Leviticus 23:41

Authorized King James Version

And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
תָּחֹ֥גּוּ
And ye shall keep
properly, to move in a circle, i.e., (specifically) to march in a sacred procession, to observe a festival; by implication, to be giddy
#2
אֹתוֹ֙
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
חַ֣ג
it a feast
a festival, or a victim therefor
#4
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
unto the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
שִׁבְעַ֥ת
seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#6
יָמִ֖ים
days
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
בַּשָּׁנָ֑ה
in the year
a year (as a revolution of time)
#8
חֻקַּ֤ת
It shall be a statute
a statute
#9
עוֹלָם֙
for ever
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
#10
לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם
in your generations
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
#11
בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ
month
the new moon; by implication, a month
#12
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֖י
it in the seventh
seventh
#13
תָּחֹ֥גּוּ
And ye shall keep
properly, to move in a circle, i.e., (specifically) to march in a sacred procession, to observe a festival; by implication, to be giddy
#14
אֹתֽוֹ׃
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Leviticus. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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