1 Samuel 14:13

Authorized King James Version

And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּ֣עַל
climbed up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#2
יֽוֹנָתָ֔ן
And Jonathan
jonathan, the name of ten israelites
#3
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#4
יָדָיו֙
upon his hands
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#5
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
רַגְלָ֔יו
and upon his feet
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
#7
וְנֹשֵׂ֥א
and his armourbearer
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#8
כֵלָ֖יו
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
#9
אַֽחֲרָֽיו׃
after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#10
וַֽיִּפְּלוּ֙
him and they fell
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#11
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
#12
יֽוֹנָתָ֔ן
And Jonathan
jonathan, the name of ten israelites
#13
וְנֹשֵׂ֥א
and his armourbearer
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#14
כֵלָ֖יו
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
#15
מְמוֹתֵ֥ת
slew
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#16
אַֽחֲרָֽיו׃
after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Samuel. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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 Samuel 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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