2 Chronicles 18:5

Authorized King James Version

Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּקְבֹּ֨ץ
H6908
gathered together
to grasp, i.e., collect
#2
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
H4428
Therefore the king
a king
#3
יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#4
אֶֽת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
הַנְּבִאִים֮
H5030
of prophets
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
#6
אַרְבַּ֣ע
H702
four
four
#7
מֵא֣וֹת
H3967
hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#8
אִישׁ֒
H376
men
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#9
וַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ
H559
And they said
to say (used with great latitude)
#10
אֲלֵהֶ֗ם
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#11
הֲנֵלֵ֞ךְ
H1980
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#12
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#13
רָמֹ֥ת
H7433
to Ramothgilead
ramoth-gilad, a place east of the jordan
#14
גִּלְעָ֛ד
H1568
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
#15
לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה
H4421
to battle
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#16
אִם
H518
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#17
אֶחְדָּ֑ל
H2308
or shall I forbear
properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle
#18
וַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ
H559
And they said
to say (used with great latitude)
#19
עֲלֵ֔ה
H5927
Go up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#20
וְיִתֵּ֥ן
H5414
will deliver
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#21
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים
H430
for God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#22
בְּיַ֥ד
H3027
hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#23
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
H4428
Therefore the king
a king

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Chronicles, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, 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