2 Samuel 16:2

Authorized King James Version

And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king's household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ
And the king
a king
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
צִ֠יבָא
What meanest thou by these And Ziba
tsiba, an israelite
#5
מָה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#6
אֵ֣לֶּה
these or those
#7
לָּ֑ךְ
H0
#8
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#9
צִ֠יבָא
What meanest thou by these And Ziba
tsiba, an israelite
#10
הַֽחֲמוֹרִ֨ים
The asses
a male ass (from its dun red)
#11
לְבֵית
household
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#12
הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ
And the king
a king
#13
לִרְכֹּ֗ב
to ride on
to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch
#14
וְלהַלֶּ֤חֶם
and the bread
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
#15
וְהַקַּ֙יִץ֙
and summer fruit
harvest (as the crop), whether the product (grain or fruit) or the (dry) season
#16
לֶֽאֱכ֣וֹל
to eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#17
הַנְּעָרִ֔ים
for the young men
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
#18
וְהַיַּ֕יִן
and the wine
wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
#19
לִשְׁתּ֥וֹת
may drink
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
#20
הַיָּעֵ֖ף
that such as be faint
fatigued; figuratively, exhausted
#21
בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃
in the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

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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