2 Samuel 20:10

Authorized King James Version

But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַֽעֲמָשָׂ֨א

H6021

But Amasa

amasa, the name of two israelites

לֹֽא

H3808

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

נִשְׁמַ֜ר

H8104

took no heed

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

בַּחֶ֣רֶב׀

H2719

to the sword

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בְּיַד

H3027

hand

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

וְיוֹאָב֙

H3097

So Joab

joab, the name of three israelites

וַיַּכֵּהוּ֩

H5221

so he smote

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בָ֨הּ

#10

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#11

הַחֹ֜מֶשׁ

H2570

him therewith in the fifth

the abdomen (as obese)

#12

וַיִּשְׁפֹּ֨ךְ

H8210

rib and shed out

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

#13

מֵעָ֥יו

H4578

his bowels

used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively, sympathy; by implication, a vest; by extension the stomach, the uteru

#14

אַ֛רְצָה

H776

to the ground

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#15

וְלֹא

H3808

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

#16

שָׁ֥נָה

H8138

and struck

to fold, i.e., duplicate (literally or figuratively); by implication, to transmute (transitive or intransitive)

#17

ל֖וֹ

#18

וַיָּמֹ֑ת

H4191

and he died

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

#19

וְיוֹאָב֙

H3097

So Joab

joab, the name of three israelites

#20

וַֽאֲבִישַׁ֣י

H52

and Abishai

abishai, an israelite

#21

אָחִ֔יו

H251

his brother

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

#22

רָדַ֕ף

H7291

pursued

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

#23

אַֽחֲרֵ֖י

H310

after

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

#24

שֶׁ֥בַע

H7652

Sheba

sheba, the name of a place in palestine, and of two israelites

#25

בֶּן

H1121

the son

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#26

בִּכְרִֽי׃

H1075

of Bichri

bikri, an israelite

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

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 the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this verse's literary context within 2 Samuel chapter 20 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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