1 Kings 18:9

Authorized King James Version

And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
מֶ֣ה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#3
חָטָ֑אתִי
What have I sinned
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
#4
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#5
אַתָּ֞ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#6
נֹתֵ֧ן
that thou wouldest deliver
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#7
אֶֽת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
עַבְדְּךָ֛
thy servant
a servant
#9
בְּיַד
into the hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#10
אַחְאָ֖ב
of Ahab
achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon
#11
לַֽהֲמִיתֵֽנִי׃
to slay
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

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 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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