Judges 3:9

Authorized King James Version

And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּזְעֲק֤וּ
cried
to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly
#2
בֶּן
And when 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
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#4
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
יְהוָ֥ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#6
וַיָּ֨קֶם
raised up
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#7
יְהוָ֥ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
וַיּֽוֹשִׁיעֵ֑ם
a deliverer
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
#9
בֶּן
And when 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
#10
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#11
וַיּֽוֹשִׁיעֵ֑ם
a deliverer
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
#12
אֵ֚ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
עָתְנִיאֵ֣ל
them even Othniel
othniel, an israelite
#14
בֶּן
And when 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
#15
קְנַ֔ז
of Kenaz
kenaz, the name of an edomite and of two israelites
#16
אֲחִ֥י
brother
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#17
כָלֵ֖ב
Caleb's
caleb, the name of three israelites
#18
הַקָּטֹ֥ן
younger
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
#19
מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

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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