1 Kings 17:3

Authorized King James Version

Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לֵ֣ךְ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#2
מִזֶּ֔ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#3
וּפָנִ֥יתָ
thee hence and turn
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
#4
לְּךָ֖
H0
#5
קֵ֑דְמָה
thee eastward
the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
#6
וְנִסְתַּרְתָּ֙
and hide
to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively
#7
בְּנַ֣חַל
thyself by the brook
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
#8
כְּרִ֔ית
Cherith
kerith, a brook of palestine
#9
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#10
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#11
פְּנֵ֥י
that is before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#12
הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃
Jordan
jarden, the principal river of palestine

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Kings. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. 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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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