1 Samuel 15:6

Authorized King James Version

And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
שָׁא֣וּל
And Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#3
אֶֽל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
קֵינִ֖י
So the Kenites
a kenite or member of the tribe of kajin
#5
לְכוּ֩
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#6
וַיָּ֥סַר
depart
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
#7
רְד֜וּ
get you down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#8
מִתּ֥וֹךְ
from among
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
#9
עֲמָֽלֵקִ֗י
the Amalekites
an amalekite (or collectively the amalekites) or descendants of amalek
#10
פֶּן
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
#11
אֹֽסִפְךָ֙
lest I destroy
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
#12
עִמּ֔וֹ
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#13
וְאַתָּ֞ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#14
עָשִׂ֤יתָה
you with them for ye shewed
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#15
חֶ֙סֶד֙
kindness
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
#16
עִם
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#17
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#18
בְּנֵ֣י
to all the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#19
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#20
בַּֽעֲלוֹתָ֖ם
when they came up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#21
מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם
out of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#22
וַיָּ֥סַר
depart
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
#23
קֵינִ֖י
So the Kenites
a kenite or member of the tribe of kajin
#24
מִתּ֥וֹךְ
from among
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
#25
עֲמָלֵֽק׃
the Amalekites
amalek, a descendant of esau; also his posterity and their country

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

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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