1 Kings 19:15

Authorized King James Version

And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
אֵלָ֔יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
לֵ֛ךְ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#5
שׁ֥וּב
return
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#6
לְדַרְכְּךָ֖
on thy way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#7
מִדְבַּ֣רָה
to the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
#8
דַמָּ֑שֶׂק
of Damascus
damascus, a city of syria
#9
וּבָ֗אתָ
and when thou comest
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#10
וּמָֽשַׁחְתָּ֧
anoint
to rub with oil, i.e., to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint
#11
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#12
חֲזָאֵ֛ל
Hazael
chazael, a king of syria
#13
לְמֶ֖לֶךְ
to be king
a king
#14
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#15
אֲרָֽם׃
over Syria
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

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 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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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