Judges 3:19

Authorized King James Version

But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king: who said, Keep silence. And all that stood by him went out from him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְה֣וּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#2
שָׁ֗ב
But he himself turned again
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#3
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#4
הַפְּסִילִים֙
from the quarries
an idol
#5
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#6
אֶת
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#7
הַגִּלְגָּ֔ל
that were by Gilgal
gilgal, the name of three places in palestine
#8
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#9
דְּבַר
errand
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#10
סֵ֥תֶר
I have a secret
a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense)
#11
לִ֛י
H0
#12
אֵלֶ֖יךָ
near, with or among; often in general, to
#13
הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ
unto thee O king
a king
#14
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#15
הָ֔ס
Keep silence
to hush
#16
וַיֵּֽצְאוּ֙
by him went out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#17
מֵֽעָלָ֔יו
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#18
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#19
הָעֹֽמְדִ֖ים
And all that stood
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#20
עָלָֽיו׃
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

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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