Numbers 32:11

Authorized King James Version

Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אִם
H518
Surely
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#2
יִרְא֨וּ
H7200
shall see
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#3
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֜ים
H376
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)
#4
הָֽעֹלִ֣ים
H5927
that came up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#5
מִמִּצְרַ֗יִם
H4714
out of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#6
מִבֶּ֨ן
H1121
old
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#7
עֶשְׂרִ֤ים
H6242
from twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#8
שָׁנָה֙
H8141
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#9
וָמַ֔עְלָה
H4605
and upward
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
#10
אֵ֚ת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#11
הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה
H127
the land
soil (from its general redness)
#12
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#13
נִשְׁבַּ֛עְתִּי
H7650
which I sware
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
#14
לְאַבְרָהָ֥ם
H85
unto Abraham
abraham, the later name of abram
#15
לְיִצְחָ֖ק
H3327
unto Isaac
jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham
#16
וּֽלְיַעֲקֹ֑ב
H3290
and unto Jacob
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
#17
כִּ֥י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#18
לֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#19
מִלְא֖וּ
H4390
because they have not wholly
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
#20
אַֽחֲרָֽי׃
H310
followed
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

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 revelation 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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