2 Kings 20:19

Authorized King James Version

Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר

H559

And he said

to say (used with great latitude)

חִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙

H2396

Hezekiah

chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites

אֶֽל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְשַׁעְיָ֔הוּ

H3470

unto Isaiah

jeshajah, the name of seven israelites

ט֥וֹב

H2896

Good

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

דְּבַר

H1697

is the word

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

יְהוָ֖ה

H3068

of the LORD

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבַּ֑רְתָּ

H1696

which thou hast spoken

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

#10

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר

H559

And he said

to say (used with great latitude)

#11

הֲל֛וֹא

H3808

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

#12

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#13

שָׁל֥וֹם

H7965

Is it not good if peace

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

#14

וֶֽאֱמֶ֖ת

H571

and truth

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

#15

יִֽהְיֶ֥ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#16

בְיָמָֽי׃

H3117

be in my days

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

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 peace 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 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 peace. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of peace differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
In what ways does understanding peace in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within 2 Kings chapter 20 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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