1 Kings 20:15

Authorized King James Version

Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.

Word-by-Word Analysis

פָּקַ֧ד

H6485

Then he numbered

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

אֶֽת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נַעֲרֵי֙

H5288

the young men

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

שָׂרֵ֣י

H8269

of the princes

a head person (of any rank or class)

הַמְּדִינ֔וֹת

H4082

of the provinces

properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region

וַיִּֽהְי֕וּ

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מָאתַ֖יִם

H3967

hundred

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

שְׁנַ֣יִם

H8147

and they were two

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֑ים

H7970

and thirty

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

#10

וְאַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֗ם

H310

and after

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

#11

פָּקַ֧ד

H6485

Then he numbered

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

#12

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#13

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#14

הָעָ֛ם

H5971

all the people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#15

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#16

בְּנֵ֥י

H1121

even all the children

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#17

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#18

שִׁבְעַ֥ת

H7651

being seven

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

#19

אֲלָפִֽים׃

H505

thousand

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

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 covenant community 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 covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within 1 Kings chapter 20 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on covenant community address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
In what ways does understanding covenant community in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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