1 Samuel 6:21

Authorized King James Version

And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjath-jearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the LORD; come ye down, and fetch it up to you.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽיִּשְׁלְחוּ֙
And they sent
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#2
מַלְאָכִ֔ים
messengers
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
יֽוֹשְׁבֵ֥י
to the inhabitants
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#5
קִרְיַת
H0
#6
יְעָרִ֖ים
of Kirjathjearim
kirjath-jearim or kirjath-arim, a place in palestine
#7
לֵאמֹ֑ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#8
הֵשִׁ֤בוּ
have brought again
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#9
פְלִשְׁתִּים֙
The Philistines
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
#10
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#11
אֲר֣וֹן
the ark
a box
#12
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#13
רְד֕וּ
come ye down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#14
הַֽעֲל֥וּ
and fetch it up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#15
אֹת֖וֹ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
אֲלֵיכֶֽם׃
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

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