Judges 7:21

Authorized King James Version

And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּֽעַמְדוּ֙
And they stood
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#2
אִ֣ישׁ
every man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#3
תַּחְתָּ֔יו
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
#4
סָבִ֖יב
in his place round about
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
#5
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֛ה
and all the host
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#6
וַיָּ֧רָץ
ran
to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)
#7
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#8
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֛ה
and all the host
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#9
וַיָּרִ֖יעוּ
and cried
to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e., shout (for alarm or joy)
#10
וַיָּנֽיּסוּ׃
and fled
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original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