2 Kings 8:19

Authorized King James Version

Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him alway a light, and to his children.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְלֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#2
אָבָ֤ה
H14
would
to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent
#3
יְהוָה֙
Yet the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
לְהַשְׁחִ֣ית
not destroy
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
#5
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
יְהוּדָ֔ה
Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#7
לְמַ֖עַן
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
#8
דָּוִ֣ד
for David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#9
עַבְדּ֑וֹ
his servant's
a servant
#10
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#11
אָֽמַר
sake as he promised
to say (used with great latitude)
#12
ל֗וֹ
H0
#13
לָתֵ֨ת
him to give
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#14
ל֥וֹ
H0
#15
נִ֛יר
a light
a lamp (i.e., the burner) or light (literally or figuratively)
#16
לְבָנָ֖יו
and to his 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
#17
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#18
הַיָּמִֽים׃
him alway
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

Analysis

This verse develops the covenant theme central to 2 Kings. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of covenant 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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on covenant particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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