2 Kings 1:6

Authorized King James Version

And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest to enquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אָמַ֣ר
And they said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֵלָ֜יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
אִ֣ישׁ׀
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)
#4
עָלִ֥יתָ
on which thou art gone up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#5
לִקְרָאתֵ֗נוּ
to meet
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
#6
אָמַ֣ר
And they said
to say (used with great latitude)
#7
אֵלֵינוּ֮
near, with or among; often in general, to
#8
לְכ֣וּ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#9
שׁוּבוּ֮
turn again
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#10
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#11
הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ
unto the king
a king
#12
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#13
שֹׁלֵ֔חַ
that sent
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#14
אֶתְכֶם֒
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
וְדִבַּרְתֶּ֣ם
you and say
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#16
אֵלָ֗יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#17
כֹּ֚ה
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#18
אָמַ֣ר
And they said
to say (used with great latitude)
#19
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#20
הֲֽמִבְּלִ֤י
properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc
#21
אֵין
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#22
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
Is it not because there is not a 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
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
in Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#24
אַתָּ֣ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#25
שֹׁלֵ֔חַ
that sent
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#26
לִדְרֹ֕שׁ
to enquire
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
#27
בְּבַ֥עַל
H0
#28
זְב֖וּב
of Baalzebub
baal-zebub, a special deity of the ekronites
#29
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
Is it not because there is not a 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
#30
עֶקְר֑וֹן
of Ekron
ekron, a place in palestine
#31
לָ֠כֵן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#32
הַמִּטָּ֞ה
from that bed
a bed (as extended) for sleeping or eating; by analogy, a sofa, litter or bier
#33
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#34
עָלִ֥יתָ
on which thou art gone up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#35
שָּׁ֛ם
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#36
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#37
תֵרֵ֥ד
therefore thou shalt not come 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
#38
מִמֶּ֖נָּה
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#39
כִּי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#40
תָּמֽוּת׃
but shalt surely
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#41
תָּמֽוּת׃
but shalt surely
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

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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