2 Chronicles 25:18

Authorized King James Version

And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
שָׁ֠לַח
H7971
sent
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#2
יוֹאָ֣שׁ
H3101
And Joash
joash, the name of six israelites
#3
מֶֽלֶךְ
H4428
king
a king
#4
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#5
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
אֲמַצְיָ֣הוּ
H558
to Amaziah
amatsjah, the name of four israelites
#7
מֶֽלֶךְ
H4428
king
a king
#8
יְהוּדָה֮
H3063
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#9
לֵאמֹ֔ר
H559
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#10
הַחֽוֹחַ׃
H2336
The thistle
a thorn; by analogy, a ring for the nose
#11
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
בַּלְּבָנ֔וֹן
H3844
that was in Lebanon
lebanon, a mountain range in palestine
#13
שָׁ֠לַח
H7971
sent
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#14
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#15
הָאֶ֜רֶז
H730
to the cedar
a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)
#16
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#17
בַּלְּבָנ֔וֹן
H3844
that was in Lebanon
lebanon, a mountain range in palestine
#18
לֵאמֹ֔ר
H559
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#19
תְּנָֽה
H5414
Give
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#20
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#21
בִּתְּךָ֥
H1323
thy daughter
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#22
לִבְנִ֖י
H1121
to my son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#23
לְאִשָּׁ֑ה
H802
to wife
a woman
#24
וַֽתַּעֲבֹ֞ר
H5674
and there passed by
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#25
חַיַּ֤ת
H2416
beast
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#26
הַשָּׂדֶה֙
H7704
a wild
a field (as flat)
#27
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#28
בַּלְּבָנ֔וֹן
H3844
that was in Lebanon
lebanon, a mountain range in palestine
#29
וַתִּרְמֹ֖ס
H7429
and trode down
to tread upon (as a potter, in walking or abusively)
#30
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#31
הַחֽוֹחַ׃
H2336
The thistle
a thorn; by analogy, a ring for the nose

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

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 divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection