Leviticus 24:15

Authorized King James Version

And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#2
בְּנֵ֥י
unto the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#3
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#4
תְּדַבֵּ֣ר
And thou shalt speak
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#5
לֵאמֹ֑ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
אִ֛ישׁ
Whosoever
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)
#7
אִ֛ישׁ
Whosoever
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)
#8
כִּֽי
curseth
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#9
יְקַלֵּ֥ל
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
#10
אֱלֹהָ֖יו
his 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
#11
וְנָשָׂ֥א
shall bear
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#12
חֶטְאֽוֹ׃
his sin
a crime or its penalty

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 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 sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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