2 Chronicles 20:25

Authorized King James Version

And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּבֹ֨א
H935
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֣ט
H3092
And when Jehoshaphat
jehoshaphat, the name of six israelites; also of a valley near jerusalem
#3
וְעַמּוֹ֮
H5971
and his people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#4
בֹּֽזְזִ֥ים
H962
in gathering
to plunder
#5
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
הַשָּׁלָ֖ל
H7998
of the spoil
booty
#7
וַיִּמְצְאוּ֩
H4672
of them they found
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
#8
בָהֶ֨ם
H0
#9
לָרֹ֜ב
H7230
among them in abundance
abundance (in any respect)
#10
וּרְכ֤וּשׁ
H7399
both riches
property (as gathered)
#11
וּפְגָרִים֙
H6297
with the dead bodies
a carcase (as limp), whether of man or beast; figuratively, an idolatrous image
#12
וּכְלֵ֣י
H3627
jewels
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
#13
חֲמֻד֔וֹת
H2530
to delight in
#14
וַיְנַצְּל֥וּ
H5337
which they stripped off
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
#15
לָהֶ֖ם
H0
#16
לְאֵ֣ין
H369
for themselves more than
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#17
מַשָּׂ֑א
H4853
they could carry away
a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
#18
וַיִּֽהְי֞וּ
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#19
יָמִ֧ים
H3117
days
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#20
שְׁלוֹשָׁ֛ה
H7969
and they were three
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
#21
בֹּֽזְזִ֥ים
H962
in gathering
to plunder
#22
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#23
הַשָּׁלָ֖ל
H7998
of the spoil
booty
#24
כִּ֥י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#25
רַב
H7227
it was so much
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#26
הֽוּא׃
H1931
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 2 Chronicles. The concept of covenant community 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

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 2 Chronicles Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection