1 Kings 16:31

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽיְהִי֙
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
הֲנָקֵ֣ל
And it came to pass as if it had been a light thing
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
#3
לֶכְתּ֔וֹ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#4
בְּחַטֹּ֖אות
in the sins
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
#5
יָֽרָבְעָ֣ם
of Jeroboam
jarobam, the name of two israelite kings
#6
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#7
נְבָ֑ט
of Nebat
nebat, the father of jeroboam i
#8
וַיִּקַּ֨ח
that he took
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#9
אִשָּׁ֜ה
to wife
a woman
#10
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#11
אִיזֶ֗בֶל
Jezebel
izebel, the wife of king ahab
#12
בַּת
the daughter
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#13
אֶתְבַּ֙עַל֙
of Ethbaal
ethbaal, a phoenician king
#14
מֶ֣לֶךְ
king
a king
#15
צִֽידֹנִ֔ים
of the Zidonians
a tsidonian or inhabitant of tsidon
#16
וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#17
וַֽיַּעֲבֹ֣ד
and served
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
#18
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#19
הַבַּ֔עַל
Baal
baal, a phoenician deity
#20
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ
and worshipped
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
#21
לֽוֹ׃
H0

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Kings, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 1 Kings.

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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