Numbers 2:3

Authorized King James Version

And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain of the children of Judah.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהַֽחֹנִים֙
pitch
properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s
#2
קֵ֣דְמָה
And on the east side
the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
#3
מִזְרָ֔חָה
toward the rising
sunrise, i.e., the east
#4
דֶּ֛גֶל
of the sun shall they of the standard
a flag
#5
מַֽחֲנֵ֥ה
of the camp
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#6
יְהוּדָ֔ה
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#7
לְצִבְאֹתָ֑ם
throughout their armies
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#8
וְנָשִׂיא֙
shall be captain
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
#9
בֶּן
of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#10
יְהוּדָ֔ה
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#11
נַחְשׁ֖וֹן
and Nahshon
nachshon, an israelite
#12
בֶּן
of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#13
עַמִּֽינָדָֽב׃
of Amminadab
amminadab, the name of four israelites

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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