Judges 20:45

Authorized King James Version

And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּפְנ֞וּ
And they turned
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
#2
וַיָּנֻ֤סוּ
and fled
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
#3
הַמִּדְבָּ֙רָה֙
toward the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
#4
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
סֶ֣לַע
unto the rock
a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)
#6
הָֽרִמּ֔וֹן
of Rimmon
rimmon, the name of five places in palestine
#7
וַיְעֹֽלְלֻ֙הוּ֙
and they gleaned
to effect thoroughly; by implication (in a bad sense) to overdo, i.e., maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose (also literal)
#8
בַּֽמְסִלּ֔וֹת
of them in the highways
a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a staircase
#9
חֲמֵ֥שֶׁת
five
five
#10
אַלְפַּ֥יִם
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#11
אִֽישׁ׃
men
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)
#12
וַיַּדְבִּ֤יקוּ
and pursued
properly, to impinge, i.e., cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit
#13
אַֽחֲרָיו֙
hard after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#14
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#15
גִּדְעֹ֔ם
them unto Gidom
gidom, a place in palestine
#16
וַיַּכּ֥וּ
and slew
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#17
מִמֶּ֖נּוּ
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#18
אַלְפַּ֥יִם
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#19
אִֽישׁ׃
men
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)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Judges, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Judges.

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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