1 Kings 20:39

Authorized King James Version

And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיְהִ֤י

H1961

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

הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ

H4428

And as the king

a king

עֹבֵ֔ר

H5674

passed by

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

וְה֖וּא

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

צָעַ֣ק

H6817

he cried

to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ

H4428

And as the king

a king

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙

H559

and he said

to say (used with great latitude)

עַבְדְּךָ֣׀

H5650

Thy servant

a servant

#10

יָצָ֣א

H3318

went out

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

#11

בְקֶֽרֶב

H7130

into the midst

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

#12

הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה

H4421

of the battle

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

#13

וְהִנֵּֽה

H2009

lo!

#14

הָאִ֣ישׁ

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)

#15

סָ֜ר

H5493

turned aside

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

#16

וַיָּבֵ֧א

H935

and brought

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#17

אֵלַ֣י

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#18

הָאִ֣ישׁ

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)

#19

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙

H559

and he said

to say (used with great latitude)

#20

שְׁמֹר֙

H8104

Keep

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

#21

אֶת

H853

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

#22

הָאִ֣ישׁ

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)

#23

הַזֶּ֔ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#24

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#25

יִפָּקֵ֔ד

H6485

he be missing

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

#26

יִפָּקֵ֔ד

H6485

he be missing

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

#27

וְהָֽיְתָ֤ה

H1961

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

#28

נַפְשׁ֔וֹ

H5315

be for his life

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

#29

תַּ֣חַת

H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

#30

נַפְשׁ֔וֹ

H5315

be for his life

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

#31

א֥וֹ

H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

#32

כִכַּר

H3603

a talent

a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l

#33

כֶּ֖סֶף

H3701

of silver

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

#34

תִּשְׁקֽוֹל׃

H8254

or else thou shalt pay

to suspend or poise (especially in trade)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Kings. The concept of life 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 life in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding life in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
How might the original audience's understanding of life differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

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