2 Samuel 9:10

Authorized King James Version

Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְעָבַ֣דְתָּ
shall till
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
#2
לּ֣וֹ
H0
#3
אֶֽת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
הָאֲדָמָ֡ה
the land
soil (from its general redness)
#5
אַתָּה֩
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#6
בָּנִ֖ים
Thou therefore and thy sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#7
עֲבָדִֽים׃
and thy servants
a servant
#8
וְהֵבֵ֗אתָ
for him and thou shalt bring
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#9
וְהָיָ֨ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#10
בָּנִ֖ים
Thou therefore and thy sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#11
אֲדֹנֶ֔יךָ
in the fruits that thy master's
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#12
לֶ֖חֶם
bread
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
#13
יֹאכַ֥ל
shall eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#14
וּמְפִיבֹ֙שֶׁת֙
but Mephibosheth
mephibosheth, the name of two israelites
#15
בָּנִ֖ים
Thou therefore and thy sons
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
אֲדֹנֶ֔יךָ
in the fruits that thy master's
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#17
יֹאכַ֥ל
shall eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#18
תָּמִ֛יד
alway
properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re
#19
לֶ֖חֶם
bread
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
#20
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#21
שֻׁלְחָנִ֑י
at my table
a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal
#22
וּלְצִיבָ֗א
Now Ziba
tsiba, an israelite
#23
חֲמִשָּׁ֥ה
had fifteen
five
#24
עָשָׂ֛ר
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#25
בָּנִ֖ים
Thou therefore and thy sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#26
וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים
and twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#27
עֲבָדִֽים׃
and thy servants
a servant

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 2 Samuel. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. 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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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