2 Samuel 17:1

Authorized King James Version

Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֲחִיתֹ֖פֶל
Moreover Ahithophel
achithophel, an israelite
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
אַבְשָׁלֹ֑ם
H53
unto Absalom
abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite
#5
אֶבְחֲרָ֣ה
Let me now choose out
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
#6
נָּ֗א
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#7
שְׁנֵים
twelve
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#8
עָשָׂ֥ר
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#9
אֶ֙לֶף֙
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#10
אִ֔ישׁ
men
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#11
וְאָק֛וּמָה
and I will arise
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#12
וְאֶרְדְּפָ֥ה
and pursue
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
#13
אַֽחֲרֵי
after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#14
דָוִ֖ד
David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#15
הַלָּֽיְלָה׃
this night
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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