Leviticus 26:45

Authorized King James Version

But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen, that I might be their God: I am the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְזָֽכַרְתִּ֥י
But I will for their sakes remember
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
#2
לָהֶ֖ם
H0
#3
בְּרִ֣ית
the covenant
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
#4
רִֽאשֹׁנִ֑ים
of their ancestors
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
#5
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#6
הוֹצֵֽאתִי
whom I brought forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#7
אֹתָם֩
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
מֵאֶ֨רֶץ
out of the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#9
מִצְרַ֜יִם
of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#10
לְעֵינֵ֣י
in the sight
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#11
הַגּוֹיִ֗ם
of the heathen
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#12
לִֽהְי֥וֹת
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#13
לָהֶ֛ם
H0
#14
לֵֽאלֹהִ֖ים
that I might be their 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
#15
אֲנִ֥י
i
#16
יְהוָֽה׃
I am the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing covenant contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

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 covenant 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 covenant in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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