2 Chronicles 36:17

Authorized King James Version

Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּ֨עַל
Therefore he brought
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#2
עֲלֵיהֶ֜ם
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
מֶ֣לֶךְ
upon them the king
a king
#5
כַּשְׂדִּ֗יים
of the Chaldees
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
#6
וַיַּֽהֲרֹ֨ג
who slew
to smite with deadly intent
#7
בָּח֥וּר
their young men
properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)
#8
בַּחֶ֙רֶב֙
with the sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#9
בְּבֵ֣ית
in the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#10
מִקְדָּשָׁ֔ם
of their sanctuary
a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum
#11
וְלֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#12
חָמַ֛ל
and had no compassion
to commiserate; by implication, to spare
#13
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#14
בָּח֥וּר
their young men
properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)
#15
וּבְתוּלָ֖ה
or maiden
a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state
#16
זָקֵ֣ן
old man
old
#17
וְיָשֵׁ֑שׁ
or him that stooped for age
gray-haired, i.e., an aged man
#18
הַכֹּ֖ל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#19
נָתַ֥ן
he gave
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#20
בְּיָדֽוֹ׃
them all into his hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

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 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 revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection