2 Samuel 7:23

Authorized King James Version

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?

Word-by-Word Analysis

וּמִ֤י

H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

עַמְּךָ֗

H5971

for a people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

כְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל

H3478

even like Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

גּוֹיִ֖ם

H1471

from the nations

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אֶחָ֖ד

H259

And what one

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לְאַרְצֶ֔ךָ

H776

for thy land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הָלְכֽוּ

H1980

went

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וֵֽאלֹהָֽיו׃

H430

and their gods

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

#10

פָּדִ֤יתָ

H6299

to redeem

to sever, i.e., ransom; generally to release, preserve

#11

ל֨וֹ

#12

עַמְּךָ֗

H5971

for a people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#13

וְלָשׂ֧וּם

H7760

to himself and to make

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

#14

ל֣וֹ

#15

שֵׁ֗ם

H8034

him a name

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

#16

וְלַֽעֲשׂ֨וֹת

H6213

and to do

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#17

לָכֶ֜ם

#18

הַגְּדוּלָּ֤ה

H1420

for you great things

greatness; (concretely) mighty acts

#19

וְנֹֽרָאוֹת֙

H3372

and terrible

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

#20

לְאַרְצֶ֔ךָ

H776

for thy land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#21

מִפְּנֵ֣י

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#22

עַמְּךָ֗

H5971

for a people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#23

אֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#24

פָּדִ֤יתָ

H6299

to redeem

to sever, i.e., ransom; generally to release, preserve

#25

לְּךָ֙

#26

מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם

H4714

to thee from Egypt

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

#27

גּוֹיִ֖ם

H1471

from the nations

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

#28

וֵֽאלֹהָֽיו׃

H430

and their gods

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

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 2 Samuel. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

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