1 Samuel 25:25

Authorized King James Version

Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.

Word-by-Word Analysis

אַל

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

נָ֣א

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

יָשִׂ֣ים

H7760

Let

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֲדֹנִ֖י

H113

not my lord

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לִבּ֡וֹ

H3820

I pray thee regard

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אִישׁ֩

H376

this man

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)

הַבְּלִיַּ֨עַל

H1100

of Belial

without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness

#10

הַזֶּ֜ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#11

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#12

נָבָ֣ל

H5037

even Nabal

nabal, an israelite

#13

כִּ֤י

H3588

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

#14

שְׁמ֔וֹ

H8034

for as his name

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

#15

כֶּן

H3651

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

#16

ה֔וּא

H1931

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

#17

נָבָ֣ל

H5037

even Nabal

nabal, an israelite

#18

שְׁמ֔וֹ

H8034

for as his name

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

#19

וּנְבָלָ֖ה

H5039

and folly

foolishness, i.e., (morally) wickedness; concretely, a crime; by extension, punishment

#20

עִמּ֑וֹ

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

#21

וַֽאֲנִי֙

H589

#22

אֲמָ֣תְךָ֔

H519

is with him but I thine handmaid

a maid-servant or female slave

#23

לֹ֥א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#24

רָאִ֛יתִי

H7200

saw

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

#25

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#26

נַֽעֲרֵ֥י

H5288

not the young men

(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

#27

אֲדֹנִ֖י

H113

not my lord

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

#28

אֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#29

שָׁלָֽחְתָּ׃

H7971

whom thou didst send

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. 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?
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?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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