2 Samuel 11:17

Authorized King James Version

And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֵּ֨צְא֜וּ
went out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#2
אַנְשֵׁ֤י
And the men
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
#3
הָעִיר֙
of the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#4
וַיִּלָּֽחֲמ֣וּ
and fought
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
#5
אֶת
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#6
יוֹאָ֔ב
with Joab
joab, the name of three israelites
#7
וַיִּפֹּ֥ל
and there fell
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#8
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#9
הָעָ֖ם
some of the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#10
מֵֽעַבְדֵ֣י
of the servants
a servant
#11
דָוִ֑ד
of David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#12
וַיָּ֕מָת
died
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#13
גַּ֖ם
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#14
אֽוּרִיָּ֥ה
and Uriah
urijah, the name of one hittite and five israelites
#15
הַֽחִתִּֽי׃
the Hittite
a chittite, or descendant of cheth

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 covenant community 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 literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 2 Samuel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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