1 Kings 20:11

Authorized King James Version

And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּ֤עַן
answered
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
#2
מֶֽלֶךְ
And the king
a king
#3
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#4
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#5
דַּבְּר֔וּ
Tell
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#6
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#7
יִתְהַלֵּ֥ל
on his harness boast
to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ
#8
חֹגֵ֖ר
him Let not him that girdeth
to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.)
#9
כִּמְפַתֵּֽחַ׃
himself as he that putteth it off
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

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 revelation 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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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