1 Samuel 17:46

Authorized King James Version

This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis

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

הַזֶּ֡ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

יְסַגֶּרְךָ֩

H5462

deliver

to shut up; figuratively, to surrender

יְהוָ֨ה

H3068

will the LORD

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

בְּיָדִ֜י

H3027

thee into mine hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וְהִכִּיתִ֗ךָ

H5221

and I will smite

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

וַהֲסִֽרֹתִ֤י

H5493

thee and take

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

אֶת

H853

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

רֹֽאשְׁךָ֙

H7218

thine head

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

#10

מֵֽעָלֶ֔יךָ

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#11

וְנָ֨תַתִּ֜י

H5414

from thee and I will give

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#12

פֶּ֣גֶר

H6297

the carcases

a carcase (as limp), whether of man or beast; figuratively, an idolatrous image

#13

מַֽחֲנֵ֤ה

H4264

of the host

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

#14

פְלִשְׁתִּים֙

H6430

of the Philistines

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

#15

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

#16

הַזֶּ֔ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#17

לְע֥וֹף

H5775

unto the fowls

a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively

#18

הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם

H8064

of the air

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

#19

וּלְחַיַּ֣ת

H2416

and to the wild beasts

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

#20

הָאָ֔רֶץ

H776

of the earth

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#21

וְיֵֽדְעוּ֙

H3045

may know

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

#22

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#23

הָאָ֔רֶץ

H776

of the earth

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#24

כִּ֛י

H3588

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

#25

יֵ֥שׁ

H3426

that there is

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

#26

אֱלֹהִ֖ים

H430

a 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

#27

לְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

H3478

in Israel

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

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 sovereignty 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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within 1 Samuel chapter 17 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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