2 Kings 5:14

Authorized King James Version

Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֵּ֗רֶד

H3381

Then went he down

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

וַיִּטְבֹּ֤ל

H2881

and dipped

to dip, to immerse

בַּיַּרְדֵּן֙

H3383

in Jordan

jarden, the principal river of palestine

שֶׁ֣בַע

H7651

himself seven

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

פְּעָמִ֔ים

H6471

times

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

כִּדְבַ֖ר

H1697

according to the saying

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אִ֣ישׁ

H376

of 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)

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים

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

וַיָּ֣שָׁב

H7725

came again

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

#10

כִּבְשַׂ֛ר

H1320

and his flesh

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

#11

כִּבְשַׂ֛ר

H1320

and his flesh

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

#12

נַ֥עַר

H5288

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

#13

קָטֹ֖ן

H6996

of a little

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

#14

וַיִּטְהָֽר׃

H2891

and he was clean

to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)

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 this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
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?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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