1 Samuel 6:19

Authorized King James Version

And he smote the men of Beth-shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הִכָּ֧ה
And he smote
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#2
בְּאַנְשֵׁ֣י
men
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
#3
בֵֽית
H0
#4
שֶׁ֗מֶשׁ
of Bethshemesh
beth-shemesh, a place in palestine
#5
כִּ֤י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#6
רָאוּ֙
because they had looked
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#7
בַּֽאֲר֣וֹן
into the ark
a box
#8
יְהוָ֛ה
because the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#9
הִכָּ֧ה
And he smote
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#10
בָּעָ֖ם
and the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#11
שִׁבְעִ֣ים
and threescore and ten
seventy
#12
אִ֑ישׁ
the men
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)
#13
חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים
fifty
fifty
#14
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#15
אִ֑ישׁ
the men
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)
#16
וַיִּֽתְאַבְּל֣וּ
H56
lamented
to bewail
#17
בָּעָ֖ם
and the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#18
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#19
הִכָּ֧ה
And he smote
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#20
יְהוָ֛ה
because the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#21
בָּעָ֖ם
and the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#22
מַכָּ֥ה
slaughter
a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence
#23
גְדוֹלָֽה׃
with a great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, 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 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 sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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