2 Samuel 20 שְׁמוּאֵל ב פרק כ׳

Masoretic Text, word by word with transliteration and English glosses, the English verse beneath each. Open 2 Samuel 20 in the interlinear reader for roots and notes, or listen to it read aloud in Hebrew.

1. 1

   וְשָׁםve/SHAMand thereנִקְרָאnik/RAhappened to beאִישׁisha man ofבְּלִיַּעַלbe/liy/YA/alworthlessnessוּשְׁמוֹu/she/MOand his nameשֶׁבַעSHE/vaShebaבֶּן־בִּכְרִיben-Bikh/RIthe son of Bichriאִישׁisha manיְמִינִיYe/mi/NIa Benjamiteוַיִּתְקַעvay/yit/KAand he blewבַּשֹּׁפָרbash/sho/FARthe trumpetוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidאֵין־לָנוּen-LA/nuwe have noחֵלֶקCHE/lekpartבְּדָוִדbe/Da/VIDin Davidוְלֹאve/LOand notנַחֲלָה־לָנוּna/cha/LA-LA/nuinheritance to usבְּבֶן־יִשַׁיbe/VEN-yi/SHAYin the son of Jesseאִישׁishevery manלְאֹהָלָיוle/o/ha/LAYVto his tentsיִשְׂרָאֵל׃Yis/ra/ELO Israel

   And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.

2. 2

   וַיַּעַלvay/YA/aland went upכׇּל־אִישׁkol-ishall the men ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYis/ra/ELIsraelמֵאַחֲרֵיme/a/cha/REfrom afterדָוִדDa/VIDDavidאַחֲרֵיa/cha/REafterשֶׁבַעSHE/vaShebaבֶּן־בִּכְרִיben-Bikh/RIthe son of Bichriוְאִישׁve/ISHbut the men ofיְהוּדָהYe/hu/DAJudahדָּבְקוּda/ve/KUclungבְמַלְכָּםve/mal/KAMto their kingמִן־הַיַּרְדֵּןmin-Hay/yar/DENfrom the Jordanוְעַד־יְרוּשָׁלָ͏ִם׃ve/AD-ye/ru/sha/LA/yimas far as Jerusalem

   So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.

3. 3

   וַיָּבֹאvay/ya/VOand cameדָוִדDa/VIDDavidאֶל־בֵּיתוֹel-be/TOto his houseיְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִםYe/ru/sha/LA/yimJerusalemוַיִּקַּחvay/yik/KACHand tookהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingאֵת־עֶשֶׂר־נָשִׁיםet-E/ser-na/SHIMthe ten womenפִּלַגְשִׁיםpi/lag/SHIMconcubinesאֲשֶׁרa/SHERwhomהִנִּיחַhin/NI/achhe had leftלִשְׁמֹרlish/MORto keepהַבַּיִתhab/BA/yitthe houseוַיִּתְּנֵםvay/yit/te/NEMand put themבֵּית־מִשְׁמֶרֶתbet-mish/ME/retin a house of guardוַיְכַלְכְּלֵםvay/khal/ke/LEMand provided for themוַאֲלֵיהֶםva/a/le/HEMbut to themלֹא־בָאlo-vahe did not go inוַתִּהְיֶינָהvat/tih/YE/naand they wereצְרֻרוֹתtse/ru/ROTshut upעַד־יוֹםad-yomuntil the day ofמֻתָןmu/TANtheir deathאַלְמְנוּתal/me/NUTin widowhood ofחַיּוּת׃chay/YUTliving

   And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood.

4. 4

   וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingאֶל־עֲמָשָׂאel-A/ma/SAto Amasaהַזְעֶק־לִיhaz/EK-lisummon for meאֶת־אִישׁ־יְהוּדָהet-Ish-ye/hu/DAthe men of Judahשְׁלֹשֶׁתshe/LO/shetthreeיָמִיםya/MIMdaysוְאַתָּהve/at/TAand youפֹּהpohereעֲמֹד׃a/MODstand

   Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present.

5. 5

   וַיֵּלֶךְvay/YE/lekhand wentעֲמָשָׂאA/ma/SAAmasaלְהַזְעִיקle/haz/IKto summonאֶת־יְהוּדָהet-Ye/hu/DAJudah[וַיּוֹחֶר]vay/YO/cherand he delayedמִן־הַמּוֹעֵדmin-ham/mo/EDbeyond the appointed timeאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthatיְעָדוֹ׃ye/a/DOhe had appointed him

   So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him.

6. 6

   וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidאֶל־אֲבִישַׁיel-A/vi/SHAYto Abishaiעַתָּהat/TAnowיֵרַעye/RAwill do evilלָנוּLA/nuto usשֶׁבַעSHE/vaShebaבֶּן־בִּכְרִיben-Bikh/RIthe son of Bichriמִן־אַבְשָׁלוֹםmin-Av/sha/LOMmore than Absalomאַתָּהat/TAyouקַחkachtakeאֶת־עַבְדֵיet-av/DEthe servants ofאֲדֹנֶיךָa/do/NE/khayour lordוּרְדֹףu/re/DOFand pursueאַחֲרָיוa/cha/RAYVafter himפֶּן־מָצָאpen-MA/tsalest he findלוֹlofor himselfעָרִיםa/RIMcitiesבְּצֻרוֹתbe/tsu/ROTfortifiedוְהִצִּילve/hits/TSILand snatch awayעֵינֵנוּ׃e/NE/nuour eye

   And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.

7. 7

   וַיֵּצְאוּvay/yets/Uand went outאַחֲרָיוa/cha/RAYVafter himאַנְשֵׁיan/SHEthe men ofיוֹאָבYo/AVJoabוְהַכְּרֵתִיve/hak/Ke/re/TIand the Cherethitesוְהַפְּלֵתִיve/hap/Pe/le/TIand the Pelethitesוְכׇל־הַגִּבֹּרִיםve/KHOL-hag/gib/bo/RIMand all the mighty menוַיֵּצְאוּvay/yets/Uand went outמִירוּשָׁלַ͏ִםmI/ru/sha/LA/yimfrom Jerusalemלִרְדֹּףlir/DOFto pursueאַחֲרֵיa/cha/REafterשֶׁבַעSHE/vaShebaבֶּן־בִּכְרִי׃ben-Bikh/RIthe son of Bichri

   And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

8. 8

   הֵםhemthey wereעִם־הָאֶבֶןim-ha/E/venby the stoneהַגְּדוֹלָהhag/ge/do/LAgreatאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthat isבְּגִבְעוֹןbe/Giv/ONat Gibeonוַעֲמָשָׂאva/A/ma/SAand Amasaבָּאbacameלִפְנֵיהֶםlif/ne/HEMbefore themוְיוֹאָבve/Yo/AVand Joabחָגוּרcha/GURwas girded withמִדּוֹmid/DOhis garmentלְבֻשׁוֹle/vu/SHOhis clothingוְעָלָוve/a/LAVand upon itחֲגוֹרcha/GORa belt ofחֶרֶבCHE/reva swordמְצֻמֶּדֶתme/tsum/ME/detfastenedעַל־מׇתְנָיוal-mot/NAYVupon his loinsבְּתַעְרָהּbe/ta/RAin its sheathוְהוּאve/HUand itיָצָאya/TSAwent outוַתִּפֹּל׃vat/tip/POLand it fell

   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.

9. 9

   וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidיוֹאָבYo/AVJoabלַעֲמָשָׂאla/A/ma/SAto Amasaהֲשָׁלוֹםha/sha/LOMis it peace withאַתָּהat/TAyouאָחִיa/CHImy brotherוַתֹּחֶזvat/TO/chezand took holdיַד־יְמִיןyad-ye/MINthe right hand ofיוֹאָבYo/AVJoabבִּזְקַןbiz/KANby the beard ofעֲמָשָׂאA/ma/SAAmasaלִנְשׇׁק־לוֹ׃lin/SHOK-loto kiss him

   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.

10. 10

    וַעֲמָשָׂאva/A/ma/SAand Amasaלֹא־נִשְׁמַרlo-nish/MARdid not guard himselfבַּחֶרֶבba/CHE/revagainst the swordאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthat wasבְּיַד־יוֹאָבbe/YAD-yo/AVin the hand of Joabוַיַּכֵּהוּvay/yak/KE/huand he struck himבָהּvawith itאֶל־הַחֹמֶשׁel-ha/CHO/meshin the bellyוַיִּשְׁפֹּךְvay/yish/POKHand poured outמֵעָיוme/AYVhis bowelsאַרְצָהAR/tsato the groundוְלֹא־שָׁנָהve/LO-SHA/naand did not repeatלוֹloto himוַיָּמֹתvay/ya/MOTand he diedוְיוֹאָבve/Yo/AVand Joabוַאֲבִישַׁיva/A/vi/SHAYand Abishaiאָחִיוa/CHIVhis brotherרָדַףra/DAFpursuedאַחֲרֵיa/cha/REafterשֶׁבַעSHE/vaShebaבֶּן־בִּכְרִי׃ben-Bikh/RIthe son of Bichri

    But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.

11. 11

    וְאִישׁve/ISHand a manעָמַדa/MADstood byעָלָיוa/LAYVover himמִנַּעֲרֵיmin/na/a/REof the young men ofיוֹאָבYo/AVJoabוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidמִיmiwhoeverאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthatחָפֵץcha/FETSdelightsבְּיוֹאָבbe/Yo/AVin Joabוּמִיu/MIand whoאֲשֶׁר־לְדָוִדa/SHER-Le/da/VIDthat is for Davidאַחֲרֵיa/cha/REafterיוֹאָב׃Yo/AVJoab

    And one of Joab's men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab.

12. 12

    וַעֲמָשָׂאva/A/ma/SAand Amasaמִתְגֹּלֵלmit/go/LELwas wallowingבַּדָּםbad/DAMin bloodבְּתוֹךְbe/TOKHin the midst ofהַמְסִלָּהham/sil/LAthe highwayוַיַּרְאvay/YARand sawהָאִישׁha/ISHthe manכִּי־עָמַדki-a/MADthat stood stillכׇּל־הָעָםkol-ha/AMall the peopleוַיַּסֵּבvay/yas/SEVand he movedאֶת־עֲמָשָׂאet-A/ma/SAAmasaמִן־הַמְסִלָּהmin-ham/sil/LAout of the highwayהַשָּׂדֶהhas/sa/DEto the fieldוַיַּשְׁלֵךְvay/yash/LEKHand castעָלָיוa/LAYVupon himבֶּגֶדBE/geda clothכַּאֲשֶׁרka/a/SHERwhenרָאָהra/Ahe sawכׇּל־הַבָּאkol-hab/BAeveryone who cameעָלָיוa/LAYVupon himוְעָמָד׃ve/a/MADstood still

    And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still.

13. 13

    כַּאֲשֶׁרka/a/SHERwhenהֹגָהho/GAhe was removedמִן־הַמְסִלָּהmin-ham/sil/LAfrom the highwayעָבַרa/VARpassed onכׇּל־אִישׁkol-ishevery manאַחֲרֵיa/cha/REafterיוֹאָבYo/AVJoabלִרְדֹּףlir/DOFto pursueאַחֲרֵיa/cha/REafterשֶׁבַעSHE/vaShebaבֶּן־בִּכְרִי׃ben-Bikh/RIthe son of Bichri

    When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

14. 14

    וַיַּעֲבֹרvay/ya/a/VORand he went throughבְּכׇל־שִׁבְטֵיbe/KHOL-shiv/TEall the tribes ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYis/ra/ELIsraelאָבֵלָהA/VE/lato Abelוּבֵיתu/VETand to Beth-מַעֲכָהma/a/KHAmaachahוְכׇל־הַבֵּרִיםve/KHOL-hab/be/RIMand all the Berites[וַיִּקָּהֲלוּ]vay/yik/ka/ha/LUand they assembledוַיָּבֹאוּvay/ya/VO/uand they cameאַף־אַחֲרָיו׃af-a/cha/RAYValso after him

    And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Beth-maachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him.

15. 15

    וַיָּבֹאוּvay/ya/VO/uand they cameוַיָּצֻרוּvay/ya/TSU/ruand besiegedעָלָיוa/LAYVagainst himבְּאָבֵלָהbe/A/VE/lain Abel ofבֵּיתBetBeth-הַמַּעֲכָהham/ma/a/KHAmaachahוַיִּשְׁפְּכוּvay/yish/pe/KHUand they threw upסֹלְלָהsol/LAa moundאֶל־הָעִירel-ha/IRagainst the cityוַתַּעֲמֹדvat/ta/a/MODand it stoodבַּחֵלba/CHELagainst the rampartוְכׇל־הָעָםve/KHOL-ha/AMand all the peopleאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthat wereאֶת־יוֹאָבet-Yo/AVwith Joabמַשְׁחִיתִםmash/chi/TIMwere batteringלְהַפִּילle/hap/PILto throw downהַחוֹמָה׃ha/cho/MAthe wall

    And they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.

16. 16

    וַתִּקְרָאvat/tik/RAand calledאִשָּׁהish/SHAa womanחֲכָמָהcha/kha/MAwiseמִן־הָעִירmin-ha/IRfrom the cityשִׁמְעוּshim/Uhearשִׁמְעוּshim/Uhearאִמְרוּ־נָאim/RU-nasay I prayאֶל־יוֹאָבel-Yo/AVto Joabקְרַבke/RAVcome nearעַד־הֵנָּהad-HEN/nato hereוַאֲדַבְּרָהva/a/dab/be/RAthat I may speakאֵלֶיךָ׃e/LE/khato you

    Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee.

17. 17

    וַיִּקְרַבvay/yik/RAVand he came nearאֵלֶיהָe/LE/hato herוַתֹּאמֶרvat/TO/merand saidהָאִשָּׁהha/ish/SHAthe womanהַאַתָּהha/at/TAare youיוֹאָבYo/AVJoabוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidאָנִיA/niIוַתֹּאמֶרvat/TO/merand saidלוֹloto himשְׁמַעshe/MAhearדִּבְרֵיdiv/REthe words ofאֲמָתֶךָa/ma/TE/khayour handmaidוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidשֹׁמֵעַsho/ME/aam listeningאָנֹכִי׃a/no/KHII

    And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.

18. 18

    וַתֹּאמֶרvat/TO/merand she saidלֵאמֹרle/MORsayingדַּבֵּרdab/BERspeakיְדַבְּרוּye/dab/be/RUthey used to speakבָרִאשֹׁנָהva/ri/sho/NAin former timesלֵאמֹרle/MORsayingשָׁאוֹלsha/OLaskיְשָׁאֲלוּye/sha/a/LUthey shall askבְּאָבֵלbe/A/VELat Abelוְכֵןve/KHENand soהֵתַמּוּ׃he/TAM/muthey finished

    Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.

19. 19

    אָנֹכִיa/no/KHIIשְׁלֻמֵיshe/lu/MEof the peaceable ofאֱמוּנֵיe/mu/NEthe faithful ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYis/ra/ELIsraelאַתָּהat/TAyouמְבַקֵּשׁme/vak/KESHare seekingלְהָמִיתle/ha/MITto put to deathעִירira cityוְאֵםve/EMand a motherבְּיִשְׂרָאֵלbe/Yis/ra/ELin IsraelלָמָּהLAM/mawhyתְבַלַּעte/val/LAwill you swallow upנַחֲלַתna/cha/LATthe inheritance ofיְהֹוָה׃Adonaithe LORD

    I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?

20. 20

    וַיַּעַןvay/YA/anand he answeredיוֹאָבYo/AVJoabוַיֹּאמַרvay/yo/MARand saidחָלִילָהcha/LI/lafar be itחָלִילָהcha/LI/lafar be itלִיlito meאִם־אֲבַלַּעim-a/val/LAif I swallow upוְאִם־אַשְׁחִית׃ve/IM-ash/CHITor if I destroy

    And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.

21. 21

    לֹא־כֵןlo-khennot soהַדָּבָרhad/da/VARthe matterכִּיkiforאִישׁisha man ofמֵהַרme/HARfrom the hill country ofאֶפְרַיִםEf/RA/yimEphraimשֶׁבַעSHE/vaShebaבֶּן־בִּכְרִיben-Bikh/RIthe son of Bichriשְׁמוֹshe/MOhis nameנָשָׂאna/SAhas lifted upיָדוֹya/DOhis handבַּמֶּלֶךְbam/ME/lekhagainst the kingבְּדָוִדbe/Da/VIDagainst Davidתְּנוּ־אֹתוֹte/NU-o/TOgive himלְבַדּוֹle/vad/DOaloneוְאֵלְכָהve/el/KHAand I will departמֵעַלme/ALfromהָעִירha/IRthe cityוַתֹּאמֶרvat/TO/merand saidהָאִשָּׁהha/ish/SHAthe womanאֶל־יוֹאָבel-Yo/AVto Joabהִנֵּהhin/NEbeholdרֹאשׁוֹro/SHOhis headמֻשְׁלָךְmush/LAKHshall be thrownאֵלֶיךָe/LE/khato youבְּעַדbe/ADoverהַחוֹמָה׃ha/cho/MAthe wall

    The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.

22. 22

    וַתָּבוֹאvat/ta/VOand wentהָאִשָּׁהha/ish/SHAthe womanאֶל־כׇּל־הָעָםel-kol-ha/AMto all the peopleבְּחׇכְמָתָהּbe/chokh/ma/TAin her wisdomוַיִּכְרְתוּvay/yikh/re/TUand they cut offאֶת־רֹאשׁet-roshthe head ofשֶׁבַעSHE/vaShebaבֶּן־בִּכְרִיben-Bikh/RIthe son of Bichriוַיַּשְׁלִכוּvay/yash/LI/khuand threw itאֶל־יוֹאָבel-Yo/AVto Joabוַיִּתְקַעvay/yit/KAand he blewבַּשֹּׁפָרbash/sho/FARthe trumpetוַיָּפֻצוּvay/ya/FU/tsuand they scatteredמֵעַל־הָעִירme/AL-ha/IRfrom the cityאִישׁishevery manלְאֹהָלָיוle/o/ha/LAYVto his tentוְיוֹאָבve/Yo/AVand Joabשָׁבshavreturnedיְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִםYe/ru/sha/LA/yimto Jerusalemאֶל־הַמֶּלֶךְ׃el-ham/ME/lekhto the king

    Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.

23. 23

    וְיוֹאָבve/Yo/AVand Joabאֶלelwas overכׇּל־הַצָּבָאkol-hats/tsa/VAall the army ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYis/ra/ELIsraelוּבְנָיָהu/ve/Na/YAand Benaiahבֶּן־יְהוֹיָדָעben-Ye/ho/ya/DAthe son of Jehoiadaעַל־(הכרי)al-hakharaywas over[הַכְּרֵתִי]Hak/ke/re/TIthe Cherethitesוְעַל־הַפְּלֵתִי׃ve/AL-hap/pe/le/TIand over the Pelethites

    Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:

24. 24

    וַאֲדֹרָםva/A/do/RAMand Adoramעַל־הַמַּסal-ham/MASwas over the tributeוִיהוֹשָׁפָטVi/ho/sha/FATand Jehoshaphatבֶּן־אֲחִילוּדben-A/chi/LUDthe son of Ahiludהַמַּזְכִּיר׃ham/maz/KIRthe recorder

    And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder:

25. 25

    [וּשְׁוָא]U/she/VAand Shevaסֹפֵרso/FERwas scribeוְצָדוֹקve/Tsa/DOKand Zadokוְאֶבְיָתָרve/Ev/ya/TARand Abiatharכֹּהֲנִים׃ko/ha/NIMwere priests

    And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:

26. 26

    וְגַםve/GAMand alsoעִירָאI/RAIraהַיָּאִרִיhay/Ya/i/RIthe Jairiteהָיָהha/YAwasכֹהֵןkho/HENa priestלְדָוִד׃le/Da/VIDto David

    And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.