King James Version
1 Samuel 15:8 in the King James Version says “And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.”
1 Samuel 15:8 · KJV
And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.
And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.
And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. fatlings: or, second sort
Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,
KJV Study — Public Domain
“And he took”
H8610to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“of the Amalekites”
H6002amalek, a descendant of esau; also his posterity and their country
“alive”
H2416alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
“all the people”
H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
“and utterly destroyed”
H2763to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose
“with the edge”
H6310the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
“of the sword”
H2719drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
1 Samuel 15:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
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