2 Kings 9:18

Authorized King James Version

So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu said, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me. And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he cometh not again.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֵּלֶךְ֩
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#2
רֹכֵ֨ב
one on horseback
to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch
#3
הַסּ֜וּס
a horse (as leaping)
#4
לִקְרָאת֗וֹ
to meet
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
#5
לֵאמֹ֔ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
כֹּֽה
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
#7
לֵאמֹ֔ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#8
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙
the king
a king
#9
וּלְשָׁל֖וֹם
Is it peace
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
#10
לֵאמֹ֔ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#11
יֵה֛וּא
And Jehu
jehu, the name of five israelites
#12
מַה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#13
לְּךָ֥
H0
#14
וּלְשָׁל֖וֹם
Is it peace
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
#15
סֹ֣ב
turn
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
#16
אֶֽל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#17
אַחֲרָ֑י
thee behind
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#18
וַיַּגֵּ֤ד
told
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#19
הַצֹּפֶה֙
me And the watchman
properly, to lean forward, i.e., to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe, await
#20
לֵאמֹ֔ר
Thus saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#21
בָּֽא
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#22
הַמַּלְאָ֥ךְ
The messenger
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
#23
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#24
הֵ֖ם
they (only used when emphatic)
#25
וְלֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#26
שָֽׁב׃
to them but he cometh not again
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

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 peace 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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