2 Kings 18:31

Authorized King James Version

Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me, and then eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern:

Word-by-Word Analysis

אַֽל

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּשְׁמְע֖וּ

H8085

Hearken

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חִזְקִיָּ֑הוּ

H2396

not to Hezekiah

chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites

כִּי֩

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כֹ֨ה

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֜ר

H559

for thus saith

to say (used with great latitude)

מֶ֣לֶךְ

H4428

the king

a king

אַשּׁ֗וּר

H804

of Assyria

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

#10

עֲשֽׂוּ

H6213

Make

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#11

אִתִּ֤י

H854

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

#12

בְרָכָה֙

H1293

an agreement with me by a present

benediction; by implication prosperity

#13

וּצְא֣וּ

H3318

and come out

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

#14

אֵלַ֔י

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#15

וְאִכְל֤וּ

H398

to me and then eat

to eat (literally or figuratively)

#16

אִ֥ישׁ

H376

and every one

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#17

גַּפְנוֹ֙

H1612

of his own vine

a vine (as twining), especially the grape

#18

אִ֥ישׁ

H376

and every one

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#19

תְּאֵֽנָת֔וֹ

H8384

of his fig tree

the fig (tree or fruit)

#20

וּשְׁת֖וּ

H8354

and drink

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

#21

אִ֥ישׁ

H376

and every one

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#22

מֵֽי

H4325

the waters

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

#23

בֹרֽוֹ׃

H953

of his cistern

a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)

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 revelation 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

In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?

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