Numbers 16:18

Authorized King James Version

And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּקְח֞וּ
And they took
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#2
אִ֣ישׁ
every man
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)
#3
מַחְתָּת֗וֹ
his censer
a pan for live coals
#4
וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ
and put
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#5
עֲלֵיהֶם֙
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
אֵ֔שׁ
fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#7
וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ
in them and laid
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#8
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
קְטֹ֑רֶת
incense
a fumigation
#10
וַיַּֽעַמְד֗וּ
thereon and stood
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#11
פֶּ֛תַח
in the door
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
#12
אֹ֥הֶל
of the tabernacle
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
#13
מוֹעֵ֖ד
of the congregation
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
#14
וּמֹשֶׁ֥ה
with Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#15
וְאַֽהֲרֹֽן׃
and Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Numbers. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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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