Numbers 14:3

Authorized King James Version

And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְלָמָ֣ה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#2
יְ֠הוָה
And wherefore hath the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
מֵבִ֨יא
brought
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#4
אֹתָ֜נוּ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
הָאָ֤רֶץ
us unto this land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#7
הַזֹּאת֙
this (often used adverb)
#8
לִנְפֹּ֣ל
to fall
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#9
בַּחֶ֔רֶב
by the sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#10
נָשֵׁ֥ינוּ
that our wives
a woman
#11
וְטַפֵּ֖נוּ
and our children
a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)
#12
יִֽהְי֣וּ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#13
לָבַ֑ז
should be a prey
plunder
#14
הֲל֧וֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#15
ט֦וֹב
were it not better
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
#16
לָ֖נוּ
H0
#17
שׁ֥וּב
for us to return
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#18
מִצְרָֽיְמָה׃
into Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

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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