Judges 19:3

Authorized King James Version

And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her, and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses: and she brought him into her father's house: and when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּ֨קָם
arose
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#2
אִישָׁ֜הּ
And her husband
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)
#3
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#4
אַֽחֲרֶ֗יהָ
after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#5
לְדַבֵּ֤ר
her to speak
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#6
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
לִבָּהּ֙
friendly
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#8
לַֽהֲשִׁיבָ֔וֹ
unto her and to bring her again
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#9
וְנַֽעֲר֥וֹ
having his servant
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
#10
עִמּ֖וֹ
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#11
וְצֶ֣מֶד
with him and a couple
a yoke or team (i.e., pair); hence, an acre (i.e., day's task for a yoke of cattle to plough)
#12
חֲמֹרִ֑ים
of asses
a male ass (from its dun red)
#13
וַתְּבִיאֵ֙הוּ֙
and she brought
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#14
בֵּ֣ית
house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#15
אֲבִ֣י
H1
and when the father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#16
וַיִּרְאֵ֙הוּ֙
saw
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#17
אֲבִ֣י
H1
and when the father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#18
הַֽנַּעֲרָ֔ה
of the damsel
a girl (from infancy to adolescence)
#19
וַיִּשְׂמַ֖ח
him he rejoiced
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
#20
לִקְרָאתֽוֹ׃
to meet
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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