God’s Word Translation
2 Samuel 20:8
8When they were at the large rock in Gibeon, Amasa met them there. Joab wore a military uniform, and strapped over it at his hip was a sword in a scabbard. As he stepped forward, the sword dropped ⌞into his hand⌟.
2 Samuel 20:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab’s garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.
- New International Version (NIV)While they were at the great rock in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was wearing his military tunic, and strapped over it at his waist was a belt with a dagger in its sheath. As he stepped forward, it dropped out of its sheath.
- English Standard Version (ESV)When they were at the great stone that is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Now Joab was wearing a soldier's garment, and over it was a belt with a sword in its sheath fastened on his thigh, and as he went forward it fell out.
- New King James Version (NKJV)When they were at the large stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came before them. Now Joab was dressed in battle armor; on it was a belt with a sword fastened in its sheath at his hips; and as he was going forward, it fell out.
Context of 2 Samuel 20:8
6David then told Abishai, “Sheba, son of Bichri, will do us more harm than Absalom. Take my men and go after him, or he will find some fortified cities and take the best ones for himself.” 7So Joab’s men, the Cherethites, Pelethites, and all the soldiers went with Abishai. They left Jerusalem to pursue Sheba, Bichri’s son. When they were at the large rock in Gibeon, Amasa met them there. Joab wore a military uniform, and strapped over it at his hip was a sword in a scabbard. As he stepped forward, the sword dropped ⌞into his hand⌟. 9“How are you, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. He took hold of Amasa’s beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10Amasa wasn’t on his guard against the sword in Joab’s ⌞left⌟ hand. Joab stabbed him in the stomach, and his intestines poured out on the ground. (He died without being stabbed again.) Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba, son of Bichri.
Read all of 2 Samuel 202 Samuel 20:8 word by word
הֵ֗ם עִם־הָאֶ֤בֶן הַגְּדוֹלָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּגִבְע֔וֹן וַעֲמָשָׂ֖א בָּ֣א לִפְנֵיהֶ֑ם וְיוֹאָ֞ב חָג֣וּר׀ מִדּ֣וֹ לְבֻשׁ֗וּ וְעָלָ֞יו חֲג֥וֹר חֶ֙רֶב֙ מְצֻמֶּ֤דֶת עַל־מָתְנָיו֙ בְּתַעְרָ֔הּ וְה֥וּא יָצָ֖א וַתִּפֹּֽל׃ סRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- at the greatגָּדוֹלgâdôl gâdôl · great: largeH1419
- stoneאֶ֫בֶן'eben · stoneH68
- in Gibeonגִּבְעוֹןgib‛ôn · GibeonH1391
- Amasaעֲמָשָׂא‛ămâώâ' · AmasaH6021
- wentבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
- beforeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
- them. And Joab’sיוֹאָבyô'âb · JoabH3097
- garmentמַדmad mêd · garmentH4055
- that he had put onלְבוּשׁlebûsh lebûsh · clothingH3830
- was girdedחָגַרchâgar · to girdH2296
- unto him, and upon it a girdleחָגוֹרchăgôr · beltedH2289
- a swordחֶ֫רֶבchereb · swordH2719
- fastenedצָמַדtsâmad · to joinH6775
- upon his loinsמׇתְנַ֫יִםmôthen · loinH4975
- in the sheathתַּ֫עַרta‛ar · razorH8593
- thereof; and as he went forthיָצָאyâtsâ' · to come out: comeH3318
- it fell outנָפַלnâphal · to fall: fallH5307
Cross-references for 2 Samuel 20:8
- 2 Samuel 2:13Zeruiah’s son Joab and David’s officers also left ⌞Hebron⌟. Both groups met at the pool of Gibeon. They sat down there, one group on one side of the pool and the other group on the other side of the pool.
- 2 Samuel 3:30(Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)
- 2 Samuel 20:4The king told Amasa, “Call the people of Judah together for me, and in three days be here yourself.”
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 20:8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8Joab's garment - It appears that this was not a military garment; and that Joab had no arms but a short sword, which he had concealed in his girdle; and this sword, or knife, was so loose in its sheath that it could be easily drawn out. It is thought farther, that Joab, in passing to Amasa, stumbled, (for so some of the versions, and able critics, understand the words it fell out). and that the sword fell down when he stumbled; that he took it up with his…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8Amasa went before them - Rather, “advanced to meet them.” Amasa was no doubt returning to Jerusalem, according to his orders 2 Samuel 20:4, and was probably much surprised to meet the army in march. Joab‘s resolution was quickly taken. And Joab‘s garment - Render, “And Joab was girded with his military garment, as his clothing, and upon it” - i. e., the military garment - (or “him”), “the girdle of a sword fastened on his loins in its sheath, and as he…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4-13Verses 4-13 Joab barbarously murdered Amasa. The more plot there is in a sin, the worse it is. Joab contentedly sacrificed the interest both of the king and the kingdom to his personal revenge. But one would wonder with what face a murderer could pursue a traitor; and how, under such a load of guilt, he had courage to enter upon danger: his conscience was seared.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. Amasa went before them--Having collected some forces, he by a rapid march overtook the expedition at Gibeon, and assumed the place of commander; in which capacity, he was saluted, among others, by Joab. Joab's garment, that he had put on was girded unto him--in the fashion of travellers and soldiers. a sword ... and as he went forth it fell out--that is, out of the scabbard. According to Josephus, he let it drop on purpose as he was accosting Amasa…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Samuel 20:8
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 20
- 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
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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