1 Kings 21:25

Authorized King James Version

But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
רַ֚ק
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
#2
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#3
הָיָ֣ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#4
כְאַחְאָ֔ב
But there was none like unto Ahab
achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon
#5
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#6
הִתְמַכֵּ֔ר
which did sell
to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)
#7
לַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹת
himself to work
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#8
הָרַ֖ע
wickedness
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#9
בְּעֵינֵ֣י
in the sight
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#10
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#11
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
הֵסַ֥תָּה
stirred up
properly, to prick, i.e., (figuratively) stimulate; by implication, to seduce
#13
אֹת֖וֹ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#14
אִיזֶ֥בֶל
whom Jezebel
izebel, the wife of king ahab
#15
אִשְׁתּֽוֹ׃
his wife
a woman

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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