2 Kings 10:31

Authorized King James Version

But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְיֵה֗וּא

H3058

But Jehu

jehu, the name of five israelites

לֹ֥א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

שָׁמַ֛ר

H8104

took no heed

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

לָלֶ֛כֶת

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בְּתֽוֹרַת

H8451

in the law

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

יְהוָ֥ה

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵֽי

H430

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

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בְּכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#10

לְבָב֑וֹ

H3824

with all his heart

the heart (as the most interior organ)

#11

לֹ֣א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#12

סָ֗ר

H5493

for he departed

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

#13

מֵעַל֙

H5921

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

#14

חַטֹּ֣אות

H2403

not from the sins

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

#15

יָֽרָבְעָ֔ם

H3379

of Jeroboam

jarobam, the name of two israelite kings

#16

אֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#17

הֶֽחֱטִ֖יא

H2398

to sin

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

#18

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#19

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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

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

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

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