2 Kings 2:16

Authorized King James Version

And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר

H559

And he said

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֡יו

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הִנֵּה

H2009

lo!

נָ֣א

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

יֵֽשׁ

H3426

unto him Behold now there be

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

אֶת

H854

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

עֲבָדֶיךָ֩

H5650

with thy servants

a servant

חֲמִשִּׁ֨ים

H2572

fifty

אֲנָשִׁ֜ים

H376

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)

#10

בְּנֵי

H1121

men

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

חַ֗יִל

H2428

strong

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

#12

יֵ֣לְכוּ

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

#13

נָא֮

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

#14

וִֽיבַקְשׁ֣וּ

H1245

we pray thee and seek

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

#15

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#16

אֲדֹנֶיךָ֒

H113

thy master

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

#17

פֶּן

H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

#18

נְשָׂאוֹ֙

H5375

hath taken him up

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

#19

ר֣וּחַ

H7307

lest peradventure the Spirit

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

#20

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

of the LORD

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

#21

וַיַּשְׁלִכֵ֙הוּ֙

H7993

and cast

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

#22

בְּאַחַ֣ת

H259

him upon some

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

#23

הֶֽהָרִ֔ים

H2022

mountain

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

#24

א֖וֹ

H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

#25

בְּאַחַ֣ת

H259

him upon some

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

#26

הַגֵּיאָוֹ֑ת

H1516

valley

a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)

#27

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר

H559

And he said

to say (used with great latitude)

#28

לֹ֥א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#29

תִשְׁלָֽחוּ׃

H7971

Ye shall not send

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 2 Kings. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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 does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?

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