2 Chronicles 12:3

Authorized King James Version

With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#2
וּמָאתַ֙יִם֙
With twelve hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#3
רֶ֔כֶב
chariots
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone
#4
וּבְשִׁשִּׁ֥ים
and threescore
sixty
#5
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#6
פָּֽרָשִׁ֑ים
horsemen
a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e., (collectively) cavalry
#7
וְאֵ֣ין
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#8
מִסְפָּ֗ר
were without number
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
#9
לָעָ֞ם
and the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#10
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#11
בָּ֤אוּ
that came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#12
עִמּוֹ֙
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#13
מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם
with him out of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#14
לוּבִ֥ים
the Lubims
a libyan or inhabitant of interior africa (only in plural)
#15
סֻכִּיִּ֖ים
the Sukkiims
a sukkite, or inhabitant of some place near egypt (i.e., hut-dwellers)
#16
וְכוּשִֽׁים׃
and the Ethiopians
a cushite, or descendant of cush

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 2 Chronicles. The concept of covenant community 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

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