Numbers 1:3

Authorized King James Version

From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
מִבֶּ֨ן
old
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#2
עֶשְׂרִ֤ים
From twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#3
שָׁנָה֙
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#4
וָמַ֔עְלָה
and upward
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
#5
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#6
יֹצֵ֥א
all that are able to go forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#7
לְצִבְאֹתָ֖ם
them by their armies
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#8
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
in Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#9
תִּפְקְד֥וּ
shall number
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#10
אֹתָ֛ם
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#11
לְצִבְאֹתָ֖ם
them by their armies
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#12
אַתָּ֥ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#13
וְאַֽהֲרֹֽן׃
thou and Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Numbers. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. 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 literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Numbers Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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