2 Kings 3:20

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֤י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
בַבֹּ֙קֶר֙
And it came to pass in the morning
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
#3
כַּֽעֲל֣וֹת
was offered
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#4
הַמִּנְחָ֔ה
when the meat offering
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
#5
וְהִנֵּה
lo!
#6
הַמָּֽיִם׃
water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#7
בָּאִ֖ים
that behold there came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#8
מִדֶּ֣רֶךְ
by the way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#9
אֱד֑וֹם
of Edom
edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him
#10
וַתִּמָּלֵ֥א
was filled
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
#11
הָאָ֖רֶץ
and the country
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#12
אֶת
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#13
הַמָּֽיִם׃
water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

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

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