1 Kings 21:4

Authorized King James Version

And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּבֹא֩
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
אַחְאָ֨ב
And Ahab
achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
בֵּית֜וֹ
into his house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#5
סַ֣ר
heavy
peevish
#6
וְזָעֵ֗ף
and displeased
angry
#7
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#8
הַדָּבָר֙
because of the word
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#9
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#10
דִּבֶּ֣ר
had spoken
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#11
אֵלָ֗יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#12
נָבוֹת֙
which Naboth
naboth, an israelite
#13
הַיִּזְרְעֵאלִ֔י
the Jezreelite
a jizreelite or native of jizreel
#14
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר
to him for he had said
to say (used with great latitude)
#15
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#16
אֶתֵּ֥ן
I will not give
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#17
לְךָ֖
H0
#18
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#19
נַֽחֲלַ֣ת
thee the inheritance
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
#20
אֲבוֹתָ֑י
H1
of my fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#21
וַיִּשְׁכַּב֙
And he laid him down
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
#22
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#23
מִטָּת֔וֹ
upon his bed
a bed (as extended) for sleeping or eating; by analogy, a sofa, litter or bier
#24
וַיַּסֵּ֥ב
and turned away
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
#25
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#26
פָּנָ֖יו
his face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#27
וְלֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#28
אָ֥כַל
and would eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#29
לָֽחֶם׃
no bread
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

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 revelation 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

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

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources