2 Samuel 13:8

Authorized King James Version

So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתֵּ֣לֶךְ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#2
תָּמָ֗ר
So Tamar
tamar, the name of three women and a place
#3
בֵּ֛ית
house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#4
אַמְנ֥וֹן
Amnon's
amnon (or aminon), a son of david
#5
אָחִ֖יהָ
to her brother
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#6
וְה֣וּא
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
#7
שֹׁכֵ֑ב
and he was laid down
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
#8
וַתִּקַּ֨ח
And she took
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#9
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
הַבָּצֵ֤ק
flour
dough (as swelling by fermentation)
#11
וַתָּ֙לָוֹשׁ֙
and kneaded
to knead
#12
וַתְּלַבֵּ֣ב
it and made cakes
(as denominative from h3834) to make cakes
#13
לְעֵינָ֔יו
in his sight
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#14
וַתְּבַשֵּׁ֖ל
and did bake
properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen
#15
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
הַלְּבִבֽוֹת׃
the cakes
a cake (either as fried or turned)

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

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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