1 Samuel 30:25
And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֕י
H1961
וַיְהִ֕י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַיּ֥וֹם
And it was so from that day
H3117
הַיּ֥וֹם
And it was so from that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 11
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַה֖וּא
H1931
הַה֖וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
3 of 11
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
וָמָ֑עְלָה
forward
H4605
וָמָ֑עְלָה
forward
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
4 of 11
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
וַיְשִׂמֶ֜הָ
that he made
H7760
וַיְשִׂמֶ֜הָ
that he made
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
5 of 11
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
לְחֹ֤ק
it a statute
H2706
לְחֹ֤ק
it a statute
Strong's:
H2706
Word #:
6 of 11
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
וּלְמִשְׁפָּט֙
and an ordinance
H4941
וּלְמִשְׁפָּט֙
and an ordinance
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
7 of 11
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
for Israel
H3478
לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
for Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 11
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עַ֖ד
H5704
עַ֖ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
9 of 11
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Historical Context
The phrase 'unto this day' indicates the narrator wrote after David's time, showing this statute remained in force during the writing of 1 Samuel. David's ruling became incorporated into Israel's military law.
Questions for Reflection
- What decisions you make today might become principles for future generations?
- How do crisis responses sometimes establish lasting policies?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The narrative notes that David's ruling became permanent policy: 'a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.' The Hebrew 'choq umishpat' (statute and ordinance) uses legal terminology for binding regulations. David's wisdom in this moment established precedent extending beyond the immediate situation. Future generations inherited this principle of equal sharing. Leadership decisions in crisis often shape long-term policy.