1 Samuel 25:19

Authorized King James Version

And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתֹּ֤אמֶר
And she said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
לִנְעָרֶ֙יהָ֙
unto her servants
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
#3
עִבְר֣וּ
Go on
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#4
לְפָנַ֔י
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
#5
הִנְנִ֖י
lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if
#6
אַֽחֲרֵיכֶ֣ם
after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#7
בָּאָ֑ה
me behold I come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#8
וּלְאִישָׁ֥הּ
not her husband
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#9
נָבָ֖ל
Nabal
nabal, an israelite
#10
לֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#11
הִגִּֽידָה׃
you But she told
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

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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