2 Samuel 14:33

Authorized King James Version

So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּבֹ֣א
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
יוֹאָ֣ב
So Joab
joab, the name of three israelites
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ
and the king
a king
#5
וַיַּגֶּד
and told
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
#6
לוֹ֒
H0
#7
וַיִּקְרָ֤א
him and when he had called
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#8
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#9
לְאַבְשָׁלֽוֹם׃
H53
Absalom
abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite
#10
וַיָּבֹ֣א
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#11
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#12
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ
and the king
a king
#13
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֨חוּ
and bowed
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
#14
ל֧וֹ
H0
#15
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#16
אַפָּ֛יו
himself on his face
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
#17
אַ֖רְצָה
to the ground
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#18
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#19
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ
and the king
a king
#20
וַיִּשַּׁ֥ק
kissed
to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with weapons
#21
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ
and the king
a king
#22
לְאַבְשָׁלֽוֹם׃
H53
Absalom
abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite

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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