Judges 4:20

Authorized King James Version

Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and enquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאָמַ֥רְתְּ
Again he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֵלֶ֔יהָ
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
עֲמֹ֖ד
unto her Stand in
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#4
פֶּ֣תַח
the door
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
#5
הָאֹ֑הֶל
of the tent
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
#6
וְהָיָה֩
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#7
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#8
אִ֖ישׁ
and it shall be when any man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#9
יָבֹ֜א
doth come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#10
וּשְׁאֵלֵ֗ךְ
and enquire
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
#11
וְאָמַ֥רְתְּ
Again he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#12
הֲיֵֽשׁ
Is there
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
#13
פֹּ֥ה
this place (french ici), i.e., here or hence
#14
אִ֖ישׁ
and it shall be when any man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#15
וְאָמַ֥רְתְּ
Again he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#16
אָֽיִן׃
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

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

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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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