Judges 16:19

Authorized King James Version

And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַתְּיַשְּׁנֵ֙הוּ֙

H3462

And she made him sleep

properly, to be slack or languid, i.e., (by implication) sleep (figuratively, to die); also to grow old, stale or inveterate

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בִּרְכֶּ֔יהָ

H1290

upon her knees

a knee

וַתִּקְרָ֣א

H7121

and she called

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לָאִ֔ישׁ

H376

for a man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וַתְּגַלַּ֕ח

H1548

and she caused him to shave off

properly, to be bald, i.e., (causatively) to shave; figuratively to lay waste

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שֶׁ֖בַע

H7651

the seven

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

מַחְלְפ֣וֹת

H4253

locks

a ringlet of hair (as gliding over each other)

#10

רֹאשׁ֑וֹ

H7218

of his head

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

#11

וַתָּ֙חֶל֙

H2490

and she 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

#12

לְעַנּוֹת֔וֹ

H6031

to afflict

to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)

#13

וַיָּ֥סַר

H5493

went

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

#14

כֹּח֖וֹ

H3581

him and his strength

vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)

#15

מֵֽעָלָֽיו׃

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

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 revelation 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

In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within Judges chapter 16 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

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