Judges 9:25

Authorized King James Version

And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּשִׂ֣ימוּ
set
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#2
לוֹ֩
H0
#3
בַֽעֲלֵ֨י
And the men
a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
#4
שְׁכֶ֜ם
of Shechem
shekem, a place in palestine
#5
מְאָֽרְבִ֗ים
liers in wait
to lurk
#6
עַ֚ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
רָאשֵׁ֣י
for him in the top
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#8
הֶֽהָרִ֔ים
of the mountains
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#9
וַיִּגְזְל֗וּ
and they robbed
to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob
#10
אֵ֛ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#11
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#12
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#13
יַֽעֲבֹ֥ר
all that came
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#14
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#15
בַּדָּ֑רֶךְ
along that way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#16
וַיֻּגַּ֖ד
by them and it was told
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#17
לַֽאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃
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

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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