Numbers 10:4

Authorized King James Version

And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#2
בְּאַחַ֖ת
but with one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#3
יִתְקָ֑עוּ
And if they blow
to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become
#4
וְנֽוֹעֲד֤וּ
shall gather
to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or positi
#5
אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
הַנְּשִׂיאִ֔ים
trumpet then the princes
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
#7
רָאשֵׁ֖י
which are heads
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#8
אַלְפֵ֥י
of the thousands
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#9
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original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