Judges 4:18

Authorized King James Version

And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתֵּצֵ֣א
went out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#2
יָעֵל֮
And Jael
jael, a canaanite
#3
לִקְרַ֣את
to meet
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
#4
סִֽיסְרָא֒
Sisera
sisera, the name of a canaanitish king and of one of the nethinim
#5
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
אֵלָ֗יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
וַיָּ֤סַר
not And when he had turned in
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
#8
אֲדֹנִ֛י
my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#9
וַיָּ֤סַר
not And when he had turned in
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
#10
אֵלַ֖י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#11
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#12
תִּירָ֑א
to me fear
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
#13
וַיָּ֤סַר
not And when he had turned in
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
#14
אֵלֶ֙יהָ֙
near, with or among; often in general, to
#15
הָאֹ֔הֱלָה
unto her into the tent
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
#16
וַתְּכַסֵּ֖הוּ
she covered
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
#17
בַּשְּׂמִיכָֽה׃
him with a mantle
a run (as sustaining the middle eastern sitter)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Judges, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Judges.

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original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