Judges 13:7

Authorized King James Version

But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
But he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
לִ֔י
H0
#3
הִנָּ֥ךְ
lo!
#4
הָרָ֖ה
to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively)
#5
וְיֹלַ֣דְתְּ
and bear
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
#6
בֵּ֑ן
a son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#7
וְעַתָּ֞ה
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
#8
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#9
תִּשְׁתִּ֣י׀
nor strong drink
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
#10
יַ֣יִן
no wine
wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
#11
וְשֵׁכָ֗ר
and now drink
an intoxicant, i.e., intensely alcoholic liquor
#12
וְאַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#13
תֹּֽאכְלִי֙
neither eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#14
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#15
טֻמְאָ֔ה
any unclean
religious impurity
#16
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#17
נְזִ֤יר
shall be a Nazarite
separate, i.e., consecrated (as prince, a nazirite); hence (figuratively from the latter) an unpruned vine (like an unshorn nazirite)
#18
אֱלֹהִים֙
to God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#19
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#20
הַנַּ֔עַר
thing for the child
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
#21
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#22
הַבֶּ֖טֶן
from the womb
the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything
#23
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#24
י֥וֹם
to the 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
#25
מוֹתֽוֹ׃
of his death
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

Analysis

Within the broader context of Judges, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Judges.

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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