2 Samuel 2:24

Authorized King James Version

Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֛וּ
pursued
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
#2
יוֹאָ֥ב
Joab
joab, the name of three israelites
#3
וַֽאֲבִישַׁ֖י
H52
also and Abishai
abishai, an israelite
#4
אַֽחֲרֵ֣י
after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#5
אַבְנֵ֑ר
H74
Abner
abner, an israelite
#6
וְהַשֶּׁ֣מֶשׁ
and the sun
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
#7
בָּ֚אוּ
went down
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#8
וְהֵ֗מָּה
they (only used when emphatic)
#9
בָּ֚אוּ
went down
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#10
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#11
גִּבְעַ֣ת
to the hill
a hillock
#12
אַמָּ֔ה
of Ammah
ammah, a hill in palestine
#13
אֲשֶׁר֙
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#14
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#15
פְּנֵי
that lieth 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
#16
גִ֔יחַ
Giah
giach, a place in palestine
#17
דֶּ֖רֶךְ
by the way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#18
מִדְבַּ֥ר
of the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
#19
גִּבְעֽוֹן׃
of Gibeon
gibon, a place in palestine

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

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