2 Kings 9:13

Authorized King James Version

Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽיְמַהֲר֗וּ
Then they hasted
properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)
#2
וַיִּקְחוּ֙
and took
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#3
אִ֣ישׁ
every man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#4
בִּגְד֔וֹ
his garment
a covering, i.e., clothing
#5
וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ
and put
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#6
תַחְתָּ֖יו
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
#7
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#8
גֶּ֣רֶם
it under him on the top
a bone (as the skeleton of the body); hence, self, i.e., (figuratively) very
#9
הַֽמַּעֲל֑וֹת
of the stairs
elevation, i.e., the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step o
#10
וַֽיִּתְקְעוּ֙
and blew
to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become
#11
בַּשּׁוֹפָ֔ר
with trumpets
a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn
#12
וַיֹּֽאמְר֖וּ
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#13
מָלַ֥ךְ
is king
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
#14
יֵהֽוּא׃
Jehu
jehu, the name of five 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

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 salvation 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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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