2 Chronicles 1:10

Authorized King James Version

Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
עַתָּ֗ה
H6258
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
#2
חָכְמָ֤ה
H2451
me now wisdom
wisdom (in a good sense)
#3
וּמַדָּע֙
H4093
and knowledge
intelligence or consciousness
#4
תֶּן
H5414
Give
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#5
לִ֔י
H0
#6
וְאֵֽצְאָ֛ה
H3318
that I may go out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#7
לִפְנֵ֥י
H6440
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#8
עַמְּךָ֥
H5971
this people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#9
הַזֶּ֖ה
H2088
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#10
וְאָב֑וֹאָה
H935
and come in
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#11
כִּֽי
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#12
מִ֣י
H4310
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
#13
יִשְׁפֹּ֔ט
H8199
for who can judge
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
#14
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
עַמְּךָ֥
H5971
this people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#16
הַזֶּ֖ה
H2088
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#17
הַגָּדֽוֹל׃
H1419
that is so great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 2 Chronicles. The concept of wisdom reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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