Judges 8:34

Authorized King James Version

And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְלֹ֤א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

זָֽכְרוּ֙

H2142

remembered

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

בְּנֵ֣י

H1121

And the children

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֖ה

H3068

not the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֑ם

H430

their God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

הַמַּצִּ֥יל

H5337

who had delivered

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

אוֹתָ֛ם

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#10

מִיַּ֥ד

H3027

them out of the hands

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

#11

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#12

אֹֽיְבֵיהֶ֖ם

H341

of all their enemies

hating; an adversary

#13

מִסָּבִֽיב׃

H5439

on every side

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

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 sovereignty 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

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

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

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