1 Samuel 21:9

Authorized King James Version

And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֧אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
הַכֹּהֵ֗ן
And the priest
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#3
חֶרֶב֩
The sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#4
גָּלְיָ֨ת
of Goliath
goljath, a philistine
#5
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֜י
the Philistine
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
#6
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#7
הִכִּ֣יתָ׀
whom thou slewest
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#8
בְּעֵ֣מֶק
in the valley
a vale (i.e., broad depression)
#9
הָֽאֵלָ֗ה
of Elah
elah, the name of an edomite, of four israelites, and also of a place in palestine
#10
הִנֵּה
lo!
#11
הִ֞יא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#12
לוּטָ֣ה
behold it is here wrapped
to wrap up
#13
בַשִּׂמְלָה֮
in a cloth
a dress, especially a mantle
#14
אַֽחֲרֵ֣י
behind
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#15
הָֽאֵפוֹד֒
the ephod
a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image
#16
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#17
אֹתָ֤הּ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#18
קָ֔ח
if thou wilt take
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#19
לְךָ֙
H0
#20
קָ֔ח
if thou wilt take
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#21
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#22
אֵ֥ין
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#23
אַחֶ֛רֶת
it for there is no other
properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc
#24
זֽוּלָתָ֖הּ
save
probably scattering, i.e., removal; used adverbially, except
#25
בָּזֶ֑ה
that here
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#26
וַיֹּ֧אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#27
דָּוִ֛ד
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#28
אֵ֥ין
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#29
כָּמ֖וֹהָ
as, thus, so
#30
תְּנֶ֥נָּה
There is none like that give
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#31
לִּֽי׃
H0

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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