Proverbs 25:8

Authorized King James Version

Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#2
תֵּצֵ֥א
Go not forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#3
לָרִ֗ב
to strive
properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
#4
מַ֫הֵ֥ר
hastily
properly, hurrying; hence (adverbially) in a hurry
#5
פֶּ֣ן
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
#6
מַה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#7
תַּ֭עֲשֶׂה
lest thou know not what to do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#8
בְּאַחֲרִיתָ֑הּ
in the end
the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
#9
בְּהַכְלִ֖ים
hath put thee to shame
properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult
#10
אֹתְךָ֣
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#11
רֵעֶֽךָ׃
thereof when thy neighbour
an associate (more or less close)

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 revelation 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 revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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