1 Samuel 28:3

Authorized King James Version

Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּשְׁמוּאֵ֣ל
Now Samuel
shemuel, the name of three israelites
#2
מֵ֔ת
was dead
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#3
וַיִּסְפְּדוּ
had lamented
properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as middle easterners do in grief); generally to lament; by implication, to wail
#4
לוֹ֙
H0
#5
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#6
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
and all Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#7
וַיִּקְבְּרֻ֥הוּ
him and buried
to inter
#8
בָֽרָמָ֖ה
him in Ramah
ramah, the name of four places in palestine
#9
וּבְעִיר֑וֹ
even in his own city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#10
וְשָׁא֗וּל
And Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#11
הֵסִ֛יר
had put away
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
#12
הָֽאֹב֥וֹת
those that had familiar spirits
properly, a mumble, i.e., a water-skin (from its hollow sound); hence a necromancer (ventriloquist, as from a jar)
#13
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#14
הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֖ים
and the wizards
properly, a knowing one; specifically, a conjurer; (by impl) a ghost
#15
מֵֽהָאָֽרֶץ׃
out of the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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