2 Chronicles 18:23

Authorized King James Version

Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּגַּשׁ֙

H5066

came near

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

צִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ

H6667

Then Zedekiah

tsidkijah, the name of six israelites

בֶֽן

H1121

the son

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

כְּנַעֲנָ֔ה

H3668

of Chenaanah

kenaanah, the name of two israelites

וַיַּ֥ךְ

H5221

and smote

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת

H853

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

מִיכָ֖יְהוּ

H4321

Micaiah

mikajah, the name of three israelites

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַלֶּ֑חִי

H3895

upon the cheek

the cheek (from its fleshiness); hence, the jaw-bone

#10

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר

H559

and said

to say (used with great latitude)

#11

אֵ֣י

H335

Which

where? hence how?

#12

זֶ֤ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#13

הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙

H1870

way

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

#14

עָבַ֧ר

H5674

went

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

#15

רֽוּחַ

H7307

the Spirit

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

#16

יְהוָ֛ה

H3068

of the LORD

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

#17

מֵֽאִתִּ֖י

H853

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

#18

לְדַבֵּ֥ר

H1696

from me to speak

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

#19

אֹתָֽךְ׃

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

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

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?