2 Samuel 4:8

Authorized King James Version

And they brought the head of Ish-bosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life; and the LORD hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַ֠יָּבִאוּ
And they brought
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
רֹ֣אשׁ
Behold the head
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#4
אִֽישׁ
H0
#5
בֹּ֗שֶׁת
of Ishbosheth
ish-bosheth, a son of king saul
#6
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
דָּוִד֮
unto David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#8
חֶבְרוֹן֒
to Hebron
chebron, the name of two israelites
#9
וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#10
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#11
הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ
the king
a king
#12
הִנֵּֽה
lo!
#13
רֹ֣אשׁ
Behold the head
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#14
אִֽישׁ
H0
#15
בֹּ֗שֶׁת
of Ishbosheth
ish-bosheth, a son of king saul
#16
בֶּן
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#17
מִשָּׁא֖וּל
of Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#18
אֹֽיִבְךָ֔
thine enemy
hating; an adversary
#19
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#20
בִּקֵּ֖שׁ
which sought
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
#21
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#22
נַפְשֶׁ֑ךָ
thy life
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#23
וַיִּתֵּ֣ן
hath
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#24
יְ֠הוָה
and the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#25
לַֽאדֹנִ֨י
my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#26
הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ
the king
a king
#27
נְקָמוֹת֙
avenged
avengement, whether the act of the passion
#28
הַיּ֣וֹם
this day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#29
הַזֶּ֔ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#30
מִשָּׁא֖וּל
of Saul
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
#31
וּמִזַּרְעֽוֹ׃
and of his seed
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of life connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about life, 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

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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