2 Kings 15:20

Authorized King James Version

And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּצֵא֩

H3318

exacted

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מְנַחֵ֨ם

H4505

And Menahem

menachem, an israelite

אֶת

H853

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

כֶּ֖סֶף

H3701

of silver

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

עַל

H5921

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל

H3478

of Israel

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

עַ֚ל

H5921

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

כָּל

H3605

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

גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י

H1368

even of all the mighty men

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

#10

הַחַ֔יִל

H2428

of wealth

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

#11

לָתֵת֙

H5414

to give

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#12

מֶ֣לֶךְ

H4428

So the king

a king

#13

אַשּׁ֔וּר

H804

of Assyria

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

#14

חֲמִשִּׁ֧ים

H2572

fifty

#15

שְׁקָלִ֛ים

H8255

shekels

probably a weight; used as a commercial standard

#16

כֶּ֖סֶף

H3701

of silver

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

#17

לְאִ֣ישׁ

H376

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)

#18

אֶחָ֑ד

H259

of each

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

#19

וַיָּ֙שָׁב֙

H7725

turned back

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#20

מֶ֣לֶךְ

H4428

So the king

a king

#21

אַשּׁ֔וּר

H804

of Assyria

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

#22

וְלֹא

H3808

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

#23

עָ֥מַד

H5975

and stayed

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

#24

שָׁ֖ם

H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

#25

בָּאָֽרֶץ׃

H776

not there in the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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

How does this verse's literary context within 2 Kings chapter 15 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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