2 Samuel 14:7

Authorized King James Version

And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְהִנֵּה֩

H2009

lo!

קָ֨מָה

H6965

is risen

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

כָֽל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַמִּשְׁפָּחָ֜ה

H4940

And behold the whole family

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שִׁפְחָתֶ֗ךָ

H8198

against thine handmaid

a female slave (as a member of the household)

וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙

H559

and they said

to say (used with great latitude)

תְּנִ֣י׀

H5414

Deliver

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#10

מַכֵּ֣ה

H5221

him that smote

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

#11

אָחִיו֙

H251

his brother

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

#12

וּנְמִתֵ֙הוּ֙

H4191

that we may kill

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

#13

בְּנֶ֤פֶשׁ

H5315

him for the life

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

#14

אָחִיו֙

H251

his brother

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

#15

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#16

הָרָ֔ג

H2026

whom he slew

to smite with deadly intent

#17

וְנַשְׁמִ֖ידָה

H8045

and we will destroy

to desolate

#18

גַּ֣ם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

#19

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#20

הַיּוֹרֵ֑שׁ

H3423

the heir

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

#21

וְכִבּ֗וּ

H3518

also and so they shall quench

to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger)

#22

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#23

גַּֽחַלְתִּי֙

H1513

my coal

an ember

#24

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#25

נִשְׁאָ֔רָה

H7604

and shall not leave

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

#26

לְבִלְתִּ֧י

H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

#27

שִׂום

H7760

which is left

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

#28

לְאִישִׁ֛י

H376

to my husband

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#29

שֵׁ֥ם

H8034

neither name

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

#30

וּשְׁאֵרִ֖ית

H7611

nor remainder

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

#31

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#32

פְּנֵ֥י

H6440

upon

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#33

הָֽאֲדָמָֽה׃

H127

the earth

soil (from its general redness)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 2 Samuel. The concept of life 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

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

In what ways does understanding life in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?

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