1 Samuel 27:9

Authorized King James Version

And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהִכָּ֤ה
smote
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#2
דָוִד֙
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
הָאָ֔רֶץ
the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#5
וְלֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#6
יְחַיֶּ֖ה
alive
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
#7
אִ֣ישׁ
and left neither 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)
#8
וְאִשָּׁ֑ה
nor woman
a woman
#9
וְלָקַח֩
and took away
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#10
צֹ֨אן
the sheep
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
#11
וּבָקָ֜ר
and the oxen
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
#12
וַֽחֲמֹרִ֤ים
and the asses
a male ass (from its dun red)
#13
וּגְמַלִּים֙
and the camels
a camel
#14
וּבְגָדִ֔ים
and the apparel
a covering, i.e., clothing
#15
וַיָּ֖שָׁב
and returned
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#16
וַיָּבֹ֥א
and came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#17
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#18
אָכִֽישׁ׃
to Achish
akish, a philistine king

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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