Judges 14:3

Authorized King James Version

Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
ל֜וֹ
H0
#3
אָבִיו֙
H1
Then his father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#4
וְאִמּ֗וֹ
and his mother
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
#5
הַאֵין֩
unto him Is there never
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#6
בִּבְנ֨וֹת
among the daughters
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#7
אַחֶ֤יךָ
of thy brethren
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#8
וּבְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#9
עַמִּי֙
or among all my people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#10
אִשָּׁ֔ה
a wife
a woman
#11
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#12
אַתָּ֤ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#13
הוֹלֵךְ֙
that thou goest
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#14
קַֽח
Get
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#15
אִשָּׁ֔ה
a wife
a woman
#16
מִפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים
Philistines
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
#17
הָֽעֲרֵלִ֑ים
of the uncircumcised
properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)
#18
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#19
שִׁמְשׁ֤וֹן
And Samson
shimshon, an israelite
#20
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#21
אָבִיו֙
H1
Then his father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#22
אוֹתָ֣הּ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#23
קַֽח
Get
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#24
לִ֔י
H0
#25
כִּי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#26
הִ֖יא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#27
יָֽשְׁרָ֥ה
her for me for she pleaseth me well
to be straight or even; figuratively, to be (causatively, to make) right, pleasant, prosperous
#28
בְעֵינָֽי׃
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

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

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