Judges 11:37

Authorized King James Version

And she said unto her father, Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙
And she said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
אָבִ֔יהָ
H1
unto her father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#4
יֵעָ֥שֶׂה
be done
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#5
לִּ֖י
H0
#6
הַדָּבָ֣ר
Let this thing
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#7
הַזֶּ֑ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#8
הַרְפֵּ֨ה
for me let me alone
to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
#9
מִמֶּ֜נִּי
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#10
שְׁנַ֣יִם
two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#11
חֳדָשִׁ֗ים
months
the new moon; by implication, a month
#12
וְאֵֽלְכָה֙
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#13
וְיָֽרַדְתִּ֣י
and down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#14
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#15
הֶֽהָרִ֔ים
upon the mountains
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#16
וְאֶבְכֶּה֙
and bewail
to weep; generally to bemoan
#17
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#18
בְּתוּלַ֔י
my virginity
(collectively and abstractly) virginity; by implication and concretely, the tokens of it
#19
אָֽנֹכִ֖י
i
#20
וְרֵֽעיֹתָֽי׃
a female associate

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Judges. The concept of divine revelation 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

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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