2 Samuel 7:23
And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?
Original Language Analysis
וּמִ֤י
H4310
וּמִ֤י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 28
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
עַמְּךָ֗
for a people
H5971
עַמְּךָ֗
for a people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
2 of 28
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
even like Israel
H3478
כְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
even like Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 28
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
גּוֹיִ֖ם
from the nations
H1471
גּוֹיִ֖ם
from the nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
4 of 28
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֶחָ֖ד
And what one
H259
אֶחָ֖ד
And what one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
5 of 28
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָלְכֽוּ
went
H1980
הָלְכֽוּ
went
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
8 of 28
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וֵֽאלֹהָֽיו׃
and their gods
H430
וֵֽאלֹהָֽיו׃
and their gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 of 28
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
פָּדִ֤יתָ
to redeem
H6299
פָּדִ֤יתָ
to redeem
Strong's:
H6299
Word #:
10 of 28
to sever, i.e., ransom; generally to release, preserve
עַמְּךָ֗
for a people
H5971
עַמְּךָ֗
for a people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
12 of 28
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְלָשׂ֧וּם
to himself and to make
H7760
וְלָשׂ֧וּם
to himself and to make
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
13 of 28
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
שֵׁ֗ם
him a name
H8034
שֵׁ֗ם
him a name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
15 of 28
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
וְלַֽעֲשׂ֨וֹת
and to do
H6213
וְלַֽעֲשׂ֨וֹת
and to do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
16 of 28
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
הַגְּדוּלָּ֤ה
for you great things
H1420
הַגְּדוּלָּ֤ה
for you great things
Strong's:
H1420
Word #:
18 of 28
greatness; (concretely) mighty acts
וְנֹֽרָאוֹת֙
and terrible
H3372
וְנֹֽרָאוֹת֙
and terrible
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
19 of 28
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
לְאַרְצֶ֔ךָ
for thy land
H776
לְאַרְצֶ֔ךָ
for thy land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
20 of 28
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
מִפְּנֵ֣י
before
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
21 of 28
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
עַמְּךָ֗
for a people
H5971
עַמְּךָ֗
for a people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
22 of 28
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
23 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
פָּדִ֤יתָ
to redeem
H6299
פָּדִ֤יתָ
to redeem
Strong's:
H6299
Word #:
24 of 28
to sever, i.e., ransom; generally to release, preserve
מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם
to thee from Egypt
H4714
מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם
to thee from Egypt
Strong's:
H4714
Word #:
26 of 28
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
Cross References
Deuteronomy 10:21He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.Deuteronomy 9:26I prayed therefore unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand.Psalms 147:20He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.Psalms 111:9He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.Nehemiah 1:10Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.Deuteronomy 15:15And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.Deuteronomy 33:29Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.Psalms 40:5Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.Ezekiel 20:9But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.Revelation 5:9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
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 what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?
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.