1 Kings 18:40

Authorized King James Version

And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּאמֶר֩
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֵֽלִיָּ֙הוּ֙
And Elijah
elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other israelites
#3
לָהֶ֜ם
H0
#4
וַֽיִּתְפְּשׂ֑וּם
And they took
to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
#5
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
נְבִיאֵ֣י
the prophets
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
#7
הַבַּ֗עַל
of Baal
baal, a phoenician deity
#8
אִ֛ישׁ
let not one
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)
#9
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#10
יִמָּלֵ֥ט
of them escape
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
#11
מֵהֶ֖ם
they (only used when emphatic)
#12
וַֽיִּתְפְּשׂ֑וּם
And they took
to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
#13
וַיּֽוֹרִדֵ֤ם
brought them down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#14
אֵֽלִיָּ֙הוּ֙
And Elijah
elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other israelites
#15
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#16
נַ֣חַל
to the brook
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
#17
קִישׁ֔וֹן
Kishon
kishon, a river of palestine
#18
וַיִּשְׁחָטֵ֖ם
and slew
to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)
#19
שָֽׁם׃
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

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

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 revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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