1 Samuel 25:37
But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֣י
H1961
וַיְהִ֣י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בַבֹּ֗קֶר
But it came to pass in the morning
H1242
בַבֹּ֗קֶר
But it came to pass in the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
בְּצֵ֤את
was gone out
H3318
בְּצֵ֤את
was gone out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
3 of 17
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
הַיַּ֙יִן֙
when the wine
H3196
הַיַּ֙יִן֙
when the wine
Strong's:
H3196
Word #:
4 of 17
wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
וַתַּגֶּד
had told
H5046
וַתַּגֶּד
had told
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים
him these things
H1697
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים
him these things
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
10 of 17
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
וַיָּ֤מָת
died
H4191
וַיָּ֤מָת
died
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
12 of 17
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
לִבּוֹ֙
that his heart
H3820
לִבּוֹ֙
that his heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
13 of 17
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
בְּקִרְבּ֔וֹ
within
H7130
בְּקִרְבּ֔וֹ
within
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
וְה֖וּא
H1931
וְה֖וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
15 of 17
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
Historical Context
Ancient descriptions of sudden death often described symptoms we might identify as stroke or heart attack. The phrase 'heart died within him' suggests sudden cardiac failure. His stone-like state may indicate paralysis or coma preceding death.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Nabal's reaction to belated news reveal about the burden of realized folly?
- How might his physical collapse reflect spiritual and moral condition?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.
Nabal's reaction to belated information proves fatal. The Hebrew 'vayetse hayyayin' (the wine went out) describes sobering up. When Abigail 'told him these things' (et-haddevarim ha'elleh), apparently including both his danger and her intervention, his response was catastrophic. 'His heart died within him' (vayyamot libbo beqirbo) suggests cardiac event or stroke. 'Became as a stone' (vayhi le'aven) describes paralysis or catatonia. Medical and theological interpretations merge: Nabal's physical collapse reflects judgment on his folly. The man whose name meant 'fool' died foolishly—learning only when sober how close he came to destruction through his drunken arrogance.