1 Kings 7:16

Authorized King James Version

And he made two chapiters of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the height of the one chapiter was five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter was five cubits:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּשְׁתֵּ֨י
two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#2
הַכֹּתֶ֥רֶת
chapiter
the capital of a column
#3
עָשָׂ֗ה
And he made
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#4
לָתֵ֛ת
to set
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#5
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
רָאשֵׁ֥י
upon the tops
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#7
הָֽעַמּוּדִ֖ים
of the pillars
a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform
#8
מֻצַ֣ק
of molten
properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as metal; by extension, to place firmly, to stiffen or grow hard
#9
נְחֹ֑שֶׁת
brass
copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)
#10
וְחָמֵ֣שׁ
was five
five
#11
אַמּ֔וֹת
cubits
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
#12
קוֹמַ֖ת
and the height
height
#13
הַכֹּתֶ֥רֶת
chapiter
the capital of a column
#14
הָֽאֶחָ֔ת
of the one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#15
וְחָמֵ֣שׁ
was five
five
#16
אַמּ֔וֹת
cubits
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
#17
קוֹמַ֖ת
and the height
height
#18
הַכֹּתֶ֥רֶת
chapiter
the capital of a column
#19
הַשֵּׁנִֽית׃
of the other
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

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

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 revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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