2 Samuel 20:9

2 Samuel 20:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And Joab said to Amasa, "Is it well with you, my brother?" And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then Joab said to Amasa, “Are you in health, my brother?” And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.
• New Living Translation (NLT)“How are you, my cousin?” Joab said and took him by the beard with his right hand as though to kiss him.

Context of 2 Samuel 20:9

7So Joab’s men and the Kerethites and Pelethites and all the mighty warriors went out under the command of Abishai. They marched out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bikri. 8While 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. Joab said to Amasa, “How are you, my brother?” Then Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10Amasa was not on his guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab plunged it into his belly, and his intestines spilled out on the ground. Without being stabbed again, Amasa died. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bikri. 11One of Joab’s men stood beside Amasa and said, “Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab!”

2 Samuel 20:9 word by word

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יוֹאָב֙ לַעֲמָשָׂ֔א הֲשָׁל֥וֹם אַתָּ֖ה אָחִ֑י וַתֹּ֜חֶז יַד־יְמִ֥ין יוֹאָ֛ב בִּזְקַ֥ן עֲמָשָׂ֖א לִנְשָׁק־לֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And Joabיוֹאָבyô'âb · JoabH3097
• saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• to Amasaעֲמָשָׂא‛ămâώâ' · AmasaH6021
• thou in healthשָׁלוֹםshâlôm shâlôm · peace: well-beingH7965
• my brotherאָח'âch · brother: compatriotH251
• tookאָחַז'âchaz · to graspH270
• by the beardזָקָןzâqân · beardH2206
• with the rightיָמִיןyâmîyn · rightH3225
• handיָדyâd · handH3027
• to kissנָשַׁקnâshaq · to kissH5401

Cross-references for 2 Samuel 20:9

• Psalms 55:21His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.
• Proverbs 26:24Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
• Micah 7:2The faithful have been swept from the land; not one upright person remains. Everyone lies in wait to shed blood; they hunt each other with nets.
• Matthew 26:48Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.”
• Luke 22:47While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him,

Commentaries on 2 Samuel 20:9

• 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
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9to kiss him: This was a common greeting that showed respect and warmth. However, such greetings were not always sincere (compare 2 Samuel 14:33).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him--This act, common with two friends on meeting when one of them returns from a journey, indicates respect as well as kindliness, and the performance of it evinced the deep hypocrisy of Joab, who thereby put Amasa off his guard. No wonder, then, that while this act of friendly gratulation after long absence occupied Amasa's attention, he did not perceive the sword that was in Joab's left hand. The…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Samuel 20:9

• Abishai
• Amasa
• Assassination
• Confidence
• David
• Homicide
• Joab
• Kiss
• Salutations
• Treachery

In the dictionaries

• Joab
• Amasa
• Gibeon
• Heed
• Sheba
• Wont
• Bible, the
• Crime; Crimes
• David
• Greeting

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