2 Kings 18:37

Authorized King James Version

Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּבֹ֣א
Then came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
אֶלְיָקִ֣ים
Eliakim
eljakim, the name of four israelites
#3
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#4
חִלְקִיָּ֣ה
of Hilkiah
chilhijah, the name of eight israelites
#5
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#6
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
הַ֠בַּיִת
which was over the household
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#8
וְשֶׁבְנָ֨א
and Shebna
shebna or shebnah, an israelite
#9
הַסֹּפֵ֜ר
the scribe
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
#10
וְיוֹאָ֨ח
and Joah
joach, the name of four israelites
#11
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#12
אָסָ֧ף
of Asaph
asaph, the name of three israelites, and of the family of the first
#13
הַמַּזְכִּ֛יר
the recorder
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
#14
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#15
חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ
to Hezekiah
chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites
#16
קְרוּעֵ֣י
rent
to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)
#17
בְגָדִ֑ים
with their clothes
a covering, i.e., clothing
#18
וַיַּגִּ֣דוּ
and told
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#19
ל֔וֹ
H0
#20
דִּבְרֵ֖י
him the words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#21
רַבְשָׁקֵֽה׃
of Rabshakeh
rabshakeh, a babylonian official

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

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