2 Chronicles 14:8

Authorized King James Version

And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֣י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
לְאָסָ֗א
And Asa
asa, the name of a king and of a levite
#3
חָֽיִל׃
had an army
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
#4
נֹֽשְׂאֵ֤י
of men that bare
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#5
צִנָּ֣ה
targets
a (large) shield (as if guarding by prickliness)
#6
וָרֹמַח֒
and spears
a lance (as thrown); especially the iron point
#7
מִֽיהוּדָה֙
out of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#8
שְׁלֹ֣שׁ
three
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
#9
מָאתַ֥יִם
hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#10
אָ֑לֶף
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#11
וּמִבִּנְיָמִ֗ן
and out of Benjamin
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#12
נֹֽשְׂאֵ֤י
of men that bare
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#13
מָגֵן֙
shields
a shield (i.e., the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile
#14
וְדֹ֣רְכֵי
and drew
to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)
#15
קֶ֔שֶׁת
bows
a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
#16
מָאתַ֥יִם
hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#17
וּשְׁמוֹנִ֖ים
and fourscore
eighty, also eightieth
#18
אָ֑לֶף
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#19
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#20
אֵ֖לֶּה
these or those
#21
גִּבּ֥וֹרֵי
all these were mighty men
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
#22
חָֽיִל׃
had an army
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 2 Chronicles. The concept of divine revelation 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 divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection