2 Kings 9:1

Authorized King James Version

And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וֶֽאֱלִישָׁע֙
And Elisha
elisha, the famous prophet
#2
הַנְּבִיאִ֑ים
of the prophets
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
#3
קָרָ֕א
called
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#4
לְאַחַ֖ד
one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#5
מִבְּנֵ֣י
of 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
#6
הַנְּבִיאִ֑ים
of the prophets
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
#7
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#8
ל֜וֹ
H0
#9
חֲגֹ֣ר
unto him Gird up
to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.)
#10
מָתְנֶ֗יךָ
thy loins
properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins
#11
וְ֠קַח
and take
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#12
פַּ֣ךְ
this box
a flask (from which a liquid may flow)
#13
הַשֶּׁ֤מֶן
of oil
grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
#14
הַזֶּה֙
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#15
בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ
in thine hand
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
#16
וְלֵ֖ךְ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#17
רָמֹ֥ת
to Ramothgilead
ramoth-gilad, a place east of the jordan
#18
גִּלְעָֽד׃
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

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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