1 Kings 4:25

Authorized King James Version

And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֵּשֶׁב֩

H3427

dwelt

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

יְהוּדָ֨ה

H3063

And Judah

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל

H3478

and Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לָבֶ֗טַח

H983

safely

properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely

אִ֣ישׁ

H376

every 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)

תַּ֤חַת

H8478

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

גַּפְנוֹ֙

H1612

under his vine

a vine (as twining), especially the grape

וְתַ֣חַת

H8478

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

תְּאֵֽנָת֔וֹ

H8384

and under his fig tree

the fig (tree or fruit)

#10

מִדָּ֖ן

H1835

from Dan

dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them

#11

וְעַד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

#12

בְּאֵ֣ר

#13

שָׁ֑בַע

H884

even to Beersheba

beer-sheba, a place in palestine

#14

כֹּ֖ל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#15

יְמֵ֥י

H3117

all the days

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

#16

שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃

H8010

of Solomon

shelomah, david's successor

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

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

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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