1 Samuel 2:31

Authorized King James Version

Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הִנֵּה֙
lo!
#2
יָמִ֣ים
Behold the days
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
#3
בָּאִ֔ים
come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#4
וְגָֽדַעְתִּי֙
that I will cut off
to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything
#5
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
זְרֹ֖עַ
and the arm
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
#7
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
זְרֹ֖עַ
and the arm
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
#9
בְּבֵיתֶֽךָ׃
house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#10
אָבִ֑יךָ
H1
of thy father's
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#11
מִֽהְי֥וֹת
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#12
זָקֵ֖ן
that there shall not be an old man
old
#13
בְּבֵיתֶֽךָ׃
house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

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 revelation 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 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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