2 Kings 7:5

Authorized King James Version

And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּקֻ֣מוּ
And they rose up
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#2
בַנֶּ֔שֶׁף
in the twilight
properly, a breeze, i.e., (by implication) dusk (when the evening breeze prevails)
#3
וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ
and when they were come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#4
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
מַֽחֲנֵ֣ה
of the camp
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#6
אֲרָ֔ם
of Syria
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
#7
וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ
and when they were come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#8
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#9
קְצֵה֙
to the uttermost part
an extremity
#10
מַֽחֲנֵ֣ה
of the camp
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#11
אֲרָ֔ם
of Syria
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
#12
וְהִנֵּ֥ה
lo!
#13
אֵֽין
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#14
שָׁ֖ם
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#15
אִֽישׁ׃
behold there was no 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)

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 revelation 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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