2 Chronicles 35:20

Authorized King James Version

After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אַֽחֲרֵ֣י
After
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#2
כָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#3
זֹ֗את
this (often used adverb)
#4
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#5
הֵכִ֤ין
had prepared
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
#6
יֹֽאשִׁיָּֽהוּ׃
all this when Josiah
joshijah, the name of two israelites
#7
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
הַבַּ֔יִת
the temple
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#9
עָלָ֞ה
came up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#10
נְכ֧וֹ
Necho
neko, an egyptian king
#11
מֶֽלֶךְ
king
a king
#12
מִצְרַ֛יִם
of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#13
לְהִלָּחֵ֥ם
to fight
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
#14
בְּכַרְכְּמִ֖ישׁ
against Carchemish
karkemish, a place in syria
#15
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#16
פְּרָ֑ת
by Euphrates
perath (i.e., euphrates), a river of the east
#17
וַיֵּצֵ֥א
went out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#18
לִקְרָאת֖וֹ
against
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
#19
יֹֽאשִׁיָּֽהוּ׃
all this when Josiah
joshijah, the name of two israelites

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 revelation 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

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