Leviticus 23:21

Authorized King James Version

And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּקְרָאתֶ֞ם
H7121
And ye shall proclaim
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#2
בְּעֶ֣צֶם׀
H6106
on the selfsame
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
#3
הַיּ֣וֹם
H3117
day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#4
הַזֶּ֗ה
H2088
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#5
מִֽקְרָא
H4744
convocation
something called out, i.e., a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal
#6
קֹ֙דֶשׁ֙
H6944
that it may be an holy
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
#7
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#8
לָכֶ֔ם
H0
#9
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#10
מְלֶ֥אכֶת
H4399
work
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
#11
עֲבֹדָ֖ה
H5656
no servile
work of any kind
#12
לֹ֣א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#13
תַֽעֲשׂ֑וּ
H6213
unto you ye shall do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#14
חֻקַּ֥ת
H2708
therein it shall be a statute
a statute
#15
עוֹלָ֛ם
H5769
for ever
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
#16
בְּכָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#17
מוֹשְׁבֹ֥תֵיכֶ֖ם
H4186
in all your dwellings
a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or the time); by implication, population
#18
לְדֹרֹֽתֵיכֶֽם׃
H1755
throughout your generations
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Leviticus. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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