Judges 9:51

Authorized King James Version

But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הַמִּגְדָּֽל׃
of the tower
a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers
#2
עֹז֮
But there was a strong
strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
#3
הָיָ֣ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#4
בְתוֹךְ
within
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
#5
הָעִ֔יר
of the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#6
וַיָּנֻ֨סוּ
and thither fled
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
#7
שָׁ֜מָּה
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#8
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#9
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֣ים
all the men
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
#10
וְהַנָּשִׁ֗ים
and women
a woman
#11
וְכֹל֙
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#12
בַּֽעֲלֵ֣י
and all they
a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
#13
הָעִ֔יר
of the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#14
וַֽיִּסְגְּר֖וּ
and shut
to shut up; figuratively, to surrender
#15
בַּֽעֲדָ֑ם
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
#16
וַֽיַּעֲל֖וּ
it to them and gat them up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#17
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#18
גַּ֥ג
to the top
a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar
#19
הַמִּגְדָּֽל׃
of the tower
a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers

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

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 divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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