Luke 11:31

Authorized King James Version

The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
βασίλισσα
The queen
a queen
#2
νότου
of the south
the south(-west) wind; by extension, the southern quarter itself
#3
ἐγερθήσεται
shall rise up
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
#4
ἐν
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#5
τῇ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#6
κρίσει
the judgment
decision (subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice (especially, divine law)
#7
μετὰ
with
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
#8
τῶν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#9
ἀνδρῶν
the men
a man (properly as an individual male)
#10
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#11
γενεᾶς
generation
a generation; by implication, an age (the period or the persons)
#12
ταύτης
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
#13
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#14
κατακρινεῖ
condemn
to judge against, i.e., sentence
#15
αὐτούς
them
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#16
ὅτι
for
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#17
ἦλθεν
she came
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#18
ἐκ
from
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#19
τῶν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#20
περάτων
the utmost parts
an extremity
#21
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#22
γῆς
of the earth
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
#23
ἀκοῦσαι
to hear
to hear (in various senses)
#24
τὴν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#25
σοφίαν
the wisdom
wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual)
#26
Σολομῶντος
Solomon
solomon (i.e., shelomoh), the son of david
#27
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#28
ἰδού,
behold
used as imperative lo!
#29
πλεῖον
a greater than
more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion
#30
Σολομῶντος
Solomon
solomon (i.e., shelomoh), the son of david
#31
ὧδε
is here
in this same spot, i.e., here or hither

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 wisdom 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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Topics

People

Study Resources