2 Kings 18:9

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֞י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
הַשָּׁנָ֣ה
year
a year (as a revolution of time)
#3
הָֽרְבִיעִית֙
And it came to pass in the fourth
fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth
#4
מֶֽלֶךְ
king
a king
#5
חִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ
Hezekiah
chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites
#6
הִ֚יא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#7
הַשָּׁנָ֣ה
year
a year (as a revolution of time)
#8
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔ית
which was the seventh
seventh
#9
לְהוֹשֵׁ֥עַ
of Hoshea
hoshea, the name of five israelites
#10
בֶּן
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
#11
אֵלָ֖ה
of Elah
elah, the name of an edomite, of four israelites, and also of a place in palestine
#12
מֶֽלֶךְ
king
a king
#13
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#14
עָלָ֞ה
came up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#15
שַׁלְמַנְאֶ֧סֶר
that Shalmaneser
shalmaneser, an assyrian king
#16
מֶֽלֶךְ
king
a king
#17
אַשּׁ֛וּר
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
#18
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#19
שֹֽׁמְר֖וֹן
against Samaria
shomeron, a place in palestine
#20
וַיָּ֥צַר
and besieged
to cramp, i.e., confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile)
#21
עָלֶֽיהָ׃
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 2 Kings. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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