1 Kings 20:18

Authorized King James Version

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And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.

Original Language Analysis

וַיֹּ֛אמֶר And he said H559
וַיֹּ֛אמֶר And he said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 11
to say (used with great latitude)
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 2 of 11
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לְשָׁל֥וֹם for peace H7965
לְשָׁל֥וֹם for peace
Strong's: H7965
Word #: 3 of 11
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
יָצָ֖אוּ Whether they be come out H3318
יָצָ֖אוּ Whether they be come out
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 4 of 11
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
תִּפְשֽׂוּם׃ take H8610
תִּפְשֽׂוּם׃ take
Strong's: H8610
Word #: 5 of 11
to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
חַיִּ֥ים them alive H2416
חַיִּ֥ים them alive
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 6 of 11
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
וְאִ֧ם H518
וְאִ֧ם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 7 of 11
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לְמִלְחָמָ֛ה for war H4421
לְמִלְחָמָ֛ה for war
Strong's: H4421
Word #: 8 of 11
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
יָצָ֖אוּ Whether they be come out H3318
יָצָ֖אוּ Whether they be come out
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 9 of 11
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
חַיִּ֥ים them alive H2416
חַיִּ֥ים them alive
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 10 of 11
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
תִּפְשֽׂוּם׃ take H8610
תִּפְשֽׂוּם׃ take
Strong's: H8610
Word #: 11 of 11
to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably

Analysis & Commentary

And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of ahab's wars with syria, within the book's focus on prophetic ministry of Elijah confronting Baalism.

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.

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. Elijah's ministry (c. 860-850 BCE) occurred during Ahab's reign, a time of intense spiritual crisis in Israel.

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.

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