Numbers 16:25

Authorized King James Version

And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּ֣קָם
rose up
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#2
מֹשֶׁ֔ה
And Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#3
וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#4
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
דָּתָ֣ן
unto Dathan
dathan, an israelite
#6
וַֽאֲבִירָ֑ם
H48
and Abiram
abiram, the name of two israelites
#7
וַיֵּֽלְכ֥וּ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#8
אַֽחֲרָ֖יו
him
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#9
זִקְנֵ֥י
and the elders
old
#10
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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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