2 Chronicles 11:4

Authorized King James Version

Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam.

Word-by-Word Analysis

כֹּ֣ה

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר

H559

Thus saith

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תַעֲלוּ֩

H5927

Ye shall not go up

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

וְלֹא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִלָּ֨חֲמ֜וּ

H3898

nor fight

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

עִם

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

אֲחֵיכֶ֗ם

H251

against your brethren

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

#10

וַיָּשֻׁ֖בוּ

H7725

and returned

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#11

אִ֣ישׁ

H376

every man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#12

לְבֵית֔וֹ

H1004

to his house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#13

כִּ֧י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#14

מֵֽאִתִּ֛י

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#15

נִֽהְיָ֖ה

H1961

is done

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#16

דִּבְרֵ֣י

H1697

for this thing

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

#17

הַזֶּ֑ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#18

וַֽיִּשְׁמְעוּ֙

H8085

of me And they obeyed

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

#19

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#20

דִּבְרֵ֣י

H1697

for this thing

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

#21

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#22

וַיָּשֻׁ֖בוּ

H7725

and returned

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#23

מִלֶּ֥כֶת

H3212

from going

to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)

#24

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#25

יָֽרָבְעָֽם׃

H3379

against Jeroboam

jarobam, the name of two israelite kings

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 sovereignty 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

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

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
How does this verse's literary context within 2 Chronicles chapter 11 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?