1 Chronicles 18:4

Authorized King James Version

And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּלְכֹּד֩

H3920

took

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

דָּוִיד֙

H1732

And David

david, the youngest son of jesse

מִמֶּ֜נּוּ

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

אֶ֖לֶף

H505

from him a thousand

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

רָֽכֶב׃

H7393

all the chariot

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

וְשִׁבְעַ֤ת

H7651

and seven

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

אֶ֖לֶף

H505

from him a thousand

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

פָּֽרָשִׁ֔ים

H6571

horsemen

a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e., (collectively) cavalry

וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים

H6242

and twenty

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

#10

אֶ֖לֶף

H505

from him a thousand

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

#11

אִ֣ישׁ

H376

footmen

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#12

רַגְלִ֑י

H7273

a footman (soldier)

#13

וַיְעַקֵּ֤ר

H6131

also houghed

to pluck up (especially by the roots); specifically, to hamstring; figuratively, to exterminate

#14

דָּוִיד֙

H1732

And David

david, the youngest son of jesse

#15

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#16

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#17

רָֽכֶב׃

H7393

all the chariot

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

#18

וַיּוֹתֵ֥ר

H3498

horses but reserved

to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

#19

מִמֶּ֖נּוּ

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

#20

מֵ֥אָה

H3967

of them an hundred

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

#21

רָֽכֶב׃

H7393

all the chariot

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

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

In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?