Proverbs 29:13

Authorized King James Version

The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
רָ֤שׁ
The poor
to be destitute
#2
וְאִ֣ישׁ
man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#3
תְּכָכִ֣ים
and the deceitful
to dissever, i.e., crush
#4
נִפְגָּ֑שׁוּ
meet together
to come in contact with, whether by accident or violence; figuratively, to concur
#5
מֵ֤אִיר
lighteneth
to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically)
#6
עֵינֵ֖י
their eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#7
שְׁנֵיהֶ֣ם
both
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#8
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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