Matthew 2:16

Authorized King James Version

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Τότε
G5119
Then
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
#2
Ἡρῴδης
G2264
Herod
heroic; herod, the name of four jewish kings
#3
ἰδὼν
G1492
when he saw
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
#4
ὅτι
G3754
that
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#5
ἐνεπαίχθη
G1702
he was mocked
to jeer at, i.e., deride
#6
ὑπὸ
G5259
of
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
#7
τῶν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
μάγων
G3097
the wise men
a magian (magi), i.e., oriental scientist; by implication, a magician
#9
ἐθυμώθη
G2373
wroth
to put in a passion, i.e., enrage
#10
λίαν
G3029
was exceeding
much (adverbially)
#11
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#12
ἀποστείλας
G649
sent forth
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
#13
ἀνεῖλεν
G337
and slew
to take up, i.e., adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), i.e., abolish, murder
#14
πᾶσιν
G3956
all
all, any, every, the whole
#15
τοὺς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#16
παῖδας
G3816
the children
a boy (as often beaten with impunity), or (by analogy), a girl, and (genitive case) a child; specially, a slave or servant (especially a minister to a
#17
τοὺς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#18
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#19
Βηθλεὲμ
G965
Bethlehem
bethleem (i.e., beth-lechem), a place in palestine
#20
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#21
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#22
πᾶσιν
G3956
all
all, any, every, the whole
#23
τοῖς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#24
ὁρίοις
G3725
the coasts
a boundary-line, i.e., (by implication) a frontier (region)
#25
αὐτῆς
G846
thereof
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#26
ἀπὸ
G575
from
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
#27
διετοῦς
G1332
two years old
of two years (in age)
#28
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#29
κατωτέρω
G2736
under
downwards
#30
κατὰ
G2596
according
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
#31
τὸν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#32
χρόνον
G5550
to the time
a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from g2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from g0165, which denotes a
#33
ὃν
G3739
which
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#34
ἠκρίβωσεν
G198
he had diligently enquired
to be exact, i.e., ascertain
#35
παρὰ
G3844
of
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
#36
τῶν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#37
μάγων
G3097
the wise men
a magian (magi), i.e., oriental scientist; by implication, a magician

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 first-century Palestinian Jewish culture under Roman occupation 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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