2 Samuel 2:21

Authorized King James Version

And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֧אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
ל֣וֹ
H0
#3
אַבְנֵ֗ר
H74
And Abner
abner, an israelite
#4
נְטֵ֤ה
to him Turn thee aside
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
#5
לְךָ֙
H0
#6
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
יְמִֽינְךָ֙
to thy right hand
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
#8
א֣וֹ
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
#9
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
שְׂמֹאלֶ֔ךָ
or to thy left
properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e., the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand
#11
וֶֽאֱחֹ֣ז
and lay thee hold
to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)
#12
לְךָ֗
H0
#13
אֶחָד֙
on one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#14
מֵֽהַנְּעָרִ֔ים
of the young men
(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
#15
וְקַח
and take
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#16
לְךָ֖
H0
#17
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#18
חֲלִצָת֑וֹ
thee his armour
spoil
#19
וְלֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#20
אָבָ֣ה
H14
would
to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent
#21
עֲשָׂהאֵ֔ל
But Asahel
asahel, the name of four israelites
#22
לָס֖וּר
not turn aside
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
#23
מֵאַֽחֲרָֽיו׃
from following
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

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

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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