2 Samuel

2 Samuel 17:10–15

¹⁰Then even the most valiant soldier with the heart of a lion will melt with fear, because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man who has valiant men with him.

¹¹Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to Beersheba— a multitude like the sand on the seashore— be gathered to you, and that you yourself lead them into battle. ¹²Then we will attack David wherever we find him, and we will descend on him like dew on the ground. And of all the men with him, not even one will remain.

¹³If he retreats to a city, all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not even a pebble can be found there.”

¹⁴Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had purposed to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

¹⁵So Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “This is what Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I have advised.

Read all of 2 Samuel 17

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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 17:10

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Then	וְה֣וּא	wə·hū	Conjunctive waw; Pronoun - third person masculine singular	H1931 he, she
even	גַם־	ḡam-	Conjunction	H1571 also, moreover, yea
the most valiant	חַ֗יִל	ḥa·yil	Noun - masculine singular	H2428 strength, efficiency, wealth, army
soldier	בֶּן־	ben-	Noun - masculine singular construct	H1121 son
with the heart	לִבּ֛וֹ	lib·bōw	Noun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine singular	H3820 inner man, mind, will, heart
of a lion	הָאַרְיֵ֖ה	hā·’ar·yêh	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H738 lion
will melt with fear	הִמֵּ֣ס	him·mês	Verb - Nifal - Infinitive absolute	H4549 dissolve, melt
because	כִּֽי־	kî-	Conjunction	H3588 burning, branding
all	כָּל־	kāl-	Noun - masculine singular construct	H3605 the whole, all
Israel	יִשְׂרָאֵל֙	yiś·rā·’êl	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3478 Israel
knows	יֹדֵ֤עַ	yō·ḏê·a‘	Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular	H3045 know
that	כִּי־	kî-	Conjunction	H3588 burning, branding
your father	אָבִ֔יךָ	’ā·ḇî·ḵā	Noun - masculine singular construct; second person masculine singular	H1 father
is a mighty man	גִבּ֣וֹר	ḡib·bō·wr	Adjective - masculine singular	H1368 strong, mighty
who has valiant	חַ֖יִל	ḥa·yil	Noun - masculine singular	H2428 strength, efficiency, wealth, army
men	וּבְנֵי־	ū·ḇə·nê-	Conjunctive waw; Noun - masculine plural construct	H1121 son
with him	אִתּֽוֹ׃	’it·tōw	Preposition; third person masculine singular	H854 with

2 Samuel 17:11

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Instead	כִּ֣י	kî	Conjunction	H3588 burning, branding
I advise	יָעַ֗צְתִּי	yā·‘aṣ·tî	Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular	H3289 advise, counsel
that all	כָל־	ḵāl	Noun - masculine singular construct	H3605 the whole, all
Israel	יִשְׂרָאֵל֙	yiś·rā·’êl	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3478 Israel
from Dan	מִדָּן֙	mid·dān	Preposition-m; Noun - proper - masculine singular	H1835 Dan
to	וְעַד־	wə·‘aḏ-	Conjunctive waw; Preposition	H5704 as far as, even to, up to, until, while
Beersheba	שֶׁ֔בַע	še·ḇa‘	Noun - proper - feminine singular	H884 Beersheba
a multitude	לָרֹ֑ב	lā·rōḇ	Preposition-l, Article; Noun - masculine singular	H7230 multitude, abundance, greatness
like the sand	כַּח֥וֹל	ka·ḥō·wl	Preposition-k, Article; Noun - masculine singular	H2344 sand
on	עַל־	‘al-	Preposition	H5921 height
the seashore	הַיָּ֖ם	hay·yām	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H3220 sea
be gathered	הֵ֠אָסֹף	hê·’ā·sōp̄	Verb - Nifal - Infinitive absolute	H622 gather, remove
to you	עָלֶ֤יךָ	‘ā·le·ḵā	Preposition; second person masculine singular	H5921 height
and that you yourself	וּפָנֶ֥יךָ	ū·p̄ā·ne·ḵā	Conjunctive waw; Noun - common plural construct; second person masculine singular	H6440 face, before
lead them	הֹלְכִ֖ים	hō·lə·ḵîm	Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural	H1980 go, come, walk
into battle	בַּקְרָֽב׃	baq·rāḇ	Preposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine singular	H7128 battle, war

2 Samuel 17:12

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Then we will attack	וּבָ֣אנוּ	ū·ḇā·nū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural	H935 come in, come, go in, go
wherever	הַמְּקוֹמֹת֙	ham·mə·qō·w·mōṯ	Article; Noun - masculine plural	H4725 standing, spot, condition
we find him	נִמְצָ֣א	nim·ṣā	Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular	H4672 attain to, find
and we	וְנַ֣חְנוּ	wə·naḥ·nū	Conjunctive waw; Pronoun - first person common plural	H5168 we
will descend	יִפֹּ֥ל	yip·pōl	Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular	H5307 fall, lie
on him	עָלָ֔יו	‘ā·lāw	Preposition; third person masculine singular	H5921 height
like	כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר	ka·’ă·šer	Preposition-k; Pronoun - relative	H834 particle of relation
dew	הַטַּ֖ל	haṭ·ṭal	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H2919 night-mist, dew
on	עַל־	‘al-	Preposition	H5921 height
the ground	הָאֲדָמָ֑ה	hā·’ă·ḏā·māh	Article; Noun - feminine singular	H127 ground, land
And of all	וּבְכָל־	ū·ḇə·ḵāl	Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b; Noun - masculine singular construct	H3605 the whole, all
the men	הָאֲנָשִׁ֥ים	hā·’ă·nā·šîm	Article; Noun - masculine plural	H582 man, mankind
with him	אִתּ֖וֹ	’it·tōw	Preposition; third person masculine singular	H854 with
not	וְלֹֽא־	wə·lō-	Conjunctive waw; Adverb - Negative particle	H3808 not
even	גַּם־	gam-	Conjunction	H1571 also, moreover, yea
one	אֶחָֽד׃	’e·ḥāḏ	Number - masculine singular	H259 one
will remain	נ֥וֹתַר	nō·w·ṯar	Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular	H3498 remain over

2 Samuel 17:13

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
If	וְאִם־	wə·’im-	Conjunction	H518 if
he retreats	יֵֽאָסֵ֔ף	yê·’ā·sêp̄	Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular	H622 gather, remove
to	אֶל־	’el-	Preposition	H413 motion to
a city	עִיר֙	‘îr	Noun - feminine singular	H5892 excitement
all	כָֽל־	ḵāl	Noun - masculine singular construct	H3605 the whole, all
Israel	יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל	yiś·rā·’êl	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3478 Israel
will bring	וְהִשִּׂ֧יאוּ	wə·hiś·śî·’ū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural	H5375 lift, take, carry
ropes	חֲבָלִ֑ים	ḥă·ḇā·lîm	Noun - masculine plural	H2256 cord, territory, band
to	אֶל־	’el-	Preposition	H413 motion to
that	הַהִ֖יא	ha·hî	Article; Pronoun - third person feminine singular	H1931 he, she
city	הָעִ֥יר	hā·‘îr	Article; Noun - feminine singular	H5892 excitement
and we will drag	וְסָחַ֤בְנוּ	wə·sā·ḥaḇ·nū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural	H5498 drag
it	אֹתוֹ֙	’ō·ṯōw	Direct object marker; third person masculine singular	H853 mark of the accusative
down to	עַד־	‘aḏ-	Preposition	H5704 as far as, even to, up to, until, while
the valley	הַנַּ֔חַל	han·na·ḥal	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H5158 torrent, torrent-valley, wady
until	עַ֛ד	‘aḏ	Preposition	H5704 as far as, even to, up to, until, while
not	לֹא־	lō-	Adverb - Negative particle	H3808 not
even	גַּם־	gam-	Conjunction	H1571 also, moreover, yea
a pebble	צְרֽוֹר׃פ	ṣə·rō·wr	Noun - masculine singular	H6872 bundle, parcel, pouch, bag
can be found	נִמְצָ֥א	nim·ṣā	Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular	H4672 attain to, find
there	שָׁ֖ם	šām	Adverb	H8033 there, thither

2 Samuel 17:14

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Then Absalom	אַבְשָׁלוֹם֙	’aḇ·šā·lō·wm	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H53 Abshalom
and all	וְכָל־	wə·ḵāl	Conjunctive waw; Noun - masculine singular construct	H3605 the whole, all
the men	אִ֣ישׁ	’îš	Noun - masculine singular construct	H376 man
of Israel	יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל	yiś·rā·’êl	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3478 Israel
said	וַיֹּ֤אמֶר	way·yō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H559 utter, say
The advice	עֲצַת֙	‘ă·ṣaṯ	Noun - feminine singular construct	H6098 counsel, advice
of Hushai	חוּשַׁ֣י	ḥū·šay	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H2365 Chushai
the Archite	הָאַרְכִּ֔י	hā·’ar·kî	Article; Noun - proper - masculine singular	H757 Arkite
better	טוֹבָ֗ה	ṭō·w·ḇāh	Adjective - feminine singular	H2896 pleasant, agreeable, good
than	מֵעֲצַ֖ת	mê·‘ă·ṣaṯ	Preposition-m; Noun - feminine singular construct	H6098 counsel, advice
of Ahithophel	אֲחִיתֹ֑פֶל	’ă·ḥî·ṯō·p̄el	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H302 Achithophel
For the LORD	וַיהוָ֣ה	Yah·weh	Conjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3068 Yahweh
had purposed	צִוָּ֗ה	ṣiw·wāh	Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular	H6680 lay charge (upon), give charge (to), charge, command, order
to thwart	לְהָפֵ֞ר	lə·hā·p̄êr	Preposition-l; Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct	H6565 break, frustrate
the good	הַטּוֹבָ֔ה	haṭ·ṭō·w·ḇāh	Article; Adjective - feminine singular	H2896 pleasant, agreeable, good
counsel	עֲצַ֤ת	‘ă·ṣaṯ	Noun - feminine singular construct	H6098 counsel, advice
of Ahithophel	אֲחִיתֹ֙פֶל֙	’ă·ḥî·ṯō·p̄el	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H302 Achithophel
in order to	לְבַעֲב֗וּר	lə·ḇa·‘ă·ḇūr	Preposition-l, Preposition-b; Noun - masculine singular	H5668 crossed, transit, account
bring	הָבִ֧יא	hā·ḇî	Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct	H935 come in, come, go in, go
disaster	הָרָעָֽה׃ס	hā·rā·‘āh	Article; Adjective - feminine singular	H7451 bad, evil
on	אֶל־	’el-	Preposition	H413 motion to
Absalom	אַבְשָׁל֖וֹם	’aḇ·šā·lō·wm	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H53 Abshalom

2 Samuel 17:15

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
So Hushai	חוּשַׁ֗י	ḥū·šay	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H2365 Chushai
told	וַיֹּ֣אמֶר	way·yō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H559 utter, say
Zadok	צָד֤וֹק	ṣā·ḏō·wq	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H6659 Tsadok
and Abiathar	אֶבְיָתָר֙	’eḇ·yā·ṯār	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H54 Ebjathar
the priests	הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים	hak·kō·hă·nîm	Article; Noun - masculine plural	H3548 priest
This is what	כָּזֹ֣את	kā·zōṯ	Preposition-k; Pronoun - feminine singular	H2063 this
Ahithophel	אֲחִיתֹ֙פֶל֙	’ă·ḥî·ṯō·p̄el	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H302 Achithophel
has advised	יָעַ֤ץ	yā·‘aṣ	Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular	H3289 advise, counsel
Absalom	אַבְשָׁלֹ֔ם	’aḇ·šā·lōm	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H53 Abshalom
and the elders	זִקְנֵ֣י	ziq·nê	Adjective - masculine plural construct	H2205 old
of Israel	יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל	yiś·rā·’êl	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3478 Israel
and this is what	וְכָזֹ֥את	wə·ḵā·zōṯ	Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k; Pronoun - feminine singular	H2063 this
I	אָֽנִי׃	’ā·nî	Pronoun - first person common singular	H589 I
have advised	יָעַ֥צְתִּי	yā·‘aṣ·tî	Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular	H3289 advise, counsel

Cross-references

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

2 Samuel 17:10 Joshua 2:9–11

2 Samuel 17:11 Genesis 22:17 · Psalm 9:16 · Judges 20:1 · Joshua 11:4

2 Samuel 17:13 Matthew 24:2

2 Samuel 17:14 2 Samuel 15:34 · 1 Corinthians 1:19–20 · Proverbs 19:21 · Isaiah 8:10 · 2 Samuel 15:31 · Job 5:12–14 · 1 Corinthians 3:19 · Proverbs 21:30 · Genesis 32:28 · 2 Samuel 16:23 · Luke 16:8 · Lamentations 3:37

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.