2 Samuel 2:11

Authorized King James Version

And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽיְהִי֙
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
מִסְפַּ֣ר
And the time
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
#3
הַיָּמִ֔ים
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
#4
אֲשֶׁר֩
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#5
הָיָ֨ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#6
דָוִ֥ד
that David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#7
מֶ֛לֶךְ
was king
a king
#8
בְּחֶבְר֖וֹן
in Hebron
chebron, the name of two israelites
#9
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
בֵּ֣ית
over the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#11
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#12
שֶׁ֥בַע
was seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#13
שָׁנִ֖ים
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#14
וְשִׁשָּׁ֥ה
and six
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
#15
חֳדָשִֽׁים׃
months
the new moon; by implication, a month

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

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 2 Samuel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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