2 Samuel 1:16

Authorized King James Version

And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD'S anointed.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לֵאמֹ֔ר
against thee saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֵלָיו֙
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
דָּוִ֔ד
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#4
דָּֽמְיךָ֖
unto him Thy blood
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
#5
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
רֹאשֶׁ֑ךָ
be upon thy head
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#7
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#8
פִ֗יךָ
for thy mouth
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#9
עָנָ֤ה
hath testified
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
#10
בְךָ֙
H0
#11
לֵאמֹ֔ר
against thee saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#12
אָֽנֹכִ֥י
i
#13
מֹתַ֖תִּי
I have slain
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#14
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
מְשִׁ֥יחַ
anointed
anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically, the messiah
#16
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD'S
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 sovereignty 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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