1 Kings 17:16

Authorized King James Version

And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כַּ֤ד
And the barrel
properly, a pail; but generally of earthenware; a jar for domestic purposes
#2
הַקֶּ֙מַח֙
of meal
flour
#3
לֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#4
כָלָ֔תָה
wasted
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
#5
וְצַפַּ֥חַת
not neither did the cruse
a saucer (as flat)
#6
הַשֶּׁ֖מֶן
of oil
grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
#7
לֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#8
חָסֵ֑ר
fail
lacking; hence, without
#9
כִּדְבַ֣ר
according to the word
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#10
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#11
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
דִּבֶּ֖ר
which he spake
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#13
בְּיַ֥ד
by
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#14
אֵֽלִיָּֽהוּ׃
Elijah
elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other israelites

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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