2 Samuel 16:4

Authorized King James Version

Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
Then said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
O king
a king
#3
צִיבָא֙
And Ziba
tsiba, an israelite
#4
הִנֵּ֣ה
lo!
#5
לְךָ֔
H0
#6
כֹּ֖ל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#7
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#8
לִמְפִיבֹ֑שֶׁת
Behold thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth
mephibosheth, the name of two israelites
#9
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
Then said
to say (used with great latitude)
#10
צִיבָא֙
And Ziba
tsiba, an israelite
#11
הִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֵ֔יתִי
I humbly
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
#12
אֶמְצָא
beseech thee that I may find
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
#13
חֵ֥ן
grace
graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
#14
בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ
in thy sight
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#15
אֲדֹנִ֥י
my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#16
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
O king
a king

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 grace relates to the doctrine of soteriology and God's unmerited favor in salvation and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood grace. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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