2 Chronicles 18:26

Authorized King James Version

And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אָמַ֣ר
And say
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
כֹּ֚ה
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#3
אָמַ֣ר
And say
to say (used with great latitude)
#4
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ
the king
a king
#5
שִׂ֥ימוּ
Put
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#6
זֶ֖ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#7
בֵּ֣ית
this fellow in the prison
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#8
הַכֶּ֑לֶא
a prison
#9
וְהַֽאֲכִלֻ֜הוּ
and feed
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#10
לֶ֤חֶם
him with bread
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
#11
לַ֔חַץ
of affliction
distress
#12
וּמַ֣יִם
and with water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#13
לַ֔חַץ
of affliction
distress
#14
עַ֖ד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#15
שׁוּבִ֥י
until I return
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#16
בְשָׁלֽוֹם׃
in peace
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Chronicles, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of peace connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about peace, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 2 Chronicles.

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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