2 Samuel 19:17

Authorized King James Version

And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאֶ֨לֶף
And there were a thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#2
אִ֣ישׁ
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)
#3
עִמּוֹ֮
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#4
מִבִּנְיָמִן֒
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#5
וְצִיבָ֗א
with him and Ziba
tsiba, an israelite
#6
נַ֚עַר
the servant
(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
#7
בֵּ֣ית
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#8
שָׁא֔וּל
of Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#9
וַֽחֲמֵ֨שֶׁת
and his fifteen
five
#10
עָשָׂ֥ר
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#11
בָּנָ֛יו
sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#12
וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים
and his twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#13
עֲבָדָ֖יו
servants
a servant
#14
אִתּ֑וֹ
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#15
וְצָֽלְח֥וּ
with him and they went over
to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
#16
הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן
Jordan
jarden, the principal river of palestine
#17
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#18
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
the king
a king

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

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources