2 Kings 8:9

Authorized King James Version

So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Ben-hadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

חֲזָאֵל֮

H2371

So Hazael

chazael, a king of syria

לִקְרָאתוֹ֒

H7125

to meet

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

וַיִּקַּ֨ח

H3947

him and took

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מִנְחָ֤ה

H4503

a present

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

בְיָדוֹ֙

H3027

with him

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וְכָל

H3605

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

ט֣וּב

H2898

even of every good thing

good (as a noun), in the widest sense, especially goodness (superlative concretely, the best), beauty, gladness, welfare

דַּמֶּ֔שֶׂק

H1834

of Damascus

damascus, a city of syria

#10

מַשָּׂ֖א

H4853

burden

a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire

#11

אַרְבָּעִ֣ים

H705

forty

#12

גָּמָ֑ל

H1581

camels

a camel

#13

וַיָּבֹא֙

H935

and came

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

#14

וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֣ד

H5975

and stood

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

#15

לְפָנָ֔יו

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

#16

לֵאמֹ֔ר

H559

him and said

to say (used with great latitude)

#17

בִּנְךָ֙

H1121

Thy son

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#18

בֶן

#19

הֲדַ֤ד

H1130

Benhadad

ben-hadad, the name of several syrian kings, possibly a royal title

#20

מֶֽלֶךְ

H4428

king

a king

#21

אֲרָם֙

H758

of Syria

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

#22

שְׁלָחַ֤נִי

H7971

hath sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

#23

אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#24

לֵאמֹ֔ר

H559

him and said

to say (used with great latitude)

#25

הַאֶֽחְיֶ֖ה

H2421

Shall I recover

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

#26

מֵֽחֳלִ֥י

H2483

of this disease

malady, anxiety, calamity

#27

זֶֽה׃

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Kings, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 2 Kings.

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

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?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

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