2 Chronicles 15:16

Authorized King James Version

And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְגַֽם
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#2
מַעֲכָ֞ה
And also concerning 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
#3
אֵ֣ם׀
the mother
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
#4
אָסָא֙
and Asa
asa, the name of a king and of a levite
#5
הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ
the king
a king
#6
הֱסִירָהּ֙
he removed
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
#7
מִגְּבִירָ֔ה
her from being queen
a mistress
#8
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#9
עָֽשְׂתָ֥ה
because she had made
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#10
לָאֲשֵׁרָ֖ה
in a grove
asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same
#11
מִפְלַצְתָּ֔הּ
an idol
a terror, i.e., an idol
#12
וַיִּכְרֹ֤ת
cut down
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
#13
אָסָא֙
and Asa
asa, the name of a king and of a levite
#14
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
מִפְלַצְתָּ֔הּ
an idol
a terror, i.e., an idol
#16
וַיָּ֕דֶק
and stamped
to crush (or intransitively) crumble
#17
וַיִּשְׂרֹ֖ף
it and burnt
to be (causatively, set) on fire
#18
בְּנַ֥חַל
it at the brook
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
#19
קִדְרֽוֹן׃
Kidron
kidron, a brook near jerusalem

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

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