2 Kings 9:1

Authorized King James Version

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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:

Original Language Analysis

וֶֽאֱלִישָׁע֙ And Elisha H477
וֶֽאֱלִישָׁע֙ And Elisha
Strong's: H477
Word #: 1 of 18
elisha, the famous prophet
הַנְּבִיאִ֑ים of the prophets H5030
הַנְּבִיאִ֑ים of the prophets
Strong's: H5030
Word #: 2 of 18
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
קָרָ֕א called H7121
קָרָ֕א called
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 3 of 18
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
לְאַחַ֖ד one H259
לְאַחַ֖ד one
Strong's: H259
Word #: 4 of 18
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
מִבְּנֵ֣י of the children H1121
מִבְּנֵ֣י of the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 5 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הַנְּבִיאִ֑ים of the prophets H5030
הַנְּבִיאִ֑ים of the prophets
Strong's: H5030
Word #: 6 of 18
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר and said H559
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר and said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 7 of 18
to say (used with great latitude)
ל֜וֹ H0
ל֜וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 8 of 18
חֲגֹ֣ר unto him Gird up H2296
חֲגֹ֣ר unto him Gird up
Strong's: H2296
Word #: 9 of 18
to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.)
מָתְנֶ֗יךָ thy loins H4975
מָתְנֶ֗יךָ thy loins
Strong's: H4975
Word #: 10 of 18
properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins
וְ֠קַח and take H3947
וְ֠קַח and take
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 11 of 18
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
פַּ֣ךְ this box H6378
פַּ֣ךְ this box
Strong's: H6378
Word #: 12 of 18
a flask (from which a liquid may flow)
הַשֶּׁ֤מֶן of oil H8081
הַשֶּׁ֤מֶן of oil
Strong's: H8081
Word #: 13 of 18
grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
הַזֶּה֙ H2088
הַזֶּה֙
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 14 of 18
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ in thine hand H3027
בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ in thine hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 15 of 18
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
וְלֵ֖ךְ H1980
וְלֵ֖ךְ
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 16 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
רָמֹ֥ת to Ramothgilead H7433
רָמֹ֥ת to Ramothgilead
Strong's: H7433
Word #: 17 of 18
ramoth-gilad, a place east of the jordan
גִּלְעָֽד׃ H1568
גִּלְעָֽד׃
Strong's: H1568
Word #: 18 of 18
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

Analysis & Commentary

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:

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 9: Divine judgment executed on Ahab's house. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

Historical Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 9 takes place during Jehu's dynasty and the violent purge of Baal worship, around 841 BCE. The chapter's theme (Jehu's Violent Revolution) reflects the historical reality of violent political revolution motivated by zeal for Yahweh but lacking genuine heart transformation. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Questions for Reflection

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