2 Kings 8:12

Authorized King James Version

And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֡אמֶר
And he answered
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
חֲזָאֵ֔ל
And Hazael
chazael, a king of syria
#3
מַדּ֖וּעַ
what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?
#4
אֲדֹנִ֣י
my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#5
בֹכֶ֑ה
Why weepeth
to weep; generally to bemoan
#6
וַיֹּ֡אמֶר
And he answered
to say (used with great latitude)
#7
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#8
יָדַ֡עְתִּי
Because I know
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#9
אֵ֣ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#11
תַּֽעֲשֶׂה֩
that thou wilt do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#12
לִבְנֵ֨י
unto the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#13
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#14
רָעָ֗ה
the evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#15
מִבְצְרֵיהֶ֞ם
their strong holds
a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender
#16
תְּשַׁלַּ֤ח
wilt thou set
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#17
בָּאֵשׁ֙
on fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#18
וּבַחֻֽרֵיהֶם֙
and their young men
properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)
#19
בַּחֶ֣רֶב
with the sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#20
תַּֽהֲרֹ֔ג
wilt thou slay
to smite with deadly intent
#21
וְעֹֽלְלֵיהֶ֣ם
their children
a suckling
#22
תְּרַטֵּ֔שׁ
and wilt dash
to dash down
#23
וְהָרֹֽתֵיהֶ֖ם
their women with child
pregnant
#24
תְּבַקֵּֽעַ׃
and rip up
to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 2 Kings. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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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