1 Kings 1:23

Authorized King James Version

And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּגִּ֤ידוּ
And they told
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#2
לַמֶּ֛לֶךְ
himself before the king
a king
#3
לֵאמֹ֔ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#4
הִנֵּ֖ה
lo!
#5
נָתָ֣ן
Behold Nathan
nathan, the name of five israelites
#6
הַנָּבִ֑יא
the prophet
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
#7
וַיָּבֹא֙
And when he was come in
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#8
לִפְנֵ֣י
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
#9
לַמֶּ֛לֶךְ
himself before the king
a king
#10
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֧חוּ
he bowed
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
#11
לַמֶּ֛לֶךְ
himself before the king
a king
#12
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
אַפָּ֖יו
with his face
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
#14
אָֽרְצָה׃
to the ground
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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

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