1 Samuel 14:45

Authorized King James Version

And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

הָעָ֛ם

H5971

And the people

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

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שָׁא֗וּל

H7586

unto Saul

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

יֽוֹנָתָ֖ן

H3129

Jonathan

jonathan, the name of ten israelites

מֵֽת׃

H4191

die

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשָׂ֖ה

H6213

for he hath wrought

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

הַיְשׁוּעָ֨ה

H3444

salvation

something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity

#10

הַגְּדוֹלָ֣ה

H1419

this great

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

#11

הַזֹּאת֮

H2063

this (often used adverb)

#12

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל֒

H3478

in Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#13

חָלִ֗ילָה

H2486

God forbid

literal for a profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it!

#14

חַי

H2416

liveth

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

#15

יְהוָה֙

H3068

as the LORD

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

#16

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#17

יִפֹּ֞ל

H5307

fall

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

#18

מִשַּֽׂעֲרַ֤ת

H8185

there shall not one hair

hairiness

#19

רֹאשׁוֹ֙

H7218

of his head

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

#20

אַ֔רְצָה

H776

to the ground

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#21

כִּֽי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#22

עִם

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

#23

אֱלֹהִ֥ים

H430

with God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

#24

עָשָׂ֖ה

H6213

for he hath wrought

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#25

הַיּ֣וֹם

H3117

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

#26

הַזֶּ֑ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#27

וַיִּפְדּ֥וּ

H6299

rescued

to sever, i.e., ransom; generally to release, preserve

#28

הָעָ֛ם

H5971

And the people

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

#29

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#30

יֽוֹנָתָ֖ן

H3129

Jonathan

jonathan, the name of ten israelites

#31

וְלֹא

H3808

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

#32

מֵֽת׃

H4191

die

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of salvation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about salvation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 1 Samuel.

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 salvation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of salvation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?

Related Resources

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