2 Samuel 8:2

Authorized King James Version

And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּ֣ךְ
And he smote
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#2
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
מוֹאָב֙
And so the Moabites
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
#4
וַיְמַדֵּ֤ד
and measured
properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended
#5
הַחֶ֖בֶל
line
ruin
#6
הַשְׁכֵּ֣ב
casting them down
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
#7
אוֹתָ֣ם
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
אַ֔רְצָה
to the ground
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#9
וַיְמַדֵּ֤ד
and measured
properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended
#10
שְׁנֵֽי
even with two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#11
הַחֶ֖בֶל
line
ruin
#12
לְהָמִ֔ית
he to put to death
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#13
וּמְלֹ֥א
and with one full
fulness (literally or figuratively)
#14
הַחֶ֖בֶל
line
ruin
#15
לְהַֽחֲי֑וֹת
to keep alive
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
#16
וַתְּהִ֤י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#17
מוֹאָב֙
And so the Moabites
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
#18
לְדָוִ֔ד
became David's
david, the youngest son of jesse
#19
לַֽעֲבָדִ֖ים
servants
a servant
#20
נֹֽשְׂאֵ֥י
and brought
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#21
מִנְחָֽה׃
gifts
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

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 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 revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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