1 Kings 2:44

Authorized King James Version

The king said moreover to Shimei, Thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: therefore the LORD shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ
The king
a king
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
שִׁמְעִ֗י
moreover to Shimei
shimi, the name of twenty israelites
#5
אַתָּ֤ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#6
יָדַע֙
Thou knowest
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#7
אֵ֣ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#9
רָעָֽתְךָ֖
all the wickedness
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#10
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#11
יָדַע֙
Thou knowest
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#12
לְבָ֣בְךָ֔
which thine heart
the heart (as the most interior organ)
#13
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#14
עָשִׂ֖יתָ
that thou didst
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#15
לְדָוִ֣ד
to David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#16
אָבִ֑י
H1
my father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#17
וְהֵשִׁ֧יב
shall return
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#18
יְהוָ֛ה
therefore the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#19
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#20
רָעָֽתְךָ֖
all the wickedness
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#21
בְּרֹאשֶֽׁךָ׃
upon thine own head
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

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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