Leviticus 23:28

Authorized King James Version

And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְכָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#2
מְלָאכָה֙
H4399
no work
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
#3
לֹ֣א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#4
תַֽעֲשׂ֔וּ
H6213
And ye shall do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#5
בְּעֶ֖צֶם
H6106
in that same
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
#6
י֤וֹם
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
#7
הַזֶּ֑ה
H2088
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#8
כִּ֣י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#9
י֤וֹם
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
#10
כִּפֻּרִים֙
H3725
of atonement
expiation (only in plural)
#11
ה֔וּא
H1931
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#12
לְכַפֵּ֣ר
H3722
to make an atonement
to cover (specifically with bitumen)
#13
עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#14
לִפְנֵ֖י
H6440
for you before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#15
יְהוָ֥ה
H3068
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#16
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם׃
H430
your God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

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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