1 Chronicles 21:2

Authorized King James Version

And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beer-sheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
H559
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
דָּוִ֤יד
H1732
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#3
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
יוֹאָב֙
H3097
to Joab
joab, the name of three israelites
#5
וְאֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
שָׂרֵ֣י
H8269
and to the rulers
a head person (of any rank or class)
#7
הָעָ֔ם
H5971
of the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#8
לְכ֗וּ
H1980
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#9
סִפְרוּ֙
H5608
number
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
#10
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#11
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
H3478
Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#12
מִבְּאֵ֥ר
H0
#13
שֶׁ֖בַע
H884
from Beersheba
beer-sheba, a place in palestine
#14
וְעַד
H5704
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#15
דָּ֑ן
H1835
even to Dan
dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them
#16
וְהָבִ֣יאוּ
H935
and bring
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#17
אֵלַ֔י
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#18
וְאֵֽדְעָ֖ה
H3045
of them to me that I may know
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#19
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#20
מִסְפָּרָֽם׃
H4557
the number
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing covenant community contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

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 covenant community. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection