1 Chronicles 13:8

Authorized King James Version

And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְדָוִ֣יד
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#2
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#3
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
and all Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#4
מְשַֽׂחֲקִ֛ים
played
to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play
#5
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#6
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים
God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#7
בְּכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#8
עֹ֑ז
with all their might
strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
#9
וּבְשִׁירִ֤ים
and with singing
a song; abstractly, singing
#10
וּבְכִנֹּרוֹת֙
and with harps
a harp
#11
וּבִנְבָלִ֣ים
and with psalteries
a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); also a lyre (as having a body of like form)
#12
וּבְתֻפִּ֔ים
and with timbrels
a tambourine
#13
וּבִמְצִלְתַּ֖יִם
and with cymbals
(only dual) double tinklers, i.e., cymbals
#14
וּבַחֲצֹֽצְרֽוֹת׃
and with trumpets
a trumpet (from its sundered or quavering note)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Chronicles. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original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