2 Kings 17:20

Authorized King James Version

And the LORD rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּמְאַ֨ס

H3988

rejected

to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear

יְהוָ֜ה

H3068

And the LORD

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

בְּכָל

H3605

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

זֶ֤רַע

H2233

all the seed

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙

H3478

of Israel

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

וַיְעַנֵּ֔ם

H6031

and afflicted

to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)

וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖ם

H5414

them and delivered

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

בְּיַד

H3027

them into the hand

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

שֹׁסִ֑ים

H8154

of spoilers

to plunder

#10

עַ֛ד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

#11

אֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

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

#12

הִשְׁלִיכָ֖ם

H7993

until he had cast

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

#13

מִפָּנָֽיו׃

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

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Kings, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 2 Kings.

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 might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
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 understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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