Judges 12:3

Authorized King James Version

And when I saw that ye delivered me not, I put my life in my hands, and passed over against the children of Ammon, and the LORD delivered them into my hand: wherefore then are ye come up unto me this day, to fight against me?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וָֽאֶרְאֶ֞ה
And when I saw
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#2
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#3
אֵינְךָ֣
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#4
מוֹשִׁ֗יעַ
that ye delivered
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
#5
וָֽאָשִׂ֨ימָה
me not I put
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#6
נַפְשִׁ֤י
my life
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#7
בְכַפִּי֙
in my hands
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
#8
וָֽאֶעְבְּרָה֙
and passed over
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#9
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
בְּנֵ֣י
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
#11
עַמּ֔וֹן
of Ammon
ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country
#12
וַיִּתְּנֵ֥ם
delivered
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#13
יְהוָ֖ה
and the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#14
בְּיָדִ֑י
them into my hand
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
#15
וְלָמָ֞ה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#16
עֲלִיתֶ֥ם
wherefore then are ye come up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#17
אֵלַ֛י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#18
הַיּ֥וֹם
unto me 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
#19
הַזֶּ֖ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#20
לְהִלָּ֥חֶם
to fight
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
#21
בִּֽי׃
H0

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 life 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

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood life. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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