2 Kings 1:13

Authorized King James Version

And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיָּ֗שָׁב

H7725

again

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

וַיִּשְׁלַ֛ח

H7971

And he sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

שַׂר

H8269

a captain

a head person (of any rank or class)

חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים

H2572

fifty

הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֜י

H7992

And the third

third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)

חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים

H2572

fifty

וַיַּ֡עַל

H5927

went up

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

וַיָּבֹא֩

H935

and came

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

שַׂר

H8269

a captain

a head person (of any rank or class)

#10

חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים

H2572

fifty

#11

הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֜י

H7992

And the third

third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)

#12

וַיִּכְרַ֥ע

H3766

and fell

to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate

#13

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#14

בִּרְכָּ֣יו׀

H1290

on his knees

a knee

#15

לְנֶ֣גֶד

H5048

before

a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before

#16

אֵֽלִיָּ֗הוּ

H452

Elijah

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

#17

וַיִּתְחַנֵּ֤ן

H2603

and besought

properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)

#18

אֵלָיו֙

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#19

וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר

H1696

him and said

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

#20

אֵלָ֔יו

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#21

אִ֚ישׁ

H376

unto him O 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)

#22

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים

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

#23

תִּֽיקַר

H3365

be precious

properly, apparently, to be heavy, i.e., (figuratively) valuable; causatively, to make rare (figuratively, to inhibit)

#24

נָ֣א

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

#25

וְנֶ֨פֶשׁ

H5315

I pray thee let my life

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

#26

וְנֶ֨פֶשׁ

H5315

I pray thee let my life

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

#27

עֲבָדֶ֥יךָֽ

H5650

thy servants

a servant

#28

אֵ֛לֶּה

H428

these or those

#29

חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים

H2572

fifty

#30

בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ׃

H5869

in thy sight

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Kings, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of life connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about life, 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

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

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?
In what ways does understanding life in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How might the original audience's understanding of life differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

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