2 Kings 4:22

Authorized King James Version

And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַתִּקְרָא֮

H7121

And she called

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אִ֥ישׁ

H376

to the man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וַתֹּ֗אמֶר

H559

and said

to say (used with great latitude)

שִׁלְחָ֨ה

H7971

Send

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

נָ֥א

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

לִי֙

וְאַחַ֖ת

H259

and one

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

מִן

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

#10

הַנְּעָרִ֔ים

H5288

of the young men

(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

#11

וְאַחַ֖ת

H259

and one

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

#12

הָֽאֲתֹנ֑וֹת

H860

of the asses

a female donkey (from its docility)

#13

וְאָר֛וּצָה

H7323

that I may run

to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)

#14

עַד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

#15

אִ֥ישׁ

H376

to the man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#16

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים

H430

of God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

#17

וְאָשֽׁוּבָה׃

H7725

and come again

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

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 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?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
How does this verse's literary context within 2 Kings chapter 4 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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