Proverbs 10:3

Authorized King James Version

The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#2
יַרְעִ֣יב
to famish
to hunger
#3
יְ֭הוָה
The LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
נֶ֣פֶשׁ
the soul
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#5
צַדִּ֑יק
of the righteous
just
#6
וְהַוַּ֖ת
the substance
by implication, of falling); desire; also ruin
#7
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
of the wicked
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
#8
יֶהְדֹּֽף׃
but he casteth away
to push away or down

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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