Judges 20:4

Authorized King James Version

And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and said, I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּ֜עַן
answered
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
#2
אִ֛ישׁ
the 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
הַלֵּוִ֗י
And the Levite
a levite or descendant of levi
#4
אִ֛ישׁ
the 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)
#5
הָֽאִשָּׁ֥ה
of the woman
a woman
#6
הַנִּרְצָחָ֖ה
that was slain
properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder
#7
וַיֹּאמַ֑ר
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#8
הַגִּבְעָ֙תָה֙
into Gibeah
gibah; the name of three places in palestine
#9
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#10
לְבִנְיָמִ֔ן
that belongeth to Benjamin
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#11
בָּ֛אתִי
I came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#12
אֲנִ֥י
i
#13
וּפִֽילַגְשִׁ֖י
I and my concubine
a concubine; also (masculine) a paramour
#14
לָלֽוּן׃
to lodge
to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)

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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