1 Samuel 14:34

Authorized King James Version

And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַֽאֲמַרְתֶּ֣ם

H559

and say

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׁא֣וּל

H7586

And Saul

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

פֻּ֣צוּ

H6327

Disperse

to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)

הָעָ֜ם

H5971

And all the people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וַֽאֲמַרְתֶּ֣ם

H559

and say

to say (used with great latitude)

לָהֶ֡ם

וַיַּגִּ֨שׁוּ

H5066

brought

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

אֵלַי֩

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אִ֣ישׁ

H376

and every man

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)

#10

שׁוֹר֧וֹ

H7794

his ox

a bullock (as a traveller)

#11

אִ֣ישׁ

H376

and every man

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)

#12

שְׂיֵ֗הוּ

H7716

his sheep

a member of a flock, i.e., a sheep or goat

#13

וַיִּשְׁחֲטוּ

H7819

and slay

to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)

#14

בָּזֶה֙

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#15

לֶֽאֱכֹ֣ל

H398

in eating

to eat (literally or figuratively)

#16

וְלֹֽא

H3808

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

#17

תֶחֶטְא֥וּ

H2398

and sin

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

#18

לַֽיהוָ֖ה

H3068

not against the LORD

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

#19

לֶֽאֱכֹ֣ל

H398

in eating

to eat (literally or figuratively)

#20

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#21

הַדָּ֑ם

H1818

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

#22

וַיַּגִּ֨שׁוּ

H5066

brought

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

#23

כָל

H3605

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

#24

הָעָ֜ם

H5971

And all the people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#25

אִ֣ישׁ

H376

and every man

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)

#26

שׁוֹר֧וֹ

H7794

his ox

a bullock (as a traveller)

#27

בְיָ֛דוֹ

H3027

with him

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

#28

הַלַּ֖יְלָה

H3915

that night

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

#29

וַיִּשְׁחֲטוּ

H7819

and slay

to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)

#30

שָֽׁם׃

H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

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

How does this verse's literary context within 1 Samuel chapter 14 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?

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