What Does 2 Samuel 3:4 Mean in the King James?
And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
This family line hides two declarations inside its names: YHWH is Lord, and YHWH judges.
THE MEANING
The verse places two declarations side by side: Adonijah names YHWH as Lord, and Shephatiah names YHWH as judge. A name here carries a nature and a claim of allegiance, so identity is voiced before a deed is described.
THE ROOT
שְׁפַטְיָה
Shephatyah
GROWS FROM
שפט
To judge, decide, or govern.
The name places the act of judging inside a person’s name: Shephatiah means YHWH has judged. English hears a personal name; Hebrew keeps the root of judgment audible within it.
ALSO GROWS
shofet: Judge; one who decides or governs.
שֹׁפֵט
The same root names the one who exercises judgment, showing how the name’s claim connects YHWH with authority.
mishpat: Judgment, justice, or a right decision.
מִשְׁפָּט
This branch names the judgment itself, making the name’s declaration part of a wider language of deciding what is right.
אֲדֹנִיָּה
Adoniyah
GROWS FROM
אדן
Lord or master; one who holds authority.
Adonijah joins adon, lord, with Yah, so the name declares who holds authority: YHWH is my Lord. Beside Shephatiah, it makes the verse’s names sound like compact statements of allegiance and judgment.
ALSO GROWS
adon: Lord or master.
אָדוֹן
This is the authority named directly in Adonijah, making the name a statement about who rules.
Adonai: Lord; a title of divine authority.
אֲדֹנָי
The related title carries the same language of lordship that Adonijah places beside the name of YHWH.
THE PATTERN
A name can carry a declaration of relationship, calling, or character rather than merely label its bearer.
Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.THE THREAD
Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.Shephatiah contains shaphat, the root used here for the LORD’s act of judging. The name’s compact claim opens into a fuller picture: judgment reaches the earth and is joined with righteousness and truth.
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