2 Kings 24:1

Authorized King James Version

In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בְּיָמָ֣יו
In his days
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#2
עָלָ֔ה
came up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#3
נְבֻֽכַדְנֶאצַּ֖ר
Nebuchadnezzar
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
#4
מֶ֣לֶךְ
king
a king
#5
בָּבֶ֑ל
of Babylon
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
#6
וַיְהִי
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#7
ל֨וֹ
H0
#8
יְהֽוֹיָקִ֥ים
and Jehoiakim
jehojakim, a jewish king
#9
עֶ֙בֶד֙
became his servant
a servant
#10
שָׁלֹ֣שׁ
three
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
#11
שָׁנִ֔ים
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#12
וַיָּ֖שָׁב
then he turned
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#13
וַיִּמְרָד
and rebelled
to rebel
#14
בּֽוֹ׃
H0

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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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

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