Numbers 12:11

Authorized King James Version

And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אַֽהֲרֹ֖ן
And Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
מֹשֶׁ֑ה
unto Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#5
בִּ֣י
Alas
oh that!; with leave, or if it please
#6
אֲדֹנִ֔י
my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#7
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#8
נָ֨א
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#9
תָשֵׁ֤ת
I beseech thee lay
to place (in a very wide application)
#10
עָלֵ֙ינוּ֙
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#11
חַטָּ֔את
not the sin
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
#12
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#13
נוֹאַ֖לְנוּ
upon us wherein we have done foolishly
properly, to be slack, i.e., (figuratively) to be foolish
#14
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#15
חָטָֽאנוּ׃
and wherein we have sinned
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Numbers. 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 the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original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