2 Samuel 7:11

Authorized King James Version

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And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.

Original Language Analysis

וּלְמִן H4480
וּלְמִן
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 1 of 20
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַיּ֗וֹם And as since the time H3117
הַיּ֗וֹם And as since the time
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 2 of 20
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
אֲשֶׁ֨ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 3 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
צִוִּ֤יתִי that I commanded H6680
צִוִּ֤יתִי that I commanded
Strong's: H6680
Word #: 4 of 20
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
שֹֽׁפְטִים֙ judges H8199
שֹֽׁפְטִים֙ judges
Strong's: H8199
Word #: 5 of 20
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 6 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עַמִּ֣י to be over my people H5971
עַמִּ֣י to be over my people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 7 of 20
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 8 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַֽהֲנִיחֹ֥תִי and have caused thee to rest H5117
וַֽהֲנִיחֹ֥תִי and have caused thee to rest
Strong's: H5117
Word #: 9 of 20
to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l
לְךָ֖ H0
לְךָ֖
Strong's: H0
Word #: 10 of 20
מִכָּל H3605
מִכָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 11 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֹֽיְבֶ֑יךָ from all thine enemies H341
אֹֽיְבֶ֑יךָ from all thine enemies
Strong's: H341
Word #: 12 of 20
hating; an adversary
וְהִגִּ֤יד telleth H5046
וְהִגִּ֤יד telleth
Strong's: H5046
Word #: 13 of 20
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
לְךָ֙ H0
לְךָ֙
Strong's: H0
Word #: 14 of 20
יְהוָֽה׃ Also the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ Also the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 15 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּי H3588
כִּי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 16 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בַ֖יִת thee an house H1004
בַ֖יִת thee an house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 17 of 20
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יַֽעֲשֶׂה thee that he will make H6213
יַֽעֲשֶׂה thee that he will make
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 18 of 20
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לְּךָ֥ H0
לְּךָ֥
Strong's: H0
Word #: 19 of 20
יְהוָֽה׃ Also the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ Also the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 20 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis & Commentary

And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.

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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