1 Kings 13:14

Authorized King James Version

And went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak: and he said unto him, Art thou the man of God that camest from Judah? And he said, I am.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֵּ֗לֶךְ

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אַֽחֲרֵי֙

H310

after

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

אִישׁ

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)

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֛ים

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

וַיִּ֨מְצָאֵ֔הוּ

H4672

and found

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

יֹשֵׁ֖ב

H3427

him sitting

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

תַּ֣חַת

H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

הָֽאֵלָ֑ה

H424

under an oak

an oak or other strong tree

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר

H559

And he said

to say (used with great latitude)

#10

אֵלָ֗יו

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#11

הַֽאַתָּ֧ה

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

#12

אִישׁ

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)

#13

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֛ים

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

#14

אֲשֶׁר

H834

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

#15

בָּ֥אתָ

H935

that camest

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

#16

מִֽיהוּדָ֖ה

H3063

from Judah

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

#17

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר

H559

And he said

to say (used with great latitude)

#18

אָֽנִי׃

H589

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 sovereignty 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 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 understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

Related Resources

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