1 Samuel 3:17

Authorized King James Version

And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר

H559

And he said

to say (used with great latitude)

מָ֤ה

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

הַדָּבָ֖ר

H1697

What is the thing

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

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

דִּבֶּ֥ר

H1696

that he said

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֵלֶ֔יךָ

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַל

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

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

תְּכַחֵ֤ד

H3582

if thou hide

to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy

#10

מִמֶּ֑נִּי

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

#11

כֹּ֣ה

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

#12

יַֽעֲשֶׂה

H6213

do so

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#13

לְּךָ֤

#14

אֱלֹהִים֙

H430

it not from me God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

#15

וְכֹ֣ה

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

#16

יוֹסִ֔יף

H3254

to thee and more also

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

#17

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#18

תְּכַחֵ֤ד

H3582

if thou hide

to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy

#19

מִמֶּ֙נִּי֙

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

#20

הַדָּבָ֖ר

H1697

What is the thing

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

#21

מִכָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#22

הַדָּבָ֖ר

H1697

What is the thing

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

#23

אֲשֶׁר

H834

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

#24

דִּבֶּ֥ר

H1696

that he said

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

#25

אֵלֶֽיךָ׃

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 sovereignty 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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?

Related Resources

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