1 Kings 18:44

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.

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
בַּשְּׁבִעִ֔ית
And it came to pass at the seventh time
seventh
#3
אֱמֹ֤ר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#4
הִנֵּה
lo!
#5
עָ֛ב
cloud
properly, an envelope, i.e., darkness (or density, 2 chronicles 4:17); specifically, a (scud) cloud; also a copse
#6
קְטַנָּ֥ה
a little
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
#7
כְּכַף
hand
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
#8
אִ֖ישׁ
like a man's
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
עֲלֵ֨ה
Behold there ariseth
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#10
מִיָּ֑ם
out of the sea
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
#11
אֱמֹ֤ר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#12
עֲלֵ֨ה
Behold there ariseth
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#13
אֱמֹ֤ר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#14
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#15
אַחְאָב֙
unto Ahab
achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon
#16
אֱסֹ֣ר
Prepare
to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle
#17
וָרֵ֔ד
thy chariot and get thee 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
#18
וְלֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#19
יַֽעֲצָרְכָ֖ה
stop
to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble
#20
הַגָּֽשֶׁם׃
that the rain
a shower

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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