Numbers 13:3

Authorized King James Version

And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח
sent
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#2
אֹתָ֥ם
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
מֹשֶׁ֛ה
And Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#4
מִמִּדְבַּ֥ר
them from the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
#5
פָּארָ֖ן
of Paran
paran, a desert of arabia
#6
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
פִּ֣י
by the commandment
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#8
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#9
כֻּלָּ֣ם
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#10
אֲנָשִׁ֔ים
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)
#11
רָאשֵׁ֥י
heads
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#12
בְנֵֽי
of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#13
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#14
הֵֽמָּה׃
were
they (only used when emphatic)

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 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

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