2 Samuel 21:18

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַֽיְהִי֙
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
אַֽחֲרֵי
And it came to pass after this
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#3
כֵ֔ן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#4
וַתְּהִי
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#5
ע֧וֹד
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
#6
הַמִּלְחָמָ֛ה
that there was again a battle
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#7
בְּג֖וֹב
at Gob
gob, a place in palestine
#8
עִם
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#9
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
with the Philistines
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
#10
אָ֣ז
at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore
#11
הִכָּ֗ה
slew
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#12
סִבְּכַי֙
then Sibbechai
sibbecai, an israelite
#13
הַחֻ֣שָׁתִ֔י
the Hushathite
a chushathite or descendant of chushah
#14
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
סַ֕ף
Saph
saph, a philistine
#16
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#17
בִּֽילִדֵ֥י
which was of the sons
born
#18
הָֽרָפָֽה׃
of the giant
a giant

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

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 divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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