2 Kings 23:21

Authorized King James Version

And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְצַ֤ו
commanded
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
#2
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙
And the king
a king
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#5
הָעָ֣ם
all the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#6
לֵאמֹ֔ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#7
עֲשׂ֣וּ
Keep
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#8
פֶ֔סַח
the passover
a pretermission, i.e., exemption; used only techically of the jewish passover (the festival or the victim)
#9
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
unto the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#10
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֑ם
your 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
#11
כַּכָּת֕וּב
as it is written
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
#12
עַ֛ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
סֵ֥פֶר
in the book
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
#14
הַבְּרִ֖ית
of this covenant
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
#15
הַזֶּֽה׃
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing covenant contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood covenant. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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