1 Samuel 6:20

Authorized King James Version

And the men of Beth-shemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אַנְשֵׁ֣י
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)
#3
בֵֽית
H0
#4
שֶׁ֔מֶשׁ
of Bethshemesh
beth-shemesh, a place in palestine
#5
מִ֚י
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
#6
יוּכַ֣ל
Who is able
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
#7
לַֽעֲמֹ֔ד
to stand
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#8
לִפְנֵ֨י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#9
יְהוָ֧ה
LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#10
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֛ים
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
#11
הַקָּד֖וֹשׁ
this holy
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
#12
הַזֶּ֑ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#13
וְאֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#14
מִ֖י
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
#15
יַֽעֲלֶ֥ה
and to whom shall he go up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#16
מֵֽעָלֵֽינוּ׃
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Samuel. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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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