Judges 11:17

Authorized King James Version

Then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land: but the king of Edom would not hearken thereto. And in like manner they sent unto the king of Moab: but he would not consent: and Israel abode in Kadesh.

Word-by-Word Analysis

שָׁלַ֖ח

H7971

sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל

H3478

Then Israel

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

מַלְאָכִ֣ים׀

H4397

messengers

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֶ֧לֶךְ

H4428

but the king

a king

אֱד֔וֹם

H123

of Edom

edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him

לֵאמֹ֜ר

H559

saying

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶעְבְּרָה

H5674

Let me I pray thee pass through

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

נָּ֣א

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

#10

בְאַרְצֶ֗ךָ

H776

thy land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#11

וְלֹ֤א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#12

שָׁמַע֙

H8085

would not hearken

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

#13

מֶ֧לֶךְ

H4428

but the king

a king

#14

אֱד֔וֹם

H123

of Edom

edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him

#15

וְגַ֨ם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

#16

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#17

מֶ֧לֶךְ

H4428

but the king

a king

#18

מוֹאָ֛ב

H4124

of Moab

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

#19

שָׁלַ֖ח

H7971

sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

#20

וְלֹ֣א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#21

אָבָ֑ה

H14

but he would

to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent

#22

וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב

H3427

abode

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

#23

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל

H3478

Then Israel

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

#24

בְּקָדֵֽשׁ׃

H6946

in Kadesh

kadesh, a place in the desert

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

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?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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