2 Samuel 23:13

Authorized King James Version

And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֵּֽרְד֨וּ
went down
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
#2
שְׁלֹשָׁ֜ים
And three
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
#3
מֵֽהַשְּׁלֹשִׁ֣ים
of the thirty
thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth
#4
רֹ֗אשׁ
chief
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#5
וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ
and came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#6
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
קָצִיר֙
in the harvest time
severed, a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage)
#8
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#9
דָּוִ֔ד
to David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#10
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#11
מְעָרַ֖ת
unto the cave
a cavern (as dark)
#12
עֲדֻלָּ֑ם
of Adullam
adullam, a place in palestine
#13
וְחַיַּ֣ת
and the troop
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#14
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
of the Philistines
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
#15
חֹנָ֖ה
pitched
properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s
#16
בְּעֵ֥מֶק
in the valley
a vale (i.e., broad depression)
#17
רְפָאִֽים׃
of Rephaim
a giant

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, 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

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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