Numbers 16:26

Authorized King James Version

And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of their's, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר
And he spake
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#2
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
הָֽעֵדָ֜ה
unto the congregation
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
#4
לֵאמֹ֗ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#5
ס֣וּרוּ
Depart
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
#6
נָ֡א
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#7
מֵעַל֩
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#8
אָֽהֳלֵ֨י
I pray you from the tents
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
#9
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֤ים
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
הָֽרְשָׁעִים֙
of these wicked
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
#11
הָאֵ֔לֶּה
these or those
#12
וְאַֽל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#13
תִּגְּע֖וּ
and touch
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
#14
בְּכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#15
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#16
לָהֶ֑ם
H0
#17
פֶּן
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
#18
תִּסָּפ֖וּ
nothing of theirs lest ye be consumed
properly, to scrape (literally, to shave; but usually figuratively) together (i.e., to accumulate or increase) or away (i.e., to scatter, remove, or r
#19
בְּכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#20
חַטֹּאתָֽם׃
in all their sins
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

Analysis

Within the broader context of Numbers, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Numbers.

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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