1 Kings 13:8

Authorized King James Version

And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אִישׁ
And 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)
#3
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙
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
#4
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ
unto the king
a king
#6
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#7
תִּתֶּן
If thou wilt give
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#8
לִי֙
H0
#9
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
חֲצִ֣י
me half
the half or middle
#11
בֵיתֶ֔ךָ
thine house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#12
לֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#13
אָבֹ֖א
I will not go in
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#14
עִמָּ֑ךְ
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#15
וְלֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#16
אֹ֤כַל
with thee neither will I eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#17
לֶ֙חֶם֙
bread
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
#18
וְלֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#19
אֶשְׁתֶּה
nor drink
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
#20
מַּ֔יִם
water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#21
בַּמָּק֖וֹם
in this place
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
#22
הַזֶּֽה׃
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Kings. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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