Numbers 20:16

Authorized King James Version

And when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַנִּצְעַ֤ק
And when we cried
to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)
#2
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
יְהוָה֙
unto the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע
he heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#5
קֹלֵ֔נוּ
our voice
a voice or sound
#6
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח
and sent
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#7
מַלְאָ֔ךְ
an angel
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
#8
וַיֹּֽצִאֵ֖נוּ
and hath brought us forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#9
מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם
out of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#10
וְהִנֵּה֙
lo!
#11
אֲנַ֣חְנוּ
we
#12
בְקָדֵ֔שׁ
and behold we are in Kadesh
kadesh, a place in the desert
#13
עִ֖יר
a city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#14
קְצֵ֥ה
in the uttermost
an extremity
#15
גְבוּלֶֽךָ׃
of thy border
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

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

Questions for Reflection

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