2 Kings 15:37

Authorized King James Version

In those days the LORD began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בַּיָּמִ֣ים
In those days
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#2
הָהֵ֔ם
they (only used when emphatic)
#3
הֵחֵ֣ל
began
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
#4
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
לְהַשְׁלִ֙יחַ֙
to send
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#6
בִּֽיהוּדָ֔ה
against Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#7
רְצִ֖ין
Rezin
retsin, the name of a syrian and of an israelite
#8
מֶ֣לֶךְ
the king
a king
#9
אֲרָ֑ם
of Syria
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
#10
וְאֵ֖ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#11
פֶּ֥קַח
and Pekah
pekach, an israelite king
#12
בֶּן
the 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
#13
רְמַלְיָֽהוּ׃
of Remaliah
remaljah, an israelite

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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