Judges 19:29

Authorized King James Version

And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּבֹ֣א
And when he was come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
בֵּית֗וֹ
into his house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#4
וַיִּקַּ֤ח
he took
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#5
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
הַֽמַּאֲכֶ֙לֶת֙
a knife
something to eat with, i.e., a knife
#7
וַיַּֽחֲזֵ֣ק
and laid hold
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
#8
בְּפִֽילַגְשׁ֔וֹ
on his concubine
a concubine; also (masculine) a paramour
#9
וַֽיְנַתְּחֶ֙הָ֙
and divided
to dismember
#10
לַֽעֲצָמֶ֔יהָ
her together with her bones
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
#11
לִשְׁנֵ֥ים
into twelve
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#12
עָשָׂ֖ר
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#13
נְתָחִ֑ים
pieces
a fragment
#14
וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֶ֔הָ
and sent
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#15
בְּכֹ֖ל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#16
גְּב֥וּל
her into all the coasts
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
#17
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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

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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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