Judges 12:1

Authorized King James Version

And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee with fire.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּצָּעֵק֙
gathered themselves together
to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)
#2
אִ֣ישׁ
And the men
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)
#3
אֶפְרַ֔יִם
of Ephraim
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#4
עָבַ֣רְתָּ׀
Wherefore passedst thou over
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#5
צָפ֑וֹנָה
northward
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
#6
וַיֹּֽאמְר֨וּ
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#7
לְיִפְתָּ֜ח
unto Jephthah
jiphtach, an israelite; also a place in palestine
#8
מַדּ֣וּעַ׀
what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?
#9
עָבַ֣רְתָּ׀
Wherefore passedst thou over
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#10
לְהִלָּחֵ֣ם
to fight
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
#11
בִּבְנֵֽי
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
#12
עַמּ֗וֹן
of Ammon
ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country
#13
וְלָ֙נוּ֙
H0
#14
לֹ֤א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#15
קָרָ֙אתָ֙
and didst not call
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#16
לָלֶ֣כֶת
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#17
עִמָּ֔ךְ
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#18
בֵּֽיתְךָ֕
thine house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#19
נִשְׂרֹ֥ף
with thee we will burn
to be (causatively, set) on fire
#20
עָלֶ֖יךָ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#21
בָּאֵֽשׁ׃
upon thee with fire
fire (literally or figuratively)

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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