Numbers 14:24

Authorized King James Version

But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְעַבְדִּ֣י
But my servant
a servant
#2
כָלֵ֗ב
Caleb
caleb, the name of three israelites
#3
עֵ֣קֶב
because
a heel, i.e., (figuratively) the last of anything (used adverbially, for ever); also result, i.e., compensation; and so (adverb with preposition or re
#4
הָֽיְתָ֞ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#5
ר֤וּחַ
spirit
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
#6
אַחֶ֙רֶת֙
he had another
properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc
#7
עִמּ֔וֹ
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#8
וַיְמַלֵּ֖א
me fully
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
#9
אַֽחֲרָ֑י
with him and hath followed
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#10
בָּ֣א
him will I bring
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#11
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#12
הָאָ֙רֶץ֙
into the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#13
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#14
בָּ֣א
him will I bring
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#15
שָׁ֔מָּה
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#16
וְזַרְע֖וֹ
and his seed
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
#17
יֽוֹרִשֶֽׁנָּה׃
shall possess
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

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

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 revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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