1 Samuel 10:9

Authorized King James Version

And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָיָ֗ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כְּהַפְנֹת֤וֹ
And it was so that when he had turned
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
#3
שִׁכְמוֹ֙
his back
the neck (between the shoulders) as the place of burdens; figuratively, the spur of a hill
#4
לָלֶ֙כֶת֙
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#5
מֵעִ֣ם
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#6
שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל
from Samuel
shemuel, the name of three israelites
#7
וַיַּֽהֲפָךְ
gave
to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert
#8
ל֥וֹ
H0
#9
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
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
#10
לֵ֣ב
heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#11
אַחֵ֑ר
him another
properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc
#12
וַיָּבֹ֛אוּ
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#13
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#14
הָֽאֹת֥וֹת
and all those signs
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
#15
הָאֵ֖לֶּה
these or those
#16
בַּיּ֥וֹם
to pass that day
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
#17
הַהֽוּא׃
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

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

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

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