2 Samuel

2 Samuel 12:18–23

18On the seventh day the child died. But David’s servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Look, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not listen to us. So how can we tell him the child is dead? He may even harm himself.”

19When David saw that his servants were whispering to one another, he perceived that the child was dead. So he asked his servants, “Is the child dead?”

“He is dead,” they replied.

20Then David got up from the ground, washed and anointed himself, changed his clothes, and went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they set food before him, and he ate.

21“What is this you have done?” his servants asked. “While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but when he died, you got up and ate.”

22David answered, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let him live.’ 23But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”

Read all of 2 Samuel 12

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Each English word or phrase beside the Hebrew it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

2 Samuel 12:18

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
On the seventhהַשְּׁבִיעִ֖יhaš·šə·ḇî·‘îArticle; Number - ordinal masculine singularH7637 seventh
dayבַּיּ֥וֹםbay·yō·wmPreposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine singularH3117 day
the childהַיָּ֑לֶדhay·yā·leḏArticle; Noun - masculine singularH3206 child, son, boy, youth
diedוַיָּ֣מָתway·yā·māṯConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH4191 die
But David’sדָוִ֜דḏā·wiḏNoun - proper - masculine singularH1732 David
servantsעַבְדֵ֨י‘aḇ·ḏêNoun - masculine plural constructH5650 slave, servant
were afraidוַיִּֽרְאוּ֩way·yir·’ūConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralH3372 fear
to tellלְהַגִּ֥ידlə·hag·gîḏPreposition-l; Verb - Hifil - Infinitive constructH5046 be conspicuous
himל֣וֹ׀lōwPreposition; third person masculine singular
thatכִּי־kî-ConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
the childהַיֶּ֗לֶדhay·ye·leḏArticle; Noun - masculine singularH3206 child, son, boy, youth
was deadמֵ֣תmêṯVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH4191 die
forכִּ֤יkîConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
they saidאָֽמְרוּ֙’ā·mə·rūVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralH559 utter, say
Lookהִנֵּה֩hin·nêhInterjectionH2009 lo! behold!
while the childהַיֶּ֜לֶדhay·ye·leḏArticle; Noun - masculine singularH3206 child, son, boy, youth
was aliveחַ֗יḥayAdjective - masculine singularH2416 alive, living
we spokeדִּבַּ֤רְנוּdib·bar·nūVerb - Piel - Perfect - first person common pluralH1696 speak
to himאֵלָיו֙’ê·lāwPreposition; third person masculine singularH413 motion to
and he would notוְלֹא־wə·lō-Conjunctive waw; Adverb - Negative particleH3808 not
listen to usשָׁמַ֣עšā·ma‘Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH8085 hear
So howוְאֵ֨יךְwə·’êḵConjunctive waw; InterjectionH349 How?
can we tellנֹאמַ֥רnō·marVerb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common pluralH559 utter, say
himאֵלָ֛יו’ê·lāwPreposition; third person masculine singularH413 motion to
the childהַיֶּ֖לֶדhay·ye·leḏArticle; Noun - masculine singularH3206 child, son, boy, youth
is deadמֵ֥תmêṯVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH4191 die
He may even harm himselfוְעָשָׂ֥הwə·‘ā·śāhConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularH6213 do, make

2 Samuel 12:19

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
When Davidדָּוִ֗דdā·wiḏNoun - proper - masculine singularH1732 David
sawוַיַּ֣רְאway·yarConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH7200 see
thatכִּ֤יkîConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
his servantsעֲבָדָיו֙‘ă·ḇā·ḏāwNoun - masculine plural construct; third person masculine singularH5650 slave, servant
were whispering to one anotherמִֽתְלַחֲשִׁ֔יםmiṯ·la·ḥă·šîmVerb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine pluralH3907 whisper, charm
heדָּוִ֖דdā·wiḏNoun - proper - masculine singularH1732 David
perceivedוַיָּ֥בֶןway·yā·ḇenConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH995 discern
thatכִּ֣יkîConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
the childהַיָּ֑לֶדhay·yā·leḏArticle; Noun - masculine singularH3206 child, son, boy, youth
was deadמֵ֣תmêṯVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH4191 die
So heדָּוִ֧דdā·wiḏNoun - proper - masculine singularH1732 David
askedוַיֹּ֨אמֶרway·yō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
his servantsעֲבָדָ֛יו‘ă·ḇā·ḏāwNoun - masculine plural construct; third person masculine singularH5650 slave, servant
Is the childהַיֶּ֖לֶדhay·ye·leḏArticle; Noun - masculine singularH3206 child, son, boy, youth
deadהֲמֵ֥תhă·mêṯVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH4191 die
He is deadמֵֽת׃mêṯVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH4191 die
they repliedוַיֹּ֥אמְרוּway·yō·mə·rūConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralH559 utter, say

2 Samuel 12:20

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Then Davidדָּוִ֨דdā·wiḏNoun - proper - masculine singularH1732 David
got upוַיָּקָם֩way·yā·qāmConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH6965 arise, stand up, stand
from the groundמֵהָאָ֜רֶץmê·hā·’ā·reṣPreposition-m, Article; Noun - feminine singularH776 earth, land
washedוַיִּרְחַ֣ץway·yir·ḥaṣConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH7364 wash, wash off, away, bathe
and anointed himselfוַיָּ֗סֶךְway·yā·seḵConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH5480 pour in anointing, anoint
changedוַיְחַלֵּף֙way·ḥal·lêp̄Conjunctive waw; Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH2498 pass on or away, pass through
his clothesשִׂמְלָתוֹśim·lå̄·ṯōNoun - feminine plural construct; third person masculine singularH8071 wrapper, mantle
and went intoוַיָּבֹ֥אway·yā·ḇōConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH935 come in, come, go in, go
the houseבֵית־ḇêṯ-Noun - masculine singular constructH1004 house
of the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh
and worshipedוַיִּשְׁתָּ֑חוּway·yiš·tā·ḥūConjunctive waw; Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH7812 bow down
Then he wentוַיָּבֹא֙way·yā·ḇōConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH935 come in, come, go in, go
toאֶל־’el-PrepositionH413 motion to
his own houseבֵּית֔וֹbê·ṯōwNoun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine singularH1004 house
and at his requestוַיִּשְׁאַ֕לway·yiš·’alConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH7592 ask, inquire
they setוַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּway·yā·śî·mūConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralH7760 put, place, set
foodלֶ֖חֶםle·ḥemNoun - masculine singularH3899 bread, food
before himל֛וֹlōwPreposition; third person masculine singular
and he ateוַיֹּאכַֽל׃way·yō·ḵalConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH398 eat

2 Samuel 12:21

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Whatמָֽה־māh-InterrogativeH4100 what? how? aught
thisהַזֶּ֖הhaz·zehArticle; Pronoun - masculine singularH2088 this, that
you have doneעָשִׂ֑יתָה‘ā·śî·ṯāhVerb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singularH6213 do, make
his servantsעֲבָדָיו֙‘ă·ḇā·ḏāwNoun - masculine plural construct; third person masculine singularH5650 slave, servant
askedוַיֹּאמְר֤וּway·yō·mə·rūConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralH559 utter, say
Whileבַּעֲב֞וּרba·‘ă·ḇūrPreposition-b; Noun - masculine singularH5668 crossed, transit, account
the childהַיֶּ֤לֶדhay·ye·leḏArticle; Noun - masculine singularH3206 child, son, boy, youth
was aliveחַי֙ḥayNoun - masculine singularH2416 alive, living
you fastedצַ֣מְתָּṣam·tāVerb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singularH6684 abstain from food, fast
and weptוַתֵּ֔בְךְּwat·tê·ḇəkConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine singularH1058 weep, bewail
but whenוְכַֽאֲשֶׁר֙wə·ḵa·’ă·šerConjunctive waw, Preposition-k; Pronoun - relativeH834 particle of relation
heהַיֶּ֔לֶדhay·ye·leḏArticle; Noun - masculine singularH3206 child, son, boy, youth
diedמֵ֣תmêṯVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH4191 die
you got upקַ֖מְתָּqam·tāVerb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singularH6965 arise, stand up, stand
and ateוַתֹּ֥אכַלwat·tō·ḵalConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine singularH398 eat

2 Samuel 12:22

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
answeredוַיֹּ֕אמֶרway·yō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
Whileבְּעוֹד֙bə·‘ō·wḏPreposition-b; AdverbH5750 a going round, continuance
the childהַיֶּ֣לֶדhay·ye·leḏArticle; Noun - masculine singularH3206 child, son, boy, youth
was aliveחַ֔יḥayAdjective - masculine singularH2416 alive, living
I fastedצַ֖מְתִּיṣam·tîVerb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singularH6684 abstain from food, fast
and weptוָֽאֶבְכֶּ֑הwā·’eḇ·kehConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singularH1058 weep, bewail
forכִּ֤יkîConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
I saidאָמַ֙רְתִּי֙’ā·mar·tîVerb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singularH559 utter, say
Whoמִ֣יmîInterrogativeH4310 who?
knowsיוֹדֵ֔עַyō·w·ḏê·a‘Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularH3045 know
The LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh
may be graciousיְחָנַּנִיyə·ḥå̄n·na·nīConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular; first person common singularH2603 shew favour, be gracious
to meהַיָּֽלֶד׃hay·yā·leḏArticle; Noun - masculine singularH3206 child, son, boy, youth
and let him liveוְחַ֥יwə·ḥayConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularH2421 live

2 Samuel 12:23

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
But nowוְעַתָּ֣ה׀wə·‘at·tāhConjunctive waw; AdverbH6258 now
that he is deadמֵ֗תmêṯVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH4191 die
whyלָ֤מָּהlām·māhInterrogativeH4100 what? how? aught
should Iאֲנִ֣י’ă·nîPronoun - first person common singularH589 I
fastצָ֔םṣāmVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularH6684 abstain from food, fast
Canהַאוּכַ֥לha·’ū·ḵalVerb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singularH3201 be able, have power, prevail, endure
I bring him backלַהֲשִׁיב֖וֹla·hă·šî·ḇōwPreposition-l; Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct; third person masculine singularH7725 turn back, return
againע֑וֹד‘ō·wḏAdverbH5750 a going round, continuance
I willאֲנִי֙’ă·nîPronoun - first person common singularH589 I
goהֹלֵ֣ךְhō·lêḵVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularH1980 go, come, walk
to himאֵלָ֔יו’ê·lāwPreposition; third person masculine singularH413 motion to
but heוְה֖וּאwə·hūConjunctive waw; Pronoun - third person masculine singularH1931 he, she
will notלֹֽא־lō-Adverb - Negative particleH3808 not
returnיָשׁ֥וּבyā·šūḇVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH7725 turn back, return
to meאֵלָֽי׃’ê·lāyPreposition; first person common singularH413 motion to

Cross-references

Other passages that speak to the same thing. Point at one to read it.

2 Samuel 12:20 Job 1:20 · Ruth 3:3 · Lamentations 3:39–41 · 2 Samuel 7:18 · Matthew 6:17 · Job 2:10 · Ecclesiastes 9:8

2 Samuel 12:22 Isaiah 38:1–3 · Isaiah 38:5 · Jonah 3:9–10 · Joel 1:14 · Jonah 1:6 · Joel 2:14

2 Samuel 12:23 Genesis 37:35 · Job 30:23

Cross-references from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY 4.0. The best-supported references for each verse are shown.

Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible.