1 Kings 13:29

Authorized King James Version

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And the prophet took up the carcase of the man of God, and laid it upon the ass, and brought it back: and the old prophet came to the city, to mourn and to bury him.

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּשָּׂ֨א took up H5375
וַיִּשָּׂ֨א took up
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 1 of 17
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
הַנָּבִ֣יא And the prophet H5030
הַנָּבִ֣יא And the prophet
Strong's: H5030
Word #: 2 of 17
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נִבְלַ֧ת the carcase H5038
נִבְלַ֧ת the carcase
Strong's: H5038
Word #: 4 of 17
a flabby thing, i.e., a carcase or carrion (human or bestial, often collectively); figuratively, an idol
אִישׁ of the man H376
אִישׁ of the man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 5 of 17
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 of God H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֛ים of God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 6 of 17
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
וַיַּנִּחֵ֥הוּ and laid H3240
וַיַּנִּחֵ֥הוּ and laid
Strong's: H3240
Word #: 7 of 17
to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
אֶֽל H413
אֶֽל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 8 of 17
near, with or among; often in general, to
הַחֲמ֖וֹר it upon the ass H2543
הַחֲמ֖וֹר it upon the ass
Strong's: H2543
Word #: 9 of 17
a male ass (from its dun red)
וַיְשִׁיבֵ֑הוּ and brought it back H7725
וַיְשִׁיבֵ֑הוּ and brought it back
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 10 of 17
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וַיָּבֹ֗א came H935
וַיָּבֹ֗א came
Strong's: H935
Word #: 11 of 17
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 12 of 17
near, with or among; often in general, to
עִיר֙ to the city H5892
עִיר֙ to the city
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 13 of 17
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַנָּבִ֣יא And the prophet H5030
הַנָּבִ֣יא And the prophet
Strong's: H5030
Word #: 14 of 17
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
הַזָּקֵ֔ן and the old H2205
הַזָּקֵ֔ן and the old
Strong's: H2205
Word #: 15 of 17
old
לִסְפֹּ֖ד to mourn H5594
לִסְפֹּ֖ד to mourn
Strong's: H5594
Word #: 16 of 17
properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as middle easterners do in grief); generally to lament; by implication, to wail
וּלְקָבְרֽוֹ׃ and to bury H6912
וּלְקָבְרֽוֹ׃ and to bury
Strong's: H6912
Word #: 17 of 17
to inter

Analysis & Commentary

And the prophet took up the carcase of the man of God, and laid it upon the ass, and brought it back: and the old prophet came to the city, to mourn and to bury him.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of the man of god from judah, within the book's focus on spiritual decline of both kingdoms under various rulers. The prophetic office represents God's faithful witness even in apostasy, calling His people back to covenant faithfulness.

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

Historical Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. This period (c. 930-850 BCE) saw rapid succession and instability, especially in the northern kingdom.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Questions for Reflection

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