Numbers 32:27

Authorized King James Version

But thy servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord saith.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽעֲבָדֶ֨יךָ
But thy servants
a servant
#2
יַֽעַבְר֜וּ
will pass over
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#3
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#4
חֲל֥וּץ
every man armed
to pull off; hence (intensively) to strip, (reflexive) to depart; by implication, to deliver, equip (for fight); present, strengthen
#5
צָבָ֛א
for war
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#6
לִפְנֵ֥י
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
#7
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה
to battle
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#9
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#10
אֲדֹנִ֖י
as my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#11
דֹּבֵֽר׃
saith
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

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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