2 Kings 5:15

Authorized King James Version

And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיָּשָׁב֩

H7725

And he returned

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

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אִ֨ישׁ

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)

אֱלֹהִים֙

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

ה֣וּא

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְכָֽל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַחֲנֵ֗הוּ

H4264

he and all his company

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

וַיָּבֹא֮

H935

and came

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֣ד

H5975

and stood

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

#10

לְפָנָיו֒

H6440

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

#11

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר

H559

him and he said

to say (used with great latitude)

#12

הִנֵּה

H2009

lo!

#13

נָ֤א

H4994

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

#14

יָדַ֙עְתִּי֙

H3045

Behold now I know

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

#15

כִּ֣י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#16

אֵ֤ין

H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

#17

אֱלֹהִים֙

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

#18

בְּכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#19

הָאָ֔רֶץ

H776

in all the earth

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#20

כִּ֖י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#21

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#22

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל

H3478

but in Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#23

וְעַתָּ֛ה

H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

#24

קַח

H3947

now therefore I pray thee take

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

#25

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

#26

בְרָכָ֖ה

H1293

a blessing

benediction; by implication prosperity

#27

מֵאֵ֥ת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#28

עַבְדֶּֽךָ׃

H5650

of thy servant

a servant

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?
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 might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

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