Leviticus 22:9

Authorized King James Version

They shall therefore keep mine ordinance, lest they bear sin for it, and die therefore, if they profane it: I the LORD do sanctify them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְשָֽׁמְר֣וּ
They shall therefore keep
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#2
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֗י
mine ordinance
watch, i.e., the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e., (
#4
וְלֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#5
יִשְׂא֤וּ
lest they bear
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#6
עָלָיו֙
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
חֵ֔טְא
sin
a crime or its penalty
#8
וּמֵ֥תוּ
for it and die
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#9
ב֖וֹ
H0
#10
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#11
יְחַלְּלֻ֑הוּ
therefore if they profane
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
#12
אֲנִ֥י
i
#13
יְהוָ֖ה
it I the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#14
מְקַדְּשָֽׁם׃
do sanctify
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

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 sovereignty 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 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 Leviticus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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