1 Samuel 17:23

Authorized King James Version

And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְה֣וּא׀
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#2
וַיְדַבֵּ֖ר
And as he talked
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#3
עִמָּ֗ם
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#4
וְהִנֵּ֣ה
lo!
#5
אִ֣ישׁ
the champion
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)
#6
הַבֵּנַ֡יִם
a double interval, i.e., the space between two armies
#7
עוֹלֶ֞ה
with them behold there came up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#8
גָּלְיָת֩
Goliath
goljath, a philistine
#9
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
of the Philistines
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
#10
שְׁמ֤וֹ
by name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#11
מִגַּת֙
of Gath
gath, a philistine city
#12
מִמַּֽעַרְוֹ֣ת
an open spot
#13
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
of the Philistines
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
#14
וַיְדַבֵּ֖ר
And as he talked
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#15
כַּדְּבָרִ֣ים
words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#16
הָאֵ֑לֶּה
according to the same
these or those
#17
וַיִּשְׁמַ֖ע
heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#18
דָּוִֽד׃
and David
david, the youngest son of jesse

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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