Judges 20:1

Authorized King James Version

Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֵּֽצְאוּ֮
went out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#2
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#3
בְּנֵ֣י
Then all the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#4
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#5
וַתִּקָּהֵ֨ל
was gathered together
to convoke
#6
הָֽעֵדָ֜ה
and the congregation
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
#7
כְּאִ֣ישׁ
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)
#8
אֶחָ֗ד
as one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#9
לְמִדָּן֙
from Dan
dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them
#10
וְעַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#11
בְּאֵ֣ר
H0
#12
שֶׁ֔בַע
even to Beersheba
beer-sheba, a place in palestine
#13
וְאֶ֖רֶץ
with the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#14
הַגִּלְעָ֑ד
of Gilead
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
#15
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#16
יְהוָ֖ה
unto the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#17
הַמִּצְפָּֽה׃
in Mizpeh
mitspah, the name of two places in palestine

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Judges. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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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