1 Samuel 9:13

Authorized King James Version

As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בֹּא֔וֹ
As soon as ye be come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
הָעִ֣יר
into the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#3
כֵ֖ן
ye shall straightway
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#4
תִּמְצְא֥וּן
find
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
#5
אֹת֡וֹ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
בְּטֶרֶם֩
properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before
#7
עֲל֔וּ
Now therefore get you up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#8
הַבָּמָ֜תָה
to the high place
an elevation
#9
יֹֽאכְל֣וּ
they eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#10
כִּ֠י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#11
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#12
יֹֽאכְל֣וּ
they eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#13
הָעָם֙
for the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#14
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#15
בֹּא֔וֹ
As soon as ye be come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#16
כִּי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#17
הוּא֙
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
#18
יְבָרֵ֣ךְ
because he doth bless
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
#19
הַזֶּ֔בַח
the sacrifice
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
#20
אַֽחֲרֵי
and afterwards
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#21
כֵ֖ן
ye shall straightway
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#22
יֹֽאכְל֣וּ
they eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#23
הַקְּרֻאִ֑ים
that be bidden
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#24
וְעַתָּ֣ה
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
#25
עֲל֔וּ
Now therefore get you up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#26
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#27
אֹת֥וֹ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#28
כְהַיּ֖וֹם
for about this time
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
#29
תִּמְצְא֥וּן
find
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
#30
אֹתֽוֹ׃
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

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 covenant community 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 covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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