2 Samuel 7:14

Authorized King James Version

I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֲנִי֙
i
#2
אֶֽהְיֶה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#3
לּ֣וֹ
H0
#4
לְאָ֔ב
H1
I will be his father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#5
וְה֖וּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#6
יִֽהְיֶה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#7
לִּ֣י
H0
#8
בְּנֵ֥י
and he shall be my 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
#9
אֲשֶׁר֙
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#10
בְּהַ֣עֲוֹת֔וֹ
If he commit iniquity
to crook, literally or figuratively
#11
וְהֹֽכַחְתִּיו֙
I will chasten
to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict
#12
בְּשֵׁ֣בֶט
him with the rod
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
#13
אֲנָשִׁ֔ים
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#14
וּבְנִגְעֵ֖י
and with the stripes
a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous person or dress)
#15
בְּנֵ֥י
and he shall be my 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
#16
אָדָֽם׃
of men
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

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 revelation 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 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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