2 Samuel 16:17

Authorized King James Version

And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אַבְשָׁלוֹם֙
H53
And Absalom
abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
חוּשַׁ֔י
to Hushai
chushai, an israelite
#5
זֶ֥ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#6
חַסְדְּךָ֖
Is this thy kindness
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
#7
אֶת
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#8
רֵעֶֽךָ׃
thou not with thy friend
an associate (more or less close)
#9
לָ֥מָּה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#10
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#11
הָלַ֖כְתָּ
why wentest
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#12
אֶת
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#13
רֵעֶֽךָ׃
thou not with thy friend
an associate (more or less close)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 2 Samuel. The concept of divine revelation 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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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

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