Judges 16:15

Authorized King James Version

And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
תֹּאמַ֣ר
And she said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֵלָ֗יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
אֵ֚יךְ
unto him How
how? or how!; also where
#4
תֹּאמַ֣ר
And she said
to say (used with great latitude)
#5
אֲהַבְתִּ֔יךְ
I love
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
#6
וְלִבְּךָ֖
thee when thine heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#7
אֵ֣ין
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#8
אִתִּ֑י
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#9
זֶ֣ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#10
שָׁלֹ֤שׁ
me these three
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
#11
פְּעָמִים֙
times
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
#12
הֵתַ֣לְתָּ
is not with me thou hast mocked
to deride; by implication, to cheat
#13
בִּ֔י
H0
#14
וְלֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#15
הִגַּ֣דְתָּ
and hast not told
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#16
לִּ֔י
H0
#17
בַּמֶּ֖ה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#18
כֹּֽחֲךָ֥
strength
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
#19
גָדֽוֹל׃
me wherein thy great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

Analysis

Within the broader context of Judges, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of love connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about love, 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

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Judges Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes love in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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