1 Samuel 2:30

Authorized King James Version

Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

Word-by-Word Analysis

לָכֵ֗ן

H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

נְאֻם

H5002

saith

an oracle

יְהוָה֙

H3068

Wherefore the LORD

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

אֱלֹהֵ֣י

H430

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

יִשְׂרָאֵל֒

H3478

of Israel

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

אָמַ֔רְתִּי

H559

I said

to say (used with great latitude)

אָמַ֔רְתִּי

H559

I said

to say (used with great latitude)

וּבֵ֣ית

H1004

and the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וּבֵ֣ית

H1004

and the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#10

אָבִ֔יךָ

of thy father

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

#11

יִתְהַלְּכ֥וּ

H1980

should walk

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

#12

לְפָנַ֖י

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#13

עַד

H5704

me for

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

#14

עוֹלָ֑ם

H5769

ever

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

#15

וְעַתָּ֤ה

H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

#16

נְאֻם

H5002

saith

an oracle

#17

יְהוָה֙

H3068

Wherefore the LORD

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

#18

חָלִ֣ילָה

H2486

Be it far from me

literal for a profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it!

#19

לִּ֔י

#20

כִּֽי

H3588

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

#21

אֲכַבֵּ֖ד

H3513

for them that honour

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

#22

אֲכַבֵּ֖ד

H3513

for them that honour

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

#23

וּבֹזַ֥י

H959

and they that despise

to disesteem

#24

יֵקָֽלּוּ׃

H7043

me shall be lightly esteemed

to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, 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

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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
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?

Related Resources

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