Judges 4:22

Authorized King James Version

And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהִנֵּ֣ה
lo!
#2
בָרָק֮
And behold as Barak
barak, an israelite
#3
רֹדֵ֣ף
pursued
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
#4
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
סִֽיסְרָא֙
Sisera
sisera, the name of a canaanitish king and of one of the nethinim
#6
וַתֵּצֵ֤א
came out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#7
יָעֵל֙
Jael
jael, a canaanite
#8
לִקְרָאת֔וֹ
to meet
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
#9
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר
him and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#10
ל֔וֹ
H0
#11
לֵ֣ךְ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#12
וְאַרְאֶ֔ךָּ
and I will shew
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#13
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#14
הָאִ֖ישׁ
thee the 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
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#16
אַתָּ֣ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#17
מְבַקֵּ֑שׁ
whom thou seekest
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
#18
וַיָּבֹ֣א
And when he came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#19
אֵלֶ֔יהָ
near, with or among; often in general, to
#20
וְהִנֵּ֤ה
lo!
#21
סִֽיסְרָא֙
Sisera
sisera, the name of a canaanitish king and of one of the nethinim
#22
נֹפֵ֣ל
lay
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#23
מֵ֔ת
dead
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#24
וְהַיָּתֵ֖ד
and the nail
a peg
#25
בְּרַקָּתֽוֹ׃
was in his temples
properly, thinness, i.e., the side of the head

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Judges. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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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