1 Kings 20:33

Authorized King James Version

Now the men did diligently observe whether any thing would come from him, and did hastily catch it: and they said, Thy brother Ben-hadad. Then he said, Go ye, bring him. Then Ben-hadad came forth to him; and he caused him to come up into the chariot.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָֽאֲנָשִׁים֩
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)
#2
יְנַֽחֲשׁ֨וּ
did diligently observe
properly, to hiss, i.e., whisper a (magic) spell; generally, to prognosticate
#3
וַֽיְמַהֲר֜וּ
whether any thing would come from him and did hastily
properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)
#4
וַיַּחְלְט֣וּ
catch
to snatch at
#5
הֲמִמֶּ֗נּוּ
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#6
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר
Then he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#7
אָחִ֣יךָ
Thy brother
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#8
בֶן
H0
#9
הֲדַ֔ד
Benhadad
ben-hadad, the name of several syrian kings, possibly a royal title
#10
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר
Then he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#11
בֹּ֣אוּ
Go
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#12
קָחֻ֑הוּ
ye bring
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#13
וַיֵּצֵ֤א
came forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#14
אֵלָיו֙
near, with or among; often in general, to
#15
בֶּן
H0
#16
הֲדַ֔ד
Benhadad
ben-hadad, the name of several syrian kings, possibly a royal title
#17
וַֽיַּעֲלֵ֖הוּ
to him and he caused him to come up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#18
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#19
הַמֶּרְכָּבָֽה׃
into the chariot
a chariot

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

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 divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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