1 Kings 20:28

Authorized King James Version

And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּגַּ֞שׁ

H5066

And there came

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

אִ֣ישׁ

H376

a man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֱלֹהֵ֥י

H430

but he is not God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אָֽמְר֤וּ

H559

Thus saith

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֶ֣לֶךְ

H4428

unto the king

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵל֒

H3478

of Israel

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

אָֽמְר֤וּ

H559

Thus saith

to say (used with great latitude)

כֹּֽה

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

#10

אָֽמְר֤וּ

H559

Thus saith

to say (used with great latitude)

#11

יְהוָֽה׃

H3068

The LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#12

יַ֠עַן

H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

#13

אֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#14

אָֽמְר֤וּ

H559

Thus saith

to say (used with great latitude)

#15

אֲרָם֙

H758

Because the Syrians

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

#16

אֱלֹהֵ֥י

H430

but he is not God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

#17

הָרִים֙

H2022

of the hills

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

#18

יְהוָֽה׃

H3068

The LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#19

וְלֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#20

אֱלֹהֵ֥י

H430

but he is not God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

#21

עֲמָקִ֖ים

H6010

of the valleys

a vale (i.e., broad depression)

#22

ה֑וּא

H1931

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

#23

וְ֠נָֽתַתִּי

H5414

therefore will I deliver

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#24

אֶת

H853

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

#25

כָּל

H3605

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

#26

הֶֽהָמ֨וֹן

H1995

multitude

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

#27

הַגָּ֤דוֹל

H1419

all this great

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

#28

הַזֶּה֙

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#29

בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ

H3027

into thine hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#30

וִֽידַעְתֶּ֖ם

H3045

and ye shall know

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

#31

כִּֽי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#32

אֲנִ֥י

H589

#33

יְהוָֽה׃

H3068

The LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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

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

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

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