Judges 5:26

Authorized King James Version

She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
יָדָהּ֙
her hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#2
לַיָּתֵ֣ד
to the nail
a peg
#3
תִּשְׁלַ֔חְנָה
She put
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#4
וִֽימִינָ֖הּ
and her right hand
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
#5
לְהַלְמ֣וּת
hammer
a hammer (or mallet)
#6
עֲמֵלִ֑ים
to the workmen's
toiling; concretely, a laborer; figuratively, sorrowful
#7
וְהָֽלְמָ֤ה
and with the hammer she smote
to strike down; by implication, to hammer, stamp, conquer, disband
#8
סִֽיסְרָא֙
Sisera
sisera, the name of a canaanitish king and of one of the nethinim
#9
מָֽחֲקָ֣ה
she smote off
to crush
#10
רֹאשׁ֔וֹ
his head
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#11
וּמָֽחֲצָ֥ה
when she had pierced
to dash asunder; by implication, to crush, smash or violently plunge; figuratively, to subdue or destroy
#12
וְחָֽלְפָ֖ה
and stricken through
properly, to slide by, i.e., (by implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or change
#13
רַקָּתֽוֹ׃
his temples
properly, thinness, i.e., the side of the head

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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