1 Kings 8:23

Authorized King James Version

And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּאמַ֗ר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
יְהוָ֞ה
LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#4
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#5
אֵין
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#6
כָּמ֣וֹךָ
as, thus, so
#7
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#8
בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם
like thee in heaven
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
#9
מִמַּ֔עַל
above
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
#10
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#11
הָאָ֖רֶץ
or on earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#12
מִתָּ֑חַת
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
#13
שֹׁמֵ֤ר
beneath who keepest
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#14
הַבְּרִית֙
covenant
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
#15
וְֽהַחֶ֔סֶד
and mercy
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
#16
לַֽעֲבָדֶ֕יךָ
with thy servants
a servant
#17
הַהֹֽלְכִ֥ים
that walk
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#18
לְפָנֶ֖יךָ
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#19
בְּכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#20
לִבָּֽם׃
thee with all their heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Kings, this passage highlights covenant through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of covenant connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about covenant, 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

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of covenant 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 covenant in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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