Judges 21:2

Authorized King James Version

And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּבֹ֤א
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
הָעָם֙
And the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#3
בֵּֽית
to the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#4
אֵ֔ל
beth-el, a place in palestine
#5
וַיֵּ֤שְׁבוּ
and abode
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#6
שָׁם֙
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#7
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#8
הָעֶ֔רֶב
there till even
dusk
#9
לִפְנֵ֖י
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
#10
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים
God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#11
וַיִּשְׂא֣וּ
and lifted up
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#12
קוֹלָ֔ם
their voices
a voice or sound
#13
וַיִּבְכּ֖וּ
and wept
to weep; generally to bemoan
#14
בְּכִ֥י
a weeping; by analogy, a dripping
#15
גָדֽוֹל׃
sore
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

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 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 sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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