2 Samuel 19:35

Authorized King James Version

I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?

Word-by-Word Analysis

בֶּן

H1121

old

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שְׁמֹנִ֣ים

H8084

fourscore

eighty, also eightieth

שָׁנָה֩

H8141

years

a year (as a revolution of time)

אָֽנֹכִ֨י

H595

הַיּ֜וֹם

H3117

I am this day

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַֽאֵדַ֣ע׀

H3045

and can I discern

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

בֵּֽין

H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

ט֣וֹב

H2896

between good

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

לְרָ֗ע

H7451

and evil

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

#10

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#11

יִטְעַ֤ם

H2938

taste

to taste; figuratively, to perceive

#12

עַבְדְּךָ֥

H5650

can thy servant

a servant

#13

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#14

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

or what

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#15

אֹכַל֙

H398

I eat

to eat (literally or figuratively)

#16

וְאֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#17

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

or what

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#18

אֶשְׁתֶּ֔ה

H8354

I drink

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

#19

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#20

אֶשְׁמַ֣ע

H8085

can I hear

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

#21

ע֔וֹד

H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

#22

בְּק֖וֹל

H6963

any more the voice

a voice or sound

#23

וְשָׁר֑וֹת

H7891

and singing women

to sing

#24

וְשָׁר֑וֹת

H7891

and singing women

to sing

#25

וְלָמָּה֩

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

#26

יִֽהְיֶ֨ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#27

עַבְדְּךָ֥

H5650

can thy servant

a servant

#28

עוֹד֙

H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

#29

לְמַשָּׂ֔א

H4853

be yet a burden

a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire

#30

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#31

אֲדֹנִ֖י

H113

unto my lord

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

#32

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃

H4428

the 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 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

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

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within 2 Samuel chapter 19 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

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