Judges 7:17

Authorized King James Version

And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
מִמֶּ֥נִּי
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#4
תִרְא֖וּ
unto them Look
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#5
וְכֵ֣ן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#6
תַּֽעֲשֽׂוּן׃
it shall be that as I do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#7
וְהִנֵּ֨ה
lo!
#8
אָֽנֹכִ֥י
i
#9
בָא֙
likewise and behold when I come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#10
בִּקְצֵ֣ה
to the outside
an extremity
#11
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה
of the camp
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#12
וְהָיָ֥ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#13
כַֽאֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#14
תַּֽעֲשֽׂוּן׃
it shall be that as I do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#15
כֵּ֥ן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#16
תַּֽעֲשֽׂוּן׃
it shall be that as I do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

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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