Judges 13:25

Authorized King James Version

And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתָּ֙חֶל֙
began
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
#2
ר֣וּחַ
And the Spirit
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
#3
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
לְפַֽעֲמ֖וֹ
to move him at times
to tap, i.e., beat regularly; hence (generally) to impel or agitate
#5
בְּמַֽחֲנֵה
in the camp
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#6
דָ֑ן
of Dan
dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them
#7
בֵּ֥ין
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#8
צָרְעָ֖ה
between Zorah
tsorah, a place in palestine
#9
וּבֵ֥ין
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#10
אֶשְׁתָּאֹֽל׃
and Eshtaol
eshtaol, a place in palestine

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 sovereignty 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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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

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