1 Kings 13:2

Authorized King James Version

And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּקְרָ֤א
And he cried
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#2
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#3
מִזְבֵּ֔חַ
O altar
an altar
#4
בִּדְבַ֣ר
in the word
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#5
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#6
אָמַ֣ר
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#7
מִזְבֵּ֔חַ
O altar
an altar
#8
מִזְבֵּ֔חַ
O altar
an altar
#9
כֹּ֖ה
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#10
אָמַ֣ר
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#11
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#12
הִנֵּה
lo!
#13
בֵ֞ן
Behold a child
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#14
נוֹלָ֤ד
shall be born
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
#15
לְבֵית
unto the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#16
דָּוִד֙
of David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#17
יֹֽאשִׁיָּ֣הֽוּ
Josiah
joshijah, the name of two israelites
#18
שְׁמ֔וֹ
by ~
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#19
וְזָבַ֣ח
and upon thee shall he offer
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
#20
עָלֶ֗יךָ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#21
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#22
כֹּֽהֲנֵ֤י
the priests
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#23
הַבָּמוֹת֙
of the high places
an elevation
#24
הַמַּקְטִרִ֣ים
that burn incense
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
#25
עָלֶ֔יךָ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#26
וְעַצְמ֥וֹת
bones
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
#27
אָדָ֖ם
upon thee and men's
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
#28
יִשְׂרְפ֥וּ
shall be burnt
to be (causatively, set) on fire
#29
עָלֶֽיךָ׃
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

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 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 divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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