Numbers 20:10

Authorized King James Version

And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּקְהִ֜לוּ
gathered
to convoke
#2
מֹשֶׁ֧ה
And Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#3
וְאַֽהֲרֹ֛ן
and Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#4
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
הַקָּהָ֖ל
the congregation
assemblage (usually concretely)
#6
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
פְּנֵ֣י
together before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#8
הַסֶּ֣לַע
out of this rock
a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)
#9
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
and he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#10
לָהֶ֗ם
H0
#11
שִׁמְעוּ
unto them Hear
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#12
נָא֙
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#13
הַמֹּרִ֔ים
now ye rebels
to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)
#14
הֲמִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#15
הַסֶּ֣לַע
out of this rock
a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)
#16
הַזֶּ֔ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#17
נוֹצִ֥יא
must we fetch
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#18
לָכֶ֖ם
H0
#19
מָֽיִם׃
you water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

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 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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