1 Chronicles 12:20

Authorized King James Version

As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thousands that were of Manasseh.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בְּלֶכְתּ֣וֹ
As he went
to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
#2
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
צִֽיקְלַ֗ג
to Ziklag
tsiklag or tsikelag, a place in palestine
#4
נָֽפְל֣וּ
there fell
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#5
עָלָ֣יו׀
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
לִמְנַשֶּֽׁה׃
that were of Manasseh
menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#7
עַ֠דְנַח
Adnah
adnah, the name of two israelites
#8
וְיֽוֹזָבָ֔ד
and Jozabad
jozabad, the name of ten israelites
#9
וִידִֽיעֲאֵל֙
and Jediael
jediael, the name of three israelites
#10
וּמִֽיכָאֵ֣ל
and Michael
mikael, the name of an archangel and of nine israelites
#11
וְיֽוֹזָבָ֔ד
and Jozabad
jozabad, the name of ten israelites
#12
וֶֽאֱלִיה֖וּא
and Elihu
elihu, the name of one of job's friends, and of three israelites
#13
וְצִלְּתָ֑י
and Zilthai
tsillethai, the name of two israelites
#14
רָאשֵׁ֥י
captains
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#15
הָֽאֲלָפִ֖ים
of the thousands
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#16
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#17
לִמְנַשֶּֽׁה׃
that were of Manasseh
menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Chronicles, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 1 Chronicles.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 1 Chronicles Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection