2 Kings 16:15

Authorized King James Version

And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king's burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brasen altar shall be for me to enquire by.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיְצַוֶּ֣הו

H6680

commanded

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ

H4428

And king

a king

אָ֠חָז

H271

Ahaz

achaz, the name of a jewish king and of an israelite

אֶת

H853

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

אֽוּרִיָּ֨ה

H223

Urijah

urijah, the name of one hittite and five israelites

הַכֹּהֵ֜ן

H3548

the priest

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

לֵאמֹ֗ר

H559

saying

to say (used with great latitude)

עַ֣ל

H5921

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

וּמִזְבַּ֧ח

H4196

altar

an altar

#10

הַגָּד֡וֹל

H1419

Upon the great

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

#11

הַקְטֵ֣ר

H6999

burn

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

#12

אֶת

H853

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

#13

עֹלָ֛ה

H5930

burnt offering

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

#14

הַבֹּקֶר֩

H1242

the morning

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

#15

וְאֶת

H853

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

#16

וּמִנְחָתָ֣ם

H4503

and his meat offering

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

#17

הָעֶ֜רֶב

H6153

and the evening

dusk

#18

וְֽאֶת

H853

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

#19

עֹלָ֛ה

H5930

burnt offering

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

#20

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ

H4428

And king

a king

#21

וְאֶת

H853

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

#22

וּמִנְחָתָ֣ם

H4503

and his meat offering

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

#23

וְ֠אֵת

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

#24

עֹלָ֛ה

H5930

burnt offering

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

#25

כָּל

H3605

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

#26

עַ֤ם

H5971

of all the people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#27

הָאָ֙רֶץ֙

H776

of the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#28

וּמִנְחָתָ֣ם

H4503

and his meat offering

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

#29

וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֔ם

H5262

and their drink offerings

a libation; also a cast idol

#30

וְכָל

H3605

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

#31

דַּם

H1818

and all the blood

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

#32

עֹלָ֛ה

H5930

burnt offering

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

#33

וְכָל

H3605

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

#34

דַּם

H1818

and all the blood

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

#35

זֶ֖בַח

H2077

of the sacrifice

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

#36

עָלָ֣יו

H5921

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

#37

תִּזְרֹ֑ק

H2236

and sprinkle

to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles)

#38

וּמִזְבַּ֧ח

H4196

altar

an altar

#39

הַנְּחֹ֛שֶׁת

H5178

and the brasen

copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)

#40

יִֽהְיֶה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#41

לִּ֖י

#42

לְבַקֵּֽר׃

H1239

shall be for me to enquire

properly, to plough, or (generally) break forth, i.e., (figuratively) to inspect, admire, care for, consider

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 2 Kings. The concept of covenant community 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

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 this verse's emphasis on covenant community address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
How might the original audience's understanding of covenant community differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

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