2 Kings 7:16

Authorized King James Version

And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֵּצֵ֣א
went out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#2
הָעָ֔ם
And the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#3
וַיָּבֹ֕זּוּ
and spoiled
to plunder
#4
אֵ֖ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
מַֽחֲנֵ֣ה
the tents
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#6
אֲרָ֑ם
of the Syrians
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
#7
וַיְהִ֨י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#8
וְסָאתַ֧יִם
So a measure
a seah, or certain measure (as determinative) for grain
#9
סֹ֜לֶת
of fine flour
flour (as chipped off)
#10
בְּשֶׁ֖קֶל
for a shekel
probably a weight; used as a commercial standard
#11
וְסָאתַ֧יִם
So a measure
a seah, or certain measure (as determinative) for grain
#12
שְׂעֹרִ֛ים
of barley
barley (as villose)
#13
בְּשֶׁ֖קֶל
for a shekel
probably a weight; used as a commercial standard
#14
כִּדְבַ֥ר
according to the word
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#15
יְהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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