1 Kings 13:5

Authorized King James Version

The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ
The altar
an altar
#2
נִקְרָ֔ע
also was rent
to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)
#3
וַיִּשָּׁפֵ֥ךְ
poured out
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
#4
הַדֶּ֖שֶׁן
and the ashes
the fat; abstractly fatness, i.e., (figuratively) abundance; specifically the (fatty) ashes of sacrifices
#5
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#6
הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ
The altar
an altar
#7
כַּמּוֹפֵ֗ת
according to the sign
a miracle; by implication, a token or omen
#8
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#9
נָתַ֛ן
had given
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#10
אִ֥ישׁ
which 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)
#11
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים
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
#12
בִּדְבַ֥ר
by the word
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#13
יְהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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

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