Numbers 16:31

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽיְהִי֙
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כְּכַלֹּת֔וֹ
And it came to pass as he had made an end
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
#3
לְדַבֵּ֕ר
of speaking
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#4
אֵ֥ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#6
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים
all these words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#7
הָאֵ֑לֶּה
these or those
#8
וַתִּבָּקַ֥ע
clave asunder
to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open
#9
הָֽאֲדָמָ֖ה
that the ground
soil (from its general redness)
#10
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#11
תַּחְתֵּיהֶֽם׃
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

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 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 revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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