Judges 9:2

Authorized King James Version

Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.

Word-by-Word Analysis

דַּבְּרוּ

H1696

Speak

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

נָ֞א

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

בְּאָזְנֵ֨י

H241

I pray you in the ears

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

כָל

H3605

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

בַּֽעֲלֵ֣י

H1167

of all the men

a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)

שְׁכֶם֮

H7927

of Shechem

shekem, a place in palestine

מַה

H4100

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

טּ֣וֹב

H2896

Whether is better

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

לָכֶם֒

#10

מְשֹׁ֥ל

H4910

reign

to rule

#11

בָּכֶ֜ם

#12

שִׁבְעִ֣ים

H7657

which are threescore and ten

seventy

#13

אִ֣ישׁ

H376

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)

#14

כֹּ֚ל

H3605

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

#15

בְּנֵ֣י

H1121

for you either that all the 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

#16

יְרֻבַּ֔עַל

H3378

of Jerubbaal

jerubbaal, a symbolic name of gideon

#17

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#18

מְשֹׁ֥ל

H4910

reign

to rule

#19

בָּכֶ֖ם

#20

אִ֣ישׁ

H376

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)

#21

אֶחָ֑ד

H259

over you or that one

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

#22

וּזְכַרְתֶּ֕ם

H2142

over you remember

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

#23

כִּֽי

H3588

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

#24

עַצְמֵכֶ֥ם

H6106

also that I am your bone

a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame

#25

וּבְשַׂרְכֶ֖ם

H1320

and your flesh

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

#26

אָֽנִי׃

H589

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

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 kingdom of God 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

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?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from earthly theocracy through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
What practical applications emerge from understanding kingdom of God as presented in this verse, particularly in light of providing hope in times of political and social upheaval?

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