Numbers 18:7

Authorized King James Version

Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאַתָּ֣ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#2
וּבָנֶ֣יךָ
Therefore thou and thy sons
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
אִ֠תְּךָ
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#4
תִּשְׁמְר֨וּ
with thee shall keep
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#5
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
כְּהֻנַּתְכֶ֔ם
your priest's office
priesthood
#7
לְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#8
דְּבַ֧ר
for every thing
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#9
הַמִּזְבֵּ֛חַ
of the altar
an altar
#10
וּלְמִבֵּ֥ית
and within
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#11
לַפָּרֹ֖כֶת
the vail
a separatrix, i.e., (the sacred) screen
#12
וַֽעֲבַדְתֶּ֑ם
and ye shall serve
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
#13
עֲבֹדַ֣ת
unto you as a service
work of any kind
#14
מַתָּנָ֗ה
of gift
a present; specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering, (in a bad sense) a bribe
#15
אֶתֵּן֙
I have given
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#16
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#17
כְּהֻנַּתְכֶ֔ם
your priest's office
priesthood
#18
וְהַזָּ֥ר
and the stranger
to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
#19
הַקָּרֵ֖ב
that cometh nigh
near
#20
יוּמָֽת׃
shall be put to death
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

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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