1 Kings 8:59

Authorized King James Version

And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְיִֽהְי֨וּ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
דְּבַר
And let these my words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#3
אֵ֗לֶּה
these or those
#4
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#5
הִתְחַנַּ֙נְתִּי֙
wherewith I have made supplication
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)
#6
לִפְנֵ֣י
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
#7
יְהוָ֥ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
קְרֹבִ֛ים
be nigh
near (in place, kindred or time)
#9
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
יְהוָ֥ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#11
אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ
our 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
#12
יוֹמָ֣ם
day
daily
#13
וָלָ֑יְלָה
and night
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
#14
לַֽעֲשׂ֣וֹת׀
that he maintain
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#15
וּמִשְׁפַּ֛ט
and the cause
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#16
עַבְדּ֗וֹ
of his servant
a servant
#17
וּמִשְׁפַּ֛ט
and the cause
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#18
עַמּ֥וֹ
of his people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#19
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#20
דְּבַר
And let these my words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#21
בְּיוֹמֽוֹ׃
at all times
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#22
בְּיוֹמֽוֹ׃
at all times
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

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 sovereignty 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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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