2 Samuel 14:2

Authorized King James Version

And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח
sent
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#2
יוֹאָב֙
And Joab
joab, the name of three israelites
#3
תְּק֔וֹעָה
to Tekoah
tekoa, a place in palestine
#4
וַיִּקַּ֥ח
and fetched
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#5
מִשָּׁ֖ם
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#6
כְּאִשָּׁ֗ה
but be as a woman
a woman
#7
חֲכָמָ֑ה
thence a wise
wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)
#8
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#9
אֵ֠לֶיהָ
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
מִתְאַבֶּ֖לֶת
H56
mourned
to bewail
#11
נָ֞א
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#12
וְלִבְשִׁי
and put on
properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively
#13
נָ֣א
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#14
בִגְדֵי
apparel
a covering, i.e., clothing
#15
אֵ֗בֶל
H60
now mourning
lamentation
#16
וְאַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#17
תָּס֙וּכִי֙
and anoint
properly, to smear over (with oil), i.e., anoint
#18
שֶׁ֔מֶן
not thyself with oil
grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
#19
וְהָיִ֕ית
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#20
כְּאִשָּׁ֗ה
but be as a woman
a woman
#21
זֶ֚ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#22
יָמִ֣ים
time
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
#23
רַבִּ֔ים
that had a long
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#24
מִתְאַבֶּ֖לֶת
H56
mourned
to bewail
#25
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#26
מֵֽת׃
for the dead
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 2 Samuel.

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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