2 Samuel 13:20

Authorized King James Version

And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֵלֶ֜יהָ
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
אַבְשָׁל֥וֹם
H53
Absalom's
abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite
#4
אָחִֽיהָ׃
he is thy brother
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#5
הַֽאֲמִינ֣וֹן
unto her Hath Amnon
amnon (or aminon), a son of david
#6
אָחִֽיהָ׃
he is thy brother
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#7
הָיָ֣ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#8
עִמָּךְ֒
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#9
וְעַתָּ֞ה
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
#10
אֲחוֹתִ֤י
my sister
a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)
#11
הַֽחֲרִ֙ישִׁי֙
been with thee but hold now thy peace
to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad
#12
אָחִֽיהָ׃
he is thy brother
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#13
ה֔וּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#14
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#15
תָּשִׁ֥יתִי
regard
to place (in a very wide application)
#16
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#17
לִבֵּ֖ךְ
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#18
לַדָּבָ֣ר
not this thing
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#19
הַזֶּ֑ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#20
וַתֵּ֤שֶׁב
remained
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#21
תָּמָר֙
So Tamar
tamar, the name of three women and a place
#22
וְשֹׁ֣מֵמָ֔ה
ruined
#23
בֵּ֖ית
house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#24
אַבְשָׁל֥וֹם
H53
Absalom's
abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite
#25
אָחִֽיהָ׃
he is thy brother
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

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 peace 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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