2 Chronicles 9:1

Authorized King James Version

And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וּמַֽלְכַּת

H4436

And when the queen

a queen

שְׁבָ֗א

H7614

of Sheba

sheba, the name of three early progenitors of tribes and of an ethiopian district

שָֽׁמְעָה֮

H8085

heard

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶת

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

שֵׁ֣מַע

H8088

of the fame

something heard, i.e., a sound, rumor, announcement; abstractly, audience

שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה

H8010

Solomon

shelomah, david's successor

וַתָּבוֹא֙

H935

and when she was come

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לְנַסּוֹת֩

H5254

to prove

to test; by implication, to attempt

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#10

שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה

H8010

Solomon

shelomah, david's successor

#11

בְחִיד֜וֹת

H2420

with hard questions

a puzzle, hence, a trick, conundrum, sententious maxim

#12

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם

H3389

at Jerusalem

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

#13

בְּחַ֣יִל

H2428

company

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

#14

כָּבֵ֣ד

H3515

great

heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)

#15

מְאֹ֡ד

H3966

with a very

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

#16

וּ֠גְמַלִּים

H1581

and camels

a camel

#17

נֹֽשְׂאִ֨ים

H5375

that bare

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

#18

בְּשָׂמִ֧ים

H1314

spices

fragrance; by implication, spicery; also the balsam plant

#19

וְזָהָ֛ב

H2091

and gold

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

#20

לָרֹ֖ב

H7230

in abundance

abundance (in any respect)

#21

וְאֶ֣בֶן

H68

stones

a stone

#22

יְקָרָ֑ה

H3368

and precious

valuable (objectively or subjectively)

#23

וַתָּבוֹא֙

H935

and when she was come

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#24

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#25

שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה

H8010

Solomon

shelomah, david's successor

#26

וַתְּדַבֵּ֣ר

H1696

she communed

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

#27

עִמּ֔וֹ

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

#28

אֵ֛ת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#29

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#30

אֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#31

הָיָ֖ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#32

עִם

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

#33

לְבָבָֽהּ׃

H3824

with him of all that was in her heart

the heart (as the most interior organ)

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

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within 2 Chronicles chapter 9 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?