1 Kings 8:5

Authorized King James Version

And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהַמֶּ֣לֶךְ
And king
a king
#2
שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה
Solomon
shelomah, david's successor
#3
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#4
עֲדַ֤ת
and all the congregation
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
#5
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#6
הַנּֽוֹעָדִ֣ים
that were assembled
to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or positi
#7
עָלָ֔יו
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#8
אִתּ֖וֹ
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#9
לִפְנֵ֣י
unto him were with him 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
#10
הָֽאָר֑וֹן
the ark
a box
#11
מְזַבְּחִים֙
sacrificing
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
#12
צֹ֣אן
sheep
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
#13
וּבָקָ֔ר
and oxen
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
#14
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#15
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#16
יִסָּפְר֛וּ
that could not be told
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
#17
וְלֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#18
יִמָּנ֖וּ
nor numbered
properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll
#19
מֵרֹֽב׃
for multitude
abundance (in any respect)

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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