2 Chronicles 23:3

Authorized King James Version

And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּכְרֹ֨ת
H3772
made
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
#2
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#3
הַקָּהָ֥ל
H6951
And all the congregation
assemblage (usually concretely)
#4
בְּרִ֛ית
H1285
a covenant
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
#5
בְּבֵ֥ית
H1004
in the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#6
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים
H430
of 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
#7
עִם
H5973
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#8
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙
H4428
unto them Behold the king's
a king
#9
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
H559
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#10
לָהֶ֗ם
H1992
they (only used when emphatic)
#11
הִנֵּ֤ה
H2009
lo!
#12
בְּנֵ֥י
H1121
of the sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#13
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙
H4428
unto them Behold the king's
a king
#14
יִמְלֹ֔ךְ
H4427
shall reign
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
#15
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#16
דִּבֶּ֥ר
H1696
hath said
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#17
יְהוָ֖ה
H3068
as the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#18
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#19
בְּנֵ֥י
H1121
of the sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#20
דָוִֽיד׃
H1732
of David
david, the youngest son of jesse

Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing covenant contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

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 covenant 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 in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection