1 Kings 11:40

Authorized King James Version

Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְבַקֵּ֥שׁ
sought
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
#2
שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃
Solomon
shelomah, david's successor
#3
לְהָמִ֣ית
therefore to kill
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#4
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
יָֽרָבְעָ֗ם
And Jeroboam
jarobam, the name of two israelite kings
#6
וַיָּ֣קָם
arose
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#7
יָֽרָבְעָ֗ם
And Jeroboam
jarobam, the name of two israelite kings
#8
וַיִּבְרַ֤ח
and fled
to bolt, i.e., figuratively, to flee suddenly
#9
בְמִצְרַ֖יִם
and was in Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#10
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#11
שִׁישַׁ֣ק
unto Shishak
shishak, an egyptian king
#12
מֶֽלֶךְ
king
a king
#13
בְמִצְרַ֖יִם
and was in Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#14
וַיְהִ֥י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#15
בְמִצְרַ֖יִם
and was in Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#16
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#17
מ֥וֹת
until the death
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
#18
שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃
Solomon
shelomah, david's successor

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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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