2 Samuel 13:23

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽיְהִי֙
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
לִשְׁנָתַ֣יִם
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#3
יָמִ֔ים
And it came to pass after two full
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#4
וַיִּֽהְי֤וּ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#5
גֹֽזְזִים֙
had sheepshearers
to cut off; specifically to shear a flock or shave the hair; figuratively to destroy an enemy
#6
אַבְשָׁל֖וֹם
H53
and Absalom
abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite
#7
בְּבַ֥עַל
H0
#8
חָצ֖וֹר
in Baalhazor
baal-chatsor, a place in palestine
#9
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#10
עִם
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#11
אֶפְרָ֑יִם
which is beside Ephraim
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#12
וַיִּקְרָ֥א
invited
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#13
אַבְשָׁל֖וֹם
H53
and Absalom
abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite
#14
לְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#15
בְּנֵ֥י
sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#16
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
all the king's
a king

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

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 divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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