Proverbs 8:29

Authorized King James Version

When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בְּשׂ֘וּמ֤וֹ
When he gave
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#2
לַיָּ֨ם׀
to the sea
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
#3
חֻקּ֗וֹ
his decree
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
#4
וּ֭מַיִם
that the waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#5
לֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#6
יַֽעַבְרוּ
should not pass
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#7
פִ֑יו
his commandment
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#8
בְּ֝חוּק֗וֹ
when he appointed
properly, to hack, i.e., engrave (judges 5:14, to be a scribe simply); by implication, to enact (laws being cut in stone or metal tablets in primitive
#9
מ֣וֹסְדֵי
the foundations
a foundation
#10
אָֽרֶץ׃
of the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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