2 Chronicles 16:4

Authorized King James Version

And Ben-hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel-maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּשְׁמַ֨ע

H8085

hearkened

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

בֶּן

הֲדַ֜ד

H1130

And Benhadad

ben-hadad, the name of several syrian kings, possibly a royal title

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ

H4428

unto king

a king

אָסָ֗א

H609

Asa

asa, the name of a king and of a levite

וַ֠יִּשְׁלַח

H7971

and sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֶת

H853

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

שָׂרֵ֨י

H8269

the captains

a head person (of any rank or class)

#10

הַֽחֲיָלִ֤ים

H2428

of his armies

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

#11

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#12

לוֹ֙

#13

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#14

עָרֵ֥י

H5892

against the cities

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

#15

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#16

וַיַּכּוּ֙

H5221

and they smote

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

#17

אֶת

H853

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

#18

עִיּ֣וֹן

H5859

Ijon

ijon, a place in palestine

#19

וְאֶת

H853

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

#20

דָּ֔ן

H1835

and Dan

dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them

#21

וְאֵ֖ת

H853

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

#22

אָבֵ֣ל

#23

מָ֑יִם

H66

and Abelmaim

abel-majim, a place in palestine

#24

וְאֵ֥ת

H853

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

#25

כָּֽל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#26

מִסְכְּנ֖וֹת

H4543

and all the store

a magazine

#27

עָרֵ֥י

H5892

against the cities

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

#28

נַפְתָּלִֽי׃

H5321

of Naphtali

naphtali, a son of jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory

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 revelation 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

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 2 Chronicles Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation 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?