Judges 6:37

Authorized King James Version

Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הִנֵּ֣ה
lo!
#2
אָֽנֹכִ֗י
i
#3
מַצִּ֛יג
Behold I will put
to place permanently
#4
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
הַגִּזָּ֜ה
a fleece
a fleece
#6
הַצֶּ֖מֶר
of wool
wool
#7
בַּגֹּ֑רֶן
in the floor
a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area
#8
אִ֡ם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#9
טַל֩
and if the dew
dew (as covering vegetation)
#10
יִֽהְיֶ֨ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#11
עַֽל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#12
הַגִּזָּ֜ה
a fleece
a fleece
#13
לְבַדָּ֗הּ
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
#14
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#15
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#16
הָאָ֙רֶץ֙
upon all the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#17
חֹ֔רֶב
only and it be dry
drought or desolation
#18
וְיָֽדַעְתִּ֗י
beside then shall I know
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#19
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#20
תוֹשִׁ֧יעַ
that thou wilt save
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
#21
בְּיָדִ֛י
by mine 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
#22
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#23
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#24
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#25
דִּבַּֽרְתָּ׃
as thou hast said
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Judges. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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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