1 Samuel 25:36

Authorized King James Version

And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתָּבֹ֣א
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
אֲבִיגַ֣יִל׀
H26
And Abigail
abigail or abigal, the name of two israelitesses
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
נָבָל֙
and Nabal's
nabal, an israelite
#5
וְהִנֵּה
lo!
#6
לוֹ֩
H0
#7
כְּמִשְׁתֵּ֣ה
and behold he held a feast
drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast
#8
בְּבֵית֜וֹ
in his house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#9
כְּמִשְׁתֵּ֣ה
and behold he held a feast
drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast
#10
הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ
of a king
a king
#11
וְלֵ֤ב
heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#12
נָבָל֙
and Nabal's
nabal, an israelite
#13
ט֣וֹב
was merry
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
#14
עָלָ֔יו
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#15
וְה֥וּא
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
#16
שִׁכֹּ֖ר
drunken
intoxicated, as a state or a habit
#17
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#18
מְאֹ֑ד
within him for he was very
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
#19
וְלֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#20
הִגִּ֣ידָה
wherefore 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
#21
לּ֗וֹ
H0
#22
דָּבָ֥ר
him nothing
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#23
קָטֹ֛ן
less
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
#24
וְגָד֖וֹל
or more
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#25
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#26
א֥וֹר
light
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
#27
הַבֹּֽקֶר׃
until the morning
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

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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