2 Kings 23:8

Authorized King James Version

And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beer-sheba, and brake down the high places of the gates that were in the entering in of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man's left hand at the gate of the city.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיָּבֵ֤א

H935

And he brought

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

אֶת

H853

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

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים

H3548

all the priests

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

הָעִֽיר׃

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)

יְהוּדָ֔ה

H3063

of Judah

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

וַיְטַמֵּ֣א

H2930

and defiled

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

אֶת

H853

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

בָּמ֣וֹת

H1116

the high places

an elevation

#10

אֲשֶׁ֤ר

H834

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

#11

קִטְּרוּ

H6999

had burned incense

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

#12

שָׁ֙מָּה֙

H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

#13

הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים

H3548

all the priests

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

#14

מִגֶּ֖בַע

H1387

from Geba

geba, a place in palestine

#15

עַד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

#16

בְּאֵ֣ר

#17

שָׁ֑בַע

H884

to Beersheba

beer-sheba, a place in palestine

#18

וְנָתַ֞ץ

H5422

and brake down

to tear down

#19

אֶת

H853

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

#20

בָּמ֣וֹת

H1116

the high places

an elevation

#21

בְּשַׁ֥עַר

H8179

at the gate

an opening, i.e., door or gate

#22

אֲשֶׁר

H834

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

#23

פֶּ֜תַח

H6607

that were in the entering in

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

#24

בְּשַׁ֥עַר

H8179

at the gate

an opening, i.e., door or gate

#25

יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙

H3091

of Joshua

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

#26

שַׂר

H8269

the governor

a head person (of any rank or class)

#27

הָעִֽיר׃

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)

#28

אֲשֶֽׁר

H834

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

#29

עַל

H5921

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

#30

שְׂמֹ֥אול

H8040

left hand

properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e., the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand

#31

אִ֖ישׁ

H376

which were on a man's

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)

#32

בְּשַׁ֥עַר

H8179

at the gate

an opening, i.e., door or gate

#33

הָעִֽיר׃

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)

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 revelation 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 divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within 2 Kings chapter 23 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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