And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel — the elders request a seven-day delay (before the verb 'send' follows) to appeal to the wider nation for help. The word 'respite' (nefesh, literally 'breath' or 'soul') means a space to breathe, a reprieve. and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out unto thee — they establish a condition: if no deliverer comes within seven days, they will surrender unconditionally and accept Nahash's terms.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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