Judges 17:9

Authorized King James Version

And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I am a Levite of Beth-lehem-judah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
ל֥וֹ
H0
#3
מִיכָ֖ה
And Micah
micah, the name of seven israelites
#4
מֵאַ֣יִן
unto him Whence
where? (only in connection with prepositional prefix, whence)
#5
תָּב֑וֹא
comest
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#6
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#7
אֵלָ֜יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#8
לֵוִ֣י
unto him I am a Levite
a levite or descendant of levi
#9
אָנֹ֗כִי
i
#10
מִבֵּ֥ית
H0
#11
לֶ֙חֶם֙
of Bethlehemjudah
beth-lechem, a place in palestine
#12
יְהוּדָ֔ה
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#13
וְאָֽנֹכִ֣י
i
#14
הֹלֵ֔ךְ
and I go
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#15
לָג֖וּר
to sojourn
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);
#16
בַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#17
אֶמְצָֽא׃
where I may find
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

Analysis

Within the broader context of Judges, this passage highlights salvation through rhetorical questioning that engages the reader. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, 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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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

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