2 Samuel 11:20

Authorized King James Version

And if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָיָ֗ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
אִֽם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#3
תַּעֲלֶה֙
arise
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#4
חֲמַ֣ת
wrath
heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
#5
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ
And if so be that the king's
a king
#6
וְאָמַ֣ר
and he say
to say (used with great latitude)
#7
לְךָ֔
H0
#8
מַדּ֛וּעַ
what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?
#9
נִגַּשְׁתֶּ֥ם
unto thee Wherefore approached ye so nigh
to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati
#10
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#11
הָעִ֖יר
unto the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#12
לְהִלָּחֵ֑ם
when ye did fight
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
#13
הֲל֣וֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#14
יְדַעְתֶּ֔ם
knew
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#15
אֵ֥ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#17
יֹר֖וּ
ye not that they would shoot
properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by
#18
מֵעַ֥ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#19
הַֽחוֹמָֽה׃
from the wall
a wall of protection

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 2 Samuel. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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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