2 Kings 24:2

Authorized King James Version

And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיְשַׁלְּחֵ֥ם

H7971

and sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

And the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בּ֡וֹ

אֶת

H853

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

גְּדוּדֵ֣י

H1416

against him bands

a crowd (especially of soldiers)

כַשְׂדִּים֩

H3778

of the Chaldees

a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people

וְאֶת

H853

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

גְּדוּדֵ֣י

H1416

against him bands

a crowd (especially of soldiers)

אֲרָ֜ם

H758

of the Syrians

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

#10

וְאֵ֣ת׀

H853

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

#11

גְּדוּדֵ֣י

H1416

against him bands

a crowd (especially of soldiers)

#12

מוֹאָ֗ב

H4124

of the Moabites

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

#13

וְאֵת֙

H853

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

#14

גְּדוּדֵ֣י

H1416

against him bands

a crowd (especially of soldiers)

#15

בְנֵֽי

H1121

of the children

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#16

עַמּ֔וֹן

H5983

of Ammon

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

#17

וַיְשַׁלְּחֵ֥ם

H7971

and sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

#18

בִּֽיהוּדָ֖ה

H3063

them against Judah

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

#19

לְהַֽאֲבִיד֑וֹ

to destroy

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

#20

כִּדְבַ֣ר

H1697

it according to the word

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

#21

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

And the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#22

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

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

#23

דִּבֶּ֔ר

H1696

which he spake

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

#24

בְּיַ֖ד

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#25

עֲבָדָ֥יו

H5650

his servants

a servant

#26

הַנְּבִיאִֽים׃

H5030

the prophets

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

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

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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
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?

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