2 Kings 17:18

Authorized King James Version

Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּתְאַנַּ֨ף

H599

angry

to breathe hard, i.e., be enraged

יְהוָ֤ה

H3068

Therefore the LORD

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

מְאֹד֙

H3966

was very

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל

H3478

with Israel

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

וַיְסִרֵ֖ם

H5493

and removed

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

מֵעַ֣ל

H5921

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

פָּנָ֑יו

H6440

them out of his sight

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

לֹ֣א

H3808

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

נִשְׁאַ֔ר

H7604

there was none left

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

#10

רַ֛ק

H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

#11

שֵׁ֥בֶט

H7626

but the tribe

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

#12

יְהוּדָ֖ה

H3063

of Judah

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

#13

לְבַדּֽוֹ׃

H905

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

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

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?
How does this verse's literary context within 2 Kings chapter 17 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?

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