Numbers 30:6

Authorized King James Version

And if she had at all an husband, when she vowed, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#2
הָי֤וֹ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#3
תִֽהְיֶה֙
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#4
לְאִ֔ישׁ
And if she had at all an husband
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#5
וּנְדָרֶ֖יהָ
when she vowed
a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised
#6
עָלֶ֑יהָ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
א֚וֹ
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
#8
מִבְטָ֣א
or uttered
a rash utterance (hasty vow)
#9
שְׂפָתֶ֔יהָ
ought out of her lips
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
#10
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#11
אָֽסְרָ֖ה
wherewith she bound
to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle
#12
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
נַפְשָֽׁהּ׃
her soul
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Numbers. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. 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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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