1 Kings 12:33

Authorized King James Version

So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Beth-el the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּ֥עַל
So he offered
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#2
עַֽל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#3
הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ
upon the altar
an altar
#4
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#5
וַיַּ֤עַשׂ
and ordained
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#6
בְּבֵֽית
H0
#7
אֵ֗ל
in Bethel
beth-el, a place in palestine
#8
בַּֽחֲמִשָּׁ֨ה
the fifteenth
five
#9
עָשָׂ֥ר
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#10
יוֹם֙
day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#11
בַּחֹ֖דֶשׁ
even in the month
the new moon; by implication, a month
#12
הַשְּׁמִינִ֔י
of the eighth
eight
#13
בַּחֹ֖דֶשׁ
even in the month
the new moon; by implication, a month
#14
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#15
בָּדָ֣א
which he had devised
(figuratively) to invent
#16
מִלִּבּ֑דֹ
of his own heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#17
וַיַּ֤עַשׂ
and ordained
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#18
חָג֙
a feast
a festival, or a victim therefor
#19
לִבְנֵ֣י
unto the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#20
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#21
וַיַּ֥עַל
So he offered
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#22
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#23
הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ
upon the altar
an altar
#24
לְהַקְטִֽיר׃
and burnt incense
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

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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