1 Kings 12:9

Authorized King James Version

And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לֵאמֹ֔ר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
מָ֚ה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#4
אַתֶּ֣ם
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#5
נֽוֹעָצִ֔ים
unto them What counsel give
to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve
#6
וְנָשִׁ֥יב
ye that we may
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#7
דָּבָ֖ר
answer
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#8
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
הָעָ֣ם
this people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#10
הַזֶּ֑ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#11
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
דִּבְּר֤וּ
who have spoken
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#13
אֵלַי֙
near, with or among; often in general, to
#14
לֵאמֹ֔ר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#15
הָקֵל֙
Make
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
#16
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#17
הָעֹ֔ל
the yoke
a yoke (as imposed on the neck), literally or figuratively
#18
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#19
נָתַ֥ן
did put
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#20
אָבִ֖יךָ
H1
which thy father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#21
עָלֵֽינוּ׃
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Kings. The concept of covenant community 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

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 covenant community. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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