Judges 20:28

Authorized King James Version

And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וּ֠פִֽינְחָס

H6372

And Phinehas

pinechas, the name of three israelites

בְּנֵֽי

H1121

against 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

אֶלְעָזָ֨ר

H499

of Eleazar

elazar, the name of seven israelites

בְּנֵֽי

H1121

against 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

אַהֲרֹ֜ן

H175

of Aaron

aharon, the brother of moses

עֹמֵ֣ד׀

H5975

stood

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לְפָנָ֗יו

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

בַּיָּמִ֣ים

H3117

it in those days

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הָהֵם֮

H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

#10

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

#11

הַֽאוֹסִ֨ף

H3254

Shall I yet again

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

#12

ע֜וֹד

H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

#13

לָצֵ֧את

H3318

go out

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

#14

לַמִּלְחָמָ֛ה

H4421

to battle

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

#15

עִם

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

#16

בְּנֵֽי

H1121

against 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

#17

בִנְיָמִ֥ן

H1144

of Benjamin

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

#18

אָחִ֖י

H251

my brother

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

#19

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#20

אֶחְדָּ֑ל

H2308

or shall I cease

properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle

#21

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

#22

יְהוָה֙

H3068

And the LORD

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

#23

עֲל֔וּ

H5927

Go up

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

#24

כִּ֥י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#25

מָחָ֖ר

H4279

for to morrow

properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter

#26

אֶתְּנֶ֥נּוּ

H5414

I will deliver

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#27

בְיָדֶֽךָ׃

H3027

them into thine hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

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 this verse's literary context within Judges chapter 20 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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