Judges 6:11

Authorized King James Version

And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּבֹ֞א
And there came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
מַלְאַ֣ךְ
an angel
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
#3
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
וַיֵּ֙שֶׁב֙
and sat
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#5
תַּ֤חַת
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
#6
הָֽאֵלָה֙
under an oak
an oak or other strong tree
#7
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#8
בְּעָפְרָ֔ה
which was in Ophrah
ophrah, the name of an israelite and of two places in palestine
#9
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#10
לְיוֹאָ֖שׁ
that pertained unto Joash
joash, the name of six israelites
#11
אֲבִ֣י
H0
#12
הָֽעֶזְרִ֑י
H33
the Abiezrite
an abiezrite or descendant of abiezer
#13
וְגִדְע֣וֹן
Gideon
gidon, an israelite
#14
בְּנ֗וֹ
and his son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#15
חֹבֵ֤ט
threshed
to knock out or off
#16
חִטִּים֙
wheat
wheat, whether the grain or the plant
#17
בַּגַּ֔ת
by the winepress
a wine-press (or vat for holding the grapes in pressing them)
#18
לְהָנִ֖יס
to hide
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
#19
מִפְּנֵ֥י
it from
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#20
מִדְיָֽן׃
the Midianites
midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants

Analysis

Within the broader context of Judges, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Judges.

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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