Judges 5:14

Authorized King James Version

Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
מִנִּ֣י
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#2
אֶפְרַ֗יִם
Out of Ephraim
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#3
שָׁרְשָׁם֙
was there a root
a root (literally or figuratively)
#4
בַּֽעֲמָלֵ֔ק
of them against Amalek
amalek, a descendant of esau; also his posterity and their country
#5
אַֽחֲרֶ֥יךָ
after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#6
בִנְיָמִ֖ין
thee Benjamin
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#7
בַּֽעֲמָמֶ֑יךָ
among thy people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#8
מִנִּ֣י
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#9
מָכִ֗יר
out of Machir
makir, an israelite
#10
יָֽרְדוּ֙
came down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#11
מְחֹ֣קְקִ֔ים
governors
properly, to hack, i.e., engrave (judges 5:14, to be a scribe simply); by implication, to enact (laws being cut in stone or metal tablets in primitive
#12
וּמִ֨זְּבוּלֻ֔ן
and out of Zebulun
zebulon, a son of jacob; also his territory and tribe
#13
מֹֽשְׁכִ֖ים
they that handle
to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.)
#14
בְּשֵׁ֥בֶט
the pen
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
#15
סֹפֵֽר׃
of the writer
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

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 covenant community 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 covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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