2 Samuel 20:15

Authorized King James Version

And they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּבֹ֜אוּ
And they came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
וַיָּצֻ֣רוּ
and besieged
to cramp, i.e., confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile)
#3
עָלָ֗יו
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#4
בְּאָבֵ֙לָה֙
H59
him in Abel
abel, the name of two places in palestine
#5
בֵּ֣ית
H0
#6
הַֽמַּעֲכָ֔ה
of Bethmaachah
beth-maakah, a place in palestine
#7
וַיִּשְׁפְּכ֤וּ
and they cast up
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
#8
סֹֽלְלָה֙
a bank
a military mound, i.e., rampart of besiegers
#9
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
הָעִ֔יר
against the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#11
וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֖ד
and it stood
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#12
בַּחֵ֑ל
in the trench
an army; also (by analogy,) an intrenchment
#13
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#14
הָעָם֙
and all the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#15
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#16
אֶת
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#17
יוֹאָ֔ב
that were with Joab
joab, the name of three israelites
#18
מַשְׁחִיתִ֖ם
battered
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
#19
לְהַפִּ֥יל
to throw it down
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#20
הַֽחוֹמָֽה׃
the wall
a wall of protection

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of covenant community connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about covenant community, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 2 Samuel.

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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