2 Kings 4:12

Authorized King James Version

And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
גֵּיחֲזִ֣י
to Gehazi
gechazi, the servant of elisha
#4
נַֽעֲר֔וֹ
his servant
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
#5
וַיִּקְרָא
And when he had called
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#6
לַשּֽׁוּנַמִּ֣ית
this Shunammite
a shunammitess, or female inhabitant of shunem
#7
הַזֹּ֑את
this (often used adverb)
#8
וַיִּקְרָא
And when he had called
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#9
לָ֔הּ
H0
#10
וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֖ד
her she stood
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#11
לְפָנָֽיו׃
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 2 Kings. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original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