1 Samuel 1:11

Authorized King James Version

And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַתִּדֹּ֨ר

H5087

And she vowed

to promise (pos., to do or give something to god)

נֶ֜דֶר

H5088

a vow

a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised

וַתֹּאמַ֗ר

H559

and said

to say (used with great latitude)

לַֽיהוָה֙

H3068

O LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֜וֹת

H6635

of hosts

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תִרְאֶ֣ה׀

H7200

if thou wilt indeed

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

תִרְאֶ֣ה׀

H7200

if thou wilt indeed

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

בָּֽעֳנִ֣י

H6040

on the affliction

depression, i.e., misery

#10

לַאֲמָֽתְךָ֖

H519

of thine handmaid

a maid-servant or female slave

#11

וּזְכַרְתַּ֙נִי֙

H2142

and remember

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

#12

וְלֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#13

תִשְׁכַּ֣ח

H7911

me and not forget

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

#14

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#15

לַאֲמָֽתְךָ֖

H519

of thine handmaid

a maid-servant or female slave

#16

וּנְתַתִּ֤יו

H5414

but wilt give

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#17

לַאֲמָֽתְךָ֖

H519

of thine handmaid

a maid-servant or female slave

#18

זֶ֣רַע

H2233

child

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

#19

אֲנָשִׁ֑ים

H376

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)

#20

וּנְתַתִּ֤יו

H5414

but wilt give

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#21

לַֽיהוָה֙

H3068

O LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#22

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#23

יְמֵ֣י

H3117

all the days

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

#24

חַיָּ֔יו

H2416

of his life

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

#25

וּמוֹרָ֖ה

H4177

and there shall no razor

a razor

#26

לֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#27

יַעֲלֶ֥ה

H5927

come

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

#28

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#29

רֹאשֽׁוֹ׃

H7218

upon his head

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of life connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about life, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to 1 Samuel's theological argument.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on life address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does this verse's literary context within 1 Samuel chapter 1 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does understanding life in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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