2 Samuel 15:8

Authorized King James Version

For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כִּי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#2
נֵ֙דֶר֙
a vow
a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised
#3
נָדַ֣ר
vowed
to promise (pos., to do or give something to god)
#4
עַבְדְּךָ֔
For thy servant
a servant
#5
בְּשִׁבְתִּ֥י
while I abode
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#6
בִגְשׁ֛וּר
at Geshur
geshur, a district of syria
#7
בַּֽאֲרָ֖ם
in Syria
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
#8
לֵאמֹ֑ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#9
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#10
יְשִׁיבֵ֤נִי
shall bring me again
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#11
יְשִׁיבֵ֤נִי
shall bring me again
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#12
יְהוָֽה׃
If the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#13
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
indeed to Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#14
וְעָֽבַדְתִּ֖י
then I will serve
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
#15
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
יְהוָֽה׃
If the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 sovereignty 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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