Judges 8:26

Authorized King James Version

And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels' necks.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֗י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
מִשְׁקַ֞ל
And the weight
weight (numerically estimated); hence, weighing (the act)
#3
נִזְמֵ֤י
earrings
a nose-ring
#4
זָהָ֑ב
of the golden
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
#5
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#6
שָׁאָ֔ל
that he requested
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
#7
אֶ֥לֶף
was a thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#8
וּשְׁבַע
and seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#9
מֵא֖וֹת
hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#10
זָהָ֑ב
of the golden
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
#11
לְ֠בַד
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
#12
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#13
הַשַּֽׂהֲרֹנִ֨ים
beside ornaments
a round pendant for the neck
#14
וְהַנְּטִיפ֜וֹת
and collars
a pendant for the ears (especially of pearls)
#15
וּבִגְדֵ֣י
raiment
a covering, i.e., clothing
#16
הָֽאַרְגָּמָ֗ן
and purple
purple (the color or the dyed stuff)
#17
שֶׁעַל֙
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#18
מַלְכֵ֣י
that was on the kings
a king
#19
מִדְיָ֔ן
of Midian
midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants
#20
וּלְבַד֙
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
#21
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#22
הָ֣עֲנָק֔וֹת
and beside the chains
a necklace (as if strangling)
#23
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#24
בְּצַוְּארֵ֥י
necks
the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound)
#25
גְמַלֵּיהֶֽם׃
that were about their camels
a camel

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 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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