1 Samuel 17:49

Authorized King James Version

And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּשְׁלַח֩
put
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#2
דָּוִ֨ד
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
יָד֜וֹ
his 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
#5
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
הַכֶּ֗לִי
in his bag
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
#7
וַיִּקַּ֨ח
and took
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#8
מִשָּׁ֥ם
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#9
הָאֶ֙בֶן֙
H68
that the stone
a stone
#10
וַיְקַלַּ֔ע
and slang
to sling; also to carve (as if a circular motion, or into light forms)
#11
וַיַּ֥ךְ
it and smote
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#12
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖י
the Philistine
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
#14
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#15
בְּמִצְח֔וֹ
in his forehead
the forehead (as open and prominent)
#16
וַתִּטְבַּ֤ע
sunk
to sink
#17
הָאֶ֙בֶן֙
H68
that the stone
a stone
#18
בְּמִצְח֔וֹ
in his forehead
the forehead (as open and prominent)
#19
וַיִּפֹּ֥ל
and he fell
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#20
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#21
פָּנָ֖יו
upon his face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#22
אָֽרְצָה׃
to the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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

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 divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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