Nehemiah 13:25

Authorized King James Version

And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וָֽאָרִ֤יב
H7378
And I contended
properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
#2
עִמָּם֙
H5973
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#3
וָאֲקַֽלְלֵ֔ם
H7043
with them and cursed
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
#4
וָֽאַכֶּ֥ה
H5221
them and smote
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#5
מֵהֶ֛ם
H1992
they (only used when emphatic)
#6
אֲנָשִׁ֖ים
H376
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
וָֽאֶמְרְטֵ֑ם
H4803
of them and plucked off their hair
to polish; by implication, to make bald (the head), to gall (the shoulder); also, to sharpen
#8
וָֽאַשְׁבִּיעֵ֣ם
H7650
and made them swear
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
#9
בֵּֽאלֹהִ֗ים
H430
by 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
#10
אִם
H518
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#11
תִּתְּנ֤וּ
H5414
saying Ye shall not give
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#12
מִבְּנֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם
H1323
their daughters
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#13
לִבְנֵיכֶ֖ם
H1121
unto their sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#14
וְאִם
H518
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#15
תִּשְׂאוּ֙
H5375
nor take
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#16
מִבְּנֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם
H1323
their daughters
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#17
לִבְנֵיכֶ֖ם
H1121
unto their sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#18
וְלָכֶֽם׃
H0

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Nehemiah. 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 careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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