2 Samuel 22:10

Authorized King James Version

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He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.

Original Language Analysis

וַיֵּ֥ט He bowed H5186
וַיֵּ֥ט He bowed
Strong's: H5186
Word #: 1 of 6
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
שָׁמַ֖יִם the heavens H8064
שָׁמַ֖יִם the heavens
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 2 of 6
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וַיֵּרַ֑ד also and came down H3381
וַיֵּרַ֑ד also and came down
Strong's: H3381
Word #: 3 of 6
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
וַֽעֲרָפֶ֖ל and darkness H6205
וַֽעֲרָפֶ֖ל and darkness
Strong's: H6205
Word #: 4 of 6
gloom (as of a lowering sky)
תַּ֥חַת H8478
תַּ֥חַת
Strong's: H8478
Word #: 5 of 6
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
רַגְלָֽיו׃ was under his feet H7272
רַגְלָֽיו׃ was under his feet
Strong's: H7272
Word #: 6 of 6
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

Analysis & Commentary

He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.

This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Song, emphasizing praising God for deliverance. David's psalm of deliverance (parallel to Psalm 18) celebrates God's faithfulness throughout his tumultuous reign. The Hebrew poetry employs vivid imagery of divine intervention, warrior language, and covenant terminology. Theological themes include praising God for deliverance, reviewing God's faithfulness in retrospect, the righteousness of God's judgments, and anticipation of ultimate victory through God's anointed (messianic overtones).

Historical Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 22 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding praising God for deliverance provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

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