2 Samuel 7:13

Authorized King James Version

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He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

Original Language Analysis

ה֥וּא H1931
ה֥וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 1 of 10
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יִבְנֶה He shall build H1129
יִבְנֶה He shall build
Strong's: H1129
Word #: 2 of 10
to build (literally and figuratively)
בַּ֖יִת an house H1004
בַּ֖יִת an house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 3 of 10
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
לִשְׁמִ֑י for my name H8034
לִשְׁמִ֑י for my name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 4 of 10
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
וְכֹֽנַנְתִּ֛י and I will stablish H3559
וְכֹֽנַנְתִּ֛י and I will stablish
Strong's: H3559
Word #: 5 of 10
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 6 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כִּסֵּ֥א the throne H3678
כִּסֵּ֥א the throne
Strong's: H3678
Word #: 7 of 10
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)
מַמְלַכְתּ֖וֹ of his kingdom H4467
מַמְלַכְתּ֖וֹ of his kingdom
Strong's: H4467
Word #: 8 of 10
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
עַד for H5704
עַד for
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 9 of 10
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
עוֹלָֽם׃ ever H5769
עוֹלָֽם׃ ever
Strong's: H5769
Word #: 10 of 10
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

Cross References

1 Kings 8:19Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.1 Kings 5:5And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.1 Kings 6:12Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:Psalms 89:4Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.Isaiah 9:7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.Psalms 89:29His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.Zechariah 6:13Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.2 Samuel 7:16And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.Hebrews 3:3For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.Isaiah 49:8Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

Analysis & Commentary

He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

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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