Numbers 14:38

Authorized King James Version

But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of the men that went to search the land, lived still.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וִֽיהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ
But Joshua
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
#2
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#3
נ֔וּן
of Nun
nun or non, the father of joshua
#4
וְכָלֵ֖ב
and Caleb
caleb, the name of three israelites
#5
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#6
יְפֻנֶּ֑ה
of Jephunneh
jephunneh, the name of two israelites
#7
חָיוּ֙
lived
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
#8
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#9
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֣ים
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)
#10
הָהֵ֔ם
which were of the men
they (only used when emphatic)
#11
הַֽהֹלְכִ֖ים
that went
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#12
לָת֥וּר
to search
to meander (causatively, guide) about, especially for trade or reconnoitring
#13
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#14
הָאָֽרֶץ׃
the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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