1 Kings 13:11

Authorized King James Version

Now there dwelt an old prophet in Beth-el; and his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Beth-el: the words which he had spoken unto the king, them they told also to their father.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְנָבִ֤יא

H5030

prophet

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

אֶחָד֙

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

זָקֵ֔ן

H2205

old

יֹשֵׁ֖ב

H3427

Now there dwelt

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְּבֵֽית

אֵ֗ל

H1008

in Bethel

beth-el, a place in palestine

וַיָּב֣וֹא

H935

came

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בְנ֡וֹ

H1121

and his sons

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וַֽיְסַפְּר֖וּם

H5608

and told

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

#10

ל֣וֹ

#11

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#12

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#13

הַמַּֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה

H4639

him all the works

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

#14

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#15

עָשָׂה֩

H6213

had done

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#16

אִישׁ

H376

that the man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#17

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֨ים׀

H430

of God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

#18

הַיּ֜וֹם

H3117

that 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

#19

בְּבֵֽית

#20

אֵ֗ל

H1008

in Bethel

beth-el, a place in palestine

#21

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#22

הַדְּבָרִים֙

H1697

the words

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

#23

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#24

דִּבֶּ֣ר

H1696

which he had spoken

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

#25

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#26

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ

H4428

unto the king

a king

#27

וַֽיְסַפְּר֖וּם

H5608

and told

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

#28

לַֽאֲבִיהֶֽם׃

also to their father

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Kings. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. 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 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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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