1 Kings 13:12

Authorized King James Version

And their father said unto them, What way went he? For his sons had seen what way the man of God went, which came from Judah.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר
H1696
said
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#2
אֲלֵהֶם֙
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
אֲבִיהֶ֔ם
H1
And their father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#4
אֵי
H335
what
where? hence how?
#5
זֶ֥ה
H2088
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#6
הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙
H1870
unto them What way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#7
הָלַךְ֙
H1980
went
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#8
וַיִּרְא֣וּ
H7200
had seen
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#9
בָנָ֗יו
H1121
he For 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
#10
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#11
הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙
H1870
unto them What way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#12
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#13
הָלַךְ֙
H1980
went
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#14
אִ֣ישׁ
H376
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)
#15
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים
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
#16
אֲשֶׁר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#17
בָּ֖א
H935
which came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#18
מִֽיהוּדָֽה׃
H3063
from Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Kings, this passage highlights salvation through rhetorical questioning that engages the reader. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 1 Kings.

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

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