2 Chronicles 18:29

Authorized King James Version

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּאמֶר֩
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
מֶ֣לֶךְ
And the king
a king
#3
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#4
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֗ט
unto Jehoshaphat
jehoshaphat, the name of six israelites; also of a valley near jerusalem
#6
וַיִּתְחַפֵּשׂ֙
I will disguise
to seek; causatively, to conceal oneself (i.e., let be sought), or mask
#7
וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ
himself and they went
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#8
בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה׃
to the battle
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#9
וְאַתָּ֖ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#10
לְבַ֣שׁ
but put
properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively
#11
בְּגָדֶ֑יךָ
thou on thy robes
a covering, i.e., clothing
#12
וַיִּתְחַפֵּשׂ֙
I will disguise
to seek; causatively, to conceal oneself (i.e., let be sought), or mask
#13
מֶ֣לֶךְ
And the king
a king
#14
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#15
וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ
himself and they went
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#16
בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה׃
to the battle
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original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