Judges 19:18

Authorized King James Version

And he said unto him, We are passing from Beth-lehem-judah toward the side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Beth-lehem-judah, but I am now going to the house of the LORD; and there is no man that receiveth me to house.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר

H559

And he said

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֗יו

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עֹֽבְרִ֨ים

H5674

unto him We are passing

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

אֲנַ֜חְנוּ

H587

מִבֵּֽית

לֶ֖חֶם

H1035

from Bethlehemjudah

beth-lechem, a place in palestine

יְהוּדָה֮

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

עַד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

יַרְכְּתֵ֣י

H3411

toward the side

properly, the flank; but used only figuratively, the rear or recess

#10

הַר

H2022

of mount

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

#11

אֶפְרַיִם֒

H669

Ephraim

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

#12

מִשָּׁ֣ם

H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

#13

אָנֹ֔כִי

H595

#14

הֹלֵ֔ךְ

H1980

but I am now going

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

#15

עַד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

#16

בֵּ֥ית

#17

לֶ֖חֶם

H1035

from Bethlehemjudah

beth-lechem, a place in palestine

#18

יְהוּדָ֑ה

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

#19

וְאֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#20

הַבָּֽיְתָה׃

H1004

me to house

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

#21

יְהוָה֙

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#22

אֲנִ֣י

H589

#23

הֹלֵ֔ךְ

H1980

but I am now going

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

#24

וְאֵ֣ין

H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

#25

אִ֔ישׁ

H376

and there is no 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)

#26

מְאַסֵּ֥ף

H622

that receiveth

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

#27

אוֹתִ֖י

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#28

הַבָּֽיְתָה׃

H1004

me to house

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

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 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

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this verse's literary context within Judges chapter 19 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?

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