Judges 9:33

Authorized King James Version

And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָיָ֤ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
בַבֹּ֙קֶר֙
And it shall be that in the morning
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
#3
כִּזְרֹ֣חַ
is up
properly, to irradiate (or shoot forth beams), i.e., to rise (as the sun); specifically, to appear (as a symptom of leprosy)
#4
הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ
as soon as the sun
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
#5
תַּשְׁכִּ֖ים
thou shalt rise early
literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning
#6
וּפָֽשַׁטְתָּ֣
and set
to spread out (i.e., deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e., unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.)
#7
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#8
הָעִ֑יר
upon the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#9
וְהִנֵּה
lo!
#10
ה֞וּא
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
#11
וְהָעָ֤ם
and behold when he and the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#12
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#13
אִתּוֹ֙
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#14
יֹֽצְאִ֣ים
that is with him come out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#15
אֵלֶ֔יךָ
near, with or among; often in general, to
#16
וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ
against thee then mayest thou do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#17
לּ֔וֹ
H0
#18
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#19
תִּמְצָ֥א
shalt find occasion
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
#20
יָדֶֽךָ׃
to them as thou
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

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 covenant community 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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