Numbers 5:3

Authorized King James Version

Both male and female shall ye put out, without the camp shall ye put them; that they defile not their camps, in the midst whereof I dwell.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
מִזָּכָ֤ר
Both male
properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)
#2
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#3
נְקֵבָה֙
and female
female (from the sexual form)
#4
תְּשַׁלְּח֑וּם
shall ye put
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#5
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
מִח֥וּץ
without
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
#7
מַ֣חֲנֵיהֶ֔ם
not their camps
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#8
תְּשַׁלְּח֑וּם
shall ye put
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#9
וְלֹ֤א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#10
יְטַמְּאוּ֙
them that they defile
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
#11
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#12
מַ֣חֲנֵיהֶ֔ם
not their camps
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#13
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
whereof
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#14
אֲנִ֖י
i
#15
שֹׁכֵ֥ן
I dwell
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
#16
בְּתוֹכָֽם׃
in the midst
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

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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