1 Kings 2:37
For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֣ה׀
H1961
וְהָיָ֣ה׀
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּי֣וֹם
For it shall be that on the day
H3117
בְּי֣וֹם
For it shall be that on the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 15
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
צֵֽאתְךָ֗
thou goest out
H3318
צֵֽאתְךָ֗
thou goest out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
3 of 15
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וְעָֽבַרְתָּ֙
and passest over
H5674
וְעָֽבַרְתָּ֙
and passest over
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
4 of 15
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַ֣חַל
the brook
H5158
נַ֣חַל
the brook
Strong's:
H5158
Word #:
6 of 15
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
תֵּדַ֖ע
for certain
H3045
תֵּדַ֖ע
for certain
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
8 of 15
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
תֵּדַ֖ע
for certain
H3045
תֵּדַ֖ע
for certain
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
9 of 15
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תָּמ֑וּת
die
H4191
תָּמ֑וּת
die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
11 of 15
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
תָּמ֑וּת
die
H4191
תָּמ֑וּת
die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
12 of 15
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
דָּֽמְךָ֖
thy blood
H1818
דָּֽמְךָ֖
thy blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
13 of 15
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
Cross References
2 Samuel 15:23And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.2 Samuel 1:16And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD'S anointed.Joshua 2:19And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.John 18:1When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.Ezekiel 18:13Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.Leviticus 20:9For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.2 Kings 23:6And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people.
Historical Context
First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. This passage describes events around 970 BCE during the transition from David to Solomon.
Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage illustrate the importance of clear succession planning and communication in leadership transitions?
- What does Solomon's consolidation of power reveal about the relationship between justice, mercy, and political necessity?
- How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of david's death and solomon's consolidation of power, within the book's focus on succession narrative and establishment of Solomon's reign.
The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.