1 Samuel 9:21

Authorized King James Version

And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּ֨עַן
H6030
answered
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
#2
שָׁא֜וּל
H7586
And Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#3
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר
H559
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#4
הֲל֨וֹא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#5
בֶן
H0
#6
יְמִינִ֤י
H1145
Am not I a Benjamite
a benjaminite, or descendent of benjamin
#7
אָ֙נֹכִי֙
H595
i
#8
מִקַּטַנֵּי֙
H6996
of the smallest
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
#9
שִׁבְטֵ֣י
H7626
of the tribe
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
#10
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#11
מִשְׁפְּח֖וֹת
H4940
and my family
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
#12
הַצְּעִרָ֔ה
H6810
the least
little; (in number) few; (in age) young, (in value) ignoble
#13
מִכָּֽל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#14
מִשְׁפְּח֖וֹת
H4940
and my family
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
#15
שִׁבְטֵ֣י
H7626
of the tribe
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
#16
בִנְיָמִ֑ן
H1144
of Benjamin
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#17
וְלָ֙מָּה֙
H4100
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#18
דִּבַּ֣רְתָּ
H1696
wherefore then speakest
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#19
אֵלַ֔י
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#20
כַּדָּבָ֖ר
H1697
thou so
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#21
הַזֶּֽה׃
H2088
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, 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 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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