2 Kings 22:20

Authorized King James Version

Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לָכֵן֩
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#2
הִנְנִ֨י
lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if
#3
וְנֶֽאֱסַפְתָּ֣
Behold therefore I will gather
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
#4
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#5
אֲבֹתֶ֗יךָ
H1
thee unto thy fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#6
וְנֶֽאֱסַפְתָּ֣
Behold therefore I will gather
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
#7
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#8
קִבְרֹתֶיךָ֮
into thy grave
a sepulcher
#9
בְּשָׁלוֹם֒
in peace
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
#10
וְלֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#11
תִרְאֶ֣ינָה
shall not see
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#12
עֵינֶ֔יךָ
and thine eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#13
בְּכֹל֙
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#14
הָֽרָעָ֔ה
all the evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#15
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#16
אֲנִ֥י
i
#17
מֵבִ֖יא
which I will bring
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#18
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#19
הַמָּק֣וֹם
upon this place
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
#20
הַזֶּ֑ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#21
וַיָּשִׁ֥בוּ
And they brought
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#22
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#23
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ
the king
a king
#24
דָּבָֽר׃
word
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

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 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 peace in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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