Leviticus 25:2

Authorized King James Version

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
דַּבֵּ֞ר
Speak
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#2
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
בְּנֵ֤י
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
#4
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#5
וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֣
and say
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
אֲלֵהֶ֔ם
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
כִּ֤י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#8
תָבֹ֙אוּ֙
unto them When ye come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#9
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
הָאָ֔רֶץ
into the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#11
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
אֲנִ֖י
i
#13
נֹתֵ֣ן
which I give
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#14
לָכֶ֑ם
H0
#15
וְשָֽׁבְתָ֣ה
keep
to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)
#16
הָאָ֔רֶץ
into the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#17
שַׁבָּ֖ת
a sabbath
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath
#18
לַֽיהוָֽה׃
unto the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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