1 Samuel 25:26

Authorized King James Version

Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְעַתָּ֣ה
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
#2
אֲדֹנִ֖י
Now therefore my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#3
וְחֵֽי
liveth
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#4
יְהוָה֙
as the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
וְחֵֽי
liveth
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#6
נַפְשְׁךָ֙
and as thy soul
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#7
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#8
מְנָֽעֲךָ֤
hath withholden
to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury
#9
יְהוָה֙
as the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#10
מִבּ֣וֹא
thee from coming
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#11
בְדָמִ֔ים
to shed blood
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
#12
וְהוֹשֵׁ֥עַ
and from avenging
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
#13
יָֽדְךָ֖
thyself with thine own hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#14
לָ֑ךְ
H0
#15
וְעַתָּ֗ה
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
#16
יִֽהְי֤וּ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#17
כְנָבָל֙
be as Nabal
nabal, an israelite
#18
אֹֽיְבֶ֔יךָ
now let thine enemies
hating; an adversary
#19
וְהַֽמְבַקְשִׁ֥ים
and they that seek
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
#20
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#21
אֲדֹנִ֖י
Now therefore my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#22
רָעָֽה׃
evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

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

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