Leviticus 20:11

Authorized King James Version

And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאִ֗ישׁ
And the man
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)
#2
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#3
יִשְׁכַּב֙
that lieth
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
#4
אֶת
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#5
אֵ֣שֶׁת
wife
a woman
#6
אָבִ֖יו
H1
his father's
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#7
עֶרְוַ֥ת
nakedness
nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish)
#8
אָבִ֖יו
H1
his father's
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#9
גִּלָּ֑ה
hath uncovered
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
#10
יוּמְת֥וּ
be put to death
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#11
יוּמְת֥וּ
be put to death
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#12
שְׁנֵיהֶ֖ם
both
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#13
דְּמֵיהֶ֥ם
their blood
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
#14
בָּֽם׃
H0

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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