirty
thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth
#4
בָּנִ֗ים
sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#5
רֹֽכְבִים֙
that rode
to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch
#6
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים
And he had thirty
thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth
#8
עֲיָרִ֔ים
ass colts
properly, a young ass (as just broken to a load); hence an ass-colt
#9
וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים
And he had thirty
thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth
#10
עֲיָרִ֖ים
cities
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#11
לָהֶ֑ם
they (only used when emphatic)
#12
לָהֶ֞ם
they (only used when emphatic)
#13
יִקְרְא֣וּ׀
which are called
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#14
חַוֹּ֣ת
H0
#15
יָאִ֗יר
Havothjair
hamlets of jair, a region of palestine
#16
עַ֚ד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#17
הַיּ֣וֹם
unto this day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#18
הַזֶּ֔ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#19
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#20
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ
which are in the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#21
הַגִּלְעָֽד׃
of Gilead
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

Analysis

Within the broader context of Judges, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Judges.

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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