2 Samuel 11:21

Authorized King James Version

Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
מִֽי
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
#2
הִכָּ֞ה
Who smote
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
אֲבִימֶ֣לֶךְ
H40
Abimelech
abimelek, the name of two philistine kings and of two israelites
#5
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#6
יְרֻבֶּ֗שֶׁת
of Jerubbesheth
jerubbesheth, a symbolic name for gideon
#7
הֲלֽוֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#8
אִשָּׁ֡ה
did not a woman
a woman
#9
הִשְׁלִ֣יכָה
cast
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
#10
עָלָיו֩
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#11
פֶּ֨לַח
a piece
a slice
#12
רֶ֜כֶב
of a millstone
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone
#13
מֵעַ֤ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#14
הַֽחוֹמָ֑ה
the wall
a wall of protection
#15
מֵֽת׃
is dead
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#16
בְּתֵבֵ֔ץ
in Thebez
tebets, a place in palestine
#17
לָ֥מָּה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#18
נִגַּשְׁתֶּ֖ם
why went ye 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
#19
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#20
הַֽחוֹמָ֑ה
the wall
a wall of protection
#21
וְאָ֣מַרְתָּ֔
then say
to say (used with great latitude)
#22
גַּ֗ם
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#23
עַבְדְּךָ֛
thou Thy servant
a servant
#24
אֽוּרִיָּ֥ה
Uriah
urijah, the name of one hittite and five israelites
#25
הַֽחִתִּ֖י
the Hittite
a chittite, or descendant of cheth
#26
מֵֽת׃
is dead
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

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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