2 Samuel 19:43

Authorized King James Version

And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיַּ֣עַן

H6030

answered

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

אִ֥ישׁ

H376

And the 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)

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֶת

H853

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

אִ֥ישׁ

H376

And the 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)

יְהוּדָ֔ה

H3063

of Judah

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר

H559

and said

to say (used with great latitude)

עֶֽשֶׂר

H6235

We have ten

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

יָד֨וֹת

H3027

parts

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#10

לִ֣י

#11

מַלְכִּ֑י

H4428

in the king

a king

#12

וְגַם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

#13

בְּדָוִד֮

H1732

have also more right in David

david, the youngest son of jesse

#14

אֲנִ֣י

H589

and we

#15

מִמְּךָ֒

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

#16

וּמַדּ֙וּעַ֙

H4069

what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?

#17

הֱקִלֹּתַ֔נִי

H7043

than ye why then did ye despise

to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)

#18

וְלֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#19

הָיָ֨ה

H1961

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

#20

מִדְּבַ֖ר

H1697

And the words

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

#21

רִאשׁ֛וֹן

H7223

should not be first

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

#22

לִ֖י

#23

לְהָשִׁ֣יב

H7725

had in bringing back

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#24

אֶת

H853

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

#25

מַלְכִּ֑י

H4428

in the king

a king

#26

וַיִּ֙קֶשׁ֙

H7185

were fiercer

properly, to be dense, i.e., tough or severe (in various applications)

#27

מִדְּבַ֖ר

H1697

And the words

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

#28

אִ֥ישׁ

H376

And the 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)

#29

יְהוּדָ֔ה

H3063

of Judah

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

#30

מִדְּבַ֖ר

H1697

And the words

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

#31

אִ֥ישׁ

H376

And the 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)

#32

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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 revelation 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

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?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

Related Resources

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