2 Kings 1:7

Authorized King James Version

And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came up to meet you, and told you these words?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר
And he said
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#2
אֲלֵהֶ֔ם
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
מֶ֚ה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#4
מִשְׁפַּ֣ט
unto them What manner
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#5
הָאִ֔ישׁ
of 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)
#6
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#7
עָלָ֖ה
was he which came up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#8
לִקְרַאתְכֶ֑ם
to meet
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
#9
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר
And he said
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#10
אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם
near, with or among; often in general, to
#11
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#12
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים
you these words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#13
הָאֵֽלֶּה׃
these or those

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 2 Kings. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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