Numbers 20:5

Authorized King James Version

And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְלָמָ֤ה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#2
הֶֽעֱלִיתֻ֙נוּ֙
And wherefore have ye made us to come up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#3
מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם
out of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#4
לְהָבִ֣יא
to bring
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#5
אֹתָ֔נוּ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
מְק֣וֹם
it is no place
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
#8
הָרָ֖ע
us in unto this evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#9
הַזֶּ֑ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#10
לֹ֣א׀
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#11
מְק֣וֹם
it is no place
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
#12
זֶ֗רַע
of seed
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
#13
וּתְאֵנָ֤ה
or of figs
the fig (tree or fruit)
#14
וְגֶ֙פֶן֙
or of vines
a vine (as twining), especially the grape
#15
וְרִמּ֔וֹן
or of pomegranates
a pomegranate, the tree (from its upright growth) or the fruit (also an artificial ornament)
#16
וּמַ֥יִם
neither is there any water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#17
אַ֖יִן
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#18
לִשְׁתּֽוֹת׃
to drink
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

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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