1 Samuel 17:33

Authorized King James Version

And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
שָׁא֜וּל
And Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
דָּוִ֗ד
to David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#5
לֹ֤א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#6
תוּכַל֙
Thou art not able
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
#7
לָלֶ֙כֶת֙
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#8
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#9
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֣י
against this Philistine
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
#10
הַזֶּ֔ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#11
לְהִלָּחֵ֖ם
to fight
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
#12
עִמּ֑וֹ
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#13
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#14
נַ֣עַר
with him for thou art but a youth
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
#15
אַ֔תָּה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#16
וְה֛וּא
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
#17
אִ֥ישׁ
and he a 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)
#18
מִלְחָמָ֖ה
of war
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#19
מִנְּעֻרָֽיו׃
from his youth
(only in plural collective or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the persons (young people)

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, 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

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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