1 Kings 21:27

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִי֩
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כִשְׁמֹ֨עַ
heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#3
אַחְאָ֜ב
And it came to pass when Ahab
achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon
#4
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
הַדְּבָרִ֤ים
those words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#6
הָאֵ֙לֶּה֙
these or those
#7
וַיִּקְרַ֣ע
that he rent
to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)
#8
בְּגָדָ֔יו
his clothes
a covering, i.e., clothing
#9
וַיָּֽשֶׂם
and put
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#10
בַּשָּׂ֔ק
in sackcloth
properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e., coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grai
#11
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#12
בְּשָׂר֖וֹ
upon his flesh
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
#13
וַיָּצ֑וֹם
and fasted
to cover over (the mouth), i.e., to fast
#14
וַיִּשְׁכַּ֣ב
and lay
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
#15
בַּשָּׂ֔ק
in sackcloth
properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e., coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grai
#16
וַיְהַלֵּ֖ךְ
and went
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#17
אַֽט׃
softly
(as an adverb) gently

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Kings, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. 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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