2 Kings 23:17

Authorized King James Version

Then he said, What title is that that I see? And the men of the city told him, It is the sepulchre of the man of God, which came from Judah, and proclaimed these things that thou hast done against the altar of Beth-el.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּֽאמְר֨וּ

H559

Then he said

to say (used with great latitude)

מָ֚ה

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

הַצִּיּ֣וּן

H6725

What title

a monumental or guiding pillar

הַלָּ֔ז

H1975

is that

this or that

אֲשֶׁ֖ר

H834

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

אֲנִ֣י

H589

רֹאֶ֑ה

H7200

that I see

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וַיֹּֽאמְר֨וּ

H559

Then he said

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֜יו

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#10

אִישׁ

H376

of the man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#11

הָעִ֗יר

H5892

of the city

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

#12

הַקֶּ֤בֶר

H6913

him It is the sepulchre

a sepulcher

#13

אִישׁ

H376

of the man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#14

הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙

H430

of God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

#15

אֲשֶׁר

H834

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

#16

בָּ֣א

H935

which came

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#17

מִֽיהוּדָ֔ה

H3063

from Judah

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

#18

וַיִּקְרָ֗א

H7121

and proclaimed

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

#19

אֶת

H853

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

#20

הַדְּבָרִ֤ים

H1697

these things

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

#21

הָאֵ֙לֶּה֙

H428

these or those

#22

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

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

#23

עָשִׂ֔יתָ

H6213

that thou hast done

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

#24

עַ֖ל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#25

הַמִּזְבַּ֥ח

H4196

against the altar

an altar

#26

בֵּֽית

#27

אֵֽל׃

H1008

of Bethel

beth-el, a place in palestine

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

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
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?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?

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