2 Kings 20:14

Authorized King James Version

Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בָּ֖אוּ
Then came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
יְשַׁעְיָ֣הוּ
Isaiah
jeshajah, the name of seven israelites
#3
הַנָּבִ֔יא
the prophet
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
#4
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ
unto king
a king
#6
חִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ
Hezekiah
chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites
#7
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#8
אֵלָ֜יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#9
מָ֥ה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#10
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#11
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֣ים
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)
#12
הָאֵ֗לֶּה
these or those
#13
וּמֵאַ֙יִן֙
and from whence
where? (only in connection with prepositional prefix, whence)
#14
בָּ֖אוּ
Then came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#15
אֵלֶ֔יךָ
near, with or among; often in general, to
#16
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#17
חִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ
Hezekiah
chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites
#18
מֵאֶ֧רֶץ
country
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#19
רְחוֹקָ֛ה
from a far
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
#20
בָּ֖אוּ
Then came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#21
מִבָּבֶֽל׃
even from Babylon
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

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 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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