Judges 3:20

Authorized King James Version

And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֵה֔וּד
And Ehud
ehud, the name of two or three israelites
#2
בָּ֣א
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#3
אֵלָ֗יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
וְהֽוּא
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
#5
יֹ֠שֵׁב
unto him and he was sitting
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#6
בַּֽעֲלִיַּ֨ת
parlour
something lofty, i.e., a stair-way; also a second-story room (or even one on the roof); figuratively, the sky
#7
הַמְּקֵרָ֤ה
in a summer
a cooling off
#8
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#9
לוֹ֙
H0
#10
לְבַדּ֔וֹ
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
#11
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#12
אֵה֔וּד
And Ehud
ehud, the name of two or three israelites
#13
דְּבַר
I have a message
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#14
אֱלֹהִ֥ים
from 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
#15
לִ֖י
H0
#16
אֵלֶ֑יךָ
near, with or among; often in general, to
#17
וַיָּ֖קָם
unto thee And he arose
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#18
מֵעַ֥ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#19
הַכִּסֵּֽא׃
out of his seat
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)

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 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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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