Judges 9:18

Authorized King James Version

And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאַתֶּ֞ם
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#2
קַמְתֶּ֨ם
And ye are risen up
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#3
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#4
בֵּ֤ית
house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#5
אָבִי֙
H1
against my father's
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#6
הַיּ֔וֹם
this day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#7
וַתַּֽהַרְג֧וּ
and have slain
to smite with deadly intent
#8
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
בֶּן
his sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#10
שִׁבְעִ֥ים
threescore and ten
seventy
#11
אִ֖ישׁ
persons
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)
#12
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
אֶ֣בֶן
H68
stone
a stone
#14
אֶחָ֑ת
upon one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#15
וַתַּמְלִ֜יכוּ
king
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
#16
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#17
אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ
H40
and have made Abimelech
abimelek, the name of two philistine kings and of two israelites
#18
בֶּן
his sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#19
אֲמָתוֹ֙
of his maidservant
a maid-servant or female slave
#20
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#21
בַּֽעֲלֵ֣י
over the men
a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
#22
שְׁכֶ֔ם
of Shechem
shekem, a place in palestine
#23
כִּ֥י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#24
אֲחִיכֶ֖ם
because he is your brother
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#25
הֽוּא׃
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

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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