Judges 21:1

Authorized King James Version

Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, There shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אִ֣ישׁ
Now the 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)
#2
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#3
נִשְׁבַּ֥ע
had sworn
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
#4
בַּמִּצְפָּ֖ה
in Mizpeh
mitspah, the name of two places in palestine
#5
לֵאמֹ֑ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
אִ֣ישׁ
Now the 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)
#7
מִמֶּ֔נּוּ
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#8
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#9
יִתֵּ֥ן
of us give
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#10
בִּתּ֛וֹ
his daughter
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#11
לְבִנְיָמִ֖ן
unto Benjamin
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#12
לְאִשָּֽׁה׃
to wife
a woman

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 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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