2 Kings 11:1

Authorized King James Version

And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽעֲתַלְיָה֙
And when Athaliah
athaljah, the name of an israelitess and two israelites
#2
אֵ֣ם
the mother
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
#3
אֲחַזְיָ֔הוּ
of Ahaziah
achazjah, the name of a jewish and an israelite king
#4
ורָאֲתָ֖ה
saw
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#5
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#6
מֵ֣ת
was dead
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#7
בְּנָ֑הּ
that her son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#8
וַתָּ֙קָם֙
she arose
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#9
וַתְּאַבֵּ֔ד
H6
and destroyed
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
#10
אֵ֖ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#11
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#12
זֶ֥רַע
all the seed
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
#13
הַמַּמְלָכָֽה׃
royal
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

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 revelation 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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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

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