Judges 5:8

Authorized King James Version

They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
יִבְחַר֙
They chose
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
#2
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
gods
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#3
חֲדָשִׁ֔ים
new
new
#4
אָ֖ז
at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore
#5
לָחֶ֣ם
then was war
battle
#6
שְׁעָרִ֑ים
in the gates
an opening, i.e., door or gate
#7
מָגֵ֤ן
was there a shield
a shield (i.e., the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile
#8
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#9
יֵֽרָאֶה֙
seen
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#10
וָרֹ֔מַח
or spear
a lance (as thrown); especially the iron point
#11
בְּאַרְבָּעִ֥ים
among forty
forty
#12
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#13
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
in Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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 sovereignty 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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original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