1 Samuel 14:33

Authorized King James Version

Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּגִּ֤ידוּ
Then they told
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#2
לְשָׁאוּל֙
Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#3
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#4
הִנֵּ֥ה
lo!
#5
הָעָ֛ם
Behold the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#6
חֹטִ֥אים
sin
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
#7
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
against the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
לֶֽאֱכֹ֣ל
in that they eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#9
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
הַדָּ֑ם
with the blood
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
#11
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#12
בְּגַדְתֶּ֔ם
Ye have transgressed
to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage
#13
גֹּלּוּ
roll
to roll (literally or figuratively)
#14
אֵלַ֥י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#15
הַיּ֖וֹם
unto me this 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
#16
אֶ֥בֶן
H68
stone
a stone
#17
גְּדוֹלָֽה׃
a great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

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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