Judges 9:20

Authorized King James Version

But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#2
אַ֕יִן
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#3
וְתֵצֵ֨א
come out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#4
אֵ֜שׁ
But if not let fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#5
אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃
H40
Abimelech
abimelek, the name of two philistine kings and of two israelites
#6
וְתֹאכַ֖ל
and devour
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#7
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
מִבַּֽעֲלֵ֤י
from the men
a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
#9
שְׁכֶם֙
of Shechem
shekem, a place in palestine
#10
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#11
וּמִבֵּ֣ית
and from the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#12
מִלּ֔וֹא
of Millo
a rampart (as filled in), i.e., the citadel
#13
וְתֵצֵ֨א
come out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#14
אֵ֜שׁ
But if not let fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#15
מִבַּֽעֲלֵ֤י
from the men
a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
#16
שְׁכֶם֙
of Shechem
shekem, a place in palestine
#17
וּמִבֵּ֣ית
and from the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#18
מִלּ֔וֹא
of Millo
a rampart (as filled in), i.e., the citadel
#19
וְתֹאכַ֖ל
and devour
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#20
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#21
אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃
H40
Abimelech
abimelek, the name of two philistine kings and of two israelites

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 revelation 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

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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