1 Chronicles 19:18

Authorized King James Version

But the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians seven thousand men which fought in chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the host.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּ֣נָס
fled
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
#2
מֵֽאֲרָ֗ם
But the Syrians
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
#3
מִלִּפְנֵ֣י
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
#4
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒
Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#5
וַיַּֽהֲרֹ֨ג
slew
to smite with deadly intent
#6
דָּוִ֜יד
and David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#7
מֵֽאֲרָ֗ם
But the Syrians
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
#8
שִׁבְעַ֤ת
seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#9
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#10
רֶ֔כֶב
men which fought in chariots
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone
#11
וְאַרְבָּעִ֥ים
and forty
forty
#12
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#13
אִ֣ישׁ
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)
#14
רַגְלִ֑י
a footman (soldier)
#15
וְאֵ֛ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
שׁוֹפַ֥ךְ
Shophach
shophak, a syrian
#17
שַֽׂר
the captain
a head person (of any rank or class)
#18
הַצָּבָ֖א
of the host
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#19
הֵמִֽית׃
and killed
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Chronicles, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. 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

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