Judges 8:1

Authorized King James Version

And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּֽאמְר֨וּ

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֜יו

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אִ֣ישׁ

H376

And the men

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)

אֶפְרַ֗יִם

H669

of Ephraim

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

מָֽה

H4100

unto him Why hast thou

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

הַדָּבָ֤ר

H1697

us thus

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַזֶּה֙

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

עָשִׂ֣יתָ

H6213

served

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָּ֔נוּ

#10

לְבִלְתִּי֙

H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

#11

קְרֹ֣אות

H7121

that thou calledst

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

#12

לָ֔נוּ

#13

כִּ֥י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#14

הָלַ֖כְתָּ

H1980

us not when thou wentest

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

#15

לְהִלָּחֵ֣ם

H3898

to fight

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

#16

בְּמִדְיָ֑ן

H4080

with the Midianites

midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants

#17

וַיְרִיב֥וּן

H7378

And they did chide

properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend

#18

אִתּ֖וֹ

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

#19

בְּחָזְקָֽה׃

H2394

with him sharply

vehemence (usually in a bad sense)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Judges, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by introducing key themes that will be developed throughout 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

How does this verse's literary context within Judges chapter 8 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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