2 Samuel 16:21

Authorized King James Version

And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
H559
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֲחִיתֹ֙פֶל֙
H302
And Ahithophel
achithophel, an israelite
#3
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
אַבְשָׁלֹ֔ם
H53
unto Absalom
abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite
#5
בּ֚וֹא
H935
Go in
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#6
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
פִּֽלַגְשֵׁ֣י
H6370
concubines
a concubine; also (masculine) a paramour
#8
אָבִ֔יךָ
H1
of thy father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#9
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#10
הִנִּ֖יחַ
H3240
which he hath left
to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
#11
לִשְׁמ֣וֹר
H8104
to keep
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#12
הַבָּ֑יִת
H1004
the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#13
וְשָׁמַ֤ע
H8085
shall hear
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#14
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#15
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
H3478
and all Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#16
כִּֽי
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#17
נִבְאַ֣שְׁתָּ
H887
that thou art abhorred
to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally
#18
אֶת
H854
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#19
אָבִ֔יךָ
H1
of thy father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#20
וְחָ֣זְק֔וּ
H2388
of all that are with thee be strong
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
#21
יְדֵ֖י
H3027
then shall the hands
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#22
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#23
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#24
אִתָּֽךְ׃
H854
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

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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