2 Chronicles 9:25

Authorized King James Version

And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֨י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
לִשְׁלֹמֹ֜ה
And Solomon
shelomah, david's successor
#3
אַרְבַּעַת֩
had four
four
#4
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#5
אֻֽרְי֤וֹת
stalls
a herding-place for an animal
#6
סוּסִים֙
for horses
a horse (as leaping)
#7
וּמַרְכָּב֔וֹת
and chariots
a chariot
#8
וּשְׁנֵים
and twelve
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#9
עָשָׂ֥ר
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#10
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#11
פָּֽרָשִׁ֑ים
horsemen
a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e., (collectively) cavalry
#12
וַיַּנִּיחֵם֙
whom he bestowed
to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
#13
בְּעָרֵ֣י
cities
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#14
הָרֶ֔כֶב
in the chariot
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone
#15
וְעִם
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#16
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ
and with the king
a king
#17
בִּירֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃
at Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

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

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