2 Samuel 16:9

Authorized King James Version

Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
Then said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֲבִישַׁ֤י
H52
Abishai
abishai, an israelite
#3
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#4
צְרוּיָה֙
of Zeruiah
tserujah, an israelitess
#5
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ
the king
a king
#7
לָ֣מָּה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#8
יְקַלֵּ֞ל
curse
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
#9
הַכֶּ֤לֶב
dog
a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute
#10
הַמֵּת֙
Why should this dead
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#11
הַזֶּ֔ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#12
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
אֲדֹנִ֖י
my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#14
הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ
the king
a king
#15
אֶעְבְּרָה
let me go over
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#16
נָּ֖א
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#17
וְאָסִ֥ירָה
I pray thee and take off
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
#18
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#19
רֹאשֽׁוֹ׃
his head
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

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

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 divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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