2 Chronicles 11:21

Authorized King James Version

And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֶּֽאֱהַ֨ב
loved
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
#2
רְחַבְעָ֜ם
And Rehoboam
rechabam, an israelite king
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
מַֽעֲכָ֣ה
Maachah
maakah (or maakath), the name of a place in syria, also of a mesopotamian, of three israelites, and of four israelitesses and one syrian woman
#5
בָּנֽוֹת׃
daughters
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#6
אַבְשָׁל֗וֹם
H53
of Absalom
abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite
#7
מִכָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#8
נָשִׁ֤ים
above all his wives
a woman
#9
וּפִֽילַגְשִׁ֖ים
and his concubines
a concubine; also (masculine) a paramour
#10
כִּ֠י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#11
נָשִׁ֤ים
above all his wives
a woman
#12
וּשְׁמוֹנָ֛ה
and eight
a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
#13
עֶשְׂרֵה֙
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#14
נָשָׂ֔א
for he took
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#15
וּפִֽילַגְשִׁ֖ים
and his concubines
a concubine; also (masculine) a paramour
#16
וְשִׁשִּׁ֥ים
and threescore
sixty
#17
וַיּ֗וֹלֶד
and begat
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
#18
עֶשְׂרִ֧ים
twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#19
וּשְׁמוֹנָ֛ה
and eight
a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
#20
בָּנִ֖ים
sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#21
וְשִׁשִּׁ֥ים
and threescore
sixty
#22
בָּנֽוֹת׃
daughters
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

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 love fundamental to theology proper, revealing God's essential nature and character 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 love. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection