2 Samuel 21:20

Authorized King James Version

And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתְּהִי
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
ע֥וֹד
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
#3
מִלְחָמָ֖ה
And there was yet a battle
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#4
בְּגַ֑ת
in Gath
gath, a philistine city
#5
וַיְהִ֣י׀
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#6
אִ֣ישׁ
where was a man
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)
#7
מָד֗יֹן
of great stature
extensiveness, i.e., height
#8
וְאֶצְבְּעֹ֨ת
fingers
something to sieze with, i.e., a finger; by analogy, a toe
#9
יָדָיו֩
that had on every 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
#10
וְאֶצְבְּעֹ֨ת
fingers
something to sieze with, i.e., a finger; by analogy, a toe
#11
רַגְלָ֜יו
and on every foot
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
#12
וָשֵׁ֗שׁ
six
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
#13
וָשֵׁ֗שׁ
six
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
#14
עֶשְׂרִ֤ים
and twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#15
וְאַרְבַּע֙
four
four
#16
מִסְפָּ֔ר
in number
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
#17
וְגַם
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#18
ה֖וּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#19
יֻלַּ֥ד
and he also was born
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
#20
לְהָֽרָפָֽה׃
to the giant
a giant

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

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