Proverbs 31:1

Authorized King James Version

The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
דִּ֭בְרֵי
The words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#2
לְמוּאֵ֣ל
Lemuel
lemuel or lemoel, possibly a symbolic name of solomon
#3
מֶ֑לֶךְ
of king
a king
#4
מַ֝שָּׂ֗א
the prophecy
a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
#5
אֲֽשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#6
יִסְּרַ֥תּוּ
taught
to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct
#7
אִמּֽוֹ׃
that his mother
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

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 divine revelation 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

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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