2 Kings 23:3

Authorized King James Version

And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֥ד
stood
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#2
הַ֠מֶּלֶךְ
And the king
a king
#3
עַֽל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#4
הָ֨עַמּ֜וּד
by a pillar
a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform
#5
וַיִּכְרֹ֥ת
and made
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
#6
אֶֽת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#7
בַּבְּרִֽית׃
a covenant
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
#8
לִפְנֵ֣י
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
#9
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#10
לָלֶ֜כֶת
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#11
אַחַ֤ר
after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#12
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#13
וְלִשְׁמֹ֨ר
and to keep
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#14
מִצְוֹתָ֜יו
his commandments
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
#15
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
עֵדְוֹתָ֤יו
and his testimonies
testimony
#17
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#18
חֻקֹּתָיו֙
and his statutes
a statute
#19
בְּכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#20
לֵ֣ב
with all their heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#21
וּבְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#22
נֶ֔פֶשׁ
and all their soul
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#23
לְהָקִ֗ים
to perform
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#24
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#25
דִּבְרֵי֙
the words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#26
בַּבְּרִֽית׃
a covenant
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
#27
הַזֹּ֔את
this (often used adverb)
#28
הַכְּתֻבִ֖ים
that were written
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
#29
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#30
הַסֵּ֣פֶר
in this book
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
#31
הַזֶּ֑ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#32
וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֥ד
stood
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#33
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#34
הָעָ֖ם
And all the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#35
בַּבְּרִֽית׃
a covenant
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Kings, this passage highlights covenant through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of covenant connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about covenant, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 2 Kings.

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 covenant 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 in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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