2 Kings 17:13

Authorized King James Version

Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיָּ֣עַד

H5749

testified

to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)

יְהוָ֡ה

H3068

Yet the LORD

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

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל

H3478

against Israel

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

וּבִֽיהוּדָ֡ה

H3063

and against Judah

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

בְּיַ֖ד

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

כָּל

H3605

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

הַנְּבִיאִֽים׃

H5030

all the prophets

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

כָל

H3605

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

חֹזֶ֜ה

H2374

and by all the seers

a beholder in vision; also a compact (as looked upon with approval)

#10

לֵאמֹ֗ר

H559

saying

to say (used with great latitude)

#11

שֻׁ֝֩בוּ

H7725

Turn

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

#12

מִדַּרְכֵיכֶ֤ם

H1870

ways

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

#13

הָֽרָעִים֙

H7451

ye from your evil

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

#14

וְשִׁמְרוּ֙

H8104

and keep

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

#15

מִצְוֹתַ֣י

H4687

my commandments

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

#16

חֻקּוֹתַ֔י

H2708

and my statutes

a statute

#17

כְּכָ֨ל

H3605

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

#18

הַתּוֹרָ֔ה

H8451

according to all the law

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

#19

אֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

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

#20

צִוִּ֖יתִי

H6680

which I commanded

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

#21

אֶת

H853

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

#22

אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם

your fathers

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

#23

וַֽאֲשֶׁר֙

H834

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

#24

שָׁלַ֣חְתִּי

H7971

and which I sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

#25

אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#26

בְּיַ֖ד

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#27

עֲבָדַ֥י

H5650

my servants

a servant

#28

הַנְּבִיאִֽים׃

H5030

all the prophets

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

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

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
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?

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