2 Kings 1:14

Authorized King James Version

Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הִ֠נֵּה
lo!
#2
יָ֤רְדָה
Behold there came
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
#3
אֵשׁ֙
fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#4
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#5
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
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
#6
וַ֠תֹּאכַל
and burnt up
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#7
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
שְׁנֵ֞י
the two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#9
שָׂרֵ֧י
captains
a head person (of any rank or class)
#10
חֲמִשֵּׁיהֶ֑ם
fifties
fifty
#11
הָרִֽאשֹׁנִ֖ים
of the former
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
#12
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
חֲמִשֵּׁיהֶ֑ם
fifties
fifty
#14
וְעַתָּ֕ה
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
#15
תִּיקַ֥ר
now be precious
properly, apparently, to be heavy, i.e., (figuratively) valuable; causatively, to make rare (figuratively, to inhibit)
#16
נַפְשִׁ֖י
therefore 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
#17
בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ׃
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

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

Questions for Reflection

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