Numbers 25:13

Authorized King James Version

And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָ֤יְתָה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
לּוֹ֙
H0
#3
וּלְזַרְע֣וֹ
And he shall have it and his seed
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
#4
אַֽחֲרָ֔יו
after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#5
בְּרִ֖ית
him even the covenant
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
#6
כְּהֻנַּ֣ת
priesthood
priesthood
#7
עוֹלָ֑ם
of an everlasting
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
#8
תַּ֗חַת
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
#9
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
because
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#10
קִנֵּא֙
he was zealous
to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e., (in a bad sense) jealous or envious
#11
לֵֽאלֹהָ֔יו
for his God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#12
וַיְכַפֵּ֖ר
and made an atonement
to cover (specifically with bitumen)
#13
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#14
בְּנֵ֥י
for 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
#15
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis

This verse develops the covenant theme central to Numbers. The concept of covenant reflects the development of covenant within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. 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 covenant. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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