2 Kings 4:30

Authorized King James Version

And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֵ֣ם
And the mother
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
#3
הַנַּ֔עַר
of the child
(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
#4
וְחֵֽי
liveth
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#5
יְהוָ֥ה
As the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#6
וְחֵֽי
liveth
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#7
נַפְשְׁךָ֖
and as thy soul
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#8
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#9
אֶֽעֶזְבֶ֑ךָּ
I will not leave
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
#10
וַיָּ֖קָם
thee And he arose
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#11
וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#12
אַֽחֲרֶֽיהָ׃
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

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

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