2 Chronicles 20:18

Authorized King James Version

And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּקֹּ֧ד

H6915

bowed

to shrivel up, i.e., contract or bend the body (or neck) in deference

יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֛ט

H3092

And Jehoshaphat

jehoshaphat, the name of six israelites; also of a valley near jerusalem

אַפַּ֖יִם

H639

his head with his face

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

אָ֑רְצָה

H776

to the ground

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְכָל

H3605

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

יְהוּדָ֞ה

H3063

and all Judah

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וְיֹֽשְׁבֵ֣י

H3427

and the inhabitants

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם

H3389

of Jerusalem

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

נָֽפְלוּ֙

H5307

fell

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

#10

לִפְנֵ֣י

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#11

לַֽיהוָֽה׃

H3068

the LORD

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

#12

לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֹ֖ת

H7812

worshipping

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

#13

לַֽיהוָֽה׃

H3068

the LORD

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

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

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
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?