2 Kings 3:21

Authorized King James Version

And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armour, and upward, and stood in the border.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#2
מוֹאָב֙
And when all the Moabites
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
#3
שָֽׁמְע֔וּ
heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#4
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#5
עָל֥וּ
were come up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#6
הַמְּלָכִ֖ים
that the kings
a king
#7
לְהִלָּ֣חֶם
to fight
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
#8
בָּ֑ם
H0
#9
וַיִּצָּֽעֲק֗וּ
against them they gathered
to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)
#10
מִכֹּ֨ל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#11
חֹגֵ֤ר
all that were able to put
to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.)
#12
חֲגֹרָה֙
on armour
a belt (for the waist)
#13
וָמַ֔עְלָה
and upward
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
#14
וַיַּֽעַמְד֖וּ
and stood
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#15
עַֽל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#16
הַגְּבֽוּל׃
in the border
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

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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