1 Samuel 14:4

Authorized King James Version

And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּבֵ֣ין
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#2
הַֽמַּעְבְּר֗וֹת
And between the passages
a crossing-place (of a river, a ford; of a mountain, a pass); abstractly, a transit, i.e., (figuratively) overwhelming
#3
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#4
בִּקֵּ֤שׁ
sought
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
#5
יֽוֹנָתָן֙
by which Jonathan
jonathan, the name of ten israelites
#6
לַֽעֲבֹר֙
to go over
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#7
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#8
מַצַּ֣ב
garrison
a fixed spot; figuratively, an office, a military post
#9
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
unto the Philistines
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
#10
וְשֵׁן
and a sharp
a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff
#11
הַסֶּ֥לַע
rock
a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)
#12
מֵֽהָעֵ֖בֶר
on the one side
properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning
#13
מִזֶּ֔ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#14
וְשֵׁן
and a sharp
a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff
#15
הַסֶּ֥לַע
rock
a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)
#16
מֵֽהָעֵ֖בֶר
on the one side
properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning
#17
מִזֶּ֑ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#18
וְשֵׁ֥ם
and the name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#19
הָֽאֶחָ֖ד
of the one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#20
בּוֹצֵ֔ץ
was Bozez
botsets, a rock near michmash
#21
וְשֵׁ֥ם
and the name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#22
הָֽאֶחָ֖ד
of the one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#23
סֶֽנֶּה׃
Seneh
seneh, a crag in palestine

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

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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