1 Chronicles 25:5

Authorized King James Version

All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#2
אֵ֨לֶּה
these or those
#3
בָּנִ֛ים
All these were the sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#4
לְהֵימָ֗ן
of Heman
heman, the name of at least two israelites
#5
חֹזֵ֥ה
seer
a beholder in vision; also a compact (as looked upon with approval)
#6
הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ
the king's
a king
#7
בְּדִבְרֵ֥י
in the words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#8
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֜ים
And 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
#9
לְהָרִ֣ים
to lift up
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
#10
קָ֑רֶן
the horn
a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e., ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a moun
#11
וַיִּתֵּ֨ן
gave
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#12
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֜ים
And 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
#13
לְהֵימָ֗ן
of Heman
heman, the name of at least two israelites
#14
בָּנִ֛ים
All these were the sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#15
אַרְבָּעָ֥ה
fourteen
four
#16
עָשָׂ֖ר
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#17
וּבָנ֥וֹת
daughters
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#18
שָׁלֽוֹשׁ׃
and three
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

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