1 Chronicles 12:32

Authorized King James Version

And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּמִבְּנֵ֣י
And of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#2
יִשָּׂשכָ֗ר
of Issachar
jissaskar, a son of jacob
#3
לָדַ֖עַת
to know
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#4
בִינָה֙
which were men that had understanding
understanding
#5
לַֽעִתִּ֔ים
of the times
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
#6
לָדַ֖עַת
to know
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#7
מַה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#8
יַּֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה
ought to do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#9
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
what Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#10
רָֽאשֵׁיהֶ֣ם
the heads
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#11
מָאתַ֔יִם
of them were two hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#12
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#13
אֲחֵיהֶ֖ם
and all their brethren
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#14
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#15
פִּיהֶֽם׃
were at their commandment
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

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