1 Samuel 2:36

Authorized King James Version

And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָיָ֗ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#3
הַנּוֹתָר֙
And it shall come to pass that every one that is left
to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve
#4
בְּבֵ֣יתְךָ֔
in thine house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#5
יָבוֹא֙
shall come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#6
לְהִשְׁתַּֽחֲוֹ֣ת
and crouch
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
#7
ל֔וֹ
H0
#8
לַֽאֲג֥וֹרַת
H95
to him for a piece
properly, something gathered, i.e., perhaps a grain or berry; used only of a small (silver) coin
#9
כֶּ֖סֶף
of silver
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
#10
וְכִכַּר
and a morsel
a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l
#11
לָֽחֶם׃
of bread
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
#12
וְאָמַ֗ר
and shall say
to say (used with great latitude)
#13
סְפָחֵ֥נִי
Put
properly, to scrape out, but in certain peculiar senses (of removal or association)
#14
נָ֛א
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#15
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#16
אַחַ֥ת
me I pray thee into one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#17
הַכְּהֻנּ֖וֹת
of the priests' offices
priesthood
#18
לֶֽאֱכֹ֥ל
that I may eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#19
פַּת
a piece
a bit
#20
לָֽחֶם׃
of bread
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

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

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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