Judges 16:23

Authorized King James Version

Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְסַרְנֵ֣י
Then the lords
an axle
#2
פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים
of the Philistines
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
#3
נֶֽאֱסְפוּ֙
gathered them together
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
#4
לִזְבֹּ֧חַ
for to offer
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
#5
זֶֽבַח
sacrifice
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
#6
גָּד֛וֹל
a great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#7
לְדָג֥וֹן
unto Dagon
dagon, a philistine deity
#8
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙
Our 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
#9
וּלְשִׂמְחָ֑ה
and to rejoice
blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
#10
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ
for they said
to say (used with great latitude)
#11
נָתַ֤ן
hath delivered
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#12
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙
Our 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
#13
בְּיָדֵ֔נוּ
into our hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#14
אֵ֖ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
שִׁמְשׁ֥וֹן
Samson
shimshon, an israelite
#16
אֽוֹיְבֵֽנוּ׃
our enemy
hating; an adversary

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

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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