1 Samuel 13:3

Authorized King James Version

And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּ֣ךְ
smote
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#2
יֽוֹנָתָ֗ן
And Jonathan
jonathan, the name of ten israelites
#3
אֵ֣ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
נְצִ֤יב
the garrison
something stationary, i.e., a prefect, a military post, a statue
#5
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
and the Philistines
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
#6
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#7
בְּגֶ֔בַע
that was in Geba
geba, a place in palestine
#8
יִשְׁמְע֖וּ
hear
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#9
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
and the Philistines
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
#10
וְשָׁאוּל֩
of it And Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#11
תָּקַ֨ע
blew
to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become
#12
בַּשּׁוֹפָ֤ר
the trumpet
a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn
#13
בְּכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#14
הָאָ֙רֶץ֙
throughout all the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#15
לֵאמֹ֔ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#16
יִשְׁמְע֖וּ
hear
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#17
הָֽעִבְרִֽים׃
Let the Hebrews
an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber

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

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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