2 Kings 1:12

Authorized King James Version

And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיַּ֣עַן

H6030

answered

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

אֵֽלִיָּה֮

H452

And Elijah

elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other israelites

וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר

H1696

and said

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

אֲלֵיהֶם֒

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אִ֤ישׁ

H376

unto them If I be a man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֱלֹהִים֙

H430

of God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אָ֔נִי

H589

וַתֵּ֤רֶד

H3381

came down

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

#10

אֵשׁ

H784

And the fire

fire (literally or figuratively)

#11

מִן

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

#12

הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם

H8064

from heaven

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

#13

וַתֹּ֥אכַל

H398

and consume

to eat (literally or figuratively)

#14

אֹֽתְךָ֖

H853

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

#15

וְאֶת

H853

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

#16

חֲמִשָּֽׁיו׃

H2572

him and his fifty

fifty

#17

וַתֵּ֤רֶד

H3381

came down

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

#18

אֵשׁ

H784

And the fire

fire (literally or figuratively)

#19

אֱלֹהִים֙

H430

of God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

#20

מִן

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

#21

הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם

H8064

from heaven

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

#22

וַתֹּ֥אכַל

H398

and consume

to eat (literally or figuratively)

#23

אֹת֖וֹ

H853

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

#24

וְאֶת

H853

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

#25

חֲמִשָּֽׁיו׃

H2572

him and his fifty

fifty

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Kings, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to 2 Kings's theological argument.

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 Kings Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within 2 Kings chapter 1 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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