1 Kings 11:29

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽיְהִי֙
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
בָּעֵ֣ת
And it came to pass at that time
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
#3
הַהִ֔יא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#4
וְיָֽרָבְעָ֖ם
when Jeroboam
jarobam, the name of two israelite kings
#5
יָצָ֣א
went out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#6
מִירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
of Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#7
וַיִּמְצָ֣א
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
#8
אֹת֡וֹ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
אֲחִיָּה֩
Ahijah
achijah, the name of nine israelites
#10
הַשִּֽׁילֹנִ֨י
the Shilonite
a shilonite or inhabitant of shiloh
#11
הַנָּבִ֜יא
that the prophet
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
#12
בַּדֶּ֗רֶךְ
him in the way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#13
וְה֤וּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#14
מִתְכַּסֶּה֙
and he had clad
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
#15
בְּשַׂלְמָ֣ה
garment
a dress
#16
חֲדָשָׁ֔ה
himself with a new
new
#17
וּשְׁנֵיהֶ֥ם
and they two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#18
לְבַדָּ֖ם
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
#19
בַּשָּׂדֶֽה׃
were alone in the field
a field (as flat)

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 literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 1 Kings Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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