Judges 9:37

Authorized King James Version

And Gaal spake again and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֨סֶף

H3254

again

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

ע֣וֹד

H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

גַּעַל֮

H1603

And Gaal

gaal, an israelite

לְדַבֵּר֒

H1696

spake

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

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר

H559

and said

to say (used with great latitude)

הִנֵּה

H2009

lo!

עָם֙

H5971

people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

יֽוֹרְדִ֔ים

H3381

See there come

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

מֵעִ֖ם

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

#10

טַבּ֣וּר

H2872

by the middle

properly, accumulated; i.e., (by implication) a summit

#11

הָאָ֑רֶץ

H776

of the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#12

וְרֹאשׁ

H7218

company

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

#13

אֶחָ֣ד

H259

and another

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

#14

בָּ֔א

H935

come

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#15

מִדֶּ֖רֶךְ

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

#16

אֵל֥וֹן

H436

along by the plain

an oak or other strong tree

#17

מְעֽוֹנְנִֽים׃

H6049

Meonenim

figuratively, to act covertly, i.e., practise magic

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

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood covenant community. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does understanding covenant community in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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