1 Samuel 28:8

Authorized King James Version

And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּתְחַפֵּ֣שׂ

H2664

disguised

to seek; causatively, to conceal oneself (i.e., let be sought), or mask

שָׁא֗וּל

H7586

And Saul

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

וַיִּלְבַּשׁ֙

H3847

himself and put on

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

בְּגָדִ֣ים

H899

raiment

a covering, i.e., clothing

אֲחֵרִ֔ים

H312

other

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ה֗וּא

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

וּשְׁנֵ֤י

H8147

and two

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

אֲנָשִׁים֙

H582

men

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

#10

עִמּ֔וֹ

H5973

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

#11

וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ

H935

with him and they came

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#12

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#13

הָֽאִשָּׁ֖ה

H802

to the woman

a woman

#14

לָ֑יְלָה

H3915

by night

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

#15

אֹמַ֖ר

H559

and he said

to say (used with great latitude)

#16

קָֽסֳוֹמִי

H7080

I pray thee divine

properly, to distribute, i.e., determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine

#17

נָ֥א

H4994

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

#18

לִי֙

#19

בָּא֔וֹב

H178

unto me by the familiar spirit

properly, a mumble, i.e., a water-skin (from its hollow sound); hence a necromancer (ventriloquist, as from a jar)

#20

וְהַ֣עֲלִי

H5927

and bring me him up

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

#21

לִ֔י

#22

אֵ֥ת

H853

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

#23

אֲשֶׁר

H834

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

#24

אֹמַ֖ר

H559

and he said

to say (used with great latitude)

#25

אֵלָֽיִךְ׃

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

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

In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
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?

Related Resources

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