Judges 16:30

Authorized King James Version

And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
שִׁמְשׁ֗וֹן
And Samson
shimshon, an israelite
#3
הֵמִ֖ית
Let me die
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#4
נַפְשִׁי֮
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#5
עִם
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#6
פְּלִשְׁתִּים֒
with the Philistines
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
#7
וַיֵּ֣ט
And he bowed
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
#8
בְּכֹ֔חַ
himself with all his might
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
#9
וַיִּפֹּ֤ל
fell
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#10
הַבַּ֙יִת֙
and the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#11
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#12
הַסְּרָנִ֔ים
upon the lords
an axle
#13
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#14
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#15
הָעָ֖ם
and upon all the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#16
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#17
בּ֑וֹ
H0
#18
וַיִּֽהְי֤וּ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#19
הֵמִ֖ית
Let me die
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#20
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#21
הֵמִ֖ית
Let me die
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#22
בְּמוֹת֔וֹ
at his death
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
#23
רַבִּ֕ים
were more
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#24
מֵֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#25
הֵמִ֖ית
Let me die
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#26
בְּחַיָּֽיו׃
in his life
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Judges. The concept of life reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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 life. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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