1 Kings 7:20

Authorized King James Version

And the chapiters upon the two pillars had pomegranates also above, over against the belly which was by the network: and the pomegranates were two hundred in rows round about upon the other chapiter.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הַכֹּתֶ֥רֶת
And the chapiters
the capital of a column
#2
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#3
שְׁנֵי֙
upon the two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#4
הָֽעַמּוּדִ֔ים
pillars
a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform
#5
גַּם
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#6
מִמַּ֙עַל֙
had pomegranates also above
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
#7
מִלְּעֻמַּ֣ת
over against
conjunction, i.e., society; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional prefix), near, beside, along with
#8
הַבֶּ֔טֶן
the belly
the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything
#9
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#10
לְעֵ֣בֶר
which was by
properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning
#11
שְּׂבָכָ֑ה
the network
a net-work, i.e., (in hunting) a snare, (in architecture) a ballustrade; also a reticulated ornament to a pillar
#12
וְהָֽרִמּוֹנִ֤ים
and the pomegranates
a pomegranate, the tree (from its upright growth) or the fruit (also an artificial ornament)
#13
מָאתַ֙יִם֙
were two hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#14
טֻרִ֣ים
in rows
a row; hence, a wall
#15
סָבִ֔יב
round about
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
#16
עַ֖ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#17
הַכֹּתֶ֥רֶת
And the chapiters
the capital of a column
#18
הַשֵּׁנִֽית׃
upon 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 literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 1 Kings Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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