Judges 9:35

Authorized King James Version

And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֵּצֵא֙
went out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#2
גַּ֣עַל
And Gaal
gaal, an israelite
#3
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#4
עֶ֔בֶד
of Ebed
ebed, the name of two israelites
#5
וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֕ד
and stood
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#6
פֶּ֖תַח
in the entering
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
#7
שַׁ֣עַר
of the gate
an opening, i.e., door or gate
#8
הָעִ֑יר
of the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#9
וַיָּ֧קָם
rose up
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#10
אֲבִימֶ֛לֶךְ
H40
and Abimelech
abimelek, the name of two philistine kings and of two israelites
#11
וְהָעָ֥ם
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
אִתּ֖וֹ
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#14
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#15
הַמַּאְרָֽב׃
that were with him from lying in wait
an ambuscade

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Judges. The concept of covenant community 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

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 covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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