2 Samuel 10:9

Authorized King James Version

When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּ֣רְא
saw
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#2
יוֹאָ֗ב
When Joab
joab, the name of three israelites
#3
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#4
הָיְתָ֤ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#5
אֵלָיו֙
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
מִפָּנִ֖ים
that the front
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#7
הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה
of the battle
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#8
מִפָּנִ֖ים
that the front
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#9
וּמֵֽאָח֑וֹר
and behind
the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the west
#10
בְּחוּרֵ֣י
he chose
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
#11
מִכֹּל֙
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#12
בְּחוּרֵ֣י
he chose
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
#13
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
men of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#14
וַֽיַּעֲרֹ֖ךְ
and put them in array
to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)
#15
לִקְרַ֥את
against
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
#16
אֲרָֽם׃
the Syrians
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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