2 Samuel 24:3

Authorized King James Version

And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
יוֹאָ֜ב
And Joab
joab, the name of three israelites
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ
the king
a king
#5
וְיוֹסֵ֣ף
add
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
#6
יְהוָה֩
Now the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#7
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ
thy God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#8
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#9
הָעָ֜ם
unto the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#10
וְכָהֵם֙
how many soever
they (only used when emphatic)
#11
וְכָהֵם֙
how many soever
they (only used when emphatic)
#12
מֵאָ֣ה
they be an hundredfold
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#13
פְעָמִ֔ים
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
#14
וְעֵינֵ֥י
and that the eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#15
וַֽאדֹנִ֣י
it but why doth my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#16
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ
the king
a king
#17
רֹא֑וֹת
may see
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#18
וַֽאדֹנִ֣י
it but why doth my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#19
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ
the king
a king
#20
לָ֥מָּה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#21
חָפֵ֖ץ
delight
properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
#22
בַּדָּבָ֥ר
in this thing
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#23
הַזֶּֽה׃
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

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 sovereignty 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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

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

People

Study Resources