Judges 19:22

Authorized King James Version

Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הֵמָּה֮
they (only used when emphatic)
#2
מֵֽיטִיבִ֣ים
merry
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
לִבָּם֒
Now as they were making their hearts
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#5
וְהִנֵּה֩
lo!
#6
אַנְשֵׁ֣י
behold the men
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
#7
הָעִ֜יר
of the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#8
אַנְשֵׁ֣י
behold the men
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
#9
בְנֵֽי
sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#10
בְלִיַּ֗עַל
of Belial
without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness
#11
נָסַ֙בּוּ֙
beset
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
#12
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
בֵּֽיתְךָ֖
into thine house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#14
מִֽתְדַּפְּקִ֖ים
and beat
to knock; by analogy, to press severely
#15
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#16
הַדָּ֑לֶת
at the door
something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door
#17
לֵאמֹ֔ר
and spake
to say (used with great latitude)
#18
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#19
הָאִ֛ישׁ
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)
#20
בַּ֣עַל
to the master
a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
#21
בֵּֽיתְךָ֖
into thine house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#22
הַזָּקֵן֙
the old
old
#23
לֵאמֹ֔ר
and spake
to say (used with great latitude)
#24
הוֹצֵ֗א
Bring forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#25
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#26
הָאִ֛ישׁ
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)
#27
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#28
בָּ֥א
that came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#29
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#30
בֵּֽיתְךָ֖
into thine house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#31
וְנֵֽדָעֶֽנּוּ׃
that we may know
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

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 revelation 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

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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