1 Kings 1:52

Authorized King James Version

And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה
And Solomon
shelomah, david's successor
#3
אִ֚ם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#4
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#5
לְבֶן
man
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#6
חַ֔יִל
If he will shew himself a worthy
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
#7
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#8
יִפֹּ֥ל
of him fall
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#9
מִשַּֽׂעֲרָת֖וֹ
there shall not an hair
hairiness
#10
אָ֑רְצָה
to the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#11
וְאִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#12
רָעָ֥ה
but if wickedness
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#13
תִמָּֽצֵא
shall be found
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
#14
ב֖וֹ
H0
#15
וָמֵֽת׃
in him he shall die
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Kings. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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

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