1 Kings 2:8

Authorized King James Version

And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהִנֵּ֣ה
lo!
#2
עִ֠מְּךָ
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#3
שִֽׁמְעִ֨י
And behold thou hast with thee Shimei
shimi, the name of twenty israelites
#4
בֶן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#5
גֵּרָ֥א
of Gera
gera, the name of six israelites
#6
בֶן
H0
#7
הַיְמִינִי֮
a Benjamite
a benjaminite, or descendent of benjamin
#8
מִבַּחֻרִים֒
of Bahurim
bachurim, a place in palestine
#9
וְה֤וּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#10
קִֽלְלַ֙נִי֙
which cursed
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
#11
קְלָלָ֣ה
curse
vilification
#12
נִמְרֶ֔צֶת
me with a grievous
properly, to press, i.e., (figuratively) to be pungent or vehement; to irritate
#13
בְּי֖וֹם
in the day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#14
לֶכְתִּ֣י
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#15
מַֽחֲנָ֑יִם
to Mahanaim
machanajim, a place in palestine
#16
וְהֽוּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#17
יָרַ֤ד
but he came 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
לִקְרָאתִי֙
to meet
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
#19
הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן
me at Jordan
jarden, the principal river of palestine
#20
וָֽאֶשָּׁ֨בַֽע
and I sware
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
#21
ל֤וֹ
H0
#22
בַֽיהוָה֙
to him by the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#23
לֵאמֹ֔ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#24
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#25
אֲמִֽיתְךָ֖
I will not put thee to death
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#26
בֶּחָֽרֶב׃
with the sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Kings. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, 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 sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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