2 Samuel 24:21

Authorized King James Version

And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֲרַ֔וְנָה
And Araunah
aravnah (or arnijah or ornah), a jebusite
#3
מַדּ֛וּעַ
what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?
#4
בָּ֥א
come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#5
אֲדֹנִֽי
Wherefore is my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#6
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ
the king
a king
#7
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#8
עַבְדּ֑וֹ
to his servant
a servant
#9
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#10
דָּוִ֜ד
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#11
לִקְנ֧וֹת
To buy
to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
#12
מֵֽעִמְּךָ֣
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#13
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#14
הַגֹּ֗רֶן
the threshingfloor
a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area
#15
לִבְנ֤וֹת
of thee to build
to build (literally and figuratively)
#16
מִזְבֵּ֙חַ֙
an altar
an altar
#17
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
unto the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#18
וְתֵֽעָצַ֥ר
may be stayed
to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble
#19
הַמַּגֵּפָ֖ה
that the plague
a pestilence; by analogy, defeat
#20
מֵעַ֥ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#21
הָעָֽם׃
from the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 2 Samuel. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, 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

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources