1 Kings 8:31

Authorized King James Version

If any man trespass against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֵת֩
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#2
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#3
יֶֽחֱטָ֥א
trespass
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
#4
אִישׁ֙
If any 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)
#5
לְרֵעֵ֔הוּ
against his neighbour
an associate (more or less close)
#6
וְנָֽשָׁא
be laid
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#7
ב֥וֹ
H0
#8
אָלָ֛ה
and an oath
an imprecation
#9
לְהַֽאֲלֹת֑וֹ
upon him to cause him to swear
properly, to adjure, i.e., (usually in a bad sense) imprecate
#10
וּבָ֗א
come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#11
אָלָ֛ה
and an oath
an imprecation
#12
לִפְנֵ֥י
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
#13
מִֽזְבַּחֲךָ֖
thine altar
an altar
#14
בַּבַּ֥יִת
in this house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#15
הַזֶּֽה׃
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

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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