2 Samuel 7:12
And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י׀
H3588
כִּ֣י׀
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יִמְלְא֣וּ
be fulfilled
H4390
יִמְלְא֣וּ
be fulfilled
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
2 of 16
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
יָמֶ֗יךָ
And when thy days
H3117
יָמֶ֗יךָ
And when thy days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
3 of 16
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
וְשָֽׁכַבְתָּ֙
and thou shalt sleep
H7901
וְשָֽׁכַבְתָּ֙
and thou shalt sleep
Strong's:
H7901
Word #:
4 of 16
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
אֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ
with thy fathers
H1
אֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ
with thy fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
6 of 16
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וַהֲקִֽימֹתִ֤י
I will set up
H6965
וַהֲקִֽימֹתִ֤י
I will set up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
7 of 16
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
זַרְעֲךָ֙
thy seed
H2233
זַרְעֲךָ֙
thy seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
9 of 16
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
אַֽחֲרֶ֔יךָ
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֶ֔יךָ
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
10 of 16
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יֵצֵ֖א
thee which shall proceed
H3318
יֵצֵ֖א
thee which shall proceed
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
12 of 16
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מִמֵּעֶ֑יךָ
out of thy bowels
H4578
מִמֵּעֶ֑יךָ
out of thy bowels
Strong's:
H4578
Word #:
13 of 16
used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively, sympathy; by implication, a vest; by extension the stomach, the uteru
וַהֲכִֽינֹתִ֖י
and I will establish
H3559
וַהֲכִֽינֹתִ֖י
and I will establish
Strong's:
H3559
Word #:
14 of 16
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
Cross References
1 Kings 8:20And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.1 Kings 2:1Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,Acts 2:30Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;Acts 13:36For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:1 Chronicles 17:11And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.Deuteronomy 31:16And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.Isaiah 11:10And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.Isaiah 9:7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.1 Corinthians 15:51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,1 Thessalonians 4:14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
Historical Context
The historical setting of 2 Samuel 7 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 eternal promises, Messianic hope 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage deepen your understanding of eternal promises, Messianic hope?
- What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
- In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
This verse contributes to the narrative of Davidic Covenant, emphasizing eternal promises, Messianic hope. The Davidic Covenant represents one of Scripture's most significant theological developments, promising an eternal dynasty culminating in Messiah. The Hebrew bayit (בַּיִת, 'house') functions as wordplay—David wanted to build God a house (temple), but God promises to build David a house (dynasty). Cross-references to Psalm 89, 2 Samuel 23:5, and New Testament passages (Luke 1:32-33, Acts 2:30) demonstrate this covenant's centrality to redemptive history.