Judges 18:19

Authorized King James Version

And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel?

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּאמְרוּ֩

H559

And they said

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֨וֹ

הַֽחֲרֵ֜שׁ

H2790

unto him Hold thy peace

to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad

שִֽׂים

H7760

lay

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

יָדְךָ֤

H3027

thine 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

עַל

H5921

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

פִּ֙יךָ֙

H6310

upon thy mouth

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

וְלֵ֣ךְ

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

עִמָּ֔נוּ

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

#10

הֱיֽוֹתְךָ֣

H1961

with us and be to us

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#11

לָ֖נוּ

#12

לְאָ֣ב

a father

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

#13

כֹהֵ֔ן

H3548

and a priest

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

#14

הֲט֣וֹב׀

H2896

is it better

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

#15

הֱיֽוֹתְךָ֣

H1961

with us and be to us

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#16

כֹהֵ֔ן

H3548

and a priest

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

#17

לְבֵית֙

H1004

unto the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#18

אִ֣ישׁ

H376

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)

#19

אֶחָ֔ד

H259

of one

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

#20

א֚וֹ

H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

#21

הֱיֽוֹתְךָ֣

H1961

with us and be to us

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#22

כֹהֵ֔ן

H3548

and a priest

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

#23

לְשֵׁ֥בֶט

H7626

unto a tribe

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

#24

וּלְמִשְׁפָּחָ֖ה

H4940

and a family

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

#25

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

H3478

in Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis

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

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
In what ways does understanding peace in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How might the original audience's understanding of peace differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

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