Judges 3:14

Authorized King James Version

So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּֽעַבְד֤וּ
served
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
#2
בְנֵֽי
So the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#3
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#4
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
עֶגְל֣וֹן
Eglon
eglon, the name of a place in palestine and of a moabitish king
#6
מֶֽלֶךְ
the king
a king
#7
מוֹאָ֔ב
of Moab
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
#8
שְׁמוֹנֶ֥ה
eighteen
a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
#9
עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#10
שָׁנָֽה׃
years
a year (as a revolution of time)

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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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