Proverbs 16:4

Authorized King James Version

The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כֹּ֤ל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#2
פָּעַ֣ל
hath made
to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise
#3
יְ֭הוָה
The LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
לַֽמַּעֲנֵ֑הוּ
all things for himself
a reply (favorable or contradictory)
#5
וְגַם
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#6
רָ֝שָׁ֗ע
yea even the wicked
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
#7
לְי֣וֹם
for the day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#8
רָעָֽה׃
of evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

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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