Judges 9:5

Authorized King James Version

And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּבֹ֤א
And he went
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
בֵית
house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#3
אָבִיו֙
H1
unto his father's
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#4
עָפְרָ֔תָה
at Ophrah
ophrah, the name of an israelite and of two places in palestine
#5
וַֽיַּהֲרֹ֞ג
and slew
to smite with deadly intent
#6
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#7
אֶחָ֧יו
his brethren
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#8
בֶּן
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
#9
יְרֻבַּ֛עַל
of Jerubbaal
jerubbaal, a symbolic name of gideon
#10
שִׁבְעִ֥ים
being threescore and ten
seventy
#11
אִ֖ישׁ
persons
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#12
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
אֶ֣בֶן
H68
stone
a stone
#14
אֶחָ֑ת
upon one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#15
וַיִּוָּתֵ֞ר
was left
to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve
#16
יוֹתָ֧ם
notwithstanding yet Jotham
jotham, the name of three israelites
#17
בֶּן
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
#18
יְרֻבַּ֛עַל
of Jerubbaal
jerubbaal, a symbolic name of gideon
#19
הַקָּטֹ֖ן
the youngest
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
#20
כִּ֥י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#21
נֶחְבָּֽא׃
for he hid
to secrete

Analysis

Within the broader context of Judges, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Judges.

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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