Judges 12:2

Authorized King James Version

And Jephthah said unto them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye delivered me not out of their hands.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

יִפְתָּח֙

H3316

And Jephthah

jiphtach, an israelite; also a place in palestine

אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אִ֣ישׁ

H376

strife

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)

רִ֗יב

H7379

a contest (personal or legal)

הָיִ֛יתִי

H1961

were

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אֲנִ֛י

H589

וְעַמִּ֥י

H5971

unto them I and my people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וּבְנֵֽי

H1121

with 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

#10

עַמּ֖וֹן

H5983

of Ammon

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

#11

מְאֹ֑ד

H3966

at great

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

#12

וָֽאֶזְעַ֣ק

H2199

and when I called

to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly

#13

אֶתְכֶ֔ם

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#14

וְלֹֽא

H3808

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

#15

הוֹשַׁעְתֶּ֥ם

H3467

you ye delivered

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

#16

אוֹתִ֖י

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#17

מִיָּדָֽם׃

H3027

me not out of their hands

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

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

In what ways does understanding covenant community in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
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?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?

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