Numbers 33:38

Authorized King James Version

And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the first day of the fifth month.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּעַל֩
went up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#2
אַֽהֲרֹ֨ן
And Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#3
הַכֹּהֵ֜ן
the priest
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#4
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
הֹ֥ר
Hor
hor, the name of a peak in idumaea and of one in syria
#6
הָהָ֛ר
into mount
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#7
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#8
פִּ֥י
at the commandment
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#9
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#10
וַיָּ֣מָת
and died
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#11
שָׁ֑ם
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#12
בִּשְׁנַ֣ת
year
a year (as a revolution of time)
#13
הָֽאַרְבָּעִ֗ים
there in the fortieth
forty
#14
לְצֵ֤את
were come out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#15
בְּנֵֽי
after 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
#16
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#17
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ
of the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#18
מִצְרַ֔יִם
of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#19
לַחֹֽדֶשׁ׃
month
the new moon; by implication, a month
#20
הַֽחֲמִישִׁ֖י
day of the fifth
fifth; also a fifth
#21
בְּאֶחָ֥ד
in the first
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#22
לַחֹֽדֶשׁ׃
month
the new moon; by implication, a month

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Numbers. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, 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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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