Numbers 11:18

Authorized King James Version

And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#2
הָעָ֨ם
thou unto the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#3
לֵאמֹ֗ר
And say
to say (used with great latitude)
#4
הִתְקַדְּשׁ֣וּ
Sanctify
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
#5
לְמָחָר֮
yourselves against to morrow
properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter
#6
וַֽאֲכַלְתֶּֽם׃
and ye shall eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#7
בָּשָׂ֖ר
Who shall give us flesh
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
#8
כִּ֡י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#9
בְּכִיתֶם֩
for ye have wept
to weep; generally to bemoan
#10
בְּאָזְנֵ֨י
in the ears
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
#11
יְהוָ֥ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#12
לֵאמֹ֗ר
And say
to say (used with great latitude)
#13
מִ֤י
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
#14
וַֽאֲכַלְתֶּֽם׃
and ye shall eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#15
בָּשָׂ֖ר
Who shall give us flesh
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
#16
כִּי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#17
ט֥וֹב
for it was well
to be (transitively, do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense
#18
לָ֖נוּ
H0
#19
בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם
with us in Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#20
וְנָתַ֨ן
will give
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#21
יְהוָ֥ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#22
לָכֶ֛ם
H0
#23
בָּשָׂ֖ר
Who shall give us flesh
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
#24
וַֽאֲכַלְתֶּֽם׃
and ye shall eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)

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

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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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