Numbers 31:35

Authorized King James Version

And thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man by lying with him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
נֶ֕פֶשׁ
persons
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#2
אָדָ֔ם
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
#3
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#4
הַ֨נָּשִׁ֔ים
of women
a woman
#5
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#6
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#7
יָדְע֖וּ
that had not known
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#8
מִשְׁכַּ֣ב
by lying
a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse
#9
זָכָ֑ר
man
properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)
#10
כָּל
in all
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#11
נֶ֕פֶשׁ
persons
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#12
שְׁנַ֥יִם
and two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#13
וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים
And thirty
thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth
#14
אָֽלֶף׃
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

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

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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