2 Kings 21:1

Authorized King James Version

Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzi-bah.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בֶּן
old
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#2
שְׁתֵּ֨ים
was twelve
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#3
עֶשְׂרֵ֤ה
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#4
שָׁנָ֔ה
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#5
מְנַשֶּׁ֣ה
Manasseh
menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#6
מָלַ֖ךְ
and reigned
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
#7
וַֽחֲמִשִּׁ֤ים
fifty
fifty
#8
וְחָמֵשׁ֙
and five
five
#9
שָׁנָ֔ה
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#10
מָלַ֖ךְ
and reigned
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
#11
בִּירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
in Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#12
וְשֵׁ֥ם
name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#13
אִמּ֖וֹ
And his mother's
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
#14
חֶפְצִי
H0
#15
בָֽהּ׃
was Hephzibah
cheptsi-bah, a spiritual name for palestine

Analysis

This verse develops the kingdom of God theme central to 2 Kings. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of kingdom of God 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 kingdom of God 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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