1 Kings 20:3

Authorized King James Version

Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest, are mine.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כַּסְפְּךָ֥
Thy silver
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
#2
וּֽזְהָבְךָ֖
and thy gold
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
#3
לִי
H0
#4
ה֑וּא
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
#5
וְנָשֶׁ֧יךָ
is mine thy wives
a woman
#6
וּבָנֶ֛יךָ
also and thy 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
#7
הַטּוֹבִ֖ים
even the goodliest
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
#8
לִי
H0
#9
הֵֽם׃
they (only used when emphatic)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Kings. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, 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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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

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