2 Samuel 2:30

Authorized King James Version

And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְיוֹאָ֗ב
And Joab
joab, the name of three israelites
#2
שָׁ֚ב
returned
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#3
מֵאַֽחֲרֵ֣י
from following
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#4
אַבְנֵ֔ר
H74
Abner
abner, an israelite
#5
וַיִּקְבֹּ֖ץ
and when he had gathered
to grasp, i.e., collect
#6
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#7
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#8
הָעָ֑ם
all the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#9
וַיִּפָּ֨קְד֜וּ
there lacked
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#10
מֵֽעַבְדֵ֥י
servants
a servant
#11
דָוִ֛ד
of David's
david, the youngest son of jesse
#12
תִּשְׁעָֽה
nineteen
nine or (ordinal) ninth
#13
עָשָׂ֥ר
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#14
אִ֖ישׁ
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)
#15
וַֽעֲשָׂהאֵֽל׃
and Asahel
asahel, the name of four israelites

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 covenant community 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 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 covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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