2 Samuel 7:9

Authorized King James Version

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And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.

Original Language Analysis

וָאֶֽהְיֶ֣ה H1961
וָאֶֽהְיֶ֣ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עִמְּךָ֗ H5973
עִמְּךָ֗
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 2 of 18
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
בְּכֹל֙ H3605
בְּכֹל֙
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 3 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 4 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָלַ֔כְתָּ And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest H1980
הָלַ֔כְתָּ And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 5 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וָֽאַכְרִ֥תָה and have cut off H3772
וָֽאַכְרִ֥תָה and have cut off
Strong's: H3772
Word #: 6 of 18
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 7 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 8 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֹֽיְבֶ֖יךָ all thine enemies H341
אֹֽיְבֶ֖יךָ all thine enemies
Strong's: H341
Word #: 9 of 18
hating; an adversary
מִפָּנֶ֑יךָ out of thy sight H6440
מִפָּנֶ֑יךָ out of thy sight
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 10 of 18
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְעָשִׂ֤תִֽי and have made H6213
וְעָשִׂ֤תִֽי and have made
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 11 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לְךָ֙ H0
לְךָ֙
Strong's: H0
Word #: 12 of 18
כְּשֵׁ֥ם like unto the name H8034
כְּשֵׁ֥ם like unto the name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 13 of 18
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
הַגְּדֹלִ֖ים of the great H1419
הַגְּדֹלִ֖ים of the great
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 14 of 18
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
כְּשֵׁ֥ם like unto the name H8034
כְּשֵׁ֥ם like unto the name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 15 of 18
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
הַגְּדֹלִ֖ים of the great H1419
הַגְּדֹלִ֖ים of the great
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 16 of 18
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 17 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בָּאָֽרֶץ׃ men that are in the earth H776
בָּאָֽרֶץ׃ men that are in the earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 18 of 18
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Analysis & Commentary

And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.

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.

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.

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