1 Kings 18:28

Authorized King James Version

And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽיִּקְרְאוּ֙
And they cried
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#2
בְּק֣וֹל
aloud
a voice or sound
#3
גָּד֔וֹל
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#4
וַיִּתְגֹּֽדְדוּ֙
and cut
to crowd; also to gash (as if by pressing into)
#5
כְּמִשְׁפָּטָ֔ם
themselves after their manner
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#6
בַּֽחֲרָב֖וֹת
with knives
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#7
וּבָֽרְמָחִ֑ים
and lancets
a lance (as thrown); especially the iron point
#8
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#9
שְׁפָךְ
gushed 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
#10
דָּ֖ם
till the blood
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
#11
עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

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 revelation 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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