Judges 6:13

Authorized King James Version

And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

Word-by-Word Analysis

לֵאמֹ֗ר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֤יו

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גִּדְעוֹן֙

H1439

And Gideon

gidon, an israelite

בִּ֣י

H994

unto him Oh

oh that!; with leave, or if it please

אֲדֹנִ֔י

H113

my Lord

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

וְיֵ֤שׁ

H3426

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

Did not the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עִמָּ֔נוּ

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

וְלָ֥מָּה

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

#10

מְצָאַ֖תְנוּ

H4672

be with us why then is all this befallen

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

#11

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#12

זֹ֑את

H2063

this (often used adverb)

#13

וְאַיֵּ֣ה

H346

where?

#14

כָֽל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#15

נִפְלְאֹתָ֡יו

H6381

us and where be all his miracles

properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful

#16

אֲשֶׁר֩

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#17

סִפְּרוּ

H5608

told

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

#18

לָ֨נוּ

#19

אֲבוֹתֵ֜ינוּ

which our fathers

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

#20

לֵאמֹ֗ר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

#21

הֲלֹ֤א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#22

מִמִּצְרַ֙יִם֙

H4714

from Egypt

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

#23

הֶֽעֱלָ֣נוּ

H5927

bring us up

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

#24

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

Did not the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#25

וְעַתָּה֙

H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

#26

נְטָשָׁ֣נוּ

H5203

hath forsaken

properly, to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusive

#27

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

Did not the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#28

וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖נוּ

H5414

us and delivered

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#29

בְּכַף

H3709

us into the hands

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

#30

מִדְיָֽן׃

H4080

of 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 universal language and absolute statements. 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

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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Study Resources

Biblical Maps