2 Samuel 20:7

Authorized King James Version

And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֵּֽצְאוּ֙
And there went out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#2
אַֽחֲרֵ֖י
after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#3
אַנְשֵׁ֣י
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)
#4
יוֹאָ֔ב
him Joab's
joab, the name of three israelites
#5
וְהַכְּרֵתִ֥י
and the Cherethites
a kerethite or life-guardsman
#6
וְהַפְּלֵתִ֖י
and the Pelethites
a courier (collectively) or official messenger
#7
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#8
הַגִּבֹּרִ֑ים
and all the mighty men
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
#9
וַיֵּֽצְאוּ֙
And there went out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#10
מִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
of Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#11
לִרְדֹּ֕ף
to pursue
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
#12
אַֽחֲרֵ֖י
after
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#13
שֶׁ֥בַע
Sheba
sheba, the name of a place in palestine, and of two israelites
#14
בֶּן
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
#15
בִּכְרִֽי׃
of Bichri
bikri, an israelite

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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