1 Kings 20:30

Authorized King James Version

But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left. And Ben-hadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
נָ֔ס
fled
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
#2
הַנּֽוֹתָרִ֑ים
But the rest
to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve
#3
אֲפֵקָה֮
to Aphek
aphek (or aphik), the name of three places in palestine
#4
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
הָעִ֖יר
into the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#6
וַתִּפֹּל֙
fell
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#7
הַֽחוֹמָ֔ה
and there a wall
a wall of protection
#8
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
עֶשְׂרִ֨ים
upon twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#10
וְשִׁבְעָ֥ה
and seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#11
אֶ֛לֶף
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#12
אִ֖ישׁ
of the men
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)
#13
הַנּֽוֹתָרִ֑ים
But the rest
to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve
#14
וּבֶן
H0
#15
הֲדַ֣ד
And Benhadad
ben-hadad, the name of several syrian kings, possibly a royal title
#16
נָ֔ס
fled
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
#17
וַיָּבֹ֥א
and came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#18
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#19
הָעִ֖יר
into the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#20
בְּחָֽדֶר׃
chamber
an apartment (usually literal)
#21
בְּחָֽדֶר׃
chamber
an apartment (usually literal)

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Kings, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 1 Kings.

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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