Judges 16:5

Authorized King James Version

And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּֽעֲל֨וּ
came up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#2
אֵלֶ֜יהָ
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
סַרְנֵ֣י
And the lords
an axle
#4
פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים
of the Philistines
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
#5
וַיֹּ֨אמְרוּ
unto her and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
לָ֜הּ
H0
#7
פַּתִּ֣י
unto her Entice
to open, i.e., be (causatively, make) roomy; usually figuratively (in a mental or moral sense) to be (causatively, make) simple or (in a sinister way)
#8
אוֹת֗וֹ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
וּרְאִי֙
him and see
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#10
בַּמֶּה֙
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#11
כֹּח֣וֹ
strength
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
#12
גָד֔וֹל
wherein his great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#13
וּבַמֶּה֙
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#14
נ֣וּכַל
lieth and by what means we may prevail
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
#15
ל֔וֹ
H0
#16
וַֽאֲסַרְנוּ֖הוּ
against him that we may bind
to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle
#17
לְעַנּוֹת֑וֹ
him to afflict
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
#18
וַֽאֲנַ֙חְנוּ֙
we
#19
נִתַּן
him and we will give
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#20
לָ֔ךְ
H0
#21
אִ֕ישׁ
thee every one
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)
#22
אֶ֥לֶף
of us eleven hundred
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#23
וּמֵאָ֖ה
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#24
כָּֽסֶף׃
pieces of silver
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

Analysis

Within the broader context of Judges, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, 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 divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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