1 Kings 18:4

Authorized King James Version

For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

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
בְּהַכְרִ֣ית
cut off
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
#3
אִיזֶ֔בֶל
For it was so when Jezebel
izebel, the wife of king ahab
#4
אֵ֖ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
נְבִיאִ֗ים
prophets
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
#6
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#7
וַיִּקַּ֨ח
took
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#8
עֹֽבַדְיָ֜הוּ
that Obadiah
obadjah, the name of thirteen israelites
#9
מֵאָ֣ה
an hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#10
נְבִיאִ֗ים
prophets
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
#11
וַֽיַּחְבִּיאֵ֞ם
and hid
to secrete
#12
חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים
fifty
#13
אִישׁ֙
them by fifty
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)
#14
בַּמְּעָרָ֔ה
in a cave
a cavern (as dark)
#15
וְכִלְכְּלָ֖ם
and fed
properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses)
#16
לֶ֥חֶם
them with bread
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
#17
וָמָֽיִם׃
and water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

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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