1 Chronicles 22:8

Authorized King James Version

But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֨י
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
עָלַ֤י
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#3
דְּבַר
H1697
But the word
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#4
יְהוָה֙
H3068
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
לֵאמֹ֔ר
H559
came to me saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
דָּמִ֣ים
H1818
blood
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
#7
לָרֹב֙
H7230
abundantly
abundance (in any respect)
#8
שָׁפַ֥כְתָּ
H8210
Thou hast shed
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
#9
וּמִלְחָמ֥וֹת
H4421
wars
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#10
גְּדֹל֖וֹת
H1419
great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#11
עָשִׂ֑יתָ
H6213
and hast made
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#12
לֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#13
תִבְנֶ֥ה
H1129
thou shalt not build
to build (literally and figuratively)
#14
בַ֙יִת֙
H1004
an house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#15
לִשְׁמִ֔י
H8034
unto my name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#16
כִּ֚י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#17
דָּמִ֣ים
H1818
blood
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
#18
רַבִּ֔ים
H7227
much
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#19
שָׁפַ֥כְתָּ
H8210
Thou hast shed
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
#20
אַ֖רְצָה
H776
upon the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#21
לְפָנָֽי׃
H6440
in my sight
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

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 sovereignty 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

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