1 Samuel 8:12

Authorized King James Version

And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְלָשׂ֣וּם
And he will appoint
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#2
ל֔וֹ
H0
#3
וְשָׂרֵ֣י
and captains
a head person (of any rank or class)
#4
אֲלָפִ֖ים
over thousands
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#5
וְשָׂרֵ֣י
and captains
a head person (of any rank or class)
#6
חֲמִשִּׁ֑ים
over fifties
fifty
#7
וְלַֽחֲרֹ֤שׁ
and will set them to ear
to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad
#8
חֲרִישׁוֹ֙
his ground
ploughing or its season
#9
וְלִקְצֹ֣ר
and to reap
to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)
#10
קְצִיר֔וֹ
his harvest
severed, a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage)
#11
וְלַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹת
and to make
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#12
וּכְלֵ֥י
and instruments
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
#13
מִלְחַמְתּ֖וֹ
of war
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#14
וּכְלֵ֥י
and instruments
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
#15
רִכְבּֽוֹ׃
of his chariots
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Samuel. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, 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 revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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