Zechariah 2:2

Authorized King James Version

Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
Then said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אָ֖נָה
where?; hence, whither?, when?; also hither and thither
#3
אַתָּ֣ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#4
הֹלֵ֑ךְ
I Whither goest
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#5
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
Then said
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
אֵלַ֗י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
לָמֹד֙
unto me To measure
properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended
#8
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#10
לִרְא֥וֹת
to see
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#11
וְכַמָּ֥ה
what
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#12
רָחְבָּ֖הּ
is the breadth
width (literally or figuratively)
#13
וְכַמָּ֥ה
what
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#14
אָרְכָּֽהּ׃
thereof and what is the length
length

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Zechariah. 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

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Zechariah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection