2 Kings 1:2

Authorized King James Version

And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּפֹּ֨ל
fell down
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#2
אֲחַזְיָ֜ה
And Ahaziah
achazjah, the name of a jewish and an israelite king
#3
בְּעַ֣ד
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
#4
הַשְּׂבָכָ֗ה
through a lattice
a net-work, i.e., (in hunting) a snare, (in architecture) a ballustrade; also a reticulated ornament to a pillar
#5
בַּֽעֲלִיָּת֛וֹ
in his upper chamber
something lofty, i.e., a stair-way; also a second-story room (or even one on the roof); figuratively, the sky
#6
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#7
בְּשֹֽׁמְר֖וֹן
that was in Samaria
shomeron, a place in palestine
#8
וַיָּ֑חַל
and was sick
properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat
#9
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח
and he sent
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#10
מַלְאָכִ֔ים
messengers
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
#11
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#12
אֲלֵהֶם֙
near, with or among; often in general, to
#13
לְכ֣וּ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#14
דִרְשׁ֗וּ
enquire
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
#15
בְּבַ֤עַל
H0
#16
זְבוּב֙
of Baalzebub
baal-zebub, a special deity of the ekronites
#17
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the 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
#18
עֶקְר֔וֹן
of Ekron
ekron, a place in palestine
#19
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#20
אֶֽחְיֶ֖ה
whether I shall recover
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
#21
מֵֽחֳלִ֥י
of this disease
malady, anxiety, calamity
#22
זֶֽה׃
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 2 Kings. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. 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 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

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