Judges 21:19

Authorized King James Version

Then they said, Behold, there is a feast of the LORD in Shiloh yearly in a place which is on the north side of Beth-el, on the east side of the highway that goeth up from Beth-el to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּֽאמְר֡וּ
Then they said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
הִנֵּה֩
lo!
#3
חַג
Behold there is a feast
a festival, or a victim therefor
#4
יְהוָ֨ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
בְּשִׁל֜וֹ
in Shiloh
shiloh, a place in palestine
#6
יָמִ֗ימָה
yearly
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
#7
יָמִ֗ימָה
yearly
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
#8
אֲשֶׁ֞ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#9
מִצְּפ֤וֹנָה
in a place which is on the north side
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
#10
לְבֵֽית
H0
#11
אֵ֖ל
from Bethel
beth-el, a place in palestine
#12
מִזְרְחָ֣ה
on the east side
sunrise, i.e., the east
#13
הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
#14
לִ֨מְסִלָּ֔ה
of the highway
a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a staircase
#15
הָֽעֹלָ֥ה
that goeth up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#16
מִבֵּֽית
H0
#17
אֵ֖ל
from Bethel
beth-el, a place in palestine
#18
שְׁכֶ֑מָה
to Shechem
shekem, a place in palestine
#19
וּמִנֶּ֖גֶב
and on the south
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
#20
לִלְבוֹנָֽה׃
of Lebonah
lebonah, a place 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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