2 Kings 21:9

Authorized King James Version

But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְלֹ֖א

H3808

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

שָׁמֵ֑עוּ

H8085

But they hearkened

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

וַיַּתְעֵ֤ם

H8582

seduced

to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both

מְנַשֶּׁה֙

H4519

not and Manasseh

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

לַֽעֲשׂ֣וֹת

H6213

them to do

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֶת

H853

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

הָרָ֔ע

H7451

more evil

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

מִן

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַ֨גּוֹיִ֔ם

H1471

than did the nations

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

#10

אֲשֶׁר֙

H834

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

#11

הִשְׁמִ֣יד

H8045

destroyed

to desolate

#12

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

whom the LORD

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

#13

מִפְּנֵ֖י

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#14

בְּנֵ֥י

H1121

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

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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 sovereignty 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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

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?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

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