Numbers 27:21

Authorized King James Version

And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לִפְנֵ֣י
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
#2
אֶלְעָזָ֤ר
Eleazar
elazar, the name of seven israelites
#3
הַכֹּהֵן֙
the priest
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#4
יַֽעֲמֹ֔ד
And he shall stand
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#5
וְשָׁ֥אַל
who shall ask
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
#6
ל֛וֹ
H0
#7
בְּמִשְׁפַּ֥ט
counsel for him after the judgment
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#8
הָֽאוּרִ֖ים
of Urim
urim, the oracular brilliancy of the figures in the high-priest's breastplate
#9
לִפְנֵ֣י
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
#10
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#11
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#12
פִּ֣יו
and at his word
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#13
יֵֽצְא֜וּ
shall they go out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#14
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#15
פִּ֣יו
and at his word
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#16
יָבֹ֗אוּ
they shall come in
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#17
ה֛וּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#18
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#19
בְּנֵֽי
both he and all 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
#20
יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#21
אִתּ֖וֹ
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#22
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#23
הָֽעֵדָֽה׃
with him even all the congregation
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)

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 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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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