English Standard Version
2 Samuel 2:16
16And each caught his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent's side, so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is at Gibeon.
2 Samuel 2:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkath–hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
- New International Version (NIV)Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his dagger into his opponent’s side, and they fell down together. So that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim.
- New King James Version (NKJV)And each one grasped his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called the Field of Sharp Swords, which is in Gibeon.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Each one grabbed his opponent by the hair and thrust his sword into the other’s side so that all of them died. So this place at Gibeon has been known ever since as the Field of Swords.
Context of 2 Samuel 2:16
14And Abner said to Joab, "Let the young men arise and compete before us." And Joab said, "Let them arise." 15Then they arose and passed over by number, twelve for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. And each caught his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent's side, so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is at Gibeon. 17And the battle was very fierce that day. And Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David. 18And the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was as swift of foot as a wild gazelle.
Read all of 2 Samuel 22 Samuel 2:16 word by word
וַֽיַּחֲזִ֜קוּ אִ֣ישׁ׀ בְּרֹ֣אשׁ רֵעֵ֗הוּ וְחַרְבּוֹ֙ בְּצַ֣ד רֵעֵ֔הוּ וַֽיִּפְּל֖וּ יַחְדָּ֑ו וַיִּקְרָא֙ לַמָּק֣וֹם הַה֔וּא חֶלְקַ֥ת הַצֻּרִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּגִבְעֽוֹן׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And they caughtחָזַקchâzaq · to strengthen: holdH2388
- every oneאִישׁ'îysh · man: anyoneH376
- his fellowרֵעַrêa‛ rêya‛ · neighborH7453
- by the headרֹאשׁrô'sh · headH7218
- his swordחֶ֫רֶבchereb · swordH2719
- sideצַדtsad · sideH6654
- so they fell downנָפַלnâphal · to fall: fallH5307
- togetherיָחְדָּוyachad · togetherH3162
- wherefore that placeמָקוֹםmâqôm mâqôm meqômâh meqômâh · placeH4725
- was calledקָרָאqârâ' · to call: call byH7121
- Helkath–hazzurimחֶלְקַת הַצֻּרִיםchelqath hatstsûrîym · Helkath-hazzurimH2521
- in Gibeonגִּבְעוֹןgib‛ôn · GibeonH1391
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 2:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Caught every one his fellow by the head - Probably by the beard, if these persons were not too young to have one, or by the hair of the head. Alexander ordered all the Macedonians to shave their beards; and being asked by Parmenio why they should do so, answered, "Dost thou not know that in battle there is no better hold than the beard?" Helkath-hazzurim - "The portion of the mighty;" or, "The inheritance of those who were slain," according to the Targum.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16Compare Livy‘s history of the battle between the Horatii and Curiatii. This combat, like that, may have been proposed as a means of avoiding the effusion of blood of two nations united by consanguinity, and having a common powerful enemy in the Philistines. Helkath-hazzurim - i. e. “the part, field, or plat Genesis 23:19 of the sharp edges or blades.” This seems, on the whole, the best explanation of this rather obscure name.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-17Verses 8-17 The nation in general refused David. By this the Lord trained up his servant for future honour and usefulness; and the tendency of true godliness was shown in his behaviour while passing through various difficulties. David was herein a type of Christ, whom Israel would not submit to, though anointed of the Father to be a Prince and a Saviour to them. Abner meant, Let the young men fight before us, when he said, Let them play before us: fools…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12-32A long civil war followed between Judah, led by David, and the northern tribes, led by Saul’s family. These events led directly to the murder of Abner (2 Samuel 3:22–39).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 8-178-17. Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host took Ish-bosheth--Here was the establishment of a rival kingdom, which, however, would probably have had no existence but for Abner. Ish-bosheth--or "Esh-baal" (1Ch 8:33; 9:39). The Hebrews usually changed names ending with Baal into Bosheth ("shame") (compare Jud 9:53 with 2Sa 11:21). This prince was so called from his imbecility. Abner--was first cousin of Saul, commander of the forces, and held in high…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Samuel 2:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries