2 Kings 23:13

Authorized King James Version

And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְֽאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#2
הַבָּמ֞וֹת
And the high places
an elevation
#3
אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, 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
פְּנֵ֣י
that were 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
#6
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם
Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#7
אֲשֶׁר֮
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#8
מִימִ֣ין
which were on the right hand
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
#9
לְהַר
of the mount
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#10
הַמַּשְׁחִית֒
of corruption
destructive, i.e., (as noun) destruction, literally (specifically a snare) or figuratively (corruption)
#11
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
בָּ֠נָה
had builded
to build (literally and figuratively)
#13
שְׁלֹמֹ֨ה
which Solomon
shelomah, david's successor
#14
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
did the king
a king
#15
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#16
לְעַשְׁתֹּ֣רֶת׀
for Ashtoreth
ashtoreth, the phoenician goddess of love (and increase)
#17
שִׁקֻּ֣ץ
the abomination
disgusting, i.e., filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol
#18
צִֽידֹנִ֗ים
of the Zidonians
a tsidonian or inhabitant of tsidon
#19
וְלִכְמוֹשׁ֙
and for Chemosh
kemosh, the god of the moabites
#20
שִׁקֻּ֣ץ
the abomination
disgusting, i.e., filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol
#21
מוֹאָ֔ב
of the Moabites
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
#22
וּלְמִלְכֹּ֖ם
and for Milcom
milcom, the national idol of the ammonites
#23
תּֽוֹעֲבַ֣ת
the abomination
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
#24
בְּנֵֽי
of 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
#25
עַמּ֑וֹן
of Ammon
ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country
#26
טִמֵּ֖א
defile
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
#27
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
did the king
a king

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 2 Kings. The concept of covenant community 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 covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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