2 Kings 19:3

Authorized King James Version

And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אָמַ֣ר
And they said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֵלָ֗יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
כֹּ֚ה
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#4
אָמַ֣ר
And they said
to say (used with great latitude)
#5
חִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ
Hezekiah
chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites
#6
הַיּ֣וֹם
This day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#7
צָרָ֧ה
of trouble
transitively, a female rival
#8
וְתֽוֹכֵחָ֛ה
and of rebuke
chastisement; figuratively (by words) correction, refutation, proof (even in defense)
#9
וּנְאָצָ֖ה
and blasphemy
scorn
#10
הַיּ֣וֹם
This day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#11
הַזֶּ֑ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#12
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#13
בָ֤אוּ
are come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#14
בָנִים֙
for the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#15
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#16
מַשְׁבֵּ֔ר
to the birth
the orifice of the womb (from which the fetus breaks forth)
#17
וְכֹ֥חַ
and there is not strength
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
#18
אַ֖יִן
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#19
לְלֵדָֽה׃
to bring forth
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

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

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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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