Numbers 3:40

Authorized King James Version

And the LORD said unto Moses, Number all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
יְהוָ֜ה
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
מֹשֶׁ֗ה
unto Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#5
פְּקֹ֨ד
Number
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#6
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#7
בְּכֹ֤ר
all the firstborn
first-born; hence, chief
#8
זָכָר֙
of the males
properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)
#9
מִבֶּן
of 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
#10
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#11
מִבֶּן
of 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
#12
חֹ֖דֶשׁ
from a month
the new moon; by implication, a month
#13
וָמָ֑עְלָה
and upward
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
#14
וְשָׂ֕א
and take
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#15
אֵ֖ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
מִסְפַּ֥ר
the number
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
#17
שְׁמֹתָֽם׃
of their names
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

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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