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Genesis
Chapter 1
1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
2
The earth was without form and empty. Darkness was upon the surface of the deep. The Spirit of God was moving above the surface of the waters.
3
God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
4
God saw the light, that it was good. He divided the light from the darkness.
5
God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
6
God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters."
7
God made the expanse and divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse. It was so.
8
God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.
9
God said, "Let the waters under the sky be gathered together to one place, and let the dry land appear." It was so.
10
God called the dry land "earth," and the gathered waters he called "seas." He saw that it was good.
11
God said, "Let the earth sprout vegetation: plants yielding seed and fruit trees bearing fruit whose seed is in the fruit, each according to its own kind." It was so.
12
The earth produced vegetation, plants producing seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit whose seed was in it, after their kind. God saw that it was good.
13
And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.
14
God said, "Let there be lights in the sky to divide the day from the night and let them be as signs, for seasons, for days and years.
15
Let them be lights in the sky to give light upon the earth." It was so.
16
God made the two great lights, the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also.
17
God set them in the sky to give light upon the earth,
18
to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. God saw that it was good.
19
And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.
20
God said, "Let the waters be filled with great numbers of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the expanse of the sky."
21
God created the great sea creatures, as well as every living creature after its kind, creatures that move and which fill the waters everywhere, and every winged bird after its kind. God saw that it was good.
22
God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas. Let birds multiply on the earth."
23
And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.
24
God said, "Let the earth produce living creatures, each according to its own kind, livestock, creeping things, and wild animals, each according to its own kind." It was so.
25
God made the wild animals after their kind, the livestock after their kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground after its kind. He saw that it was good.
26
God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
27
God created man in his own image. In his own image he created him. Male and female he created them.
28
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful, and multiply. Fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth."
29
God said, "See, I have given you every plant yielding seed which is upon the surface of all the earth, and every tree with fruit which has seed in it. They will be food to you.
30
To every beast of the earth, to every bird of the heavens, and to everything that creeps upon the earth, and to every creature that has the breath of life I have given every green plant for food." It was so.
31
God saw everything that he had made. Behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth
"This is about how God made the heavens and the earth in the beginning." This statement summarizes the rest of the chapter. Some languages translate it as "A very long time ago God created the heavens and the earth." Translate it in a way that shows this actually happened and is not just a folk story.
In the beginning
This refers to the start of the world and everything in it.
the heavens and the earth
"the sky, the ground, and everything in them"
heavens
This refers here to the sky.
Genesis 1:2
without form and empty
God had not yet put the world in order.
the deep
"the water" or "the deep water" or "the vast water"
the surface of the waters
"the surface of the water" or "the water"
Genesis 1:3
Let there be light
This is a command. By commanding that light should exist, God made it exist.
Genesis 1:4
God saw the light, that it was good
"God considered the light and was pleased with it." "Good" here means "pleasing" or "suitable."
divided the light from the darkness
"separated the light and the darkness" or "made it light at one time and dark at another." This refers to God creating the daytime and the night time.
Genesis 1:5
And there was evening and there was morning, the first day
God did these things on the first day that the universe existed.
Genesis 1:6
Let there be an expanse ... let it divide
By commanding that the expanse should exist and that it divide the waters, God made it exist and divide the waters.
expanse
large empty space. The Jewish people thought of this space as being shaped like the inside of dome or the inside of a bowl that is turned upside down.
Genesis 1:7
God made the expanse and divided the waters
"In this way God made the expanse and divided the waters." When God spoke, it happened. This sentence explains what God did when he spoke.
It was so
"It happened like that" or "That is what happened." What God commanded happened just as he said it should.
Genesis 1:8
the second day
This refers to the second day that the universe existed. See how you translated "the first day" in Genesis 1:5.
Genesis 1:9
Let the waters ... be gathered
"Let the waters ... gather" or "Let the waters ... come together"
let the dry land appear
"let dry land become visible" or "let the dry land become clear" or "let the land be uncovered"
Genesis 1:10
the dry land "earth," and
"the part that was dry 'earth,' and"
Genesis 1:11
Let the earth sprout vegetation
"Let vegetation sprout up on the earth" or "Let vegetation grow on the earth"
vegetation: plants yielding seed and fruit trees bearing fruit
"vegetation, each plant that bears seed and each tree that bears fruit" or "vegetation. Let them be plants that produce seeds and fruit trees that produce fruit."
each according to its own kind
The seeds would produce plants and trees that would be like the ones they came from. In this way, the plants and trees would "reproduce themselves" .
Genesis 1:13
the third day
This refers to the third day that the universe existed.
Genesis 1:14
lights in the sky
"things that shine in the sky" or "things that give light in the sky." This refers to the sun, moon, and stars.
in the sky
"in the expanse of the sky" or "in the large space of the sky"
to divide the day from the night
"to separate the day from the night." This means "to help us tell the difference between day and night." The sun means it is daytime, and the moon and stars mean it is nighttime.
let them be as signs
"Let them serve as signs" or "let them show"
signs
Here this means something that reveals or points to something.
seasons
times that are set aside for festivals and other things that people do
Genesis 1:15
to give light upon the earth
"to shine light on the earth" or "to brighten the earth." The earth does not self-shine but it is lit and so reflects light.
Genesis 1:16
the two great lights
"the two large lights" or "the two bright lights." The two great lights are the sun and the moon.
to rule the day
"to direct the daytime as a ruler directs a group of people" or "to mark the times of the day"
day
This refers only to the daylight hours.
the lesser light
"the smaller light" or "the dimmer light"
Genesis 1:18
to divide the light from the darkness
"to separate the light from the darkness" or "to make it light at one time and dark at another."
Genesis 1:19
the fourth day
This refers to the fourth day that the universe existed.
Genesis 1:20
Let the waters be filled with great numbers of living creatures
"Let the waters be full of many living things" or "Let many animals that swim live in the oceans"
let birds fly
By commanding that birds should fly, God made them fly.
the expanse of the sky
"the open space of the sky" or "the sky"
Genesis 1:21
great sea creatures
"large animals that live in the sea"
every winged bird
"every flying thing that has wings." If the word for birds is used, it may be more natural in some languages to simply say "every bird," since all birds have wings.
Genesis 1:22
blessed them
"blessed the animals that he had made"
Be fruitful and multiply
This is God's blessing. He told the sea animals to produce more sea animals like themselves, so that there would be many of them in the seas. The word "multiply" explains how they are to be "fruitful."
multiply
increase greatly in number
Genesis 1:23
the fifth day
This refers to the fifth day that the universe existed.
Genesis 1:24
livestock, creeping things, and wild animals
This shows that God created all kinds of animals. If your language has another way of grouping all the animals, you can use that, or you can use these groups.
livestock
These are animals that people look after.
creeping things
"small animals"
wild animals
These are animals that live in the wild. People do not take care of them.
Genesis 1:26
Let us make
The word "us" here refers to God. God was saying what he intended to do. The pronoun "us" is plural. Possible reasons for the plural use are 1) the plural form suggests that God is discussing something with the angels that make up his heavenly court or 2) the plural form foreshadows the later New Testament implications that God exists in the form of the Holy Trinity. Some translate it as "Let me make" or "I will make." If you do this, consider adding a footnote to say that the word is plural.
man
human beings
in our image, after our likeness
"to truly be like us"
have dominion over
"rule over" or "have authority over"
Genesis 1:27
God created man ... he created him
These two sentences mean the same thing and emphasize that God created people in his own image.
God created man
The way that God created man was different from the way he created everything else. Do not specify that he created man by simply speaking, as in the preceding verses.
Genesis 1:28
Fill the earth
Fill the earth with people.
Genesis 1:30
every bird of the heavens
"all the birds that fly in the sky"
that has the breath of life
"that breathes." This phrase emphasizes that these animals had a different kind of life than the plants. Plants do not breathe, and were to be used as food for the animals. Here "life" means physical life.
Genesis 1:31
Behold, it
"This is true and important: it"
it was very good
Now when God looked at everything he had made, it was "very good.
the sixth day
This refers to the sixth day that the universe existed.
Chapter 2
1
Then the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the living things that filled them.
2
On the seventh day God came to the end of his work which he had done, and so he rested on the seventh day from all his work.
3
God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on it God rested from all his work which he had created and made.
4
This is the account of the heavens and the earth, when they were created, on the day that Yahweh God made the earth and the heavens.
5
No bush of the field was yet in the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for Yahweh God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no man to cultivate the ground.
6
But a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground.
7
Yahweh God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being.
8
Yahweh God planted a garden eastward, in Eden, and there he put the man whom he had formed.
9
Out of the ground Yahweh God made every tree to grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. This included the tree of life that was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
10
A river went out of Eden to water the garden. From there it divided and became four rivers.
11
The name of the first is Pishon. It is the one which flows throughout the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.
12
The gold of that land is good. There are also bdellium and the onyx stone.
13
The name of the second river is Gihon. This one flows throughout the whole land of Cush.
14
The name of the third river is Tigris, and it flows east of Ashur. The fourth river is the Euphrates.
15
Yahweh God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to work it and to maintain it.
16
Yahweh God commanded the man, saying, "From every tree in the garden you may freely eat.
17
But from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you must not eat, for on the day that you eat from it, you will surely die."
18
Then Yahweh God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make him a helper suitable for him."
19
Out of the ground Yahweh God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the sky. Then he brought them to the man to see what he would call them. Whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.
20
The man gave names to all the livestock, to all the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field. But for the man himself there was found no helper suitable for him.
21
Yahweh God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, so the man slept. Yahweh God took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh where he took the rib.
22
With the rib that Yahweh God had taken from the man, he made a woman and brought her to the man.
23
The man said,
"This time, this one is bone of my bones,
and flesh of my flesh.
She will be called 'woman,'
because she was taken out of man."
24
Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, he will be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
25
They were both naked, the man and his wife, but were not ashamed.
Genesis 2:1
the heavens
"the sky" or "the skies"
and all the living things that filled them
"and all the many living things that are in them" or "and all the crowds of living things in them"
were finished
"God had finished creating them"
Genesis 2:2
On the seventh day God came to the end of his work
God did not work at all on the seventh day.
he rested on the seventh day from all his work
"on that day he did not work"
Genesis 2:3
God blessed the seventh day
Possible meanings are 1) God caused the seventh day to produce good result or 2) God said that the seventh day was good.
sanctified it
"made it holy" or "set it apart"
Genesis 2:4
This is the account of the heavens and the earth
"This is the story about the heavens and the earth." Possible meanings are 1) it is a summary of the events described in Genesis 1:1-2:3 or 2) it introduces the events to follow. If possible, translate this so that people can understood it either way.
on the day that Yahweh God made
"when Yahweh God created." The word "day" refers to the whole time span of the creation, not to just one particular day.
Yahweh
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
Genesis 2:5
No bush of the field
no shrubs growing in the wild that animals might eat
no plant of the field
no leafy plants like vegetables or greens that both animals and humans can eat
to cultivate
to do everything he needed to do so that the plants would grow well
Genesis 2:6
mist
Possible meanings are 1) something like dew or morning fog or 2) springs from underground streams.
the whole surface of the ground
the entire earth
Genesis 2:7
formed man
"molded man" or "shaped man" or "created man"
man ... man
"a human being ... the human" or "a person ... the person" not specifically a male
his nostrils
"his nose"
breath of life
"breath that makes things live." Here "life" refers to physical life.
Genesis 2:8
a garden
This could have been an orchard of fruit trees or an area with all kinds of trees.
Genesis 2:9
the tree of life
"the tree that gives people life"
life
Here this means "eternal life" or life that does not end.
the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
"the tree that gives people the ability to understand both good and evil" or "the tree that makes people who eat its fruit able to know good things and bad things"
good and evil
"everything, including both good and evil"
in the midst of the garden
"in the middle of the garden."
Genesis 2:10
A river went out of Eden to water the garden
"A river flowed through Eden to water the garden"
Genesis 2:11
Pishon
This is the only time this river is referred to in the Bible.
the whole land of Havilah
"the whole land called Havilah." It was somewhere in the Arabian Desert.
where there is gold
"There is gold in Havilah"
Genesis 2:12
There are also bdellium and the onyx stone
"This is also where people can find bdellium and onyx stones"
bdellium
This resin comes from a tree and smells nice. A resin is sticky stuff that comes out of some trees and can burn.
the onyx stone
"onyx stones." Onyx is a certain kind of beautiful stone.
Genesis 2:13
Gihon
This is the only mention of this river in the Bible.
the whole land of Cush
"the entire land called Cush"
Genesis 2:14
it flows east of Ashur
"it flows in the land east of the city of Ashur"
Genesis 2:15
the garden of Eden
"the garden that was in Eden"
to work it
"to cultivate it." This means to do everything necessary so that the plants will grow well.
to maintain it
to guard against anything bad happening in it
Genesis 2:16
From every tree in the garden
"The fruit of every tree in the garden"
may freely eat
"may eat without restriction"
Genesis 2:18
I will make him a helper suitable for him
"I will make a helper who is just right for him"
Genesis 2:20
all the livestock
"all the animals that people look after"
Genesis 2:21
flesh
This refers to the soft parts of the body like skin and muscle.
Genesis 2:22
With the rib ... he made a woman
"From the rib ... he formed a woman." The rib was the material God made the woman from.
Genesis 2:23
This time, this one is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh
"Finally, this one's bones are like my bones, and her flesh is like my flesh." After looking among all the animals for a partner and not finding one, he finally saw someone who was like him and could be his partner.
Genesis 2:24
Therefore a man
"That is why a man"
a man will leave his father and his mother
"a man will stop living in his father and mother's home." This is about men in general. It does not refer to any particular man at any particular time.
they will become one flesh
"their two bodies will become one body"
Genesis 2:25
naked
"not wearing clothing"
but were not ashamed
"they were not ashamed about being naked"
Chapter 3
1
Now the serpent was more shrewd than any other beast of the field which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, "Has God really said, 'You must not eat from any tree of the garden'?"
2
The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit from the trees of the garden,
3
but concerning the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God said, 'You must not eat it, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'"
4
The serpent said to the woman, "You will surely not die.
5
For God knows that the day you eat it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
6
When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate it. Then she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.
7
The eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked. So they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for their loins.
8
They heard the sound of Yahweh God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, so the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Yahweh God among the trees of the garden.
9
Yahweh God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?"
10
The man said, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked. So I hid myself."
11
God said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"
12
The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it."
13
Yahweh God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
14
Yahweh God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this,
cursed are you alone among all the livestock
and all the beasts of the field.
It is on your stomach that you will go,
and it is dust that you will eat
all the days of your life.
15
I will put hostility between you and the woman,
and between your seed and her seed.
He will bruise your head,
and you will bruise his heel."
16
To the woman he said,
"I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth;
it is in pain that you will give birth to children.
Your desire will be for your husband,
but he will rule over you."
17
To Adam he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree, concerning which I commanded you, saying, 'You may not eat from it,'
Cursed is the ground because of you;
through painful work you will eat from it
all the days of your life.
18
It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
and you will eat the plants of the field.
19
By the sweat of your face
you will eat bread,
until you return to the ground,
for out of it you were taken.
For dust you are,
and to dust you will return."
20
The man called his wife's name Eve because she was the mother of all the living.
21
Yahweh God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.
22
Yahweh God said, "Now the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. So now he must not be allowed to reach out with his hand, take from the tree of life, eat it, and live forever."
23
Therefore Yahweh God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he had been taken.
24
So God drove the man out of the garden, and he placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword that turned every way, in order to guard the way to the tree of life.
Genesis 3:1
more shrewd
"more cunning" or "smarter at getting what he wanted by telling lies"
Has God really said, 'You ... garden'?
"I am surprised that God said, 'You ... garden.'"
You must not eat
The word "you" is plural and refers to the man and the woman.
Genesis 3:2
We may eat
"We are allowed to eat" or "We have permission to eat"
Genesis 3:3
You must not eat it, and you must not touch it
"Do not eat it, and do not touch it" or "You must not eat it or touch it"
or you will die
"If you eat it or touch it, you will die"
Genesis 3:4
You will ... not die
These words refer to the man and the woman and so are dual or plural.
Genesis 3:5
knowing good and evil
"knowing everything, including both good and evil"
Genesis 3:6
it was a delight to the eyes
"the tree was delightful to look at" or "it was nice to look at" or "it was very beautiful"
that the tree was desirable to make one wise
"she wanted the tree's fruit because it could make a person wise" or "she wanted its fruit because it could make her understand what was right and wrong just as God does"
Genesis 3:7
sewed
put together, probably using vines as thread
fig leaves
If people do not know what fig leaves are like, this can be translated as "large leaves from a fig tree" or simply "large leaves."
made coverings for their loins
"clothed themselves with them because they were ashamed"
Genesis 3:9
Where are you?
"Why are you trying to hide from me?" God knew where the man was. When the man answered, he did not say where he was but why he was hiding.
Genesis 3:11
Who told you
God knew the answer to this question. He asked it in order to help Adam to confess that he had disobeyed God.
Genesis 3:13
What is this you have done?
"You have done a terrible thing."
Genesis 3:14
all the livestock and all the beasts of the field
"all domestic animals and all wild animals"
It is on your stomach that you will go
"You will move along the ground on your stomach." The words "it is upon your stomach" comes first to emphasize the contrast between the way other animals would move along using their legs and the way the serpent would slither along on its stomach.
it is dust that you will eat
"you will eat dust." The words "it is dust" comes first to emphasize the contrast between the plants above the ground that other animals would eat and the dirty food on the ground that the serpent would eat.
Genesis 3:15
hostility between you and the woman
This means that the serpent and the woman would become enemies.
seed
The word "seed" refers to what a man puts into a woman to cause a baby to grow inside the woman. Like the word "offspring," it can refer to more than one person. Try to find a word that is singular but can refer to more than one person.
He will bruise ... his heel
The words "he" and "his" refer to the woman's descendant. If "seed" was translated as plural, this can be translated as "they will bruise ... their heel"; in this case, consider inserting footnotes to say that the "they" and "their" are used to translate a singular pronoun.
bruise
"crush" or "strike" or "attack"
Genesis 3:16
I will greatly multiply your pain
"I will make your pain increase much" or "I will make your pain to be very severe"
in childbirth
"in giving birth to children" or "when you give birth to children"
Your desire will be for your husband
"You will have a strong desire for your husband." Possible meanings are 1) "You will want very much to be with your husband" or 2) "You will want to control your husband"
he will rule over you
"he will be your master" or "he will control you"
Genesis 3:17
Adam
The name Adam is the same as the Hebrew word for "man." Some translations say "Adam" and some say "the man." You may use either form as it refers to the same person.
you have listened to the voice of your wife
"you have obeyed what your wife said"
have eaten from the tree
"have eaten the fruit of the tree" or "have eaten some of the fruit of the tree"
You may not eat from it
"You must not eat from it" or "Do not eat its fruit"
cursed is the ground
"I am cursing the ground"
through painful work
"by doing hard work"
Genesis 3:18
the plants of the field
Possible meanings are 1) "the plants that you take care of in your fields" or 2) "the wild plants that grow in the open fields."
Genesis 3:19
By the sweat of your face
"By doing hard work that makes your face sweat"
you will eat bread
"you will eat food"
until you return to the ground
"until you die and your body is put in the ground." Man's hard work does not end until the time of his death and burial.
For dust you are, and to dust you will return
"I made you from soil, so your body will become soil again." Translate both occurrences of "dust" with the same word in order to show that man begins and ends in the same condition.
Genesis 3:20
The man
Some translations say "Adam."
called his wife's name Eve
"gave his wife the name Eve" or "named his wife Eve"
Eve
Translators may write a footnote saying "The name Eve sounds like the Hebrew word that means 'living.'"
all the living
"all people" or "all living people"
Genesis 3:22
the man
Possible meanings are 1) God was referring to one human, the man, or 2) God was referring to humans in general, so this would mean the man and his wife. Even if God was speaking about one person, what he said applied to both of them.
like one of us
"like us." The pronoun "us" is plural.
knowing good and evil
"knowing everything, including both good and evil"
he must not be allowed
"I will not allow him"
tree of life
"the tree that gives people life." See how you translated this in Genesis 2:9.
Genesis 3:23
the ground from which he had been taken
"dirt because he had been taken from dirt." This does not refer to the particular place on the land that the God took man from.
to cultivate
This means to what is needed so that plants grow well.
Genesis 3:24
So God drove the man out of the garden
"God forced the man to leave the garden."
in order to guard the way to the tree of life
"in order to stop people from going to the tree of life"
flaming sword
Possible meanings are 1) a sword that had flames coming from it or 2) a fire that was shaped like a sword. Languages that do not have swords could use another weapon such as a spear or arrow.
Chapter 4
1
The man knew Eve his wife and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. She said, "I have produced a man with Yahweh's help."
2
Then she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel became a keeper of flocks, but Cain cultivated the soil.
3
It came about that in the course of time Cain brought some of the fruit of the ground as an offering to Yahweh.
4
As for Abel, he brought some of the firstborn of his flock and some of the fat. Yahweh accepted Abel and his offering,
5
but Cain and his offering he did not accept. So Cain was very angry, and he scowled.
6
Yahweh said to Cain, "Why are you angry and why are you scowling?
7
If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin crouches at the door and desires to control you, but you must rule over it."
8
Cain spoke to Abel his brother. It came about that while they were in the fields, Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.
9
Then Yahweh said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?"
10
Yahweh said, "What have you done? Your brother's blood is calling out to me from the ground.
11
Now cursed are you from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.
12
When you cultivate the ground, from now on it will not yield to you its strength. A fugitive and a wanderer you will be in the earth."
13
Cain said to Yahweh, "My punishment is greater than I can bear.
14
Indeed, you have driven me out this day from this ground, and I will be hidden from your face. I will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me."
15
Yahweh said to him, "If anyone kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold." Then Yahweh put a mark on Cain, so that if anyone found him, that person would not attack him.
16
So Cain went out from the presence of Yahweh and lived in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
17
Cain knew his wife and she conceived. She gave birth to Enoch. He built a city and named it after his son Enoch.
18
To Enoch was born Irad. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech.
19
Lamech took for himself two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other was Zillah.
20
Adah gave birth to Jabal. He was the father of those who live in tents and have livestock.
21
His brother's name was Jubal. He was the father of those who play the harp and pipe.
22
As for Zillah, she bore Tubal-Cain, the forger of tools of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah.
23
Lamech said to his wives,
"Adah and Zillah, listen to my voice;
you wives of Lamech, listen to my words.
For I have killed a man for wounding me,
a young man for bruising me.
24
If Cain is avenged seven times,
then Lamech will be avenged seventy-seven times."
25
Adam knew his wife again, and she bore another son. She called his name Seth and said, "God has given me another son in the place of Abel, for Cain killed him."
26
A son was born to Seth and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of Yahweh.
Genesis 4:1
The man knew Eve
This is a polite way of saying that the man had sexual relations with Eve. You may need to use another euphemism in your language.
The man
"the human being" or "Adam"
Cain
Translators may want to include a footnote that says "The name Cain sounds like the Hebrew word that means 'produce.' Eve named him Cain because she produced him."
Genesis 4:2
Then she gave birth
We do not know how much time passed between the births of Cain and Abel. If possible, use an expression that does not tell how much time passed.
Genesis 4:3
in the course of time
Possible meanings are 1) "after some time had passed" or 2) "at the right time"
fruit of the ground
"crops" or "harvest"
Genesis 4:4
some of the fat
"some of their fat parts"
accepted
"looked favorably upon" or "was pleased with"
Genesis 4:5
did not accept
"did not look favorably upon" or "was not pleased with"
he scowled
This means that the expression on his face showed that he was angry or jealous.
Genesis 4:6
Why are you angry and why are you scowling?
God used these questions to tell Cain that he was wrong to be angry and scowl. They may also have been intended to give Cain an opportunity to confess that he was wrong.
Genesis 4:7
If you ... will you not be accepted?
"You know that if you do what is right, I will accept you"
But if you do not ... you must rule over it
"But if you do not do what is right, you will desire to sin even more, and then you will do sinful things. You must refuse to obey it"
sin crouches ... to control you
"you will become so angry that you will not be able to stop sin"
sin
Languages that do not have a noun that means "sin" could translate this as "your desire to sin" or "the bad things you want to do."
you must rule over it
"you must control it so you do not sin"
Genesis 4:8
Cain spoke to Abel his brother.
"Cain said to Abel his brother, 'Let us go into the fields.'"
brother
Abel was Cain's younger brother. Some languages may need to use the word for "younger brother."
rose up against
"attacked"
Genesis 4:9
Where is Abel your brother
God knew that Cain had killed Abel, but he asked Cain this question so that Cain would have to answer.
Am I my brother's keeper?
"I am not my brother's keeper!" or "You know that taking care of my brother is not my job!"
Genesis 4:10
What have you done?
"What you have done is terrible!"
Your brother's blood is calling out to me
"Your brother's blood is like a person calling out to me to punish the person who killed him"
Genesis 4:11
Now cursed are you from the ground
"I am cursing you so that you will not be able to grow food from the ground"
which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood
"which is soaked with your brother's blood"
from your hand
"that spilled when you killed him" or "from you"
Genesis 4:12
it will not yield to you its strength
"the ground will not produce much food for you"
A fugitive and a wanderer
"A homeless wanderer"
Genesis 4:14
I will be hidden from your face
"I will not be able to speak to you"
Genesis 4:15
vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold
"I will take vengeance on him seven times" or "I will punish that person seven times as severely as I am punishing you"
would not attack him
"would not kill Cain"
Genesis 4:16
went out from the presence of Yahweh
"went away from where Yahweh spoke to him"
Nod
Translators may add a footnote saying "The word Nod means 'wandering.'"
Genesis 4:17
Cain knew his wife
This is a polite way of saying that Cain had sexual relations with his wife. You may need to use another euphemism in your language.
He built a city
"Cain built a city"
Genesis 4:18
To Enoch was born Irad
"Enoch grew up and married and became the father of a son whom he named Irad"
Genesis 4:19
Adah ... Zillah
women's names
Genesis 4:20
He was the father of those who live in tents and have livestock
Possible meanings are 1) "He was the first person to live in a tent and have livestock" or 2) "his descendants live in tents and have livestock."
Genesis 4:21
He was the father of those who play the harp and pipe
Possible meanings are 1) "He was the first person to play the harp and pipe" or 2) "He and his descendants played the harp and pipe."
Genesis 4:22
Tubal-Cain
the name of a man
the forger of tools of bronze and iron
"who made tools out of bronze and iron"
iron
a very strong metal used to make tools and weapons.
Genesis 4:23
listen to my voice ... listen to my words
"listen carefully to me"
a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me
"a young man because he hurt me"
Genesis 4:24
If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech
"Since God will punish anyone who kills Cain seven times, Lamech"
then Lamech will be avenged seventy-seven times
"whoever kills me, God will punish seventy-seven times"
Genesis 4:25
said, "God has given me another son
"explained, 'God has given me another child"
Seth
Translators may add a footnote that says "This name sounds like the Hebrew word that means 'has given.'"
Genesis 4:26
A son was born to Seth
"Seth's wife bore him a son"
to call on the name of Yahweh
"to worship God by using the name Yahweh"
Chapter 5
1
This is the record of the descendants of Adam. On the day that God created mankind, he made them in his own likeness.
2
Male and female he created them. He blessed them and named them mankind when they were created.
3
When Adam had lived 130 years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, after his image, and he called his name Seth.
4
After Adam became the father of Seth, he lived eight hundred years. He became the father of more sons and daughters.
5
Adam lived 930 years, and then he died.
6
When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father of Enosh.
7
After he became the father of Enosh, he lived 807 years and became the father of more sons and daughters.
8
Seth lived 912 years, and then he died.
9
When Enosh had lived ninety years, he became the father of Kenan.
10
After he became the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years. He became the father of more sons and daughters.
11
Enosh lived 905 years, and then he died.
12
When Kenan had lived seventy years, he became the father of Mahalalel.
13
After he became the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years. He became the father of more sons and daughters.
14
Kenan lived 910 years, and then he died.
15
When Mahalalel had lived sixty-five years, he became the father of Jared.
16
After he became the father of Jared, Mahalalel lived 830 years. He became the father of more sons and daughters.
17
Mahalalel lived 895 years, and then he died.
18
When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch.
19
After he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived eight hundred years. He became the father of more sons and daughters.
20
Jared lived 962 years, and then he died.
21
When Enoch had lived sixty-five years, he became the father of Methuselah.
22
Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he became the father of Methuselah. He became the father of more sons and daughters.
23
Enoch lived 365 years.
24
Enoch walked with God, and then he was gone, for God took him.
25
When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech.
26
After he became the father of Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years. He became the father of more sons and daughters.
27
Methuselah lived 969 years. Then he died.
28
When Lamech had lived 182 years, he became the father of a son.
29
He called his name Noah, saying, "This one will give us rest from our work and from the painful labor of our hands, which we must do because of the ground that Yahweh has cursed."
30
Lamech lived 595 years after he became the father of Noah. He became the father of more sons and daughters.
31
Lamech lived 777 years. Then he died.
32
After Noah had lived five hundred years, he became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Genesis 5:1
in his own likeness
"to truly be like us"
Genesis 5:2
when they were created
"when he created them"
Genesis 5:3
he became the father of a son
"he had a son"
Genesis 5:4
He became the father of more sons and daughters
"He had more sons and daughters"
Genesis 5:5
Adam lived 930 years
"Adam lived a total of 930 years"
then he died
This phrase will be repeated throughout the chapter. Use the ordinary word for "died."
Genesis 5:6
he became the father of Enosh
"he had his son Enosh"
Enosh
This is the name of a person.
Genesis 5:8
Seth lived 912 years
"Seth lived nine hundred and twelve years." Seth lived a total of 912 years.
Genesis 5:21
he became the father of Methuselah
"he had his son Methuselah"
Methuselah
This is the name of a man.
Genesis 5:22
Enoch walked with God
"Enoch had a close relationship with God" or "Enoch lived in union with God"
He became the father of more sons and daughters
"He had more sons and daughters"
Genesis 5:23
Enoch lived 365 years
"Enoch lived three hundred and sixty-five years."
Genesis 5:24
then he was gone
The word "he" refers to Enoch. He was no longer on earth.
for God took him
This means that God took Enoch to be with himself.
Genesis 5:25
Lamech
This Lamech is different from the Lamech in Genesis 4:18.
Genesis 5:28
became the father of a son
"had a son"
Genesis 5:29
Noah
Translators may want to add a footnote that says: "This name sounds like the Hebrew word that means 'rest.'"
from our work and from the painful labor of our hands
"from working so hard with our hands"
Genesis 5:31
Lamech lived 777 years
"Lamech lived seven hundred seventy-seven years."
Genesis 5:32
he became the father of
"he had his sons." This does not tell us whether the sons were born on the same day or in different years.
Shem, Ham, and Japheth
These sons may not be listed in the order of their birth. There is disagreement about which one was the oldest. Avoid translating this in a way that implies that the list is in the order of their ages.
Chapter 6
1
It came about when mankind began to multiply on the earth and daughters were born to them,
2
that the sons of God saw that the daughters of mankind were attractive. They took for themselves wives, any of them that they chose.
3
Yahweh said, "My spirit will not remain in mankind forever, for they are flesh. They will live 120 years."
4
The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward. This happened when the sons of God married daughters of men, and they had children with them. These were the mighty men of old, men of renown.
5
Yahweh saw that the wickedness of mankind was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually.
6
Yahweh regretted that he had made mankind on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.
7
So Yahweh said, "I will wipe away mankind whom I have created from the surface of the earth—mankind and animals, and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I regret that I have made them."
8
But Noah found favor in the eyes of Yahweh.
9
This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, and blameless among the people of his time. Noah walked with God.
10
Noah became the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
11
The earth was corrupt before God, and it was filled with violence.
12
God saw the earth; behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth.
13
God said to Noah, "I can see that it is time to put an end to all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Indeed, I will destroy them with the earth.
14
Make for yourself an ark of cypress wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it with pitch within and without.
15
This is how you will make it: The length of the ark is to be three hundred cubits; the breadth of it is to be fifty cubits, and the height of it is to be thirty cubits.
16
Make a roof for the ark, and finish it at a cubit from the top of the side. Place a door in the side of the ark and make a lower, a second, and a third deck.
17
Listen, I am about to bring the flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh that has in it the breath of life from under heaven. Everything that is on the earth will die.
18
But I will establish my covenant with you. You will come into the ark, you, and your sons, and your wife, and your sons' wives with you.
19
Of every living creature of all flesh, two of every kind you must bring into the ark, to keep them alive with you, both male and female.
20
Of the birds after their kind, and of animals after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every sort will come to you to keep them alive.
21
Gather for yourself every kind of food that is eaten and store it, so that it will be food for you and for them."
22
So Noah did this. According to all that God commanded him, so he did.
Genesis 6:1
It came about
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
daughters were born to them
"the women bore daughters"
Genesis 6:2
sons of God
Translators could add a footnote saying: "It is not clear whether this refers to heavenly beings or human beings. In either case, they were beings that God created." Some believe these words refer to angels who rebelled against God, that is, evil spirits or demons. Others think this may refer to powerful political rulers, and others think this may refer to the descendants of Seth.
Genesis 6:3
My spirit
Here Yahweh is talking about himself and his spirit, which is the Spirit of God.
flesh
This means that they have physical bodies that will one day die.
Genesis 6:4
The Nephilim
These seem to have been giants, very tall, large people.
This happened when
"The Nephilim were born because"
sons of God
See how you translated this in Genesis 6:2.
These were the mighty men of old
"These Nephilim were the mighty men who lived long ago" or "These children grew to become the powerful fighters who lived long ago"
men of renown
"famous men"
Genesis 6:5
every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts
"everything their hearts wanted to think about"
the thoughts of their hearts
"their inner, secret thoughts"
Genesis 6:6
it grieved him to his heart
"he was very, very sad about it"
Genesis 6:7
I will wipe away mankind whom I have created
"I created mankind. I will destroy mankind ... so that there will not be any people on the earth"
wipe away
"completely destroy." Here "wipe away" is used in a negative sense, for God is talking about destroying the people because of their sin.
Genesis 6:8
Noah found favor in the eyes of Yahweh
"Yahweh looked favorably on Noah" or "Yahweh was pleased with Noah"
Genesis 6:9
walked with God
See how you translated this in Genesis 5:21.
Genesis 6:10
Noah became the father of three sons
"Noah had three sons" or "Noah's wife had three sons"
Shem, Ham, and Japheth
Translators may add the following footnote: "The sons are not listed in the order in which they were born."
Genesis 6:11
The earth
Possible meanings are 1) the people who lived on the earth or 2) "The earth itself."
was corrupt
"was rotten" or "was completely evil"
before God
Possible meanings are 1) "in God's sight" or 2) "in the presence of Yahweh"
and it was filled with violence
"and there were very many violent people on the earth" or "because it was full of people who did evil things to each other"
Genesis 6:12
behold
The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
all flesh
Possible meanings for what "all flesh" represents are 1) all human beings or 2) all physical beings, including humans and animal.
had corrupted their way
"had stopped living the way God wanted" or "had behaved in an evil way"
Genesis 6:13
all flesh
See how you translated these words in Genesis 6:12.
the earth is filled with violence through them
"people everywhere on earth are violent"
I will destroy them with the earth
"I will destroy both them and the earth" or "I will destroy them when I destroy the earth"
Genesis 6:14
an ark
This refers to a very large box that would be able to float on water even in a very bad storm. "a large boat" or "a ship" or "a barge"
cypress wood
People do not know exactly what kind of tree this was. "wood used for building boats" or "good wood"
cover it with pitch
"spread pitch on it" or "paint tar on it" or "cover it with pitch to make it waterproof"
pitch
This is a thick, sticky or oily liquid that people put on the outside of a boat to stop water from going through gaps in the wood into the boat.
Genesis 6:15
cubits
A cubit was a unit of measure, a little less than half a meter long.
three hundred cubits
"138 meters." or you may also write a footnote that says: "Three hundred cubits is about 138 meters."
fifty cubits
"twenty-three meters"
thirty cubits
"fourteen meters"
Genesis 6:16
a roof for the ark
This was probably a peaked or slanted roof. Its purpose was to protect everything in the ark from the rain.
a lower, a second, and a third deck
"a lower deck, a middle deck, and an upper deck" or "three decks inside"
deck
"floor" or "level"
Genesis 6:17
Listen
God said this in order to emphasize that he would do what he was about to say. "Pay attention" or "Listen to what I am saying"
I am about to bring the flood of waters
"I am about to send a flood of waters" or "I am about to cause a flood"
all flesh
Here "flesh" represents all physical beings, including humans and animals.
that has in it the breath of life
"that lives"
Genesis 6:18
establish my covenant with you
"make a covenant between you and me"
with you
with Noah
You will come into the ark
"You will enter the ark." Some translations say "You will go into the ark."
Genesis 6:19
Of every living creature of all flesh, two of every kind you must bring into the ark
"You must bring into the ark two of every kind of living creature"
creature
an animal God created
Genesis 6:20
after their kind
"of each different kind"
creeping thing of the ground
This refers to small animals that move on the ground .
two of every sort
This refers to two of every kind of bird and animal.
to you
This refers to Noah and so is singular.
to keep them alive
"so you can keep them alive"
Genesis 6:21
yourself ... you
These refer to Noah and are singular.
Genesis 6:22
So Noah did this. According to all that God commanded him, so he did
"So Noah did everything that God commanded him to do"
Chapter 7
1
Yahweh said to Noah, "Come, you and all your household, into the ark, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation.
2
Of every clean animal you will bring with you seven males and seven females. From the animals that are not clean, of them bring two, the male and his mate.
3
Also of the birds of the sky, bring seven males and seven females, to keep their offspring alive upon the surface of all the earth.
4
For in seven days I will cause it to rain upon the earth for forty days and forty nights. I will destroy from off the surface of the ground every living thing that I have made."
5
Noah did all that Yahweh commanded him.
6
Noah was six hundred years old when the flood came upon the earth.
7
Noah, his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives went into the ark together because of the waters of the flood.
8
Clean animals and unclean animals, birds, and everything that creeps upon the ground,
9
two by two, male and female, came to Noah and went into the ark, just as God had commanded Noah.
10
It came about that after the seven days, the waters of the flood came upon the earth.
11
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day, all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the windows of heaven were opened.
12
The rain began and fell on the earth for forty days and forty nights.
13
On that very same day Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, entered into the ark.
14
They entered along with each wild animal according to its kind, and each sort of livestock according to its kind, and each creeping thing that creeps upon the earth according to its kind, and every sort of bird according to its kind, each kind of creature with wings.
15
Two of all flesh in which was the breath of life came to Noah and entered into the ark.
16
The animals that went in were male and female of all flesh; they entered in just as God had commanded him. Then Yahweh shut the door after them.
17
Then the flood came upon the earth for forty days, and the water increased and lifted the ark and raised it above the earth.
18
The waters completely covered over the earth, and the ark floated upon the surface of the water.
19
The waters rose greatly on the earth so that all the high mountains that were under the entire sky were covered.
20
The waters rose fifteen cubits above the tops of the mountains.
21
All living beings that moved upon the earth died—birds, livestock, wild animals, all the living creatures that lived in great numbers upon the earth, and all mankind.
22
All living creatures who lived on the land, who breathed the breath of life through their noses, died.
23
So every living thing that was on the surface of the earth was wiped out, mankind and animals and creeping things and birds of the sky. They were all destroyed from the earth. Only Noah and those with him in the ark were left.
24
The waters stayed upon the earth for 150 days.
Genesis 7:1
Come ... into the ark
"Enter ... into the ark." Many translations read "Go ... into the ark."
your household
"your family"
righteous before me
This means that God saw Noah as righteous.
in this generation
"among all the people who are now living"
Genesis 7:2
clean animal
This was an animal that God allowed his people to eat and to sacrifice.
animals that are not clean
These were animals that God did not allow people to eat or to sacrifice.
Genesis 7:3
to keep their offspring alive
"so that they will have offspring that will live" or "so that, after the flood, animals will continue to live"
Genesis 7:4
forty days and forty nights
"forty days and nights"
living
This refers to physical life.
Genesis 7:6
came upon the earth
"happened" or "came on the earth"
Genesis 7:7
because of the waters of the flood
"because of the flood that would come" or "to escape the flood water"
Genesis 7:9
two by two
The animals entered the boat in pairs of one male and one female.
Genesis 7:10
It came about that
This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story: the start of the flood. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
the waters of the flood came upon the earth
"it started to rain and the waters of the flood came upon the earth"
Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life
"When Noah was 600 years old"
on the same day
This refers to the specific day when the rain began. This phrase emphasizes how all of these major events happened quickly when the time arrived.
the fountains of the great deep burst open
"water from under the earth rushed up to the earth's surface"
the great deep
This refers to the sea that was thought to be under the earth.
the windows of heaven were opened
"the sky opened" or "the doors in the sky opened"
Genesis 7:14
wild animal ... livestock ... creeping thing ... bird
These four groups are listed to show that every kind of animal was included. If your language has another way of grouping all the animals, you can use that, or you can use these groups. See how you translated this in Genesis 1:24.
creeping thing
This refers to animals that crawl on the ground, like rodents, insects, lizards, and snakes.
according to its kind
"so that each kind of animal will produce more of its own kind." See how you translated this in Genesis 1:24.
Genesis 7:15
Two of all flesh
Here, "flesh" represents animals.
in which was the breath of life
"that lived"
of all flesh
"of every kind of animal"
Genesis 7:16
after them
"after they entered the ark"
Genesis 7:17
the water increased
"the water became very deep." This happened during the forty days while the water kept coming.
lifted the ark
"it caused the ark to float"
raised it above the earth
"causes the ark to rise up high over the ground" or "he ark floated on top of the deep water"
Genesis 7:19
The waters rose greatly on the earth
"The water totally overwhelmed the earth"
Genesis 7:20
fifteen cubits
"six meters."
Genesis 7:21
all the living creatures that lived in great numbers upon the earth
This refers to all the animals that move around on the ground in large groups.
Genesis 7:22
who breathed the breath of life through their noses
"everyone that breathed"
the breath of life
The words "breath" and "life" represent the power that causes people and animals to be alive.
Genesis 7:23
So every living thing ... was wiped out
"So every living thing ... perished" or "So the flood completely destroyed every living thing"
They were all destroyed
"God destroyed them all"
from the earth
"so they were no longer on the earth"
those with him
"the people and animals that were with him"
were left
"remained" or "lived" or "remained alive"
Chapter 8
1
God remembered Noah, all the wild animals, and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters started going down.
2
The fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven were closed, and it stopped raining.
3
The flood waters went down slowly from the earth, and after the end of 150 days the waters had gone down.
4
The ark came to rest in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.
5
The waters continued to go down until the tenth month. On the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains appeared.
6
It came about after forty days that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made.
7
He sent out a raven and it flew back and forth until the waters were dried up from the earth.
8
Then he sent out a dove to see if the waters had gone down from the surface of the earth,
9
but the dove found no place to rest her foot, and she returned to him in the ark, for the waters were still covering the whole earth. He reached out with his hand, and took and brought her into the ark with him.
10
He waited another seven days and again he sent out the dove from the ark.
11
The dove returned to him in the evening. Look! In her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters had gone down from the earth.
12
He waited another seven days, and sent out the dove again. She did not return again to him.
13
It came about in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, on the first day of the month, that the waters were dried up from off the earth. Noah removed the covering of the ark, looked out, and saw that, behold, the surface of the ground was dry.
14
In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry.
15
God said to Noah,
16
"Go out of the ark, you, your wife, your sons, and your sons' wives with you.
17
Take out with you every living creature of all flesh that is with you—the birds, the animals, and every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth—so that they may increase greatly on the earth, that they may be fruitful and multiply upon the earth."
18
So Noah went out with his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives with him.
19
Every living creature, every creeping thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, according to their families, left the ark.
20
Noah built an altar to Yahweh. He took some of the clean animals and some of the clean birds, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
21
Yahweh smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart, "I will not again curse the ground because of mankind, even though the intention of mankind's heart is evil from childhood. Nor will I again destroy everything living, as I have done.
22
While the earth remains,
seed time and harvest,
cold and heat,
summer and winter,
and day and night
will not cease."
Genesis 8:1
God remembered Noah
"God had not forgotten Noah" or "God thought of Noah" or "God decided to help Noah"
ark
"a large boat" or "a ship" or "a barge"
Genesis 8:2
The fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven were closed
"God closed the fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven"
the windows of heaven were closed
"the sky closed" or "the doors in the sky closed"
Genesis 8:4
came to rest
"landed" or "stopped on solid ground"
in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month
Because Moses wrote this book, it is possible he is referring to the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, but this is uncertain.
Genesis 8:5
On the first day of the month
"On the first day of the tenth month"
Genesis 8:6
It came about ... the window of the ark which he had made
The phrase "which he had made" tells about the window. Some languages may need to make this phrase a separate sentence: "Noah had made a window in the boat. It came about after forty days that he opened the window"
Genesis 8:7
raven
a black bird that eats mainly the flesh of dead animals
it flew back and forth
This means that the raven kept leaving the boat and returning.
until the waters were dried up
"until the wind dried up the waters" or "until the waters dried up"
Genesis 8:8
he sent out a dove
If you use masculine pronouns for the word "dove," you may need to insert Noah's name here to avoid confusion: "Noah sent out a dove."
Genesis 8:9
to rest her foot
"to land" or "to perch." It means to land on something in order to rest from flying.
her foot ... she returned ... and brought her
The word "dove" is feminine in the author's language. You could translate these phrases with the pronouns "its ... it ... it" or "his ... he ... him," depending on how your language refers to a dove.
Genesis 8:11
Look
"Pay attention" or "This is important"
a freshly plucked olive leaf
"a leaf that she had just broken off from an olive tree"
Genesis 8:13
in the six hundred and first year
"when Noah was 601 years old"
the waters were dried up from off the earth
"the waters covering the earth dried up" or "the wind dried up the waters covering the earth"
the covering of the ark
This refers to a cover that kept the rain water from going into the ark.
behold
The word "behold" tells us to pay attention to the important information that comes next.
Genesis 8:14
the earth was dry
"the ground was completely dry"
Genesis 8:17
Take out
"Take." Some translations read "Bring out."
every living creature of all flesh
"every kind of living creature."
be fruitful and multiply
See how this is translated in Genesis. God wanted the humans and animals to reproduce, so there would be many of them.
Genesis 8:18
Noah went out
Some translations read "Noah came out."
Genesis 8:19
according to their families
"in groups of their own kinds"
Genesis 8:20
built an altar to Yahweh
"built an altar dedicated to Yahweh" or "built an altar for worshiping Yahweh." He may have built it with stones.
offered burnt offerings
"burned the animals as offerings to Yahweh"
Genesis 8:21
pleasing aroma
This refers to the good smell of the roasted meat.
said in his heart
Here the word "heart" refers to God's thoughts and emotions.
curse the ground
"do very serious harm to the earth"
because of mankind
"because mankind is sinful."
the intention of mankind's heart is evil from childhood
"from their earliest years they tend to do evil things" or "when they are young, they want to do evil things
from childhood
"from their youth"
Genesis 8:22
While the earth remains
"While the earth lasts" or "As long as the earth exists"
seed time
"the season for planting"
cold and heat, summer and winter
These expressions both refer to two major weather conditions in the year. Translators may use local expressions.
summer
the hot, dry time of the year
winter
the cool, wet or snowy time of the year
will not cease
"will continue"
Chapter 9
1
Then God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth.
2
The fear of you and the dread of you will be upon every living thing on the earth, upon every bird of the sky, upon everything that moves on the ground, and upon all the fish of the sea. They are given into your hand.
3
Every moving thing that lives will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.
4
But you must not eat meat with its life—that is its blood—in it.
5
But for your blood, the life that is in your blood, I will require payment. From the hand of every animal I will require it. From the hand of any man, that is, from the hand of one who has murdered his brother, I will require an accounting for the life of that man.
6
Whoever sheds man's blood,
by man will his blood be shed,
for it was in the image of God that he made man.
7
As for you, be fruitful and multiply, spread throughout the earth and multiply on it."
8
Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying,
9
"As for me, listen! I am going to confirm my covenant with you and with your descendants after you,
10
and with every living creature that is with you, with the birds, the livestock, and every creature of the earth with you, from all that came out of the ark, to every living creature on the earth.
11
I hereby confirm my covenant with you, that never again will all flesh be destroyed by the waters of a flood. Never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth."
12
God said, "This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations:
13
I have set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
14
It will come about when I bring a cloud over the earth and the rainbow is seen in the cloud,
15
then I will call to mind my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. The waters will never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.
16
The rainbow will be in the clouds and I will see it, in order to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."
17
Then God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant that I have confirmed between me and all flesh that is on the earth."
18
The sons of Noah that came out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham was the father of Canaan.
19
These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated.
20
Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard.
21
He drank some of the wine and became drunk. He was lying uncovered in his tent.
22
Then Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside.
23
So Shem and Japheth took a robe and laid it upon both their shoulders, and walked backwards and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned the other way, so they did not see their father's nakedness.
24
When Noah awoke from his wine, he learned what his youngest son had done to him.
25
So he said,
"Cursed be Canaan.
May he be a servant to his brothers' servants."
26
He also said,
"May Yahweh, the God of Shem, be blessed,
and may Canaan be his servant.
27
May God extend the territory of Japheth,
and let him make his home in the tents of Shem.
May Canaan be his servant."
28
After the flood, Noah lived three hundred fifty years.
29
All the days of Noah were nine hundred fifty years, and then he died.
Genesis 9:1
Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth
This is God's blessing. He told Noah and his family to produce more humans like themselves, so that there would be many of them. The word "multiply" explains how they are to be "fruitful." See how you translated these commands in Genesis 1:28.
Genesis 9:2
The fear of you and the dread of you will be upon every living thing ... and upon all the fish of the sea
"Every living thing ... and all the fish of the sea will be dreadfully afraid of you"
bird
This is a general term for things that fly.
upon everything that moves on the ground
This includes all types of small animals.
They are given into your hand
"They are given into your control" or "I have put them under your control"
Genesis 9:4
life ... blood
Translators may add a footnote such as this: "The blood is a symbol for life." They may also add a footnote that says something like this: "God was commanding people not to eat meat while the blood was still in it. They had to drain out the blood first."
Genesis 9:5
for your blood, the life that is in your blood
"if anyone causes your blood to pour out" or "if anyone spills your blood" or "if anyone kills you"
life
This refers to physical life.
I will require payment
"I will require anyone who kills you to pay"
From the hand of every animal I will require it
"I will require any animal that takes your life to pay"
From the hand of any man, that is, from the hand of one who has murdered his brother, I will require an accounting for the life of that man
"I will require anyone who takes the life of another person to pay"
From the hand of
"From that very man"
brother
Here "brother" is used as a general reference to relatives, such as members of the same tribe, clan, or people group.
Genesis 9:6
Whoever sheds man's blood, by man will his blood be shed
The shedding of blood is a metaphor for killing someone. This means that if a person murders someone, someone else must kill the murderer. However, "blood" is very significant in this passage and should be used in the translation if possible. Translate "sheds blood" with words that indicate a major loss of blood that causes death.
for it was in the image of God that he made man
"because God made people to be like him" or "because I made people in my own image"
Genesis 9:8
Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him
"God continued speaking to Noah and his sons" or "Then God went on to say"
Genesis 9:9
As for me
This phrase is used in English to mark the change from God talking about what Noah and his sons must do to talking about what God would do.
confirm my covenant with you
"make a covenant between you and me."
Genesis 9:11
all flesh
Possible meanings for what "all flesh" represents are 1) all human beings or 2) all physical beings, including humans and animal.
Never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth
"There will never again be a flood that destroys the earth." There would be floods, but they would not destroy the whole earth.
Genesis 9:12
sign
This means a reminder of something that was promised.
covenant ... for all future generations
The covenant applies to Noah and his family and also to all generations that follow.
Genesis 9:14
It will come about when
"Whenever." It is something that would happen many times.
the rainbow is seen
"people and I see the rainbow"
rainbow
the colorful strip of light that appears in the rain when the sun shines from behind the viewer
Genesis 9:15
I will call to mind my covenant
"I will think about my covenant"
me and you
The word "you" is plural. God was speaking to Noah and Noah's sons.
every living creature of all flesh
"every kind of living being"
Genesis 9:16
between God and every living creature
"between me and every living creature"
every living creature of all flesh
"every kind of living being."
Genesis 9:17
Then God said to Noah
"God finished by saying to Noah" or "So God said to Noah"
Genesis 9:18
father
Ham was Canaan's true father.
Genesis 9:20
man of the soil
person who raises plants for food
Genesis 9:21
became drunk
"drank too much wine"
uncovered
The text does not specify how much of Noah's body was uncovered as he lay drunk. His sons' reactions show us that it was shameful.
Genesis 9:22
his father
This refers to Noah.
Genesis 9:24
awoke from his wine
He awoke after drinking wine and becoming drunk. He "became sober."
his youngest son
"his youngest son, Ham"
Genesis 9:25
Cursed be Canaan
"I curse Canaan" or "May bad things happen to Canaan"
Canaan
"Ham's son Canaan"
a servant to his brothers' servants
"the lowest servant of his brothers" or "the least important servant of his brothers"
his brothers
This could refer either to Canaan's brothers or to his relatives in general.
Genesis 9:26
May Yahweh, the God of Shem, be blessed
"Praised be Yahweh, the God of Shem," or "Yahweh, the God of Shem, is worthy of praise" or "I praise Yahweh, the God of Shem"
Genesis 9:27
May Canaan be his servant
"And let Canaan be Shem's servant." This includes Canaan's and Shem's descendants.
May God extend the territory of Japheth
Possible meanings are 1) "May God make Japheth's territory larger" or 2) "May God cause Japheth to have many descendants."
let him make his home in the tents of Shem
"let him leave peacefully with Shem." This includes Japheth's and Shem's descendants.
May Canaan be his servant
"Let Canaan be Japheth's servant." This includes Canaan's and Japheth's descendants.
Chapter 10
1
These were the descendants of the sons of Noah, that is, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons were born to them after the flood.
2
The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
3
The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah.
4
The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites,
and Dodanim.
5
From these the coastland peoples separated and went into their lands, every one with its own language, according to their clans, by their nations.
6
The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.
7
The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteka. The sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan.
8
Cush became the father of Nimrod, who was a mighty one on the earth.
9
He was a mighty hunter before Yahweh. That is why it is said, "Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before Yahweh."
10
The first centers of his kingdom were Babylon, Uruk, Akkad, and Kalneh, in the land of Shinar.
11
Out of that land he went to Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah,
12
and Resen, which was between Nineveh and Calah. It was a large city.
13
Mizraim became the father of the Ludites, the Anamites, the Lehabites, the Naphtuhites,
14
the Pathrusites, the Kasluhites (from whom the Philistines came), and the Caphtorites.
15
Canaan became the father of Sidon, his firstborn, and of Heth,
16
also of the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites,
17
the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites,
18
the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites. Afterward the clans of the Canaanites spread out.
19
The border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, in the direction of Gerar, as far as Gaza, and as one goes toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboyim, as far as Lasha.
20
These were the sons of Ham, by their clans, by their languages, in their lands, and in their nations.
21
Sons also were born to Shem, the older brother of Japheth. Shem was also the ancestor of all the people of Eber.
22
The sons of Shem were Elam, Ashur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.
23
The sons of Aram were Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech.
24
Arphaxad became the father of Shelah, and Shelah became the father of Eber.
25
Eber had two sons. The name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided. His brother's name was Joktan.
26
Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,
27
Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,
28
Obal, Abimael, Sheba,
29
Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan.
30
Their territory was from Mesha, all the way to Sephar, the mountain of the east.
31
These were the sons of Shem, according to their clans and their languages, in their lands, according to their nations.
32
These were the clans of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, by their nations. From these the nations separated and went over the earth after the flood.
Genesis 10:1
These were the descendants of the sons of Noah
“This is the account of Noah’s sons.” This sentence introduces the account of Noah’s descendants in Genesis 10:1-11:9.
Genesis 10:5
From these the coastland peoples separated and went into their lands
"Javan's sons and descendants separated and moved to the coastlands and islands"
their lands
"their homelands." These are the places that the people moved to and lived in.
every one with its own language
"Each people group spoke its own language" or "The people groups divided themselves according to their languages"
Genesis 10:6
Mizraim
Mizraim is the Hebrew name for "Egypt."
Genesis 10:8
mighty one
Possible meanings are 1) "mighty warrior" or 2) "mighty man" or 3) "powerful ruler."
Genesis 10:9
before Yahweh
Possible meanings are 1) "in Yahweh's sight" or 2) "with Yahweh's help"
That is why it is said
"This is the reason people say"
Genesis 10:10
The first centers
Possible meanings are 1) the first centers he developed or 2) the important cities.
Genesis 10:11
he went to Assyria
"Nimrod went into Assyria"
Genesis 10:13
Mizraim
Mizraim was one of Ham's sons. His descendants became the people of Egypt.
Genesis 10:16
Jebusites ... Amorites ... Girgashites
These names refer to larger groups of people that descended from Canaan.
Genesis 10:19
border
line between one person's land and another person's land
from Sidon, in the direction of Gerar, as far as Gaza
"from Sidon city in the north as far south as Gaza town, which is near Gerar"
as one goes toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboyim, as far as Lasha
"then east toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboyim towns, as far as Lasha"
Genesis 10:20
These were the sons of Ham
The word "these" refers to the people and people groups who were listed in verses Genesis 6-19.
by their languages
"broken up according to their different languages"
in their lands
"in their homelands"
Genesis 10:24
Arphaxad
Arphaxad was one of Shem's sons.
Genesis 10:25
Peleg
Translators may add a footnote note that says: "The name Peleg means 'division.'"
the earth was divided
"the people of the earth divided themselves" or "the people of the earth separated from one another" or "God divided the people of the earth"
Genesis 10:26
Joktan
Joktan was one of Eber's sons.
Genesis 10:29
All these
"These" here refers to the sons of Joktan.
Genesis 10:30
Their territory
"The land they controlled" or "The land they lived in"
Genesis 10:31
These were the sons of Shem
The word "these" refers to the descendants of Shem
Genesis 10:32
These were the clans
This refers back to all the people listed in Genesis 10:1-31.
according to
"listed by"
From these the nations separated and went over the earth
"From these clans the nations divided and spread over the earth" or "These clans divided from each other and formed the nations of the earth"
after the flood
"after the flood destroyed the earth"
Chapter 11
1
Now the whole earth used one language and had the same words.
2
As they journeyed in the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and they settled there.
3
They said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They had brick instead of stone and tar as mortar.
4
They said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower whose top will reach to the sky, and let us make a name for ourselves. If we do not, we will be scattered across the surface of the whole earth."
5
So Yahweh came down to see the city and the tower which the descendants of Adam had built.
6
Yahweh said, "Look, they are one people with the same language, and they are beginning to do this! Soon nothing that they intend to do will be impossible for them.
7
Come, let us go down and confuse their language there, so that they may not understand each other."
8
So Yahweh scattered them from there across the surface of all the earth and they stopped building the city.
9
Therefore, its name was called Babel, because there Yahweh confused the language of the whole earth and from there Yahweh scattered them abroad over the surface of all the earth.
10
These were the descendants of Shem. Shem was a hundred years old, and he became the father of Arphaxad two years after the flood.
11
Shem lived five hundred years after he became the father of Arphaxad. He also became the father of other sons and daughters.
12
When Arphaxad had lived thirty-five years, he became the father of Shelah.
13
Arphaxad lived 403 years after he became the father of Shelah. He also became the father of other sons and daughters.
14
When Shelah had lived thirty years, he became the father of Eber.
15
Shelah lived 403 years after he became the father of Eber. He also became the father of other sons and daughters.
16
When Eber had lived thirty-four years, he became the father of Peleg.
17
Eber lived 430 years after he became the father of Peleg. He also became the father of other sons and daughters.
18
When Peleg had lived thirty years, he became the father of Reu.
19
Peleg lived 209 years after he became the father of Reu. He also became the father of other sons and daughters.
20
When Reu had lived thirty-two years, he became the father of Serug.
21
Reu lived 207 years after he became the father of Serug. He also became the father of other sons and daughters.
22
When Serug had lived thirty years, he became the father of Nahor.
23
Serug lived two hundred years after he became the father of Nahor. He also became the father of other sons and daughters.
24
When Nahor had lived twenty-nine years, he became the father of Terah.
25
Nahor lived 119 years after he became the father of Terah. He also became the father of other sons and daughters.
26
After Terah had lived seventy years, he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
27
Now these were the descendants of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran, and Haran became the father of Lot.
28
Haran died in the presence of his father Terah in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldeans.
29
Abram and Nahor took wives. The name of Abram's wife was Sarai and the name of Nahor's wife was Milkah, a daughter of Haran, who was the father of Milkah and Iskah.
30
Now Sarai was barren; she had no child.
31
Terah took Abram his son, Lot the son of his son Haran, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram's wife, and together they left Ur of the Chaldeans, to go into the land of Canaan. But they came to Haran and stayed there.
32
Terah lived 205 years and then died in Haran.
Genesis 11:1
Now
This word shows that the writer is beginning a new part of the story.
the whole earth
"all the people on the earth"
Genesis 11:2
they journeyed
"they moved around"
in the east
Possible meanings are 1) "in the east" or 2) "from the east" or 3) "to the east." The preferred choice is "in the east" because Shinar is to the east of where scholars believe the ark came to rest.
settled
stopped moving from one place to another and began to live at one location
Genesis 11:3
Come
If your language has a way of urging or commanding people to begin work, like the English "Come on!" you might use it here.
bake them thoroughly
People make bricks out of clay and heat them in a very hot oven to make them hard and strong.
tar
a thick, sticky, black liquid that comes up from the ground
mortar
This is a thick substance made of lime powder, clay, sand, and water used to make stones or bricks stick together.
Genesis 11:4
let us make a name for ourselves
"let us make our reputation great"
we will be scattered
"we will separate from each other and live in different places"
Genesis 11:5
the descendants of Adam
"the people"
came down
"came down from heaven." This does not tell how he came down. Use a general word meaning "came down."
to see
"to observe" or "to look more closely"
Genesis 11:6
one people with the same language
All the people were one big group and they all spoke the same language.
they are beginning to do this
Possible meanings are 1) "they have begun to do this," meaning that they have begun to build the tower but it is not finished, or 2) "this is just the first thing they have done," meaning that in future they will do greater things.
nothing that they intend to do will be impossible for them
"anything they intend to do will be possible for them" or "they will be able to do anything they want to do"
Genesis 11:7
let us go down
The word "us" is plural even though it refers to God. Some translate it as "let me go down" or "I will go down." If you do this, consider adding a footnote to say that the pronoun is plural. See the note on "Let us make" in Genesis 1:26.
confuse their language
"mix up their language"
so that they may not understand each other
"so that they will not be able to understand what each other is saying"
Genesis 11:8
from there
"from the city"
Genesis 11:9
its name was called Babel, because there Yahweh confused
The name "Babel" sounds like the word that means "confused." Translators may want to add a footnote about this.
Genesis 11:10
became the father of Arphaxad
"had his son Arphaxad" or "his son Arphaxad was born"
flood
This is the flood from Noah's time when people had become so evil that God sent a worldwide flood to cover the earth.
Genesis 11:12
he became the father of Shelah
"his son Shelah was born"
Shelah
This is a man's name.
Genesis 11:26
Abram, Nahor, and Haran
We do not know the birth order of his sons.
Genesis 11:27
Now these were the descendants of Terah
"This is the account of Terah's descendants"
Genesis 11:28
Haran died in the presence of his father Terah
"Haran died while his father, Terah, was with him"
Genesis 11:29
took wives
"married wives"
Iskah
This is a female name.
Genesis 11:30
Now
This word is used to introduce new information about Sarai that will become important in later chapters.
barren
This term describes a woman who is physically unable to conceive or bear a child.
Genesis 11:31
his
Here the word "his" refers to Terah.
Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram's wife
"his daughter-in-law Sarai, who was the wife of his son Abram"
Haran ... Haran
These are two different names and they are spelled differently in Hebrew. One refers to a person and the other refers to a city. (The "h" sound in the city's name is louder than the "h" sound in the person's name.) You might choose to spell them differently in your language to show this.
Chapter 12
1
Now Yahweh said to Abram, "Go from your country, and from your relatives, and from your father's household, to the land that I will show you.
2
I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you,
and make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
3
I will bless those who bless you, but whoever dishonors you I will curse.
Through you will all the families of the earth be blessed."
4
So Abram went, as Yahweh had told him to do, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.
5
Abram took Sarai, his wife, Lot, his brother's son, all their possessions that they had accumulated, and the people that they had acquired in Haran. They left to go into the land of Canaan, and came to the land of Canaan.
6
Abram passed through the land as far as Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites lived in the land.
7
Yahweh appeared to Abram, and said, "To your descendants I will give this land." So there Abram built an altar to Yahweh, who had appeared to him.
8
From there he moved to the hill country to the east of Bethel, where he pitched his tent, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built an altar to Yahweh and called on the name of Yahweh.
9
Then Abram continued journeying, going toward the Negev.
10
There was a famine in the land, so Abram went down into Egypt to stay, for the famine was severe in the land.
11
When he was about to enter into Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, "See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman.
12
When the Egyptians see you they will say, 'This is his wife,' and they will kill me, but they will keep you alive.
13
Say that you are my sister, so that it may be well with me because of you, and so that my life will be spared because of you."
14
It came about that when Abram entered into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was very beautiful.
15
The princes of Pharaoh saw her, and praised her to Pharaoh, and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's household.
16
Pharaoh treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram received sheep and cattle, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels.
17
Then Yahweh afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife.
18
Pharaoh summoned Abram, and said, "What is this that you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?
19
Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her to be my wife? Now therefore, here is your wife. Take her, and go your way."
20
Then Pharaoh gave orders to his men concerning him, and they sent him away, along with his wife and all that he had.
Genesis 12:1
Now
This word is used to mark a new part of the story.
Go from your country, and from your relatives
"Go from your land, from your family"
Genesis 12:2
I will make of you a great nation
"I will start a great nation through you" or "I will make your descendants become a great nation"
make your name great
"make you famous"
you will be a blessing
"you will be a blessing to other people"
Genesis 12:3
whoever dishonors you I will curse
"I will curse whoever treats you in a shameful way" or "if anyone treats you as worthless, I will curse him"
Through you will all the families of the earth be blessed
"I will bless all the families of the earth through you"
Through you
"Because of you" or "Because I have blessed you"
Genesis 12:5
possessions
This includes animals and non-living property.
the people that they had acquired
Possible meanings are 1) "slaves that they had accumulated" or 2) "the people whom they had gathered to be with them."
Genesis 12:6
Abram passed through the land
"So Abram and his family went through the land of Canaan"
the oak of Moreh
Moreh was probably the name of a place.
Genesis 12:8
he pitched his tent
"they set up their tents"
called on the name of Yahweh
"prayed in the name of Yahweh" or "worshiped Yahweh"
Genesis 12:9
toward the Negev
"toward the Negev region" or "toward the south" or "south to the Negev desert"
Genesis 12:10
There was a famine
"There was a shortage of food"
in the land
"in the area" or "in the land where Abram was living"
went down into
Possible meanings are 1) "went further south" or 2) "went away from Canaan into." It would be best to translate this using your usual words for going from a higher place to a lower place.
Genesis 12:11
See now, I
The phrase "See now" indicates that what follows is a polite request for the hearer to pay attention. "Please listen carefully: I"
Genesis 12:12
they will kill me ... you alive
"they will kill me so that they can marry you"
Genesis 12:13
so that my life will be spared because of you
"so that, because of you, they will not kill me"
Genesis 12:14
It came about that
Possible meanings are 1) This phrase is used here to mark where the action starts, and if your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here, or 2) "And that was what happened" .
Genesis 12:15
The princes of Pharaoh saw her
"Pharaoh's officials saw Sarai" or "the king's officials saw her"
the woman was taken into Pharaoh's household
"Pharaoh took her into his household" or "Pharaoh had his soldiers take her into his household"
the woman
Sarai
Pharaoh's household
Possible meanings are 1) "Pharoah's family," that is, as a wife, or 2) "Pharaoah's house" or "Pharaoh's palace,"
Genesis 12:16
for her sake
"for Sarai's sake" or "because of her"
Genesis 12:17
because of Sarai, Abram's wife
"because Pharaoh intended to take Sarai, Abram's wife, to be his own wife"
Genesis 12:18
Pharaoh summoned Abram
"Pharaoh called Abram" or "Pharaoh ordered Abram to come to him"
What is this that you have done to me?
"You have done a terrible thing to me!"
Genesis 12:20
Then Pharaoh gave orders to his men concerning him
"Then Pharaoh directed his officials concerning Abram"
they sent him away, along with his wife and all that he had
"the officials sent Abram away from Pharoah, with his wife and all his possessions"
Chapter 13
1
So Abram went up from Egypt and went into the Negev, he, his wife, and all that he had. Lot also went with them.
2
Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.
3
He continued on his journey from the Negev to Bethel, to the place where his tent had been before, between Bethel and Ai.
4
He went to the place where the altar was that he had built previously. Here he called on the name of Yahweh.
5
Now Lot, who was traveling with Abram, also had flocks, herds, and tents.
6
The land was not able to support them both living close together, because their possessions were very many, so that they could not stay together.
7
Also, there was a dispute between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites were living in the land at that time.
8
So Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; after all, we are family.
9
Is not the whole land before you? Go ahead and separate yourself from me. If you go to the left, then I will go to the right. Or if you go to the right, then I will go to the left."
10
So Lot looked around, and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered everywhere all the way to Zoar, like the garden of Yahweh, like the land of Egypt. This was before Yahweh destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.
11
So Lot chose for himself all the plain of the Jordan and traveled east, and the relatives separated from each other.
12
Abram lived in the land of Canaan, and Lot lived among the cities of the plain. He set up his tents as far away as Sodom.
13
Now the men of Sodom were very wicked sinners against Yahweh.
14
Yahweh said to Abram after Lot had departed from him, "Look from the place where you are standing to the north, south, east, and west.
15
All this land which you see, I will give to you and to your descendants forever.
16
I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your descendants also can be counted.
17
Arise, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I will give it to you."
18
So Abram picked up his tent, and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there built an altar to Yahweh.
Genesis 13:1
went into the Negev
"went back to the Negev desert"
Genesis 13:2
Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold
"Abram had many livestock, much silver, and much gold"
Genesis 13:3
He continued on his journey
"They continued on their journey"
to the place where his tent had been before
"to the place where he had set up his tent before he went to Egypt"
Genesis 13:4
called on the name of Yahweh
"prayed in the name of Yahweh" or "worshiped Yahweh."
Genesis 13:5
Now
This word is used to show what follows is background information to help the reader understand the events that follow.
Genesis 13:6
The land was not able to support them
There was not enough grazing land and water for all their animals.
their possessions
This includes livestock, which need pasture and water.
could not stay together
"could not live together"
Genesis 13:8
Let there be no strife between you and me
"Let's not quarrel"
between your herdsmen and my herdsmen
"let's stop the men who take care of our animals from quarreling"
after all, we are family
"because we are family"
Genesis 13:9
Is not the whole land before you?
"The whole land is available for you to use."
Go ahead and separate yourself from me
Abraham was speaking kindly to Lot and encouraging him to do something that would help them both. "Let's separate."
If you go to the left, then I will go to the right
Possible meanings are 1) "If you go one way, then I will go the other" or 2) "If you go to the north, I will go to the south." Abram let Lot choose the part of the land he wanted, and Abram would take what remained.
Genesis 13:10
the whole plain of the Jordan
This refers to the general region of the Jordan River.
was well watered
"had much water"
like the garden of Yahweh, like the land of Egypt
"like the garden of Yahweh or like the land of Egypt." These were two different places.
This was before Yahweh destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah
This anticipates something that would happen later. It is important here because it explains why Lot settled in a region that later was not fertile.
Genesis 13:11
the relatives
"the kinsmen" or "the families." This refers to Lot and Abram with their households.
Genesis 13:12
He set up his tents as far away as Sodom
Possible meanings are 1) "He set up his tents near Sodom" or 2) "He moved his tents around in an area that reached all the way to Sodom."
Genesis 13:16
I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth
God is saying that he will give Abram very many descendants.
Genesis 13:17
walk through the length and breadth of the land
"walk around all over the whole land"
Genesis 13:18
Mamre
This was the name of the man who owned the oak trees.
Hebron
This is the name of a place.
an altar to Yahweh
"an altar for worshiping Yahweh"
Chapter 14
1
It came about in the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar, Arioch, king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer, king of Elam, and Tidal, king of Goyim,
2
that they made war against Bera, king of Sodom, Birsha, king of Gomorrah, Shinab, king of Admah, Shemeber, king of Zeboyim, and the king of Bela (also called Zoar).
3
These latter five kings joined together in the Valley of Siddim (also called the Salt Sea).
4
Twelve years they had served Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
5
Then in the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and attacked the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
6
and the Horites in their hill country of Seir, as far as El Paran, which is near the desert.
7
Then they turned and came to En Mishpat (also called Kadesh), and defeated all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who lived in Hazezon Tamar.
8
Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboyim, and the king of Bela (also called Zoar) went out and prepared for battle in the Valley of Siddim
9
against Kedorlaomer, king of Elam, Tidal, king of Goyim, Amraphel, king of Shinar, Arioch, king of Ellasar; four kings against the five.
10
Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, they fell in there. Those who were left fled to the mountains.
11
So the kings took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their provisions, and went their way.
12
When they went, they also took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who was living in Sodom, along with all his possessions.
13
One who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew. He was living by the oaks that belonged to Mamre, the Amorite, who was the brother of Eshkol and Aner, who were all allies of Abram.
14
Now when Abram heard that enemies had captured his relative, he led out his 318 trained men who had been born in his house, and he pursued them as far as Dan.
15
He divided his men against them at night, he and his servants, and he pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.
16
Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his relative Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the other people.
17
After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (also called the King's Valley).
18
Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High.
19
He blessed him saying,
"Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth.
20
Blessed be God Most High,
who has given your enemies into your hand."
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
21
The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people, and take the goods for yourself."
22
Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have lifted up my hand to Yahweh, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,
23
that I will not take a thread, a sandal strap, or anything that is yours, so that you can never say, 'I have made Abram rich.'
24
I will take nothing except what the young men have eaten and the share of the men that went with me. Let Aner, Eshkol, and Mamre take their portion."
Genesis 14:1
It came about
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
Amraphel ... Arioch ... Kedorlaomer ... Tidal
These are names of men.
Shinar ... Ellasar ... Elam ... Goyim
These are names of places. See how you translated "Shinar" in Genesis 10:10.
Genesis 14:2
they made war
"they went to war" or "they started a war" or "they prepared for war"
Genesis 14:3
These latter five kings joined together
"These latter five kings and their armies joined together"
Genesis 14:4
Twelve years they had served
The events in verses 4-7 happened before verse 3. Your language may have a way of showing this.
they had served Kedorlaomer
"they had been under the control of Kedorlaomer"
they rebelled
"they refused to serve him" or "they stopped serving him"
Genesis 14:5
the Rephaim ... the Zuzites ... the Emites
These are the names of people groups.
Ashteroth Karnaim ... Ham ... Shaveh Kiriathaim
These are the names of places.
Ham
This name in Hebrew is different from the name of Noah's son, which is spelled the same way in English.
Genesis 14:6
the Horites
This is the name of a people group.
Seir ... El Paran
These are the names of places.
El Paran, which is near the desert
"El Paran. El Paran is near the desert"
Genesis 14:7
the Amorites who lived in Hazezon Tamar
This phrase tells which Amorite people were defeated. There were other Amorite people who lived in other places.
Genesis 14:8
the king of Bela (also called Zoar)
The city of Bela was also called Zoar. "the king of Bela went out and prepared for battle. Bela is also called Zoar."
prepared for battle
"joined battle" or "drew up battle lines."
Genesis 14:10
Now
This word introduces background information about the valley of Siddim.
was full of tar pits
"had many tar pits." These were holes in the ground that had tar in them.
tar
a thick, sticky, black liquid that comes up from the ground.
the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah
the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah and their armies"
they fell in there
Possible meanings are 1) some of their soldiers fell in the tar pits or 2) the kings themselves fell in the tar pits.
Those who were left
"Those who did not die in battle and did not fall in the pits"
Genesis 14:11
the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah
"the wealth of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah" or "the property of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah"
their provisions
"their food and drink"
Genesis 14:12
they also took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who was living in Sodom, along with all his possessions
"they also took Lot, along with all his possessions. Lot was Abram's brother's son and was living in Sodom at that time"
Genesis 14:13
were all allies of Abram
"were treaty-partners with Abram" or "had a peace agreement with Abram"
Genesis 14:14
his relative
This is a reference to Abram's nephew Lot.
trained men
"men who were trained to fight"
men who had been born in his house
"men who were born in Abram's household." They were children of Abram's servants.
pursued them
"chased them"
Dan
This is a city in the far north of Canaan, far from Abram's camp.
Genesis 14:15
He divided his men against them at night, he and his servants, and
"At night Abram divided his men—he attacked them from one side and his servants attacked them from another—and"
servants
"men of war." They served him by fighting for him.
Genesis 14:16
all the possessions
This refers to the things that the enemies had stolen from the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
his goods
"Lot's property that the enemies had stolen from Lot"
as well as the women and the other people
"as well as the women and other people that the four kings had captured"
Genesis 14:17
returned
"returned to where he was living"
Genesis 14:18
Melchizedek, king of Salem
This is the first time this king is mentioned.
Genesis 14:19
He blessed him
King Melchizedek blessed Abram.
Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth
"May God Most High, the Creator of heaven and earth, bless Abram"
Genesis 14:20
Blessed be God Most High
This is a way of praising God.
into your hand
"into your control" or "into your power"
Genesis 14:21
Give me the people
The phrase "the people" may refer to the people of Sodom that the enemies had captured. Abram rescued them when he rescued Lot.
Genesis 14:22
I have lifted up my hand
This means "I have taken an oath" or "I have made a promise."
Genesis 14:24
I will take nothing except what the young men have eaten
"I will take from you only what my young men have eaten."
the share of the men that went with me
"the share of the recovered property that belongs to the men who helped me get it back"
Aner, Eshkol, and Mamre
"my allies Aner, Eshkol, and Mamre"
Chapter 15
1
After these things the word of Yahweh came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Fear not, Abram! I am your shield and your very great reward."
2
Abram said, "Lord Yahweh, what will you give me, since I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?"
3
Abram said, "Since you have given me no descendant, see, one born in my house will be my heir!"
4
Then, behold, the word of Yahweh came to him, saying, "This man will not be your heir; but rather the one who will come from your own body will be your heir."
5
Then he brought him outside, and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them." Then he said to him, "So will your descendants be."
6
He believed Yahweh, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
7
He said to him, "I am Yahweh, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it."
8
He said, "Lord Yahweh, how will I know that I will inherit it?"
9
Then he said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a dove, and a young pigeon."
10
He brought him all these, and cut them in two, and placed each half opposite the other, but he did not divide the birds.
11
When the birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, Abram drove them away.
12
Then when the sun was going down, Abram fell sound asleep and, behold, a deep and terrifying darkness overwhelmed him.
13
Then Yahweh said to Abram, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years.
14
I will judge that nation that they will serve, and afterward they will come out with abundant possessions.
15
But you will go to your fathers in peace, and you will be buried in a good old age.
16
In the fourth generation they will come here again, for the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet reached its limit."
17
When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking firepot and a flaming torch passed between the pieces.
18
On that day Yahweh made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I hereby give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates—
19
the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites,
20
the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaites,
21
the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites."
Genesis 15:1
After these things
"These things" refers to when the kings fought and Abram rescued Lot.
the word of Yahweh came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Fear
"Yahweh gave a message to Abram in a vision. He said, 'Fear" or "Yahweh spoke this message to Abram in a vision: 'Fear"
I am your shield
"I will protect you like shield" or "I am your shield to protect you"
I am ... your very great reward
Possible meanings are 1) "I myself will be all that you need" or 2) "I will give you all you need."
reward
the result of a person's actions. This is the gracious blessing God would give Abram.
Genesis 15:4
Then, behold
The word "behold" emphasizes the fact that the word of Yahweh came to Abraham again.
the word of Yahweh came to him, saying, "This
"Yahweh gave him a message. He said, 'This" or "Yahweh spoke this message to him: 'This"
This man
This refers to Eliezer of Damascus.
the one who will come from your own body
"the one that you will father" or "your very own son." Abram's own son would become his heir.
Genesis 15:5
number the stars
"count the stars"
So will your descendants be
Just as Abram would not be able to count all the stars, he would not be able to count all his descendants because there would be so many.
Genesis 15:6
He believed Yahweh
This means he accepted and trusted what Yahweh said was true.
he counted it to him as righteousness
"Yahweh counted Abram's belief as righteousness" or "Yahweh considered Abram righteous because Abram believed him"
Genesis 15:7
I am Yahweh, who brought you out of Ur
Yahweh was reminding Abraham of what he had already done so that Abraham would know that Yahweh had the power to give Abram what he promised him.
to inherit it
"to receive it" or "so that you will possess it"
Genesis 15:11
the carcasses
"the dead bodies of the animals and birds"
Abram drove them away
"Abram chased the birds away." He made sure the birds did not eat the dead animals.
Genesis 15:12
a deep and terrifying darkness
"an extreme darkness that terrified him"
overwhelmed him
"surrounded him"
Genesis 15:13
strangers
people who are at home in one place but have to live in another place
will be enslaved and oppressed
"the owners of that land will enslave your descendants and oppress them"
Genesis 15:14
I will judge
"I will punish"
that they will serve
"that your descendants will serve"
abundant possessions
"many possessions" or "great wealth"
Genesis 15:15
you will go to your fathers
This is a polite way of saying "you will die."
fathers
"ancestors" or "ancestral fathers"
you will be buried in a good old age
"you will be very old when you die and your family buries your body"
Genesis 15:16
In the fourth generation
Here one generation refers to a lifespan of 100 years. "After four hundred years"
they will come here again
"your descendants will come back here." Abraham's descendants would come to the land where Abram was then living, the land that Yahweh had promised to give to him.
has not yet reached its limit
"is not yet complete" or "will get much worse before I punish them"
Genesis 15:17
behold
The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
a smoking firepot and a flaming torch passed between the pieces
God did this to show Abram that he was making a covenant with him.
passed between the pieces
"passed through between the two rows of animal pieces"
Genesis 15:18
covenant
In this covenant God promises to bless Abram, and he will continue to bless him as long as Abram follows him.
I hereby give this land
By saying this, God was giving the land to Abram's descendants. God was doing this then, but the descendants would not go into the land until many years later.
Genesis 15:19
the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites
These are the names of groups of people who lived in that land. God would allow Abraham's descendants to conquer these people and take their land.
Genesis 15:20
the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaites
These are the names of groups of people who lived in that land. God would allow Abraham's descendants to conquer these people and take their land.
Genesis 15:21
the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites
These are the names of groups of people who lived in that land. God would allow Abraham's descendants to conquer these people and take their land.
Chapter 16
1
Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had not borne any children for him, but she had a female servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
2
So Sarai said to Abram, "See now, Yahweh has kept me from having children. Please go to my servant. It may be that I will have children by her." Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.
3
It was after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan that Sarai, Abram's wife, gave Hagar, her Egyptian servant, to her husband as a wife.
4
So he went to Hagar, and she conceived. When she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress.
5
Then Sarai said to Abram, "This wrong on me is because of you. I gave my servant woman into your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes. Let Yahweh judge between me and you."
6
But Abram said to Sarai, "See here, your servant woman is in your power, do to her what you think best." So Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her.
7
The angel of Yahweh found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring that is on the way to Shur.
8
He said, "Hagar, Sarai's servant, where did you come from and where are you going?" Then she said, "I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai."
9
The angel of Yahweh said to her, "Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority."
10
Then the angel of Yahweh said to her, "I will greatly multiply your descendants, so that they will be too numerous to count."
11
The angel of Yahweh also said to her,
"Behold, you are pregnant
and will bear a son,
and you will call his name Ishmael,
because Yahweh has heard your affliction.
12
He will be a wild donkey of a man.
He will be hostile against every man,
and every man will be hostile to him,
and he will live apart from all his brothers."
13
Then she gave this name to Yahweh who spoke to her, "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "Do I really continue to see, even after he has seen me?"
14
Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
15
Hagar gave birth to Abram's son, and Abram named his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael.
16
Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.
Genesis 16:1
Now
This word is used in English to introduce a new part of the story and background information about Sarai.
female servant
"slave-girl." This type of slave would serve the woman of the household.
Genesis 16:2
See now, Yahweh
"Please listen carefully: Yahweh"
Please go to my servant
"Please have sexual relations with my servant" or "Please lie with my servant"
I will have children by her
"I will build my family through her"
Genesis 16:4
she looked with contempt on her mistress
"she despised her mistress" or "she thought that she was more valuable than her mistress"
her mistress
"her owner" or "Sarai"
Genesis 16:5
This wrong on me
"This injustice against me"
is because of you
"is your responsibility" or "is your fault"
I gave my servant woman into your embrace
"I gave you my servant so that you would sleep with her"
I was despised in her eyes
"she hated me" or "she began to hate me" or "she thought she was better than me"
Let Yahweh judge between me and you
"I want Yahweh to say whether this is my fault or your fault" or "I want Yahweh to decide which one of us is right." The phrase "to judge between" means to decide which person is right in a dispute between them.
Genesis 16:6
See here
"Listen to me" or "Pay attention"
in your power
"under your authority"
Sarai dealt harshly with her
"Sarai treated Hagar very badly"
she fled from her
"Hagar fled from Sarai"
Genesis 16:7
The angel of Yahweh
Possible meanings are 1) Yahweh made himself look like an angel or 2) this was one of Yahweh's angels or 3) this was a special messenger from God (some scholars think it was Jesus). Since the phrase is not well understood, it is best to simply translate it as "the angel of Yahweh" using the normal word that you use for "angel."
wilderness
The wilderness area she went to was a desert. Alternate translation: "desert"
Shur
This was the name of a place south of Canaan and east of Egypt.
Genesis 16:8
my mistress
"my owner"
Genesis 16:10
the angel of Yahweh said to her, "I
When he said "I," he was referring to Yahweh. When translating what is in the quote, do it as the angel of Yahweh did and use the word "I" when referring to Yahweh.
I will greatly multiply your descendants
"I will give you very many descendants"
too numerous to count
"so many that no one will be able to count them"
Genesis 16:11
Behold
"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention"
bear a son
"give birth to a son"
you will call his name
"you will name him." The word "you" refers to Hagar.
affliction
She has been afflicted by distress and suffering.
Genesis 16:12
He will be a wild donkey of a man
"He will be like a wild donkey among men"
He will be hostile against every man
"He will be every man's enemy"
every man will be hostile to him
"everyone will be his enemy"
his brothers
"his relatives" or "the other members of his family"
Genesis 16:13
Do I really continue to see, ... me?
"I am surprised that I am still alive, ... me."
Genesis 16:14
Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi
Translators may add a footnote that says "Beer Lahai Roi means 'the well of the living one who sees me.'"
Genesis 16:15
named his son, whom Hagar bore
"named his son by Hagar" or "named his and Hagar's son"
Genesis 16:16
bore Ishmael to Abram
This means "gave birth to Abram's son, Ishmael." The focus is on Abram having a son.
Chapter 17
1
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty. Walk before me, and be blameless.
2
Then I will confirm my covenant between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly."
3
Abram bowed low with his face to the ground and God talked with him, saying,
4
"As for me, behold, my covenant is with you. You will be the father of a multitude of nations.
5
No longer will your name be Abram, but your name will be Abraham—for I appoint you to be the father of a multitude of nations.
6
I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you.
7
I will establish my covenant between me and you and your descendants after you, throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you.
8
I will give to you, and to your descendants after you, the land where you have been sojourning, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God."
9
Then God said to Abraham, "As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations.
10
This is my covenant, which you must keep, between me and you and your descendants after you: Every male among you must be circumcised.
11
You must be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be the sign of the covenant between me and you.
12
Every male among you that is eight days old must be circumcised, throughout your people's generations. This includes him who is born into your household and him who is bought with money from any foreigner who is not one of your descendants.
13
He who is born into your household and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised. Thus my covenant will be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
14
Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin will be cut off from his people. He has broken my covenant."
15
God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, do not call her Sarai any more. Instead, her name will be Sarah.
16
I will bless her, and I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will become the mother of nations. Kings of peoples will come from her."
17
Then Abraham bowed low with his face to the ground, and laughed, and said in his heart, "Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? How can Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a son?"
18
Abraham said to God, "Oh that Ishmael might live before you!"
19
God said, "No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you must name him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant with his descendants after him.
20
As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and will multiply him abundantly. He will be the father of twelve princes, and I will make him become a great nation.
21
But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time in the next year."
22
When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham.
23
Then Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all those who were born into his household, and all those who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's household, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in that same day, as God had said to him.
24
Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
25
Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
26
On the very same day Abraham and Ishmael his son were both circumcised.
27
All the men of his household were circumcised with him, including those born into the household and those bought with money from a foreigner.
Genesis 17:1
God Almighty
"the all-powerful God" or "the God who has all power"
Walk before me
"Live the way I want you to" or "Obey me"
Genesis 17:2
Then I will confirm my covenant
"If you do this, then I will give my covenant" or "I will make my covenant"
covenant
In this covenant God promises to bless Abram, but he also requires Abram to obey him.
multiply you exceedingly
"greatly increase the number of your descendants" or "give you very many descendants"
Genesis 17:3
Abram bowed low with his face to the ground
"Abram threw himself face down on the ground" or "Abraham immediately lay down with his face to the ground." He did this to show that he respected God and would obey him.
Genesis 17:4
behold, my covenant is with you
The word "behold" here says that what comes next is certain: "my covenant is certainly with you."
the father of a multitude of nations
"the father of a great number of nations" or "the one after whom many nations name themselves"
Genesis 17:6
I will make you exceedingly fruitful
"I will cause you to have very many descendants"
I will make nations of you
"I will cause your descendants to become nations"
kings will descend from you
"among your descendants there will be kings" or "some of your descendants will be kings"
Genesis 17:7
throughout their generations
"for each generation"
for an everlasting covenant
"as a covenant that will last forever"
to be God to you and to your descendants after you
"to be your God and your descendants' God" or "covenant"
Genesis 17:8
Canaan, for an everlasting possession
"Canaan, as an everlasting possession" or "Canaan, to possess forever"
Genesis 17:9
keep my covenant
"observe my covenant" or "honor my covenant" or "obey my covenant"
Genesis 17:10
This is my covenant
"This is a requirement of my covenant" or "This is part of my covenant." This sentence introduces the part of the covenant that Abram must do.
Every male among you must be circumcised
"You must circumcise every male among you"
Genesis 17:11
You must be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin
"You must circumcise every male among you"
the sign of the covenant
"the sign that shows that the covenant exists"
Genesis 17:12
him who is bought with money
"any male that you buy"
Genesis 17:13
my covenant will be in your flesh
"you will mark my covenant in your flesh"
for an everlasting covenant
"as a permanent covenant." Because it was marked in flesh, no one could easily erase it.
Genesis 17:14
uncircumcised male who is not circumcised
"male whom you have not circumcised"
Any uncircumcised male ... foreskin will be cut off from his people
Possible meanings are 1) "I will cut off any uncircumcised male ... foreskin from his people" or 2) "I want you to cut off any uncircumcised male ... foreskin from his people."
cut off from his people
Possible meanings are 1) "killed" or 2) "sent away from the community."
He has broken my covenant
"He has not obeyed the rules of my covenant." This is the reason that he would be cut off from his people.
Genesis 17:16
I will give you a son by her
"I will make her bear a son for you"
she will become the mother of nations
"she will be the ancestor of many nations" or "her descendants will become nations"
Kings of peoples will come from her
"Kings of peoples will descend from her" or "Some of her descendants will be kings of peoples"
Genesis 17:17
said in his heart
"thought to himself" or "said to himself silently"
How can Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a son?
"Sarah is ninety years old. Could she bear a son?" or "Sarah is ninety years old. Surely she could not bear a son!"
Genesis 17:18
Oh that Ishmael might live before you
"Please let Ishmael inherit the covenant that you have made with me" or "Perhaps Ishmael could receive your covenant blessing." Abraham suggested something that he believed really could happen.
Genesis 17:19
No, but Sarah your wife will bear
God said this to correct Abraham's belief that Sarah could not have a son.
you must name him
The word "you" refers to Abraham.
Genesis 17:20
As for Ishmael
The words "As for" show that God is switching from talking about the baby that would be born to talking about Ishmael.
Behold
"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
will multiply him abundantly
"I will cause him to have many descendants"
princes
"chiefs" or "rulers." Ishmael's twelve sons are different from the twelve sons of Jacob who were the fathers of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Genesis 17:21
But my covenant I will establish with Isaac
God returns to talking about his covenant with Abraham and emphasizes that he would fulfill his promise with Isaac, not with Ishmael.
Genesis 17:22
God went up from Abraham
"God left Abraham"
Genesis 17:27
those bought with money from a foreigner
This refers to servants or slaves.
Chapter 18
1
Yahweh appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent doorway in the heat of the day.
2
He looked up and, behold, he saw three men standing across from him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door and bowed low to the ground.
3
He said, "My Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass by your servant."
4
Let a little water be brought, wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.
5
Let me bring a little food, so that you may refresh yourselves. Afterwards you can go your way, since you have come to your servant." They replied, "Do as you have said."
6
Then Abraham quickly went into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Hurry, get three seahs of fine flour, knead it, and make bread."
7
Then Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf that was tender and good, and gave it to the servant, and he hurried to prepare it.
8
He took curds and milk, and the calf that had been prepared, and placed the food before them, and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
9
They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" He replied, "There, in the tent."
10
He said, "I will certainly return to you in the springtime, and see, Sarah your wife will have a son." Sarah was listening in the tent doorway, which was behind him.
11
Now Abraham and Sarah were old, very advanced in age, and Sarah had passed the age when women could bear children.
12
So Sarah laughed to herself, saying to herself, "After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?"
13
Yahweh said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really bear a child, when I am old'?
14
Is anything too hard for Yahweh? At the time appointed by me, in the spring, I will return to you. About this time next year Sarah will have a son."
15
Then Sarah denied it and said, "I did not laugh," for she was afraid. He replied, "No, you did laugh."
16
Then the men arose to leave and looked down toward Sodom. Abraham went with them to see them on their way.
17
But Yahweh said, "Should I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,
18
since Abraham will indeed become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him?
19
For I have chosen him so that he may instruct his children and his household after him to keep the way of Yahweh, to do righteousness and justice, so that Yahweh may bring upon Abraham what he has said to him."
20
Then Yahweh said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and because their sin is so serious,
21
I will now go down there and see the outcry against her that has come to me, whether they have really done it. If not, I will know."
22
So the men turned from there, and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before Yahweh.
23
Then Abraham approached and said, "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
24
Perhaps there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous that are there?
25
Far be it from you to do such a thing, killing the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be treated the same as the wicked. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?"
26
Yahweh said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place for their sake."
27
Abraham answered and said, "See now, I have undertaken to speak to my Lord, even though I am only dust and ashes!
28
What if there are five less than fifty righteous? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?" Then he said, "I will not destroy it, if I find there forty-five."
29
He spoke to him yet again, and said, "What if there are forty found there?" He replied, "I will not do it for the forty's sake."
30
He said, "Please do not be angry, Lord, so I may speak. Perhaps thirty will be found there." He replied, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there."
31
He said, "See now, I have undertaken to speak to my Lord! Perhaps twenty will be found there." He replied, "I will not destroy it for the twenty's sake."
32
He said, "Please do not be angry, Lord, and I will speak this one last time. Perhaps ten will be found there." Then he said, "I will not destroy it for the ten's sake."
33
Yahweh went on his way as soon as he had finished talking with Abraham, and Abraham returned home.
Genesis 18:1
Mamre
This was the name of the man who owned the oak trees.
in the tent doorway
"at the opening of the tent" or "at the entrance of the tent"
Genesis 18:2
behold, he saw
"he was surprised because he saw"
across from him
"nearby" or "there." They were near him, but far enough away for him to run to them.
Genesis 18:3
Lord
This is a title of respect. Possible meanings are 1) Abraham knew that one of these men was God or 2) Abraham knew that these men came on behalf of God.
if I have found favor in your sight
"if you have evaluated me and approve" or "if you are pleased with me"
in your sight
Abraham is speaking to one of the men.
do not pass by
"please do not keep on going past"
your servant
"me." Abraham refers to himself this way in order to show respect to his guest.
Genesis 18:4
Let a little water be brought
"Let me bring you some water" or "My servant will bring you some water"
wash your feet
This custom helped tired travelers to refresh themselves after walking long distances.
Genesis 18:5
your ... you
Abraham speaks to all three of the men, so "you" and "your" are plural.
Genesis 18:6
three seahs
about 22 liters
bread
This bread was probably cooked quickly on a hot stone. It may have been flat or round like small loaves or rolls.
Genesis 18:7
he hurried
"the servant hurried"
to prepare it
"to cut it up and roast it"
Genesis 18:8
curds
This refers to the solid part of fermented milk. It may have been yogurt or cheese.
the calf that had been prepared
"the roasted calf"
before them
"before the three visitors"
Genesis 18:9
They said to him
"Then they said to Abraham"
Genesis 18:10
He said, "I will certainly return to you
The word "He" refers to the man whom Abraham called "Lord" in Genesis 18:3.
in the springtime
"when this same season comes next year" or "about this time next year"
see
The word "see" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
in the tent doorway
"at the opening of the tent" or "at the entrance of the tent"
Genesis 18:12
After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?
"I am worn out and my master is old, so I cannot believe that I will experience the joy of having a child.""
I am worn out
"I am too old to conceive a child"
my master is old
This means "since my husband, Abraham is also old."
Genesis 18:13
Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really bear a child, when I am old'?
"Sarah was wrong to laugh and say, 'I will not bear a child because I am too old!'"
Genesis 18:14
Is anything too hard for Yahweh?
"There is nothing that I, Yahweh, cannot do!"
Genesis 18:15
He replied
"Yahweh replied"
No, you did laugh
"Yes, you did laugh." This means "No, that is not true; you did in fact laugh."
Genesis 18:17
Should I hide from Abraham what I am about to do
"I should not and will not hide from Abraham what I am about to do" or "I should and will tell Abraham what I am about to do"
Genesis 18:18
since ... him?
"This is because ... him"
all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him
"I will bless all the nations of the earth through Abraham"
will be blessed in him
"will be blessed because of Abraham" or "will be blessed because I have blessed Abraham."
Genesis 18:19
that he may instruct
"that he will direct" or "so that he will command"
to keep the way of Yahweh ... Yahweh may bring ... he has said
"to obey what I, Yahweh, require ... I, Yahweh, may bring ... I have said"
to keep the way of Yahweh
"to obey the commands of Yahweh"
to do righteousness and justice
"by doing righteousness and justice." This tells how to keep the way of Yahweh.
so that Yahweh may bring upon Abraham what he has said to him
"so that Yahweh may bless Abraham just as he said he would." This refers to the covenant promise to bless Abraham and make him a great nation.
Genesis 18:20
the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great
"so many people have been accusing the people of Sodom and Gomorrah of doing evil things"
their sin is so serious
"they have sinned so much"
Genesis 18:21
go down there and see
"go down to Sodom and Gomorrah to find out" or "go down there to decide"
see the outcry ... that has come to me
"as wicked as those who are accusing them say that they are"
If not
"If they are not as wicked as the outcry suggests"
Genesis 18:22
turned from there
"went out from Abraham's camp"
Abraham remained standing before Yahweh
"Abraham and Yahweh remained together"
Genesis 18:23
approached and said
"approached Yahweh and said" or "stepped closer to Yahweh and said"
sweep away
"destroy"
the righteous with the wicked
"the righteous people with the wicked people"
Genesis 18:24
Perhaps there are
"Suppose there are"
Will you sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous that are there?
"I think you would not sweep it away. Instead, you would spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous that are there"
sweep it away
"destroy the people who live there"
not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous that are there?
Abraham was hoping that God would say "I will let the people live for the sake of the fifty righteous people there."
Genesis 18:25
Far be it from you to do such a thing
"I would never want you to do something like that" or "You should not want to do something like that"
such a thing, killing
"such a thing as killing" or "such a thing, that is, killing"
the righteous should be treated the same as the wicked
"you should treat the righteous the same way you treat the wicked"
Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?
"The Judge of all the earth will certainly do what is just!" or "Since you are the Judge of all the earth, you will surely do what is right!"
Judge
God is often referred to as a judge because he is the one perfect judge who makes the final decisions about what is right or wrong.
Genesis 18:27
See now, I
"Please listen carefully: I" See how you translated this phrase in Genesis 12:11.
I have undertaken to speak
"Pardon me for being so bold as to speak to you" or "Excuse me for daring to speak"
to my Lord
"to you, my Lord"
only dust and ashes
"only a mortal man" or "as unimportant as dust and ashes"
Genesis 18:28
five less than fifty righteous
"only forty-five righteous people"
for lack of five
"if there are five fewer righteous people"
I will not destroy it
"I will not destroy Sodom"
Genesis 18:29
He spoke to him
"Abraham spoke to Yahweh"
for the forty's sake
"for the sake of the forty righteous people" or "if I find forty righteous people there"
He replied
"Yahweh answered"
I will not do it for the forty's sake
"I will not destroy the cities if I find forty righteous people there"
Genesis 18:30
thirty will be found there
"you will find thirty righteous people there"
Genesis 18:31
twenty will be found there
"you will find twenty righteous people there"
for the twenty's sake
"for the sake of the twenty righteous people" or "if I find twenty righteous people there"
Genesis 18:32
Perhaps ten will be found there
"Perhaps you will find ten righteous people there"
Perhaps ten
"Perhaps ten righteous people" or "ten good people"
Then he said
"And Yahweh answered"
for the ten's sake
"if I find ten righteous people there"
Genesis 18:33
Yahweh went on his way
"Yahweh departed" or "Yahweh continued on his journey"
Chapter 19
1
The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, while Lot was sitting at the gate of Sodom. Lot saw them, arose to meet them, and bowed down with his face to the ground.
2
He said, "See now, my masters, please turn aside into your servant's house, stay for the night, and wash your feet. Then you can rise up early and go on your way." They replied, "No, we will spend the night in the town square."
3
But he urged them strongly, so they went with him, and entered into his house. He prepared a meal and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.
4
But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the men from every part of the city.
5
They called to Lot, and said to him, "Where are the men that came in to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them."
6
So Lot went out the door to them and shut the door after himself.
7
He said, "I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly.
8
See now, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Please let me bring them out to you, and you do to them whatever is good in your eyes. Only do nothing to these men, because they have come under the shadow of my roof."
9
They said, "Stand back!" They also said, "This one came here to live as a foreigner, and now he has become our judge! Now we will deal worse with you than with them." They pressed hard against the man, against Lot, and came near to break down the door.
10
But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them and shut the door.
11
Then Lot's visitors struck with blindness the men who were outside the door of the house, both small and great, so that they became exhausted when they were trying to find the door.
12
Then the men said to Lot, "Do you have anyone else here? Any sons-in-law, your sons and your daughters, and whoever you have in the city, get them out of here.
13
For we are about to destroy this place, because the accusations against it before Yahweh have become so loud that he has sent us to destroy it."
14
Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, the men who had promised to marry his daughters, and said, "Quick, get out of this place, for Yahweh is about to destroy the city." But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking.
15
When dawn came, the angels urged Lot, saying, "Get going, take your wife and your two daughters that are here, so you are not swept away in the punishment of the city."
16
But he lingered. So the men grabbed his hand, and the hand of his wife, and the hands of his two daughters, because Yahweh was merciful to him. They brought them out, and set them outside the city.
17
When they had brought them out, one of the men said, "Run for your lives! Do not look back, or stay anywhere on the plain. Escape to the mountains so you are not swept away."
18
Lot said to them, "No, please, my masters!
19
See now, your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life, but I cannot escape to the mountains, because the disaster will overtake me, and I will die.
20
See now, the city over there is a little one. Please, let me escape there—Is it not a little one?—and my life will be saved."
21
He said to him, "Alright, I am granting this request also, that I will not destroy the city which you have mentioned.
22
Hurry! Escape there, for I cannot do anything until you arrive there." Therefore the city was named Zoar.
23
The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot reached Zoar.
24
Then Yahweh rained down upon Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from Yahweh out of the sky.
25
He destroyed those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and the plants that grew on the ground.
26
But Lot's wife, who was behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
27
Abraham got up early in the morning and went to the place where he had stood before Yahweh.
28
He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the plain. He looked and behold, smoke was rising from the land like the smoke of a furnace.
29
So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, God called Abraham to mind. He sent Lot out of the midst of the destruction when he destroyed the cities in which Lot had lived.
30
But Lot went up from Zoar to live in the mountains with his two daughters, because he was afraid to live in Zoar. So he lived in a cave, he and his two daughters.
31
The firstborn said to the younger, "Our father is old, and there is no man anywhere to lie with us according to the way of all the world.
32
Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, so that we may keep our family line alive through our father."
33
So they made their father drink wine that night. Then the firstborn went in and lay with her father; he did not know when she lay down, nor when she got up.
34
The next day the firstborn said to the younger, "Listen, here I lay last night with my father. Let us make him drink wine tonight also, and you should go and lie with him, so that we may keep our family line alive through our father."
35
So they made their father drink wine that night also, and the younger went and lay with him. He did not know when she lay down or when she got up.
36
So both the daughters of Lot conceived by their father.
37
The firstborn gave birth to a son, and named him Moab. He became the ancestor of the Moabites of today.
38
As for the younger daughter, she also gave birth to a son, and named him Ben-Ammi. He became the ancestor of the people of Ammon of today.
Genesis 19:1
The two angels
The two men who have gone to Sodom Genesis 18:22 are really angels.
the gate of Sodom
"the entrance to the city of Sodom." The city had a wall around it, and people had to go through a gate to get into it. This was a very important place in a city. Important people often spent time there.
bowed down with his face to the ground
He put his knees on the ground then touched his forehead and nose to the ground.
Genesis 19:2
my masters
This was a term of respect Lot used for the angels.
please turn aside into your servant's house
"Please come and stay in your servant's house"
wash your feet
People liked to wash their feet after traveling.
we will spend the night
When the two angels said this, they were referring only to themselves, not to Lot. The two of them planned to spend the night in the square. Some languages would use the exclusive form of "we" here.
town square
This is a public, outdoor place in the town.
Genesis 19:4
before they lay down
"before the people in Lot's house lay down to go to sleep"
the men of the city, the men of Sodom
"the men of the city, that is, the men of Sodom" or just "the men of the city of Sodom"
the house
"Lot's house"
both young and old
"from the youngest to the oldest." This means "men of all ages" and refers to the men of Sodom who were surrounding Lot's house.
Genesis 19:5
that came in to you
"that went into your house"
that we may know them
The phrase "know them" is a polite way of saying "have sexual relations with them."
Genesis 19:6
after himself
"behind him" or "after he went through"
Genesis 19:7
my brothers
"my friends"
Genesis 19:8
See now, I
The phrase "See now" indicates that what follows is a request for the hearer to pay attention. "Please listen carefully: I"
who have not known any man
This is a polite way of saying that the daughters had not had sexual relations with any man.
whatever is good in your eyes
"whatever you desire" or "whatever you think is right"
under the shadow of my roof
"into my house, and God expects me to protect them"
Genesis 19:9
Stand back!
"Step aside!" or "Get out of our way!"
This one came here to live as a foreigner
"This one came here as an outsider" or "This foreigner came to live here"
and now
"but even though he has no good reason to"
he has become our judge
"he acts as if he has the authority to tell us what is right and what is wrong"
Now we
"Because you are telling us that what we are doing is wrong, we"
we will deal worse with you than with them
"we will act more wickedly with you than we will with them"
They pressed hard against the man, against Lot, and came near to break down the door
Possible meanings are 1) "They kept coming closer to the man, to Lot, until they were close enough to break down the door" or 2) they physically pushed Lot up against the wall or door of the house and were about to break the door down.
the man ... Lot
This is two ways of referring to Lot.
Genesis 19:10
But the men
"But Lot's two guests" or "But the two angels"
the men reached out their hands and brought ... them and shut
'the men opened the door far enough so they could reach out their hands and pull ... them, and then they shut"
Genesis 19:11
Lot's visitors struck with blindness the men
"Lot's visitors blinded the men" or "they took away their sight"
both small and great
"men of all ages" or "men of every status"
Genesis 19:12
Then the men said
"Then the two men said" or "Then the angels said"
Do you have anyone else here?
"Are there any other members of your family in the city?" or "Do you have any other family members in this place?"
Genesis 19:13
we are about to destroy
The word "we" here is exclusive. Only the two angels would destroy the city; Lot would not destroy it. If your language has an exclusive form of "we," use it here.
the accusations against it before Yahweh have become so loud
"so many people have been telling Yahweh that the people of this city are doing evil things"
Genesis 19:14
his sons-in-law, the men who had promised to marry his daughters
"the men who were going to marry his daughters"
Genesis 19:15
When dawn came
"Just before the sun came up"
you are not swept away in the punishment of the city
"so Yahweh does not also destroy you when he punishes the people of this city"
of the city
Here "city" stands for the people.
Genesis 19:16
But he lingered
"But Lot hesitated" or "But Lot did not start to leave"
So the men grabbed
"So the two men grabbed" or "So the angels grabbed"
was merciful to him
"had compassion on Lot." Yahweh is described as being "merciful" because he was sparing the lives of Lot and his family instead of destroying them when he destroyed the people of Sodom for the wrong they had done.
Genesis 19:17
When they had brought them out
"When the two men had brought Lot's family out"
Run for your lives!
"Run away and save your lives!"
on the plain
This means the plain of the Jordan River. This refers to the general region of the Jordan River.
so you are not swept away
"or else God will destroy you along with the people of the city"
Genesis 19:19
See now, your servant
"Please listen carefully: your servant"
you have shown me great kindness in saving my life
"you have been very kind to me by saving my life"
I cannot escape to the mountains, because the disaster will overtake me, and I will die
"My family and I will certainly die when God destroys the people of Sodom, because the mountains are too far away for us to get there safely"
Genesis 19:20
See now, the city
"Please listen carefully: the city"
let me escape there—Is it not a little one?—and my life will be saved
"let me escape there. You can see how small it is. If you let us go there we will live"
let me escape there
"instead of destroying that city, let me escape there"
Genesis 19:21
I am granting this request also
"I will do what you have asked"
Genesis 19:22
cannot do anything
"cannot destroy the other cities"
Zoar
Translators may add a footnote that says "The name Zoar sounds like the Hebrew word that means 'little.' Lot called this town 'little' in Genesis 19:20."
Genesis 19:23
when Lot reached Zoar
"when Lot and his family arrived at Zoar"
Genesis 19:24
Yahweh rained down upon Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from Yahweh out of the sky
"Yahweh caused burning sulfur and fiery rain to fall from the sky onto Sodom and Gomorrah"
Genesis 19:25
those cities
This refers primarily to Sodom and Gomorrah, but also to three other towns.
the inhabitants of the cities
"the people who lived in the cities"
Genesis 19:26
she became a pillar of salt
"she became like a statue of salt" or "her body became like a tall stone of salt." Because she disobeyed the angel who told them not to look back at the city, God caused her to become something like a statue made out of rock salt.
Genesis 19:28
behold
The word "behold" draws attention to the surprising information that follows.
like the smoke of a furnace
"like the smoke from a very large fire"
Genesis 19:29
God called Abraham to mind
"God thought about Abraham and had mercy on him"
out of the midst of the destruction
"away from the destruction" or "away from danger"
Genesis 19:31
The firstborn ... the younger
"Lot's first daughter ... Lot's last daughter" or "The older daughter ... the younger daughter"
to lie with us
To have sexual relations with us
according to the way of all the world
"as people everywhere do"
Genesis 19:32
drink wine
"drink wine until he gets drunk" or "get drunk with wine"
we will lie with him
"we will have sexual relations with him"
so that we may keep our family line alive through our father
"so that we can bear children who will be our father's descendants"
Genesis 19:33
lay with her father
"had sexual relations with her father"
Genesis 19:34
I lay last night with my father ... lie with him
"I had sexual relations with my father ... have sexual relations with him"
drink wine
"drink wine until he gets drunk" or "get drunk with wine"
Genesis 19:35
lay with him
"had sexual relations with him"
Genesis 19:36
conceived by their father
"became pregnant by their father" or "conceived children with their father"
Genesis 19:37
He became
"He is"
the Moabites of today
"the Moab people who are now living"
of today
The word "today" refers to the time when the author of Genesis was living. The author was born and wrote this many years after Lot's family lived and died.
Genesis 19:38
Ben-Ammi
This is a male name.
the people of Ammon
"the descendants of Ammon" or "the Ammon people"
Chapter 20
1
Abraham journeyed from there toward the land of the Negev, and lived between Kadesh and Shur. He was a foreigner living in Gerar.
2
Abraham said concerning Sarah his wife, "She is my sister." So Abimelek king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her.
3
But God came to Abimelek in a dream in the night, and said to him, "Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man's wife."
4
Now Abimelek had not come near her and he said, "Lord, would you kill even a righteous nation?
5
Did he not himself say to me, 'She is my sister?' Even she herself said, 'He is my brother.' I have done this in the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands."
6
Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I also know that in the integrity of your heart you did this, and I also kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not allow you to touch her.
7
Therefore, return the man's wife, for he is a prophet. He will pray for you, and you will live. But if you do not restore her, know that you and all who are yours will surely die."
8
Abimelek rose early in the morning and called all of his servants to himself. He told all these things to them, and the men were very afraid.
9
Then Abimelek called for Abraham and said to him, "What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me deeds that ought not to be done."
10
Abimelek said to Abraham, "What prompted you to do this thing?"
11
Abraham said, "Because I thought, 'Surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.'
12
Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
13
When God caused me to leave my father's house and travel from place to place, I said to her, 'You must show me this faithfulness as my wife: At every place where we go, say about me, "He is my brother."'"
14
Then Abimelek took sheep and cattle, and male slaves and female slaves, and gave them to Abraham. Then he returned Sarah, Abraham's wife, to him.
15
Abimelek said, "Look, my land is before you. Settle wherever it pleases you."
16
To Sarah he said, "Look, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is to cover any offense against you in the eyes of all who are with you, and before everyone, you are completely made right."
17
Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelek, his wife, and his female slaves so that they were able to have children.
18
For Yahweh had closed all the wombs of the household of Abimelek because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.
Genesis 20:1
Shur
This is a desert region on the eastern border of Egypt.
Genesis 20:2
sent for Sarah and took her
"made his men go get Sarah and bring her to him"
Genesis 20:3
God came to Abimelek
"God appeared to Abimelek"
Behold
"pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: "
you are a dead man
"you will certainly die soon" or "I will kill you"
a man's wife
"a married woman"
Genesis 20:4
Abimelek had not come near her
"Abimelek had not had sexual relations with Sarah"
even a righteous nation
"even a people who are innocent"
Genesis 20:5
Did he not himself say to me, 'She is my sister?' Even she herself said, 'He is my brother.'
"Did he himself not tell me that she is his sister? Even she herself told me that he is her brother."
I have done this in the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands
"I have done this with good intentions and actions" or "I have done this with no evil thoughts or actions"
Genesis 20:6
God said to him
"God said to Abimelech"
in the integrity of your heart you did this
"you did this with good intentions" or "you did this without evil intentions"
to touch her
"to sleep with her"
Genesis 20:7
the man's wife
"Abraham's wife"
you will live
"I will let you live"
all who are yours
"all of your people"
Genesis 20:8
He told all these things to them
"He told them everything that God had told him"
Genesis 20:9
What have you done to us?
"You have done something bad to us!" or "Look what you have done to us!"
to us
The word "us" here is exclusive and does not include Abraham and Sarah. If your language uses an exclusive form of "we" or "us," use it here.
How have I sinned against you, that you have brought ... sin?
"I have done nothing against you to cause you to bring ... sin."
on my kingdom
"on the people of my kingdom"
You have done to me deeds that ought not to be done
"You should not have done this to me"
Genesis 20:10
What prompted you to do this thing?
"Why did you tell me that Sarah is your sister?"
Genesis 20:11
Because I thought, 'Surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.'
"Because I thought that since no one here fears God, someone may kill me so they can take my wife."
fear of God
This means to deeply respect God and show that respect by obeying him.
Genesis 20:12
Besides, she is indeed my sister
"Also, it is true that Sarah is my sister" or "Also, Sarah really is my sister"
the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother
"we have the same father, but we have different mothers"
Genesis 20:13
my father's house
"my father and the rest of my family" or "my father's household"
I said to her, 'You must show me this faithfulness as my wife: At every place where we go, say about me, "He is my brother."'
"I said to Sarah that I wanted her to be faithful to me by telling people everywhere we go that I am her brother"
Genesis 20:14
Abimelek took
"Abimelek brought some"
Genesis 20:15
Abimelek said
"Abimelek said to Abraham"
Look
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important"
my land is before you
This is a way of saying "I make all of my land available to you"
Settle wherever it pleases you
"Live wherever you want"
Genesis 20:16
It is to cover any offense against you in the eyes of all who are with you
"I am giving this to him, so that those who are with you will know that you have done nothing wrong"
before everyone, you are completely made right
"everyone will know that you are innocent"
Genesis 20:18
closed all the wombs of the household of Abimelek
"made all the women of Abimelek's household totally unable to have children"
because of Sarah, Abraham's wife
"because Abimelech had taken Abraham's wife Sarah"
Chapter 21
1
Yahweh paid attention to Sarah as he had said he would, and Yahweh did for Sarah just as he had promised.
2
Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
3
Abraham named his son, the one who had been born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac.
4
Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, just as God had commanded him.
5
Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.
6
Sarah said, "God has made me laugh; every one who hears will laugh with me."
7
She also said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children, and yet I have borne him a son in his old age!"
8
The child grew and was weaned, and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.
9
Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking.
10
So she said to Abraham, "Drive out this slave woman and her son, for the son of this slave woman will not be heir with my son, with Isaac."
11
This thing was very grievous to Abraham because of his son.
12
But God said to Abraham, "Do not be grieved because of the young man and because of your servant girl. Listen to Sarah's words in all she says to you about this matter, because it is through Isaac that your descendants will be named.
13
I will also make the son of the servant woman into a nation, because he is your descendant."
14
Abraham rose up early in the morning, took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder. He gave her the boy and sent her away. She departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
15
When the water in the waterskin was gone, she abandoned the child under one of the bushes.
16
Then she went, and sat down a short distance from him, about the distance of a bowshot away, for she said, "Let me not look upon the death of the child." As she sat there across from him, she lifted up her voice and wept.
17
God heard the voice of the young man, and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, "What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the young man where he is.
18
Get up, raise up the young man, and encourage him; for I will make him into a great nation."
19
Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went and filled the skin with water and gave the young man a drink.
20
God was with the young man, and he grew. He lived in the wilderness and became an archer.
21
He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt.
22
It came about at that time that Abimelek and Phicol the captain of his army spoke to Abraham, saying, "God is with you in all that you do.
23
Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me, nor with my offspring, nor with my descendants. Show to me and to the land in which you have been staying the same covenant faithfulness that I have shown to you."
24
Abraham said, "I swear."
25
Abraham also complained to Abimelek concerning a well of water that Abimelek's servants had seized from him.
26
Abimelek said, "I do not know who has done this thing. You did not tell me before now; I have not heard of it until today."
27
So Abraham took sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelek, and the two men made a covenant.
28
Then Abraham set seven female lambs of the flock by themselves.
29
Abimelek said to Abraham, "What is the meaning of these seven female lambs that you have set by themselves?"
30
He replied, "These seven female lambs you will receive from my hand, so that it may be a witness for me, that I dug this well."
31
So he called that place Beersheba, because there they both swore an oath.
32
They made a covenant at Beersheba, and then Abimelek and Phicol, the captain of his army, returned to the land of the Philistines.
33
Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba. There he called on the name of Yahweh, the eternal God.
34
Abraham remained as a foreigner in the land of the Philistines many days.
Genesis 21:1
Yahweh paid attention to Sarah
"Yahweh helped Sarah"
Genesis 21:2
bore a son to Abraham
"gave birth to Abraham's son"
in his old age
"when Abraham was very old"
at the set time of which God had spoken to him
"at the exact time that God had told him it would happen"
Genesis 21:3
Abraham named his son, the one who had been born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac
"Abraham named his newborn son, the one Sarah gave birth to, Isaac" or "Abraham named their newborn son Isaac"
Genesis 21:4
Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old
"When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him"
Genesis 21:6
God has made me laugh
"God has caused me to laugh joyfully"
every one who hears
"everyone who hears about what God has done for me"
Genesis 21:7
Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children
"No one would have ever said to Abraham that Sarah will nurse children"
nurse children
"feed a baby her own milk"
Genesis 21:8
The child grew and ... Isaac was weaned
"Isaac grew, and when he no longer needed his mother's milk, Abraham had a large feast"
Genesis 21:9
the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham
"Ishmael, the son of Hagar the Egyptian and Abraham"
mocking
"laughing at Isaac"
Genesis 21:10
she said to Abraham
"Sarah said to Abraham"
Drive out
"send away" or "get rid of"
this slave woman and her son
This refers to Hagar and Ishmael. Sarah probably did not refer to them by name because she was angry with them.
Genesis 21:11
This thing was very grievous to Abraham
"Abraham was very unhappy about what Sarah said"
because of his son
"because it was about his son." It is implied that this means his son, Ishmael.
Genesis 21:12
Listen to Sarah's words in all she says to you about this matter
"Do everything that Sarah says to you about them"
it is through Isaac that your descendants will be named
"Isaac is the one who will be the forefather of the descendants I promised to give you"
Genesis 21:14
took bread
These words could refer to 1) food in general or 2) bread specifically.
a skin of water
"a bag of water." The water container was made out of animal skin.
Genesis 21:16
about the distance of a bowshot away
This refers to the distance that a person could shoot an arrow with a bow. This is about 100 meters.
Let me not look upon the death of the child
"I do not want to watch the boy die"
she lifted up her voice and wept
"she cried out loudly and wept" or "she wept loudly"
Genesis 21:17
the voice of the young man
"the sound of Ishmael"
the angel of God
"a messenger from God" or "God's messenger"
out of heaven
Here "heaven" means the place where God lives.
What troubles you
"What is wrong" or "Why are you crying"
Genesis 21:18
raise up the young man
"help the young man stand up"
I will make him into a great nation
"I will make his descendants become a great nation" or "I will make him become the ancestor of a great nation"
Genesis 21:19
God opened her eyes, and she saw
"God caused Hagar to see" or "God showed her"
the skin
"the container made of skin" or "the bag"
the young man
"the boy" or "Ishmael"
Genesis 21:20
God was with the young man
"God guided the young man" or "God blessed the young man"
became an archer
"became very skilled at using a bow and arrows"
Genesis 21:22
It came about at that time
This phrase marks the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
Phicol
This is the name of a man.
captain of his army
"commander of his army"
his army
The word "his" refers to Abimelech.
God is with you in all that you do
"God blesses everything you do"
Genesis 21:23
swear to me here by God
"promise me with God as your witness"
that you will not deal falsely with me
"that you will not lie to me"
will not deal falsely ... with my descendants
"will deal honestly with me and my descendants"
Show to me ... covenant faithfulness that I have shown to you
"Be as faithful to me and to the people of the land as I have been to you"
Genesis 21:24
I swear
"I swear to be as faithful to you and your people as you have been to me"
Genesis 21:25
Abraham also complained to Abimelek
Possible meanings are 1) Abraham was complaining about what happened or 2) "Abraham also rebuked Abimelek"
concerning a well of water that Abimelek's servants had seized from him
"because Abimelek's servants had taken one of Abraham's wells"
Genesis 21:26
I have not heard of it until today
"This is the first time I have heard about it"
Genesis 21:27
Abraham took sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelek
This is a sign of friendship and that Abraham agrees to make covenant with Abimelek
Genesis 21:30
you will receive
"you will take"
from my hand
"from me"
it may be a witness
The word "it" refers to the gift of seven lambs.
so that it may be a witness for me
"to prove to everyone"
Genesis 21:31
Beersheba
Translators may add a footnote saying "Beersheba can mean either "well of the oath" or "well of seven."
they both
"Abraham and Abimelech"
Genesis 21:33
a tamarisk tree
This is an evergreen tree that can grow in the desert. It can be stated more generally. Alternate translation: "a tree"
the eternal God
"the God who lives forever"
Genesis 21:34
many days
"for a long time"
Chapter 22
1
It came about after these things that God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" Abraham said, "Here I am."
2
Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains there, which I will tell you about."
3
So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, along with Isaac his son. He cut the wood for the burnt offering, then set out on his journey to the place that God had told him about.
4
On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place afar off.
5
Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey, and I and the young man will go over there. We will worship and come again to you."
6
Then Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and put it on Isaac his son. He took in his own hand the fire and the knife; and they went both of them together.
7
Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My father," and he said, "Here I am, my son." He said, "See, here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"
8
Abraham said, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." So they went on, both of them together.
9
When they came to the place that God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood on it. Then he bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.
10
Abraham reached out with his hand and took up the knife to kill his son.
11
Then the angel of Yahweh called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" and he said, "Here I am."
12
He said, "Do not lay your hand upon the young man, nor do anything to harm him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing that you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."
13
Abraham looked up and behold, behind him was a ram caught in the bushes by his horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
14
So Abraham named that place, "Yahweh will provide," and it is said to this day, "On the mountain of Yahweh it will be provided."
15
The angel of Yahweh called to Abraham a second time from heaven
16
and said—this is Yahweh's declaration—by myself I have sworn that because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son,
17
I will surely bless you and I will greatly multiply your descendants as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and your descendants will possess the gate of their enemies.
18
Through your offspring all the nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice."
19
So Abraham returned to his young men, and they departed and went together to Beersheba, and he lived at Beersheba.
20
It came about after these things that Abraham was told, "Milkah has borne children, as well, to your brother Nahor."
21
They were Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram,
22
Kesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.
23
Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. These were the eight children that Milkah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother.
24
His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maakah.
Genesis 22:1
after these things
This phrase refers to the events in chapter 21.
God tested Abraham
God tested Abraham's faithfulness"
Here I am
"Yes, I am listening" or "Yes, what is it?"
Genesis 22:2
your only son
"your only son whom I have promised"
the land of Moriah
"the land called Moriah"
Genesis 22:3
saddled his donkey
"loaded his donkey" or "put on his donkey what he needed for the journey"
young men
"servants"
Genesis 22:4
On the third day
"After traveling for three days"
saw the place afar off
"saw far away the place that God had spoken of"
Genesis 22:5
We will worship
The word "we" refers only to Abraham and Isaac, but not to the young men.
come again to you
"return to you"
Genesis 22:6
put it on Isaac his son
"had Isaac, his son, carry it"
He took in his own hand
"Abraham himself carried"
the fire
"something for starting a fire"
they went both of them together
"they left together" or "the two of them went together"
Genesis 22:7
My father
This is a loving way for a son to speak to his father.
Here I am
"Yes, I am listening" or "Yes, what is it?"
my son
This is a loving way for a father to speak to his son.
Genesis 22:8
God himself
Here "himself" emphasizes that it is God who will provide the lamb.
will provide
"will give us"
Genesis 22:9
he bound
"he tied up"
on the altar, on top of the wood
"on top of the wood that was on the altar"
Genesis 22:11
the angel of Yahweh
Possible meanings are 1) Yahweh made himself look like an angel or 2) this was one of Yahweh's angels or 3) this was a special messenger from God (some scholars think it was Jesus). Since the phrase is not well understood, it is best to simply translate it as "the angel of Yahweh" using the normal word that you use for "angel."
from heaven
This refers to the place where God lives.
Genesis 22:12
Do not lay your hand upon the young man, nor do anything to harm him
"Do not hurt the boy in any way"
now I know ... from me
The words "I" and "me" refer to Yahweh. When translating what is in the quote, do it as the angel of Yahweh did and use the words "I" and "me" when referring to Yahweh.
you fear God
This refers to deeply respecting God and showing that respect by obeying him.
you have not withheld your son ... from me
"you have not held back your son ... from me." or "you were willing to offer your son ... to me"
Genesis 22:13
behold
The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
was a ram caught in the bushes by his horns
"was a ram whose horns were stuck in the bushes" or "was a ram stuck in the bushes"
Genesis 22:14
to this day
"even now." This means even to the time that the author was writing this book.
it will be provided
"he will provide"
Genesis 22:15
a second time
"again"
Genesis 22:16
said—this is Yahweh's declaration
"spoke this message from Yahweh" or "declared these words of Yahweh." This is a formal way of saying that the words that follow come directly from Yahweh.
by myself I have sworn
"I have promised and I am my witness." To swear means to use the name of something or someone as the basis or power on which the oath is made. There is nothing more powerful for Yahweh to swear by than himself.
you have done this thing
"you obeyed me"
have not withheld your son
"have not kept back your son" or "were willing to offer your son to me"
Genesis 22:17
surely bless
"certainly bless"
I will greatly multiply your descendants
"I will cause your descendants to increase again and again" or "I will cause your descendants to be very many"
as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is upon the seashore
"beyond what you can count"
as the stars of the heavens
Here the word "heavens" refers to everything we see above the earth, including the sun, moon, and stars.
will possess the gate of their enemies
"will completely triumph over their enemies"
Genesis 22:18
all the nations of the earth will be blessed
"I, the Lord, will bless all the people living everywhere"
nations of the earth
Here "nations" stands for the people of the nations.
you have obeyed my voice
"you have obeyed what I said" or "you have obeyed me"
Genesis 22:19
Abraham returned
"Abraham and his son went back"
they departed
"they left that place"
he lived at Beersheba
"Abraham and his people stayed in Beersheba"
Genesis 22:20
Abraham was told
"someone told Abraham"
Milkah has borne children, as well
"Milkah has also borne children"
Milkah
This is the name of a woman.
Genesis 22:21
They were Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother
"The name of his firstborn was Uz, and the names of the rest of his children were Buz his brother"
Uz ... Buz ... Kemuel ... Aram
These are all names of men. Translate this so that it is clear that all of these except Aram are the sons of Nahor and Milkah.
Genesis 22:22
Kesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel
These are all names of men. Translate this so that it is clear that all of these are the sons of Nahor and Milkah.
Genesis 22:23
Bethuel became the father of Rebekah
"Later Bethel became the father of Rebekah"
These were the eight children that Milkah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother
"These were the eight children of Milkah and Nahor, Abraham's brother." This refers to the children that were listed in Genesis 22:21-22.
Genesis 22:24
His concubine
"Nahor's concubine"
Reumah
This is the name of a woman.
also bore
"also gave birth to"
Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maakah
These are all names of men.
Chapter 23
1
Sarah lived 127 years. These were the years of the life of Sarah.
2
Sarah died in Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron, in the land of Canaan. Abraham mourned and wept for Sarah.
3
Then Abraham rose up and went from his dead wife, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying,
4
"I am a foreigner and sojourner among you. Please grant me a property for a burial place among you, so that I may bury my dead."
5
The sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying,
6
"Listen to us, my master. You are a prince of God among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will refuse you his tomb, so that you may bury your dead."
7
Abraham arose and bowed down to the people of the land, to the sons of Heth.
8
He spoke to them, saying, "If you agree that I should bury my dead, then hear me and plead with Ephron son of Zohar, for me.
9
Ask him to sell me the cave of Machpelah, which he owns, which is at the end of his field. For the full price let him sell it to me publicly as a property for a burial place."
10
Now Ephron was sitting among the sons of Heth, and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the sons of Heth, of all those who had come into the gate of his city, saying,
11
"No, my master, hear me. I give you the field, and the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of the sons of my people. I give it to you to bury your dead."
12
Then Abraham bowed down before the people of the land.
13
He spoke to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, saying, "But if you are willing, please hear me. I will pay for the field. Take the money from me, and I will bury my dead there."
14
Ephron answered Abraham, saying,
15
"Please, my master, listen to me. A piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between me and you? Bury your dead."
16
Abraham listened to Ephron and Abraham weighed out to Ephron the amount of silver that he had spoken in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the standard measurement of the merchants.
17
So the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was next to Mamre, that is, the field, the cave that was in it, and all the trees that were in the field and all around its border, passed
18
to Abraham by purchase in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all those who had come into the gate of his city.
19
After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which is next to Mamre, that is, Hebron, in the land of Canaan.
20
So the field and the cave in it passed to Abraham as a property for a burial place from the sons of Heth.
Genesis 23:2
Kiriath Arba
This is the name of a city.
Abraham mourned and wept for Sarah
"Abraham was very sad and cried because Sarah died"
Genesis 23:3
rose up and went from his dead wife
"got up and left his wife's body"
the sons of Heth
"the descendants of Heth" or "the Hittites"
Genesis 23:4
among you
This idea may be expressed in terms of location. "in your country" or "here"
Please grant me a property
"Sell me some land" or "Allow me to buy a piece of land"
my dead
"my dead wife" or "my wife who has died"
Genesis 23:6
my master
This phrase is used to show respect to Abraham.
a prince of God
"a powerful man" or "a mighty leader."
your dead
"your wife who has died" or "your wife"
the choicest of our tombs
"the best of our burial places"
refuse you his tomb
"withhold his burial place from you" or "refuse to give to you his tomb"
Genesis 23:7
bowed down
This means to bend over or kneel down very low to humbly express respect and honor toward someone.
Genesis 23:8
Ephron ... Zohar
These are names of men.
Genesis 23:9
the cave of Machpelah
"the cave in Machpela." Machpela was the name of an area or region. Ephron owned a field in Machpela and the cave that was in the field.
which is at the end of his field
This also tells something about the cave. The cave was at the end of Ephron's field.
sell it to me publicly
"sell it to me in front of you all" or "sell it to me in your presence"
as a property
"as a piece of land that I may own and use"
Genesis 23:10
Now Ephron was sitting among the sons of Heth
Here "Now" is used here to mark a change from the story to background information about Ephron.
in the hearing of the sons of Heth
"so that all the sons of Heth could hear him" or "while all the sons of Heth were listening"
gate of his city
The city gate was where the leaders of the city would meet to make important decisions.
Genesis 23:11
in the presence of the sons of my people
"with my fellow countrymen as my witnesses"
sons of my people
This means "my fellow countrymen" or "my fellow Hittites"
I give it to you to bury your dead
"I give it to you. Bury your dead"
Genesis 23:13
in the hearing of the people of the land
"so that the people who lived in the area could hear" or "while the people who lived in the area were listening"
But if you are willing
"No, but if you are willing" or "No, but if you agree with this"
I will pay for the field
"I will give you money for the field"
Genesis 23:15
Please, my master, listen to me
"Hear me, my master" or "Listen to me, kind sir"
A piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between me and you?
"The piece of land is worth only four hundred shekels of silver. For you and me, that is nothing."
four hundred shekels of silver
This is about 4.5 kilograms of silver.
Genesis 23:16
Abraham weighed out to Ephron the amount of silver
"Abraham weighed the silver and gave Ephron the amount" or "Abraham counted out to Ephron the amount of silver"
the sons of Heth
"the descendants of Heth"
according to the standard measurement of the merchants
"He weighed the silver the same way that the merchants used to weigh it"
Genesis 23:17
Mamre
This was another name for the city of Hebron. It may have been named after Mamre, the friend of Abraham who lived there.
that is, the field, the cave that was in it, and all the trees
This phrase explains what the author meant when he wrote "the field of Ephron." It was not only the field, but also the cave and trees in the field.
passed
"became property that belonged"
Genesis 23:18
to Abraham by purchase
These words complete the idea that begins with the word "passed" in verse 17. "became Abraham's possession when he purchased it" or "belonged to Abraham after he bought it"
in the presence of the sons of Heth
"with the people of Heth watching as witnesses"
Genesis 23:19
After this
"After he bought the field"
the cave of the field of Machpelah
"the cave in the field in Machpelah"
Genesis 23:20
passed to Abraham as a property for a burial place from the sons of Heth
"became Abraham's property for a burial ground when he bought it from the sons of Heth"
Chapter 24
1
Now Abraham was very old and Yahweh had blessed Abraham in all things.
2
Abraham said to his servant, the one who was the oldest of his household and who was in charge of all that he had, "Put your hand under my thigh
3
and I will make you swear by Yahweh, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I make my home.
4
But you will go to my country, and to my relatives, and get a wife for my son Isaac."
5
The servant said to him, "What if the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land? Must I take your son back to the land from which you came?"
6
Abraham said to him, "Make sure that you do not take my son back there!
7
Yahweh, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my relatives, and who promised me with a solemn oath saying, 'To your descendants I will give this land,' he will send his angel before you, and you will get a wife for my son from there.
8
But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine. Only you are not to take my son back there."
9
So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.
10
The servant took ten of his master's camels and departed. He also took with him all kinds of goods from his master. He departed and went to the region of Aram Naharaim, to the city of Nahor.
11
He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water. It was evening, the time that women go out to draw water.
12
Then he said, "Yahweh, God of my master Abraham, grant me success today and show covenant faithfulness to my master Abraham.
13
Look, here I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
14
Let it happen like this. When I say to a young woman, 'Please lower your pitcher so that I may drink,' and she says to me, 'Drink, and I will water your camels too,' then let her be the one that you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown covenant faithfulness to my master."
15
It came about that even before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah came out with her water pitcher on her shoulder. Rebekah was born to Bethuel son of Milkah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother.
16
The young woman was very beautiful and a virgin. No man had ever known her. She went down to the spring, filled her pitcher and came up.
17
Then the servant ran to meet her and said, "Please give me a little drink of water from your pitcher."
18
She said, "Drink, my master," and she quickly let down her pitcher on her hand, and gave him a drink.
19
When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, "I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking."
20
So she hurried and emptied her pitcher into the trough, then ran again to the well to draw water, and drew water for all his camels.
21
The man watched her in silence to see whether Yahweh had prospered his journey or not.
22
As the camels finished drinking, the man brought out a gold nose ring weighing half a shekel, and two gold bracelets for her arms weighing ten shekels,
23
and asked, "Whose daughter are you? Tell me please, is there room in your father's house for us to spend the night?"
24
She said to him, "I am the daughter of Bethuel son of Milkah, whom she bore to Nahor."
25
She also said to him, "We have plenty of both straw and feed, and also room for you to spend the night."
26
Then the man bowed down and worshiped Yahweh.
27
He said, "Blessed be Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his covenant faithfulness and his trustworthiness toward my master. As for me, Yahweh has led me directly to the house of my master's relatives."
28
Then the young woman ran and told her mother's household about all of these things.
29
Now Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban. Laban ran to the man who was out at the road by the spring.
30
When he had seen the nose ring and the bracelets on his sister's arms, and when he had heard the words of Rebekah his sister, "This is what the man said to me," he went to the man, and, behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring.
31
Then Laban said, "Come, you blessed of Yahweh. Why are you standing outside? I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels."
32
So the man came to the house and he unloaded the camels. The camels were given straw and feed, and water was provided to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.
33
They set food before him to eat, but he said, "I will not eat until I have said what I have to say." So Laban said, "Speak on."
34
He said, "I am Abraham's servant.
35
Yahweh has blessed my master very much and he has become great. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, and camels and donkeys.
36
Sarah, my master's wife, bore a son to my master when she was old, and he has given everything that he owns to him.
37
My master made me swear, saying, 'You must not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I make my home.
38
Instead, you must go to my father's family, and to my relatives, and get a wife for my son.'
39
I said to my master, 'Perhaps the woman will not follow me.'
40
But he said to me, 'Yahweh, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you and he will prosper your way, so that you will get a wife for my son from among my relatives and from my father's family line.
41
But you will be free from my oath if you come to my relatives and they will not give her to you. Then you will be free from my oath.'
42
So I arrived today at the spring, and said, 'O Yahweh, God of my master Abraham, please, if you do indeed intend to make my journey successful—
43
here I am, standing by the spring of water—let the young woman who comes out to draw water, the woman to whom I say, "Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,"
44
the woman who says to me, "Drink, and I will also draw water for your camels"—let her be the woman whom you, Yahweh, have chosen for my master's son.'
45
Even before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder and she went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, 'Please give me a drink.'
46
She quickly lowered her pitcher from her shoulder and said, 'Drink, and I will give your camels water also.' So I drank, and she watered the camels also.
47
I asked her and said, 'Whose daughter are you?' She said, 'The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milkah bore to him.' Then I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms.
48
Then I bowed down and worshiped Yahweh, and blessed Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the way that is right to find the daughter of my master's relative for his son.
49
Now therefore, if you are prepared to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me. But if not, tell me, so that I may turn to the right hand or to the left."
50
Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, "The thing has come from Yahweh; we cannot speak to you either bad or good.
51
Look, Rebekah is before you. Take her and go, so she may be the wife of your master's son, as Yahweh has spoken."
52
When Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed down to the ground before Yahweh.
53
The servant brought out articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious gifts to her brother and to her mother.
54
Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank. They stayed there overnight, and when they arose in the morning, he said, "Send me away to my master."
55
Her brother and her mother said, "Let the young woman stay with us for a few more days, at least ten. After that she may go."
56
But he said to them, "Do not hinder me, since Yahweh has prospered my way. Send me on my way so that I may go to my master."
57
They said, "We will call the young woman and ask her."
58
So they called Rebekah and asked her, "Will you go with this man?" She replied, "I will go."
59
So they sent their sister Rebekah, along with her female servant, on her journey with Abraham's servant and his men.
60
They blessed Rebekah, and said to her,
"Our sister, may you be the mother
of thousands of ten thousands,
and may your descendants possess
the gate of those who hate them."
61
Then Rebekah arose, and she and her servant girls mounted the camels, and followed the man. Thus the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
62
Now Isaac was living in the Negev, and had just returned from Beer Lahai Roi.
63
Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening. When he looked up and saw, behold, there were camels coming!
64
Rebekah looked, and when she saw Isaac, she jumped down from the camel.
65
She said to the servant, "Who is that man who is walking in the field to meet us?" The servant said, "It is my master." So she took her veil, and covered herself.
66
The servant recounted to Isaac all the things that he had done.
67
Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.
Genesis 24:1
Now
This word is used here to mark a stop in the main story. Here the author starts to tell a new part of the story.
Genesis 24:2
Put your hand under my thigh
Abraham was about to ask the servant to swear to do something. Putting his hand under Abraham's thigh would show that he would certainly do what he would swear to do.
Genesis 24:3
swear by Yahweh
"promise me with Yahweh as your witness"
the God of heaven and the God of the earth
"the God of everything in heaven and earth"
from the daughters of the Canaanites
"from the Canaanite women" or "from the Canaanites." This refers to Canaanite females.
among whom I make my home
"among whom we live"
Genesis 24:4
But you will go
"Swear that you will go" or "But go"
my relatives
"my family"
Genesis 24:5
What if
"What should I do if"
will not be willing to follow me
"will not follow me" or "refuses to come back with me"
Must I take your son back to the land from which you came
"Should I take you son to live in the land from which you came"
Genesis 24:7
who took me from my father's house
"who took me from my father and the rest of my family"
saying, 'To your descendants I will give this land,'
"saying that he would give this land to my descendants"
he will send his angel
The words "he" and "his" refer to Yahweh.
Genesis 24:8
But if the woman is not willing to follow you
"But if the woman refuses to come with you."
you will be free from this oath of mine
"you will not have to do what you swore to me that you would do"
Genesis 24:9
swore to him
"made an oath to him"
concerning this matter
"concerning Abraham's request" or "that he would do what Abraham said"
Genesis 24:10
He also took with him all kinds of goods from his master
This means he also took many good things that his master wanted to give to the woman's family.
departed and went
"set out and went" or "he left and went"
the city of Nahor
Possible meanings are 1) the city where Nahor lived" or 2) "the city called Nahor."
Genesis 24:11
He made the camels kneel down
Camels are tall animals with long legs. He made them bend their legs and lower their bodies to the ground. "He made the camels lie down"
draw water
"get water"
Genesis 24:12
Then he said
"Then the servant said"
grant me success today and show covenant faithfulness to my master Abraham
"Show covenant faithfulness to my master Abraham by granting me success today"
grant me success
"help me to succeed" or "make me able to do what I have come here to do"
Genesis 24:13
Look, here I am standing
"You can see me standing here"
the spring of water
"the spring" or "the well"
the daughters of the men of the city
"the young women of the city"
Genesis 24:14
Let it happen like this
"Let it happen this way" or "Make this happen"
When I say to a young woman, 'Please lower your pitcher so that I may drink,'
"When I ask a young woman to let me have a drink of water from her jar"
pitcher
a medium-size jar made of clay used for holding and pouring liquids
that you have shown covenant faithfulness to my master
"that you have been faithful to the covenant you have with my master Abraham" or "you have been faithful to my master Abraham"
Genesis 24:15
behold
The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
Rebekah was born to Bethuel son of Milkah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother
"Rebekah's father was Bethuel. Bethuel's parents were Milkah and Nahor. Nahor was Abraham's brother"
Genesis 24:16
No man had ever known her
This is a polite way of saying that the she had not had sexual relations with any man. You may need to use another euphemism in your language.
She went down to the spring ... and came up
The spring was somewhere lower in elevation than where the servant was standing.
Genesis 24:17
to meet her
"to meet the young woman"
Genesis 24:18
my master
"sir." Here the woman uses this term of respect to refer to the man, though she is not his slave.
Genesis 24:20
So she hurried and emptied her pitcher
"So she quickly emptied her pitcher"
the trough
"the animals' water trough." A trough is a long open container for holding water for animals to drink.
Genesis 24:21
The man
"The servant"
watched her
"watched Rebekah" or "watched the young woman"
to see
"to know" or "to determine"
had prospered his journey
"was showing him the woman who would become Isaac's wife"
or not
"or not prospered his journey"
Genesis 24:22
a gold nose ring weighing half a shekel
"an expensive gold nose ring"
two gold bracelets for her arms weighing ten shekels
"two large gold bracelets for her arms"
Genesis 24:23
Whose daughter are you
"Who is your father"
is there room in your father's house
"is there a place in your father's house"
for us
Apparently other men went on this journey with Abraham's servant. Here "us" refers to the servant and those traveling with him, but not to those to whom he was speaking.
to spend the night
"to stay tonight" or "to stay for the night"
Genesis 24:24
She said
"Rebekah said" or "the young woman said"
to him
"to the servant"
I am the daughter of Bethuel son of Milkah, whom she bore to Nahor
"Bethuel is my father, and his parents are Milkah and Nahor"
Genesis 24:25
We have plenty of both straw and feed
"We have plenty of straw and feed for the camels"
for you to spend the night
"for you to stay tonight" or "where you can stay for the night"
for you
Here "you" refers to the servant and those traveling with him.
Genesis 24:26
the man
"the servant"
Genesis 24:27
has not abandoned his covenant faithfulness and his trustworthiness toward my master
"has not stopped being faithful to his covenant and trustworthy toward my master" or "has not stopped being faithful and trustworthy to my master"
my master's relatives
"my master's family" or "my master's clan"
Genesis 24:28
ran and told her mother's household
"ran to the house and told her mother and everyone there"
all of these things
"everything that had just happened"
Genesis 24:29
Now
This word is used here to mark a stop in the main story. Here the author tells background information about Rebekah. The author introduces her brother, Laban, to the story.
Genesis 24:30
When he had seen the nose ring ... and when he had heard the words of Rebekah his sister
These things happened before he ran out to the man. This tells why Laban ran out to the man.
when he had heard the words of Rebekah his sister, "This is what the man said to me,"
"when he had heard his sister Rebekah tell what the man had said to her"
behold, he
The word "behold" here adds emphasis to what follows. "it was just as she had said: he"
Genesis 24:31
you blessed of Yahweh
"you whom Yahweh has blessed"
you
Here the word "you" refers to Abraham's servant.
Why are you standing outside?
"You do not need to stay outside."
Genesis 24:32
he unloaded the camels
"Laban's servants unloaded the camels" or "the camels were unloaded"
The camels were given straw and feed, and water was provided
"Laban's servants gave straw and feed to the camels, and they provided water"
to wash his feet ... him
"for Abraham's servant and the men who were with him to wash their feet"
Genesis 24:33
They set
Here, the word "they" refers to Laban's family members or to the household servants.
set food before him
"gave food to the servant"
said what I have to say
"spoken my words" or "told you why I am here"
Genesis 24:35
he has become great
Here the word "he" refers to Abraham.
become great
"become very wealthy"
He has given
The word "he" refers to Yahweh.
Genesis 24:36
bore a son to my master
"gave birth to a son"
he has given ... to him
"my master has given ... to his son"
Genesis 24:37
My master made me swear, saying
"My master made me swear that I would do what he told me to do. He said"
from the daughters of the Canaanites
"from the Canaanite women" or "from the Canaanites"
in whose land I make my home
"among whom we live"
Genesis 24:38
to my relatives
"to my own clan"
Genesis 24:39
Perhaps the woman will not follow me.
"What if the woman will not come back with me?" or "What should I do if the woman will not come back with me?"
Genesis 24:40
before whom I walk
"whom I serve"
he will prosper your way
"he will make your journey successful"
Genesis 24:41
you will be free from my oath
"you will not have to do what you swore to me that you would do"
if you come to my relatives
"if you arrive at my relatives' home" or "if you go to my relatives"
Genesis 24:42
the spring
"the well"
Genesis 24:43
let the young woman who comes ... the woman to whom I say
The servant goes back to stating his request. These are the first two things he has to say about the woman whom he hopes will come.
Genesis 24:44
let her be the woman
The servant finishes his request.
Genesis 24:45
speaking in my heart
"praying" or "praying quietly"
behold, Rebekah came
"suddenly Rebekah came" or "I was surprised because I saw Rebekah coming"
Genesis 24:47
ring ... bracelets
In this story, all of these items were made of gold. See how you translated these in Genesis 24:22.
Genesis 24:48
led me by the way that is right
"brought me here"
who had led me
"because Yahweh led me"
my master's relative
This refers to Bethuel, the son of Abraham's brother Nahor.
Genesis 24:49
Now therefore
"Now." Here "Now" does not mean "at this moment," but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.
if you are prepared to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me
"tell me if you will love my master and be faithful to him by giving Rebekah to be his son's wife"
you
The word "you" refers to Laban and Bethuel.
But if not
"But if you are not prepared to treat my master with steadfast love and faithfulness"
so that I may turn to the right hand or to the left
"so that I may continue on my journey"
Genesis 24:50
The thing has come from Yahweh
"Yahweh has caused all of this to happen"
we cannot speak to you either bad or good
"we dare not judge what Yahweh is doing"
Genesis 24:51
Rebekah is before you
"Here is Rebekah"
Genesis 24:52
their words
"what Laban and Bethuel said"
he bowed down
Bowing down before God is an expression of worship to him.
Genesis 24:53
articles of silver and articles of gold
"silver and gold items" or "things made of silver and gold"
precious gifts
"expensive gifts" or "valuable gifts"
Genesis 24:54
he and the men who were with him
"Abraham's servant and his men"
stayed there overnight
"slept there that night"
arose in the morning
"got up the next morning"
Send me away
"Let me leave and return"
Genesis 24:55
a few more days, at least ten
"at least ten more days"
Genesis 24:56
he said
"Abraham's servant said"
to them
"to Rebekah's brother and mother"
Do not hinder me
"Do not delay me" or "Do not make me wait"
Yahweh has prospered my way
"Yahweh has caused me to succeed in the purpose my journey"
Send me on my way
"Allow me to leave"
Genesis 24:59
So they sent their sister Rebekah
"So the family sent Rebekah"
her female servant
This refers to the female servant who had fed Rebekah when she was a baby, cared for her when she was a child, and still served her.
Genesis 24:60
may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands
"may you be the ancestor of millions of people" or "may you have very many descendants"
may your descendants possess the gate of those who hate them
"may your descendants completely defeat those who hate them"
Genesis 24:61
Then Rebekah arose, and she and her servant girls mounted the camels
"Then Rebekah and her servant girls went and got on the camels"
Thus the servant took Rebekah, and went his way
"In this way Abraham's servant took Rebekah with him and returned to where he had come from"
Genesis 24:62
Now
This word marks a change in the story. It was telling about the servant finding a wife, and now it will tell about Isaac.
Beer Lahai Roi
This is the name of a water well in the Negev. See how you translated it in Genesis 16:14.
Genesis 24:63
Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening
"One evening Isaac went out to the field to think." This must have been a long time after the servant and Rebekah left her home since they had to travel a long distance.
When he looked up and saw, behold, there were camels coming!
"When he looked up he was surprised to see camels coming"
Genesis 24:64
Rebekah looked
"Rebekah looked up"
she jumped down from the camel
"she quickly got off the camel"
Genesis 24:65
So she took her veil, and covered herself
"So she covered her face with her veil." This is a sign of respect and modesty towards the man she will marry. The full meaning of this can be made explicit.
veil
a piece of cloth used to cover a person's head, shoulders and face
Genesis 24:67
took Rebekah, and she became his wife
"married Rebekah" or "took her as his wife"
So Isaac was comforted
"So Rebekah comforted Isaac"
Chapter 25
1
Abraham took another wife; her name was Keturah.
2
She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.
3
Jokshan became the father of Sheba and Dedan. The descendants of Dedan were the Assyrian people, the Letush people, and the Leum people.
4
Midian's sons were Ephah, Epher, Hanok, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were Keturah's descendants.
5
Abraham gave all that he owned to Isaac.
6
However, while he was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them to the land of the east, away from Isaac, his son.
7
These were the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, 175 years.
8
Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man with a full life, and he was gathered to his people.
9
Isaac and Ishmael, his sons, buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, which is near Mamre.
10
This field Abraham had bought from the sons of Heth. Abraham was buried there with Sarah his wife.
11
After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac his son, and Isaac lived near Beer Lahai Roi.
12
Now these were the descendants of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's servant, bore to Abraham.
13
These were the names of Ishmael's sons, according to their birth order: Nebaioth—the firstborn of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
14
Mishma, Dumah, Massa,
15
Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.
16
These were Ishmael's sons, and these were their names, by their villages, and by their encampments; twelve princes according to their tribes.
17
These were the years of the life of Ishmael, 137 years. He breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.
18
They lived from Havilah to Ashhur, which is near Egypt, as one goes toward Assyria. They lived in hostility with each other.
19
This is the account of Isaac, Abraham's son. Abraham became the father of Isaac.
20
Isaac was forty years old when he took as his wife Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan Aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean.
21
Isaac prayed to Yahweh for his wife because she was barren, and Yahweh answered his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
22
The children struggled together within her, and she said, "Why is this happening to me?" She went to ask Yahweh about this.
23
Yahweh said to her,
"Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples will be separated from within you.
One people will be stronger than the other,
and the older will serve the younger."
24
When it was time for her to give birth, behold, there were twins in her womb.
25
The first child came out red all over like a hairy garment. They called his name Esau.
26
After that, his brother came out. His hand was grasping Esau's heel. He was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when his wife bore them.
27
The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a quiet man, who spent his time in the tents.
28
Now Isaac loved Esau because he ate the animals that he had hunted, but Rebekah loved Jacob.
29
Jacob cooked some stew. Esau came in from the field, and he was weak from hunger.
30
Esau said to Jacob, "Feed me with that red stew. Please, I am exhausted!" That is why his name was called Edom.
31
Jacob said, "First sell me your birthright."
32
Esau said, "Look, I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?"
33
Jacob said, "First swear to me," so Esau swore an oath and in that way he sold his birthright to Jacob.
34
Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils. He ate and drank, then got up and went on his way. In this manner Esau despised his birthright.
Genesis 25:4
All these
This refers to the people named in verses 2-4.
Genesis 25:5
Abraham gave all that he owned to Isaac
"Isaac inherited all that Abraham owned." It was normal for the father to divide his wealth when he was old and not leave that for others to do after he died.
Genesis 25:8
Abraham breathed his last and died
"Abraham died"
at a good old age, an old man with a full life
"when he had lived a very long time and was very old"
he was gathered to his people
"he joined his family members who had already died"
Genesis 25:9
the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron
Ephron owned a field in Machpelah and the cave that was in that field. Abraham bought the field from Ephron.
Machpelah
Machpelah was the name of an area or region. See how you translated this in Genesis 23:9
which is near Mamre
Machpela was near Mamre.
Mamre
This was another name for the city of Hebron. It may have been named after Mamre, the friend of Abraham who lived there.
Genesis 25:10
This field Abraham had bought
"Abraham had bought this field"
sons of Heth
"the descendants of Heth" or "the Hittites." See how you translated this in Genesis 23:5.
Genesis 25:12
Now
This word is used in English to introduce a new part of the story and information about Ishmael.
Genesis 25:16
princes
Here the word "princes" means that the men were leaders or rules of the tribes; it does not mean that they were the sons of a king.
Genesis 25:17
These were the years of the life of Ishmael, 137 years
Ishmael lived 137 years.
breathed his last and died
"died"
Genesis 25:18
They lived
"His descendants settled"
Havilah
Havilah was located somewhere in the Arabian Desert. See how you translated this in Genesis 2:11.
as one goes toward
"in the direction of"
They lived in hostility with each other
Possible meanings are 1) "they did not live in peace together," or 2) "they lived away from their other relatives."
Genesis 25:20
when he took as his wife Rebekah
"when he married Rebekah"
Bethuel
Bethuel was Rebekah's father. See how you translated this name in Genesis 22:22.
Paddan Aram
This was another name for the region of Mesopotamia, which about the same location as modern Iraq.
Genesis 25:21
she was barren
"she was unable to become pregnant"
Rebekah his wife conceived
"Rebekah, his wife, became pregnant with twins"
Genesis 25:22
The children struggled together within her
"the babies inside her kept bumping against each other" or "The babies pushed against each other within her
She went to ask Yahweh about this
"She went and asked Yahweh about this." It is not clear where she went. She may have gone somewhere private to pray, or she may have gone somewhere to offer a sacrifice.
Genesis 25:23
said to her
"said to Rebekah"
Two nations are in your womb
"Two nations will come from the twins within you"
two peoples will be separated from within you
"when you give birth to these two children they will be rivals"
the older will serve the younger
Possible meanings are 1) "the older son will serve the younger son" or 2) "the descendants of the older son will serve the descendants of the younger son." If possible, translate it so that people could understand either meaning.
Genesis 25:24
behold, there
"she was surprised to learn that there"
Genesis 25:25
red all over like a hairy garment
"red and hairy like a garment made of animal hair"
Esau
Translators may add a footnote that says "The name Esau sounds like the word 'hairy.'"
Genesis 25:26
grasping Esau's heel
"holding the back part of Esau's foot"
Jacob
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Jacob means 'he grasps the heel.'"
Genesis 25:27
became a skillful hunter
"became good at hunting and killing animals for food"
a quiet man
"a peaceful man" or "a less active man"
who spent his time in the tents
"who remained in the tents much of the time"
Genesis 25:28
Now
This word is used to mark a change in focus, shifting from the story to background information about Isaac and Rebekah.
Isaac loved
Here the word "loved" means "favored" or "preferred."
because he ate the animals that he had hunted
"because he ate the animals that Esau had hunted" or "because he enjoyed eating the wild animal meat that Esau caught"
Genesis 25:29
cooked some stew
"boiled some food" or "cooked some soup." This stew was made of boiled lentils
he was weak from hunger
"he was weak because he was very hungry" or "he was very hungry"
Genesis 25:30
I am exhausted
"I am weak from hunger" or "I am very hungry"
Edom
Translators may add a footnote that says "The name Edom means 'red.'"
Genesis 25:31
birthright
right as firstborn to inherit most of the father's wealth
Genesis 25:32
I am about to die
"I am so hungry I feel like I could die"
What good is the birthright to me?
"My inheritance is no good to me if I die of hunger!"
Genesis 25:33
First swear to me
"First swear to me that you will sell me your birthright"
Genesis 25:34
lentils
These are like beans, but their seeds are very small, round, and somewhat flat.
Esau despised his birthright
"Esau showed that he did not value his birthright"
Chapter 26
1
Now a famine happened in the land, besides the first famine that had been in the days of Abraham. Isaac went to Abimelek, king of the Philistines at Gerar.
2
Now Yahweh appeared to him and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land that I tell you to live in.
3
Stay in this very land, and I will be with you and will bless you; for to you and to your descendants, I will give all these lands, and I will fulfill the oath that I swore to Abraham your father.
4
I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and will give to your descendants all these lands. Through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed.
5
I will do this because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my instructions, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws."
6
So Isaac settled in Gerar.
7
When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, "She is my sister." He feared to say, "She is my wife," because he thought, "The men of this place will kill me to get Rebekah, because she is so beautiful."
8
After Isaac had been there a long time, Abimelek king of the Philistines happened to look out of a window. He saw, behold, Isaac was caressing Rebekah, his wife.
9
Abimelek called Isaac to him and said, "Look, certainly she is your wife. Why did you say, 'She is my sister'?" Isaac said to him, "Because I thought someone might kill me to get her."
10
Abimelek said, "What is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us."
11
So Abimelek commanded all the people and said, "Whoever touches this man or his wife will surely be put to death."
12
Isaac planted crops in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold, because Yahweh blessed him.
13
The man became rich, and grew more and more until he became very great.
14
He had many sheep and cattle, and a large household. The Philistines envied him.
15
Now all the wells that his father's servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines stopped them up by filling them with earth.
16
Abimelek said to Isaac, "Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we."
17
So Isaac departed from there and camped in the Valley of Gerar, and lived there.
18
Once again Isaac dug out the wells of water, which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father. The Philistines had stopped them up after Abraham's death. Isaac called the wells by the same names that his father had called them.
19
When Isaac's servants dug in the valley, they found there a well of flowing water.
20
The herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's herdsmen, and said, "This water is ours." So Isaac named that well "Esek," because they had quarreled with him.
21
Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that, too, so he gave it the name of "Sitnah."
22
He left there and dug yet another well, but they did not quarrel over that one. So he called it Rehoboth, and he said, "Now Yahweh has made room for us, and we will prosper in the land."
23
Then Isaac went up from there to Beersheba.
24
Yahweh appeared to him that same night and said, "I am the God of Abraham your father. Do not fear, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your descendants, for my servant Abraham's sake."
25
Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of Yahweh. There he pitched his tent, and his servants dug a well.
26
Then Abimelek went to him from Gerar, with Ahuzzath, his friend, and Phicol, the captain of his army.
27
Isaac said to them, "Why are you coming to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?"
28
Then they said, "We have clearly seen that Yahweh has been with you. So we decided that there should be an oath between us, yes, between us and you. So let us make a covenant with you,
29
that you will do us no harm, just as we have not harmed you, and as we have treated you well and have sent you away in peace. Indeed, you are blessed by Yahweh."
30
So Isaac made a feast for them, and they ate and drank.
31
They rose early in the morning and swore an oath with each other. Then Isaac sent them away, and they left him in peace.
32
That same day Isaac's servants came and told him about the well that they had dug. They said, "We have found water."
33
He called the well Shibah, so the name of that city is Beersheba to this day.
34
When Esau was forty years old, he took a wife, Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite.
35
They brought sorrow to Isaac and Rebekah.
Genesis 26:1
Now
This word is used here to mark a new part of the story.
a famine happened
"there was a famine" or "there was another famine"
in the land
"in the land where Isaac and his family lived"
that had been in the days of Abraham
"that had happened during Abraham's life" or "that had happened while Abraham was alive"
Genesis 26:2
appeared to him
"appeared to Isaac"
Genesis 26:3
for to you and to your descendants, I will give all these lands
"for I will give all these lands to you and your descendants"
I will fulfill the oath that I swore to Abraham your father
"I will do what I promised Abraham your father I would do"
Genesis 26:4
I will multiply your descendants
"I will cause you to have very many descendants."
like the stars of heaven
This speaks about the number of Isaac's descendants as if they were the same as the number of stars. See how you translated this in Genesis 22:17.
heaven
This refers to everything we see above the earth, including the sun, moon, and stars.
all the nations of the earth will be blessed
"I will bless all the nations of the earth"
Genesis 26:5
Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my instructions, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws
"Abraham obeyed me and did everything I commanded him to do"
Genesis 26:6
So Isaac settled in Gerar
"So Isaac and his family settled in Gerar"
Genesis 26:7
He feared to say
Here "fear" refers to the unpleasant feeling a person has when there is a threat of harm to himself or others. "He was afraid to say"
to get Rebekah
"in order to take Rebekah"
Genesis 26:8
He saw, behold, Isaac
"And he was surprised to see that Isaac"
was caressing Rebekah
Possible meanings are 1) he was touching her the way a husband touches his wife or 2) he was laughing and talking with her the way a husband talks with his wife.
Genesis 26:9
Abimelek called Isaac to him
"Abimelek sent someone to bring Isaac to him"
Why did you say, 'She is my sister'?
"Why did you say that she is your sister?"
to get her
"so he could take her"
Genesis 26:10
What is this you have done to us?
"You should not have done this to us!"
might easily have lain with your wife
The word "lain" here is a euphemism for "had sexual relations."
you would have brought guilt upon us
"you would have caused us to be guilty of taking a man's wife"
upon us
Here "us" refers to Abimelech and his people.
Genesis 26:11
Whoever touches this man
"Whoever harms this man"
will surely be put to death
"I will put him to death" or "I will order my men to kill him"
Genesis 26:12
in that land
"in Gerar"
a hundredfold
This means "one hundred times as much as he planted." It can be translated more generally as "a very large crop."
Genesis 26:13
The man became rich
"Isaac became rich" or "He became rich"
grew more and more until he became very great
"he gained more and more until he became very wealthy"
Genesis 26:14
sheep
This may also include goats.
a large household
"many servants"
The Philistines envied him
"The Philistines were jealous of him"
Genesis 26:15
in the days of Abraham his father
"when Abraham, his father, was living" or "during his father Abraham's lifetime"
Genesis 26:16
Abimelek said
"Therefore Abimelek said" or "Finally Abimelek said" or 2) Abimelek made this decision because he saw that his people were jealous and acting in a hostile way towards Isaac.
much mightier than we
"much stronger than we are"
Genesis 26:17
So Isaac departed
"So Isaac and his household left"
Genesis 26:18
Isaac dug out
"Isaac and his servants dug out"
The Philistines had filled them with earth
This was the reason that Isaac dug them out. Possible ways to translate this are: 1) Since this happened first, this sentence can come before the sentence about Isaac digging them out, or 2) This sentence can start with "Isaac did this because the Philistines had stopped them up."
Genesis 26:19
flowing water
"fresh water"
Genesis 26:20
herdsmen
men who tended livestock
This water is ours
Here "ours" refers to the herdsmen of Gerar.
Esek
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Esek means 'quarrel' or 'argue.'"
Genesis 26:21
Then they dug
"Then Isaac's servants dug"
they quarreled
"the herdsmen of Gerar argued with Isaac's herdsmen"
so he gave it
"so Isaac gave it"
Sitnah
Translators may add a footnote that says "The name Sitnah means 'oppose' or 'accuse.'"
Genesis 26:22
Rehoboth
Translators may add a footnote that says "The name Rehoboth means 'make room for' or 'empty place.'"
us ... we
Isaac was speaking about himself and his household.
Genesis 26:24
multiply your descendants
"will cause your descendants to increase greatly" or "will cause your descendants to be very many"
for my servant Abraham's sake
"because I promised my servant Abraham that I would do this"
Genesis 26:25
Isaac built an altar there
"Isaac built an altar there to sacrifice to Yahweh"
called on the name of Yahweh
"prayed to Yahweh" or "worshiped Yahweh"
Genesis 26:26
went to him
"went to Isaac"
Ahuzzath
This is the name of a man.
his friend
Possible meanings are 1) "Abimelech's friend" or 2) "Abimelech's advisor."
Phicol
This is the name of a man. See how you translated his name in Genesis 21:22.
Genesis 26:28
they said
"one of them said"
We have clearly seen
"We know" or "We are certain"
So let us make a covenant
"So we want to make a covenant"
Genesis 26:29
and as we have treated you well
"We have done only good to you"
Genesis 26:30
Isaac made a feast for them, and they ate and drank
Eating a meal together was a part of making a covenant with one another.
for them
Here "them" refers to "Abimelech, Ahuzzath, and Phicol"
they ate
"they all ate"
Genesis 26:33
He called the well Shibah
"So he called the well Shibah." Translators may add a footnote that says "The name Shibah sounds like the word that means 'oath.'"
Beersheba
Translators may add a footnote saying "Beersheba can mean either "well of the oath" or "well of seven."
Genesis 26:34
he took a wife
"he took two wives"
Judith ... Basemath
These are the names of Esau's wives.
Beeri ... Elon
These are names of men.
the Hittite
"the descendant of Heth" or "a descendant of Heth." The Hittite people were the descendants of Heth.
Genesis 26:35
They brought sorrow to Isaac and Rebekah
"They made Isaac and Rebekah sorrowful" or "Isaac and Rebekah were miserable because of them"
Chapter 27
1
When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau, his older son, and said to him, "My son." Esau said to him, "Here I am,"
2
and Isaac said, "See now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death.
3
Therefore take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me.
4
Make delicious food for me, the sort that I love, and bring it to me so I can eat it and bless you before I die."
5
Now Rebekah heard it when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. Esau went to the field to hunt for game and bring it back.
6
Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son and said, "See here, I heard your father speak to Esau your brother. He said,
7
'Bring me game and make me delicious food, that I may eat it and bless you in the presence of Yahweh before my death.'
8
Now therefore, my son, obey my voice as I command you.
9
Go to the flock, and bring me two good kids; and I will make delicious food from them for your father, just like he loves.
10
You will take it to your father, so that he may eat it, so that he may bless you before his death."
11
Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, "See, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man.
12
Perhaps my father will touch me, and I will seem to him as a deceiver. I will bring a curse upon me and not a blessing."
13
His mother said to him, "My son, let any curse fall on me. Just obey my voice, and go, bring them to me."
14
So Jacob went and got the young goats and brought them to his mother, and his mother made delicious food, just like his father loved.
15
Rebekah took the best clothes of Esau, her older son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob, her younger son.
16
She put the skins of the kids on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck.
17
She put the delicious food and the bread that she had prepared into the hand of her son Jacob.
18
Jacob went to his father and said, "My father." His father said, "Here I am; who are you, my son?"
19
Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you said to me. Now sit up and eat some of my game, that you may bless me."
20
Isaac said to his son, "How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?" He said, "Because Yahweh your God brought it to me."
21
Isaac said to Jacob, "Come near me, so I may touch you, my son, and learn whether you are my true son Esau or not."
22
Jacob went over to Isaac his father; and Isaac touched him and said, "The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau."
23
Isaac did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy, like his brother Esau's hands, so Isaac blessed him.
24
He said, "Are you really my son Esau?" He replied, "I am."
25
Isaac said, "Bring the food to me, and I will eat of your game, so that I may bless you." Jacob brought the food to him. Isaac ate, and Jacob brought him wine, and he drank.
26
Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come near now and kiss me, my son."
27
Jacob came near and kissed him, and he smelled the smell of his clothes and blessed him. He said,
"See, the smell of my son
is like the smell of a field
that Yahweh has blessed.
28
May God give you a portion of the dew of heaven,
a portion of the fatness of the earth,
and plenty of grain and new wine.
29
May peoples serve you
and nations bow down to you.
Be master over your brothers,
and may your mother's sons bow down to you.
May every one who curses you be cursed;
may every one who blesses you be blessed."
30
As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
31
He also made delicious food and brought it to his father. He said to his father, "Father, get up and eat some of your son's game, so that you may bless me."
32
Isaac his father said to him, "Who are you?" He said, "I am your son, your firstborn, Esau."
33
Isaac trembled very much and said, "Who was it that hunted this game and brought it to me? I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him. Indeed, he will be blessed."
34
When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a very great and bitter cry, and said to his father, "Bless me, me also, my father."
35
Isaac said, "Your brother came here deceitfully and has taken away your blessing."
36
Esau said, "Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and, see, now he has taken away my blessing." Then he said, "Have you not reserved a blessing for me?"
37
Isaac answered and said to Esau, "Look, I have made him your master, and I have given to him all his brothers as servants, and I have given him grain and new wine. What more can I do for you, my son?"
38
Esau said to his father, "Have you not even one blessing for me, my father? Bless me, even me too, my father." Esau wept loudly.
39
Isaac his father answered and said to him,
"Look, the place where you live will be
far from the richness of the earth,
away from the dew of the sky above.
40
By your sword you will live,
and you will serve your brother.
But when you rebel,
you will break his yoke off of your neck."
41
Esau bore a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing that his father had given him. Esau said in his heart, "The days of mourning for my father are near; after that I will kill my brother Jacob."
42
The words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son and said to him, "See, your brother Esau is consoling himself about you by planning to kill you.
43
Now therefore, my son, obey me and flee to Laban, my brother, in Haran.
44
Stay with him for a while, until your brother's fury subsides,
45
until your brother's anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send and bring you back from there. Why should I lose you both in one day?
46
Rebekah said to Isaac, "I abhor life because of the daughters of Heth. If Jacob takes one of the daughters of Heth as a wife, like these women, some of the daughters of the land, what good will my life be to me?"
Genesis 27:1
his eyes were dim
"he was nearly blind" or "he was almost blind"
Here I am
"I am here" or "I am listening." See how you translated this in Genesis 22:1.
Genesis 27:2
See now, I
"Please listen carefully: I" See how you translated this phrase in Genesis 12:11.
I do not know the day of my death
"I may die any day now"
Genesis 27:3
your weapons
"your hunting equipment"
your quiver
"your quiver of arrows"
hunt game for me
"hunt a wild animal for me"
Genesis 27:4
Make delicious food for me, the sort that I love
"Cook for me the tasty meat that I love"
bless you
In Bible times, a father would often pronounce a formal blessing on his children.
Genesis 27:5
Now
This verse is background information for the description of the events that follow. The word "now" shows that the author is going to begin to talk about Rebekah and Jacob.
to Esau his son
Esau was the son of both Isaac and Rebekah. The author calls Esau "his son" to emphasize that Isaac preferred Esau over Isaac.
Genesis 27:6
to Jacob her son
Jacob was the son of both Isaac and Rebekah. The author calls Jacob "her son" here to emphasize that Rebekah preferred Jacob over Esau.
Genesis 27:7
'Bring me game and make me delicious food, that I may eat it and bless you in the presence of Yahweh before my death.'
"He told Esau to hunt a wild animal, and to make the tasty meat that he loves. Then before he dies, your father will bless Esau in the presence of Yahweh."
Bring me game
"Bring me a wild animal that you hunt and kill"
Genesis 27:8
obey my voice as I command you
"obey me and do what I tell you"
Genesis 27:10
so that he may eat it, so that he may bless you
"and after he eats it, he will bless you"
Genesis 27:11
I am a smooth man
"I am a man with smooth skin" or "I am not hairy"
Genesis 27:12
I will seem to him as a deceiver
"he will think that I am a liar" or "he will know that I am deceiving him"
I will bring a curse upon me and not a blessing
"Then because of this, he will curse me and not bless me"
Genesis 27:13
My son, let any curse fall on me
"let your father curse me instead of you, my son"
bring them to me
"bring me the young goats"
Genesis 27:16
She put the skins of the kids on his hands
The goat skins still had the hair on them.
Genesis 27:17
She put the delicious food and the bread that she had prepared into the hand of her son Jacob
"She gave to her son Jacob the delicious food and bread which she had prepared"
Genesis 27:19
I have done as you said to me
"I have done what you told me to do"
some of my game
The word "game" refers to wild animals that someone hunts and kills.
Genesis 27:20
He said
"Jacob replied"
brought it to me
"helped me to succeed while hunting"
Genesis 27:21
whether you are my true son Esau or not
"if you are really my son Esau"
Genesis 27:22
Jacob went over to Isaac his father
"Jacob approached Isaac his father"
The voice is Jacob's voice
"You sound like Jacob"
but the hands are the hands of Esau
"but your hands feel like Esau's hands"
Genesis 27:24
He said
"But first Isaac asked"
Genesis 27:25
he drank
"Isaac drank it"
Genesis 27:27
he smelled the smell of his clothes and blessed him
"Isaac smelled his clothes and they smelled like Esau's clothes, so Isaac blessed him"
the smell
"the scent"
blessed him
"then he blessed him." This refers to the formal blessing a father pronounces on his children.
See, the smell of my son
"Truly, the smell of my son"
that Yahweh has blessed
"that Yahweh has caused to be very productive"
Genesis 27:28
give you
Here "you" is singular and refers to Jacob. But the blessing would also apply to Jacob's descendants.
dew of heaven
"night mist from heaven to water your crops"
fatness of the earth
"good soil for producing crops"
plenty of grain and new wine
"plenty of food and drink"
Genesis 27:29
nations bow down
"people from all nations bow down"
Be master over your brothers
"Become a master over your brothers"
your brothers ... your mother's sons
Isaac is speaking this blessing directly to Jacob. But, it also applies to Jacob's descendants who will rule over the descendants of Esau and the descendants of any other of Jacob's brothers that he may have.
May every one who curses you be cursed
"May God curse everyone who curses you"
may every one who blesses you be blessed
"May God bless everyone who blesses you"
Genesis 27:30
had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father
"had just left the tent of Isaac his father"
Genesis 27:31
some of your son's game
Here "your son's" was a polite way of Esau referring to his own food he prepared.
your son's game
The word "game" refers to wild animals that people hunt to eat.
Genesis 27:32
said to him
"said to Esau"
Genesis 27:33
Isaac trembled
"Isaac began to shake"
Genesis 27:34
he cried with a very great and bitter cry
"he cried loudly"
Genesis 27:35
has taken away your blessing
"I have blessed him instead of you"
Genesis 27:36
Is he not rightly named Jacob?
"Jacob is certainly the right name for my brother!"
Jacob
Translators may also add a footnote that says: "The name Jacob means 'he grasps the heel.' In the original language the name 'Jacob' also sounds like the word for 'he deceives.'"
He took away my birthright
"What was once my birthright is now his because he tricked me"
now he has taken away my blessing
"now he has tricked you into blessing him instead of me"
Have you not reserved a blessing for me
Esau knows that his father cannot bless him with the same things that he blessed Jacob. Esau is asking if there is anything left to say to him that Isaac did not say while blessing Jacob.
Genesis 27:37
What more can I do for you, my son?
"There is nothing else I can do for you!"
Genesis 27:39
said to him
"said to Esau"
Look, the place
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: the place"
far from the richness of the earth
"far from the fertile soil"
dew of the sky above
"the night mist from the sky to water your crops"
Genesis 27:40
your ... you
In 27:39-40 these pronouns are singular and refer to Esau, but what Isaac says also applies to Esau's descendants
By your sword you will live
"You will rob and kill people in order to get what you need to live"
you will break his yoke off of your neck
"you will free yourself from his control"
Genesis 27:41
Esau bore a grudge against Jacob
Esau believed that Jacob had wronged him, and so Esau did not want to forgive Jacob.
Esau said in his heart
"Esau said to himself"
days of mourning for my father are near
This refers to a number of days a person grieves when a family member dies.
Genesis 27:42
The words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah
"Someone told Rebekah about Esau's plan"
See
"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
is consoling himself
"is making himself feel better"
Genesis 27:43
flee to Laban
"leave here quickly and go to Laban"
Genesis 27:44
for a while
"for a period of time"
until your brother's fury subsides
"until you brother calms down"
Genesis 27:45
until your brother's anger turns away from you
: "until he is no longer angry with you"
Why should I lose you both in one day?
"I do not want to lose both of you in one day!"
Genesis 27:46
I abhor life
"I am terribly upset"
the daughters of Heth
"these Hittite women" or "descendants of Heth"
like these women, some of the daughters of the land
"like these women who live in this land"
what good will my life be to me?
"My life will be awful!"
Chapter 28
1
Isaac called Jacob, blessed him, and commanded him, "You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women.
2
Arise, go to Paddan Aram, to the house of Bethuel your mother's father, and take a wife from there, one of the daughters of Laban, your mother's brother.
3
May God Almighty bless you, make you fruitful and multiply you, so that you may become a community of peoples.
4
May he give you the blessing of Abraham, to you, and to your descendants after you, that you may inherit the land where you have been sojourning, which God gave to Abraham."
5
So Isaac sent Jacob away. Jacob went to Paddan Aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother.
6
Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan Aram, to take a wife from there. He also saw that Isaac had blessed him and given him a command, saying, "You must not take a wife from the women of Canaan."
7
Esau also saw that Jacob had obeyed his father and his mother, and had gone to Paddan Aram.
8
Esau saw that the women of Canaan did not please Isaac his father.
9
So he went to Ishmael, and took, besides the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham's son, the sister of Nebaioth, to be his wife.
10
Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran.
11
He came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. He took one of the stones in that place, put it under his head, and lay down in that place to sleep.
12
He dreamed and saw a stairway set up on the earth. Its top reached to heaven and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
13
Behold, Yahweh stood above it and said, "I am Yahweh, the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. The land on which you are lying, I will give to you and to your descendants.
14
Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread far out to the west, to the east, to the north, and to the south. Through you and through your descendants will all the families of the earth be blessed.
15
Behold, I am with you, and I will keep you wherever you go. I will bring you into this land again; for I will not leave you. I will do all that I have promised to you."
16
Jacob awoke out of his sleep, and he said, "Surely Yahweh is in this place, and I did not know it."
17
He was afraid and said, "How terrifying is this place! This is none other than the house of God. This is the gate of heaven."
18
Jacob arose early in the morning and took the stone that he had put under his head. He set it up as a pillar and poured oil upon the top of it.
19
He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city originally was Luz.
20
Jacob vowed a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will protect me on this road on which I am walking, and will give me bread to eat, and clothes to wear,
21
so that I return safely to my father's house, then Yahweh will be my God.
22
Then this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be a sacred stone. From everything that you give me, I will surely give a tenth back to you."
Genesis 28:2
Arise, go
"Go right away"
Paddan Aram
This was another name for the region of Mesopotamia, which about the same location as modern Iraq.
house of
"family"
Bethuel
Bethuel was Rebekah's father. See how you translated this name in Genesis 22:22.
your mother's father
"your grandfather"
your mother's brother
"your uncle"
Genesis 28:3
make you fruitful and multiply you
"give you many children and descendants"
Genesis 28:4
May he give you the blessing of Abraham, to you, and to your descendants after you
"May God bless you and your descendants as he blessed Abraham" or "May God give to you and your descendants what he promised to Abraham"
that you may inherit the land
God giving the land of Canaan to Jacob and his descendants is spoken of as if a child were inheriting money or possessions from his father.
the land where you have been sojourning
"the land where you have been staying"
Genesis 28:6
Now
This word is used here to mark a change from the story to background information about Esau.
to take a wife
"to take a wife for himself"
He also saw that Isaac had blessed him
"Esau also saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob"
women of Canaan
"daughters of Canaan" or "Canaanite women"
Genesis 28:8
Esau saw
"Esau realized"
the women of Canaan did not please Isaac his father
"his father Isaac did not approve of the women of Canaan"
Genesis 28:9
So he went
"Because of that, he went"
besides the wives that he had
"in addition to the wives that he already had"
Mahalath
This is the name of one of Ishmael's daughters.
Nebaioth
This is the name of one of Ishmael's sons.
Genesis 28:12
He dreamed
"Jacob had a dream"
set up on the earth
"with the bottom of it touching the ground"
reached to heaven
This refers to the place where God lives.
Genesis 28:13
Behold
The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
Yahweh stood above it
Possible meanings are 1) "Yahweh was standing at the top of the stairway" or 2) "Yahweh was standing next to Jacob"
Abraham your father
"Abraham your ancestor" or "Abraham your forefather"
Genesis 28:14
Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth
"You will have more descendants than you can count"
you will spread far out to the west
"your descendants will spread out to the west"
to the west, to the east, to the north, and to the south
"in all directions"
Through you and through your descendants will all the families of the earth be blessed
"I will bless all families on the earth through you and your descendants"
Genesis 28:15
Behold, I am
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: I am"
for I will not leave you. I will do all
"for I will not leave you until I have done all"
I will keep you
"I will keep you safe" or "I will protect you"
I will bring you into this land again
"I will bring you back to this land"
Genesis 28:17
the house of God ... the gate of heaven
The phrase "the gate of heaven" explains that this place is the entrance to "the house of God" and "the entrance to where God lives."
Genesis 28:18
pillar
This is a memorial pillar, that is, simply a large stone or boulder set up on its end.
poured oil upon the top of it
"poured oil on the top of it in order to dedicate the pillar to God"
Genesis 28:19
Bethel
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Bethel means 'house of God.'"
Luz
This is the name of a city.
Genesis 28:20
vowed a vow
"made a vow" or "solemnly promised God"
on this road on which I am walking
"on this journey"
will give me bread to eat
Here "bread" stands for food in general
Genesis 28:21
so that I return safely ... then Yahweh will be my God
This can be stated in the second person. "If you will ... clothes to wear ... so that I return safely ... then you, Yahweh, will be the God that I will worship"
to my father's house
"to my father and the rest of my family"
Genesis 28:22
a sacred stone
"God's house" or "God's place"
Chapter 29
1
Then Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the east.
2
As he looked, he saw a well in the field, and, behold, three flocks of sheep were lying there by it. For out of that well they would water the flocks, and the stone over the well's mouth was large.
3
When all the flocks had gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the well's mouth and water the sheep, and then put the stone again over the well's mouth, back in its place.
4
Jacob said to them, "My brothers, where are you from?" They replied, "We are from Haran."
5
He said to them, "Do you know Laban son of Nahor?" They said, "We know him."
6
He said to them, "Is he well?" They said, "He is well, and, look there, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep."
7
Jacob said, "See, it is the middle of the day. It is not the time for the flocks to be gathered together. You should water the sheep and then go and let them graze."
8
They said, "We cannot water them until all the flocks are gathered together. The men will then roll the stone from the well's mouth, and we will water the sheep."
9
While Jacob was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was tending them.
10
When Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of Laban, his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban, his mother's brother, Jacob came over, rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban, his mother's brother.
11
Jacob kissed Rachel and wept loudly.
12
Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's relative, and that he was Rebekah's son. Then she ran and told her father.
13
When Laban heard the news about Jacob his sister's son, he ran to meet him, embraced him, kissed him, and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban all these things.
14
Laban said to him, "You are indeed my bone and my flesh." Then Jacob stayed with him for about one month.
15
Then Laban said to Jacob, "Should you serve me for nothing because you are my relative? Tell me, what will your wages be?"
16
Now Laban had two daughters. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
17
Leah's eyes were tender, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance.
18
Jacob loved Rachel, so he said, "I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter."
19
Laban said, "It is better that I give her to you, than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me."
20
So Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed to him only a few days, for the love he had for her.
21
Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife, for my days have been completed—so that I may go to her!"
22
So Laban gathered together all the men of the place and made a feast.
23
In the evening, Laban took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob, who went to her.
24
Laban gave his female servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah, to be her servant.
25
In the morning, behold, it was Leah! Jacob said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?"
26
Laban said, "It is not our custom to give the younger daughter before the firstborn.
27
Complete the bridal week of this daughter, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years."
28
Jacob did so, and completed Leah's week. Then Laban gave him Rachel his daughter as his wife also.
29
Laban also gave Bilhah to his daughter Rachel, to be her servant.
30
So Jacob went to Rachel, too, but he loved Rachel more than Leah. So Jacob served Laban for seven more years.
31
Yahweh saw that Leah was not loved, so he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.
32
Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben. For she said, "Because Yahweh has looked upon my affliction; surely now my husband will love me."
33
Then she conceived again and bore a son. She said, "Because Yahweh has heard that I am unloved, he has therefore given me this son also," and she called his name Simeon.
34
Then she conceived again and bore a son. She said, "Now this time will my husband be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." Therefore his name was called Levi.
35
She conceived again and bore a son. She said, "This time I will praise Yahweh." Therefore she called his name Judah; then she stopped having children.
Genesis 29:1
the people of the east
This means the people of Paddan Aram, which is a land east of the land of Canaan.
Genesis 29:2
and, behold, three flocks of sheep were lying there by it
The word "behold" marks the beginning of another event in the larger story. Your language may have a way of doing this.
they would water
"the shepherds would water" or "those taking care of the sheep would water"
the well's mouth
"the opening of the well"
Genesis 29:4
Jacob said to them
"Jacob said to the shepherds"
Genesis 29:5
Laban son of Nahor
"Laban the grandson of Nahor."
Genesis 29:7
it is the middle of the day
"the sun is still high in the sky" or "the sun is still shining brightly"
for the flocks to be gathered together
"for you to gather the flocks"
let them graze
"let them eat grass in the field"
Genesis 29:8
until all the flocks are gathered together
"until the other shepherds gather their flocks"
from the well's mouth
"from the well" or "from the opening of the well"
and we will water the sheep
"then we will water the sheep"
Genesis 29:10
his mother's brother
"his uncle"
Genesis 29:11
Jacob kissed Rachel
In ancient Near East, it is common to greet a relative with a kiss. However, it is normally done between men. If your language has an affectionate greeting for a relative, use that. If not, use what is appropriate.
wept loudly
Jacob weeps because he is so happy. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit.
Genesis 29:13
his sister's son
"his nephew"
embraced him
"hugged him"
Jacob told Laban all these things
"then Jacob told Laban everything he told Rachel"
Genesis 29:14
my bone and my flesh
"my relative" or "a member of my family"
Genesis 29:15
Should you serve me for nothing ... my relative?
"It is certainly right that I should pay you for working for me even though you are my relative."
Genesis 29:17
Leah's eyes were tender
Possible meanings are 1) "Leah's eyes were pretty" or 2) "Leah's eyes were plain"
Genesis 29:20
and they seemed to him only a few days
"but the time seemed to him to be only a few days"
for the love he had for her
"on account of the love he had for her" or "because of his love for her"
Genesis 29:21
for my days have been completed
"for my days of working for you have been completed" or "For I have completed the length of time that I was to work for you" )
so that I may go to her
This is a polite way of referring to having sexual relations with her.
Genesis 29:22
made a feast
"had others prepare a wedding feast"
Genesis 29:23
who went to her
This is a polite way of saying that he had sexual relations with her.
Genesis 29:24
Laban gave his female servant Zilpah ... her servant
Here the author gives background information about Laban giving Zilpah to Leah. Most likely he gave Zilpah to Leah before the wedding.
Zilpah
This is the name of Leah's female servant.
Genesis 29:25
behold, it was Leah
"Jacob was surprised to see it was Leah in bed with him." The word "behold" here shows that Jacob was surprised by what he saw.
What is this you have done to me?
"I cannot believe you did this to me!"
Did I not serve you for Rachel?
"I served you for seven years to marry Rachel!"
Genesis 29:26
It is not our custom to give
"In our family we do not give"
Genesis 29:27
Complete the bridal week of this daughter
"Finish celebrating Leah's bridal week"
we will give you the other also
"next week we will give you Rachel also"
Genesis 29:28
Jacob did so, and completed Leah's week
"And Jacob did what Laban asked, and finished celebrating Leah's bridal week"
Genesis 29:29
Bilhah
This is the name of Rachel's female servant.
Genesis 29:30
Jacob went to Rachel
This is a polite way of saying that he had sexual relations with her.
he loved Rachel
This refers to the romantic love between a man and a woman.
Genesis 29:31
not loved
"loved less than Rachel"
so he opened her womb
God causing Leah to be able to become pregnant is spoken of as if God is opening her womb.
was barren
"was not able to become pregnant"
Genesis 29:32
Leah conceived and bore a son
"Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son"
she called his name Reuben
Translators may also add a footnote that says: "The name Reuben means 'See, a son.'"
Yahweh has looked upon my affliction
"Yahweh saw that I was suffering"
Genesis 29:33
Then she conceived
"Then Leah became pregnant"
bore a son
"gave birth to a son"
Yahweh has heard that I am unloved
"Yahweh has heard that my husband does not love me"
she called his name Simeon
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Simeon means 'heard.'"
Genesis 29:34
will my husband be attached to me
"my husband will embrace me"
I have borne him three sons
"I have given birth to three sons for him"
his name was called Levi
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Levi means 'attached.'"
Genesis 29:35
She conceived again
"Leah became pregnant again"
bore a son
"gave birth to a son"
she called his name Judah
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Judah means 'praise.'"
Chapter 30
1
When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel was jealous of her sister. She said to Jacob, "Give me children, or I will die."
2
Jacob's anger burned against Rachel. He said, "Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?"
3
She said, "See, there is my servant Bilhah. Go to her, so she might give birth to children on my knees, and I will have children by her."
4
So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went to her.
5
Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son.
6
Then Rachel said, "God has vindicated me, and he has heard my voice and given me a son." For this reason she called his name Dan.
7
Bilhah, Rachel's servant, conceived again and bore Jacob a second son.
8
Rachel said, "With mighty wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister and have prevailed." She called his name Naphtali.
9
When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took Zilpah, her servant, and gave her to Jacob as a wife.
10
Zilpah, Leah's servant, bore Jacob a son.
11
Leah said, "This is fortunate!" so she called his name Gad.
12
Then Zilpah, Leah's servant, bore Jacob a second son.
13
Leah said, "I am happy! For the daughters will call me happy." So she called his name Asher.
14
Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest and found mandrakes in the field. He brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, "Give me some of your son's mandrakes."
15
Leah said to her, "Is it a small matter to you, that you have taken away my husband? Do you now want to take away my son's mandrakes, too?" Rachel said, "Then he will lie with you tonight, in exchange for your son's mandrakes."
16
Jacob came from the field in the evening. Leah went out to meet him and said, "You must come to me, for I have hired you with my son's mandrakes." So Jacob lay with Leah that night.
17
God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son.
18
Leah said, "God has given me my wages, because I gave my servant woman to my husband." She called his name Issachar.
19
Leah conceived again and bore a sixth son to Jacob.
20
Leah said, "God has given me a good gift. Now my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons." She called his name Zebulun.
21
Afterwards she bore a daughter and called her name Dinah.
22
God called Rachel to mind and listened to her. He caused her to become pregnant.
23
She conceived and bore a son. She said, "God has taken away my shame."
24
She called his name Joseph, saying, "Yahweh has added to me another son."
25
After Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, "Send me away, so that I may go to my own home and to my country.
26
Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go, for you know the service I have given you."
27
Laban said to him, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, wait, because I have learned by using divination that Yahweh has blessed me for your sake."
28
Then he said, "Name your wages, and I will pay them."
29
Jacob said to him, "You know how I have served you, and how your livestock have fared with me.
30
For you had little before I came, and it has increased abundantly. Yahweh has blessed you wherever I worked. Now when will I provide for my own household also?"
31
So Laban said, "What will I pay you?" Jacob said, "You will not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I will again feed your flock and keep it.
32
Let me walk through all your flock today, removing from it every speckled and spotted sheep, and every black one among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats. These will be my wages.
33
My integrity will testify for me later on, when you come to check on my wages. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and black among the sheep, if any are found with me, will be considered to be stolen."
34
Laban said, "Agreed. Let it be according to your word."
35
That day Laban removed the male goats that were striped and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white in it, and all the black ones among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.
36
Laban also put three days' journey between himself and Jacob. So Jacob kept tending the rest of Laban's flocks.
37
Jacob took fresh cut branches of the poplar, almond, and plane trees, and he peeled white streaks in them and made the white inner wood appear that was in the sticks.
38
Then he set the sticks that he had peeled in front of the flocks, in front of the watering troughs where they came to drink. They conceived when they came to drink.
39
The flocks bred in front of the sticks; and the flocks produced striped, speckled, and spotted young.
40
Jacob separated out these lambs, but made the rest of them face toward the striped animals and all the black sheep in the flock of Laban. Then he separated out his flocks for himself alone and did not put them together with Laban's flocks.
41
Whenever the stronger sheep in the flock were breeding, then Jacob would lay the sticks in the watering troughs before the eyes of the flock, so that they might conceive among the sticks.
42
But when the feebler animals in the flock came, he did not put the sticks in front of them. So the feebler animals were Laban's, and the stronger were Jacob's.
43
The man became very prosperous. He had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys.
Genesis 30:1
When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children
"When Rachel realized that she was unable to become preganant"
I will die
"I will feel completely worthless"
Give me children
"Cause me to become pregnant"
Genesis 30:2
Jacob's anger burned against Rachel
"Jacob was very angry with Rachel"
Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?
"I am not God! I am not the one who is preventing you from having children!"
Genesis 30:3
She said
"Rachel said"
See
"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
there is my servant Bilhah ... I will have children by her
At that time, this was an acceptable way for a barren woman to have children that would legally belong to her. The full meaning of this may be made explicit.
Go to her
This is a polite way of asking him to have sexual relations with her servant.
on my knees
"for me"
I will have children by her
"and in this way she will cause me to have children"
Genesis 30:5
bore Jacob a son
"gave birth to a son for Jacob"
Genesis 30:6
she called his name
"Rachel gave him the name"
called his name Dan
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Dan means 'he judged.'"
Genesis 30:7
Bilhah ... conceived again
"Bilhah ... became pregnant again"
bore Jacob a second son
"gave birth to a second son for Jacob"
Genesis 30:8
With mighty wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister
"I have had a great struggle to have children like my older sister, Leah"
have prevailed
"I have won" or "I have succeeded"
called his name Naphtali
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Naphtali means 'my struggle.'"
Genesis 30:9
she took Zilpah, her servant, and gave her to Jacob as a wife
"she gave Zilpah, her servant, to Jacob as a wife"
Genesis 30:11
This is fortunate!
"How fortunate!" or "What good luck!"
called his name Gad
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Gad means 'fortunate.'"
Genesis 30:13
the daughters
"the women" or "the young women"
called his name Asher
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Asher means 'happy.'"
Genesis 30:14
Reuben went
"Reuben went out"
in the days of wheat harvest
"at the time of year of the wheat harvest" or "during the wheat harvest"
mandrakes
"love fruit"
Genesis 30:15
Is it a small matter to you ... my husband?
"It is bad enough ... my husband."
Do you now want ... too?
"Now you want ... too!"
Then he will lie with you
"Then Jacob will have sexual relations with you"
Genesis 30:16
You must come to me
"You must have sexual intercourse with me"
Jacob lay with Leah
"Jacob had sexual relations with Leah"
Genesis 30:18
God has given me my wages
"God has given my due" or "God has rewarded me"
She called his name Issachar
Translators may also add a footnote that says: "The name Issachar means 'there is a reward.'"
Genesis 30:20
She called his name Zebulun
Translators may also add a footnote that says: "The name Zebulun means 'honor.'"
Genesis 30:21
called her name Dinah
This is the name of Leah's daughter.
Genesis 30:22
God called Rachel to mind and listened to her
"God considered Rachel and granted to her what she wanted"
Genesis 30:23
God has taken away my shame
"God has caused me to no longer feel ashamed"
Genesis 30:24
She called his name Joseph
Translators may also add a footnote that says: "The name Joseph means 'may he add.'"
Genesis 30:26
and let me go
"so I can go"
you know the service I have given you
"you know that I have served you long enough"
Genesis 30:27
Laban said to him
"Laban said to Jacob"
If now I have found favor in your eyes
"If I have found favor with you" or "If you are pleased with me"
wait, because
"please stay, because"
I have learned by using divination
"I have discovered by my own spiritual and magical practices"
for your sake
"because of you"
Genesis 30:28
Name your wages
"Tell me how much I have to pay to keep you here"
Genesis 30:29
Jacob said to him
"Jacob said to Laban"
how your livestock have fared with me
"how well your livestock have done since I started taking care of them"
Genesis 30:30
and it has increased abundantly
"but now your wealth has greatly increased"
Now when will I provide for my own household also?
"Now I want to take care of my family!"
Genesis 30:31
If you will do this thing for me
"But if you will do this thing for me"
this thing
The phrase "this thing" refers to what Jacob will propose in verse 32.
Genesis 30:32
removing from it every speckled and spotted sheep, and every black one among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats
"and remove every sheep with spots, every black sheep, and every goat with spots"
These will be my wages
"This will be the cost of keeping me here"
Genesis 30:33
My integrity will testify for me later on
"And later you will know if I have been honest with you or not"
Genesis 30:35
gave them into the hand
"had his sons take care of them"
Genesis 30:37
poplar, almond, and plane trees
These are all trees with white wood.
Genesis 30:38
the watering troughs
long open containers for holding water for animals to drink
Genesis 30:39
The flocks bred
"The animals of the flocks conceived" or "The animals mated"
produced striped, speckled, and spotted young
"gave birth to babies with stripes and spots"
Genesis 30:40
Jacob separated
"During the several years following, Jacob separated"
face toward
"look toward"
Genesis 30:41
before the eyes of the flock
"so that the flock could see them"
among the sticks
"in front of the sticks"
Genesis 30:42
So the feebler animals were Laban's, and the stronger were Jacob's
"So the weaker offspring did not have stripes or spots and so belonged to Laban, while the stronger offspring did have stripes or spots and so belonged to Jacob"
Genesis 30:43
The man
"Jacob"
Chapter 31
1
Now Jacob heard the words of Laban's sons, that they said, "Jacob has taken away all that was our father's, and it is from our father's possessions that he has gotten all this wealth."
2
Jacob saw the look on Laban's face. He saw that his attitude toward him had changed.
3
Then Yahweh said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you."
4
Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field to his flock
5
and said to them, "I see your father's attitude toward me has changed, but the God of my father has been with me.
6
You know that it is with all my strength that I have served your father.
7
Your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God has not permitted him to hurt me.
8
If he said, 'The speckled animals will be your wages,' then all the flock bore speckled young. If he said, 'The striped will be your wages,' then the whole flock bore striped young.
9
In this way God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me.
10
Once at the time of breeding season, I saw in a dream the male goats that were mating with the flock. The male goats were striped, speckled, and spotted.
11
The angel of God said to me in the dream, 'Jacob.' I said, 'Here I am.'
12
He said, 'Lift up your eyes and see all the male goats that are breeding with the flock. They are striped, speckled, and spotted, for I have seen everything that Laban is doing to you.
13
I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you made a vow to me. Now rise up and leave this land and return to the land of your birth.'"
14
Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, "Is there any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?
15
Are we not treated by him as foreigners? For he has sold us and has also completely devoured our money.
16
For all the riches that God has taken away from our father are now ours and our children's. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do it."
17
Then Jacob arose and placed his sons and his wives upon the camels.
18
He drove all his livestock ahead of him, along with all his property, including the livestock he had acquired in Paddan Aram. Then he set out to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.
19
When Laban had gone to shear his flock, Rachel stole her father's household gods.
20
Jacob also deceived Laban the Aramean, by not telling him that he was fleeing.
21
So he fled with all that he had and quickly passed over the River, and headed toward the hill country of Gilead.
22
On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled.
23
So he took his relatives with him and pursued him for a seven days' journey. He overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.
24
Now God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, "Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad."
25
Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country. Laban also camped with his relatives in the hill country of Gilead.
26
Laban said to Jacob, "What have you done, that you deceived me and carried away my daughters like captives of the sword?
27
Why did you flee secretly and trick me and did not tell me? I would have sent you away with celebration and with songs, with tambourine and with harps.
28
You did not allow me to kiss my grandsons and my daughters good bye. Now you have acted foolishly.
29
It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night and said, 'Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.'
30
Now you have gone away because you longed to return to your father's house. But why did you steal my gods?"
31
Jacob answered and said to Laban, "I fled secretly because I was afraid and thought that you would take your daughters from me by force.
32
Whoever has stolen your gods will not continue to live. In the presence of our relatives, identify whatever with me is yours and take it." For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.
33
Laban went into Jacob's tent, into Leah's tent, and into the tent of the two female servants, but he did not find them. He went out of Leah's tent and entered into Rachel's tent.
34
Now Rachel had taken the household gods, put them in a camel's saddle, and sat upon them. Laban searched the whole tent, but did not find them.
35
She said to her father, "Do not be angry, my master, that I cannot stand up before you, for I am having my period." So he searched but did not find his household gods.
36
Jacob was angry and argued with Laban. He said to him, "What is my offense? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me?
37
For you have searched all my possessions. What have you found of all your household goods? Set them here before our relatives, so that they may judge between the two of us.
38
For twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten any rams from your flocks.
39
What was torn by beasts I did not bring to you. I bore the loss of it. You demanded payment from my hand, whether stolen by day or stolen by night.
40
There I was; in the day the heat consumed me, and the frost by night; and I went without sleep.
41
These twenty years I have been in your household. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock. You have changed my wages ten times.
42
Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the one Isaac fears, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and my toil, and he rebuked you last night."
43
Laban answered and said to Jacob, "The daughters are my daughters, the grandchildren are my grandchildren, and the flocks are my flocks. All that you see is mine. But what can I do today to these my daughters, or to their children whom they have borne?
44
So now, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be for a witness between you and me."
45
So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar.
46
Jacob said to his relatives, "Gather stones." So they took stones and made a pile. Then they ate there by the pile.
47
Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.
48
Laban said, "This pile is a witness between me and you today." Therefore its name was called Galeed.
49
It is also called Mizpah, because Laban said, "May Yahweh watch between you and me, when we are out of sight one from another.
50
If you mistreat my daughters, or if you take any wives besides my daughters, although no one else is with us, see, God is witness between you and me."
51
Laban said to Jacob, "Look at this pile, and look at the pillar, which I have set between you and me.
52
This pile is a witness, and the pillar is a witness, that I will not pass beyond this pile to you, and that you will not pass beyond this pile and this pillar to me, to do harm.
53
May the God of Abraham, and the god of Nahor, the gods of their father, judge between us." Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.
54
Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and called his relatives to eat a meal. They ate and spent the entire night on the mountain.
55
Early in the morning Laban got up, kissed his grandsons and his daughters and blessed them. Then Laban left and returned home.
Genesis 31:1
Now
This word is used here to mark a stop in the main story. Here the author starts to tell a new part of the story.
Jacob has taken away all that was our father's
"Everything that Jacob has taken belonged to our father"
Genesis 31:2
Jacob saw the look on Laban's face. He saw that his attitude toward him had changed
"Jacob noticed that Laban was no longer pleased with him"
Genesis 31:3
your fathers
"your father Isaac and your grandfather Abraham"
Genesis 31:5
I see your father's attitude toward me has changed
"I have noticed your father is no longer pleased with me"
Genesis 31:6
You know that it is with all my strength that I have served your father
"You yourselves know that I have served your father with all my strength"
Genesis 31:7
has deceived me
"has lied to me" or "has not treated me fairly"
my wages
"what he said he would pay me"
to hurt me
Possible meanings are 1) physical harm or 2) to cause Jacob to suffer in any way.
Genesis 31:8
The speckled animals
"The animals with spots"
the flock bore
"the flock gave birth to"
The striped
"The animals with stripes"
Genesis 31:9
In this way God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me
"This is how God gave your father's animals to me"
Genesis 31:10
Once at the time of breeding season
"During the breeding season"
mating with the flock
"mating with the female goats of the flock"
Genesis 31:11
angel of God
Possible meanings are 1) God himself appeared as a man or 2) one of God's messengers appeared. Since the phrase is not well understood, it is best to simply translate it as "the angel of God," using the normal word that you use for "angel."
I said
"And I answered"
Genesis 31:12
Lift up your eyes
This is a way of saying "Look up."
that are breeding with the flock
"that are breeding with the female goats of the flock"
Genesis 31:13
where you anointed a pillar
Jacob poured oil on the pillar to dedicate it to God.
the land of your birth
"the land where you were born"
Genesis 31:14
Is there any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?
"There is absolutely nothing left for us to inherit from our father!"
Genesis 31:15
Are we not treated by him as foreigners?
"Our father treats us like a foreign women instead of daughters!"
For he has sold us
"He has sold us for his own gain"
has also completely devoured our money
"he completely used up our money"
Genesis 31:16
whatever God has said to you, do it
"do all that God has told you"
Genesis 31:17
his sons
"his children"
Genesis 31:18
He drove all his livestock
"He drove all his cattle." Here "livestock" is referring to all his domesticate animals.
including the livestock he had acquired in Paddan Aram
"and the other herd of cattle which he took ownership of when he was in Paddan Aram"
Genesis 31:21
the River
This refers to the Euphrates River.
Genesis 31:22
On the third day
"Two days after they had left"
that Jacob had fled
"that Jacob had fled with his wives and children"
Genesis 31:23
So he took
"So Laban took"
pursued him
"chased after Jacob"
He overtook him
"He caught up to him"
Genesis 31:24
Now God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night
"That night God came to Laban in a dream"
Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad
"Do not say anything to try and stop Jacob from leaving"
Genesis 31:25
Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country. Laban also camped with his relatives in the hill country of Gilead
"When Laban caught up with Jacob, Jacob had set up camp in the hill country. Then Laban and his relatives also camped in the hill country of Gilead"
Genesis 31:26
carried away my daughters like captives of the sword
Laban speaks about Jacob taking his family with him back to the land of Canaan as if Jacob took them as prisoners after a battle and is forcing them to go with him. Laban is exaggerating because he is angry and is trying to make Jacob feel guilty for what he did.
Genesis 31:27
with celebration
"with joy"
with tambourine and with harps
"and with music"
tambourine
a musical instrument with a head like a drum that can be hit and with pieces of metal around the side that sound when the instrument is shaken
Genesis 31:28
to kiss my grandsons
"to kiss my grandchildren"
Genesis 31:29
It is in my power to do you harm
"I have enough people with me to harm all of you"
Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad
"Do not say anything to try and stop Jacob from leaving"
Genesis 31:30
you have gone away
This "you" is singular and refers to Jacob.
to your father's house
"to be home with your father and the rest of your family"
my gods
"my idols"
Genesis 31:32
Whoever has stolen your gods will not continue to live
"We will kill whoever has stolen your gods"
In the presence of our relatives
All the relatives will watch to make sure everything is fair and honest.
identify whatever with me is yours and take it
"look for whatever we have that is yours and take it"
Genesis 31:33
the two female servants
This refers to Zilpah and Bilhah.
he did not find them
"he did not find his idols"
Genesis 31:34
saddle
a seat placed on the back of an animal so a person can ride on it
Genesis 31:35
my master
Calling someone "my master" is a way of honoring them.
that I cannot stand up before you
"because I am unable to stand up in your presence"
for I am having my period
This refers to the time of the month when a woman bleeds from her womb.
Genesis 31:36
He said to him
"Jacob said to Laban"
What is my offense? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me?
"What have I done wrong that you should pursue me like this?"
hotly pursued me
Here the word "hotly" means Laban urgently chased Jacob intending to capture him.
Genesis 31:37
What have you found of all your household goods?
"What have you found that belongs to you?"
Set them here before our relatives
"Lay anything you have found in front of our relatives"
they may judge between the two of us
"they may judge between the two of us"
Genesis 31:38
ewes
female sheep
have not miscarried
This means they have not had a pregnancy end early and unexpectedly with the lamb or kid born dead.
Genesis 31:39
What was torn by beasts I did not bring to you
"I did not bring to you any of your animals that a wild beast tore apart" or "When a wild animal killed any of your animals I did not bring it to you"
I bore the loss of it
"Instead of counting it a loss from your flock, I counted it as a loss from my flock"
You demanded payment from my hand
"You demanded that I pay you for any animal of yours that was missing"
whether stolen by day or stolen by night
Possble meanings are 1) "whether someone stole it during the day or at night" or 2) "whether an animal took it during the day or night."
Genesis 31:40
There I was; in the day the heat consumed me, and the frost by night
"I stayed with your flocks even during hottest part of the day and the coldest part of the night"
Genesis 31:41
changed my wages ten times
"changed what he said he would pay me ten times." See how you translated "my wages" in Genesis 31:7.
Genesis 31:42
Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the one Isaac fears, had been with me
"If the God of Abraham and Isaac, my father, had not been with me"
the one Isaac fears
Here the word "fears" refers to the "fear of Yahweh," which means to deeply respect him and show that respect by obeying him.
empty-handed
"with absolutely nothing"
God has seen my affliction and my toil
"God has seen how hard I worked and how you afflicted me"
Genesis 31:43
But what can I do today to these my daughters, or to their children whom they have borne?
"But, there is nothing I can do to bring my daughters and grandchildren back with me."
Genesis 31:44
let it be for a witness
Here the word "witness" does not refer to a person, but it is used figuratively and refers to the covenant that Jacob and Laban are making. The covenant is spoken of as if it were a person who is there when they agree to act peacefully to one another.
Genesis 31:45
pillar
This means that a large stone was simply set up on its end to mark the place where this important event happened.
Genesis 31:46
made a pile
"stacked them on top of each other"
Then they ate there by the pile
Eating a meal together was a part of making the covenant with one another. The full meaning of this may be made explicit.
Genesis 31:47
Jegar Sahadutha
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name Jegar Sahadutha means 'heap of witness' in Laban's language."
Galeed
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name Galeed means 'heap of witness' in Jacob's language.
Genesis 31:48
This pile is a witness between me and you
"This pile will be a reminder between me and you"
Genesis 31:49
Mizpah
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name Mizpah means 'watchtower.'"
when we are out of sight one from another
"when we are no longer with each other"
Genesis 31:50
although no one else is with us
"even if no one else is there to see us"
see
"look" or "remember" or "pay attention to what i am about to tell you"
Genesis 31:52
This pile is a witness, and the pillar is a witness
These piles of stones were to act as a remembrance and a boundary marker for Jacob and Laban regarding their peace agreement. They are spoken of as if they are human witnesses.
Genesis 31:53
the Fear of his father Isaac
Here the word "Fear" refers to Yahweh, who Isaac deeply respected and showed that respect by obeying him.
Genesis 31:54
called his relatives to eat a meal
Eating a meal together was part of making the covenant with one another.
Genesis 31:55
blessed
This means expressing a desire for positive and beneficial things to happen to someone.
Chapter 32
1
Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
2
When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God's camp," so he called the name of that place Mahanaim.
3
Jacob sent messengers on ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, in the region of Edom.
4
He commanded them, saying, "This is what you will say to my master Esau: This is what your servant Jacob says: 'I have been staying with Laban, and have delayed my return until now.
5
I have cattle and donkeys, and flocks, male servants, and female servants. I have sent this message to my master, so that I may find favor in your eyes.'"
6
The messengers returned to Jacob and said, "We went to your brother Esau. He is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him."
7
Then Jacob was very afraid and upset. So he divided the people who were with him into two camps, and also the flocks, the herds, and the camels.
8
He said, "If Esau comes to one camp and attacks it, then the camp that remains will escape."
9
Jacob said, "God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, Yahweh, who said to me, 'Return to your country and to your kindred, and I will prosper you,'
10
I am not worthy of all your acts of covenant faithfulness and of all the trustworthiness that you have done for your servant. For with only my staff I passed over this Jordan, and now I have become two camps.
11
Please rescue me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I am afraid of him, that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children.
12
But you said, 'I will certainly make you prosper. I will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for their number.'"
13
Jacob stayed there that night. He took some of what he had with him as a gift for Esau, his brother:
14
two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams,
15
thirty milking camels and their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys.
16
These he gave into the hand of his servants, every herd by itself. He said to his servants, "Go on ahead of me and put a space between each of the herds."
17
He instructed the first servant, saying, "When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, saying, 'To whom do you belong? Where are you going? Whose animals are these that are in front of you?'
18
Then you will say, 'They are your servant Jacob's. They are a gift sent to my master Esau. See, he is also coming after us.'"
19
Jacob also gave instructions to the second group, the third, and all the men who followed the herds. He said, "You will say the same thing to Esau when you meet him.
20
You must also say, 'Your servant Jacob is coming after us.'" For he thought, "I will appease him with the gifts that I am sending ahead of me. Then later, when I will see him, perhaps he will receive me."
21
So the gifts went on ahead of him. He himself stayed that night in the camp.
22
Jacob got up during the night, and he took his two wives, his two women servants, and his eleven sons. He sent them across the ford of the Jabbok.
23
In this way he sent them across the stream along with all his possessions.
24
Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until dawn.
25
When the man saw that he could not defeat him, he struck Jacob's hip, so that his hip was dislocated as he wrestled with him.
26
The man said, "Let me go, for the dawn is breaking." Jacob said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."
27
The man said to him, "What is your name?" Jacob said, "Jacob."
28
The man said, "Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel. For you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed."
29
Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." He said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" Then he blessed him there.
30
Jacob called the name of the place Peniel for he said, "I have seen God face to face, and my life is delivered."
31
The sun rose on Jacob as he passed Peniel. He was limping because of his hip.
32
That is why to this day the people of Israel do not eat the ligaments of the hip which are at the hip joint, because the man injured those ligaments while dislocating Jacob's hip.
Genesis 32:2
Mahanaim
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Mahanaim means 'two camps.'"
Genesis 32:3
Seir
This is a mountainous area in the region of Edom.
Genesis 32:4
This is what you will say to my master Esau: This is what your servant Jacob says: 'I have been ... have delayed my return until now.
"'This is what I want you to tell my master Esau. Tell him that I have been ... have delayed my return until now.'"
Genesis 32:5
that I may find favor in your eyes
"that you may approve of me"
Genesis 32:9
God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, Yahweh
"Yahweh, who is God of my grandfather Abraham and my father Isaac"
to your kindred
"to your family"
I will prosper you
"I will do good for you" or "I will treat you well"
Genesis 32:10
I am not worthy of all your acts of covenant faithfulness and of all the trustworthiness that you have done for your servant
"I do not deserve for you to remain faithful to your covenant or for you to be loyal to me, your servant"
your servant
This is a polite way of saying "me."
now I have become two camps
"and now I have enough people, flocks, and possessions with me to make two camps"
Genesis 32:11
rescue me
"save me"
from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau
"from the power of my brother, Esau" or "from my brother, Esau"
Genesis 32:12
But you said, 'I will certainly make you prosper. I will make your descendants ... number.'
"But you said that you would certainly prosper me, and that you would make my descendants ... number"
I will make your descendants like the sand of the sea
This speaks about the very large number of Jacob's descendants as if their number will be like the grains of sand on the seashore.
which cannot be numbered for their number
"which no one can count because of their number"
Genesis 32:15
their colts
"their young"
Genesis 32:16
These he gave into the hand of his servants, every herd by itself
"He divided them into small herds, and gave each of his servants control over one herd"
Genesis 32:17
He instructed
"He commanded"
asks you ... that are in front of you?'
"asks you who your master is, where you are going, and who owns these animals that are ahead of you"
Genesis 32:18
Then you will say, 'They are your servant Jacob's. They are a gift sent to my master Esau. See, he is also coming after us.'
"Then I want you to tell him that all of these things belong to Jacob, his servant, and he his giving them to his master, Esau. And tell him that Jacob is on the way to meet him"
coming after us
Here "us" refers to the servant speaking and the other servants bringing herds to Esau.
Genesis 32:20
You must also say, 'Your servant Jacob
Possible meanings are 1) "You will say also, 'Your servant Jacob'" or 2) "You will say, 'Also, Your servant Jacob.'"
I will appease him
"I will calm him down" or "I will make his anger go away"
he will receive me
"he will welcome me kindly"
Genesis 32:21
So the gifts went on ahead of him
Here "gifts" stands for the servants taking the gifts.
He himself stayed
Here "himself" emphasizes that Jacob did not go with the servants.
Genesis 32:22
his two women servants
"his two servant wives." This means Zilpah and Bilhah.
ford
a shallow place in a river that is easy to cross
Jabbok
This is the name of a river.
Genesis 32:23
all his possessions
"all that he had"
Genesis 32:25
he struck Jacob's hip, so that his hip was dislocated
"he struck Jacob's hip and dislocated it" or "he struck Jacob's hip and injured it"
his hip was dislocated
Possible meanings are that 1) the top of Jacob's leg bone moved out of the hole in the hip where it normally is, or 2) a muscle or something that attaches the top of the leg to the hip was torn.
Genesis 32:26
for the dawn is breaking
"the sun will rise soon"
bless
Here "bless" means to pronounce a formal blessing on someone and to cause good things to happen to that person.
I will not let you go unless you bless me
"I will let you go only if you bless me" or "Absolutely not! You must bless me first, then I will let you go"
Genesis 32:28
Israel
"The name Israel means 'He struggles with God.'"
with men
Here "men" means "people" in general.
Genesis 32:29
He said, "Why is it that you ask my name?"
"Do not ask me for my name!"
Genesis 32:30
Peniel
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name Peniel means 'the face of God.'"
face to face
Being "face to face" means that two people are seeing each other in person, at a close distance.
and my life is delivered
"yet he spared my life"
Genesis 32:32
to this day
This means to the day that the author was writing this.
ligaments of the hip
This refers to the muscle that connects the thigh bone to the thigh socket.
hip joint
"thigh socket"
while dislocating
"while striking"
Chapter 33
1
Jacob looked up and, behold, Esau was coming, and with him were four hundred men. Jacob divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two female servants.
2
Then he put the female servants and their children in front, followed by Leah and her children, and followed by Rachel and Joseph last of all.
3
He himself went on ahead of them. He bowed toward the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
4
Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, hugged his neck, and kissed him. Then they wept.
5
When Esau looked up, he saw the women and the children. He said, "Who are these people with you?" Jacob said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant."
6
Then the female servants came forward with their children, and they bowed down.
7
Next Leah also and her children came forward and bowed down. Finally Joseph and Rachel came forward and bowed down.
8
Esau said, "What do you mean by all these groups that I met?" Jacob said, "To find favor in the sight of my master."
9
Esau said, "I have enough, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself."
10
Jacob said, "No, please, if I have found favor in your eyes, then accept my gift from my hand, for indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me.
11
Please accept my gift that was brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough." Thus Jacob urged him, and Esau accepted it.
12
Then Esau said, "Let us be on our way. I will go before you."
13
Jacob said to him, "My master knows that the children are young, and that the sheep and the cattle are nursing their young. If they are driven hard even one day, all the animals will die.
14
Please let my master go on ahead of his servant. I will travel more slowly, at the pace of the livestock that are before me, and at the pace of the children, until I come to my master in Seir."
15
Esau said, "Let me leave with you some of my men who are with me." But Jacob said, "Why do that? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord."
16
So Esau that day started on his way back to Seir.
17
Jacob traveled to Sukkoth, built himself a house, and made shelters for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Sukkoth.
18
When Jacob came from Paddan Aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan. He camped near the city.
19
Then he bought the piece of ground where he had pitched his tent from the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father, for a hundred pieces of silver.
20
There he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel.
Genesis 33:1
behold
The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to a surprising new part of the story.
Jacob divided the children ... female servants
This does not mean Jacob divided the children evenly so that each woman had the same amount of children with her. Jacob divided the children so that each one went with his or her mother.
Genesis 33:3
He himself went on ahead of them
Here "himself" emphasizes that Jacob went alone in front of the others.
He bowed
Here the word "bow" means to bend over to humbly express respect and honor toward someone.
Genesis 33:4
meet him
"meet Jacob"
embraced him, hugged his neck, and kissed him
"Esau put his arms around Jacob, hugged him, and kissed him"
Then they wept
"Then Esau and Jacob cried because they were happy to see each other again"
Genesis 33:5
he saw the women and the children
"he saw the women and children who were with Jacob"
Genesis 33:8
What do you mean by all these groups that I met?
"Why did you send all of those different groups to meet me?"
To find favor in the sight of my master
"So that you, my master, would be pleased with me"
Genesis 33:9
I have enough
"I have enough animals" or "I have enough property"
Genesis 33:10
if I have found favor in your eyes
"if you are pleased with me"
my gift from my hand
"this gift that I am giving to you"
I have seen your face, and it is like seeing the face of God
The meaning of this simile is unclear. Possible meanings are 1) Jacob is happy that Esau has forgiven him like God has forgiven him or 2) Jacob is amazed to see his brother again like he was amazed to see God or 3) Jacob is humbled to be in Esau's presence like he was humbled to be in God's presence.
Genesis 33:11
God has dealt graciously with me
"God has treated me very well" or "God has blessed me very much"
Thus Jacob urged him, and Esau accepted it
It was customary to refuse a gift first, but then to accept the gift before the giver was offended.
Genesis 33:13
the children are young
"the children are too young to travel fast"
If they are driven hard even one day
"If we force them to go too fast even for one day"
Genesis 33:14
Please let my master go on ahead of his servant
"My lord, I am your servant. Please go ahead of me"
at the pace of the livestock that are before me
"at the speed the animals I am looking after can go"
Genesis 33:15
Why do that?
"Do not do that!" or "You do not need to do that!"
Genesis 33:17
Sukkoth
Translators may also add a footnote that says, "The name Sukkoth means 'shelters.'"
built himself a house
"built a house for himself and his family"
for his livestock
"for the animals he looked after"
Genesis 33:18
When Jacob came from Paddan Aram
"After Jacob left Paddan Aram"
He camped near
"He set up his camp near"
Genesis 33:19
piece of ground
"piece of land"
Hamor
This is the name of a man.
Shechem's father
Shechem is the name of a city and the name of a man.
Genesis 33:20
El Elohe Israel
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name El Elohe Israel means 'God, the God of Israel.'"
Chapter 34
1
Now Dinah, Leah's daughter whom she bore to Jacob, went out to meet the young women of the land.
2
Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her. He took her and lay with her, and he humiliated her.
3
He was drawn to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob. He loved the young woman and spoke tenderly to her.
4
Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, "Get this young woman for me as a wife."
5
Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter. His sons were with his livestock in the field, so Jacob held his peace until they came.
6
Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him.
7
The sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard of the matter. The men were offended. They were very angry because he had disgraced Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter, for such a thing should not have been done.
8
Hamor spoke with them, saying, "My son Shechem loves your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife.
9
Intermarry with us, give your daughters to us, and take our daughters for yourselves.
10
You will live with us, and the land will be open to you to live and trade in, and to acquire property."
11
Shechem said to her father and to her brothers, "Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you tell me I will give.
12
Ask me for as great a bride price and gift as you will, and I will give whatever you say to me, but give me the young woman as a wife."
13
The sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father with deceit, because Shechem had defiled Dinah their sister.
14
They said to them, "We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to anyone who is uncircumcised; for that would be a disgrace to us.
15
Only on this condition will we agree with you: If you will become circumcised as we are, if every male among you is circumcised.
16
Then will we give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to ourselves, and we will live with you and become one people.
17
But if you do not listen to us and become circumcised, then we will take our sister and we will leave."
18
Their words pleased Hamor and his son Shechem.
19
The young man did not delay to do what they said, because he delighted in Jacob's daughter, and because he was the most honored person in all his father's household.
20
Hamor and Shechem his son went to the gate of their city and spoke with the men of their city, saying,
21
"These men are at peace with us, so let them live in the land and trade in it for, really, the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters as wives, and let us give them our daughters.
22
Only on this condition will the men agree to live with us and become one people: If every male among us is circumcised, as they are circumcised.
23
Will not their livestock and their property—all their animals be ours? So let us agree with them, and they will live among us."
24
All who went out to the gates of his city listened to Hamor and Shechem, his son. All males were circumcised, all who went out to the gates of his city.
25
On the third day, when they were still in pain, two of the sons of Jacob (Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers), each took his sword and they attacked the city that was certain of its security, and they killed all the males.
26
They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the edge of the sword. They took Dinah from Shechem's house and went away.
27
The other sons of Jacob came to the dead bodies and plundered the city, because the people had defiled their sister.
28
They took their flocks, their herds, their donkeys, and everything in the city and in the surrounding fields.
29
They captured all their wealth, all their children, and their wives. They even plundered everything that was in the houses.
30
Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have brought trouble on me, to make me stink to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites. I am few in number. If they gather themselves together against me and attack me, then I will be destroyed, I and my household."
31
But Simeon and Levi said, "Should Shechem have dealt with our sister as with a prostitute?"
Genesis 34:1
Now
Here this word is used to mark a new part of the story.
Dinah
This is the name of Leah's daughter. See how you translated this name in Genesis 30:21.
Genesis 34:2
the prince of the land
This is referring to Hamor not Shechem. Also, "prince" here does not mean son of a king. It means Hamor was the leader of the people in that area.
He took her and lay with her
"he grabbed her and had sexual relations with her"
Genesis 34:3
He was drawn to Dinah
"He wanted very much to be with Dinah"
spoke tenderly to her
He tried to convince her that he loved her and that he wanted her to love him also.
Genesis 34:5
Jacob heard that he
The word "he" refers to Shechem.
he had defiled
This means that Shechem had greatly dishonored and disgraced Dinah by forcing her to sleep with him.
held his peace
This is a way of saying that Jacob did not say or do anything about the matter.
Genesis 34:7
he had disgraced Israel
"he had humiliated the family of Israel" or "he had brought shame on the people of Israel"
for such a thing should not have been done
"for he should not have done such a terrible thing"
Genesis 34:8
Hamor spoke with them
"Hamor spoke with Jacob and his sons"
Genesis 34:9
Intermarry with us
"Allow marriages between your people and ours"
Genesis 34:10
the land will be open to you
"the land will be available to you"
Genesis 34:11
Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you tell me I will give
"If you will approve of me, then I will give you whatever you ask"
Genesis 34:12
bride price
In some cultures, it is customary for a man to give money, property, cattle, and other gifts to the bride's family at the time of marriage.
Genesis 34:13
The sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father with deceit
"But the sons of Jacob lied to Shechem and Hamor when they answered them"
Genesis 34:14
We cannot do this thing, to give our sister
"We cannot agree to give Dinah in marriage"
for that would be a disgrace to us
"for that would cause us shame." Here "us" refers to Jacob's sons and all the people of Israel.
Genesis 34:16
give our daughters to you ... take your daughters to ourselves
This means they will allow a person from Jacob's family to marry a person who lives in Hamor's land.
Genesis 34:18
Their words pleased Hamor and his son Shechem
"Hamor and his son Shechem agreed with what Jacob's sons said"
Genesis 34:19
to do what they said
"to become circumcised"
Jacob's daughter
"Jacob's daughter Dinah"
because he was the most honored person in all his father's household
"Shechem knew all the men in his father's household would agree with him because he was the most honored among them"
Genesis 34:20
the gate of their city
It was common for leaders to meet at the city gate to make official decisions.
Genesis 34:21
These men
"Jacob, his sons, and the people of Israel"
peace with us
Here "us" includes Hamor, his son and all the people they spoke with at the city gate.
let them live in the land and trade in it
"let them live and trade in the land"
Genesis 34:23
Will not their livestock and their property—all their animals be ours?
"All of their animals and property will be ours."
Genesis 34:24
All males were circumcised
"All adult males were circumcised" or "So Hamor and Shechem had someone circumcise all the adult men"
Genesis 34:25
On the third day
"After two days"
each took his sword
"took their swords"
they attacked the city
"they attacked the people of the city"
security, and they killed all the males
"security. Simeon and Levi killed all the men of the city"
Genesis 34:27
the dead bodies
"the dead bodies of Hamor, Shechem, and their men"
plundered the city
"stole everything in the city that was valuable"
because the people had defiled their sister
Shechem alone had defiled Dinah, but Jacob's sons considered Shechem's entire family and everyone in the city responsible for this act.
Genesis 34:28
They took their flocks, their herds, their donkeys, and everything
"Jacob's sons took the people's flocks, herds, and donkeys, as well as everything"
Genesis 34:29
They captured all their wealth, all their children, and their wives
"They took all their wealth, and they captured all their children and their wives"
Genesis 34:30
brought trouble on me
"caused great problems for me"
to make me stink to the inhabitants of the land
"You have made me repulsive to the people who live in the land"
I am few in number ... against me and attack me, then I will be destroyed, I and my household
"My household is small ... against us and attack us, then they will destroy all of us"
Chapter 35
1
God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there. Build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from Esau your brother."
2
Then Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, "Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your clothes.
3
Then let us depart and go up to Bethel. I will build an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and has been with me wherever I have gone."
4
So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods that were in their hand, and the rings that were in their ears. Jacob buried them under the oak that was near Shechem.
5
As they traveled, God made panic to fall on the cities that were around them, so those people did not pursue the sons of Jacob.
6
So Jacob arrived at Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him.
7
He built an altar there and called the place El Bethel, because there God had revealed himself to him, when he was fleeing from his brother.
8
Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died. She was buried down from Bethel under the oak tree, so it was called Allon Bakuth.
9
When Jacob came from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him.
10
God said to him, "Your name is Jacob, but your name will no longer be called Jacob. Your name will be Israel." So God called his name Israel.
11
God said to him, "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants.
12
The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give to you. To your descendants after you I also give the land."
13
God went up from him in the place where he spoke with him.
14
Jacob set up a pillar in the place where God had spoken to him, a pillar of stone. He poured out a drink offering over it and poured oil on it.
15
Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel.
16
They journeyed on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor. She had hard labor.
17
While she was in hardest labor, the midwife said to her, "Do not be afraid, for now you will have another son."
18
As she was dying, with her dying breath she named him Ben-Oni, but his father called him Benjamin.
19
Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).
20
Jacob set up a pillar upon her grave. It is the marker of Rachel's grave to this day.
21
Israel traveled on and pitched his tent beyond the watchtower of the flock.
22
While Israel was living in that land, Reuben lay with Bilhah his father's concubine, and Israel heard of it.
Now Jacob had twelve sons.
23
His sons by Leah were Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
24
His sons by Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin.
25
His sons by Bilhah, Rachel's female servant, were Dan and Naphtali.
26
The sons of Zilpah, Leah's female servant, were Gad and Asher. All these were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan Aram.
27
Jacob came to Isaac, his father, in Mamre in Kiriath Arba (the same as Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had lived.
28
Isaac lived for one hundred eighty years.
29
Isaac breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his ancestors, an old man full of days. Esau and Jacob, his sons, buried him.
Genesis 35:1
go up to Bethel
The phrase "go up" is used because Bethel is higher in elevation than Shechem.
Build an altar there to God
"Build an altar there to me, your God"
Genesis 35:2
said to his household
"said to his family"
Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you
"Throw away your idols" or "Get rid of your false gods"
purify yourselves, and change your clothes
This was the custom of cleansing oneself morally and physically before going to worship God.
change your clothes
Putting on a new clothes was a sign that they had made themselves clean before approaching God.
Genesis 35:4
that were in their hand
"that were in their possession" or "that they had"
the rings that were in their ears
"their earrings." Possible meanings are 1) the gold in the earrings could have been used to make more idols or 2) they took these earrings from the city of Shechem after they attacked it and killed all the people. The earrings would have reminded them of their sin.
Genesis 35:5
God made panic to fall on the cities
"God made the people in the surrounding cities afraid of Jacob and those with him"
on the cities
Here "cities" stands for the people who live in the cities.
the sons of Jacob
"Jacob's family" or "Jacob's household"
Genesis 35:6
Luz
This is the name of a city. See how you translated this in Genesis 28:19.
Genesis 35:7
El Bethel
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name El Bethel means 'God of Bethel.'"
Genesis 35:8
Deborah
This is the name of a woman.
Rebekah's nurse
A nurse is a woman who takes care of another woman's child. The nurse was highly honored and important to the family.
Allon Bakuth
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name Allon Bakuth means 'Oak tree where there is weeping.'"
Genesis 35:9
When Jacob came from Paddan Aram
"After Jacob left Paddan Aram, and while he was in Bethel"
blessed
Here "bless" means to pronounce a formal blessing on someone and to cause good things to happen to that person.
Genesis 35:10
but your name will no longer be called Jacob
"but your name will no longer be Jacob"
Genesis 35:11
God said to him
"God said to Jacob"
Be fruitful and multiply
God told Jacob to produce children so that there would be many of them. The word "multiply" explains how he was to be "fruitful."
A nation and a company of nations will come from you
Here "nation" and "nations" refer to Jacob's descendants who will establish these nations.
Genesis 35:13
God went up from him
"God left him"
Genesis 35:14
pillar
This is a memorial pillar which was simply a large stone or boulder set up on its end.
He poured out a drink offering over it and poured oil on it
This is a sign that he is dedicating the pillar to God.
Genesis 35:15
Bethel
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Bethel means 'house of God.'"
Genesis 35:16
Ephrath
This is another name for the town of Bethlehem.
She had hard labor
"She was having a very difficult time giving birth to the child"
Genesis 35:17
While she was in hardest labor
"When the labor pain was at its worst"
midwife
a person who helps a woman when she is giving birth to a child
Genesis 35:18
As she was dying, with her dying breath
"Just before she died, as she was taking her last breath"
Ben-Oni
Translator may add a footnote that says "The name Ben-Oni means 'son of my sorrow.'"
Benjamin
Translator may add a footnote that says "The name Benjamin means 'son of the right hand.'" The phrase "right hand" indicates a place of special favor.
Genesis 35:19
was buried
"they buried her"
on the way
"alongside the road"
Genesis 35:20
It is the marker of Rachel's grave to this day
"It marks Rachel's grave to the time that the author was writing this"
Genesis 35:21
the watchtower of the flock
Some English translations understand this phrase as a proper name, either "Migdal Eder" or "the tower of Eder."
Genesis 35:22
lay with
"had sexual relations with"
Now Jacob had twelve sons
This sentence begins a new paragraph, which continues into the following verses.
Genesis 35:26
Zilpah
This is the name of Leah's female servant. See how you translated this name in Genesis 29:24.
who were born to him in Paddan Aram
"who were born to him in Paddan Aram, except Benjamin who was born in the land of Canaan"
Genesis 35:27
Jacob came to Isaac
Here "came" can be stated as "went."
Mamre
This was another name for the city of Hebron. It may have been named after Mamre, the friend of Abraham who lived there.
Kiriath Arba
This is the name of a city. See how you translated this in Genesis 23:2.
Genesis 35:29
was gathered to his ancestors
"he joined his family members who had already died"
an old man full of days
"after he had lived a very long time and was very old"
Chapter 36
1
These were the descendants of Esau (also called Edom).
2
Esau took his wives from the Canaanites. These were his wives: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite; Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, the granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite;
3
and Basemath, Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebaioth.
4
Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, and Basemath bore Reuel.
5
Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These were the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan.
6
Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, his livestock—all his other animals, and all his possessions, which he had gathered in the land of Canaan, and went into a land away from his brother Jacob.
7
He did this because their possessions were too many for them to stay together. The land where they were sojourning could not support them because of their livestock.
8
So Esau, also known as Edom, settled in the hill country of Seir.
9
These were the descendants of Esau, the ancestor of the Edomites in the hill country of Seir.
10
These were the names of Esau's sons: Eliphaz son of Adah, the wife of Esau; Reuel son of Basemath, the wife of Esau.
11
The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz.
12
Timna, a concubine of Eliphaz, Esau's son, bore Amalek. These were the grandsons of Adah, Esau's wife.
13
These were the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were the grandsons of Basemath, Esau's wife.
14
These were the sons of Oholibamah, Esau's wife, who was the daughter of Anah and the granddaughter of Zibeon. She bore to Esau Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.
15
These were the clans among Esau's descendants: the descendants of Eliphaz, the firstborn of Esau: Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz,
16
Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. These were the clans descended from Eliphaz in the land of Edom. They were the grandsons of Adah.
17
These were the clans from Reuel, Esau's son: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, Mizzah. These were the clans descended from Reuel in the land of Edom. They were the grandsons of Basemath, Esau's wife.
18
These were the clans of Oholibamah, Esau's wife: Jeush, Jalam, Korah. These are the clans that descended from Esau's wife Oholibamah, daughter of Anah.
19
These were the sons of Esau (who was known as Edom), and these were their chiefs.
20
These were the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,
21
Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These were the clans of the Horites, the inhabitants of Seir in the land of Edom.
22
The sons of Lotan were Hori and Heman, and Timna was Lotan's sister.
23
These were the sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.
24
These were the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. This is Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness, as he was pasturing donkeys of Zibeon his father.
25
These were the children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah.
26
These were the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Keran.
27
These were the sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan.
28
These were the sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.
29
These were the clans of the Horites: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, and Anah,
30
Dishon, Ezer, Dishan: These were clans of the Horites, according to their clan lists in the land of Seir.
31
These were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the sons of Israel:
32
Bela son of Beor, reigned in Edom, and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
33
When Bela died, then Jobab son of Zerah of Bozrah, reigned in his place.
34
When Jobab died, Husham who was of the land of the Temanites, reigned in his place.
35
When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad who defeated the Midianites in the land of Moab, reigned in his place. The name of his city was Avith.
36
When Hadad died, then Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.
37
When Samlah died, then Shaul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his place.
38
When Shaul died, then Baal-Hanan son of Akbor reigned in his place.
39
When Baal-Hanan son of Akbor died, then Hadar reigned in his place. The name of his city was Pau. His wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the granddaughter of Me-Zahab.
40
These were the names of the heads of clans from Esau's descendants, according to their clans and their regions, by their names: Timna, Alvah, Jetheth,
41
Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon,
42
Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar,
43
Magdiel, and Iram. These were the clan heads of Edom, according to their settlements in the land they possessed. This was Esau, the father of the Edomites.
Genesis 36:1
These were the descendants of Esau (also called Edom)
"This is an account of the descendants of Esau, who is also called Edom"
Genesis 36:2
Adah ... Oholibamah
These are names of Esau's wives.
Elon the Hittite
"Elon the descendant of Heth" or "Elon a descendant of Heth." This is the name of a man. See how you translate this in Genesis 26:34.
Anah ... Zibeon
These are names of men.
Hivite
This refers to a larger group of people. See how you translated it in Genesis 10:17.
Genesis 36:3
Nebaioth
a man's name
Basemath
This is the name of one of Esau's wives. See how you translated this in Genesis 26:34.
Nebaioth
This is the name of one of Ishmael's sons. See how you translated this in Genesis 28:9.
Genesis 36:4
Eliphaz ... Reuel
These are names of Esau's sons.
Genesis 36:5
Jeush ... Jalam ... Korah
These are names of Esau's sons.
Genesis 36:6
which he had gathered in the land of Canaan
"which he had accumulated while living in the land of Canaan"
went into a land
"went to live in another land"
Genesis 36:7
their possessions
"Esau's and Jacob's possessions"
where they were sojourning
"where they were living as foreigners"
Genesis 36:9
in the hill country of Seir
"who lived in the hill country of Seir"
Genesis 36:11
Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz
These are names of the sons of Eliphaz.
Genesis 36:12
Amalek
a son of Eliphaz
Timna
This is the name of Eliphaz's concubine.
Genesis 36:13
Nahath ... Zerah ... Shammah ... Mizzah
These are names of Reuel's sons.
Genesis 36:14
Anah ... Zibeon
These are the names of men.
Genesis 36:18
Anah
This the name of a man.
Genesis 36:20
Seir
The word "Seir" is the name of a man and of a country.
the Horite
The word "Horite" refers to a people group.
Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah
These are names of men.
Genesis 36:21
Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan
These are names of men.
Genesis 36:22
Lotan ... Hori and Heman
These are names of men.
Timna
This is the name of a woman.
Genesis 36:23
Shobal
This is the name of man.
Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam
These are names of men.
Genesis 36:24
Zibeon
This is the name of a man.
Aiah and Anah
These are names of men.
Genesis 36:26
Dishon ... Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Keran
These are names of men.
Genesis 36:27
Ezer ... Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan
These are names of men.
Genesis 36:28
Dishan ... Uz and Aran
These are names of men.
Genesis 36:30
in the land of Seir
"of those who lived in the land of Seir"
Genesis 36:32
Bela ... Beor
These are names of men.
Dinhabah
This is the name of a place.
Genesis 36:33
Bela ... Jobab ... Zerah
These are names of men.
Bozrah
This is the name of a place.
reigned in his place
"succeeded Bela as king" or "became king after him"
Genesis 36:34
Husham
This is the name of a man.
Husham who was of the land of the Temanites
"Husham who lived in the land of the Temanites"
Temanites
descendants of a man named Teman
Genesis 36:35
Husham ... Hadad ... Bedad
These are names of men.
Avith
These are names of places.
Genesis 36:36
Hadad ... Samlah
These are names of men.
Samlah of Masrekah
"Samlah from Masrekah"
Masrekah
These are names of places.
Genesis 36:37
Samlah
This is the name of a man.
Genesis 36:38
Shaul ... Baal-Hanan ... Akbor
These are names of men.
Genesis 36:39
Baal-Hanan ... Akbor ... Hadar ... Matred ... Me-Zahab
These are names of men.
Pau
These are names of places.
Mehetabel
This is the name of a woman.
the daughter of Matred, the granddaughter of Me-Zahab
"she was the daughter of Matred, and the granddaughter of Me-Zahab"
Genesis 36:40
according to their clans and their regions, by their names
"the names of their clans and the regions where they lived were named after them. These are their names"
Timna, Alvah, Jetheth
These are names of people groups.
Genesis 36:41
Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon
These are names of people groups.
Genesis 36:42
Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar
These are names of people groups.
Genesis 36:43
Magdiel, and Iram
These are names of people groups.
their settlements
"their dwelling places" or "the places they lived"
This was Esau
"This is the list of the descendants of Esau"
Chapter 37
1
Jacob lived in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan.
2
This is the account of Jacob. Joseph, who was a young man seventeen years old, was guarding the flock with his brothers. He was with the sons of Bilhah and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives. Joseph brought an unfavorable report about them to their father.
3
Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons because he was the son of his old age. He made him a beautifully decorated garment.
4
His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers. They hated him and would not speak peaceably to him.
5
Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told his brothers about it. They hated him even more.
6
He said to them, "Please listen to this dream which I dreamed.
7
Behold, we were tying bundles of grain in the field and behold, my bundle rose and stood upright, and behold, your bundles came around and bowed down to my bundle."
8
His brothers said to him, "Will you really reign over us? Will you actually rule over us?" They hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.
9
He dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers. He said, "Look, I have dreamed another dream: The sun and the moon and eleven stars bowed down to me."
10
He told it to his father just as to his brothers, and his father rebuked him. He said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come to bow down to the ground to you?"
11
His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.
12
His brothers went to tend their father's flock in Shechem.
13
Israel said to Joseph, "Are not your brothers tending the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them." Joseph said to him, "I am ready."
14
He said to him, "Go now, see whether it is well with your brothers and well with the flock, and bring me word." So Jacob sent him out of the Valley of Hebron, and Joseph went to Shechem.
15
A certain man found Joseph. Behold, Joseph was wandering in a field. The man asked him, "What do you seek?"
16
Joseph said, "I am seeking my brothers. Tell me, please, where they are tending the flock."
17
The man said, "They left this place, for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.'" Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.
18
They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they plotted against him to kill him.
19
His brothers said to one another, "Look, this master of dreams is approaching.
20
Come now, therefore, let us kill him and cast him into one of the pits. We will say, 'A wild animal has devoured him.' We will see what will become of his dreams."
21
Reuben heard it and rescued him from their hand. He said, "Let us not take his life."
22
Reuben said to them, "Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but lay no hand upon him"—that he might rescue him out of their hand to bring him back to his father.
23
It came about that when Joseph reached his brothers, they stripped him of his beautifully decorated garment.
24
They took him and threw him into the pit. The pit was empty with no water in it.
25
They sat down to eat bread. They lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a caravan of Ishmaelites was coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing spices and balm and myrrh. They were traveling to carry them down to Egypt.
26
Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is it if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?
27
Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands upon him. For he is our brother, our flesh." His brothers listened to him.
28
The Midianite merchants passed by. His brothers drew Joseph up and lifted him up out of the pit. They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. The Ishmaelites carried Joseph into Egypt.
29
Reuben returned to the pit, and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit. He tore his clothes.
30
He returned to his brothers and said, "The boy is not there! And I, where can I go?"
31
They slaughtered a goat and then took Joseph's garment and dipped it into the blood.
32
Then they brought the beautifully decorated garment to their father and said, "We found this. Please see whether it is your son's garment or not."
33
Jacob recognized it and said, "It is my son's clothing. A wild animal has devoured him. Joseph has certainly been torn to pieces."
34
Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth upon his loins. He mourned for his son many days.
35
All his sons and daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. He said, "Indeed I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son." His father wept for him.
36
The Midianites sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard.
Genesis 37:2
wives
These women were servants of Leah and Rachel whom they had given to Jacob to produce children.
an unfavorable report about them
"a bad report about his brothers"
Genesis 37:3
loved
This refers to brotherly love or love for a friend or family member. This is natural human love between friends or relatives.
of his old age
"who was born when Israel was an old man"
He made him
"Israel made Joseph"
a beautifully decorated garment
"a beautiful robe"
Genesis 37:5
Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told his brothers about it. They hated him even more
This is a summary of the events that will happen in 37:6-11.
They hated him even more
"And Joseph's brothers hated him even more than they hated him before"
Genesis 37:7
Behold
The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
we were
The word "we" refers to Joseph and includes all of his brothers.
tying bundles of grain
When grain is reaped it is tied into bundles and stacked until it is time to separate the grain from the straw.
behold
Here the word "behold" here shows that Joseph was surprised by what he saw.
my bundle rose and stood upright ... your bundles came around and bowed down
Here the bundles of grain are standing and kneeling as if they were people. These bundle represent Joseph and his brothers.
Genesis 37:8
Will you really reign over us? Will you actually rule over us?
"You will never be our king, and we will never bow down to you!"
reign over us
The word "us" refers to Joseph's brothers but not Joseph.
for his dreams and for his words
"because of his dreams and what he said"
Genesis 37:10
his father rebuked him. He said to him
"Israel scolded him, saying"
What is this dream that you have dreamed? Will your mother ... to the ground to you?
"This dream you had is not real. Your mother, brothers, and I will not bow down before you!"
Genesis 37:11
jealous
This means being angry because someone else is successful or more popular.
kept the matter in mind
"kept thinking about what the dream might mean"
Genesis 37:13
Are not your brothers tending the flock in Shechem?
"You brothers are tending the flock in Shechem."
Come
"Get ready"
Genesis 37:14
He said to him
"Israel said to Joseph"
bring me word
"come tell me what you find out" or "give me a report"
out of the Valley
"from the Valley"
Genesis 37:15
Behold
This marks the beginning of another event in the larger story. It may involve different people than the previous events. Your language may have a way of doing this.
What do you seek?
"What are you looking for?"
Genesis 37:17
Dothan
This is the name of a place that is about 22 kilometers from Shechem.
Genesis 37:18
They saw him from a distance
"Joseph's brothers saw him while he was far away"
Genesis 37:19
this master of dreams is approaching
"here comes the wonderful person who has great dreams." The phrase "this master of dreams" is sarcastic. If your language has a way of showing that the brothers used these words to show that they hated Joseph, you may want to use it here.
Genesis 37:20
Come now, therefore
"So now"
devoured
to eagerly have eaten
We will see what will become of his dreams
"That way we will make sure his dreams do not come true"
Genesis 37:21
heard it
"heard what they were saying"
from their hand
"from them" or "from their plans"
Let us not take his life
"Let us not kill Joseph"
Genesis 37:22
Shed no blood
"Do not spill any blood" or "Do not kill him"
that he might rescue him
"Rueben said this so that he might rescue Joseph"
out of their hand
"from them" or "from their plans"
to bring him back
"and return him"
Genesis 37:23
It came about that when
This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
they stripped him of his beautifully decorated garment
"they tore his beautiful garment off of him"
Genesis 37:25
They sat down to eat bread
"They sat down to eat food" or "Joseph's brothers sat down to eat"
They lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a caravan
"They looked up and they suddenly saw a caravan"
bearing
carrying
spices
seasonings
balm
an oily substance with a sweet smell used for healing and protecting skin. "medicine"
traveling to carry them down to Egypt
"bringing them down to Egypt to sell them"
Genesis 37:26
What profit is it if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?
"We do not gain a profit by killing our brother and covering up his blood"
cover up his blood
"hide his murder"
Genesis 37:27
to the Ishmaelites
"to these men who are descendants of Ishmael"
not lay our hands upon him
"not hurt him"
he is our brother, our flesh
"he is our blood relative"
His brothers listened to him
"Judah's brothers listened to him" or "Judah's brothers agreed with him"
Genesis 37:28
Midianite ... Ishmaelites
Both names refer to the same group of traders that Joseph's brothers meet.
for twenty pieces of silver
"for the price of 20 pieces of silver"
carried Joseph into Egypt
"took Joseph to Egypt"
Genesis 37:29
Reuben returned to the pit, and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit
"Reuben returned to the pit, and was surprised to see that Joseph was not there." The word "behold" here shows that Reuben was surprised to find out Joseph was gone.
He tore his clothes
"He was so grieved that he tore his clothes"
Genesis 37:30
The boy is not there! And I, where can I go?
"The boy is gone! I cannot go back home now!"
Genesis 37:31
Joseph's garment
This refers to the beautiful garment that his father made for him.
the blood
"the goat's blood"
Genesis 37:33
has devoured him
"has eaten him"
Joseph has certainly been torn to pieces
"It has certainly torn Joseph to pieces"
Genesis 37:34
Jacob tore his garments
"Jacob was so grieved that he tore his garments"
put sackcloth upon his loins
"put on sackcloth"
Genesis 37:35
rose up
"came to him"
but he refused to be comforted
"but he would not let them comfort him"
Indeed I will go down to Sheol mourning
"Indeed when I die and go down to Sheol I will still be mourning"
Genesis 37:36
The Midianites sold him
"The Midianites sold Joseph"
the captain of the bodyguard
"the leader of the soldiers who guarded the king"
Chapter 38
1
It came about at that time that Judah left his brothers and stayed with a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.
2
He met there a daughter of a Canaanite man whose name was Shua. He took her and went to her.
3
She conceived and had a son. He was named Er.
4
She conceived again and had a son. She called his name Onan.
5
She again had a son and called his name Shelah. It was at Kezib where she gave birth to him.
6
Judah found a wife for Er, his firstborn. Her name was Tamar.
7
Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of Yahweh. Yahweh killed him.
8
Judah said to Onan, "Go to your brother's wife. Do the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up a child for your brother."
9
Onan knew that the child would not be his. Whenever he went to his brother's wife, he wasted it on the ground so he would not have a child for his brother.
10
What he did was evil in the sight of Yahweh. Yahweh killed him also.
11
Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, "Remain a widow in your father's house until Shelah, my son, grows up." For he feared, "He might also die, just like his brothers." Tamar left and lived in her father's house.
12
After a long time, Shua's daughter, the wife of Judah, died. Judah was comforted and went up to the shearers of his sheep at Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.
13
Tamar was told, "Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep."
14
She took off the clothing of her widowhood and covered herself with her veil and wrapped herself. She sat in the gate of Enaim, which is by the road to Timnah. For she saw that Shelah had grown up but she had not been given to him as a wife.
15
When Judah saw her he thought that she was a prostitute because she had covered her face.
16
He went to her by the road and said, "Come, please let me come to you"—for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law—and she said, "What will you give me so you can come to me?"
17
He said, "I will send you a young goat from the flock." She said, "Will you give me a pledge until you send it?"
18
He said, "What pledge can I give you?" She replied, "Your seal and cord, and the staff that is in your hand." He gave them to her and he went to her, and she conceived by him.
19
She got up and went away. She took off her veil and put on the clothing of her widowhood.
20
Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite in order that he might receive the pledge back from the woman's hand, but he did not find her.
21
Then the Adullamite asked the men of the place, "Where is the cultic prostitute who was at Enaim by the road?" They said, "There has not been a cultic prostitute here."
22
He returned to Judah and said, "I did not find her. Also, the men of the place said, 'There has not been a cultic prostitute here.'"
23
Judah said, "Let her keep the things, that we not be put to shame. Indeed, I sent this young goat, but you did not find her."
24
It came about after about three months that it was told to Judah, "Tamar your daughter-in-law has committed prostitution, and indeed, she is pregnant by it." Judah said, "Bring her here and let her be burned."
25
When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law a message, "By the man who owns these I am pregnant." She said, "Determine please whose these are, the seal and cords and staff."
26
Judah recognized them and said, "She is more righteous than I am, since I did not give her as a wife to Shelah, my son." He did not know her again.
27
It came about at the time for her to give birth that, behold, twins were in her womb.
28
It came about as she was giving birth one put out a hand, and the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his hand and said, "This one came out first."
29
But then he drew back his hand, and, behold, his brother came out first. The midwife said, "How you have broken out!" So he was named Perez.
30
Then his brother came out, who had the scarlet thread upon his hand, and he was named Zerah.
Genesis 38:1
It came about at that time that Judah
This introduces a new part of the story that focuses on Judah.
a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah
Hirah is the name of a man who lived in the village of Adullam.
Genesis 38:2
whose name was Shua
Shua is a Canaanite woman who married Judah.
he ... went to her
This is a polite way of saying that he had sexual relations with her.
Genesis 38:3
She conceived
"Judah's wife became pregnant"
He was named Er
"His father named him Er"
Genesis 38:4
called his name
"named him"
Onan
Judah's son
Genesis 38:5
Shelah
Judah's son
Kezib
This is the name of a place
Genesis 38:7
was wicked in the sight of Yahweh
"was wicked and Yahweh saw it"
Yahweh killed him
"So Yahweh killed him"
Genesis 38:8
Go to your brother's wife
This is a polite way of telling him to have sexual relations with his brother's wife
Do the duty of a brother-in-law to her
This refers to a custom that when the oldest brother dies before he and his wife have a son, the next oldest brother would marry and have sexual relations with the widow. When the widow gave birth to the first son, that son was considered the son of the oldest brother and he would receive the oldest brother's inheritance.
Genesis 38:9
he wasted it on the ground
"he destroyed his semen by having it flow on the ground" or "he did not send his semen into her"
Genesis 38:11
his daughter-in-law
"his oldest son's wife"
in your father's house
"and live in your father's house"
until Shelah, my son, grows up
"and when Shelah, my son, grows up, he can marry you"
For he feared, "He might also die, just like his brothers
"For he feared, 'If he marries her he may also die like his brothers did"
Genesis 38:12
Judah was comforted and
"When Judah was no longer grieving, he"
Timnah
This is the name of a place.
he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite
"His friend Hiram, from Adullam, went with him"
Genesis 38:13
Tamar was told
"Someone told Tamar"
your father-in-law
"your husband's father"
Genesis 38:14
Enaim
This is the name of a place.
of her widowhood
"that widows wear"
veil
a very thin material used to cover a woman's head and face
wrapped herself
"wrapped herself in her clothing so that people would not recognize her"
she had not been given to him as a wife
"Judah had not given her to Shelah as a wife"
Genesis 38:15
When Judah saw her
The word "her" here refers to Tamar, but your reader should understand that Judah did not know that the woman he was looking at was Tamar.
because she had covered her face
"because she had covered her head and sat where prostitutes often sat"
Genesis 38:16
He went to her by the road
"He went to where she was sitting by the road"
please let me come to you
"Please have sexual relations with me" or "Please lie with me"
Genesis 38:17
from the flock
"from my flock of goats"
Genesis 38:18
seal and cord ... staff
A "seal" is similar to a coin with a design engraved on it, used to imprint melted wax. The "cord" was put through the seal so the owner could wear it around his neck. A staff was long wooden stick that helped in walking over rough ground.
she conceived by him
"he caused her to become pregnant"
Genesis 38:19
clothing of her widowhood
"clothing that widows wear."
Genesis 38:20
receive the pledge
"take back the pledge"
from the woman's hand
"from the woman"
Genesis 38:21
the men of the place
"some of the men who lived there"
cultic prostitute
"prostitute who serves in the temple"
Genesis 38:23
that we not be put to shame
"or else people will laugh at us when they find out what happened"
Genesis 38:24
It came about
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story.
it was told to Judah
"someone told Judah"
Tamar your daughter-in-law
"Tamar, your oldest son's wife"
she is pregnant by it
"it has made her pregnant" or "she is pregnant"
let her be burned
"we will burn her to death"
Genesis 38:25
her father-in-law
"her husband's father"
Genesis 38:26
He did not know her again
This is a polite way of saying that Judah did not have sexual relations with her again.
Genesis 38:27
It came about at the time
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story.
behold
The word "behold" alerts us to the surprise that Tamar was carrying twins, which was previously unknown.
Genesis 38:28
one put out a hand
"one of the babies put out his hand"
midwife
This is a person who helps a woman when she is giving birth to a child.
scarlet thread
"bright red thread"
on his hand
"around his wrist"
Genesis 38:29
behold
The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
How you have broken out!
"So this is how you break your way out first!" or "You have burst out first!"
he was named
"she named him"
Perez
This is the name of a boy. Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name Perez means 'breaking out.'"
Genesis 38:30
Zerah
This is the name of a boy. Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name Zerah means 'scarlet or bright red.'"
Chapter 39
1
Joseph was brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh who was captain of the guard and an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had brought him down there.
2
Yahweh was with Joseph and he became a prosperous man. He lived in the house of his Egyptian master.
3
His master saw that Yahweh was with him and that Yahweh prospered everything that he did.
4
Joseph found favor in his sight. He served Potiphar. Potiphar made Joseph manager over his house, and everything that he possessed, he put under his care.
5
It came about from the time that he made him manager over his house and over everything he possessed, that Yahweh blessed the Egyptian's house because of Joseph. The blessing of Yahweh was on everything that Potiphar had in the house and in the field.
6
Potiphar put everything that he had under Joseph's care. He did not have to think about anything except the food that he ate. Now Joseph was handsome and attractive.
7
It came about after this that his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, "Lie with me."
8
But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Look, my master does not pay attention to what I do in the house, and he has put everything that he owns under my care.
9
No one is greater in this house than I am. He has not kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?"
10
She spoke to Joseph day after day, but he refused to lie with her or to be with her.
11
It came about one day that he went into the house to do his work. None of the men of the house were there in the house.
12
She caught him by his clothes and said, "Lie with me." He left his clothing in her hand, fled, and went outside.
13
It came about, when she saw that he had left his clothing in her hand and had fled outside,
14
that she called to the men of her house and told them, "See, Potiphar has brought in a Hebrew to mock us. He came to me to lie with me, and I screamed.
15
It came about when he heard me scream, that he left his clothing with me, fled, and went outside."
16
She set his clothing next to her until his master came home.
17
She told him this explanation, "The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us, came in to mock me.
18
It came about that when I screamed, he left his clothing with me and fled outside."
19
It came about that, when his master heard the explanation his wife told him, "This is what your servant did to me," he became very angry.
20
Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined. He was there in the prison.
21
But Yahweh was with Joseph and showed covenant faithfulness to him. He gave him favor in the sight of the prison warden.
22
The prison warden gave into Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever they did there, Joseph was in charge of it.
23
The prison warden did not worry about anything that was in his hand, because Yahweh was with him. Whatever he did, Yahweh prospered.
Genesis 39:1
Joseph was brought down to Egypt
"The Ishmaelites had taken Joseph to Egypt"
Genesis 39:2
Yahweh was with Joseph
"Yahweh guided Joseph and helped him"
He lived in the house
"he worked in the house"
his Egyptian master
Joseph was now Potiphar's slave.
Genesis 39:3
that Yahweh prospered everything that he did
"Yahweh caused everything that Joseph did to prosper"
Genesis 39:4
Joseph found favor in his sight
Possible meanings are 1) Alternate translation: "Potiphar was pleased with Joseph" or 2) Alternate translation: "Yahweh was pleased with Joseph"
Potiphar made Joseph manager over his house, and everything that he possessed
"Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his household and everything that belonged to Potiphar"
Genesis 39:5
It came about from the time that he made him manager over his house and over everything he possessed, that Yahweh blessed the Egyptian's house because of Joseph
"The Egyptian made Joseph manager over his house and over everything he possessed, and it came about from the time that that Yahweh blessed the Egyptian's house because of Joseph"
The blessing of Yahweh was on
"Yahweh blessed"
everything that Potiphar had in the house and in the field
"Potiphar's household and all of his crops and livestock"
Genesis 39:6
Potiphar put everything that he had under Joseph's care
"So Potiphar put Joseph in charge of everything that he had"
He did not have to think about anything except the food that he ate
"The only thing he had to think about was the food that he ate"
Now
The word "now" marks a stop in the story as the author gives background information about Joseph.
handsome and attractive
"handsome and strong"
Genesis 39:7
It came about after this that
"And so." This phrase is used here to mark a new event.
Lie with me
"Have sexual relations with me"
Genesis 39:8
my master does not pay attention to what I do in the house
"my master has no concern about his household with me in charge" or "my master trusts me with his household"
he has put everything that he owns under my care
"he has put me in charge of everything that belongs to him"
Genesis 39:9
No one is greater in this house than I am
"I have more authority in this house than anyone else"
He has not kept back anything from me but you
"He has given me everything except you"
How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?
"I certainly cannot do such a wicked thing and sin against God."
Genesis 39:10
She spoke to Joseph day after day
"She kept on asking Joseph to sleep with her"
to be with her
"to be near her"
Genesis 39:11
None of the men of the house
"None of the other men who worked in the house"
Genesis 39:12
fled, and went outside
"and quickly ran outside" or "and quickly ran out of the house"
Genesis 39:14
the men of her house
"the men who worked in her house"
See
"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you."
He came to me to lie with me
"He came into my room to have sexual relations with me"
Genesis 39:16
his master
"Joseph's master." This refers to Potiphar.
Genesis 39:17
She told him this explanation
"She explained it like this"
brought to us
The word "us" refers to Potiphar, his wife, and includes the rest of the household.
came in to mock me
"came into where I was and tried to force me to sleep with him"
Genesis 39:18
fled outside
"ran quickly out of the house"
Genesis 39:19
his master
"Joseph's master, Potiphar"
heard the explanation his wife told him
"heard his wife explain to him." The word "his" and "him" here refer to Potiphar.
he became very angry
"Potiphar became very angry"
Genesis 39:20
the place where the king's prisoners were confined
"the place where the king put his prisoners"
He was there
"Joseph stayed there"
Genesis 39:21
But Yahweh was with Joseph
"But Yahweh was kind to Joseph" or "But Yahweh took care of Joseph"
showed covenant faithfulness to him
"was faithful to his covenant with him" or "faithfully loved him"
He gave him favor in the sight of the prison warden
"Yahweh caused the prison warden to be pleased with Joseph"
the prison warden
"the prison manager" or "the man in charge of the prison"
Genesis 39:22
gave into Joseph's hand
"put Joseph in charge of"
Whatever they did there, Joseph was in charge of it
"Joseph was in charge of everything they did there"
Genesis 39:23
because Yahweh was with him
"because Yahweh guided Joseph"
Whatever he did, Yahweh prospered
"Yahweh caused everything that Joseph did to prosper"
Chapter 40
1
It came about that after these things, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and king's baker offended their master, the king of Egypt.
2
Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief of the cupbearers and the chief of the bakers.
3
He put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined.
4
The captain of the guard assigned Joseph to them, and he served them. They remained in custody for some time.
5
Both of them dreamed a dream—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt who were confined in the prison—each man had his own dream in the same night, and each dream had its own interpretation.
6
Joseph came to them in the morning and saw them. Behold, they were upset.
7
He asked Pharaoh's officials who were with him in custody in his master's house, saying, "Why do you look so sad today?"
8
They said to him, "We have both dreamed a dream and no one can interpret it." Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me, please."
9
The chief of the cupbearers told his dream to Joseph. He said to him, "In my dream, behold, a vine was in front of me.
10
In the vine were three branches. As it budded, its blossoms came out and the clusters of grapes ripened.
11
Pharaoh's cup was in my hand. I took the grapes and squeezed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I placed the cup into Pharaoh's hand."
12
Joseph said to him, "This is the interpretation of it. The three branches are three days.
13
Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office. You will put Pharaoh's cup into his hand, just as when you were his cupbearer.
14
But think of me when it goes well with you, and please show kindness to me. Mention me to Pharaoh and bring me out of this prison.
15
For indeed I was abducted out of the land of the Hebrews. Here also have I done nothing that they should put me in this dungeon."
16
When the chief of the bakers saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, "I also had a dream, and, behold, three baskets of bread were on my head.
17
In the top basket there were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds ate them out of the basket on my head."
18
Joseph answered and said, "This is the interpretation. The three baskets are three days.
19
Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head from you and will hang you on a tree. The birds will eat your flesh off you."
20
It came about on the third day that it was Pharaoh's birthday. He made a feast for all his servants. He lifted up the head of the chief of the cupbearers and the head of the chief of the bakers, among his servants.
21
He restored the chief of the cupbearers to his responsibility, and he put the cup into Pharaoh's hand again.
22
But he hanged the chief of the bakers, just as Joseph had interpreted to them.
23
Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot about him.
Genesis 40:1
It came about that
This phrase is used here to mark a new event in the story.
the cupbearer
This is the person who brought drinks to the king.
king's baker
This is the person who made food for the king.
offended their master
"upset their master"
Genesis 40:2
the chief of the cupbearers and the chief of the bakers
"the leading cupbearer and the leading baker"
Genesis 40:3
He put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard
"He put them in the prison that was in the house that was overseen by the captain of the guard"
in the same prison where Joseph was confined
"This was the same prison that Joseph was in" or "This was the same prison Potiphar put Joseph in"
Genesis 40:4
They remained in custody for some time
"They remained in prison for a long time"
Genesis 40:6
Behold, they were upset
"He was surprised to see that they were upset"
Genesis 40:7
Pharaoh's officials who were with him
This refers to the cupbearer and the baker.
in custody in his master's house
"In prison in him master's house." "His master" refers to Joseph's master, the captain of the guard.
Genesis 40:8
Tell me, please
"Tell me the dreams, please"
Genesis 40:11
squeezed them
"squeezed the juice from them"
Genesis 40:12
This is the interpretation of it
"Here is what the dream means"
The three branches are three days
"The three branches represent three days"
Genesis 40:13
Within three days
"In three more days"
restore you to your office
"will give you back your job"
just as when
"just as you did when"
Genesis 40:14
please show kindness to me
"please be kind to me"
Mention me to Pharaoh and bring me out of this prison
"Help me get out of this prison by telling Pharaoh about me"
Genesis 40:15
For indeed I was abducted
"For indeed people took me" or "For indeed the Ishmaelites took me"
the land of the Hebrews
"the land where the Hebrew people live"
Here also have I done nothing that they should put me in this dungeon
"and also while I have been here in Egypt, I have done nothing for which I deserved to be put in prison"
Genesis 40:16
behold, three baskets of bread were on my head
"there were three baskets of bread on my head!" The baker uses word "behold" here to show that he was surprised by what he saw in his dream and to alert Joseph to pay attention.
Genesis 40:19
will lift up your head from you
"will lift up your head with a knife" or "will lift up your head with a noose"
flesh
Here "flesh" literally means the soft tissue on a person's body.
Genesis 40:20
It came about on the third day that
"Afterward, on the third day." The phrase "it came about" is used here to mark a new event in the story.
He lifted up the head of the chief of the cupbearers and the head of the chief of the bakers
"He lifted up the heads of the chief of the cupbearers and the chief of the bakers"
Genesis 40:21
He restored the chief of the cupbearers to his responsibility
"He gave the chief of the cupbearers his job back"
Genesis 40:22
But he hanged the chief of the bakers
"But he commanded for the chief of the bakers to be hanged" or "But he commanded his guards to hang the chief of the bakers"
just as Joseph had interpreted to them
"just as Joseph had said would happen when he interpreted the two men's dreams"
Chapter 41
1
It came about at the end of two full years that Pharaoh had a dream. Behold, he stood by the Nile.
2
Behold, seven cows came up out of the Nile, desirable and fat, and they grazed in the reeds.
3
Behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the Nile, undesirable and thin. They stood by the other cows on the bank of the river.
4
Then the undesirable and thin cows ate the seven desirable and fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.
5
Then he slept and dreamed a second time. Behold, seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, wholesome and good.
6
Behold, seven heads, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up after them.
7
The thin heads swallowed up the seven wholesome and full heads. Pharaoh woke up, and, behold, it was a dream.
8
It came about in the morning that his spirit was troubled. He sent and called for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh.
9
Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, "I have remembered my sins today.
10
Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, the chief baker and me.
11
We dreamed a dream the same night, he and I. We dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
12
There was with us there a young Hebrew man, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him and he interpreted for us our dreams. He interpreted for each of us according to his dream.
13
It came about as he interpreted for us, so it happened. Pharaoh restored me to my post, but the other one he hanged."
14
Then Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph. They quickly took him out of the dungeon. He shaved himself, changed his clothes, and came in to Pharaoh.
15
Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, but there is no interpreter for it. But I have heard about you, that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."
16
Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, "It is not in me. God will answer Pharaoh with favor."
17
Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, "In my dream, behold, I stood on the bank of the Nile.
18
Behold, seven cows came up out of the Nile, fat and desirable, and they grazed among the reeds.
19
Behold, seven other cows came up after them, weak, very undesirable, and thin. I never saw in all the land of Egypt such undesirableness like them.
20
The thin and undesirable cows ate up the first seven fat cows.
21
When they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them, for they were still as undesirable as before. Then I awoke.
22
I looked in my dream, and, behold, seven heads came up upon one stalk, full and good.
23
Behold, seven more heads—withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind—sprang up after them.
24
The thin heads swallowed up the seven good heads. I told these dreams to the magicians, but there was none that could explain it to me."
25
Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are the same. What God is about to do, he has declared to Pharaoh.
26
The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years. The dreams are the same.
27
The seven thin and undesirable cows that came up after them are seven years, and also the seven thin heads scorched by the east wind will be seven years of famine.
28
That is the thing which I spoke to Pharaoh. What God is about to do he has revealed to Pharaoh.
29
Look, seven years of great abundance will come throughout all the land of Egypt.
30
Seven years of famine will come after them, and all the abundance will be forgotten in the land of Egypt, and the famine will devastate the land.
31
The abundance will not be remembered in the land because of the famine that will follow, for it will be very severe.
32
That the dream was repeated to Pharaoh is because the matter has been established by God, and God will soon do it.
33
Now let Pharaoh look for a man discerning and wise, and put him over the land of Egypt.
34
Let Pharaoh appoint officials over the land, and let them take a fifth of the crops of Egypt in the seven abundant years.
35
Let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, for food to be used in the cities. They should preserve it.
36
The food will be a supply for the land for the seven years of famine which will be in the land of Egypt. In this way the land will not be devastated by the famine."
37
This advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants.
38
Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find such a man as this, in whom is the Spirit of God?"
39
So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you.
40
You will be over my house, and according to your word will all my people be ruled. Only in the throne will I be greater than you."
41
Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have put you over all the land of Egypt."
42
Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand and put it upon Joseph's hand. He clothed him with clothes of fine linen, and put a gold chain on his neck.
43
He had him ride in the second chariot which he possessed. Men shouted before him, "Bend the knee." Pharaoh put him over all the land of Egypt.
44
Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and apart from you, no man will lift his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt."
45
Pharaoh called Joseph's name "Zaphenath-Paneah." He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, as a wife. Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.
46
Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.
47
In the seven bountiful years the land produced abundantly.
48
He gathered up all the food of the seven years that was in the land of Egypt and put the food in the cities. He put into each city the food from the fields that surrounded it.
49
Joseph stored up grain like the sand of the sea, so much that he stopped counting, because it was beyond counting.
50
Joseph had two sons before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore to him.
51
Joseph called the name of his firstborn Manasseh, for he said, "God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household."
52
He called the name of the second son Ephraim, for he said, "God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."
53
The seven years of abundance that was in the land of Egypt came to an end.
54
The seven years of famine began, as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was food.
55
When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people loudly called on Pharaoh for food. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph and do what he says."
56
The famine was over all the face of the whole land. Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. The famine was severe in the land of Egypt.
57
All the earth was coming to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the earth.
Genesis 41:1
at the end of two full years
Two years passed after Joseph correctly interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker, who had been in prison with Joseph.
he stood
"Pharaoh was standing"
Genesis 41:2
desirable and fat
"healthy and fat"
grazed in the reeds
"were eating the grass along the side of the river"
reeds
tall, thin grasses that grow in wet areas
Genesis 41:3
Behold, seven other cows
The word "behold" here shows that Pharaoh was again surprised by what he saw.
undesirable and thin
"sick and thin"
bank of the river
"beside the river" or "riverside." This is the higher ground along the edge of a river.
Genesis 41:4
woke up
"awakened"
Genesis 41:5
a second time
"again"
Behold, seven heads
The word "behold" here shows that Pharaoh was surprised by what he saw.
heads of grain
The heads are parts of the corn plant on which the seeds grow.
came up on one stalk
"grew up on one stem." The stalk is the thick or tall part of a plant.
on one stalk, wholesome and good
"on one stock and they were healthy and beautiful"
Genesis 41:6
thin and scorched by the east wind
"that were thin and burned because of the hot wind from the east"
sprouted up
"grew up" or "developed"
Genesis 41:7
The thin heads
"The thin heads of grain"
it was a dream
"he had been dreaming"
Genesis 41:8
his spirit was troubled
"he was troubled in his inner being" or "he was troubled"
He sent and called
"He sent his servants to call" or "He sent his servants to summon"
all the magicians and wise men of Egypt
Ancient kings and rulers used magicians and wise men as advisers.
Genesis 41:9
I have remembered my sins today
"I realize now that I have sinned." The phrase "my sins" is used for emphasis. His "sins" are that he should have told Pharaoh something much earlier but he did not.
Genesis 41:10
Pharaoh was angry
"You, Pharaoh, were angry"
with his servants
"with us, your servants"
put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, the chief baker and me
"put the chief baker and me in the prison where the captain of the guard was in charge." Here "house" refers to the prison.
the chief baker
The most important person who made food for the king. See how you translated a similar phrase in Genesis 40:2.
Genesis 41:11
We dreamed a dream the same night, he and I
"One night we both had dreams"
We dreamed
Here "We" refers to the chief cupbearer and the chief baker.
We dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream
"Our dreams had different meanings"
Genesis 41:12
There was with us there
"In prison there was with the chief baker and me"
We told him and he interpreted for us our dreams
"We told him our dreams and he explained their meanings to us"
He interpreted for each of us according to his dream
"He explained what was going to happen to both of us"
Genesis 41:13
as he interpreted for us, so it happened
"what he explained about the dreams is what later happened"
Pharaoh restored me to my post
"You allowed me to return to my job"
the other one
"the chief baker"
he hanged
"you ordered your soldiers to hang"
Genesis 41:14
Pharaoh sent and called for
"Pharaoh sent his servants to get Joseph"
out of the dungeon
"out of the jail" or "out of the prison"
came in to Pharaoh
"went before Pharaoh"
Genesis 41:15
there is no interpreter for it
"no one can explain the meaning"
you can interpret it
"you can explain its meaning"
Genesis 41:16
It is not in me
"I am not the one who can explain the meaning"
God will answer Pharaoh with favor
"God will answer Pharaoh favorably"
Genesis 41:17
behold, I stood
Pharaoh uses the word "behold" to make Joseph pay attention to surprising information.
Genesis 41:19
undesirable, and thin
"weak, and skinny."
such undesirableness
"such ugly cows" or "such worthless looking cows"
Genesis 41:20
fat cows
"well-fed cows."
Genesis 41:21
it could not be known that they had eaten them
"no one would have been able to tell that the thin cows had eaten the fat cows"
Genesis 41:22
I looked in my dream
"Then I dreamed again"
seven heads
"seven heads of grain"
came up upon one stalk
"grew up on one stem." The stalk is the thick or tall part of a plant.
Genesis 41:23
withered
dead and dried
sprang up
"grew up" or "developed"
Genesis 41:24
there was none that could
"there was not a single one that could" or "none of them could"
Genesis 41:25
The dreams of Pharaoh are the same
"Both dreams mean the same thing"
What God is about to do, he has declared to Pharaoh
"God is showing you what he will soon do"
Genesis 41:26
seven good heads
"seven good heads of grain"
Genesis 41:27
thin and undesirable cows
"skinny and weak cows."
seven thin heads scorched by the east wind
"seven thin heads of grain scorched because of the hot wind from the east"
Genesis 41:28
That is the thing which I spoke to Pharaoh ... revealed to Pharaoh
"These events will happen just as I have told you ... revealed to you, Pharaoh"
he has revealed
"he has made known"
Genesis 41:29
seven years of great abundance will come throughout all the land of Egypt
"there will be seven years in which there will be plenty of food throughout the land of Egypt"
Genesis 41:30
Seven years of famine will come after them
"Then there will be seven years when there is very little food"
all the abundance will be forgotten in the land of Egypt
"the people of Egypt will forget about the years in which there was plenty of food"
will devastate the land
Here "land" refers to the soil, the people, and the entire country.
Genesis 41:31
The abundance will not be remembered ... because of the famine that will follow
Joseph expresses an idea in two ways to emphasize its importance.
Genesis 41:32
That the dream was repeated to Pharaoh is because the matter has been established by God
"God gave you two dreams to show you that he will certainly cause these things to happen"
Genesis 41:33
let Pharaoh look
"You, Pharaoh, should look"
put him over the land of Egypt
"give him authority over the kingdom of Egypt" or "put him in charge of the kingdom of Egypt"
land of Egypt
Here "land" stands for all the people and everything in Egypt.
Genesis 41:34
let them take a fifth of the crops of Egypt
"let them divide the crops of Egypt into five equal parts, then take one of those parts"
in the seven abundant years
"during the seven years in which there is plenty of food"
Genesis 41:35
Let them gather
"Allow the overseers to gather"
of these good years that are coming
"during the good years that will soon happen"
store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh
"use the authority of Pharaoh to store the grain"
They should preserve it
"The overseers should leave soldiers there to guard the grain"
Genesis 41:36
The food will be a supply for the land
"This food will be for the people"
In this way the land will not be devastated by the famine
"This way the people will not starve during the famine"
Genesis 41:37
This advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants
"Pharaoh and his servants thought this was a good plan"
Genesis 41:38
such a man as this
"a man like the one Joseph described"
in whom is the Spirit of God
"in whom the Spirit of God lives"
Genesis 41:39
there is none so discerning
"no one else is as capable in making decisions."
Genesis 41:40
You will be over my house
"You will be in charge of everyone in my palace"
according to your word will all my people be ruled
"you will rule over my people and they will do what you command"
Only in the throne
"Only in my role as king"
Genesis 41:42
signet ring
This ring had Pharaoh's seal engraved on it. This gave Joseph the authority and money needed to carry out his plans.
clothes of fine linen
"Linen" here is a smooth, strong cloth made from the blue-flowered flax plant.
Genesis 41:43
He had him ride in the second chariot which he possessed
This act makes clear to the people that Joseph is second only to Pharaoh.
Bend the knee
"Bow down and honor Joseph." To bend the knee and bow down was a sign of honor and respect.
Genesis 41:44
apart from you, no man will lift his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt
"no person in Egypt will do anything without your permission" or "every person in Egypt must ask your permission before they do anything"
Genesis 41:45
Zaphenath-Paneah
Translators may add the following footnote: The name Zaphenath-Paneah means "a revealer of secrets."
He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, as a wife
Priests in Egypt were the highest and most privileged caste. This marriage signifies Joseph's place of honor and privilege.
priest of On
On is a city, also called Heliopolis, which was "the City of the Sun" and the center of worship of the sun god Ra.
Joseph went out over the land of Egypt
Joseph traveled over the land to supervise the preparations for the coming drought.
Genesis 41:46
when he stood before Pharaoh
"when he started to serve Pharaoh"
went throughout all the land of Egypt
Joseph is inspecting the country as he prepares to carry out his plans.
Genesis 41:47
In the seven bountiful years
"During the seven good years"
the land produced abundantly
"the land produced big harvests"
Genesis 41:48
He gathered up ... He put
"Joseph ordered his servants to gather ... They put"
Genesis 41:49
Joseph stored up grain like the sand of the sea
"The grain that Joseph stored was as plentiful as the sand on the seashore"
Joseph stored up ... he stopped
"Joseph had his servants store up ... they stopped"
Genesis 41:50
before the years of famine came
"before the seven years of the famine began"
Genesis 41:51
Manasseh
Translators may also add a footnote that says, "The name 'Manasseh' means 'to cause to forget.'"
father's household
This refers to Joseph's father Jacob and his family.
Genesis 41:52
Ephraim
Translators may also add a footnote that says, "The name 'Ephraim' means 'to be fruitful' or 'to have children.'"
made me fruitful
Here "fruitful" means to prosper or to have children.
in the land of my affliction
"in this land where I have suffered"
Genesis 41:54
in all lands
In all the surrounding nations beyond Egypt, including the land of Canaan.
but in all the land of Egypt there was food
It is implied that there was food because of Joseph commanded his people to store food during the seven good years.
Genesis 41:55
When all the land of Egypt was famished
"When all the Egyptians were starving"
Genesis 41:56
Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians
"Joseph had his servants open all the storehouses and sell grain to the Egyptians"
Genesis 41:57
All the earth was coming to Egypt
"People were coming to Egypt from all the surrounding regions"
Chapter 42
1
Now Jacob became aware that there was grain in Egypt. He said to his sons, "Why do you look at one another?"
2
He said, "See here, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy for us from there so we may live and not die."
3
Joseph's ten brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.
4
But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph's brother, with his brothers, for he said, "I fear that harm might come to him."
5
The sons of Israel came to buy among those who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
6
Now Joseph was the governor over the land. He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. Joseph's brothers came and bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.
7
Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he disguised himself to them and spoke severely with them. He said to them, "Where have you come from?" They said, "From the land of Canaan to buy food."
8
Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.
9
Then Joseph remembered the dreams he had dreamed about them, and he said to them, "You are spies! You have come to see the undefended parts of the land."
10
They said to him, "No, my master. Your servants have come to buy food.
11
We are all one man's sons. We are honest men. Your servants are not spies."
12
He said to them, "No, you have come to see the undefended parts of the land."
13
They said, "We your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan. See, the youngest is this day with our father, and one brother is no longer alive."
14
Joseph said to them, "It is what I said to you; you are spies.
15
By this you will be tested. By the life of Pharaoh, you will not leave here, unless your youngest brother comes here.
16
Send one of yourselves and let him get your brother. You will remain in prison, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies."
17
He put them all in custody for three days.
18
Joseph said to them on the third day, "Do this and live, for I fear God.
19
If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in this prison, but you go, carry grain for the famine of your houses.
20
Bring your youngest brother to me so your words will be verified and you will not die." So they did so.
21
They said to one another, "We are truly guilty concerning our brother in that we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us and we would not listen. Therefore this distress has come upon us."
22
Reuben answered them, "Did I not tell you, 'Do not sin against the boy,' but you would not listen? Now, see, his blood is required of us."
23
They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them.
24
He turned from them and wept. He returned to them and spoke to them. He took Simeon from among them and bound him before their eyes.
25
Then Joseph commanded his servants to fill his brothers' bags with grain, and to put every man's money back into his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. It was done for them.
26
The brothers loaded their donkeys with their grain and departed from there.
27
As one of them opened his sack to give his donkey feed in the lodging place, he saw his money. Behold, it was in the opening of his sack.
28
He said to his brothers, "My money has been put back. Look at it; it is in my sack." Their hearts sank and they turned trembling to one another, saying, "What is this that God has done to us?"
29
They went to Jacob, their father in the land of Canaan and told him all that had happened to them. They said,
30
"The man, the lord of the land, spoke roughly with us and thought that we were spies in the land.
31
We said to him, 'We are honest men. We are not spies.
32
We are twelve brothers, sons of our father. One is no longer alive, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.'
33
The man, the lord of the land, said to us, 'By this I will know that you are honest men. Leave one of your brothers with me, take grain for the famine in your houses, and go your way.
34
Bring your youngest brother to me. Then I will know that you are not spies, but that you are honest men. Then I will release your brother to you, and you will trade in the land.'"
35
It came about as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man's bag of silver was in his sack. When they and their father saw their bags of silver, they were afraid.
36
Jacob their father said to them, "You have bereaved me of my children. Joseph is no longer alive, Simeon is gone, and you will take Benjamin away. All these things are against me."
37
Reuben spoke to his father, saying, "You may kill my two sons if I do not bring Benjamin back to you. Put him in my hands, and I will bring him to you again."
38
Jacob said, "My son will not go down with you. For his brother is dead and he alone is left. If harm comes to him on the road in which you go, then you will bring down my gray hair with sorrow to Sheol."
Genesis 42:1
Why do you look at one another?
"Do not just sit here!"
Genesis 42:2
Go down there
It was common to speak of going from Canaan to Egypt as going "down."
Genesis 42:3
from Egypt
"from those selling grain in Egypt"
Genesis 42:4
Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph's brother, with his brothers
Benjamin and Joseph had the same father and mother; their mother was different from the mothers of the other brothers. Jacob did not want to risk sending Rachel's last son.
Genesis 42:5
The sons of Israel came to buy among those who came
"The sons of Israel went to by grain along with other people who went to Egypt"
Genesis 42:6
all the people of the land
"all the people of all the nations that came to buy grain"
bowed down to him with their faces to the ground
This is a way of showing respect.
Genesis 42:7
he disguised himself to them
"he acted like he was not their brother" or "he did not let them know that he was their brother"
Where have you come from?
This was not a rhetorical question even though Joseph knew the answer. It was part of his choice to keep his identity from his brothers.
Genesis 42:9
You are spies
Spies are people who secretly try to get information about a country to help another country.
You have come to see the undefended parts of the land
"You have come to find out where we are not guarding our land so that you can attack us"
Genesis 42:10
my master
This is a way to refer to someone to honor them.
Your servants have
"We, your servants, have" or "We have"
Genesis 42:12
He said to them
"Joseph said to his brothers"
Genesis 42:13
the youngest is this day with our father
"right now our youngest brother is with our father"
Genesis 42:14
It is what I said to you; you are spies
"like I already said, you are spies."
Genesis 42:15
By this you will be tested
"This is how I will test you"
By the life of Pharaoh
"I swear by the life of Pharaoh"
Genesis 42:16
Send one of yourselves and let him get your brother
"Choose one of you to go get your brother"
You will remain in prison
"The rest of you will remain in prison"
that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you
"so that I may find out if you are telling the truth"
Genesis 42:17
in custody
"in prison"
Genesis 42:18
Do this and live
"If you will do what I say, I will let you live"
fear God
This refers to deeply respecting God and showing that respect by obeying him.
Genesis 42:19
let one of your brothers be confined in this prison
"leave one of your brothers here in prison"
but you go
"but the rest of you go"
carry grain for the famine of your houses
"carry grain home to help your family during this famine"
Genesis 42:20
so your words will be verified
"so I may know what you say is true"
you will not die
This implies that Joseph would have his soldiers execute the brothers if he finds out they are spies.
Genesis 42:21
in that we saw the distress of his soul
"because we saw how distressed Joseph was" or "because we saw that Joseph was suffering"
Therefore this distress has come upon us
"That is why we are suffering like this now"
Genesis 42:22
Did I not tell you, 'Do not sin against the boy,' but
"Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy, but" or "I told you not to harm the boy, but"
his blood is required of us
"we are getting what we deserve for his death" or "we are suffering for having killed him"
Genesis 42:23
They did not know ... an interpreter between them
This changes from the main story to background information that explains why the brothers thought Joseph could not understand them.
an interpreter
An "interpreter" is someone who translates what one person says into another language. Joseph placed an interpreter between himself and his brothers to make it seem like he did not speak their language.
Genesis 42:24
He turned from them and wept
It is implied that Joseph wept because he was emotional after hearing what his brothers said.
spoke to them
Joseph was still speaking a different language and using the interpreter to speak to his brothers.
bound him before their eyes
"bound him in their sight" or "bound him as they watched"
Genesis 42:25
to give them provisions
"to give them the supplies they needed"
It was done for them
"The servants did for them everything that Joseph commanded"
Genesis 42:27
As one of them opened his sack to give his donkey feed in the lodging place, he saw his money. Behold, it was in the opening of his sack
"When they stopped at a place for the night, one of the brothers opened his sack to get food for his donkey. In the sack he saw his money!"
Genesis 42:28
My money has been put back
"Someone has put my money back"
Look at it
"Look in my sack!"
Their hearts sank
"They became very afraid"
Genesis 42:30
lord of the land
"the lord of Egypt"
spoke roughly
"spoke harshly"
Genesis 42:32
One is no longer alive
"One brother is no longer alive"
the youngest is this day with our father
"the youngest brother is with our father right now"
Genesis 42:33
take grain for the famine in your houses
"take grain to help your family during the famine"
go your way
"go home" or "leave"
Genesis 42:34
you will trade in the land
"I will allow you to buy and sell in this land"
Genesis 42:36
You have bereaved me of my children
"you have deprived me of my children" or "you have caused me to lose two of my children"
All these things are against me
"all these things hurt me"
Genesis 42:37
Put him in my hands
"Put me in charge of him" or "Let me take care of him"
Genesis 42:38
My son will not go down with you
"My son, Benjamin, will not go with you to Egypt"
with you
Here "you" is plural and refers to Jacob's older sons.
For his brother is dead and he alone is left
"For my wife, Rachel, only had two children. Joseph is dead and Benjamin is the only one left"
on the road in which you go
"while you a traveling to Egypt and back" or "while you are away." Here "road" stands for traveling.
then you will bring down my gray hair with sorrow to Sheol
"then you will cause me, an old man, to die of sorrow"
Chapter 43
1
The famine was severe in the land.
2
It came about when they had eaten the grain that they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, "Go again; buy us some food."
3
Judah told him, "The man solemnly warned us, 'You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.'
4
If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food.
5
But if you do not send him, we will not go down. For the man said to us, 'You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.'"
6
Israel said, "Why did you treat me so badly by telling the man that you had another brother?"
7
They said, "The man asked details about us and our family. He said, 'Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?' We answered him according to these questions. How could we have known that he would say, 'Bring your brother down?'"
8
Judah said to Israel his father, "Send the boy with me. We will rise and go that we may live and not die, both we, you, and also our children.
9
I will be a guarantee for him. You will hold me responsible. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever.
10
For if we had not delayed, surely by now we would have come back here a second time."
11
Their father Israel said to them, "If it be so, now do this. Take some of the best products of the land in your bags. Carry down to the man a gift—some balm and honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds.
12
Take double money in your hand. The money that was returned in the opening of your sacks, carry again in your hand. Perhaps it was a mistake.
13
Take also your brother. Rise and go again to the man.
14
May God Almighty give you mercy before the man, so that he may release to you your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved."
15
The men took this gift, and in their hand they took double the amount of money, along with Benjamin. They got up and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph.
16
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, "Bring the men into the house, slaughter an animal and prepare it, for the men will eat with me at noon."
17
The steward did as Joseph said. He brought the men to Joseph's house.
18
The men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph's house. They said, "It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time we were brought in, that he may seek an opportunity against us. He might arrest us and take us as slaves, and take our donkeys."
19
They approached the steward of Joseph's house, and they spoke to him at the door of the house,
20
saying, "My master, we came down the first time to buy food.
21
It came about, when we reached the lodging place, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the opening of his sack, our money in full weight. We have brought it back in our hands.
22
Other money we have also brought down in our hand to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks."
23
The steward said, "Peace be to you, do not fear. Your God and the God of your father must have put your money in your sacks. I received your money." The steward then brought Simeon out to them.
24
The steward took the men into Joseph's house. He gave them water, and they washed their feet. He gave feed to their donkeys.
25
They prepared the gifts for Joseph's coming at noon, for they had heard that they would eat there.
26
When Joseph came home, they brought the gifts which were in their hand into the house, and bowed down before him to the ground.
27
He asked them about their welfare and said, "Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?"
28
They said, "Your servant our father is well. He is still alive." And they bowed down and gave him honor.
29
When he lifted up his eyes he saw Benjamin his brother, his mother's son, and he said, "Is this your youngest brother of whom you spoke to me?" Then he said, "May God be gracious to you, my son."
30
Joseph hurried to go out of the room, for he was deeply moved about his brother. He sought somewhere to weep. He went to his room and wept there.
31
He washed his face and came out. He controlled himself, saying, "Serve the food."
32
The servants served Joseph by himself and the brothers by themselves. The Egyptians there ate with him by themselves because the Egyptians could not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is detestable to the Egyptians.
33
The brothers sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth. The men were astonished together.
34
Joseph sent portions to them from the food in front of him. But Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of his brothers. They drank freely and were merry with him.
Genesis 43:1
The famine was severe in the land
"The famine was severe in the land of Canaan"
Genesis 43:2
when they had eaten
"when Jacob and his family had eaten"
they had brought
"Jacob's older sons had brought"
buy us
Here "us" refers to Jacob, his sons, and the rest of the family.
Genesis 43:3
Judah told him
"Judah told his father Jacob"
The man
This refers to Joseph, but the brothers did not know it was Joseph.
warned us, 'You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.'
"warned us that we would not see his face unless we brought our youngest brother with us"
solemnly warned us
"was very serious when he warned us, saying"
You will not see my face
"You will not see me"
your brother is with you
Judah is referring to Benjamin, Rachel's last born before she died.
Genesis 43:6
Why did you treat me so badly
"Why did you cause me so much trouble"
Genesis 43:7
The man asked details
"The man asked many questions"
about us
Here "us" is exclusive and refers to the brothers who went to Egypt and spoke with "the man."
He said, 'Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?'
"He asked us directly if our father was still alive and if we had another brother."
We answered him according to these questions
"We answered the questions he asked us"
Genesis 43:8
We will rise and go that we may live and not die, both we, you, and also our children
"We will go now to Egypt and get grain so our whole family will live"
both we
Here "we" refers to the brothers.
we, you
Here "you" is singular and refers to Israel.
also our children
Here "our" refers to the brothers. This refers to the small children who were most likely to die during a famine.
Genesis 43:9
I will be a guarantee for him
"I will promise to bring him back"
You will hold me responsible
"You will make me answer to you about what happens to Benjamin"
let me bear the blame
"you may blame me"
Genesis 43:10
we would have come back here a second time
"we could have gone and returned twice"
Genesis 43:11
If it be so, now do this
"If this is our only choice, then do it"
balm
an oily substance with a sweet smell used for healing and protecting skin. Alternate translation: "medicine"
spices
seasonings.
pistachio nuts
small, green tree nuts
almonds
tree nuts with a sweet flavor
Genesis 43:12
Take double money in your hand
"Take double the money with you"
The money that was returned in the opening of your sacks, carry again in your hand
"take back to Egypt the money someone put in your sacks"
Genesis 43:13
Take also your brother
"Take also Benjamin"
go again
"return"
Genesis 43:14
May God Almighty give you mercy before the man
"May God Almighty cause the man to be kind to you"
your other brother
"Simeon"
If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved
"If I lose my children, then I lose my children." This means that Jacob knows he must accept whatever happens to his sons.
Genesis 43:15
in their hand they took
"they took"
Genesis 43:16
Benjamin with them
"Benjamin with Joseph's older brothers"
the steward of his house
The "steward" was responsible for managing Joseph's household activities.
Genesis 43:18
The men were afraid
"Joseph's brothers were afraid"
It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time we were brought in
"The steward is bringing us into the house because of the money that someone put back in our sacks"
that he may seek an opportunity against us. He might arrest us
"He is waiting for the opportunity to accuse us, so that he might arrest us"
Genesis 43:21
when we reached the lodging place
"when we came to the place that we were going to stay for the night"
behold
The word "behold" here shows that the brothers were surprised by what they saw.
every man's money was in the opening of his sack, our money in full weight
"each one of us found the full amount of his money in his sack"
We have brought it back in our hands
"We have brought the money back with us"
Genesis 43:22
Other money we have also brought down in our hand to buy food
"We have also brought more money to buy food"
Genesis 43:23
Peace be to you
"Relax" or "Calm yourselves"
Your God and the God of your father
"Your God, the God your father worships"
Genesis 43:24
washed their feet
This custom helped tired travelers to refresh themselves after walking long distances.
feed to their donkeys
"Feed" is dry food that is set aside for animals
Genesis 43:28
Your servant our father
"Our father who serves you"
they bowed down and gave him honor
They lay down in front of the man to show him respect.
Genesis 43:29
he lifted up his eyes
This means "he looked up."
his mother's son, and he said
"his mother's son. Joseph said"
my son
"young man"
Genesis 43:30
for he was deeply moved about his brother
"for he had strong feelings of compassion for his brother" or "for he had strong feelings of affection for his brother"
Genesis 43:31
saying
"and said to his servants"
Serve the food
This means to distribute the food so that people may eat.
Genesis 43:32
The servants served Joseph by himself and the brothers by themselves. The Egyptians there ate with him by themselves
"The servants served Joseph by himself and the brothers by themselves and the Egyptians, who were eating with him, by themselves"
because the Egyptians could not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is detestable to the Egyptians
This can be translated as a new sentence: "They did this because the Egyptians thought it was shameful to eat with the Hebrews"
Genesis 43:33
The brothers sat before him
"The brothers sat across from the man, according to how he arranged their places"
the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth
The "firstborn" and the "youngest" are used together to mean all the brothers were sitting in order according to their age.
The men were astonished together
"The men were very surprised when they realized this"
Genesis 43:34
But Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of his brothers
"But Benjamin received a portion that was much bigger than what his brothers received"
Chapter 44
1
Joseph commanded the steward of his house, saying, "Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's opening.
2
Put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's opening of the youngest, and also his money for the grain." The steward did as Joseph had said.
3
The morning dawned, and the men were sent away, they and their donkeys.
4
When they were out of the city but were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, "Get up, follow after the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, 'Why have you returned evil for good?
5
Is this not the cup from which my master drinks, and the cup that he uses for divination? You have done evil, this thing that you have done.'"
6
The steward overtook them and spoke these words to them.
7
They said to him, "Why does my master speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants that they would do such a thing.
8
Look, the money that we found in our sacks' openings, we brought again to you out of the land of Canaan. How then could we steal out of your master's house silver or gold?
9
If any of your servants is found with it, let him die, and we also will be my master's slaves."
10
The steward said, "Now also let it be according to your words. He with whom the cup is found will be my slave, and you others will be innocent."
11
Then each man hurried and brought his sack down to the ground, and each man opened his sack.
12
The steward searched. He began with the oldest and finished with the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.
13
Then they tore their clothes. Each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city.
14
Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house. He was still there, and they bowed before him to the ground.
15
Joseph said to them, "What is this that you have done? Do you not know that a man like me practices divination?"
16
Judah said, "What can we say to my master? What can we speak? Or how can we justify ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants. Look, we are my master's slaves, both we and he also in whose hand the cup was found."
17
Joseph said, "Far be it from me that I should do so. The man in whose hand the cup was found, that person will be my slave, but as for you others, go up in peace to your father."
18
Then Judah came near to him and said, "My master, please let your servant speak a word in my master's ears, and do not let your anger burn against your servant, for you are just like Pharaoh.
19
My master asked his servants, saying, 'Do you have a father or a brother?'
20
We said to my master, 'We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one. But his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loves him.'
21
Then you said to your servants, 'Bring him down to me that I may see him.'
22
After that, we said to my master, 'The boy cannot leave his father. For if he should leave his father his father would die.'
23
Then you said to your servants, 'Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.'
24
Then it came about when we went up to your servant my father, we told him the words of my master.
25
Our father said, 'Go again, buy us some food.'
26
Then we said, 'We cannot go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then will we go down, for we will not be able to see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us.'
27
Your servant my father said to us, 'You know that my wife bore me two sons.
28
One of them went out from me and I said, "Surely he is torn in pieces, and I have not seen him since."
29
Now if you also take this one from me, and harm comes to him, you will bring down my gray hair with sorrow to Sheol.'
30
Now, therefore, when I come to your servant my father, and the young man is not with us, since his life is bound up in the boy's life,
31
it will come about, when he sees the boy is not with us, he will die. Your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father with sorrow to Sheol.
32
For your servant became a guarantee for the boy to my father and said, 'If I do not bring him to you, then I will bear the guilt to my father forever.'
33
Now therefore, please let your servant stay instead of the boy as slave to my master, and let the boy go up with his brothers.
34
For how can I go up to my father if the boy is not with me? I am afraid to see the evil that would come on my father."
Genesis 44:1
steward of his house
The "steward" was responsible for managing Joseph's household activities.
every man's money
Their money was silver coins most likely in a small bag.
in his sack's opening
"in his sack"
Genesis 44:2
Put my cup, the silver cup
"Put my silver cup"
in the sack's opening of the youngest
"in the youngest brother's sack"
Genesis 44:3
The morning dawned
"The morning light shown"
the men were sent away, they and their donkeys
"they sent the men away, along with their donkeys"
Genesis 44:4
Why have you returned evil for good?
"You have treated us badly, after we were good to you!"
Genesis 44:5
Is this not the cup from which my master drinks, and the cup that he uses for divination?
"You already know that this is the cup that my master uses for drinking and for fortune telling!"
You have done evil, this thing that you have done
"What you have done is very evil"
Genesis 44:6
spoke these words to them
"spoke what Joseph told him to say"
Genesis 44:7
Why does my master speak such words as these?
"Why are you saying this, my master?"
Far be it from your servants that they would do such a thing.
"We would never do such a thing!"
Genesis 44:8
Look, the money
"Listen to what we are about to say and you will see that we are speaking the truth: the money"
the money that we found in our sacks' openings
"you know the money that we found in our sacks"
we brought again to you out of the land of Canaan
"we brought back to you from Canaan"
How then could we steal out of your master's house silver or gold?
"So we would never take anything from your master's house!"
Genesis 44:9
If any of your servants is found with it
"If you find that one of us has stolen the cup"
we also will be my master's slaves
"you may take us as your slaves"
Genesis 44:10
He with whom the cup is found will be my slave
"If I find the cup in one of your sacks, that person will be my slave"
Genesis 44:11
brought his sack down
"lowered his sack"
Genesis 44:12
youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack
"youngest. The steward found the cup in Benjamin's sack"
Genesis 44:13
Then they tore their clothes
The word "they" refers to the brothers. Tearing clothes was a sign of great distress and sorrow.
Genesis 44:15
Do you not know that a man like me practices divination?
"Surely you know that a man like me can learn things by magic!"
Genesis 44:16
What can we say to my master? What can we speak? Or how can we justify ourselves?
"We have nothing to say, my master. We cannot speak anything of value. We cannot justify ourselves."
God has found out the iniquity of your servants
"God is punishing us for our past sins"
Genesis 44:17
Far be it from me that I should do so
"It is not like me to do something like that"
The man in whose hand the cup was found
"The man who had my cup"
Genesis 44:18
came near to
"approached"
let your servant
"let me, your servant"
speak a word in my master's ears
"speak to you, my master"
do not let your anger burn against your servant
"please do not be angry with me, your servant"
for you are just like Pharaoh
"for you are as powerful as Pharaoh and could have your soldiers kill me"
Genesis 44:19
My master asked his servants, saying, 'Do you have a father or a brother?'
"My master asked us if we have a father or a brother."
Genesis 44:21
Then you said to your servants, 'Bring him down to me that I may see him.'
"And you said to your servants that we should bring our youngest brother to you so that you may see him"
Genesis 44:22
After that, we said to my master, 'The boy cannot ... father would die.'
"In response, we said to my master that the boy cannot ... father would die from sorrow"
Genesis 44:23
Then you said to your servants, 'Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.'
"Then you said to your servants that unless our youngest brother comes with us, we would not see you again."
Genesis 44:24
we told him the words of my master
"we told him what you said, my master"
Genesis 44:26
Then we said, 'We cannot go down. If our youngest brother ... is with us.'
"Then we said to him that we cannot go down to Egypt. We told him that if our youngest brother is with us ... is with us"
to see the man's face
"to see the man"
Genesis 44:27
said to us
Here "us" does not include Joseph.
You know
Here "You" is plural and refers to the brothers.
Genesis 44:28
he is torn in pieces
"a wild animal has torn him to pieces"
Genesis 44:29
Now if you also take this one from me, and harm comes to him, you will bring down my gray hair with sorrow to Sheol
"This is what your servant my father said to us: 'You know that my wife bore me two sons. One of them went out from me and I said that surely he had been torn in pieces, and I have not seen him since. Now if you also take this one from me, and harm comes to him, you will bring down my gray hair with sorrow to Sheol.'"
harm comes to him
Something bad happening to a person is spoken of as if "harm" were something that travels and comes to a person.
you will bring down my gray hair with sorrow to Sheol
"then you will cause me, an old man, to die of sorrow"
my gray hair
"me, an old man"
Genesis 44:30
since his life is bound up in the boy's life
"since he said he would die if the boy did not come back"
Genesis 44:31
Your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father with sorrow to Sheol
"And we your servants will have caused our old father to die of sorrow"
Genesis 44:32
For your servant became a guarantee for the boy to my father
"For I promised my father concerning the boy"
For your servant
"For I, your servant" or "For I"
then I will bear the guilt to my father
"then my father may blame me"
Genesis 44:33
let your servant stay instead of the boy as slave to my master
"let your servant remain as a slave to my master instead of the boy"
let the boy go up
It was going to use the phrase "go up" when speaking about traveling from Egypt to Canaan.
Genesis 44:34
For how can I go up to my father if the boy is not with me?
"I cannot return to my father if the boy is not with me."
I am afraid to see the evil that would come on my father
"I am afraid to see how much my father would suffer"
Chapter 45
1
Then Joseph could not control himself before all the servants who stood by him. He said loudly, "Everyone must leave me." So no servant stood by him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers.
2
He wept loudly, the Egyptians heard it, and the house of Pharaoh heard of it.
3
Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?" His brothers could not answer him, for they were shocked in his presence.
4
Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come near to me, please." They came near. He said, "I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.
5
Do not be grieved or angry with yourselves that you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to preserve life.
6
For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest.
7
God sent me ahead of you to preserve you as a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.
8
So now it was not you who sent me here but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, master of all his house, and ruler of all the land of Egypt.
9
Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, 'This is what your son Joseph says, "God has made me master of all Egypt. Come down to me, do not delay.
10
You will live in the land of Goshen, and you will be near me, you and your children and your children's children, and your flocks and your herds, and all that you have.
11
I will provide for you there, for there are still five years of famine, so that you do not come to poverty, you, your household, and all that you have."'
12
Look, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaks to you.
13
You will tell my father about all my honor in Egypt and of all that you have seen. You will hurry and bring my father down here."
14
He hugged his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck.
15
He kissed all his brothers and wept over them. After that his brothers talked with him.
16
The news of the matter was told in Pharaoh's house: "Joseph's brothers have come." It pleased Pharaoh and his servants very much.
17
Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Say to your brothers, 'Do this: Load your animals and go to the land of Canaan.
18
Get your father and your households and come to me. I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land.'
19
Now you are commanded, 'Do this, take carts out of the land of Egypt for your children and for your wives. Get your father and come.
20
Do not be concerned about your possessions, for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.'"
21
The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them carts, according to the command of Pharaoh, and gave them provisions for the journey.
22
To all of them he gave each man changes of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothing.
23
For his father he sent this: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt; and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and other supplies for his father for the journey.
24
So he sent his brothers away and they left. He said to them, "See that you do not quarrel on the journey."
25
They went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father.
26
They told him saying "Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt." His heart was astonished, for he could not believe what they told him.
27
They told him all the words of Joseph that he had said to them. When Jacob saw the carts that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived.
28
Israel said, "It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."
Genesis 45:1
could not control himself
"was about to start crying"
by him
"near him"
Genesis 45:2
house of Pharaoh
"everyone in Pharaoh's palace"
Genesis 45:3
shocked in his presence
"terrified of him"
Genesis 45:4
whom you sold into Egypt
"whom you sold as a slave to the trader who brought me to Egypt"
Genesis 45:5
Do not be grieved
"do not be upset" or "do not be distressed"
that you sold me here
"that you sold me as a slave and sent me here to Egypt"
to preserve life
"so I could save many lives"
Genesis 45:6
there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest
"and the famine will last five more years"
Genesis 45:7
to preserve you as a remnant in the earth
"so that you and your families would not completely perish from the earth" or "to make sure your descendants would survive"
to keep you alive by a great deliverance
"to keep you alive by rescuing you in a mighty way"
Genesis 45:8
he has made me a father to Pharaoh
"he has made me a guide to Pharaoh" or "he has made me the chief adviser to Pharaoh"
of all his house
"of all his household" or "of all his palace"
ruler of all the land of Egypt
"ruler over all the people of Egypt"
Genesis 45:9
go up to my father
"go back to my father"
Come down to me
"Come here to me"
Genesis 45:11
I will provide ... all that you have
"say to him that his son Joseph says that God has made him master of all Egypt, so he must go down to Joseph and not delay. He will live in the land of Goshen, and he will be near Joseph, he and his children and his children's children, and his flocks and his herds, and all that he has. Joseph will provide for him there, for there are still five years of famine, so that he does not come to poverty, him, his household, and all that he has."
Genesis 45:12
your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin
"All of you and Benjamin can see"
that it is my mouth that speaks to you
"that I, Joseph, am speaking to you"
Genesis 45:13
about all my honor in Egypt
"how the people in Egypt greatly honor me"
Genesis 45:14
He hugged his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck
"Joseph hugged his brother Benjamin, and they both wept"
Genesis 45:15
wept over them
This means Joseph was crying while he kissed them.
After that his brothers talked with him
"After that his brothers talked freely with him"
Genesis 45:16
The news of the matter was told in Pharaoh's house: "Joseph's brothers have come."
"Everyone in Pharaoh's palace heard that Joseph's brothers had come."
Genesis 45:19
you are commanded
"I also command you to tell them" or "also tell them"
take carts out
"Carts" are wagons with two or four wheels. Animals pull the carts.
Genesis 45:20
Do not be concerned about your possessions, for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.'
"Now you are commanded to tell them to take carts out of the land of Egypt for their children and for their wives, to get their father, and to come. They are not to be concerned about their possessions, for the good of all the land of Egypt will be theirs."
Genesis 45:21
gave them provisions for the journey
"gave them what they needed for traveling"
Genesis 45:22
he gave each man changes of clothing
Each man received a set of clothes except for Benjamin who received 5 sets of clothes.
Genesis 45:23
ten donkeys ... and ten female donkeys
The donkeys were included as part of the gift.
Genesis 45:24
do not quarrel
Possible meanings include 1) "do not argue" and 2) "do not become afraid"
Genesis 45:26
he is ruler over all the land of Egypt
"he rules all the people of Egypt"
His heart was astonished
"and he was astonished" or "he was very surprised"
he could not believe what they told him
"he did not accept that what they said was true"
Genesis 45:27
They told him
"They told Jacob"
all the words of Joseph that he had said to them
"everything that Joseph had said to them"
the spirit of Jacob their father revived
"Jacob their father recovered" or "Jacob their father became very excited"
Chapter 46
1
Israel made his journey with all that he had and went to Beersheba. There he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
2
God spoke to Israel in a vision at night, saying, "Jacob, Jacob." He said, "Here I am."
3
He said, "I am God, the God of your father. Do not fear to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you a great nation.
4
I will go down with you into Egypt, and I will surely bring you up again and Joseph will close your eyes with his own hand."
5
Jacob rose up from Beersheba. The sons of Israel transported Jacob their father, their children, and their wives, in the carts that Pharaoh had sent to carry him.
6
They took their livestock and their possessions that they had accumulated in the land of Canaan. They came into Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants with him.
7
He brought with him to Egypt his sons and his sons' sons, his daughters and his sons' daughters, and all his descendants.
8
These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt: Jacob and his descendants, Reuben, Jacob's firstborn;
9
the sons of Reuben, Hanok, Pallu, Hezron, and Karmi;
10
the sons of Simeon, Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman;
11
and the sons of Levi, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
12
The sons of Judah were Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah (but Er and Onan had died in the land of Canaan). The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul.
13
The sons of Issachar were Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron.
14
The sons of Zebulun were Sered, Elon, and Jahleel.
15
These were the sons of Leah whom she bore to Jacob in Paddan Aram, along with his daughter Dinah. His sons and his daughters numbered thirty-three.
16
The sons of Gad were Zephon, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli.
17
The sons of Asher were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah; and Serah was their sister. The sons of Beriah were Heber and Malkiel.
18
These were the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban had given to Leah his daughter. These sons she bore to Jacob—sixteen in all.
19
The sons of Jacob's wife Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin.
20
In Egypt Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph by Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On.
21
The sons of Benjamin were Bela, Beker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.
22
These were the sons of Rachel who were born to Jacob—fourteen in all.
23
The son of Dan was Hushim.
24
The sons of Naphtali were Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem.
25
These were the sons born to Jacob by Bilhah, whom Laban gave to Rachel his daughter—seven in all.
26
All those who went to Egypt with Jacob, who were his direct descendants, not counting Jacob's sons' wives, were sixty-six in all.
27
With the two sons of Joseph who were born to him in Egypt, the people of the house of Jacob who went to Egypt were seventy in all.
28
Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to show the way before him to Goshen, and they came to the land of Goshen.
29
Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He saw him, hugged his neck, and wept on his neck a long time.
30
Israel said to Joseph, "Now let me die, since I have seen your face, that you are still alive."
31
Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's house, "I will go up and tell Pharaoh, saying, 'My brothers and my father's house, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me.
32
The men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock. They have brought their flocks, their herds, and all that they have.'
33
It will come about, when Pharaoh calls you and asks, 'What is your occupation?'
34
that you should say, 'Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth until now, both we, and our forefathers.' Do this so that you may live in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians."
Genesis 46:2
Here I am
"Yes, I am listening"
Genesis 46:3
I will make you a great nation
"I will give you many descendants, and they will become a great nation"
Genesis 46:4
I will surely bring you up again
"I will surely bring your descendants out of Egypt again"
Joseph will close your eyes with his own hand
"Joseph will even be present with you at the time of your death"
Genesis 46:5
rose up from
"set out from"
Genesis 46:6
they had accumulated
"they had acquired" or "they had gained"
Genesis 46:7
He brought with him
"Jacob brought with him"
his sons' sons
"his grandsons"
his sons' daughters
"his granddaughters"
Genesis 46:15
His sons and his daughters numbered thirty-three
"Altogether he had 33 sons, daughters, and grandchildren"
Genesis 46:26
direct descendants
A person's "direct descendants" are natural sons, daughters, and grandchildren, not those who have become part of the family by marrying a direct descendant.
Genesis 46:28
to show the way before him to Goshen
"to show them the way to Goshen"
Genesis 46:29
Joseph prepared his chariot and went up
"Joseph's servants prepared his chariot and Joseph went up"
went up to meet Israel
"went to meet Israel"
Genesis 46:30
Now let me die
"Now I am ready to die" or "Now I will die happy"
since I have seen your face, that you are still alive
"since I have seen you alive again"
Genesis 46:31
his father's house
"his father's family" or "his father's household"
I will go up and tell Pharaoh
"I will go tell Pharaoh"
Genesis 46:32
The men are shepherds ... all that they have
"I will go up and tell Pharaoh and say that my brothers and my father's house, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. I will tell him that the men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock, and that they have brought their flocks, their herds, and all that they have."
Genesis 46:34
you should say, 'Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth until now, both we, and our forefathers.'
"when Pharaoh ... asks what your occupation is, that you should say that you have been keepers of livestock from your youth until now, both you and your forefathers. Do this"
Your servants
"We, your servants"
every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians
"Egyptians think shepherds are disgusting"
Chapter 47
1
Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, "My father and my brothers, their flocks, their herds, and all that they own, have arrived from the land of Canaan. See, they are in the land of Goshen."
2
He took five of his brothers and introduced them to Pharaoh.
3
Pharaoh said to his brothers, "What is your occupation?" They said to Pharaoh, "Your servants are shepherds, as our ancestors."
4
Then they said to Pharaoh, "We come as temporary residents in the land. There is no pasture for your servants' flocks, because the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. So now, please let your servants live in the land of Goshen."
5
Then Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, "Your father and your brothers have come to you.
6
The land of Egypt is before you. Settle your father and your brothers in the best region, the land of Goshen. If you know any capable men among them, put them in charge of my livestock."
7
Then Joseph brought in Jacob his father and presented him to Pharaoh. Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
8
Pharaoh said to Jacob, "How long have you lived?"
9
Jacob said to Pharaoh, "The years of my sojourning are 130. The years of my life have been few and painful. They have not been as long as the days of my ancestors' sojourning."
10
Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence.
11
Then Joseph settled his father and his brothers. He gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.
12
Joseph provided food for his father, his brothers, and all his father's household, according to the number of their little ones.
13
Now there was no food in all the land; for the famine was severe. The land of Egypt and the land of Canaan wasted away because of the famine.
14
Joseph gathered all the money that was in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, by selling grain to the inhabitants. Then Joseph brought the money to Pharaoh's palace.
15
When all the money of the lands of Egypt and Canaan was spent, all the Egyptians came to Joseph saying, "Give us food! Why should we die in your presence because our money is gone?"
16
Joseph said, "If your money is gone, bring your livestock and I will give you food in exchange for your livestock."
17
So they brought their livestock to Joseph. Joseph gave them food in exchange for the horses, for the flocks, for the herds, and for the donkeys. He fed them with bread in exchange for all their livestock that year.
18
When that year was ended, they came to him the next year and said to him, "We will not hide from my master that our money is all gone, and the herds of cattle are my master's. There is nothing left in the sight of my master, except our bodies and our land.
19
Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we and our land will be servants to Pharaoh. Give us seed that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate."
20
So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. For every Egyptian sold his field, because the famine was very severe. In this way, the land became Pharaoh's.
21
As for the people, he made them slaves from one end of Egypt's border to the other end.
22
It was only the land of the priests that Joseph did not buy, because the priests were given an allowance. They ate from the allotment which Pharaoh gave them. Therefore they did not sell their land.
23
Then Joseph said to the people, "See, I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh. Now here is seed for you, and you will plant the land.
24
At the harvest, you must give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four parts will be your own, for seed of the field and for food for your households and your little ones."
25
They said, "You have saved our lives. May we find favor in your eyes. We will be Pharaoh's servants."
26
So Joseph made it a statute which is in effect in the land of Egypt to this day, that one-fifth belongs to Pharaoh. Only the land of the priests did not become Pharaoh's.
27
So Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. His people gained possessions there. They were fruitful and multiplied greatly.
28
Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years, so the years of Jacob's life were one hundred forty-seven years.
29
When the time approached for Israel to die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh, and show me faithfulness and trustworthiness. Please do not bury me in Egypt.
30
When I lie down with my fathers, you will carry me out of Egypt and bury me in my forefathers' burial place." Joseph said, "I will do as you have said."
31
Israel said, "Swear to me," and Joseph swore to him. Then Israel bowed down at the head of his bed.
Genesis 47:3
Your servants are shepherds
"Your servants shepherd flocks"
Your servants
"We, your servants" or "We"
as our ancestors
"both we and our forefathers" or "both we and our ancestors"
Genesis 47:4
We come as temporary residents in the land
"We have come to stay for a while in Egypt"
There is no pasture
"There is no grass to eat"
Genesis 47:6
The land of Egypt is before you
"The land of Egypt is open to you" or "All of the land of Egypt is available to you"
Settle your father and your brothers in the best region, the land of Goshen
"Settle your father and your brothers in the land of Goshen, which is the best region"
If you know any capable men among them
"If you know of any men among them who have great skill taking care of animals"
Genesis 47:7
Jacob blessed Pharaoh
Here "blessed" means to express a desire for positive and beneficial things to happen to that person.
Genesis 47:8
How long have you lived?
"How old are you?"
Genesis 47:9
The years of my sojourning are 130
"I have lived as a foreigner in many places on the earth for 130 years"
The years of my life have been few ... not been as long as the days of my ancestors' sojourning
Jacob means his life is short compared to the lives of Abraham and Isaac.
painful
Jacob has experienced much pain and trouble during his life.
Genesis 47:11
Then Joseph settled his father and his brothers
"Then Joseph took care of his father and his brothers and helped them establish where they would live"
the land of Rameses
This is another name for the land of Goshen.
Genesis 47:12
according to the number of their little ones
"according to how many small children were in their families"
Genesis 47:13
The land of Egypt and the land of Canaan
"The people of Egypt and the people of Canaan"
wasted away
"became thin and weak"
Genesis 47:14
Joseph gathered all the money that was in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, by selling grain to the inhabitants
"The people of Egypt and Canaan spent all of their money buying grain from Joseph"
Joseph gathered ... Joseph brought
Most likely Joseph ordered his servants to gather and bring the money.
Genesis 47:15
When all the money of the lands of Egypt and Canaan was spent
"When the people of Egypt and Canaan used up all their money"
Why should we die in your presence because our money is gone?
"Please, do not let us die because we have used up all of our money!"
Genesis 47:17
He fed them with bread
"He gave them food" or "He provided them with food"
Genesis 47:18
they came to him
"the people came to Joseph"
We will not hide from my master
"We will not hide from you, our master" or "We will not hide from you"
There is nothing left in the sight of my master, except our bodies and our land
"The only things we have left in the sight of my master is our bodies and our land"
There is nothing left in the sight of my master
"We have nothing left to give you, our master"
Genesis 47:19
Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land?
"Please do not just watch as we die and our land is ruined!"
Genesis 47:20
In this way, the land became Pharaoh's
"So the land became Pharaoh's"
Genesis 47:22
It was only the land of the priests that Joseph did not buy
"But he did not buy the land of the priests"
the priests were given an allowance
"Pharaoh gave the priests a certain amount of food each day"
They ate from the allotment which Pharaoh gave them
"They ate from what Pharaoh gave them"
Genesis 47:23
and you will plant
"that you might sow"
Genesis 47:24
At the harvest, you must give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four parts will be your own
"At harvest time you will divide the crops into five parts. You will give one part back to Pharaoh for payment and the four parts are for your own"
for food for your households and your little ones
"for food for your households and for food for your little ones"
Genesis 47:25
May we find favor in your eyes
"May you be pleased with us"
Genesis 47:26
to this day
This means to the time that the author was writing this.
Genesis 47:27
They were fruitful and multiplied greatly
"They had very many children"
Genesis 47:29
When the time approached for Israel to die
"When it was almost time for Israel to die"
If now I have found favor in your eyes
"If I have found favor with you" or "If I have pleased you"
put your hand under my thigh
This act is a sign of making a serious promise.
show me faithfulness and trustworthiness
"treat me in a faithful and trustworthy manner"
Please do not bury me in Egypt
The word "please" adds emphasis to this request.
Genesis 47:30
When I lie down with my fathers
"When I die and join my family members who died before me"
Genesis 47:31
Swear to me
"Promise me" or "Make an oath to me"
swore to him
"promised him" or "made an oath to him"
Chapter 48
1
It came about after these things, that one said to Joseph, "Look, your father is sick." So he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
2
When Jacob was told, "Look, your son Joseph has arrived to see you," Israel gathered strength and sat up in bed.
3
Jacob said to Joseph, "God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan. He blessed me
4
and said to me, 'Behold, I will make you fruitful, and multiply you. I will make of you an assembly of nations. I will give this land to your descendants as an everlasting possession.'
5
Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt, they are mine. Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine.
6
The offspring who are born after them will be yours; they will be listed under the names of their brothers in their inheritance.
7
But as for me, when I came from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan on the way, while there was still some distance to go to Ephrath. I buried her there on the way to Ephrath" (that is, Bethlehem).
8
When Israel saw Joseph's sons, he said, "Whose are these?"
9
Joseph said to his father, "They are my sons, whom God has given me here." Israel said, "Bring them to me, that I may bless them."
10
Now Israel's eyes were failing because of his age, so he could not see. So Joseph brought them near to him, and he kissed them and embraced them.
11
Israel said to Joseph, "I never expected to see your face again, but God has even allowed me to see your children."
12
Joseph brought them out from between Israel's knees, and then he bowed with his face to the earth.
13
Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them close to him.
14
Israel reached out with his right hand and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head. He crossed his hands, for Manasseh was the firstborn.
15
Israel blessed Joseph, saying,
"The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,
the God who has cared for me to this day,
16
the angel who has protected me from all harm,
may he bless these boys.
May my name be named in them,
and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac.
May they grow into a multitude on the earth."
17
When Joseph saw his father place his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him. He took his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head.
18
Joseph said to his father, "Not so, my father; for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand upon his head."
19
His father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. He also will become a people, and he also will be great. Yet his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a multitude of nations."
20
Israel blessed them that day with these words,
"The people of Israel will pronounce blessings by your names saying,
'May God make you like Ephraim and like Manasseh'."
In this way, Israel put Ephraim before Manasseh.
21
Israel said to Joseph, "See, I am about to die, but God will be with you, and will bring you back to the land of your fathers.
22
To you, as one who is above your brothers, I give to you the mountain slope that I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow."
Genesis 48:1
one said to Joseph
"someone said to Joseph"
So he took
"So Joseph took"
Genesis 48:2
your son Joseph has arrived to see you
"your son Joseph has come to you"
Israel gathered strength and sat up in bed
"Israel made a great effort to sit up in bed" or "Israel struggled as he sat up in bed"
Genesis 48:3
Luz
This is the name of a city.
Genesis 48:4
said to me, 'Behold, I will make you fruitful, and multiply you. I will make of you an assembly of nations. I will give this land to your descendants as an everlasting possession.'
"said to me that he would make me fruitful and multiply me. And, he said that he would make me an assembly of nations and he would give this land to my descendants as an everlasting possession."God used the word "behold" here to alert Jacob to pay attention to what he was about to tell him.
I will make you fruitful, and multiply you
"I will give you very many descendants"
I will make of you an assembly of nations
"I will make your descendants into many nations"
an everlasting possession
"a permanent possession"
Genesis 48:5
Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine
Ephraim and Manasseh each will receive a portion of land just like Joseph's brothers.
Genesis 48:6
they will be listed under the names of their brothers in their inheritance
"as for their inheritance, you will list them under the names of their brothers"
Genesis 48:7
Ephrath
This is another name for the town of Bethlehem.
Genesis 48:8
Whose are these?
"Whose sons are these?"
Genesis 48:9
bless
A father would often pronounce a formal blessing on his children or grandchildren.
Genesis 48:10
he kissed them
"Israel kissed them"
Genesis 48:11
to see your face again
"to see you again"
Genesis 48:12
between Israel's knees
When Joseph placed his sons on Israel's lap or knees it was a sign that Israel was adopting them. This gave the children special inheritance rights from Jacob.
then he bowed with his face to the earth
Joseph bowed down to show honor to his father.
Genesis 48:13
Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand
Joseph places the boys so that Israel will put his right hand on Manasseh. Manasseh was the oldest brother and the right hand was the sign he would receive the greater blessing.
Genesis 48:14
his right hand and laid it upon Ephraim's head
Placing the right hand on Ephraim's head was the sign that he would receive the greater blessing.
Genesis 48:15
Israel blessed Joseph
Here "Joseph" also stands for Ephraim and Manasseh. Since Joseph is the father, he is the only one mentioned here.
The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked
"The God who my grandfather Abraham and father Isaac served"
who has cared for me
"who has cared for me like a shepherd cares for his animals"
Genesis 48:16
the angel
These words could refer to 1) the angel that God sent to protect Jacob or 2) God, who appeared in angel form to protect Jacob.
protected me
"delivered me"
May my name be named in them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac
"May people remember Abraham, Isaac, and me because of Ephraim and Manasseh"
May they grow into a multitude on the earth
"May they have many descendants who will live all over the earth"
Genesis 48:19
He also will become a people, and he also will be great
"Your older son will have many descendants, and they will become a great people"
Genesis 48:20
that day with these words
"that day, saying"
The people of Israel will pronounce blessings by your names saying
"The people of Israel will speak your names when they are blessing others"
by your names saying, 'May God make you like Ephraim and like Manasseh'
"by your names. They will ask God to make others like Ephraim and like Manasseh"
Israel put Ephraim before Manasseh
Giving Ephraim the greater blessing and making him more important than Manasseh is spoken of as if Israel physically put Ephraim in front of Manasseh.
Genesis 48:21
will be with you ... bring you back ... your fathers
Here "you" and "your" are plural and refer to all the people of Israel.
will be with you
"God will help you" or "God will bless you"
land of your fathers
"land of your ancestors"
Genesis 48:22
To you, as one who is above your brothers, I give to you the mountain slope
"To you, I give one more ridge than I give your brothers. I give to you the mountain slope"
To you
Here "you" is singular and refers to Joseph.
the mountain slope that I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow
"the portion of land I fought for and took from the Amorites"
Chapter 49
1
Then Jacob called for his sons, and said:
"Gather yourselves together,
that I may tell you what will happen to you in the future.
2
Assemble yourselves and listen, you sons of Jacob.
Listen to Israel, your father.
3
Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might,
and the beginning of my strength,
outstanding in dignity, and outstanding in power.
4
Uncontrollable as rushing water,
you will not have the preeminence,
because you went up to your father's bed.
Then you defiled it; you went up to my couch.
5
Simeon and Levi are brothers.
Weapons of violence are their swords.
6
O my soul, do not come into their council;
O my glory, do not join in their meetings.
For in their anger they killed men.
It was for pleasure that they hamstrung oxen.
7
May their anger be cursed, for it was fierce
and their fury, for it was severe.
I will divide them in Jacob
and scatter them in Israel.
8
Judah, your brothers will praise you.
Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies.
Your father's sons will bow down before you.
9
Judah is a lion's cub.
My son, you have gone up from your victims.
He stooped down, he crouched like a lion, like a lioness.
Who would dare to awaken him?
10
The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,
until Shiloh comes. The nations will obey him.
11
Binding his donkey to the vine,
and his donkey's colt to the choice vine,
he has washed his garments in wine,
and his robe in the blood of grapes.
12
His eyes will be as dark as wine,
and his teeth as white as milk.
13
Zebulun will live by the shore of the sea.
He will be a harbor for ships,
and his border will extend to Sidon.
14
Issachar is a strong donkey,
lying down between the sheepfolds.
15
He sees a good resting place
and the pleasant land.
He will bend his shoulder to the burden
and become a servant for forced labor.
16
Dan will judge his people
as one of the tribes of Israel.
17
Dan will be a snake beside the road,
a poisonous snake in the path
that bites the horse's heels,
so that his rider falls backward.
18
I wait for your salvation, Yahweh.
19
Gad—raiders will attack him,
but he will attack them at their heels.
20
Asher's food will be rich,
and he will provide royal delicacies.
21
Naphtali is a doe let loose;
he will have beautiful fawns.
22
Joseph is a fruitful bough,
a fruitful bough near a spring,
whose branches climb over the wall.
23
The archers will attack him bitterly
and shoot at him with hostility.
24
But his bow will remain steady,
and his hands will be skillful
because of the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob,
because of the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.
25
The God of your father will help you
and the Almighty God will bless you
with blessings of the sky above,
blessings of the deep that lies beneath,
and blessings of the breasts and womb.
26
The blessings of your father are greater
than the blessings of the ancient mountains
or the desirable things of the ancient hills.
May they be on the head of Joseph,
even upon the crown of the head of the prince of his brothers.
27
Benjamin is a hungry wolf.
In the morning he will devour the prey,
and in the evening he will divide the plunder."
28
These are the twelve tribes of Israel. This is what their father said to them when he blessed them. Each one he blessed with an appropriate blessing.
29
Then he instructed them and said to them, "I am about to go to my people. Bury me with my forefathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite,
30
in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is near Mamre in the land of Canaan, the field that Abraham bought for a burial place from Ephron the Hittite.
31
There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.
32
The field and the cave that is in it were purchased from the people of Heth."
33
When Jacob finished these instructions to his sons, he pulled his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and went to his people.
Genesis 49:3
my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength
"my first child after I became a man"
outstanding in dignity, and outstanding in power
"You are first in honor and power" or "You surpass everyone else in honor and power"
Genesis 49:4
you will not have the preeminence
"you shall not be first among your brothers"
because you went up to your father's bed. Then you defiled it; you went up to my couch
"because you went to my bed and slept with Bilhah my concubine. You have shamed me"
Genesis 49:5
Simeon and Levi are brothers
This does not just mean they are brothers by birth. Jacob is emphasizing that they worked together to kill the people of Shechem.
Weapons of violence are their swords
"They use their swords to hurt and to kill people"
Genesis 49:6
O my soul ... my glory
Jacob uses the words "soul" and "glory" to refer to himself and is saying that other people, and perhaps God also, honor him so much that he does not wish to join with those who make plans to do evil.
they hamstrung oxen
This refers to Simeon and Levi crippling oxen just for fun.
hamstrung
This refers to cutting the sinews of an animal's leg so that it cannot walk.
Genesis 49:7
May their anger be cursed, for it was fierce—and their fury, for it was severe
"The Lord says, 'I will curse them because of their fierce anger and their cruel fury" or "I, the Lord, will curse them because of their fierce anger and their cruel fury"
I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel
"I will divide their descendants and scatter them among all the people of Israel"
Genesis 49:8
will praise you. Your hand
"will praise you. For your hand" or "will praise you because your hand"
Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies
This is a way of saying "You will conquer your enemies."
bow down
This means to bend over to humbly express respect and honor toward someone.
Genesis 49:9
Judah is a lion's cub
"Judah is like a young lion"
My son, you have gone up from your victims
"You, my son, have come back from eating your prey"
like a lioness
Jacob also compares Judah to a female lion. The lioness is the primary hunter and protector of her cubs.
Who would dare to awaken him?
"No one wants to wake him up."
Genesis 49:10
The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet
"The power to rule will always be with the descendants of Judah"
until Shiloh comes. The nations will obey him
Possible meanings are 1) "until the nations obey him and bring him tribute" or 2) "Shiloh" refers to the city of Shiloh. Alternate translation: "until the ruler comes to Shiloh. Then the nations will obey him" Many people consider this a prophecy about the Messiah, who is a descendant of King David. David is a descendant of Judah.
Genesis 49:11
Binding his donkey ... to the choice vine
Both statements mean the same thing. It is implied that the vines are so full of grapes that the master does not mind that his donkey eats some of them.
his ... he
Possible meanings for all occurrences of "his" or "he" are 1) they refer to Judah's descendants or 2) they refer to the ruler in Genesis 49:10.
he has washed
"they will wash" or "he will wash"
the blood of grapes
This speaks about the grape juice as if it were blood. This emphasizes how red the juice is.
Genesis 49:13
Zebulun will live
"The descendants of Zebulun will live"
He will be a harbor
Here "He" stands for sea towns that the people of Zebulun will inhabit or build. These cities will provide shelter for ships.
Genesis 49:14
Issachar is a strong donkey
"The descendants of Issachar will be like a strong donkey"
lying down between the sheepfolds
Possible meanings are 1) "lying down between the packs they were carrying" or 2) "lying down between two sheep pens." Either way, Jacob speaks about Issachar's descendants as if they are donkeys that have worked hard and are lying down to rest.
Genesis 49:15
He sees ... He will
These words refer to the descendants of Issachar in 49:14).
He will bend his shoulder to the burden
The phrase "bend his shoulder to the burden" is a way of saying "work very hard to carry the load"
become a servant for forced labor
"will work for others as slaves"
Genesis 49:16
Dan will judge his people
"The descendants of Dan will judge their people"
his people
Possible meanings for "his people" are 1) "the people of Dan" or 2) "the people of Israel"
Genesis 49:18
I wait for your salvation, Yahweh
"I wait for you, Yahweh, to save me"
I wait
The word "I" refers to Jacob.
Genesis 49:19
Gad ... attack him, but he
"The descendants of Gad ... attack them, but they"
at their heels
Here "heels" stands for the raiders who are running away from the descendants of Gad.
Genesis 49:20
Asher's food ... and he
"Asher's descendants' food ... and they"
food will be rich
Here "rich" is a way of saying "delicious."
Genesis 49:21
Naphtali is ... he will
"The descendants of Naphtali are ... they will"
Naphtali is a doe let loose
"The descendants of Naphtali will be like deer set free"
have beautiful fawns
A "fawn" is a baby deer. The meaning of the Hebrew word is unclear. Some versions translate it as "have beautiful words" or "speak beautiful things"
Genesis 49:22
Joseph is a fruitful bough
"The descendants of Joseph are a fruitful bough"
bough
a main branch of a tree
whose branches climb over the wall
Branches that grow and extend over a wall are spoken of as if they were climbing.
Genesis 49:24
his bow will remain steady
"he will hold his bow steady as he aims at his enemy"
the hands of the Mighty One
"the power of the Mighty One"
because of the name of the Shepherd
"because of the Shepherd"
the Shepherd
Jacob speak of Yahweh as if he were a "Shepherd." This emphasizes that Yahweh guides and protects his people.
the Rock
Jacob speaks of Yahweh as if he were a "Rock" that people can climb upon to find safety from enemies. This emphasizes that Yahweh protects his people.
Genesis 49:25
help you ... bless you
"help your descendants ... bless them"
blessings of the sky
Here "sky" stands for the rain that helps the crops to grow.
blessings of the deep that lies beneath
Here "deep" stands for the water underneath the ground that supplies rivers and wells.
blessings of the breasts and womb
Here "breasts and womb" stand for the ability for a mother to have children and feed them milk.
Genesis 49:26
the ancient mountains
The meaning of the original language is not certain. Some Bible translations have "my ancestors" instead of "ancient mountains."
May they be on the head of Joseph
Here "they" refers to the blessings of his father.
upon the crown of the head of the prince of his brothers
"on the head of the most important of Joseph's descendants"
prince of his brothers
"most important of his brothers"
Genesis 49:27
Benjamin is a hungry wolf
"The descendants of Benjamin will be like hungry wolves"
Genesis 49:28
when he blessed them
Here the word "blessed" refers to the speaking of formal blessings.
Each one he blessed with an appropriate blessing
"He gave each son a fitting blessing"
Genesis 49:29
he instructed them
"he commanded them"
I am about to go to my people
"I am about to die"
go to my people
Jacob is referring to where his inner man will go when he dies. He expects to join Abraham and Isaac in the afterlife.
Genesis 49:32
in it were purchased
"in it were purchased by Abraham"
from the people of Heth
"from the Hittites"
Genesis 49:33
finished these instructions to his sons
"finished instructing his sons" or "finished commanding his sons"
he pulled his feet into the bed
Jacob was sitting on the bed. Now, Jacob turns and puts his feet in the bed so he can lie down.
breathed his last
This is a polite way of saying a person died.
went to his people
After Jacob died, his inner man went to the same place as his relatives who died before him.
Chapter 50
1
Then Joseph was so distressed that he collapsed on the face of his father, and he wept over him, and he kissed him.
2
Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel.
3
They took forty days, for that was the full time for embalming. The Egyptians wept for him seventy days.
4
When the days of weeping were over, Joseph spoke to the house of Pharaoh, saying, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, please speak to Pharaoh, saying,
5
'My father made me swear, saying, "See, I am about to die. Bury me in my tomb that I dug for myself in the land of Canaan. There you will bury me." Now let me go up and bury my father, and then I will return.'"
6
Pharaoh answered, "Go and bury your father, as he made you swear."
7
Joseph went up to bury his father. All the servants of Pharaoh went with him—the elders of his household, all the senior officials of the land of Egypt,
8
with all Joseph's household and his brothers, and his father's household. But their children, their flocks, and their herds were left in the land of Goshen.
9
Chariots and horsemen also went with him. It was a very large group of people.
10
When they came to the threshing floor of Atad on the other side of the Jordan, they mourned with very great and grievous sorrow. There Joseph made a seven-day mourning for his father.
11
When the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, "This is a very sad occasion for the Egyptians." That is why the name of the place was called Abel Mizraim, which is beyond the Jordan.
12
So his sons did for Jacob just as he had instructed them.
13
His sons carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre. Abraham had bought the cave with the field for a burial place. He had bought it from Ephron the Hittite.
14
After he had buried his father, Joseph returned into Egypt, he, along with his brothers, and all who had accompanied him to bury his father.
15
When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph continues to be angry against us and wants to repay us in full for all the evil we did to him?"
16
So they commanded the presence of Joseph, saying, "Your father gave instructions before he died, saying,
17
'Tell Joseph this, "Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin when they did evil to you."' Now please forgive the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
18
His brothers also went and lay facedown before him. They said, "See, we are your servants."
19
But Joseph answered them, "Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God?
20
As for you, you meant to harm me, but God meant it for good, to preserve the lives of many people, as you see today.
21
So now do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little children." He comforted them in this way and spoke kindly to their hearts.
22
Joseph lived in Egypt, together with his father's family. He lived one hundred ten years.
23
Joseph saw Ephraim's children to the third generation. He also saw the children of Makir son of Manasseh, who were placed on the knees of Joseph.
24
Joseph said to his brothers, "I am about to die; but God will surely come to you and lead you up out of this land to the land which he swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob."
25
Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath. He said, "God will surely come to you. At that time you must carry up my bones from here."
26
So Joseph died, 110 years old. They embalmed him and he was placed in a coffin in Egypt.
Genesis 50:1
that he collapsed on the face of his father
"that he fell on his father in grief"
Genesis 50:2
his servants the physicians
"his servants who took care of dead bodies"
to embalm his father
"to prepare his father's body for burial"
Genesis 50:4
days of weeping
"days of mourning him" or "days of weeping for him"
Joseph spoke to the house of Pharaoh
"Joseph spoke to Pharaoh's officials"
If now I have found favor in your eyes
"If I have found favor with you" or "If you are pleased with me"
Genesis 50:5
My father made me swear, saying, "See, I am about to die. Bury me in my tomb that I dug for myself in the land of Canaan. There you will bury me." Now let me go up ... I will return.
"If now I have found favor in your eyes, please speak to Pharaoh and tell him that my father made me swear, saying that he was about to die and that I was to bury him in his tomb that he dug for himself in the land of Canaan. I was to bury him there. Now let me go up ... I will return."
let me go up
It was common to use the phrase "go up" when speaking of traveling from Egypt to Canaan.
Genesis 50:6
Pharaoh answered
It is implied that the members of the court spoke to Pharaoh, and now Pharaoh is replying to Joseph.
as he made you swear
"as you swore to him"
Genesis 50:7
All the servants ... the elders ... the senior officials
All of Pharaoh's most important leaders attended the burial procession.
servants of Pharaoh
These were probably government officials, not household servants.
the elders of his household
Here "household" refers to Pharaoh's royal court.
Genesis 50:8
with all Joseph's household and his brothers, and his father's household
"Joseph's household, his brothers, and his father's household also went with him"
Genesis 50:9
Chariots
Here this stands for the men riding in the chariots.
It was a very large group of people
"It was a very large gathering"
Genesis 50:10
When they came
The word "they" refers to the participants in the burial procession.
floor of Atad
Possible meanings are 1) the word "Atad" means "thorn" and it may refer to a place where large amounts of thorns grew, or 2) it may be the name of the person who owns the threshing floor.
they mourned with very great and grievous sorrow
"they were extremely sad and they mourned very much"
Genesis 50:11
This is a very sad occasion for the Egyptians
"The mourning of the Egyptians is very great"
Abel Mizraim
"The name Abel Mizraim means "the mourning of Egypt.'"
Genesis 50:12
So his sons
"So Jacob's sons"
just as he had instructed them
"just as he had directed them"
Genesis 50:13
His sons carried him
"His sons took his body"
Machpelah
Machpela was the name of an area or region.
Mamre
This was another name for the city of Hebron.
Ephron the Hittite
This is the name of a man. "Hittite" means "descendent of Heth."
Genesis 50:14
all who had accompanied him
"all who had come with him"
Genesis 50:15
wants to repay us in full for all the evil we did to him
"wants revenge for the evil thing we did to him"
Genesis 50:16
Your father gave instructions before he died, saying
"Before our father died he said"
Genesis 50:17
Tell Joseph this, "Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin when they did evil to you."
"Your father instructed us before he died to tell you to please forgive our transgression and our sin when we did evil to you."
and their sin when they did evil to you
"for the wicked things they did to you"
please forgive the servants of the God of your father
"please forgive us, the servants of the God of our father"
Joseph wept when they spoke to him
"Joseph wept when he heard this message"
Genesis 50:18
lay facedown before him
They lay down with their faces toward the ground. This is a sign of humility and respect for Joseph.
Genesis 50:19
Am I in the place of God?
"I am not in the place of God." or "I am not God."
Genesis 50:20
you meant to harm me
"you intended to do evil against me"
God meant it for good
"God intended it for good"
Genesis 50:21
So now do not be afraid
"So do not fear me"
I will provide for you and your little children
"I will always make sure you and your children have enough to eat"
He comforted them in this way and spoke kindly to their hearts
"He comforted them by speaking kindly to them"
Genesis 50:23
Ephraim's children to the third generation
"Ephraim's children and grandchildren"
Makir
This is the name of Joseph's grandson.
who were placed on the knees of Joseph
This expression means that Joseph adopted these children of Machir as his own children. This means they would have special inheritance rights from Joseph.
Genesis 50:24
surely come to you
The word "you" refers to Joseph's brothers, but it also stands for their descendants.
lead you up out of this land to the land
"bring you out of this land and take you to the land"
Genesis 50:26
To "embalm" is a special way of preserving a dead body before it is buried.
he was placed
"they placed him"
in a coffin
"in a chest" or "in a case." This is a box a dead person is placed in.
Exodus
Chapter 1
1
These are the names of the sons of Israel who came into Egypt with Jacob, each with his household:
2
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah,
3
Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin,
4
Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
5
All the people who were descendants of Jacob were seventy in number. Joseph was already in Egypt.
6
Then Joseph, all his brothers, and all that generation died.
7
But the people of Israel were fruitful, increased in numbers, became great, and became very, very mighty; the land was filled with them.
8
Now then a new king arose over Egypt, one who did not know about Joseph.
9
He said to his people, "Look, the people of Israel are more numerous and stronger than we are.
10
Come, let us deal with them wisely, otherwise they will continue to grow in numbers, and if war breaks out, they will join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the land."
11
So they put taskmasters over them to oppress them with hard labor. The Israelites built store cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Rameses.
12
But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the Israelites increased in numbers and spread. So the Egyptians began to dread the people of Israel.
13
The Egyptians severely forced the people of Israel to serve.
14
They made their lives bitter with hard service with mortar and brick, and with all kinds of work in the fields. All their required work was severe.
15
Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives; the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the other Puah.
16
He said, "When you assist the Hebrew women on the birthstool, observe when they give birth. If it is a son, then you must kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she may live."
17
But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt ordered them; instead, they let the baby boys live.
18
The king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, "Why have you done this, and let the baby boys live?"
19
The midwives answered Pharaoh, "The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women. They are vigorous and have finished giving birth before a midwife comes to them."
20
God protected these midwives. The people increased in numbers and became very mighty.
21
Because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.
22
Pharaoh ordered all his people, "You must throw every son that is born into the river, but every daughter you will let live."
Exodus 1:1
household
This refers to all the people who live in a house together, usually a large family with servants.
Exodus 1:5
seventy in number
"70 in number". This number included both Jacob's children and grandchildren.
Joseph was already in Egypt
"Joseph lived in Egypt before his brothers"
Exodus 1:6
all his brothers
This includes 10 older brothers and 1 younger brother.
Exodus 1:7
were fruitful
"gave birth to many children". The author here emphasizes how God was blessing the Israelites by saying five different ways that there very many of them.
became very, very mighty
They were mighty because there were so many of them.
very, very mighty
The writer is saying that the people were more than just "mighty" and even more than just "very mighty." Your language may have another way of expressing an idea stronger than "very mighty."
the land was filled with them
"the land was full of them"
with them
The word "them" refers to the Israelites.
Exodus 1:8
arose over Egypt
"began to rule over the people of Egypt"
Exodus 1:9
He said to his people
"The king said to his people"
his people
These were the people who lived in Egypt, the Egyptians.
Exodus 1:10
let us
The word "us" is inclusive and refers to the king and his people, the Egyptians.
war breaks out
Here war is spoken of as a person that is able to act.
leave the land
"leave Egypt"
Exodus 1:11
taskmasters
Egyptians whose job was to force the Israelites to do hard work
to oppress them with hard labor
"to force the Israelites to do hard work for the Egyptians"
store cities
These were places where the leaders put food and other important things to keep them safe.
Exodus 1:12
to dread
"to abhor and fear"
Exodus 1:13
severely forced the people of Israel to serve
"harshly forced the people of Israel to work"
Exodus 1:14
made their lives bitter
The difficult lives of the Israelites are spoken of as if they were bitter food that was difficult to eat.
mortar
This was a wet glue or mud put between bricks or stones that held them together when it dried.
All their required work was severe
"The Egyptians forced them to work very hard"
Exodus 1:15
king of Egypt
The king of Egypt is called Pharaoh.
midwives
These were women who helped a woman give birth to a baby.
Shiphrah ... Puah
These are Hebrew women's names.
Exodus 1:16
on the birthstool
"as they give birth". Women sat on this short stool as they gave birth.
Exodus 1:18
Why have you done this, and let the baby boys live?
"You have disobeyed my order by not killing the male babies!"
Exodus 1:19
The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women
The midwives answered wisely to appease Pharaoh's anger.
Exodus 1:20
God protected these midwives
God kept Pharaoh from killing these midwives.
The people increased in numbers
"The Israelites increased in numbers". This was in fulfillment of the covenant God made with Abraham and caused the Egyptians great concern that there would be more Israelites than Egyptians because they would be unable to defend themselves. Pharaoh also tried to kill all of the male babies so they would not become soldiers who would fight against him.
became very mighty
They were mighty because there were so many of them.
Exodus 1:21
feared God
"had reverence for God"
he gave them families
"the enabled them to have children"
Exodus 1:22
You must throw every son ... into the river
"You must ... into the river so they will drown"
Chapter 2
1
Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a woman of Levi.
2
The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a healthy boy, she hid him for three months.
3
But when she could no longer hide him, she took a papyrus basket and sealed it with bitumen and pitch. Then she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds in the water along the side of the river.
4
His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.
5
Pharaoh's daughter came down to bathe at the river while her attendants walked along by the riverside. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her attendant to get it.
6
When she opened it, she saw the child. Behold, the baby was crying. She had compassion on him and said, "This is certainly one of the Hebrews' children."
7
Then the baby's sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, "Should I go and find you a Hebrew woman to nurse the child for you?"
8
Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Go." So the young girl went and got the child's mother.
9
Pharaoh's daughter said to the baby's mother, "Take this child and nurse him for me, and I will pay you wages." So the woman took the child and nursed him.
10
When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses and said, "Because I drew him from the water."
11
When Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and observed their hard labors. He saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his own people.
12
He looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no one there, he killed the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand.
13
He went out the next day, and, behold, two Hebrew men were fighting. He said to the one who was in the wrong, "Why are you hitting your companion?"
14
But the man said, "Who made you a leader and judge over us? Are you planning to kill me as you killed that Egyptian?" Then Moses became afraid and said, "What I did has certainly become known to others."
15
Now when Pharaoh heard about it, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. There he sat down by a well.
16
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. They came, drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.
17
The shepherds came and tried to drive them away, but Moses went and helped them. Then he watered their flock.
18
When the girls went to Reuel their father, he said, "Why are you home so early today?"
19
They said, "An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds. He even drew water for us and watered the flock."
20
He said to his daughters, "So where is he? Why did you leave the man? Call him so he can eat a meal with us."
21
Moses agreed to stay with the man, who also gave him his daughter Zipporah in marriage.
22
She bore a son, and Moses called his name Gershom; he said, "I have been a resident in a foreign land."
23
A long time later, the king of Egypt died. The people of Israel groaned because of the slave labor. They cried out for help, and their pleas went up to God because of their bondage.
24
When God heard their groaning, God called to mind his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
25
God saw the people of Israel, and he understood their situation.
Exodus 2:3
papyrus basket
This is a basket made from a tall grass that grows by the Nile River in Egypt.
sealed it with bitumen and pitch
"spread tar on it to keep water from getting into it"
sealed
Here "sealed" means that she applied a waterproof coating.
pitch
"tar" or "resin"
reeds
These "reeds" were a type of tall grass that grew in flat, wet areas.
Exodus 2:4
at a distance
This means she stood far enough away so that she would not be noticed, but close enough to see the basket.
Exodus 2:5
her attendants
the young women whose job was to be with her and make sure nothing bad happened to her
Exodus 2:6
Behold
The word "behold" signals the surprising information that follows. In the first part of this chapter, Pharaoh's daughter recognizes Moses as being a Hebrew, but in the last part of this chapter, the Midianites believe him to be an Egyptian. While Pharaoh tried to diminish the power of the Israelites by killing all of their baby boys, Yahweh used Pharaoh's own daughter to save Moses. Moses was the one who would ultimately be used by Yahweh to deliver Israel.
Exodus 2:7
nurse
feed with milk from the breast
Exodus 2:10
she brought him
"the Hebrew woman brought him"
he became her son
"he became the adopted son of Pharaoh's daughter"
Because I drew him from the water
Translators may add a footnote that says "The name Moses sounds like the Hebrew word that means 'pull.'"
drew him
"pulled him"
Exodus 2:11
striking a Hebrew
"beating a Hebrew"
Exodus 2:12
He looked this way and that way
"He looked all around"
Exodus 2:13
He went out
"Moses went out"
behold
The word "behold" here shows that Moses was surprised by what he saw.
the one who was in the wrong
"the one who was guilty of starting the fight"
Exodus 2:14
Who made you a leader and judge over us?
"You are not our leader and have no right to judge us!"
Are you planning to kill me as you killed that Egyptian?
"We know that you killed an Egyptian yesterday. You had better not kill me!"
Exodus 2:15
Now when Pharaoh heard about it
Here the author starts to tell a new part of the incident.
Exodus 2:16
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters
Here the author tells about new people in the narrative.
drew water
This means that they brought up water from a well.
troughs
a long, narrow, open container for animals to eat or drink out of
Exodus 2:17
drive them away
"chase them away"
helped them
"rescued them"
Exodus 2:20
Why did you leave the man?
"You should not have left this man at the well!"
Exodus 2:21
Moses agreed to stay with the man
"Moses agreed to live with Reuel"
Exodus 2:22
resident in a foreign land
"stranger in a foreign land"
Exodus 2:23
groaned
"sighed deeply"
their pleas went up to God
"God heard their pleas"
Exodus 2:24
God called to mind his covenant
"God remembered his covenant"
Chapter 3
1
Now Moses was still shepherding the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. Moses led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and arrived at Horeb, the mountain of God.
2
There the angel of Yahweh appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush. Moses looked, and behold, the bush was burning, but the bush was not burned up.
3
Moses said, "I will turn aside and see this amazing thing, why the bush is not burned up."
4
When Yahweh saw that he had turned aside to look, God called to him out of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses." Moses said, "Here I am."
5
God said, "Do not come any closer! Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is ground that is set apart to me."
6
He added, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." Then Moses covered his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
7
Yahweh said, "I have certainly seen the suffering of my people who are in Egypt. I have heard their outcry because of their taskmasters, for I know about their suffering.
8
I have come down to free them from the Egyptians' power and to bring them up from that land to a good, large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey; to the region of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
9
Now the outcry of the people of Israel has come to me. Moreover, I have seen the way the Egyptians have been oppressing them.
10
Now then, I will send you to Pharaoh so that you may bring my people, the people of Israel, out of Egypt."
11
But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the people of Israel from Egypt?"
12
God replied, "I will certainly be with you. This will be a sign to you that I have sent you. When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship me on this mountain."
13
Moses said to God, "When I go to the people of Israel and tell them, 'The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,' and when they say to me, 'What is his name?' what should I say to them?"
14
God said to Moses, "I AM THAT I AM." God said, "You must say to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"
15
God also said to Moses, "You must say to the people of Israel, 'Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever, and this is how I will be kept in mind for all generations.'
16
Go and gather the elders of Israel together. Say to them, 'Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me and said, "I have indeed observed you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt.
17
I have promised to bring you up from the affliction in Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey."'
18
They will listen to you. You and the elders of Israel must go to the king of Egypt, and you must tell him, 'Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. So now let us go three days' journey into the wilderness, in order that we may sacrifice to Yahweh, our God.'
19
But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go except under a mighty hand.
20
I will reach out with my hand and attack the Egyptians with all the miracles that I will do among them. After that, he will let you go.
21
I will grant this people favor from the Egyptians, so when you leave, you will not go empty-handed.
22
Every woman will ask for silver and gold jewels and for clothing from her Egyptian neighbors and any women staying in her neighbors' houses. You will put them on your sons and daughters. In this way you will plunder the Egyptians."
Exodus 3:2
angel of Yahweh
"Yahweh appeared as an angel" .
Yahweh
The name Yahweh is sacred in the Hebrew religion. It is the personal name of God, which he revealed to Moses. It is by this name, he is known. Yahweh means "I am". Some translations use all capitals to set this apart, "I AM". Great care must be taken in translating the phrase "I am that I am". This chapter records one of the most important events in the history of the Israelite people: the revelation of the name Yahweh at the burning bush.
Exodus 3:5
set apart
"made holy"
Exodus 3:6
the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob
"the God of your father, of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob". God is so holy that people could not look upon him without dying. This is why Moses covered his eyes and also why he took off his shoes.
your father
Possible meanings are 1) "your ancestor" or 2) "your father." If it means "your ancestor," then the phrases following it clarify who "your father" refers to: it refers to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. If it means "your father," then it refers to Moses's own father.
Exodus 3:7
their outcry
Here the "outcry" is of pain because of the hard work the Egyptians were forcing the Israelites to do.
their taskmasters
Egyptians whose job was to force the Israelites to do hard work.
Exodus 3:8
a land flowing with milk and honey
"a land that is excellent for raising livestock and growing crops"
flowing with
"full of"
milk
"food from livestock"
honey
"food from crops"
Exodus 3:9
the outcry of the people of Israel has come to me
"I have heard the outcry of the people of Israel"
Exodus 3:11
Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh ... Egypt?
"I am not important enough to go to Pharaoh ... Egypt!"
Exodus 3:14
God said to Moses, "I AM THAT I AM."
"God said to Moses, 'Tell them that God says his name is, "I AM THAT I AM."'"
I AM THAT I AM
This whole sentence is God's name. God is teaching that he is eternal; he has always lived and always will live. (see the next verse plus John 8:58, John 18:5 and Revelation 1:8)
Exodus 3:16
the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were three of Moses's ancestors. They all worshiped the same God.
I have indeed observed you
The word "you" refers to the people of Israel.
Exodus 3:17
a land flowing with milk and honey
"a land that is excellent for raising livestock and growing crops"
flowing with
"full of"
Exodus 3:18
They will listen to you
"The elders will listen to you"
Exodus 3:19
except under a mighty hand
"only if someone stronger than he forces him to let you go" or "only if I force him to let you go,"
Exodus 3:20
I will reach out with my hand and attack
"I will powerfully attack"
Exodus 3:21
will not go empty-handed
"will go with many valuable things"
Exodus 3:22
any women staying in her neighbors' houses
"any Egyptian woman staying in the houses of her Egyptian neighbors"
Chapter 4
1
Moses answered, "But what if they do not believe me or listen to me but say instead, 'Yahweh has not appeared to you'?"
2
Yahweh said to him, "What is that in your hand?" Moses said, "A staff."
3
Yahweh said, "Throw it on the ground." Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake. Moses ran back from it.
4
Yahweh said to Moses, "Reach out and take it by the tail." So he reached out and took hold of the snake. It became a staff in his hand again.
5
"This is so they may believe that Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you."
6
Yahweh also said to him, "Now put your hand inside your robe." So Moses put his hand inside his robe. When he brought it out, behold, his hand was leprous, as white as snow.
7
Yahweh said, "Put your hand inside your robe again." So Moses put his hand inside his robe, and when he brought it out, he saw that it was made healthy again, like the rest of his flesh.
8
Yahweh said, "If they do not believe you—if they do not pay attention to the first sign of my power or believe in it, then they will believe the second sign.
9
If they do not believe even these two signs of my power, or listen to you, then take some water from the river and pour it on the dry land. The water that you take will become blood on the dry land."
10
Then Moses said to Yahweh, "Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you spoke to your servant. I am slow of speech and slow of tongue."
11
Yahweh said to him, "Who is it who made man's mouth? Who makes a man mute or deaf or seeing or blind? Is it not I, Yahweh?
12
So now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what to say."
13
But Moses said, "Lord, please send anyone else, anyone whom you wish to send."
14
Then Yahweh became angry with Moses. He said, "What about Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Moreover, he is coming to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.
15
You will speak to him and put the words to say into his mouth. I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you both what to do.
16
He will speak to the people for you. He will be like a mouth for you, and you will be like God for him.
17
You will take in your hand this staff, with which you will do the signs."
18
So Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, "Let me go so I may return to my relatives who are in Egypt and see if they are still alive." Jethro said to Moses, "Go in peace."
19
Yahweh said to Moses in Midian, "Go, return to Egypt, for all the men who were trying to take your life are dead."
20
Moses took his wife and his sons and put them on a donkey. He returned to the land of Egypt, and he took the staff of God in his hand.
21
Yahweh said to Moses, "When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the wonders that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, and he will not let the people go.
22
You must say to Pharaoh, 'This is what Yahweh says: Israel is my son, my firstborn,
23
and I say to you, "Let my son go, so he may worship me." But since you have refused to let him go, I will certainly kill your son, your firstborn.'"
24
Now on the way, when they stopped for the night, Yahweh met Moses and tried to kill him.
25
Then Zipporah took a flint knife and cut off the foreskin of her son, and touched it to his feet. Then she said, "Surely you are a bridegroom to me by blood."
26
So Yahweh let him alone. She said, "You are a bridegroom of blood" because of the circumcision.
27
Yahweh said to Aaron, "Go into the wilderness to meet Moses." Aaron went, met him at the mountain of God, and kissed him.
28
Moses told Aaron all the words of Yahweh that he had sent him to say and about all the signs of Yahweh's power that he had commanded him to do.
29
Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the people of Israel.
30
Aaron spoke all the words that Yahweh had spoken to Moses. He also displayed the signs of Yahweh's power in the sight of the people.
31
The people believed. When they heard that Yahweh had observed the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, then they bowed down and worshiped him.
Exodus 4:1
if they do not believe
"if the Israelites do not believe"
Exodus 4:4
take it by the tail
"pick it up by the tail"
became a staff
"turned into a rod" or "changed into a staff"
Exodus 4:5
the God of their ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were three of their ancestors. They all worshiped the same God.
Exodus 4:6
behold
This word is used to create an exclamation, showing surprise.
as white as snow
"as white as wool or as white as the sand on the beach". Leprosy causes the skin to look white. You may not have a word for snow in your language. If so, consider an alternative that describes something white.
Exodus 4:8
pay attention
"acknowledge"
Exodus 4:10
have never been eloquent
"have never been an excellent speaker". Although Moses believes in Yahweh, he does not trust in him because Moses lacks understanding. Moses tries to believe the things he is asked to do are done by his own power. Yahweh is trying to get Moses to trust that these are Yahweh’s doing.
I am slow of speech and slow of tongue
Moses uses these phrases to emphasize that he is not a good speaker.
slow of tongue
"unable to speak well"
Exodus 4:11
Who is it who made man's mouth?
"I Yahweh am the one who created the human mouth and the ability to speak!"
Who makes a man mute or deaf or seeing or blind?
"I Yahweh make people able to speak, or hear, or to see, or to be blind!"
Is it not I, Yahweh?
"I, Yahweh, am the one who does this!"
Exodus 4:12
I will be with your mouth
"I will give you the ability to speak"
Exodus 4:14
he will be glad in his heart
"he will be very happy"
Exodus 4:15
put the words to say into his mouth
"give him the message that he is to repeat"
I will be with your mouth
"I will give you the right words to speak"
with his mouth
"I will give him the right words to speak"
Exodus 4:16
He will be like a mouth for you
"He will say what you tell him to say"
you will be like God for him
"you will speak to Aaron with the same authority with which I speak to you"
Exodus 4:18
father-in-law
This refers to the father of Moses's wife.
Exodus 4:21
will harden his heart
"will cause Pharaoh to be stubborn". Scholars debate over whether Pharaoh plays an active or passive role in the hardening of his own heart. (see Exodus 8:32 and Exodus 9:12, as well as Romans 9:18)
Exodus 4:22
Israel is my son
"The people of Israel are my own children". This chapter really introduces the concept that the people group "Israel" is the chosen people of God and God's children, possibly God's firstborn children.
is my son, my firstborn
"is like my own firstborn son"
Exodus 4:23
you have refused to let him go
"you have refused to let my son go". The word "him" refers to the people of Israel as God's son.
I will certainly kill your son, your firstborn
The word "son" here refers to the actual son of Pharaoh.
Exodus 4:24
Yahweh met Moses and tried to kill him
This may have been because Moses had not circumcised his son.
Exodus 4:25
Zipporah
This is the name of Moses's wife.
flint knife
This was a knife with a sharpened stone blade.
you are a bridegroom to me by blood
"you are related to me by this blood" or "you are my husband because of blood"
Exodus 4:27
at the mountain of God
This may have been the mountain at Sinai, but the text does not include that information.
Exodus 4:28
he had sent him to say
The word "he" refers to Yahweh, and "him" refers to Moses.
Exodus 4:30
in the sight of the people
"in the presence of the people"
Exodus 4:31
had observed the people of Israel
"was concerned about the people of Israel"
they bowed down
"they bowed down low in reverence."
Chapter 5
1
After these things happened, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, "This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says: 'Let my people go, so they can have a festival for me in the wilderness.'"
2
Pharaoh said, "Who is Yahweh? Why should I listen to his voice and let Israel go? I do not know Yahweh; moreover, I will not let Israel go."
3
They said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Let us go on a three-day journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to Yahweh our God so that he does not attack us with plague or with the sword."
4
But the king of Egypt said to them, "Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people from their work? Go back to your labors."
5
Pharaoh also said, "There are now many people in our land, and you are making them stop their labors."
6
On that same day, Pharaoh gave a command to the people's taskmasters and overseers. He said,
7
"Unlike before, you must no longer give the people straw to make bricks. Let them go and gather straw for themselves.
8
However, you must still demand from them the same number of bricks as they made before. Do not accept any fewer, because they are lazy. That is why they are calling out and saying, 'Allow us to go and sacrifice to our God.'
9
Increase the workload for the men so that they keep at it and pay no more attention to deceptive words."
10
So the people's taskmasters and overseers went out and informed the people. They said, "This is what Pharaoh says: 'I will no longer give you any straw.
11
You yourselves must go and get straw wherever you can find it, but your workload will not be reduced.'"
12
So the people scattered throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.
13
The taskmasters kept urging them and saying, "Finish your work, just as when straw was given to you."
14
Pharaoh's taskmasters beat the overseers, who were of the people of Israel, those same men whom they had put in charge of the workers. The taskmasters kept asking them, "Why have you not produced all the bricks required of you, either yesterday and today, as you used to do in the past?"
15
So the overseers, who were of the people of Israel, came to Pharaoh and cried out to him. They said, "Why are you treating your servants this way?
16
No straw is being given to your servants anymore, but they are still telling us, 'Make bricks!' We, your servants, are even beaten now, but it is the fault of your own people."
17
But Pharaoh said, "You are lazy! You are lazy! You say, 'Allow us to go sacrifice to Yahweh.'
18
So now go back to work. No more straw will be given to you, but you must still make the same number of bricks."
19
The overseers, who were of the people of Israel, saw that they were in trouble when they were told, "You must not reduce the daily number of bricks."
20
They met Moses and Aaron, who were standing outside the palace, as they went away from Pharaoh.
21
They said to Moses and Aaron, "May Yahweh look at you and punish you, because you have made us offensive in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants. You have put a sword in their hand to kill us."
22
Moses went back to Yahweh and said, "Lord, why have you caused trouble for this people? Why did you send me in the first place?
23
Ever since I came to Pharaoh to speak to him in your name, he has caused trouble for this people, and you have not set your people free at all."
Exodus 5:1
After these things happened
It is unclear how long Moses and Aaron waited until they went to see Pharoah. "Let my people go". This is a very important statement because Moses does not ask Pharaoh for permission to "let go" of the Hebrew people. Instead, he is demanding that Pharaoh free the Hebrew people.
festival for me
This is a celebration to worship Yahweh.
Exodus 5:2
Who is Yahweh?
"I do not know Yahweh"
Why should I ... let Israel go?
"He is nothing to me and I will not let Israel go!"
listen to his voice
"listen to what he says"
Exodus 5:3
God of the Hebrews
This is a term also used for the Israelites' God or Yahweh.
or with the sword
"or cause our enemies to attack us"
Exodus 5:4
why are you taking the people from their work?
"stop distracting the people from doing their work!". The Egyptians were known for making their slaves do a lot of work. They were forced to make a specific number of bricks every day. In this chapter, they were required to not only make these bricks, but also to gather the straw in order to make these bricks.
Exodus 5:6
taskmasters
Egyptians whose job was to force the Israelites to do hard work. The leaders are given different titles in this chapter. Many cultures will not have these types of titles, so expressions like "Egyptian leaders" and "Hebrew leaders" may be necessary.
Exodus 5:7
you must no longer give
The word "you" in these verses is plural and refers to the taskmasters and foremen.
Exodus 5:10
I will no longer give you
The word "you" is plural and refers to the Israelite people.
Exodus 5:11
you can find ... your workload
The word "you" is plural and refers to the Israelite people.
You yourselves must go
Here "yourselves" emphasizes that the Egyptians will no longer help them.
your workload will not be reduced
"you must continue to make the same number of bricks as before"
Exodus 5:12
throughout all the land of Egypt
"to many places throughout Egypt"
stubble
the part of a plant that is left over after harvest
Exodus 5:14
Why have you not produced all the bricks required of you ... in the past?
"You are not producing enough bricks, either yesterday or today, as you did in the past!"
Exodus 5:15
cried out
"complained"
Exodus 5:16
they are still telling us, 'Make bricks!'
Here "they" refers to the Egyptian taskmasters.
Exodus 5:19
when they were told
"when Pharaoh told them"
Exodus 5:20
palace
This is a very large house that a king lives in.
Exodus 5:21
you have made us offensive
"you have caused them to hate us"
have put a sword in their hand to kill us
"have given them a reason to kill us"
Exodus 5:22
Lord, why have you caused trouble for this people?
"Lord, I am sorry that you have caused this trouble for this people."
Why did you send me in the first place?
"I wish you had never sent me here!"
Exodus 5:23
to speak to him in your name
"to give him your message"
Chapter 6
1
Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh. You will see this, for he will let them go because of my strong hand. Because of my strong hand, he will drive them out of his land."
2
God spoke to Moses and said to him, "I am Yahweh.
3
I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty; but by my name, Yahweh, I was not known to them.
4
I also established my covenant with them, in order to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they sojourned.
5
Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel whom the Egyptians have enslaved, and I have called to mind my covenant.
6
Therefore, say to the people of Israel, 'I am Yahweh. I will bring you out from under the hard labors of the Egyptians, and I will free you from their power. I will rescue you with a display of my power, and with mighty acts of judgment.
7
I will take you to myself as my people, and I will be your God. You will know that I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out from under the hard labors of the Egyptians.
8
I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am Yahweh.'"
9
When Moses told this to the people of Israel, they would not listen to him because of their discouragement about their severe slavery.
10
Then Yahweh said to Moses, saying,
11
"Go tell Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to let the people of Israel go from his land."
12
Moses said to Yahweh, "If the people of Israel have not listened to me, why will Pharaoh listen to me, since I am not good at speaking?"
13
Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron. He gave them a command for the people of Israel and for Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to bring the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt.
14
These were the heads of their fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, were Hanok, Pallu, Hezron, and Karmi. These were the clan ancestors of Reuben.
15
The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar, and Shaul—the son of a Canaanite woman. These were the clan ancestors of Simeon.
16
Here are listed the names of the sons of Levi, according to their genealogies. They were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi lived until he was 137 years old.
17
The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimei, according to their clans.
18
The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. Kohath lived until he was 133 years old.
19
The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These became the clan ancestors of the Levites, together with their descendants.
20
Amram married Jochebed, his father's sister. She bore him Aaron and Moses. Amram lived 137 years and then died.
21
The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg, and Zikri.
22
The sons of Uzziel were Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri.
23
Aaron married Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nahshon. She bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
24
The sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph. These were the clan ancestors of the Korahites.
25
Eleazar, Aaron's son, married one of the daughters of Putiel. She bore him Phinehas. These were the heads of the fathers' houses among the Levites, according to their clans.
26
These two men were the Aaron and Moses to whom Yahweh said, "Bring out the people of Israel from the land of Egypt, by their hosts."
27
Aaron and Moses spoke to Pharaoh, king of Egypt,in order to bring out the people of Israel from Egypt. These were the same Moses and Aaron.
28
When Yahweh spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt,
29
he said to him, "I am Yahweh. Say to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, everything that I will tell you."
30
But Moses said to Yahweh, "I am not good at speaking, so why will Pharaoh listen to me?"
Exodus 6:1
my strong hand
"the power I show in my works"
Exodus 6:3
I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob
"I showed myself to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob". According to the covenant Yahweh made with Abraham, Egypt is not the home of the Hebrew people. It is the Promised Land in Canaan. The people are to return home to their land.
I was not known to them
"They did not know me"
Exodus 6:5
groaning
This means making sad sounds because of pain and suffering.
Exodus 6:6
say to the people of Israel
"Yahweh told Moses to say to the people of Israel"
mighty acts of judgment
These "acts of judgment" will be acts with which Yahweh will punish the Egyptians.
Exodus 6:8
I swore
"I promised"
Exodus 6:12
If the people of Israel have not listened to me, why will Pharaoh listen to me, since I am not good at speaking?
"The people of Israel did not listen to me, so I can be sure that Pharaoh will not listen to me either because I am not good at speaking!"
Exodus 6:14
the heads of their fathers' houses
"the ancestors of the clans"
Hanok, Pallu, Hezron, and Karmi
These are the names of men.
Exodus 6:15
Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar, and Shaul
These are the names of men.
Exodus 6:16
Gershon ... Merari
These are the names of men.
137 years old
"one hundred and thirty-seven years old"
Exodus 6:18
Amram ... Uzziel
These are the names of men.
133 years old
"one hundred and thirty-three years old"
Exodus 6:21
Izhar ... Korah ... Zikri
These are the names of men.
Exodus 6:22
Uzziel ... Mishael ... Sithri
These are the names of men.
Exodus 6:23
Nadab ... Ithamar
These are the names of men.
Exodus 6:25
Phinehas
This is the name of a man.
These were the heads of the fathers' houses
"These were the leaders of the families"
Exodus 6:26
by their hosts
"one tribe at a time"
Exodus 6:30
I am not good ... why will Pharaoh listen to me?
"I am not good ... Pharaoh will certainly not listen to me!"
Chapter 7
1
Yahweh said to Moses, "See, I have made you like a god to Pharaoh. Aaron your brother will be your prophet.
2
You will say everything that I command you to say. Aaron your brother will speak to Pharaoh so that he will let the people of Israel go from his land.
3
But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and I will display many signs of my power, many wonders, in the land of Egypt.
4
But Pharaoh will not listen to you, so I will put my hand on Egypt and bring out my hosts, my people, the people of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment.
5
The Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh when I reach out with my hand on Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them."
6
Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as Yahweh commanded them.
7
Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old when they spoke to Pharaoh.
8
Yahweh said to Moses and to Aaron,
9
"When Pharaoh says to you, 'Do a miracle,' then you will say to Aaron, 'Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, so that it may become a snake.'"
10
Then Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh, and they did just as Yahweh had commanded. Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a snake.
11
Then Pharaoh also called for his Egyptian wise men and sorcerers. They did the same thing by their magic.
12
Each man threw down his staff, and the staffs became snakes. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their snakes.
13
Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not listen, just as Yahweh had foretold.
14
Yahweh said to Moses, "Pharaoh's heart is hard, and he refuses to let the people go.
15
Go to Pharaoh in the morning when he goes out to the water. Stand on the riverbank to meet him, and take in your hand the staff that had turned into a snake.
16
Say to him, 'Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to you to say, "Let my people go, so that they may worship me in the wilderness. Until now you have not listened."
17
Yahweh says this: "By this you will know that I am Yahweh. I am going to strike the water of the Nile River with the staff that is in my hand, and the river will be turned to blood.
18
The fish that are in the river will die, and the river will stink. The Egyptians will not be able to drink water from the river."'"
19
Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Take your staff and reach out with your hand over the waters of Egypt, and over their rivers, streams, pools, and all their ponds, so that their water may become blood. Do this so that there will be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, even in containers of wood and stone.'"
20
Moses and Aaron did as Yahweh commanded. Aaron raised the staff and struck the water in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants. All the water in the river turned to blood.
21
The fish in the river died, and the river began to stink. The Egyptians could not drink water from the river, and the blood was everywhere in the land of Egypt.
22
But the magicians of Egypt did the same thing with their magic. So Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he refused to listen to Moses and Aaron, just as Yahweh had said would happen.
23
Then Pharaoh turned and went into his house. He did not even pay attention to this.
24
All the Egyptians dug around the river for water to drink, but they could not drink the water of the river itself.
25
Seven days passed after Yahweh had attacked the river.
Exodus 7:1
I have made you like a god
"I will cause Pharaoh to consider you as a god". Also in this chapter, "Let my people go" is a very important statement. Moses does not ask Pharaoh for permission to "let go" of the Hebrew people. Instead, he is demanding that Pharaoh free the Hebrew people.
Exodus 7:3
harden Pharaoh's heart
"will cause Pharaoh to be stubborn". Pharaoh's heart is often described as hard in this chapter. This means that his heart was not open or willing to understand Yahweh's instructions. When his heart was hardened, it became less and less receptive to Yahweh. (see Exodus 4:21)
many signs ... many wonders
God uses these words to emphasize the greatness of what he will do in Egypt.
Exodus 7:4
put my hand on
"use my power against"
great acts of judgment
These "acts of judgment" will be acts with which Yahweh will punish the Egyptians. (see Exodus 6:6)
Exodus 7:5
reach out with my hand on
"show my powerful acts against"
Exodus 7:9
When Pharaoh says to you, 'Do a miracle,' then you will say to Aaron, 'Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, so that it may become a snake.'
"When Pharaoh tells you to do a miracle, then you will tell Aaron to take his staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, so that it may become a snake". Also, in the following verses miracles are mentioned several times. When Yahweh had Moses perform miracles, Pharaoh's men were able to copy these miracles. It is unknown how they were able to do this, but since it was not from Yahweh, they were probably done under some evil power.
Exodus 7:12
swallowed up
"devoured"
Exodus 7:13
Pharaoh's heart was hardened
"Pharaoh became more defiant"
Exodus 7:14
Pharaoh's heart is hard
"Pharaoh is stubborn"
Exodus 7:15
when he goes out to the water
"when he goes down to the Nile River to bathe"
Exodus 7:16
Say to him
"Say to Pharaoh"
Exodus 7:17
strike the water
"hit the water"
Exodus 7:19
throughout all
"in every part of"
Exodus 7:20
in the river
"in the Nile River"
Exodus 7:22
Pharaoh's heart was hardened
"Pharaoh became more defiant"
Exodus 7:24
All the Egyptians
"Many of the Egyptians"
Chapter 8
1
Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh and tell him, 'Yahweh says this: "Let my people go so that they may worship me.
2
If you refuse to let them go, I will afflict all your country with frogs.
3
The river will swarm with frogs. They will come up and go into your house, your bedroom, and your bed. They will go into your servants' houses. They will go onto your people, into your ovens, and into your kneading bowls.
4
The frogs will attack you, your people, and all your servants."'"
5
Yahweh spoke to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Reach out with your hand and your staff over the rivers, the streams, and the pools, and bring the frogs up over the land of Egypt.'"
6
Aaron reached out with his hand over Egypt's waters, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt.
7
But the magicians did the same with their magic; they brought up frogs over the land of Egypt.
8
Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said, "Pray to Yahweh for him to take away the frogs from me and my people. Then I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to him."
9
Moses said to Pharaoh, "Honor yourself over me. When should I pray for you, your servants, and your people, so that the frogs may be removed from you and your houses and stay only in the river?"
10
Pharaoh said, "Tomorrow." Moses said, "Let it be as you say, so that you may know that there is no one like Yahweh, our God.
11
The frogs will go from you, your houses, your servants, and your people. They will stay only in the river."
12
Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh. Then Moses cried out to Yahweh concerning the frogs that he had brought on Pharaoh.
13
Yahweh did as Moses asked: The frogs died in the houses, courts, and fields.
14
The people gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank.
15
But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as Yahweh had said that he would do.
16
Yahweh said to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Reach out with your staff and strike the dust on the ground, that it may become gnats throughout all the land of Egypt.'"
17
They did so. When Aaron reached out with his hand and his staff and struck the dust on the ground, gnats came on men and animals. All the dust on the ground became gnats throughout all the land of Egypt.
18
The magicians tried with their magic to produce gnats, but they could not. So there were gnats on men and animals.
19
Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh's heart was hardened, so he refused to listen to them. It was just as Yahweh had said Pharaoh would do.
20
Yahweh said to Moses, "Get up early in the morning and stand in front of Pharaoh as he goes out to the river. Say to him, 'Yahweh says this: "Let my people go so that they may worship me.
21
But if you do not let my people go, I will send swarms of flies on you, your servants, and your people, and into your houses. The Egyptians' houses will be full of swarms of flies, and even the ground on which they stand will be full of flies.
22
But on that day I will set the land of Goshen apart, the land in which my people are living, so that no swarms of flies will be there. This will happen so that you may know that I am Yahweh in the midst of this land.
23
I will make a distinction between my people and your people. This sign of my power will take place tomorrow."'"
24
Yahweh did so, and thick swarms of flies came into Pharaoh's house and into his servants' houses. Throughout the whole land of Egypt, the land was ruined because of the swarms of flies.
25
Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron and said, "Go, sacrifice to your God in our own land."
26
Moses said, "It is not right for us to do so, for the sacrifices we make to Yahweh our God are something disgusting to the Egyptians. If we make sacrifices right before their eyes that are disgusting to the Egyptians, will they not stone us?
27
No, it is a three days' journey into the wilderness that we must make, in order to sacrifice to Yahweh our God, as he commands us."
28
Pharaoh said, "I will allow you to go and sacrifice to Yahweh your God in the wilderness. Only you must not go very far away. Pray for me."
29
Moses said, "As soon as I go out from you, I will pray to Yahweh that the swarms of flies may leave you, Pharaoh, and your servants and people tomorrow. But you must not deal deceitfully any more by not letting our people go to sacrifice to Yahweh."
30
Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to Yahweh.
31
Yahweh did as Moses asked; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, his servants, and his people. Not one remained.
32
But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the people go.
Exodus 8:3
The river
"the Nile River"
kneading bowls
These are bowls in which bread is made.
Exodus 8:8
Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron
"Then Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron"
Exodus 8:9
Honor yourself over me. When should I pray ... river?
"The honor is yours to tell me when to pray ... river."
Exodus 8:15
he hardened his heart
"Pharaoh hardened his heart." (see Exodus 4:21)
just as Yahweh had said that he would do
"just as Yahweh had said Pharaoh would do"
Exodus 8:19
This is the finger of God
"This is the powerful work of God"
Exodus 8:20
stand in front of Pharaoh
"present yourself to Pharaoh"
Let my people go
"set my people free". This is a very important statement. Moses does not ask Pharaoh for permission to "let go" of the Hebrew people. Instead, he is demanding that Pharaoh free the Hebrew people.
Exodus 8:24
the land was ruined because of the swarms of flies
"the swarms of flies devastated the land"
Exodus 8:26
right before their eyes
"in their presence"
will they not stone us?
"they will certainly stone us!"
Exodus 8:29
you must not deal deceitfully any more by not letting our people go
"you must begin to deal truthfully with us and let our people go"
But you must not deal deceitfully
"But you must not deceive us" or "But you must not lie to us"
Chapter 9
1
Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh and tell him, 'Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, says this: "Let my people go so that they may worship me."
2
But if you refuse to let them go, if you still keep them back,
3
then Yahweh's hand will bring a terrible plague on your livestock that are in the field—the horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks.
4
But Yahweh will set the livestock of Israel apart from the livestock of Egypt, so that no animal that belongs to the people of Israel will die.
5
Yahweh has fixed a time; he has said, "It is tomorrow that I will do this thing in the land."'"
6
Yahweh did this the next day: All the cattle of Egypt died, but none of the people of Israel's animals died, not one animal.
7
Pharaoh investigated, and, behold, not even one livestock of the people of Israel died. But his heart was stubborn, so he did not let the people go.
8
Then Yahweh said to Moses and to Aaron, "Take some handfuls of ashes from a kiln. You, Moses, must throw the ashes up into the air while Pharaoh is watching.
9
They will become fine dust over all the land of Egypt. They will cause blisters and sores to break out on people and animals throughout all the land of Egypt."
10
So Moses and Aaron took ashes from a kiln and stood in front of Pharaoh. Then Moses threw the ashes up into the air. The ashes caused blisters and sores to break out on men and animals.
11
The magicians could not resist Moses because of the blisters, because the blisters were on them and on all the other Egyptians.
12
Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart, so Pharaoh did not listen to Moses and Aaron. This was just as Yahweh had said to Moses that Pharaoh would do.
13
Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Get up early in the morning, stand in front of Pharaoh, and say to him, 'Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, says this: "Let my people go so that they may worship me.
14
For this time I will send all my plagues on you yourself, on your servants and your people. I will do this so that you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth.
15
By now I could have reached out with my hand and attacked you and your people with plague, and you would have been eradicated from the land.
16
But it was for this reason I allowed you to survive: In order to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed throughout all the earth.
17
You are still lifting yourself up against my people by not letting them go.
18
Listen! Tomorrow about this time I will bring a very strong hail storm, such as has not been seen in Egypt since the day it was founded until now.
19
Now then, send men and gather your livestock and everything you have in the fields to a safe place. Every man and animal that is in the field and is not brought home—the hail will come down on them, and they will die."'"
20
Then those of Pharaoh's servants who feared Yahweh's message hurried to bring their slaves and livestock into the houses.
21
But those who did not take Yahweh's message seriously left their slaves and livestock in the fields.
22
Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Reach out with your hand toward the sky so that there will be hail in all the land of Egypt, on men and animals, and every plant of the field in the land of Egypt."
23
Moses reached out with his staff toward the sky, and Yahweh sent thunder, hail, and lightning to the ground. He also rained hail on the land of Egypt.
24
So there were hail and lightning mixed with hail, very severe, such as had not been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
25
Throughout all the land of Egypt, the hail struck everything in the fields, both people and animals. It struck every plant in the fields and broke every tree.
26
Only in the land of Goshen, where the people of Israel lived, was there no hail.
27
Then Pharaoh sent men to summon Moses and Aaron. He said to them, "I have sinned this time. Yahweh is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.
28
Pray to Yahweh, because the mighty thunderbolts and hail are too much. I will let you go, and you will stay here no longer."
29
Moses said to him, "As soon as I leave the city, I will spread my hands out to Yahweh. The thunder will stop, and there will not be any more hail. In this way you will know that the earth belongs to Yahweh.
30
But as for you and your servants, I know that you do not yet really honor Yahweh God."
31
Now the flax and the barley were ruined, for the barley was maturing in the ear, and the flax was in bloom.
32
But the wheat and the spelt were not harmed because they were later crops.
33
When Moses had left Pharaoh and the city, he spread out his hands to Yahweh; the thunder and hail stopped, and the rain came down no more.
34
When Pharaoh saw that the rain, hail, and thunder had ceased, he sinned again and hardened his heart, together with his servants.
35
The heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and so he did not let the people of Israel go, just as Yahweh had spoken by the hand of Moses.
Exodus 9:2
if you refuse to let them go, if you still keep them back
"if you continue refusing to let them go". Yahweh continues talking with Moses about dealing with Pharaoh and bringing the Hebrew people out of Egypt.
Exodus 9:3
then Yahweh's hand will bring
"then the power of Yahweh will bring"
will bring a terrible plague on your livestock ... flocks
"will cause your livestock ... flocks—to die from a terrible plague". The word "your" refers to those who owned livestock.
Exodus 9:4
set ... apart
See how you translated this idea in Exodus 8:22.
livestock of Israel
"the livestock belonging to the people of Israel"
livestock of Egypt
"the livestock belonging to the people of Egypt"
Exodus 9:5
fixed a time
"appointed a time"
Exodus 9:6
All the cattle of Egypt died
This is exaggerated to emphasize the seriousness of the event. There were still some animals alive that were afflicted by later plagues. However, it may be best to translate this with the word "All."
cattle of Egypt
"the cattle belonging to the people of Egypt"
Exodus 9:7
Pharaoh investigated
Pharaoh collected facts about the situation.
behold
The word "behold" here shows that Pharaoh was surprised by what he saw.
his heart was stubborn
"Pharaoh refused to change his mind"
Exodus 9:8
kiln
a furnace
Exodus 9:9
fine
very small
to break out on
"to quickly appear on"
Exodus 9:12
Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart
"Yahweh caused Pharaoh to became more defiant"
Exodus 9:14
on you yourself
This means that even Pharaoh will be hurt by the plagues.
I will do this so that you may know
The word "this" refers to the plagues that Moses had just told Pharaoh about.
Exodus 9:15
reached out with my hand and attacked you
"used my power to strike you". Here "my hand" refers to God's power.
Exodus 9:16
so that my name may be proclaimed throughout all the earth
"so that people everywhere will know I am great"
Exodus 9:17
lifting yourself up against my people
Pharaoh's opposition to letting Israel go is spoken of as if he was raising himself up as a barrier to them.
Exodus 9:18
Listen!
"Pay attention to the important thing I am about to tell you"
Exodus 9:27
to summon
"to call"
Exodus 9:29
Moses said to him
"Moses said to Pharaoh"
spread my hands out to Yahweh
"lift up my hands and pray to Yahweh"
Exodus 9:30
honor Yahweh God
Honoring God involves obeying him and living in a way that shows how great he is.
Exodus 9:31
flax
This is a plant that produces fibers that can be made into linen cloth.
barley
This is a type of grain used for making bread; also used for cattle feed.
Exodus 9:32
spelt
This is a kind of wheat.
Exodus 9:33
spread out his hands to Yahweh
"lifted up his hands toward Yahweh and prayed"
Exodus 9:34
hardened his heart
"became more defiant"
Exodus 9:35
just as Yahweh had spoken by the hand of Moses
"just as Yahweh had said through Moses"
Chapter 10
1
Yahweh said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants. I have done this to show these signs of my power among them.
2
I have also done this so that you may tell your children and grandchildren the things I have done, how I have harshly treated Egypt, and how I have given various signs of my power among them. In this way you will know that I am Yahweh."
3
So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, "Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, says this: 'How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go so that they may worship me.
4
But if you refuse to let my people go, listen, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your land.
5
They will cover the surface of the ground so that no one will be able to see the earth. They will eat the remains of whatever escaped from the hail. They will also eat every tree that grows for you in the fields.
6
They will fill your houses, those of all your servants, and those of all the Egyptians—something neither your father nor your grandfather ever saw, nothing ever seen since the day that they were on the earth to this present day.'" Then Moses left and went out from Pharaoh.
7
Pharaoh's servants said to him, "How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the people of Israel go so that they may worship Yahweh their God. Do you not yet realize that Egypt is destroyed?"
8
Moses and Aaron were brought again to Pharaoh, who said to them, "Go worship Yahweh your God. But what people will go?"
9
Moses said, "We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and our daughters. We will go with our flocks and herds, for we must hold a festival for Yahweh."
10
Pharaoh said to them, "May Yahweh indeed be with you, if I ever let you go and your little ones go. Look, you have some evil in mind.
11
No! Go, just the men among you, and worship Yahweh, for that is what you want." Then Moses and Aaron were driven out from Pharaoh's presence.
12
Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Reach out with your hand over the land of Egypt to the locusts, that they may attack the land of Egypt and eat every plant in it, everything that the hail has left."
13
Moses reached out with his staff over the land of Egypt, and Yahweh brought an east wind over the land all that day and night. When it was morning, the east wind had brought the locusts.
14
The locusts went through all the land of Egypt and infested all parts of it. Never before had there been such a swarm of locusts in the land, and nothing like this will come after it.
15
They covered the surface of the whole land so that it was darkened. They ate every plant in the land and all the fruit of the trees that the hail had left. Throughout all the land of Egypt, no living green plant remained, nor any tree or plant in the fields.
16
Then Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "I have sinned against Yahweh your God and against you.
17
Now then, forgive my sin this time, and pray to Yahweh your God that he will take this death away from me."
18
So Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to Yahweh.
19
Yahweh brought a very strong west wind that picked up the locusts and drove them into the Sea of Reeds; not a single locust remained in all the territory of Egypt.
20
But Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart, and Pharaoh did not let the people of Israel go.
21
Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Reach out with your hand toward the sky, so that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness that may be felt."
22
Moses reached out with his hand toward the sky, and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days.
23
No one could see anyone else; no one left his home for three days. However, all the people of Israel had light in the place where they lived.
24
Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, "Go worship Yahweh. Even your little ones may go with you, but your flocks and herds must remain behind."
25
But Moses said, "Allow us to have sacrifices and burnt offerings so that we may present them to Yahweh our God.
26
Our cattle must also go with us; not a hoof of them may be left behind, for we must take them to worship Yahweh our God. For we do not know with what we must worship Yahweh until we arrive there."
27
But Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go.
28
Pharaoh said to Moses, "Go from me! Be careful about one thing, that you do not see me again, for on the day you see my face, you will die."
29
Moses said, "You yourself have spoken. I will not see your face again."
Exodus 10:1
for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants
See how you translated "Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart" in Exodus 9:12. (also see Exodus 4:21)
Exodus 10:2
various signs
"many different signs"
Exodus 10:4
listen
"Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
Exodus 10:5
hail
Hail is raindrops that freeze while falling from the clouds.
Exodus 10:6
nothing ever seen
"nothing anyone has ever seen"
Exodus 10:7
How long will this man be a snare to us?
"We cannot allow this man to continue to cause us trouble"
Do you not yet realize that Egypt is destroyed?
"You should realize that Egypt is destroyed!"
that Egypt is destroyed
"that these plagues have destroyed Egypt" or "that their God has destroyed Egypt"
Exodus 10:10
May Yahweh indeed be with you, if I ever let you go and your little ones go
Pharaoh said this to emphasize that he would not let the Israelites take the women and children with them to worship Yahweh. When he said, "May Yahweh indeed be with you," he may have been warning Moses that the Israelites would need Yahweh to protect them from Pharaoh.
little ones
This phrase refers to everyone in the family except the man (the father and husband), including wives, children, and servants.
Exodus 10:11
Then Moses and Aaron were driven out from Pharaoh's presence
"Then Pharaoh drove Moses and Aaron out from his presence" or "Then Pharaoh had his servants drive Moses and Aaron out from his presence"
Exodus 10:15
so that it was darkened
"so that the locusts darkened the land"
Exodus 10:17
this time
"once again"
take this death away from me
"stop this destruction that will lead to our deaths". The word "death" here refers to the destruction by the locusts of all plants in Egypt, which would eventually lead to the deaths of people because there were no crops.
Exodus 10:19
picked up the locusts
"moved the locusts upwards"
Exodus 10:21
darkness that may be felt
"dense darkness that people can grasp with their hands"
Exodus 10:26
not a hoof of them may be left behind
"we cannot leave behind a single animal"
Exodus 10:27
he would not let them go
"Pharaoh would not let them go"
Exodus 10:28
Be careful about one thing
"Make sure of one thing" or "Be certain of one thing"
you see my face
"you see me"
Exodus 10:29
You yourself have spoken
"What you have said is true". Moses emphasizes that Pharaoh has spoken the truth.
Chapter 11
1
Then Yahweh said to Moses, "There is still one more plague that I will bring on Pharaoh and Egypt. After that, he will let you go from here. When he finally lets you go, he will drive you away completely.
2
Instruct the people that every man and woman is to ask of his or her neighbor for articles of silver and articles of gold."
3
Now Yahweh had made the Egyptians eager to please the Israelites. Moreover, the man Moses was very impressive in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and the people of Egypt.
4
Moses said, "Yahweh says this: 'About midnight I will go throughout Egypt.
5
All the firstborn in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the handmill grinding it, and to all the firstborn of the livestock.
6
Then there will be a great outcry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as has never been nor ever will be again.
7
But not even a dog will bark against any of the people of Israel, against either man or animal. In this way you will know that I am making a distinction between the Egyptians and the people of Israel.'
8
All these servants of yours, Pharaoh, will come down to me and bow down to me. They will say, 'Go, you and all the people who follow you!' After that I will go out." Then he went out from Pharaoh in great anger.
9
Yahweh said to Moses, "Pharaoh will not listen to you. This is so that I will do many amazing things in the land of Egypt."
10
Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh. But Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart, and Pharaoh did not let the people of Israel go out of his land.
Exodus 11:1
he will let you go from here
The word "you" in this verse is plural and refers to Moses and the rest of the Israelites.
Exodus 11:4
midnight
This is the time of 12 am (at night) or 2400 hours.
Exodus 11:5
All the firstborn ... the firstborn of Pharaoh ... the firstborn of the slave girl ... the firstborn of the livestock
The "firstborn" always refers to the oldest male offspring.
who is behind the handmill grinding it
"who is grinding at the handmill"
Exodus 11:6
great outcry
Here the "outcry" is of pain and grief over the death of the children. (see Exodus 3:7)
Exodus 11:7
making a distinction between
He is setting the Israelites apart from the Egyptians. The words "making a distinction" translate the same Hebrew word as "set ... apart" in Exodus 8:22; so if your language has a word or phrase for both ideas, you may want to use it there and here.
Exodus 11:8
After that I will go out
"After that I will go out from Egypt".
Exodus 11:10
Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart
"Yahweh caused Pharaoh to became more defiant". (see Exodus 4:21)
Chapter 12
1
Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt. He said,
2
"For you, this month will be the start of months, the first month of the year to you.
3
Tell the assembly of Israel, 'On the tenth day of this month they must each take a lamb or young goat for themselves, each family doing this, a lamb for each household.
4
If the household is too small for a lamb, the man and his next door neighbor are to take lamb or young goat meat that will be enough for the number of the people. It should be enough for everyone to eat, so they must take enough meat to feed them all.
5
Your lamb or young goat must be without blemish, a one-year-old male. You may take one of the sheep or goats.
6
You must keep it safe until the fourteenth day of that month. Then the whole assembly of Israel must kill these animals at twilight.
7
You must take some of the blood and put it on the two side doorposts and on the tops of the doorframes of the houses in which you will eat the meat.
8
You must eat the meat that night, after first roasting it over a fire. Eat it with bread made without yeast, along with bitter herbs.
9
Do not eat it raw or boiled in water, but roast it over fire with its head, legs, and inner parts.
10
You must not let any of it be left over until morning. You must burn whatever is left over in the morning.
11
This is how you must eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. You must eat it hurriedly. It is Yahweh's Passover.
12
Yahweh says this: I will go through the land of Egypt in that night and strike down all the firstborn of man and animal in the land of Egypt. I will do acts of judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am Yahweh.
13
The blood will be a sign on your houses for my coming to you. When I see the blood, I will pass over you when I attack the land of Egypt. This plague will not come on you and destroy you.
14
This day will become a memorial day for you, which you must observe as a festival to Yahweh; for your generations—a statute that you must keep as a festival forever.
15
You will eat bread without yeast during seven days. On the first day you will remove the yeast from your houses. Whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that person must be cut off from Israel.
16
On the first day there will be an assembly that is set apart to me, and on the seventh day there will be another such gathering. No work will be done on these days, except the cooking for everyone to eat. That must be the only work that may be done by you.
17
You must observe this Festival of Unleavened Bread because it was on this day that I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt. So you must observe this day throughout your people's generations as a statute forever.
18
You must eat unleavened bread from twilight of the fourteenth day in the first month of the year until twilight of the twenty-first day of the month.
19
During these seven days, no yeast must be found in your houses. Whoever eats bread made with yeast must be cut off from the community of Israel, whether that person is a foreigner or someone born in your land.
20
You must eat nothing made with yeast. Wherever you live, you must eat bread made without yeast.'"
21
Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Go and select lambs or kids that will be enough to feed your families and kill the Passover lamb.
22
Then take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that will be in a basin. Apply the blood in the basin to the top of the doorframe and the two doorposts. None of you is to go out of the door of his house until the morning.
23
For Yahweh will pass through to attack the Egyptians. When he sees the blood on the top of the doorframe and on the two doorposts, he will pass over your door and not permit the destroyer to come into your houses to attack you.
24
You must observe this event. This will always be a law for you and your descendants.
25
When you enter the land that Yahweh will give you, just as he has promised to do, you must observe this act of worship.
26
When your children ask you, 'What does this act of worship mean?'
27
then you must say, 'It is the sacrifice of Yahweh's Passover, because Yahweh passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt when he attacked the Egyptians. He set our households free.'" Then the people bowed down and worshiped Yahweh.
28
The people of Israel went and did exactly as Yahweh had commanded Moses and Aaron.
29
It happened at midnight that Yahweh attacked all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the person in the dungeon and all the firstborn of the livestock.
30
Pharaoh got up in the night—he, all his servants, and all the Egyptians. There was a loud outcry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not someone dead.
31
Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron in the night and said, "Get up, get out from among my people, you and the people of Israel. Go, worship Yahweh, as you have said you wanted to do.
32
Take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and go, and also bless me."
33
The Egyptians were in a great hurry to send them out of the land, for they said, "We will all die."
34
So the people took their dough without adding any yeast. Their kneading bowls were already tied up in their clothes and on their shoulders.
35
Now the people of Israel did as Moses told them. They asked the Egyptians for articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing.
36
Yahweh made the Egyptians eager to please the Israelites. So the Egyptians gave them whatever they asked for. In this way, the Israelites plundered the Egyptians.
37
The people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Sukkoth. They numbered about 600,000 men on foot, in addition to the little ones.
38
A mixed multitude also went with them, together with flocks and herds, a very large number of livestock.
39
They baked bread without yeast in the dough that they brought from Egypt. It was without yeast because they had been driven out of Egypt and could not delay to prepare food.
40
The people of Israel had lived in Egypt for 430 years.
41
At the end of 430 years, on that very day, all of Yahweh's armed groups went out from the land of Egypt.
42
This was a night to stay awake, for Yahweh to bring them out from the land of Egypt. This was Yahweh's night to be observed by all the people of Israel throughout their people's generations.
43
Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, "Here is the rule for the Passover: No foreigner may share in eating it.
44
However, every Israelite's slave, bought with money, may eat it after you have circumcised him.
45
Foreigners and hired servants must not eat any of the food.
46
The food must be eaten in one house. You must not carry any of the meat out of the house, and you must not break any bone of it.
47
All the community of Israel must observe the festival.
48
If a foreigner lives with you and wants to observe the Passover to Yahweh, all his male relatives must be circumcised. Then he may come and observe it. He will become like the people who were born in the land. However, no uncircumcised person may eat any of the food.
49
This same law will apply to both the native born and to the foreigner who lives among you."
50
So all the people of Israel did exactly as Yahweh had commanded Moses and Aaron.
51
It came about that very day that Yahweh brought Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armed groups.
Exodus 12:2
For you, this month will be the start of months, the first month of the year to you
These two phrases emphasize that the month in which the events of this chapter take place will be the beginning of their calendar year.
the first month of the year
The first month of the Hebrew calendar includes the last part of March and the first part of April on Western calendars. It marks when Yahweh rescued the Israelites from the Egyptians.
Exodus 12:4
If the household is too small for a lamb
"If there are not enough people in the household to eat an entire lamb"
the man and his next door neighbor
Here "the man" refers to the man who is the leader of the household.
Exodus 12:6
twilight
This refers to the time of evening after the sun has set but while there is still some light.
Exodus 12:7
on the two side doorposts and on the tops of the doorframes of the houses
"on the sides and top of the way into the house"
Exodus 12:8
Eat it with bread made without yeast
"Eat it with bread which you have made without yeast". The concept of unleavened bread is introduced in this chapter. Its significance stems from its connection to the events in this chapter.
bitter herbs
These are small plants that have a strong and usually bad taste.
Exodus 12:9
Do not eat it raw
"Do not eat the lamb or goat uncooked"
Exodus 12:10
You must not let any of it be left over until morning
"Do not leave any of it until the morning"
Exodus 12:11
belt
This refers to a strip of leather or fabric for tying around the waist.
eat it hurriedly
"eat it quickly"
It is Yahweh's Passover
"This observance is Yahweh's Passover". Here the word "it" refers to eating the animal on the tenth day of the month.
Exodus 12:12
I will do acts of judgment on all
"I will bring judgment on all". These will be acts with which Yahweh will punish the gods of Egypt. (see Exodus 6:6)
Exodus 12:13
for my coming to you
"that I will see when I come to you". This implies that Yahweh will see the blood which indicates an Israelite home.
I will pass over you
"I will not enter your house". The words "pass over" were a customary way of saying to not visit or enter.
Exodus 12:15
that person must be cut off from Israel
"the people of Israel must send him away" or "I will no longer consider him to be one of the people of Israel"
Exodus 12:16
an assembly that is set apart to me
"an assembly that you have set apart to me"
No work will be done on these days, except the cooking for everyone to eat
"The only work that will be done on these days is the cooking for everyone to eat"
That must be the only work that may be done by you
"That must be the only work that you do"
Exodus 12:17
because it was on this day that I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt
"because it is on this day that I will have brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt" or "for it will remind you that it was on this day that I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt"
your hosts
"your armies" or "your tribes"
Exodus 12:18
the fourteenth day in the first month
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. The fourteenth day is near the beginning of April on Western calendars.
the twenty-first day of the month
"the twenty-first day of the first month." This is near the middle of April on Western calendars.
Exodus 12:19
no yeast must be found in your houses
"there must not be any yeast in your houses"
must be cut off from the community of Israel
"the people of Israel must send him away" or "I will no longer consider him to be one of the people of Israel"
Exodus 12:20
bread made without yeast
"bread which you have made without yeast"
Exodus 12:21
summoned
officially called
Exodus 12:22
hyssop
a woody plant with small leaves that can be used for sprinkling liquids
the top of the doorframe and the two doorposts
"on the sides and top of the way into the house." (see Exodus 12:7)
Exodus 12:23
pass over your door
"pass over your house". This means that God will spare the Israelites in houses with blood on the doors.
Exodus 12:24
this event
These words refer to the Passover or Festival of Unleavened Bread. Observing the Passover was an act of worshiping Yahweh.
Exodus 12:27
He set our households free
"He did not kill the firstborn sons in our houses"
Exodus 12:28
as Yahweh had commanded Moses and Aaron
"everything that Yahweh told Moses and Aaron to do"
Exodus 12:29
at midnight
"in the middle of the night"
all the firstborn in the land of Egypt ... all the firstborn of the livestock
Here, "firstborn" always refers to the oldest male offspring. (see Exodus 11:5)
the firstborn of the person in the dungeon
"to the firstborn of people in the dungeon." This refers to prisoners in general, not to a specific person in the dungeon.
Exodus 12:30
There was a loud outcry in Egypt
"All the Egyptians cried loudly"
loud outcry
Here the "outcry" is of pain and grief over the death of the children. (see Exodus 3:7)
for there was not a house where there was not someone dead
"because someone was dead in every house"
Exodus 12:33
We will all die
"We will all die if you do not leave"
Exodus 12:34
Their kneading bowls were already tied up in their clothes and on their shoulders
"They had already tied up their kneading bowls in their clothes and on their shoulders"
Exodus 12:37
Rameses
Rameses was a major Egyptian city where grain was stored.
They numbered about 600,000 men
"They numbered about six hundred thousand men."
little ones
See how you translated this in Exodus 10:10.
Exodus 12:38
A mixed multitude also went
"A crowd of people from other ethnic groups also went"
Exodus 12:39
bread without yeast in the dough
"bread with dough that did not contain yeast"
they had been driven out of Egypt
"the Egyptians had driven them out of Egypt"
Exodus 12:41
430 years
"four hundred and thirty years"
Yahweh's armed groups
This refers to the tribes of Israel.
Exodus 12:42
to be observed by all the people of Israel
"that all the people of Israel were to observe"
all the people of Israel throughout their people's generations
"all the people of Israel and the all the generations of their descendants"
Exodus 12:43
No foreigner may share in eating it
The pronoun "it" refers to the Passover meal. The Hebrew people were to be separate from the rest of the world. Because of this, they separated themselves from other people groups. At this time, these foreigners were looked upon as unholy.
Exodus 12:44
every Israelite's slave
"any slave of an Israelite"
bought with money
"whom the Israelite has bought with money"
Exodus 12:46
The food must be eaten in one house
"Each Israelite family must eat the food in one house"
you must not break any bone of it
"you must not break any of its bones." Here the word "it" refers to the lamb which the Israelite family will eat. (see John 19:36 and how this applies to Jesus)
Exodus 12:48
all his male relatives must be circumcised
"someone must circumcise all his male relatives"
the people who were born in the land
"those who are Israelites by birth". Here the word "land" refers to Canaan.
no uncircumcised person may eat
"only circumcised people may eat"
Exodus 12:50
as Yahweh had commanded Moses and Aaron
"everything that Yahweh told Moses and Aaron to do"
Exodus 12:51
It came about
This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story.
by their armed groups
"by their divisions" or "by their regiments". The term used for these groups is a military term referring to a large number of soldiers. See how you translated "armed group" in Exodus 12:41.
Chapter 13
1
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
2
"Set apart to me every firstborn male, the first issue of every womb among the people of Israel, whether man or animal. He is mine."
3
Moses said to the people, "Call this day to mind, the day on which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by Yahweh's strong hand he brought you out from this place. No bread with yeast may be eaten.
4
You are going out of Egypt on this day, in the month of Aviv.
5
When Yahweh brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites, and the Jebusites, the land that he swore to your ancestors to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey—then you must observe this act of worship in this month.
6
For seven days you must eat bread without yeast; on the seventh day there will be a festival to honor Yahweh.
7
Bread without yeast must be eaten throughout the seven days; no bread with yeast may be seen among you. No yeast may be seen with you within any of your borders.
8
On that day you are to say to your children, 'This is because of what Yahweh did for me when I came out of Egypt.'
9
This will be a reminder for you on your hand, and a reminder on your forehead. This is so the law of Yahweh may be in your mouth, for with a strong hand Yahweh brought you out of Egypt.
10
Therefore you must keep this law at its appointed time from year to year.
11
When Yahweh brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and to your ancestors to do, and when he gives the land to you,
12
you must set apart to Yahweh the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn offspring of your livestock that are males, will belong to Yahweh.
13
Every firstborn of a donkey you must redeem with a lamb. If you do not buy it back, then you must break its neck. But every firstborn of your sons you must redeem.
14
When your son asks you later, 'What does this mean?' then you are to tell him, 'It was by a strong hand that Yahweh brought us out from Egypt, from the house of slavery.
15
When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, Yahweh killed every firstborn in Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of animal. That is why I sacrifice to Yahweh all the first male issue of the womb, but all my firstborn sons I redeem.'
16
This will become a reminder on your hands, and a reminder on your forehead, for it was by a strong hand Yahweh brought us out of Egypt."
17
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that land was nearby. For God said, "Perhaps the people will change their minds when they experience war and will then return to Egypt."
18
So God led the people around through the wilderness to the Sea of Reeds. The people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt armed for battle.
19
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear and said, "God will surely rescue you, and you must carry away my bones with you."
20
The Israelites journeyed from Sukkoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness.
21
Yahweh went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them on the way. By night he went in a pillar of fire to give them light. In this way they could travel by day and by night.
22
Yahweh did not take away from before the people the daytime pillar of cloud or the nighttime pillar of fire.
Exodus 13:2
Set apart to me ... every firstborn male
God requires that every firstborn male child be set apart for him. Also, this chapter records the instructions for the celebration of Passover. The law mentioned here is not the law of Moses because it has not yet been revealed. Instead, it is a more generic "rule.”
Exodus 13:3
Call this day to mind
"Remember and celebrate this day"
the house of slavery
"the place where you were slaves"
Yahweh's strong hand
Here the word "hand" refers to power. See how you translated "strong hand" in Exodus 6:1.
No bread with yeast may be eaten
"You must not eat bread with yeast"
Exodus 13:4
the month of Aviv
This is the name of the first month of the Hebrew calendar. Aviv is during the last part of March and the first part of April on Western calendars.
Exodus 13:5
you must observe this act of worship
When the Israelites live in Canaan, they must celebrate the Passover on this day each year. See how you translated this phrase in Exodus 12:25.
Exodus 13:7
Bread without yeast must be eaten
"You must eat bread without yeast"
no bread with yeast may be seen among you
"You may not have any bread with yeast among you"
No yeast may be seen with you
"You may not have any yeast"
within any of your borders
"inside any of the borders of your land"
Exodus 13:8
On that day you are to say to your children, 'This is because of what Yahweh did for me when I came out of Egypt.'
"On that day you are to tell your children that this is because of what Yahweh did for you when you came out of Egypt"
Exodus 13:9
This will be a reminder for you on your hand, and a reminder on your forehead
These are two different types of physical reminders so people will not forget something important.
a reminder for you on your hand
"like something you tie around your hand as a reminder"
a reminder on your forehead
"like something you tie around your head as a reminder"
so the law of Yahweh may be in your mouth
"so you may always be speaking of the law of Yahweh"
strong hand
"the power I show in my works"
Exodus 13:11
when he gives the land to you
"when he gives the land of the Canaanites to you"
Exodus 13:13
Every firstborn of a donkey
Israel is given a choice to kill the firstborn donkey or buy it back with a lamb.
Exodus 13:14
When your son asks you later, 'What does this mean?' then you are to tell him
"When your son asks you later what this means, then you are to tell him"
the house of slavery
"the place where you were slaves". See how you translated this in Exodus 13:3.
Exodus 13:17
was nearby
"was close to where they were located"
the people will change their minds ... and ... return to Egypt
Since Israelites had lived in slavery all their lives, they were more accustomed to peace than to war and would rather return to slavery than fight.
Exodus 13:20
camped at Etham
Etham is located south of the route heading towards the Philistines, at the border of the wilderness.
Exodus 13:21
pillar of cloud ... pillar of fire
"a cloud in the shape of a column ... fire in the shape of a column." God is with them in a cloud by day and in a fire by night.
Chapter 14
1
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
2
"Say to the people of Israel that they should turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal Zephon. You are to camp by the sea opposite Pi Hahiroth.
3
Pharaoh will say about the people of Israel, 'They are wandering confused in the land. The wilderness has closed in on them.'
4
I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them. I will get honor because of Pharaoh and all his army. The Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh." So the Israelites camped as they were instructed.
5
When the king of Egypt was told that the Israelites had fled, the minds of Pharaoh and his servants turned against the people. They said, "What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us."
6
Then Pharaoh got his chariots ready and took his army with him.
7
He took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers on all of them.
8
Yahweh hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and the king pursued the people of Israel. Now the people of Israel had gone away in triumph.
9
But the Egyptians pursued them, together with all his horses and chariots, his horsemen, and his army. They overtook the Israelites camping by the sea beside Pi Hahiroth, before Baal Zephon.
10
When Pharaoh came close, the people of Israel looked up and were surprised. The Egyptians were marching after them, and they were terrified. The people of Israel cried out to Yahweh.
11
They said to Moses, "Is it because there were no graves in Egypt, that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you treated us like this, bringing us out of Egypt?
12
Is this not what we told you in Egypt? We said to you, 'Leave us alone, so we can work for the Egyptians.' It would have been better for us to work for them than to die in the wilderness."
13
Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the rescue that Yahweh will provide for you today. For you will never see again the Egyptians whom you see today.
14
Yahweh will fight for you, and you will only have to stand still."
15
Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Why are you, Moses, continuing to call out to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward.
16
Lift up your staff, reach out with your hand over the sea and divide it in two, so that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground.
17
Be aware that I will harden the Egyptians' hearts so they will go after them. I will get honor because of Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen.
18
Then the Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh when I have gotten honor because of Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen."
19
The angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them. The pillar of cloud moved from before them and went to stand behind them.
20
The cloud came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel. It was a dark cloud to the Egyptians, but it lit the night for the Israelites, so one side did not come near the other all night.
21
Moses reached out with his hand over the sea. Yahweh drove the sea back by a strong east wind all that night and made the sea into dry land. In this way the waters were divided.
22
The people of Israel went into the middle of the sea on dry ground. The waters formed a wall for them on their right hand and on their left.
23
The Egyptians pursued them. They went after them into the middle of the sea—all Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and horsemen.
24
But at the morning watch, Yahweh looked down on the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and cloud. He threw the Egyptians into confusion.
25
Their chariot wheels were clogged, and the horsemen drove with difficulty. So the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from Israel, for Yahweh is fighting for them against us."
26
Yahweh said to Moses, "Reach out with your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back onto the Egyptians, their chariots, and their horsemen."
27
So Moses reached out with his hand over the sea, and it returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. The Egyptians fled into the sea, and Yahweh drove the Egyptians into the middle of it.
28
The waters came back and covered Pharaoh's chariots, horsemen, and his entire army that had followed the chariots into the sea. No one survived.
29
However, the people of Israel walked on dry land in the middle of the sea. The waters were a wall for them on their right hand and on their left.
30
So Yahweh saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw dead Egyptians on the seashore.
31
When Israel saw the great power that Yahweh used against the Egyptians, the people feared Yahweh, and they trusted Yahweh and his servant Moses.
Exodus 14:1
General Information:
This is an important event in the history of Israel, known as the "parting of the Sea of Reeds". Pharaoh's chariots were a fighting force. Pharaoh took an army to kill the Hebrew people. The Israelites asked a few rhetorical questions of Moses. These questions were not really directed at Moses, but at Yahweh. This showed their lack of faith in Yahweh.
Exodus 14:2
Pi Hahiroth ... Migdol ... Baal Zephon
These are towns on Egypt's eastern border.
You are to camp
Here the word "You" is plural and refers to Moses and the Israelites.
Exodus 14:3
Pharaoh will say about the people of Israel, 'They are wandering confused in the land. The wilderness has closed in on them.'
"Pharaoh will say that the people of Israel are wandering confused in the land and that the wilderness has closed in on them"
The wilderness has closed in on them
Pharaoh speaks of the wilderness as a person who has trapped the people of Israel.
Exodus 14:4
he will pursue them
"Pharaoh will pursue the Israelites"
I will get honor
"People will honor me"
The Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh
"The Egyptians will understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God"
So the Israelites camped as they were instructed
"So the Israelites camped as Yahweh had instructed them"
Exodus 14:5
When the king of Egypt was told
"When someone told the king of Egypt"
the king of Egypt
This refers to Pharaoh.
had fled
"had run away"
the minds of Pharaoh and his servants turned against the people
"Pharaoh and his servants changed their attitudes about the people"
What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.
"We have done a stupid thing by letting Israel go free from working for us!"
Exodus 14:7
He took six hundred chosen chariots
"He took 600 of his best chariots"
Exodus 14:9
Pi Hahiroth ... Baal Zephon
These are towns on Egypt's eastern border. See how you translated them in Exodus 14:2.
Exodus 14:10
When Pharaoh came close
"When Pharaoh and his army came close". The word "Pharaoh" here represents the entire Egyptian army.
they were terrified
"the Israelites were terrified"
Exodus 14:11
Is it because there were no graves in Egypt, that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?
"There were plenty of graveyards in Egypt for us to be buried in. You did not have to take us into the wilderness to die!"
Why have you treated us like this, bringing us out of Egypt?
"You should not have treated us like this by bringing us out of Egypt!"
Exodus 14:12
Is this not what we told you in Egypt?
"This is exactly what we told you while we were in Egypt."
We said to you, 'Leave us alone, so we can work for the Egyptians.'
"We told you to leave us alone, so we could work for the Egyptians."
Exodus 14:13
Moses said to the people
Moses responds to the Israelites' fears.
provide for you
The pronoun "you" refers to the Israelites.
For you will never see again the Egyptians
"For God will kill the Egyptians"
Exodus 14:15
Why are you, Moses, continuing to call out to me?
"Do not call out to me any longer, Moses." Moses apparently had been praying to God for help so God uses this question to compel Moses to act.
Exodus 14:16
divide it in two
"divide the sea into two parts"
Exodus 14:17
Be aware
"Know"
I will harden the Egyptians' hearts
"I will cause the Egyptians to became more defiant" Here "hearts" refers to the Egyptians themselves. Their stubborn attitude is spoken of as if their hearts were hard.
so they will go after them
"so that the Egyptians will go into the sea after the Israelites"
Exodus 14:20
the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel
"the Egyptian army and the Israelite people"
so one side did not come near the other
This means that the Egyptians and the Israelites could not approach one another.
Exodus 14:21
east wind
An east wind originates in the east and blows towards the west.
east
where the sun rises
the waters were divided
"Yahweh divided the waters"
Exodus 14:22
on their right hand and on their left
"on both sides of them"
Exodus 14:24
He threw the Egyptians into confusion
The Egyptians were so afraid that they could not think normally.
Exodus 14:25
Their chariot wheels were clogged
"Mud clogged their chariot wheels" or "Their chariot wheels were getting stuck in the mud"
Exodus 14:26
Yahweh said to Moses, "Reach out with your hand ... and their horsemen."
"Yahweh told Moses to reach out with his hand over the sea so that the waters would come back onto the Egyptians, their chariots, and their horsemen."
come back onto
"fall on"
Exodus 14:27
The Egyptians fled into the sea
Since the sea was closing in on top of the Egyptians, instead of escaping, they were actually running right into the water.
Yahweh drove the Egyptians
"Yahweh threw the Egyptians"
Exodus 14:30
out of the hand of the Egyptians
"from the Egyptians' power"
on the seashore
"on the land along the edge of the sea"
Chapter 15
1
Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to Yahweh. They sang,
"I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and its rider he has thrown into the sea.
2
Yahweh is my strength and song,
and he has become my salvation.
This is my God, and I will praise him,
my father's God, and I will exalt him.
3
Yahweh is a warrior;
Yahweh is his name.
4
He has thrown Pharaoh's chariots and army into the sea.
Pharaoh's chosen officers were drowned in the Sea of Reeds.
5
The depths covered them;
they went down into the depths like a stone.
6
Your right hand, Yahweh, is glorious in power;
your right hand, Yahweh, has shattered the enemy.
7
In great majesty you overthrew those who rose up against you.
You sent out your wrath; it consumed them like stubble.
8
By the blast of your nostrils the waters were piled up;
the flowing waters stood upright in a heap;
the deep water was congealed in the heart of the sea.
9
The enemy said, 'I will pursue, I will overtake, I will share out the plunder;
my desire will be satisfied on them;
I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.'
10
But you blew with your wind, and the sea covered them;
they sank like lead in the mighty waters.
11
Who is like you, Yahweh, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
honored in praises, doing miracles?
12
You reached out with your right hand,
and the earth swallowed them.
13
In your covenant loyalty you have led the people you have rescued.
In your strength you have led them to the holy place where you live.
14
The peoples will hear, and they will tremble;
terror will seize the inhabitants of Philistia.
15
Then the chiefs of Edom will fear;
the soldiers of Moab will shake;
all the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away.
16
Terror and dread will fall on them.
Because of your arm's power, they will become as still as a stone
until your people pass by, Yahweh—
until the people you have rescued pass by.
17
You will bring them and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance,
the place, Yahweh, that you have made to live in,
the sanctuary, our Lord, that your hands have built.
18
Yahweh will reign forever and ever."
19
For Pharaoh's horses went with his chariots and horsemen into the sea. Yahweh brought back the waters of the sea on them. But the people of Israel walked on dry land in the middle of the sea.
20
Miriam the prophetess, sister of Aaron, picked up a tambourine, and all the women went out with tambourines, dancing along with her.
21
Miriam sang to them:
"Sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously.
The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea."
22
Then Moses led Israel onward from the Sea of Reeds. They went out into the wilderness of Shur. They traveled for three days into the wilderness and found no water.
23
Then they came to Marah, but they could not drink the water there because it was bitter. So they named that place Marah.
24
So the people complained to Moses and said, "What can we drink?"
25
Moses cried out to Yahweh, and Yahweh showed him a tree. Moses threw it into the water, and the water became sweet to drink. It was there that Yahweh gave them a strict law, and it was there that he tested them.
26
He said, "If you carefully listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, and do what is right in his eyes, and if you give ear to his commands and obey all his laws—I will put on you none of the diseases that I put on the Egyptians, for I am Yahweh who heals you."
27
Then the people came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. They camped there by the water.
Exodus 15:1
General Information:
This is a song about the events that happened in Exodus 14:26-28. In this chapter, Moses talks about Yahweh's laws. The law of Moses is about to be introduced. Although it has not yet been formally introduced, this is what is being referenced in this chapter in anticipation of the revelation of the law of Moses.
he has triumphed gloriously
"he has achieved a glorious victory over the army of Egypt"
the horse and its rider he has thrown into the sea
"he has made the horse and rider drown in the sea". (see Exodus 15:21)
rider
This is a person who sits on a horse or travels in a chariot that a horse is pulling.
Exodus 15:2
Yahweh is my strength
"Yahweh is the one who gives me strength" or "Yahweh is the strong one who protects me."
song
"the one I sing about". (see Exodus 14:13)
he has become my salvation
"he is the one who saves me"
Exodus 15:3
Yahweh is a warrior
"Yahweh is like a warrior". (see Exodus 14:14)
Exodus 15:4
He has thrown Pharaoh's chariots and army into the sea
"He has made Pharaoh's chariot riders and army drown in the sea". Moses sings about God causing the sea to cover Pharaohs chariots and army as if God had thrown them into the sea. (see Exodus 14:13-28)
Exodus 15:5
they went down into the depths like a stone
"they went down into the deep water like a stone sinking to the bottom of the sea". (see Nehemiah 9:11)
Exodus 15:6
Your right hand, Yahweh, is glorious in power
"Yahweh, your power is glorious" or "Yahweh, what you do is glorious in power". Moses speaks of God as if God had hands. The right hand refers to God's power or the things God does powerfully. (see Exodus 6:1)
your right hand, Yahweh, has shattered the enemy
"Yahweh, your power has completely destroyed the enemy"
Exodus 15:7
those who rose up against you
"those who rebelled against you"
You sent out your wrath
"You acted according to your wrath"
it consumed them like stubble
"it completely destroyed your enemies like a fire that burns up straw". (see Deuteronomy 4:24)
Exodus 15:8
By the blast of your nostrils
"You blew on the sea and". Moses speaks of God as if God had a nose, and he speaks of the wind as if God blew the wind from his nose. (see 2 Samuel 22:16)
Exodus 15:9
my desire will be satisfied on them
"I will satisfy my desire on them"
my hand will destroy them
"I will destroy them with my hand". (ses 2 Samuel 22:38)
Exodus 15:10
But you blew with your wind
"But you made the wind blow"
sank like lead in the mighty waters
"sank as fast as lead in the deep turbulent waters". Lead is a heavy metal that is commonly used to make things sink in water.
Exodus 15:11
Who is like you, Yahweh, among the gods?
"O Yahweh, no one is like you among the gods!"
Who is like you, ... doing miracles?
"No one is like you. No one is majestic in holiness as you are, no one is honored in praises as you are, and no one does miracles as you do!". (see Revelation 4:8)
Exodus 15:12
with your right hand
"with your strong power"
You reached out with your right hand
"With your strong power you made it happen". (see Psalm 138:7)
the earth swallowed them
"the earth devoured them"
Exodus 15:14
tremble
This means to shake because you are afraid.
terror will seize the inhabitants of Philistia
"the inhabitants of Philistia will be afraid"
Exodus 15:15
will melt away
"will be weak from fear"
Exodus 15:16
Terror and dread will fall on them
"Fear will come upon them"
dread
Dread is extreme fear or anxiety about something that is going to happen or might happen. (see Numbers 22:3)
Because of your arm's power
"Because of your great strength"
they will become as still as a stone
"They will be silent like stone" or "They will be motionless as stone"
Exodus 15:17
You will bring them
"You will take your people to Canaan"
plant them on the mountain
"settle them on the mountain"
the mountain of your inheritance
This refers to Mount Zion in the land of Canaan. (see 2 Samuel 7:10)
of your inheritance
"that you have given them as an inheritance"
that your hands have built
"that you have built by your power"
Exodus 15:20
Miriam ... Aaron
Miriam was the older sister of Moses and Aaron.
tambourine
This is a musical instrument like a small drum that also has pieces of metal around the side that make a sound when shaken.
Exodus 15:21
he has triumphed gloriously
"he has achieved a glorious victory over the army of Egypt"
The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea
"He has made the horse and rider drown in the sea". (see Exodus 15:1)
Exodus 15:22
Moses led Israel
"Moses led the Israelite people". The word "Israel" represents the people of Israel.
wilderness of Shur
We do not know the exact locations of this place.
Exodus 15:23
Marah
We do not know the exact location of this place.
Exodus 15:24
complained to Moses and said
"were unhappy and told Moses"
Exodus 15:26
the voice of Yahweh your God
"my voice" or "what I say". Yahweh is speaking about his own voice.
do what is right in his eyes
"do what Yahweh considers to be right"
I will put on you none of the diseases
"I will not cause any of you to have the diseases"
Exodus 15:27
Elim
This is an oasis in the desert, a place with water and shade trees.
twelve
"12"
seventy
"70"
Chapter 16
1
The people journeyed on from Elim, and all the community of people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departure from the land of Egypt.
2
The whole community of the people of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.
3
The people of Israel said to them, "If only we had died by Yahweh's hand in the land of Egypt when we were sitting by the pots of meat and were eating bread to the full. For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill our whole community with hunger."
4
Then Yahweh said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people will go out and gather a day's portion every day so that I may test them to see whether or not they will walk in my law.
5
It will come about on the sixth day, that they will gather twice as much as what they gathered every day before, and they will cook what they bring in."
6
Then Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, "In the evening you will know that it is Yahweh who has brought you out from the land of Egypt.
7
In the morning you will see Yahweh's glory, for he hears your complaining against him. Who are we for you to complain against us?"
8
Moses also said, "You will know this when Yahweh gives you meat in the evening and bread in the morning to the full—for he has heard the complaints that you speak against him. Who are Aaron and I? Your complaints are not against us; they are against Yahweh."
9
Moses said to Aaron, "Say to all the community of the people of Israel, 'Come near before Yahweh, for he has heard your complaints.'"
10
It came about, as Aaron spoke to the whole community of the people of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, Yahweh's glory appeared in the cloud.
11
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
12
"I have heard the complaints of the people of Israel. Speak to them and say, 'In the evening you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am Yahweh your God.'"
13
It came about in the evening that quails came up and covered the camp. In the morning the dew lay round about the camp.
14
When the dew was gone, there on the surface of the wilderness were thin flakes like frost on the ground.
15
When the people of Israel saw it, they said one to another, "What is it?" They did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread that Yahweh has given you to eat.
16
This is the command that Yahweh has given: 'You must gather, each one of you, the amount you need to eat, an omer for each person of the number of your people. This is how you will gather it: Gather enough to eat for every person who lives in your tent.'"
17
The people of Israel did so. Some gathered more, some gathered less.
18
When they measured it with an omer measure, those who had gathered much had nothing left over, and those who had gathered little had no lack. Each person gathered enough to meet their need.
19
Then Moses said to them, "No one must leave any of it until morning."
20
However, they did not listen to Moses. Some of them left some of it until morning, but it bred worms and became foul. Then Moses became angry with them.
21
They gathered it morning by morning. Each person gathered enough to eat for that day. When the sun became hot, it melted.
22
It came about that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each person. All the leaders of the community came and told this to Moses.
23
He said to them, "This is what Yahweh has said: 'Tomorrow is a solemn rest, a holy Sabbath in Yahweh's honor. Bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil. All that remains over, set it aside for yourselves until morning.'"
24
So they set it aside until morning, as Moses had instructed. It did not become foul, nor was there any worm in it.
25
Moses said, "Eat that food today, for today is a day reserved as a Sabbath to honor Yahweh. Today you will not find it in the fields.
26
You will gather it during six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath. On the Sabbath there will be no manna."
27
It came about on the seventh day that some of the people went out to gather manna, but they found none.
28
Then Yahweh said to Moses, "How long will you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws?
29
See, Yahweh has given you the Sabbath. So on the sixth day he is giving you bread for two days. Each of you must stay in his own place; no one must go out from his place on the seventh day."
30
So the people rested on the seventh day.
31
The people of Israel called that food "manna." It was white like coriander seed, and its taste was like wafers made with honey.
32
Moses said, "This is what Yahweh has commanded: 'Let an omer of manna be kept throughout your people's generations so that your descendants might see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, after I brought you out from the land of Egypt.'"
33
Moses said to Aaron, "Take a pot and put an omer of manna into it. Preserve it before Yahweh to be kept throughout the people's generations."
34
As Yahweh commanded Moses, Aaron stored it beside the covenant decrees in the ark.
35
The people of Israel ate manna forty years until they came to inhabited land. They ate it until they came to the borders of the land of Canaan.
36
Now an omer is a tenth of an ephah.
Exodus 16:1
wilderness of Sin
The word "Sin" here is the Hebrew name of a part of the Sinai wilderness. It is not the description of a place, and it has nothing to do with sinning.
on the fifteenth day of the second month
"on day 15 of the second month". This time coincides with the end of April and the beginning of May on Western calendars.
Exodus 16:2
The whole community of the people of Israel complained
"All the Israelites complained." or "The Israelites complained". Moses and Aaron did not complain. The Israelites complained about the amount of food Yahweh gave them, even when he miraculously provided their food for them. This is intended to show their ungratefulness and their sinful view of Yahweh.
complained
"were angry and spoke"
Exodus 16:3
If only we had died
"We wish that we had died"
by Yahweh's hand
"by Yahweh's action"
Exodus 16:4
I will rain down bread from heaven for you
"I will make bread come down from heaven like rain"
bread
"food" or "food like bread"
walk in my law
"live according to my law"
my law
"my command"
Exodus 16:5
It will come about on the sixth day, that they
"It will happen on the sixth day that they". The people were not allowed to store the food, called manna, they were provided with. This is because they were to trust in Yahweh to provide for their needs every day.
on the sixth day
"on day 6"
twice
two times
Exodus 16:7
Who are we for you to complain against us?
"It is foolish to complain against us, because we cannot do what you want."
Exodus 16:8
Who are Aaron and I?
"Aaron and I cannot give you what you want."
Your complaints are not against us; they are against Yahweh
"Your complaints are not really against us; they are against Yahweh, because we are his servants"
Exodus 16:10
It came about
This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story, which is the people seeing Yahweh's glory. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
behold
The word "behold" here shows that the people saw something interesting.
Exodus 16:13
It came about ... that
This phrase is used here to mark an important part of the events. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
quails
These are small, plump birds.
Exodus 16:14
like frost
"that looked like frost". Frost is frozen dew that forms on the ground. It is very fine.
Exodus 16:16
omer
2 liters
Exodus 16:22
It came about that
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. Verses 16:22-30 tell about what the people did concerning the manna on the sixth and seventh days of the week. If your language has a way for marking this as a new part of the story, you could consider using it here.
on the sixth day
"on day 6"
twice
two times
bread
This refers to the bread that appeared as thin flakes on the ground each morning.
Exodus 16:23
a solemn rest
"a day to rest quietly and think seriously". This is the first recorded celebration of the Sabbath rest.
Exodus 16:24
did not become foul
"did not smell rotten"
Exodus 16:25
today is a day reserved as a Sabbath to honor Yahweh
"today is a Sabbath and is to be used only for honoring Yahweh"
Exodus 16:26
but the seventh day
"but on day seven"
manna
This was the name the Israelites gave to the bread that Yahweh caused to appear for them each morning.
Exodus 16:27
they found none
"they did not find any manna"
Exodus 16:28
General Information:
Yahweh speaks to Moses, but the word "you" refers to the people of Israel in general.
How long will you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws?
"You people still do not keep my commandments and laws!"
to keep my commandments and my laws
"to obey my commandments and my laws"
Exodus 16:29
Yahweh has given you the Sabbath
"I, Yahweh, have taught you to rest on the Sabbath"
sixth day ... two days ... seventh day
"day 6 ... 2 days ... day 7"
Exodus 16:31
coriander seed
Coriander is also known as cilantro. People dry the seeds and grind them into a powder and put it in food to give it flavor.
wafers
very thin biscuits or crackers
Exodus 16:32
omer
2 liters
Exodus 16:36
Now an omer is a tenth of an ephah
"Now ten omers equal one ephah". An omer and an ephah are both containers for measuring volume. The original readers would have known how much an ephah was. This sentence would help them know how much an omer was. For languages that do not use fractions, this can be reworded.
Chapter 17
1
The whole community of the people of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, following Yahweh's instructions. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.
2
So the people blamed Moses for their situation and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses said, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test Yahweh?"
3
The people were very thirsty, and they complained against Moses. They said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt? To kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?"
4
Then Moses cried out to Yahweh, "What should I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me."
5
Yahweh said to Moses, "Go on ahead of the people, and take with you some elders of Israel. Take with you the staff with which you struck the river, and go.
6
I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you will strike the rock. Water will come out of it for the people to drink." Then Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
7
He named that place Massah and Meribah because the people of Israel were quarreling and because they had tested the Lord by saying, "Is Yahweh among us or not?"
8
Then an army of the Amalek people came and attacked Israel at Rephidim.
9
So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some men and go out. Fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand."
10
So Joshua fought Amalek as Moses had instructed, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
11
While Moses was holding his hands up, Israel was winning; when he let his hands rest, Amalek would begin to win.
12
When Moses' hands became heavy, Aaron and Hur took a stone and put it under him for him to sit on. At the same time, Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one person on one side of him, and the other person on the other side. So Moses' hands were held steady until the sun went down.
13
So Joshua laid waste to Amalek and his people with the sword.
14
Yahweh said to Moses, "Write this in a book and read it in Joshua's hearing, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under the skies."
15
Then Moses built an altar and he called it "Yahweh is my banner."
16
He said, "For a hand was lifted up to the throne of Yahweh—that Yahweh will wage war with Amalek from generation to generation."
Exodus 17:1
wilderness of Sin
See how you translated this in Exodus 16:1.
Rephidim
This means "the resting place," a place to rest on long journeys through the wilderness.
Exodus 17:2
Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test Yahweh?
"You should not quarrel with me! You should not test Yahweh!"
Exodus 17:3
To kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?
"You only brought us out here to kill us and our children and livestock by not letting us have any water to drink!"
Exodus 17:7
Massah
a place in the desert whose name means "testing"
Meribah
a place in the desert whose name means "complaining"
Exodus 17:8
Rephidim
This was the name of a place in the desert.
Exodus 17:10
So Joshua fought Amalek
"So Joshua and the men he chose fought against the Amalekites"
Hur
Hur was a friend of Moses and Aaron.
Exodus 17:11
Israel was winning ... Amalek would begin to win
"the Israelite fighters were winning ... the Amalekite fighters would begin to win"
Exodus 17:12
hands became heavy
"arms became tired"
Exodus 17:13
laid waste to
"destroyed"
Amalek and his people
"the land of Amalek and the people who lived there"
with the sword
"in battle"
Exodus 17:14
I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek
"I will completely destroy Amalek". God speaks of destroying Amalek as if he were removing people's memory of Amalek. When a group of people is completely destroyed, there is nothing to remind people about them.
Amalek
"Amalekites"
Exodus 17:16
a hand was lifted up
"Yahweh made a solemn promise". People would raise their hand when they made a promise or pledge, so raising the hand represents making a promise.
Chapter 18
1
Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people. He heard that Yahweh had brought Israel out of Egypt.
2
Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her home,
3
and her two sons; the name of the one son was Gershom, for Moses had said, "I have been a foreigner in a foreign land."
4
The name of the other was Eliezer, for Moses had said, "My ancestor's God was my help. He rescued me from Pharaoh's sword."
5
Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with Moses' sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was camped at the mountain of God.
6
He said to Moses, "I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons."
7
Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and kissed him. They asked about each other's welfare and then went into the tent.
8
Moses told his father-in-law all that Yahweh had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel's sake, about all the hardships that had come to them along the way, and how Yahweh had rescued them.
9
Jethro rejoiced over all the good that Yahweh had done for Israel, in that he had rescued them from the hand of the Egyptians.
10
Jethro said, "May Yahweh be praised, for he has rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of Pharaoh, and delivered the people from the hand of the Egyptians.
11
Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all the gods, because when the Egyptians treated the Israelites arrogantly, God rescued his people."
12
Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices for God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came to eat a meal before God with Moses' father-in-law.
13
On the next day Moses sat down to judge the people. The people stood around him from morning until evening.
14
When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, "What is this that you are doing with the people? Why is it that you sit alone and all the people stand about you from morning until evening?"
15
Moses said to his father-in-law, "The people come to me to ask for God's direction.
16
When they have a dispute, they come to me. I decide between one person and another, and I teach them God's statutes and laws."
17
Moses' father-in-law said to him, "What you are doing is not very good.
18
You will surely wear yourselves out, you and the people who are with you. This burden is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it by yourself.
19
Listen to me. I will give you advice, and God will be with you, because you are the people's representative to God, and you bring their disputes to him.
20
You must teach them his statutes and laws. You must show them the way to walk and the work to do.
21
Furthermore, you must choose capable men from all the people, men who honor God, men of truth who hate unjust gain. You must put them over people, to be leaders in charge of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and of tens.
22
They will judge the people in all routine cases, but the difficult cases they will bring to you. As for all the small cases, they can judge those themselves. In that way it will be easier for you, and they will carry the burden with you.
23
If you do this, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure, and the entire people will be able to go home in peace."
24
So Moses listened to his father-in-law's words and did everything that he had said.
25
Moses chose capable men from all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders in charge of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.
26
They judged the people in normal circumstances. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but they themselves judged all the small cases.
27
Then Moses let his father-in-law leave, and Jethro went back into his own land.
Exodus 18:1
Moses' father-in-law
This refers to the father of the wife of Moses.
Exodus 18:2
took Zipporah, Moses' wife
Possible meanings are 1) Jethro took Zipporah to Moses, or 2) Jethro had earlier welcomed back Zipporah.
after he had sent her home
"after Moses had sent her home to her parents"
Exodus 18:3
and her two sons
Possible meanings are 1) Jethro took Zipporah and her two sons to Moses, or 2) Jethro had earlier welcomed back Zipporah and her two sons.
Gershom
This is a son of Moses and Zipporah, whose name means "foreigner."
Exodus 18:4
Eliezer
This is a son of Moses and Zipporah, whose name means "God is the one who helps me."
Pharaoh's sword
"being killed by Pharaoh" or "being killed by Pharaoh's army"
Exodus 18:5
where he was camped
"where he camped with the Israelites"
Exodus 18:7
bowed down, and kissed him
These symbolic acts were the normal way that people showed great respect and devotion in that culture.
Exodus 18:8
for Israel's sake
"in order to help the Israelite people"
all the hardships that had come to them
"all the hardships that had happened to them"
Exodus 18:9
the hand of the Egyptians
"the power of the Egyptians ... the power of Pharaoh" or "what the Egyptians were doing to you"
Exodus 18:14
What is this that you are doing with the people?
"You should not be doing all of this for the people!"
Why is it that you sit alone ... from morning until evening?
"You should not sit alone ... from morning till evening!"
you sit alone
"you are the only one who judges the people"
Exodus 18:17
General Information:
Jethro taught Moses an important leadership lesson in this chapter. Moses delegated some of his responsibilities to other godly men so that he would not become worn out by all the demands made of him.
Exodus 18:18
You will surely wear yourselves out
"you will surely make yourselves very tired"
This burden is too heavy for you
"This work is too much for you"
Exodus 18:19
give you advice
"give you guidance"
God will be with you
"God will help you"
you bring their disputes to him
"you tell God about their disputes" or "you tell God what they are arguing about"
Exodus 18:20
You must show them the way to walk
"You must show them how to live" or "You must show them how to behave"
Exodus 18:21
Furthermore, you must choose
"In addition, you must choose" or "You must also choose"
You must put them over people
"You must give them authority over people"
leaders in charge of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and of tens
"leaders in charge of groups of 1,000 people, groups of 100 people, groups of 50 people, and groups of 10 people" or "leaders in charge of very small groups, small groups, large groups, and very large groups"
Exodus 18:22
routine cases
"the simple cases"
the difficult cases they will bring to you
"the difficult cases they will tell you about" or "when there are difficult cases, they will tell you about them so you can judge them"
they will carry the burden with you
"they will do the hard work with you" or "they will help you do the hard work"
Exodus 18:23
endure
"endure the stress of the work"
in peace
They will be satisfied that the dispute has been settled justly.
Exodus 18:25
heads over the people
"leaders of the people"
capable men
"men who were able to lead" or "men who were able to judge"
Exodus 18:26
judged the people in normal circumstances
"judged the people most of the time"
The difficult cases they brought to Moses
"when there were difficult cases, they told Moses about them so that he would judge them"
the small cases
"the easy cases"
Chapter 19
1
In the third month after the people of Israel had gone out from the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the wilderness of Sinai.
2
After they left Rephidim and came to the wilderness of Sinai, they camped in the wilderness in front of the mountain.
3
Moses went up to God. Yahweh called to him from the mountain and said, "You must tell the house of Jacob, the people of Israel:
4
You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.
5
Now then, if you obediently listen to my voice and keep my covenant, then you will be my special possession from among all peoples, for all the earth is mine.
6
You will be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation for me. These are the words that you must speak to the people of Israel."
7
So Moses came and summoned the elders of the people. He set before them all these words that Yahweh had commanded him.
8
All the people answered together and said, "We will do everything that Yahweh has said." Then Moses came to report the people's words to Yahweh.
9
Yahweh said to Moses, "I will come to you in a thick cloud so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe you forever." Then Moses told the people's words to Yahweh.
10
Yahweh said to Moses, "Go to the people. Today and tomorrow you must set them apart to me, and make them wash their garments.
11
Be ready for the third day, for on the third day Yahweh will come down to Mount Sinai.
12
You must set boundaries all around the mountain for the people. Say to them, 'Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain will surely be put to death.'
13
No one's hand may touch him. Rather, he must certainly be stoned or shot. Whether an animal or a man, he shall not live. When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they may come up to the mountain."
14
Then Moses went down from the mountain to the people. He set apart the people to Yahweh and they washed their garments.
15
He said to the people, "Be ready on the third day; do not go near your wives."
16
On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunder and lightning bolts and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of a very loud ram's horn. All the people in the camp trembled.
17
Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
18
Mount Sinai was completely covered with smoke because Yahweh descended on it in fire and smoke. The smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently.
19
When the sound of the ram's horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in a voice.
20
Yahweh came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, and he summoned Moses to the top. So Moses went up.
21
Yahweh said to Moses, "Go down and warn the people; otherwise they might break out to Yahweh to look, and many of them might perish.
22
Let the priests also who come near to me set themselves apart—prepare themselves for my coming—so that I do not break out against them."
23
Moses said to Yahweh, "The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you commanded us: 'Set boundaries around the mountain and set it apart to Yahweh.'"
24
Yahweh said to him, "Go down and bring up Aaron with you, but do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to Yahweh, or he will break out against them."
25
So Moses went down to the people and spoke to them.
Exodus 19:1
In the third month ... on the same day
"In the third month ... on the first day of the month". This means they arrived at the wilderness on the first day of the month just as they left Egypt on the first day of the month. The first day of the third month on the Hebrew calendar is near the middle of May on Western calendars.
had gone out from
"had left"
Exodus 19:2
Rephidim
This is an area on the edge of the wilderness of Sinai where the people of Israel had been camping. See how you translated this name in Exodus 17:1.
Exodus 19:3
the house of Jacob
"the descendants of Jacob"
the house of Jacob, the people of Israel
The phrase "the people of Israel" explains what "the house of Jacob" means.
Exodus 19:4
You have seen
The word "you" here refers to the Israelites. Yahweh is telling Moses what to tell the Israelites.
I carried you on eagles' wings
"I helped you travel like an eagle that carries her babies on her wings"
Exodus 19:5
obediently listen to my voice
"listen to my voice and obey me"
my voice
"what I say"
keep my covenant
"do what my covenant requires you to do"
special possession
"treasure"
Exodus 19:6
a kingdom of priests
"a kingdom of people who are like priests" or "a kingdom of people who do what priests do". The function of the priests was to intercede for the people. The Levites were the only priests in Israel, so this indicates that the nation was to intercede for the world as a whole. They were also to be holy, or set apart, from the rest of the world.
Exodus 19:7
set before them all these words
"told them all these words"
all these words that Yahweh had commanded him
"all that Yahweh had commanded him"
Exodus 19:8
Moses came to report
"Moses went back up the mountain to report"
the people's words
"what the people said"
Exodus 19:10
you must set them apart to me
"tell them to dedicate themselves to me" or "tell them to purify themselves for me."
their garments
"their clothes"
Exodus 19:11
Be ready
This was a command to the people of Israel.
Exodus 19:12
set boundaries
"make a boundary." This was probably some kind of mark, but it could have been a fence.
Whoever touches the mountain will surely be put to death
"You must surely put to death any person who touches the mountain"
Whoever touches
"Any person who touches"
Exodus 19:13
No one's hand may touch him
"No one may touch anyone who touches the mountain"
Whether an animal or a man
"Whether it is an animal or a man that touches the mountain"
he must certainly be stoned or shot
"you must certainly stone him or shoot him"
be ... shot
This refers to being killed by someone who shoots arrows from a bow.
a long blast
"a long, loud sound"
Exodus 19:15
do not go near your wives
"do not sleep with your wives"
Exodus 19:16
All the people ... trembled
"All the people ... shook with fear"
Exodus 19:18
Yahweh descended
"Yahweh came down"
like the smoke of a furnace
"like the smoke from a very large fire"
furnace
an oven that can be made extremely hot.
Exodus 19:19
grew louder and louder
"continued to become louder and louder"
in a voice
"by speaking loudly like thunder" or "by speaking". The word "voice" here refers to a sound that God made.
Exodus 19:20
he summoned Moses
"he commanded Moses to come up"
Exodus 19:21
they might break out
"they might go through the barrier"
Exodus 19:22
General Information:
Revealing the Law. The events of this chapter are concerned with preparing the people to receive the law of Moses. The people go through all of this to prepare themselves for the law, which show the great importance of this event for Israel.
Exodus 19:24
break through
"go through the barrier"
Chapter 20
1
God spoke all these words:
2
"I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
3
You must have no other gods before me.
4
You must not make for yourself a carved figure nor the likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water below.
5
You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God. I punish the ancestors' wickedness by bringing punishment on the descendants, to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me.
6
But I show steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7
You must not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for I will not hold guiltless anyone who takes my name in vain.
8
Remember the Sabbath day, to set it apart to me.
9
You must labor and do all your work for six days.
10
But the seventh day is a Sabbath for Yahweh your God. On it you must not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, or your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the foreigner who is within your gates.
11
For in six days Yahweh made the heavens and earth, the sea, and everything that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart.
12
Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live a long time in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you.
13
You must not murder anyone.
14
You must not commit adultery.
15
You must not steal from anyone.
16
You must not give false testimony against your neighbor.
17
You must not covet your neighbor's house; you must not covet your neighbor's wife, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
18
All the people saw the thundering and the lightning, and heard the sound of the ram's horn, and saw the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled and stood far off.
19
They said to Moses, "Speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we will die."
20
Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid, for God has come to test you so that the honor of him may be in you, and so that you do not sin."
21
So the people stood far off, and Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
22
Yahweh said to Moses, "This is what you must tell the people of Israel: 'You yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.
23
You will not make for yourselves other gods alongside me, gods of silver or gods of gold.
24
You must make an earthen altar for me, and you must sacrifice on it your burnt offerings, fellowship offerings, your sheep and your cattle. In every place where I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you.
25
If you make me an altar of stone, you must not build it of cut stones, for if you use your tools on it, you will have defiled it.
26
You must not go up to my altar on steps, so that your nakedness is not exposed.'"
Exodus 20:1
General Information:
The instructions recorded in this chapter are commonly known as the "ten commandments". Also, Yahweh's covenant faithfulness is now based on the covenant he made with Abraham as well as the covenant he is making with Moses.
Exodus 20:2
house of slavery
"place where you were slaves"
Exodus 20:3
You must have no other gods before me
"You must not worship any other gods but me"
Exodus 20:4
nor the likeness
"and you must not make the likeness"
Exodus 20:5
You must not bow down to them or worship them
The word "them" refers to carved figures or idols.
jealous
God wants his people to worship only him.
punish the ancestors' wickedness by bringing punishment on the descendants
God will punish people for the sin of their parents.
to the third and the fourth generation
"even on the grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Exodus 20:6
I show steadfast love to thousands of those who love me
"I faithfully love thousands of those who love me"
to thousands of those who love me
"forever to those who love me"
Exodus 20:7
take the name of Yahweh your God
"use the name of Yahweh your God"
in vain
"without proper respect"
I will not hold guiltless
"I will certainly consider guilty"
Exodus 20:8
set it apart
"set it apart for a special purpose"
Exodus 20:9
do all your work
"do all your usual duties"
Exodus 20:10
within your gates
"within your community" or "inside your city"
Exodus 20:11
on the seventh day
"on day seven." Here "seventh" is the ordinal number for "7."
blessed the Sabbath day
Possible meanings are that 1) God caused the Sabbath day to produce good results, or 2) God said that the Sabbath day was good.
Exodus 20:14
You must not commit adultery
"You must not have sex with anyone other than your spouse"
Exodus 20:16
must not give false testimony
"must not tell lies about someone"
Exodus 20:17
must not covet
"must not want to take"
Exodus 20:18
the mountain smoking
"smoke coming from the mountain"
they trembled
"they shook with fear"
stood far off
"stood at a distance"
Exodus 20:20
so that the honor of him may be in you, and so that you do not sin
"so that you will honor him and not sin"
Exodus 20:21
Moses approached
"Moses went closer to"
Exodus 20:22
This is what you must tell the people of Israel
"Tell the people of Israel this"
You yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from heaven
"You have heard me speak to you from heaven"
Exodus 20:23
You will not make for yourselves other gods alongside me
"You must not make idols as other gods instead of me"
gods of silver or gods of gold
"gods made out of silver or gold"
Exodus 20:24
earthen altar
an altar made of materials from the ground, such as stone, soil, or clay
cause my name to be honored
"choose for you to honor me"
Exodus 20:26
You must not go up to my altar on steps
"Do not build steps up to the altar and go up to it on those steps"
your nakedness
"your private parts"
Chapter 21
1
"Now these are the decrees that you must set before them:
2
'If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve for six years, and in the seventh year he will go free without paying anything.
3
If he came by himself, he must go free by himself; if he is married, then his wife must go free with him.
4
If his master gave him a wife and she bore him sons or daughters, the wife and her children will belong to her master, and he must go free by himself.
5
But if the servant plainly says, "I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,"
6
then his master must bring him to God. The master must bring him to a door or doorpost, and his master must bore his ear through with an awl. Then the servant will serve him for life.
7
If a man sells his daughter as a female servant, she must not go free as the male servants do.
8
If she does not please her master, who has selected her for himself, then he must let her be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to a foreign people. He has no such right, since he has treated her deceitfully.
9
If her master selects her as a wife for his son, he must treat her the same as if she were his daughter.
10
If he takes another wife for himself, he must not diminish her food, clothing, or her marital rights.
11
But if he does not provide these three things for her, then she can go free without paying any money.
12
Whoever strikes a man so that he dies, that person must surely be put to death.
13
If the man did not lie in wait for him, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place to where he can flee.
14
If a man arrogantly attacks his neighbor and kills him cleverly, then you must take him, even if he is at God's altar, so that he may die.
15
Whoever hits his father or mother must surely be put to death.
16
Whoever kidnaps a person—whether the kidnapper sells him, or that person is found in his hand—that kidnapper must be put to death.
17
Whoever curses his father or his mother must surely be put to death.
18
If men fight and one hits the other with a stone or with his fist, and that person does not die, but is confined to his bed;
19
then if he recovers and is able to walk about using his staff, the man who struck him must pay for the loss of his time; he must also see that he is completely healed. But that man is not guilty of murder.
20
If a man hits his male servant or his female servant with a staff, and if the servant dies as a result of the blow, then that man must surely be punished.
21
However, if the servant lives for a day or two, there is to be no vengeance, for he will have suffered the loss of the servant.
22
If men fight together and hurt a pregnant woman so that she miscarries, but there is no other injury to her, then the guilty man must surely be forced to pay a fine as the woman's husband demands it from him, and he must pay as the judges determine.
23
But if there is serious injury, then you must give a life for a life,
24
an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot,
25
a burn for a burn, a wound for a wound, or a bruise for a bruise.
26
If a man hits the eye of his male servant or of his female servant and destroys it, then he must let the servant go free in compensation for his eye.
27
If he knocks out a tooth of his male servant or female servant, he must let the servant go free as compensation for the tooth.
28
If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox must surely be stoned, and its flesh must not be eaten; but the ox's owner must be acquitted of guilt.
29
But if the ox had a habit of goring in the past, and its owner was warned but did not keep it in, and the ox has killed a man or a woman, that ox must be stoned, and its owner also must be put to death.
30
If a ransom is required for his life, he must pay for the redemption of his life whatever he is required to pay.
31
If the ox has gored a man's son or daughter, the ox's owner must do what this decree requires him to do.
32
If the ox gores a male servant or a female servant, the ox's owner must pay thirty shekels of silver, and the ox must be stoned.
33
If a man opens a pit, or if a man digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it,
34
the owner of the pit must repay the loss. He must give money to the dead animal's owner, and the dead animal will become his.
35
If one man's ox hurts another man's ox so that it dies, then they must sell the live ox and divide its price, and they must also divide the dead ox.
36
But if it was known that the ox had a habit of goring in time past, and its owner has not kept it in, he must surely pay ox for ox, and the dead animal will become his own.
Exodus 21:1
General Information:
Although the covenant Yahweh made with Moses began in the previous chapter, it formally begins with the statement, “Now these are the decrees that you must set before them.” Justice in society...The rules and law of this chapter are not intended to be followed by every society. Israel was God's chosen nation and was required to live in a special way. These laws concerned creating a just society and a holy nation. The law of Moses was a major part of this covenant.
you must set before them
"you must give them" or "you must tell them"
Exodus 21:2
General Information:
Yahweh tells Moses his laws for the people of Israel. Slavery...This passage does not condone slavery as an acceptable practice. However, it does impose some restrictions on the practice.
Exodus 21:3
If he came by himself, he must go free by himself
"If he became a slave while he had no wife, and if he marries while he is a slave, the master need only free the man"
by himself
"alone"
if he is married
"if he was married when he became a slave"
Exodus 21:5
plainly says
"clearly says"
I will not go out free
"I do not want my master to set me free"
Exodus 21:6
bore his ear through
"put a hole in his ear"
awl
a pointed tool used to make a hole
for life
"until he dies"
Exodus 21:8
has selected
"has chosen"
he must let her be redeemed
"he must allow her father to buy her back"
has no right to sell
"has no authority to sell"
he has treated her deceitfully
"he has deceived her"
Exodus 21:9
selects her as a wife for his son
"decides that she is the one who will be his son's wife"
Exodus 21:10
he must not diminish her food, clothing, or her marital rights
"he must give the first wife the same food, clothing, and marital rights she had before"
must not diminish her food
"must not take away her food" or "must not give her less food"
or her marital rights
"and he must continue to sleep with her as before". This includes things that a husband must do for his wife, including sleeping with her.
Exodus 21:12
strikes a man
"attacks a man"
that person must surely be put to death
"you must certainly execute that person"
Exodus 21:13
did not lie in wait for him
"did not plan to harm him"
I will appoint for you a place to where he can flee
"I will choose a place that he can run away to be safe"
Exodus 21:14
cleverly
"after thinking carefully about it"
must take him
The word "him" refers to the one who killed his neighbor.
so that he may die
"so that you can kill him"
Exodus 21:15
Whoever hits his father or mother must surely be put to death
"If anyone hits his father or mother, you must surely put him to death"
must surely
"must certainly"
Exodus 21:16
that kidnapper must be put to death
"you must kill that kidnapper"
Exodus 21:17
Whoever curses his father or his mother must surely be put to death
"you must surely kill anyone who curses his father or his mother"
Exodus 21:18
is confined to his bed
"cannot get out of bed"
Exodus 21:19
he recovers
"he gets better"
staff
This is a stick that can be leaned on for support while walking.
the loss of his time
"the time he could not work"
see that he is completely healed
"pay his medical costs" or "pay for his costs for healing"
Exodus 21:20
as a result of the blow
"because of the injury" or "because his master hit him"
that man must surely be punished
"you must certainly punish that man"
Exodus 21:21
there is to be no vengeance
"no one is to punish the master"
for he will have suffered the loss of the servant
"because he has already lost his servant who was valuable to him"
Exodus 21:22
she miscarries
"her baby dies in her womb" or "her baby is born too soon and dies"
the guilty man must surely be forced to pay a fine
"the guilty man must pay a fine"
as the judges determine
"what the judges decide"
Exodus 21:23
you must give a life for a life
"he must give his life for her life"
Exodus 21:24
an eye for an eye
"his eye for her eye"
Exodus 21:26
If a man
Here "man" refers to the owner of a slave.
in compensation
"as payment." Compensation is what someone does to make up for what he has caused another person to lose.
Exodus 21:28
an ox gores
"an ox injures with its horns"
the ox must surely be stoned
"you must stone the ox to death"
its flesh must not be eaten
"you must not eat its flesh"
the ox's owner must be acquitted
"you must acquit the ox's owner"
Exodus 21:29
its owner also must be put to death
"you must also kill its owner"
Exodus 21:30
If a ransom is required for his life
"if the owner of the bull can pay a fine to save his own life"
whatever he is required to pay
"the full amount that the judges say that he must pay"
Exodus 21:31
has gored
"has injured with its horns"
Exodus 21:32
thirty shekels of silver
"330 grams of silver." A shekel weighed eleven grams.
the ox must be stoned
"you must kill the ox by stoning it"
Exodus 21:33
opens a pit
"takes a cover off a hole in the ground"
Exodus 21:34
repay the loss
"pay the owner for the dead animal"
will become his
"will belong to the owner of the pit"
Exodus 21:35
divide its price
"divide the money they receive"
Exodus 21:36
if it was known
"if people knew" or "if the owner knew"
a habit of goring in time past
"had gored other animals before"
its owner has not kept it in
"its owner did not keep it inside a fence"
he must surely pay ox for ox
"the owner of the ox that killed must surely give a living ox to the owner of the ox that died"
Chapter 22
1
If a man steals an ox or a sheep and kills it or sells it, then he must pay five oxen for one ox, and four sheep for one sheep.
2
If a thief is found breaking in, and if he is struck so that he dies, in that case no bloodguilt will attach to anyone on his account.
3
But if the sun has risen before he breaks in, bloodguilt will attach to the person who kills him.
A thief must make restitution. If he has nothing, then he must be sold for his theft.
4
If the stolen animal is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox, a donkey, or a sheep, he must pay back double.
5
If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard and lets his animal loose, and it grazes in another man's field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field and from the best of his own vineyard.
6
If a fire breaks out and spreads in thorns so that stacked grain, or standing grain, or a field is consumed, the one who started the fire must surely make restitution.
7
If a man gives money or goods to his neighbor for safe keeping, and if it is stolen out of the man's house, if the thief is found, that thief must pay double.
8
But if the thief is not found, then the owner of the house must come before the judges to see whether he has put his own hand on his neighbor's property.
9
For every transgression, whether it is an ox, a donkey, a sheep, clothing, or any other missing thing about which one says, "This belongs to me," the claim of both parties must come before the judges. The man whom the judges find guilty must pay double to his neighbor.
10
If a man gives his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep, and if it dies or is hurt or is carried away without anyone seeing it,
11
an oath to Yahweh must be taken by them both, as to whether or not one person has put his hand on his neighbor's property. The owner must accept this, and the other will make no restitution.
12
But if it was stolen from him, the other must make restitution to the owner for it.
13
If an animal was torn in pieces, let the other man bring the animal as evidence. He will not have to pay for what was torn.
14
If a man borrows any animal from his neighbor and the animal is injured or dies without the owner being with it, the other man must surely make restitution.
15
But if the owner was with it, the other man will not have to pay; if the animal was hired, it will be paid for by its hiring fee.
16
If a man seduces a virgin who is not betrothed, and if he lies with her, he must surely make her his wife by paying the bride wealth required for this.
17
If her father completely refuses to give her to him, he must pay money equal to the bride wealth of virgins.
18
You must not allow a sorceress to live.
19
Whoever lies with an animal must surely be put to death.
20
Whoever sacrifices to any god except to Yahweh must be completely destroyed.
21
You must not wrong a foreigner or oppress him, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
22
You must not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.
23
If you afflict them at all, and if they call out to me, I will surely hear their outcry.
24
My anger will burn, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows, and your children will become fatherless.
25
If you lend money to any of my people among you who are poor, you must not be like a moneylender to him or charge him interest.
26
If you take your neighbor's garment in pledge, you must return it to him before the sun goes down,
27
for that is his only covering; it is his garment for his body. What else can he lie down in? When he calls out to me, I will hear him, for I am gracious.
28
You must not blaspheme me, God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
29
You must not hold back offerings from your harvest or your winepresses. You must give to me the firstborn of your sons.
30
You must also do the same with your oxen and your sheep. For seven days they may remain with their mothers, but on the eighth day you must give them to me.
31
You will be people that are set apart for me. So you must not eat any meat that was torn by animals in the field. Instead, you must throw it to the dogs.
Exodus 22:1
General Information:
Yahweh continues telling Moses his laws for the people of Israel. In this chapter, the purpose of these laws often focus on minimizing the people's desire for vengeance.
Exodus 22:2
If a thief is found
"If anyone finds a thief"
breaking in
"using force to come into a house"
if he is struck so that he dies
"if anyone strikes the thief so that he dies"
no bloodguilt will attach to anyone on his account
"no one will be guilty of murdering him"
Exodus 22:3
if the sun has risen before he breaks in
"if it is light before he breaks in" or "if he breaks in and it is after sunrise"
bloodguilt will attach to the person who kills him
"the person who kills him will be guilty of murder"
make restitution
"pay for what he stole"
he must be sold for his theft
"you must sell him as a slave in order to pay for what he stole"
Exodus 22:4
If the stolen animal is found alive in his possession
"If they find that he still has the live animal that he stole"
pay back double
pay two animals for every animal that he took
Exodus 22:5
If a man grazes his livestock
"If a man lets his animals eat plants"
he must make restitution
"he must pay back the owner of that field"
Exodus 22:6
If a fire breaks out and spreads in thorns
"If someone starts a fire and it moves along the ground through dry plants"
stacked grain
"bundled grain" or "harvested grain"
standing grain
This is grain that has not been cut, but it is ready to be harvested.
a field is consumed
"fire consumes a field"
must surely make restitution
"must certainly pay for the grain that the fire destroyed"
Exodus 22:7
for safe keeping
"to keep it safe"
if it is stolen
"if someone steals it"
thief
someone who steals something
if the thief is found
"if you find the thief"
Exodus 22:8
come before the judges to see whether
"come before the judges so that they can find out if"
has put his own hand on his neighbor's property
"has stolen his neighbor's property"
Exodus 22:9
the claim of both parties must come before the judges
The judges must listen to both people who claim that the item belongs to them and then decide who is guilty.
Exodus 22:11
an oath to Yahweh must be taken by them both
"the man who was caring for the animal must swear an oath before Yahweh and the owner must accept that oath"
Exodus 22:12
But if it was stolen from him
"But if someone stole the animal from him"
Exodus 22:13
If an animal was torn in pieces
"But if a wild beast tore the animal in pieces"
He will not have to pay for what was torn
"He will not have to pay for the animal that the wild beast destroyed"
Exodus 22:14
must surely make restitution
"must certainly pay the owner for the animal"
Exodus 22:15
if the animal was hired
"if someone rented the animal"
it will be paid for by its hiring fee
"the money that someone paid to rent the animal will cover the loss of the animal"
hiring fee
"money paid to rent the animal"
Exodus 22:16
a man seduces a virgin who is not betrothed
"a man persuades a virgin who is not betrothed that she wants to sleep with him"
not betrothed
"not promised to be married"
if he lies with her
"if he has sexual relations with her"
bride wealth
"dowry" or "bride price"
Exodus 22:17
him, he
These pronouns refer back to the man who seduced the virgin.
Exodus 22:19
Whoever lies with an animal
"Whoever has sexual relations with an animal"
Exodus 22:20
any god except to Yahweh must be completely destroyed
"Yahweh, you must completely destroy"
Exodus 22:21
wrong a foreigner
"mistreat a foreigner"
Exodus 22:22
You must not mistreat any widow or fatherless child
"You must treat all widows and fatherless children fairly"
widow
"woman whose husband has died"
fatherless child
"child with no parents"
Exodus 22:23
their outcry
Here the "outcry" is of people in pain because they are being oppressed. See how you translated "outcry" in Exodus 3:7.
Exodus 22:24
I will kill you with the sword
"you will die a violent death"
Exodus 22:25
a moneylender
"one who lends money"
charge him interest
"charge him extra money for borrowing"
Exodus 22:26
garment in pledge
"coat as a guarantee to repay the loan"
Exodus 22:27
only covering
"only garment to keep him warm"
What else can he lie down in?
"He will have nothing to wear while he sleeps!"
Exodus 22:28
You must not blaspheme me, God
"Do not speak evil about God"
nor curse a ruler
"and do not ask God to do bad things to a ruler"
Exodus 22:29
You must not hold back offerings
"You must bring all of your offerings"
give to me the firstborn of your sons
"dedicate your firstborn sons to me"
Exodus 22:30
do the same with
"dedicate to me the firstborn of"
For seven days
"For 7 days after they are born"
the eighth day
"day number 8"
give them to me
"dedicate them to me"
Chapter 23
1
You must not give a false report about anyone. Do not join with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.
2
You must not follow a crowd to do evil, and you must not bear witness in a dispute while siding with the crowd in order to pervert justice.
3
You must not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit.
4
If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you must bring it back to him.
5
If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen to the ground under its load, you must not leave that person. You must surely help him with his donkey.
6
Do not thrust aside justice for your poor in his lawsuit.
7
Do not join others in making false accusations, and do not kill the innocent or righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked.
8
Never take a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see, and perverts honest people's words.
9
You must not oppress a foreigner, since you know the life of a foreigner, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
10
For six years you will sow seed on your land and gather in its produce.
11
But in the seventh year you will let it rest and lie fallow, so that the poor among your people may eat. What they leave, the wild animals will eat. You will do the same with your vineyards and olive orchards.
12
During six days you will do your work, but on the seventh day you must rest. Do this so that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and so that your female slave's son and any foreigner may rest and be refreshed.
13
Pay attention to everything that I have said to you. Do not mention the names of other gods, nor let their names be heard from your mouth.
14
You must travel to hold a festival for me three times every year.
15
You are to observe the Festival of Unleavened Bread. As I commanded you, you will eat unleavened bread for seven days. At that time, you will appear before me in the month of Aviv, which is fixed for this purpose. It was in this month that you came out from Egypt. But you must not appear before me empty-handed.
16
You must observe the Festival of Harvest, the firstfruits of your labors when you sowed seed in the fields. Also you must observe the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your produce from the fields.
17
All your males must appear before the Lord Yahweh three times every year.
18
You must not offer the blood from sacrifices made to me with bread containing yeast. The fat from the sacrifices at my festivals must not remain all night until the morning.
19
You must bring the choicest firstfruits from your land into my house, the house of Yahweh your God. You must not boil a young goat in its mother's milk.
20
I am going to send an angel before you to guard you on the way, and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.
21
Be attentive to him and obey him. Do not provoke him, for he will not pardon your transgressions. My name is on him.
22
If you indeed obey his voice and do everything that I tell you, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.
23
My angel will go before you and bring you to the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and the Jebusites. I will destroy them.
24
You must not bow down to their gods, worship them, or do as they do, but you must completely break them down, and you must smash their stone pillars in pieces.
25
You must worship Yahweh your God, and he will bless your bread and water. I will remove sickness from among you.
26
No woman will be barren or will miscarry her young in your land. I will give you long lives.
27
I will send my terror before you, and will throw into confusion all the people to whom you come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you.
28
I will send hornets before you that will drive out the Hivites, Canaanites, and the Hittites from before you.
29
I will not drive them out from before you in one year, or the land would become desolate, and the wild animals would become too many for you.
30
Instead, I will drive them out little by little from before you until you become fruitful and inherit the land.
31
I will fix your borders from the Sea of Reeds to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the Euphrates River. I will give the inhabitants of the land into your hands. You will drive them out before you.
32
You must not make a covenant with them or with their gods.
33
They must not live in your land, or they would make you sin against me. If you worship their gods, this will surely become a trap for you.'"
Exodus 23:1
General Information:
Yahweh continues telling Moses his laws for the people of Israel. The people of Israel were required to celebrate certain feasts and festivals, which were part of the law of Moses and some are described in this chapter. Their purpose was to worship Yahweh and to remember the great things Yahweh has done for them.
malicious witness
This is the same as a lying or false witness.
Exodus 23:2
siding with the crowd
"doing what the crowd wants"
pervert justice
do illegal or immoral actions that result in a unjust ruling
Exodus 23:6
Do not thrust aside justice for your poor in his lawsuit
"Do not decide to treat a poor man unjustly in legal matters"
lawsuit
This refers to any matter that a court decides.
Exodus 23:7
I will not acquit the wicked
"I will not find the wicked not guilty"
Exodus 23:8
bribe blinds ... perverts
"bribe discredits ... undermines"
Exodus 23:9
the life of a foreigner
"the kind of life a stranger lives in a foreign land"
Exodus 23:10
its produce
"the food its plants produce"
Exodus 23:11
fallow
in its natural state, not used for to grow food
so that the poor among your people may eat
"so the poor among your people may harvest and eat any food that grows on its own in that field"
Exodus 23:12
your ox and your donkey
"your work animals"
any foreigner may rest and be refreshed
"any foreigner may rest and regain his strength"
Exodus 23:13
Pay attention to
"Do" or "Obey"
mention the names of other gods
"pray to other gods"
Exodus 23:15
Aviv
This is the name of the first month of the Hebrew calendar. Aviv is during the last part of March and the first part of April on Western calendars. See how you translated this in Exodus 13:4.
not appear before me empty-handed
"come to me without a proper offering"
Exodus 23:16
You must observe
"You must honor" or "You must celebrate"
Festival of Ingathering
This festival celebrated the final harvesting of all the crops for the year.
Exodus 23:17
All your males must appear before the Lord Yahweh
"All the men must gather to worship the Lord Yahweh"
Exodus 23:18
fat from the sacrifices
The fat was burned as an offering to Yahweh and was never eaten.
Exodus 23:19
the choicest firstfruits
"the best and first produce of the harvest"
You must not boil a young goat in its mother's milk
This was a magical fertility practice among the Canaanites and the Israelites were not permitted to participate in it.
Exodus 23:21
Be attentive to him
"Listen to him"
Do not provoke him, for he will not pardon
"If you provoke him, he will not pardon"
My name is on him
"He has my authority". Here "name" refers to God's authority.
Exodus 23:22
If you indeed obey his voice
"If you carefully obey what he says". Here "voice" represents what the angel says.
an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries
These two phrases mean the same thing and are used for emphasis.
Exodus 23:24
You must not ... do as they do
"You must not ... live as the people who worship those gods"
Exodus 23:25
he will bless your bread and water
"he will bless your food and drink"
he will bless ... I will remove
Here both "he" and "I" refer to Yahweh.
Exodus 23:26
No woman will be barren or will miscarry her young in your land
"Every woman will be able to become pregnant and give birth to healthy babies"
miscarry
to have a pregnancy end early and unexpectedly
Exodus 23:28
hornets
a flying insect that can sting people and cause pain
Exodus 23:29
or the land would become desolate
"because no one would be living in the land"
Exodus 23:33
this will surely become a trap for you
This means that worshiping other gods will lead the people of Israel to certain destruction as if they were an animal caught in a hunter's trap.
Chapter 24
1
Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Come up to me—you, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of Israel's elders, and worship me at a distance.
2
Moses alone may come near to me. The others must not come near, nor may the people come up with him."
3
Moses went and told the people all of Yahweh's words and decrees. All the people answered with one voice and said, "We will do all the words that Yahweh has said."
4
Then Moses wrote down all of Yahweh's words. Early in the morning, Moses built an altar at the foot of the mountain and arranged twelve stone pillars, so that the stones would represent the twelve tribes of Israel.
5
He sent some young men from among the people of Israel to offer burnt offerings and sacrifice peace offerings of oxen to Yahweh.
6
Moses took half of the blood and put it into basins; he sprinkled the other half onto the altar.
7
He took the book of the Covenant and read it aloud to the people. They said, "We will do all that Yahweh has spoken. We will be obedient."
8
Then Moses took the blood and sprinkled it onto the people. He said, "This is the blood of the covenant that Yahweh has made with you by giving you this promise with all these words."
9
Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of Israel's elders went up the mountain.
10
They saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there was a pavement made of sapphire stone, as clear as the sky itself.
11
God did not lay a hand on the leaders of the people of Israel. They saw God, and they ate and drank.
12
Yahweh said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain and stay there. I will give you the tablets of stone and the law and commandments that I have written, so that you may teach them."
13
So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua and went up the mountain of God.
14
Moses had said to the elders, "Stay here and wait for us until we come to you. Aaron and Hur are with you. If anyone has a dispute, let him go to them."
15
So Moses went up the mountain, and the cloud covered it.
16
Yahweh's glory settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day he called to Moses from within the cloud.
17
The appearance of Yahweh's glory was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the people of Israel.
18
Moses entered the cloud and went up the mountain. He was up the mountain for forty days and forty nights.
Exodus 24:1
Nadab ... Abihu
These are men's names. See how you translated these names in Exodus 6:23.
seventy of Israel's elders
"70 of Israel's elders"
Exodus 24:2
General Information:
Because Yahweh is perfectly holy, he can only be approached in a certain way. Because of this, only Moses was allowed near Yahweh. This is also why Yahweh is described as a "devouring fire.”
Exodus 24:3
with one voice
"together" or "in agreement". Moses' covenant...The people of Israel promise to obey the covenant Yahweh made with Moses. Their continued blessings were contingent upon their obedience to this covenant.
Exodus 24:4
foot of the mountain
"base of the mountain"
Exodus 24:6
Moses took half of the blood and put it into basins
Moses collected half of the blood in basins in order to splash it on the people in Exodus 24:8. This would confirm the people's participation in the covenant between the people of Israel and God.
he sprinkled the other half onto the altar
Here the altar represents God. This would confirm God's participation in the covenant between God and the people of Israel.
Exodus 24:7
We will be obedient
"We will obey everything"
Exodus 24:8
Then Moses took the blood
"Then Moses took the blood that was in the bowls"
Exodus 24:9
Nadab ... Abihu
These are men's names. See how you translated these names in Exodus 6:23.
Exodus 24:10
Under his feet
This speaks of God as if he had human feet.
a pavement made of sapphire stone
"a pavement made of blue stones called sapphires"
pavement
a hard surface for walking or riding
sapphire stone
This is a gemstone that is blue in color.
as clear as the sky itself
"as clear as the sky is when there are no clouds"
Exodus 24:11
God did not lay a hand on the leaders of the people of Israel
"God did not harm the leaders of the people of Israel"
Exodus 24:12
tablets of stone and the law and commandments
"two stone slabs on which I have written all the laws"
Exodus 24:13
with his assistant Joshua
"with Joshua who assisted him"
Exodus 24:14
wait for us
"wait for Joshua and me"
Hur
Hur was a man who was a friend of Moses and Aaron. See how you translated this name in Exodus 17:10.
Exodus 24:16
Yahweh's glory
"The brilliant light showing God's presence"
Exodus 24:17
like a devouring fire
"like a big fire burning"
in the eyes of the people of Israel
"to the people of Israel"
Exodus 24:18
forty days and forty nights
"40 days and 40 nights"
Chapter 25
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses,
2
"Tell the people of Israel to take an offering for me from every person who is motivated by a willing heart. You must receive these offerings for me.
3
These are the offerings that you must receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze;
4
blue, purple, and scarlet material; fine linen; goats' hair;
5
ram skins dyed red and fine leather hides; acacia wood;
6
oil for the sanctuary lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense;
7
onyx stones and other precious stones to be set for the ephod and breastpiece.
8
Let them make me a sanctuary so that I may live among them.
9
You must make it exactly as I will show you in the plans for the tabernacle and for all its equipment.
10
They are to make an ark of acacia wood. Its length must be two and a half cubits; its width will be one cubit and a half; and its height will be one cubit and a half.
11
You must cover it inside and out with pure gold, and you must make on it a border of gold around its top.
12
You must cast four rings of gold for it, and put them on the ark's four feet, with two rings on one side of it, and two rings on the other side.
13
You must make poles of acacia wood and cover them with gold.
14
You must put the poles into the rings on the ark's sides, in order to carry the ark.
15
The poles must remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be taken from it.
16
You must put into the ark the covenant decrees that I will give you.
17
You must make an atonement lid of pure gold. Its length must be two and a half cubits, and its width must be a cubit and a half.
18
You must make two cherubim of hammered gold for the two ends of the atonement lid.
19
Make one cherub for one end of the atonement lid, and the other cherub for the other end. They must be made as one piece with the atonement lid.
20
The cherubim must spread out their wings upward and overshadow the atonement lid with them. The cherubim must face one another and look toward the center of the atonement lid.
21
You must put the atonement lid on top of the ark, and you must put into the ark the covenant decrees that I am giving you.
22
It is at the ark that I will meet with you. I will speak with you from my position above the atonement lid. It will be from between the two cherubim over the ark of the covenant decrees that I will speak to you about all the commands I will give you for the people of Israel.
23
You must make a table of acacia wood. Its length must be two cubits; its width must be one cubit, and its height must be a cubit and a half.
24
You must cover it with pure gold and put a border of gold around the top.
25
You must make a surrounding frame for it one handbreadth wide, with a surrounding border of gold for the frame.
26
You must make for it four rings of gold and attach the rings to the four corners, where the four feet were.
27
The rings must be attached to the frame to provide places for the poles, in order to carry the table.
28
You must make the poles out of acacia wood and cover them with gold so that the table may be carried with them.
29
You must make the dishes, spoons, pitchers, and bowls to be used to pour out drink offerings. You must make them of pure gold.
30
You must regularly set the bread of the presence on the table before me.
31
You must make a lampstand of pure hammered gold. The lampstand is to be made with its base and shaft. Its cups, its leafy bases, and its flowers are to be all made of one piece with it.
32
Six branches must extend out from its sides—three branches must extend from one side, and three branches of the lampstand must extend from the other side.
33
The first branch must have three cups made like almond blossoms, with a leafy base and a flower, and three cups made like almond blossoms in the other branch, with a leafy base and a flower. It must be the same for all six branches extending out from the lampstand.
34
On the lampstand itself, the central shaft, there must be four cups made like almond blossoms, with their leafy bases and the flowers.
35
There must be a leafy base under the first pair of branches—made as one piece with it, and a leafy base under the second pair of branches—also made as one piece with it. In the same way there must be a leafy base under the third pair of branches, made as one piece with it. It must be the same for all six branches extending out from the lampstand.
36
Their leafy bases and branches must all be one piece with it, one beaten piece of work of pure gold.
37
You must make the lampstand and its seven lamps, and set up its lamps for them to give light from it.
38
The tongs and their trays must be made of pure gold.
39
Use one talent of pure gold to make the lampstand and its accessories.
40
Be sure to make them after the pattern that you are being shown on the mountain.
Exodus 25:1
General Information:
This chapter gives specific instructions regarding the building of a tent where Moses would meet Yahweh and the ark would be stored. This would eventually become the tabernacle. It was to be considered a very holy place.
Exodus 25:2
who is motivated by a willing heart
"who wants to give an offering"
You must receive
The word "you" refers to Moses and the leaders.
Exodus 25:4
blue, purple, and scarlet material
"material that is dyed blue, purple, and scarlet," probably wool yarn,
scarlet
bright red
Exodus 25:6
spices
dried plants that people grind into a powder and put in oil or food to give it a nice smell or flavor
Exodus 25:7
onyx
a valuable stone that has layers of white and black, red or brown.
precious stones to be set
"precious stones for someone to set"
precious stones
"valuable gems" or "treasured gems"
Exodus 25:9
tabernacle
Here this word means the same thing as the word "sanctuary" in verse 8.
You must make it
Here "you" is plural and refers to Moses and the people of Israel.
show you in the plans
"show you in the design" or "show you in the pattern." Here "you" is singular and refers to Moses.
Exodus 25:10
two and a half cubits ... one cubit and a half
"2.5 cubits ... 1.5 cubits" or "115 centimeters ... almost 69 centimeters". A cubit is 46 centimeters.
Exodus 25:12
cast four rings of gold
Casting was a process in which gold was melted, poured into a mold that was in the shape of a ring, and then allowed to harden.
Exodus 25:14
in order to carry the ark
"so that you can carry the ark"
Exodus 25:17
atonement lid
This is the lid that sits on top of the ark where the atonement offering was made.
Exodus 25:18
hammered gold
"beaten gold"
Exodus 25:19
They must be made
"You must make them"
Exodus 25:21
You must put
Here "you" refers to Moses and the people of Israel.
Exodus 25:22
It is at the ark that I will meet with you
"I will meet with you at the ark." Here the word "you" is singular and refers to Moses.
Exodus 25:25
one handbreadth wide
a measurement of 7 to 8 centimeters
frame for it
"frame for the table"
Exodus 25:26
feet were
"legs are"
Exodus 25:27
The rings must be attached
"You must attach the rings"
in order to carry
"so you can carry"
Exodus 25:28
so that the table may be carried with them
"so that you may carry the table with them"
Exodus 25:29
to be used to pour out drink offerings
"so that you may use them to pour out drink offerings"
Exodus 25:30
bread of the presence
This bread represented the presence of God.
Exodus 25:31
The lampstand is to be made
"Make the lampstand"
Its cups, its leafy bases, and its flowers are to be all made of one piece with it
"Make its cups, its leafy bases, and its flowers all of one piece with the lampstand"
Exodus 25:33
almond blossoms
white or pink flowers that have five petals
Exodus 25:35
made as one piece with it
"you must make them as one piece with the lampstand"
Exodus 25:37
for them to give light from it
"so they shine light from it"
Exodus 25:38
The tongs and their trays must be made of pure gold
"Make the tongs and their trays of pure gold"
Exodus 25:39
one talent
A talent weighs about thirty-three kilograms.
its accessories
the tongs and the trays
Exodus 25:40
you are being shown on the mountain
"I am showing you on the mountain"
Chapter 26
1
You must make the tabernacle with ten curtains made from fine linen and blue, purple, and scarlet wool with the designs of cherubim. This will be the work of a very skilled craftsman.
2
The length of each curtain must be twenty-eight cubits, the width four cubits. All the curtains must be of the same size.
3
Five curtains must be joined to each other, and the other five curtains must also be joined to each other.
4
You must make loops of blue along the outer edge of the end curtain of one set. In the same way, you must do the same along the outer edge of the end curtain in the second set.
5
You must make fifty loops on the first curtain, and you must make fifty loops on the end curtain in the second set. Do this so that the loops will be opposite to each other.
6
You must make fifty clasps of gold and join the curtains together with them so that the tabernacle becomes united.
7
You must make curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle. You must make eleven of these curtains.
8
The length of each curtain must be thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain must be four cubits. Each of the eleven curtains must be of the same size.
9
You must join five curtains to each other and the other six curtains to each other. You must double over the sixth curtain in the front of the tent.
10
You must make fifty loops on the edge of the end curtain of the first set, and fifty loops on the edge of the end curtain that joins the second set.
11
You must make fifty bronze clasps and put them into the loops. Then you join the tent together so that it may be one piece.
12
The leftover half curtain, that is, the overhanging part remaining from the tent's curtains, must hang at the back of the tabernacle.
13
There must be one cubit of curtain on one side, and one cubit of curtain on the other side—that which is left over of the length of the tent's curtains must hang over the sides of the tabernacle on one side and on the other side, to cover it.
14
You must make for the tabernacle a covering of ram skins dyed red, and another covering of fine leather to go above that.
15
You must make upright frames out of acacia wood for the tabernacle.
16
The length of each frame must be ten cubits, and its width must be one and a half cubits.
17
There must be two wooden pegs in each frame for joining the frames to each other. You are to make all the tabernacle's frames in this way.
18
When you make the frames for the tabernacle, you must make twenty frames for the south side.
19
You must make forty silver bases to go under the twenty frames. There must be two bases under the first frame to be its two pedestals, and also two bases under each of the other frames for their two pedestals.
20
For the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, you must make twenty frames
21
and their forty silver bases. There must be two bases under the first frame, two bases under the next frame, and so on.
22
For the back side of the tabernacle on the west side, you must make six frames.
23
You must make two frames for the back corners of the tabernacle.
24
These frames must be separate at the bottom, but joined at the top to the same ring. It must be this way for both of the back corners.
25
There must be eight frames, together with their silver bases. There must be sixteen bases in all, two bases under the first frame, two bases under the next frame, and so on.
26
You must make crossbars of acacia wood—five for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle,
27
five crossbars for the frames of the other side of the tabernacle, and five crossbars for the frames for the back side of the tabernacle to the west.
28
The crossbar in the center of the frames, that is, halfway up, must reach from end to end.
29
You must cover the frames with gold. You must make their rings of gold, for them to serve as holders for the crossbars, and you must cover the bars with gold.
30
You must set up the tabernacle by following the plan you were shown on the mountain.
31
You must make a curtain of blue, purple, and scarlet wool, and of fine linen, with designs of cherubim, the work of a skillful workman.
32
You must hang it on four pillars of acacia wood covered with gold. These pillars must have hooks of gold set on four silver bases.
33
You must hang up the curtain under the clasps, and you must bring in the ark of the covenant decrees. The curtain is to separate the holy place from the most holy place.
34
You must put the atonement lid on the ark of the covenant decrees, which is in the most holy place.
35
You must place the table outside the curtain. You must place the lampstand opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle. The table must be on the north side.
36
You must make a screen for the tent entrance. You must make it out of blue, purple, and scarlet material and fine twined linen, the work of an embroiderer.
37
For the screen you must make five pillars of acacia and cover them with gold. Their hooks must be of gold, and you must cast five bronze bases for them.
Exodus 26:1
General Information:
This chapter gives specific instructions regarding the building of a tent where Moses would meet Yahweh and the ark would be stored. This would eventually become the tabernacle. It was to be considered a very holy place.
You must make
"Tell a craftsman to make". Yahweh is speaking to Moses, so the word "you" is singular. Yahweh probably expected Moses to tell someone else to do the actual work, but Moses would be the one responsible for seeing that the work was done correctly.
curtains
These were large, heavy sections of woven cloth that were used to form the covering and dividing walls of the tabernacle.
scarlet wool
wool dyed a deep red color
craftsman
a person who is skilled in making beautiful objects by hand
Exodus 26:2
twenty-eight cubits ... four cubits
"28 cubits ... 4 cubits." A cubit is 46 centimeters.
Exodus 26:3
Five curtains must be joined to each other ... must also be joined to each other
"Sew five curtains together to make one set, and sew the other five curtains together to make another set"
Exodus 26:4
one set
"one set of five curtains"
the second set
"the second set of five curtains"
Exodus 26:6
clasps
The clasps fit into the loops (verses 4 and 5) to hold the curtains together.
Exodus 26:8
thirty ... four
"30 ... 4"
Exodus 26:15
frames
This refers to frames or panels that they made by joining together smaller pieces of wood.
Exodus 26:16
ten cubits ... one and a half cubits
"10 cubits ... 1.5 cubits"
Exodus 26:19
silver bases
These were silver blocks that had a slot in them to keep the board in place.
pedestals
The silver bases kept the wooden board off the ground.
There must be two bases
"Put two bases"
Exodus 26:21
and so on
"and two bases for each of the rest of the boards"
Exodus 26:24
These frames must be separate at the bottom, but joined at the top
"Separate these frames at the bottom, but join them at the top"
Exodus 26:25
silver bases
These were silver blocks that had a slot in them to keep the frame in place. See how you translated this in Exodus 26:19.
in all
"total"
and so on
"and two bases for each of the rest of the frames"
Exodus 26:26
crossbars
These are horizontal support beams that give stability to the structure.
Exodus 26:27
the back side of the tabernacle to the west
The front was on the east side of the tabernacle.
Exodus 26:29
for them to serve as holders for the crossbars
"which will hold the crossbars" or "because they will hold the crossbars"
Exodus 26:30
you were shown on the mountain
"that I have shown you here on this mountain"
Exodus 26:31
You must make
"Tell a craftsman to make." See how you translated this in Exodus 26:1.
Exodus 26:33
you must bring in the ark of the covenant decrees
"you must bring in the chest containing the commandments". The ark of the testimony is the chest that contains the commandments.
The curtain is to separate the holy place
"The curtain will separate the holy place"
Exodus 26:34
atonement lid
This is the lid that sits on top of the ark where the atonement offering was made. See how you translated this in Exodus 25:17.
on the ark of the covenant decrees
"on the chest that contains the commandments"
Exodus 26:35
The table must be on the north side
"Place the table for the bread of God's presence on the north side". This is the table that holds the bread that represents the presence of God.
Exodus 26:36
a screen
This was a large curtain made of cloth.
blue, purple, and scarlet material
"yarn that is dyed blue, purple, and scarlet," probably wool yarn, or "blue, purple, and scarlet dye" to dye the linen.
fine twined linen
"finely twisted linen." This was cloth made from fine linen threads that someone twisted together to make a stronger thread.
an embroiderer
"a person who sews designs into cloth"
Chapter 27
1
You must make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide. The altar must be square and three cubits high.
2
You must make extensions of its four corners shaped like ox horns. The horns will be made as one piece with the altar, and you must cover them with bronze.
3
You must make equipment for the altar: pots for ashes, and also shovels, basins, meat forks, and firepans. You must make all these utensils with bronze.
4
You must make a grate for the altar, a network of bronze. Make a bronze ring for each of the grate's four corners.
5
You must put the grate under the ledge of the altar, halfway down to the bottom.
6
You must make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and you must cover them with bronze.
7
The poles must be put into the rings, and the poles must be on the two sides of the altar, to carry it.
8
You must make the altar hollow, out of planks. You must make it in the way you were shown on the mountain.
9
You must make a courtyard for the tabernacle. There must be hangings on the south side of the courtyard, hangings of fine twined linen one hundred cubits long.
10
The hangings must have twenty posts, with twenty bronze bases. There must also be hooks attached to the posts, as well as silver rods.
11
In the same way, along the north side, there must be hangings one hundred cubits long with twenty posts, twenty bronze bases, hooks attached to the posts, and silver rods.
12
Along the courtyard on the west side there must be a curtain fifty cubits long. There must be ten posts and ten bases.
13
The courtyard must also be fifty cubits long on the east side.
14
The hangings for one side of the entrance must be fifteen cubits long. They must have three posts with three bases.
15
The other side must also have hangings fifteen cubits long. They must have their three posts and three bases.
16
The courtyard gate must be a screen twenty cubits long. The curtain must be made of blue, purple, and scarlet material and fine twined linen, the work of an embroiderer. It must have four posts with four bases.
17
All the courtyard posts must have silver rods, silver hooks, and bronze bases.
18
The length of the courtyard must be one hundred cubits, the width fifty cubits, and the height five cubits with fine twined linen hangings all along, and bases of bronze.
19
All the equipment to be used in the tabernacle, and all the tent pegs for the tabernacle and courtyard must be made of bronze.
20
You must command the people of Israel to bring olive oil, pure and pressed, for the lamps so they may burn continually.
21
In the tent of meeting, outside the curtain that is in front of the tabernacle that contains the ark of the covenant decrees, Aaron and his sons must keep the lamps burning before Yahweh, from evening to morning. This requirement will be a lasting statute throughout the generations of the people of Israel.
Exodus 27:1
five cubits long and five cubits wide
"2.2 meters long on each side". A cubit is 46 centimeters.
The altar must be square and three cubits high
"The altar must be square and 1.3 meters high"
Exodus 27:2
You must make extensions of its four corners shaped like ox horns
"You must make projections that look like ox horns on its four corners"
The horns will be made
"You must make the horns"
must cover them
"must cover the altar and horns"
Exodus 27:3
basins
bowls
firepans
These were pans that held hot coals from the altar.
utensils
These were any instrument, vessel, or tool that served a useful purpose.
Exodus 27:4
You must make a grate for the altar, a network of bronze
"You must make a bronze grate for the altar"
grate
a frame of crossed bars for holding wood when burning
Exodus 27:5
You must put the grate under the ledge of the altar
"You must put the grate under the rim of the altar, on the inside of the altar".
Exodus 27:6
You must make poles for the altar
"You must make poles for carrying the altar". These poles were used for carrying the altar.
Exodus 27:7
The poles must be put into the rings, and the poles must be on the two sides of the altar, to carry it
"You must put the poles into the rings and place them on each side of the altar to carry it"
Exodus 27:8
planks
a long, flat piece of wood that is thicker than a board
you were shown on the mountain
"that I have shown to you here on this mountain"
Exodus 27:9
There must be hangings ... courtyard
"You must place hangings ... courtyard"
hangings of fine twined linen
A "hanging" was a large curtain made of cloth. See how you translated this in Exodus 26:36.
fine twined linen
"finely twisted linen."
one hundred cubits
"44 meters". A cubit is 46 centimeters.
Exodus 27:10
There must also be hooks ... posts
"You must also attach hooks ... posts"
posts
a strong piece of wood set upright and used as a support
Exodus 27:12
there must be a curtain
"you must make a curtain"
There must be ten posts
"You must make ten posts"
Exodus 27:13
The courtyard must also be fifty cubits long
"Make the courtyard fifty cubits long"
Exodus 27:14
posts
See how you translated these in Exodus 27:10.
bases
See how you translated this in Exodus 26:19.
fifteen cubits
about seven meters
Exodus 27:16
The courtyard gate must be a screen twenty cubits long
"You must make a screen twenty cubits long to be the courtyard gate"
The curtain must be made ... fine twined linen, the work of an embroiderer
"They must make the curtain ... fine twined linen, the work of an embroiderer"
blue, purple, and scarlet material and fine twined linen
"yarn that is dyed blue, purple, and scarlet," probably wool yarn, or "blue, purple, and scarlet dye" to dye the linen.
an embroiderer
a person who sews designs into cloth
Exodus 27:18
one hundred cubits
"100 cubits." A cubit is 46 centimeters.
fine twined linen hangings
"finely twisted linen." See how you translated this in Exodus 26:36.
Exodus 27:19
all the tent pegs for the tabernacle and courtyard must be made of bronze
"make all the tent pegs for the tabernacle and courtyard out of bronze"
tent pegs
sharp pieces of wood or metal used to secure the corners of a tent to the ground
Exodus 27:21
tent of meeting
This is another name for the tabernacle.
ark of the covenant decrees
This is the chest that contains the sacred slabs of stone on which Yahweh had written his commandments.
This requirement will be a lasting statute
"I require that the people do this as a lasting statute"
Chapter 28
1
Call to yourself Aaron your brother and his sons—Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar—from among the people of Israel so that they may serve me as priests.
2
You must make for Aaron, your brother, garments that are set apart to me. These garments will be for his honor and splendor.
3
You must speak to all people who are wise in heart, those whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, so that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him to serve me as my priest.
4
The garments that they must make are a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a coat of woven work, a turban, and a sash. They must make these garments that are set apart to me. They will be for your brother Aaron and his sons so that they may serve me as priests.
5
Craftsmen must use fine linen that is gold, blue, purple, and scarlet.
6
They must make the ephod of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet wool, and of fine-twined linen. It must be the work of a skillful craftsman.
7
It must have two shoulder pieces attached to its two upper corners.
8
Its finely-woven waistband must be like the ephod; it must be made of one piece with the ephod, made of fine twined linen that is gold, blue, purple, and scarlet.
9
You must take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel.
10
Six of their names must be on one stone, and six names must be on the other stone, in order of the sons' birth.
11
With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engraving on a signet, you must engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel. You must mount the stones in settings of gold.
12
You must put the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, to be stones to remind Yahweh of Israel's sons. Aaron will carry their names before Yahweh on his two shoulders as a reminder to him.
13
You must make settings of gold
14
and two braided chains of pure gold like cords, and you must attach the chains to the settings.
15
You must make a breastpiece for decision making, the work of a skillful workman, fashioned like the ephod. Make it of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet wool, and of fine linen.
16
It is to be square. You must fold the breastpiece double. It must be one span long and one span wide.
17
You must place in it four rows of precious stones. The first row must have a ruby, a topaz, and a garnet.
18
The second row must have an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
19
The third row must have a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst.
20
The fourth row must have a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper. They must be mounted in gold settings.
21
The stones must be arranged by the names of the sons of Israel. They must be like the engraving on a signet ring, each name standing for one of the twelve tribes.
22
You must make on the breastpiece chains like cords, braided work of pure gold.
23
You must make two rings of gold for the breastpiece and must attach them to the two ends of the breastpiece.
24
You must attach the two golden chains to the two corners of the breastpiece.
25
You must attach the other ends of the two braided chains to the two settings. Then you must attach those to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at its front.
26
You must make two rings of gold, and you must put them on the other two corners of the breastpiece, on the edge next to the inner border of the ephod.
27
You must make two more gold rings, and you must attach them to the bottom of the two shoulder pieces of the front of the ephod, close to its seam above the finely-woven waistband of the ephod.
28
They must tie the breastpiece by its rings to the ephod's rings with a blue cord, so that it might be attached just above the ephod's woven waistband. This is so that the breastpiece might not become unattached from the ephod.
29
When Aaron goes into the holy place, he must carry the names of the sons of Israel over his heart in the breastpiece for decision making, as a continuing memorial before Yahweh.
30
You are to put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece for decision making, so they may be over Aaron's heart when he goes in before Yahweh. Thus Aaron will always carry the means for making decisions for the people of Israel over his heart before Yahweh.
31
You will make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue fabric.
32
It must have an opening for the head in the middle. The opening must have a woven edge round about so that it does not tear. This must be the work of a weaver.
33
On the bottom hem, you must make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn all around. Gold bells must be between them all around.
34
There must be a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate—and so on—all around the hem of the robe.
35
The robe is to be on Aaron when he serves, so that its sound can be heard when he goes into the holy place before Yahweh and when he leaves. This is so that he does not die.
36
You must make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving on a signet, "Holy to Yahweh."
37
You must attach this plate by a blue cord to the front of the turban.
38
It must be on Aaron's forehead; he must always bear any guilt that might attach to the offering of the holy gifts that the people of Israel set apart to Yahweh. The turban must be always on his forehead so that Yahweh may accept their gifts.
39
You must make the coat with fine linen, and you must make a turban of fine linen. You must also make a sash, the work of an embroiderer.
40
For Aaron's sons you must make tunics, sashes, and headbands for their honor and splendor.
41
You must clothe Aaron your brother, and his sons with him. You must anoint them, ordain them, and consecrate them to me, so that they may serve me as priests.
42
You must make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh, that will cover them from the waist to the thighs.
43
Aaron and his sons must wear these garments when they enter the tent of meeting or when they approach the altar to serve in the holy place. They must do this so they would not be guilty or else they would die. This is a permanent law for Aaron and his descendants after him.
Exodus 28:1
Call to yourself
Here "yourself" refers to Moses.
Exodus 28:2
You must make
Here "you" refers to the people.
garments that are set apart to me
"garments that you will set apart to me". Holy garments...Because Yahweh is holy, only the priests could approach him, and when they did they must be wearing specially made clothing.
Exodus 28:4
a coat of woven work
"a coat with a design woven into it"
turban
a tall head covering made from cloth wrapped around the head several times
sash
a piece of cloth that people wear around their waist or across their chest
Exodus 28:6
fine-twined linen
"finely-twisted linen." See how you translated this in Exodus 26:36.
skillful craftsman
a person who can make beautiful objects by hand
Exodus 28:8
it must be made of one piece
"they must make it in one piece"
Exodus 28:9
onyx stones
These are valuable stones that have layers of white and black, red or brown.
Exodus 28:11
With the work of an engraver in stone, like ... on a signet
"In the same way a person engraves on a seal"
engraver
a person who cuts designs into a hard material such as wood, stone, or metal
signet
an engraved stone used to stamp a design into a wax seal
settings
pieces of metal that hold the stone onto the ephod
Exodus 28:14
two braided chains of pure gold like cords
"two chains of pure gold that are braided like cords"
Exodus 28:15
the work of a skillful workman, fashioned like the ephod
"a skillful workman will make it like the ephod"
Exodus 28:16
span
A span is 22 centimeters.
Exodus 28:17
General Information:
Twelve kinds of stone are listed here. Scholars are not sure which kinds of stones the Hebrew words refer to. Some translations list different stones.
precious stones
"valuable gems" or "treasured gems." See how you translated these in Exodus 25:7.
ruby ... topaz ... garnet
These are precious stones.
Exodus 28:18
emerald ... diamond
These are precious stones.
sapphire
This is a gemstone that is blue in color. See how you translated this in Exodus 24:10.
Exodus 28:19
jacinth ... agate ... amethyst
These are precious stones
Exodus 28:20
beryl ... jasper
These are precious stones.
onyx
See how you translated these in Exodus 25:7.
They must be mounted in gold settings
"You must mount them in gold settings"
Exodus 28:21
The stones must be arranged
"You must arrange the stones"
signet ring
A signet is an engraved stone used to stamp a design into a wax seal. Here the stone is mounted on a ring. See how you translated "signet" in Exodus 28:11.
Exodus 28:22
chains like cords, braided work of pure gold
"chains that are made of pure gold and are braided like cords." See how you translated this in Exodus 28:14.
Exodus 28:25
to the two settings
"to the two settings that enclose the stones"
Exodus 28:27
finely-woven waistband
This was a cloth belt made from narrow linen threads that someone twisted together to make a stronger thread. See how you translated this in Exodus 28:8.
Exodus 28:28
so that it might be attached
"so that they may attach it"
the breastpiece might not become unattached from the ephod
"the breastpiece might stay attached to the ephod"
Exodus 28:29
he must carry the names of the sons of Israel over his heart in the breastpiece
This refers to the names of the tribes engraved on the twelve stones in the breastplate as described in Exodus 28:17-21.
over his heart
"over Aaron's heart"
Exodus 28:30
the Urim and the Thummim ... the means for making decisions
The second phrase appears to refer to the Urim and Thummim and explain their purpose.
the Urim and the Thummim
It not clear what these are. They were objects, possibly stones, that the priest used to determine somehow the will of God.
Exodus 28:32
This must be the work of a weaver
"A weaver must make this robe"
a weaver
"a person who creates cloth using thread"
Exodus 28:33
pomegranates
A pomegranate is a round fruit with a red outer skin.
Exodus 28:34
a golden bell and a pomegranate
This phrase is repeated to show the pattern of the design on the robe.
Exodus 28:35
The robe is to be on Aaron when he serves
"Aaron must wear the robe when he serves"
so that its sound can be heard
"so that the bells make a sound"
This is so that he does not die
"As a result, he will not die because of disobeying my instructions"
Exodus 28:36
engrave on it, like the engraving on a signet
"write on it in the same way a person engraves on a seal." See how you translated similar words in Exodus 28:11.
Exodus 28:37
turban
This was a tall head covering made from cloth wrapped around the head several times. See how you translated this in Exodus 28:4.
Exodus 28:38
It must be on Aaron's forehead
"Aaron must wear it on his forehead"
The turban must be always on his forehead
"Aaron must always wear the turban on his forehead"
Exodus 28:39
sash
A sash is a decorative piece of cloth that a person wears around his waist or across his chest. See how you translated this in Exodus 28:4.
Exodus 28:40
headbands
A headband is a narrow, decorative strip of cloth that is worn around the head above the eyes.
Exodus 28:41
You must clothe Aaron your brother
"Put these clothes on your older brother Aaron"
Exodus 28:42
undergarments
These are underwear, clothing worn under the outer clothes, next to the skin.
naked flesh
This refers to sexual organs. Your language may have a different polite way to speak of these things.
Exodus 28:43
tent of meeting
This is another name for the tabernacle. See how you translated this in Exodus 27:21.
a permanent law
"a law the will not end"
Chapter 29
1
Now this is what you must do to set them apart to me so that they may serve me as priests. Take one young bull from the herd and two rams without blemish,
2
bread without yeast, and cakes without yeast mixed with oil. Also take wafers without yeast rubbed with oil. Make the wafers using fine wheat flour.
3
You must put them into a single basket, bring them in the basket, and present them with the bull and the two rams.
4
You must present Aaron and his sons at the entrance to the tent of meeting. You must wash Aaron and his sons in water.
5
You must take the garments and clothe Aaron with the coat, the robe of the ephod, the ephod, and the breastpiece, fastening the finely-woven waistband of the ephod around him.
6
You must set the turban on his head and put the holy crown on the turban.
7
Then take the anointing oil and pour it on his head, and in this way anoint him.
8
You must bring his sons and put tunics on them.
9
You must clothe Aaron and his sons with sashes and put headbands on them. The work of the priesthood will belong to them by permanent law. In this way you must consecrate Aaron and his sons for them to serve me.
10
You must all bring the bull before the tent of meeting, and Aaron and his sons must lay their hands on its head.
11
You must kill the bull before Yahweh at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
12
You must take some of the bull's blood and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger, and you must pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.
13
You must take all the fat that covers the inner parts, and also take the covering of the liver and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them; burn it all on the altar.
14
But as for the bull's flesh, as well as its skin and dung, you must burn it up outside the camp. It will be a sin offering.
15
You must also take the one ram, and Aaron and his sons must lay their hands on its head.
16
You must kill the ram, then take its blood and sprinkle it on all sides of the altar.
17
You must cut the ram into pieces and wash its inner parts and its legs, and you must put the inner parts, together with its pieces and with its head,
18
on the altar. Then burn the whole ram. It will be a burnt offering to Yahweh, a sweet aroma, an offering made to Yahweh by fire.
19
You must then take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons must lay their hands on its head.
20
Then you must kill the ram and take some of its blood. Put it on the tip of Aaron's right ear, and on the tip of his sons' right ears, on the thumb of their right hands, and on the great toe of their right feet. Then you must sprinkle the blood against the altar on every side.
21
You must take some of the blood that is on the altar and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it all on Aaron and on his garments, and also on his sons and on their garments. Aaron will then be set apart for me, as well as his garments, his sons and his sons' garments with him.
22
You must take the ram's fat, the fat tail, the fat that covers the inner parts, the covering of the liver, the two kidneys and the fat on them, and the right thigh—for this ram is for the priests' consecration to me.
23
Take one loaf of bread, one cake of bread made with oil, and one wafer out of the basket of bread without yeast that is before Yahweh.
24
You must put these in Aaron's hands and in the hands of his sons and wave them before me for a wave offering before Yahweh.
25
You must then take the food from their hands and burn it on the altar with the burnt offering. It will produce a sweet aroma for me; it will be an offering made to me by fire.
26
You must take the breast of Aaron's ram of dedication and wave it for a wave offering before Yahweh, and it will be your share.
27
You must set apart to me the breast of the wave offering that is waved and the thigh that is the contribution for the priests—both the breast that was waved and the thigh that was contributed for Aaron and his sons—from the ram of consecration.
28
This will be a perpetual share for Aaron and his sons. It will be a contribution from the people of Israel to give to Yahweh from their peace offerings.
29
The holy garments of Aaron must also be reserved for his descendants after him. They are to be anointed in them and ordained to me in them.
30
The priest who succeeds him from among his sons, who comes into the tent of meeting to serve me in the holy place, is to wear those garments for seven days.
31
You must take the ram of consecration and boil its meat in a holy place.
32
Aaron and his sons must eat the ram's meat and the bread that is in the basket at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
33
They must eat the meat and bread that were given to atone for them and to ordain them to be set apart to me. No one else may eat that food; they must treat it as holy.
34
If any of the meat of the ordination offering, or any of the bread, remains to the next morning, then you must burn it. It must not be eaten because it has been set apart to me.
35
In this way, by following all that I have commanded you to do, you must treat Aaron and his sons. For seven days you must prepare them.
36
Every day you must offer a bull as a sin offering for atonement. You must purify the altar by making atonement for it, and you must anoint it in order to set it apart to me.
37
For seven days you must make atonement for the altar and set it apart to Yahweh. Then the altar will be completely set apart to me. Whatever touches the altar will be set apart to Yahweh.
38
You must regularly offer on the altar every day two lambs a year old.
39
One lamb you must offer in the morning, and the other lamb you must offer about sundown.
40
With the first lamb, offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with the fourth part of a hin of oil from pressed olives, and the fourth part of a hin of wine as a drink offering.
41
You must offer the second lamb about sunset. You must offer the same grain offering as in the morning, and the same drink offering. These will produce a sweet aroma for me; it will be an offering made to me by fire.
42
These must be regular burnt offerings throughout your generations, at the entrance to the tent of meeting before Yahweh, where I will meet with you to speak to you there.
43
That is where I will meet with the people of Israel; the tent will be set apart for me by my glory.
44
I will set apart the tent of meeting and the altar for these to belong to me alone. I will also set apart Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests.
45
I will live among the people of Israel and will be their God.
46
They will know that I am Yahweh, their God, who brought them out from the land of Egypt so that I might live among them. I am Yahweh, their God.
Exodus 29:1
Now
The word "now" marks a change in topic from garments for priests to consecrating priests. This chapter records the process of consecrating priests, who were to be set apart from the rest of Israel because Yahweh is holy.
you must do
Here "you" refers to Moses.
to set them apart
"to set apart Aaron and his sons"
serve me
Here "me" refers to Yahweh.
one young bull
a male cow
Exodus 29:2
Also take wafers without yeast rubbed with oil
"Also take wafers without yeast and rub them with oil"
bread ... cakes ... wafers
These are different kinds of food made from flour.
Exodus 29:3
You must put them
"You must put the bread, cake, and wafer"
present them with the bull and the two rams
"offer them to me when you sacrifice the bull and the two rams". Here "present" means to offer as a sacrifice.
Exodus 29:4
tent of meeting
This is another name for the tabernacle. See how you translated this in Exodus 27:21.
Exodus 29:5
coat
This was a coat with a design woven into it. See how you translated this in Exodus 28:4.
finely-woven waistband
This was a cloth belt made from narrow linen threads that someone twisted together to make a stronger thread.
Exodus 29:6
turban
This was a tall head covering made from cloth wrapped around the head several times.
holy crown
This crown is described as being engraved with the words "dedicated to Yahweh" and made of pure gold.
Exodus 29:8
bring his sons
"bring Aaron's sons"
tunics
These were coats with a design woven into them.
Exodus 29:9
sashes
A sash is a decorative piece of cloth that people wear around their waist or across their chest.
headbands
A headband is a narrow, decorative strip of cloth that is worn around the head above the eyes.
The work of the priesthood
"the duty of being priests"
will belong to them
"will belong to them and their descendants"
permanent law
"a law the will not end."
Exodus 29:11
You must kill the bull
The bull offering was to be killed by Moses, not the priests, at the doorway, not inside the tent of meeting.
kill the bull
Since the following verses will tell what to do with the blood from the bull, use a term for "kill" that will imply a method similar to "slitting its throat and catch the blood in a bowl."
Exodus 29:12
the horns
These were projections that looked like ox horns attached to the four corners of the altar.
the rest of the blood
"the remaining blood"
Exodus 29:13
covers the inner parts
"covers the organs"
liver ... kidneys
These are organs in the body.
Exodus 29:14
But as for the bull's flesh, as well as its skin and dung
"But as for the remaining parts of the bull"
Exodus 29:16
You must kill the ram
For these consecration sacrifices for the priests, it was Moses, not Aaron or his sons, who had to kill the animals.
Exodus 29:18
on the altar
Unlike the bull offering that was burned outside of the tent, the ram was to be burned on the inner altar.
Exodus 29:20
Then you must kill the ram
"Then kill the ram by cutting its throat"
Exodus 29:21
Aaron will then be set apart for me
"By doing this, you will dedicate Aaron to me"
Exodus 29:23
Take one loaf ... before Yahweh
See how you translated similar words in Exodus 29:2.
that is before Yahweh
"that you have placed before Yahweh"
Exodus 29:24
You must put these
Here "these" refers to the parts of the sacrifice mentioned in the previous verses.
Exodus 29:25
it will be an offering made to me by fire
"burn it as an offering to me"
Exodus 29:26
ram of dedication
"ram that you dedicated"
Aaron's ram of dedication
"the ram that you used to dedicate Aaron"
Exodus 29:28
This will be a perpetual share for Aaron and his sons
"This is what Aaron and his sons will always receive from the people"
Exodus 29:29
The holy garments of Aaron must also be reserved for his descendants after him
"Aaron must reserve the holy garments for his descendants after him". These garments belong to the priesthood and are not just Aaron's personal clothing.
They are to be anointed in them and ordained to me in them
"They must wear the holy garments when you anoint his descendants and ordain them to me"
Exodus 29:31
the ram of consecration
"the ram you killed when you installed the priests"
in a holy place
"at the entrance to the tent of meeting". This is not the same as the holy place outside of the most holy place. This refers to a place within the courtyard.
Exodus 29:32
tent of meeting
This is another name for the tabernacle.
Exodus 29:33
that were given
"that you sacrificed"
Exodus 29:34
It must not be eaten
"No one must eat it"
because it has been set apart to me
"because you have set it apart to me"
Exodus 29:35
In this way, by following all that I have commanded you to do, you must treat Aaron and his sons
"I have commanded you to treat Aaron and his sons this way"
Exodus 29:37
Then the altar will be completely set apart to me
"Then the altar will be most holy"
will be set apart to Yahweh
"will also be very holy"
Exodus 29:38
You must regularly offer on the altar every day
"You must daily offer on the altar"
Exodus 29:40
a tenth ... the fourth part
"1/10 ... 1/4"
ephah
An ephah is 22 liters.
hin
A hin is 3.7 liters.
Exodus 29:41
it will be an offering made to me by fire
"it will be a burnt offering to me"
Exodus 29:42
throughout your generations
"through all the generations of your descendants."
Exodus 29:43
the tent will be set apart for me by my glory
"My awesome presence will dedicate the tent to me"
Exodus 29:45
I will live among the Israelites
As God, Yahweh is everywhere and cannot be limited to a single space. This phrase indicates that he permanently remains within Israel in a special way while they have the ark.
Chapter 30
1
You must make an altar as a place for burning incense. You must make it with acacia wood.
2
Its length must be one cubit, and its width one cubit. It must be square, and its height must be two cubits. Its horns must be made as one piece with it.
3
You must cover the incense altar with pure gold—its top, its sides, and its horns. You must make a surrounding border of gold for it.
4
You must make two golden rings to be attached to it under its border on its two opposite sides. The rings must be holders for poles to carry the altar.
5
You must make the poles of acacia wood, and you must cover them with gold.
6
You must put the incense altar before the curtain that is by the ark of the covenant decrees. It will be before the atonement lid that is over the ark of the covenant decrees, where I will meet with you.
7
Aaron must burn fragrant incense every morning. He must burn it when he tends the lamps,
8
and Aaron lights the lamps again in the evening so incense will burn on it regularly before Yahweh, throughout your generations.
9
But you must offer no other incense on the incense altar, nor any burnt offering or grain offering. You must pour no drink offering on it.
10
Aaron must make atonement on its horns once a year. With the blood of the sin offering he will make atonement for it once a year throughout your generations. It is completely set apart to Yahweh."
11
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
12
"When you take a census of the people of Israel, then each person must give a ransom for his life to Yahweh. You must do this after you count them, so that there will be no plague among them when you count them.
13
Everyone who is counted in the census is to pay half a shekel of silver, according to the weight of the shekel of the sanctuary (a shekel is the same as twenty gerahs). This half shekel will be an offering to Yahweh.
14
Everyone who is counted, from twenty years old and up, must give this offering to me.
15
When the people give this offering to me to make atonement for their lives, the rich must not give more than the half shekel, and the poor must not give less.
16
You must receive this atonement money from the people of Israel and you must allocate it to the work of the tent of meeting. It must be a reminder to the people of Israel before me, to make atonement for your lives."
17
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
18
"You must also make a large bronze basin with a bronze stand, a basin for washing. You must put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you must put water in it.
19
Aaron and his sons must wash their hands and their feet with the water in it.
20
When they go into the tent of meeting or when they go near to the altar to serve me by burning an offering, they must wash with water so that they do not die.
21
They must wash their hands and feet so that they do not die. This must be a permanent law for Aaron and his descendants throughout their people's generations."
22
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
23
"Take these fine spices: five hundred shekels of flowing myrrh, 250 shekels of sweet-smelling cinnamon, 250 shekels of sweet-smelling cane,
24
five hundred shekels of cassia, measured by the weight of the shekel of the sanctuary, and one hin of olive oil.
25
You must make holy anointing oil with these ingredients, the work of a perfumer. It will be a holy anointing oil, reserved for me.
26
You must anoint the tent of meeting with this oil, as well as the ark of the covenant decrees,
27
the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and its equipment, the incense altar,
28
the altar for burnt offerings with all its equipment, and the basin with its stand.
29
You must set them apart to me so that they may be holy to me. Anything that touches them will also be holy.
30
You must anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them so that they may serve me as priests.
31
You must say to the people of Israel, 'This must be an anointing oil that is set apart to Yahweh throughout your people's generations.
32
It must not be applied to people's skin, nor must you make any oil like it with the same formula, because it is set apart to Yahweh. You must regard it in this manner.
33
Whoever makes perfume like it, or whoever puts any of it on someone, that person must be cut off from his people.'"
34
Yahweh said to Moses, "Take spices—stacte, onycha, and galbanum—sweet spices along with pure frankincense, each in equal amounts.
35
Make it into the form of incense, blended by a perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and set apart.
36
You will beat it to powder. Put part of it in front of the ark of the covenant decrees, which is in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. You will regard it as very holy to me.
37
As for this incense that you will make, you must not make any with the same formula for yourselves. It must be most holy to you.
38
Whoever makes anything like it to use as a perfume must be cut off from his people."
Exodus 30:1
You must make
Here "you" refers to Moses and the people of Israel. Yahweh tells Moses how to build the worship equipment.
Exodus 30:2
Its horns must be made
"You must make its horns". These were projections that looked like ox horns attached to the four corners of the altar. See how you translated "horns" in Exodus 27:2.
Exodus 30:3
the incense altar
"an altar to burn incense"
Exodus 30:4
to be attached to it
"which you will attach to the altar"
Exodus 30:6
ark of the covenant decrees
"the chest containing the commandments". The ark is the chest that contains the commandments. See how you translated this in Exodus 26:33.
atonement lid
This is the lid that sits on top of the ark where the atonement offering was made. See how you translated this in Exodus 25:17.
where I will meet with you
Here "you" refers to Moses.
Exodus 30:9
But you must offer
Though the word "you" is addressed to Moses, the instruction is given specifically to Aaron and his descendants as to when and what they are to offer on the altar of incense.
Exodus 30:10
atonement
The atonement offered by the priests was very important in the religious life of Israel. In order to offer sacrifices, the priests had to maintain ritual cleanliness by washing themselves.
throughout your generations
"through all the generations of your descendants."
Exodus 30:12
When you take
Possible meanings are 1) "you" refers to just Moses or 2) "you" refers to Moses and the leaders of Israel in future generations when they take a census.
a census of the people of Israel
The leaders only counted the males of Israel.
Exodus 30:13
Everyone who is counted
"Everyone you count" or "Every man you count". They counted only the men.
half a shekel of silver
"1/2 a shekel of silver." Translators may use a unit of measure that people understand and a round number: "5.5 grams of silver" or "six grams of silver"
according to the weight of the shekel of the sanctuary
There were evidently shekels of more than one weight at the time. This specified which one was to be used.
twenty gerahs
"20 gerahs." A gerah is a unit that people used for measuring how much something very small weighed.
Exodus 30:14
from twenty years old and up
"who is twenty years old or older"
Exodus 30:15
the people
Only the men made this offering.
the half shekel
Translators may use a unit of measure that people understand and a round number: "the 5.5 grams of silver" or "the 6 grams of silver."
Exodus 30:16
It must be a reminder to the people of Israel before me, to make atonement for your lives
"It will remind the people of Israel to make atonement for their lives" or "It will remind the people of Israel that they have made atonement for their lives."
Exodus 30:18
You must also make
Here "you" refers to Moses and the people of Israel.
bronze basin
"bronze bowl" or "bronze tub"
a bronze stand
This is what the basin would be put on.
a basin for washing
This phrase explains what the priests were to use the large bronze basin for.
the altar
the altar of sacrifice
Exodus 30:19
water in it
"water in the basin"
Exodus 30:21
for Aaron and his descendants throughout their people's generations
"for Aaron and all the generations of his descendants."
Exodus 30:23
spices
dried plants that people grind into a powder and put in oil or food to give it a nice smell or flavor. See how you translated this in Exodus 25:6.
five hundred shekels ... 250 shekels
"500 shekels ... two hundred and fifty shekels." A shekel is about 11 grams. Translators may use units that people know and round numbers: "5.7 kilograms ... 11.4 kilograms" or "six kilograms ... eleven kilograms"
cinnamon ... cane
These are sweet spices.
Exodus 30:24
cassia
This is a sweet spice.
the weight of the shekel of the sanctuary
There were evidently shekels of more than one weight at the time. This specified which one was to be used.
one hin
Translators may use units that people know and round numbers: "3.7 liters" or "four liters"
Exodus 30:25
with these ingredients
"with these items"
the work of a perfumer
Moses was to have a perfumer do the work or Moses was to do the work himself, the way a perfumer would do it.
a perfumer
a person who is skilled in mixing spices and oils
Exodus 30:26
You must anoint
Here "you" refers to Moses.
ark of the covenant decrees
"the chest containing the commandments". See how you translated this in Exodus 26:33.
Exodus 30:28
the altar for burnt offerings
"the altar on which offering were burnt"
Exodus 30:29
set them apart
This refers to the items listed in Exodus 30:26-28.
Exodus 30:31
throughout your people's generations
"all the generations of your descendants."
Exodus 30:32
It must not be applied to people's skin
"You must not put the anointing oil that is dedicated to Yahweh on a person's skin"
with the same formula
"with the same ingredients"
Exodus 30:33
that person must be cut off from his people
"I will no longer consider him to be one of the people of Israel" or "the people of Israel must send him away"
Exodus 30:34
General Information:
Yahweh gives the commands only to Moses: all instances of "you" are singular. However, the words "blended by a perfumer" might mean that Moses could have the perfumer take the spices, blend them, grind them, and give them to Moses so Moses could put part of the mixture in front of the ark.
Exodus 30:35
Make it into the form of incense, blended by a perfumer
"Make it into the form of incense that a perfumer has blended" or "A perfumer must blend it into a kind of incense"
blended by a perfumer
Moses was to have a perfumer do the work or Moses was to do the work himself, the way a perfumer would do it.
Exodus 30:36
You will beat it
"You will crush it." Here "you" refers to Moses.
You will regard
Here "you" is plural and refers to Moses and all the people.
Exodus 30:37
you must not make any
The word "you" here refers to the people of Israel.
with the same formula
"with the same ingredients".
It must be most holy to you
"You must consider it to be most holy"
Exodus 30:38
perfume
This is a pleasant smelling liquid that a person puts on his or her body.
must be cut off from his people
See how you translated this in Exodus 30:33.
Chapter 31
1
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
2
"See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur, from the tribe of Judah.
3
I have filled Bezalel with my Spirit, to give him wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, for all kinds of craftsmanship,
4
to make artistic designs and to work in gold, silver, and bronze;
5
also to cut and set stones and to carve wood—to do all kinds of craftsmanship.
6
In addition to him, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, from the tribe of Dan. I have put skill into the hearts of all who are wise so that they may make all that I have commanded you. This includes
7
the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant decrees, the atonement lid on the ark, and all the furniture of the tent—
8
the table and its utensils, the pure lampstand with all its equipment, the incense altar,
9
the altar for burnt offerings with all its equipment, and the large basin with its base.
10
This also includes the finely-woven garments—the holy garments for Aaron the priest and those of his sons, reserved for me so that they may serve as priests.
11
This also includes the anointing oil and the sweet incense for the holy place. These craftsmen must make all these things just as I have commanded you."
12
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
13
"Tell the people of Israel: 'You must certainly keep Yahweh's Sabbath days, for these will be a sign between him and you throughout your people's generations so that you may know that he is Yahweh, who sets you apart for himself.
14
So you must keep the Sabbath, for it must be treated by you as holy, reserved for him. Everyone who defiles it must surely be put to death. Whoever works on the Sabbath, that person must surely be cut off from his people.
15
Work will be done for six days, but the seventh day is to be a Sabbath of complete rest, holy before Yahweh. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must surely be put to death.
16
Therefore the people of Israel must keep the Sabbath. They must observe it throughout their people's generations as a lasting covenant.
17
The Sabbath will always be a sign between Yahweh and the people of Israel, for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.'"
18
When God had finished talking with Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him two tablets of covenant decrees, made of stone, written on by his own hand.
Exodus 31:1
General Information:
This chapter is the end of Exodus' recording of the law of Moses. As described in this chapter, the Sabbath is more than just a day of worship or celebration. Its significance extends beyond a way to help people rest. It is a major part of the identity of the Hebrew people.
Exodus 31:2
I have called by name
"I have chosen"
Bezalel ... Uri ... Hur
These are names of men.
Exodus 31:3
I have filled Bezalel with my Spirit
"I have given my Spirit to Bezalel"
for all kinds of craftsmanship
"so that he can make all kinds of things"
Exodus 31:6
Oholiab ... Ahisamak
These are names of men.
I have put skill into the hearts of all who are wise
"I have given skill to all who are wise" or "I have made all who are wise able to make things well"
Exodus 31:7
tent of meeting
This is another name for the tabernacle. See how you translated this in Exodus 27:21.
ark of the covenant decrees
"the chest containing the commandments". The ark is the chest that contains the commandments. See how you translated this in Exodus 26:33.
atonement lid
This is the lid that sits on top of the ark where the atonement offering was made. See how you translated this in Exodus 25:17.
Exodus 31:8
incense altar
"altar to burn incense." See how you translated this in Exodus 30:3.
Exodus 31:9
altar for burnt offerings
"altar on which offering were burnt." See how you translated this in Exodus 30:28.
Exodus 31:11
These craftsmen
"These people who are skilled in making beautiful things"
Exodus 31:13
You must certainly keep Yahweh's Sabbath days
"You must certainly obey Yahweh's instructions about the Sabbath"
throughout your people's generations
"through all the generations of your descendants."
who sets you apart for himself
"who has chosen you to be his people"
Exodus 31:14
for it must be treated by you as holy
"for you must treat it as holy"
Everyone who defiles it
"Everyone who treats the Sabbath with disrespect" or "Everyone who does not obey the laws about the Sabbath"
must surely be put to death
"you must surely kill" or "you must surely execute"
must surely be cut off from his people
"Yahweh will no longer consider him to be one of his people" or "you must surely send him away"
Exodus 31:15
but the seventh day
"but day 7"
Exodus 31:16
must keep the Sabbath
"must obey Yahweh's instructions about the Sabbath"
They must observe it throughout their people's generations
"They and all the generations of their descendants must observe it."
lasting covenant
"a covenant that will always exist."
Exodus 31:18
written on by his own hand
"which Yahweh wrote on with his own hand"
Chapter 32
1
When the people saw that Moses delayed in coming down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said to him, "Come, make us an idol that will go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him."
2
So Aaron said to them, "Take off the golden rings that are on your wives' ears, and the ears of your sons and daughters, and bring them to me."
3
All the people took off the golden rings that were on their ears and brought them to Aaron.
4
He received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with an engraving tool, and he made a cast metal figure in the shape of a calf. Then they said, "These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt."
5
When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before the calf and made a proclamation; he said, "Tomorrow will be a festival in Yahweh's honor."
6
The people arose early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought fellowship offerings. Then they sat down to eat and to drink, and then got up to play.
7
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, "Go quickly, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.
8
They have quickly left the way that I commanded them. They have made a cast metal image in the shape of a calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it. They have said, 'These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.'"
9
Then Yahweh said to Moses, "I have seen this people. Look, they are a stiff-necked people.
10
Now then, do not try to stop me. My anger will burn hot against them, so I will destroy them. Then I will make a great nation from you."
11
But Moses tried to calm down Yahweh his God. He said, "Yahweh, why does your anger burn against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?
12
Why should the Egyptians say, 'He led them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and to destroy them from the face of the earth?' Turn from your burning anger and relent from this punishment on your people.
13
Call to mind Abraham and Isaac and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self and said to them, 'I will make your descendants as many as the stars in the heavens, and I will give to your descendants all this land of which I have spoken. They will inherit it forever.'"
14
Then Yahweh relented from the punishment that he had said he would inflict on his people.
15
Then Moses turned around and went down the mountain, carrying the two tablets of the covenant decrees in his hand. The tablets were written on both their sides, on both the front and the back.
16
The tablets were God's own work, and the writing was God's own writing, engraved on the tablets.
17
When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, "There is the noise of combat in the camp."
18
But Moses said,
"It is not the sound of a shout of victory,
and it is not the sound of a cry of defeat,
but the sound of singing that I hear."
19
When Moses approached the camp, he saw the calf and the people dancing. He became very angry. He threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the bottom of the mountain.
20
He took the calf that the people had made, burned it, ground it to powder, and poured it into the water. Then he made the people of Israel drink it.
21
Then Moses said to Aaron, "What did this people do to you, that you have brought such a great sin on them?"
22
Aaron said, "Do not let your anger burn hot, my master. You know these people, how they are set on doing evil.
23
They said to me, 'Make us a god who will go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.'
24
So I said to them, 'Whoever has any gold, let him take it off.' They gave me the gold and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf."
25
Moses saw that the people were running wild (for Aaron had let them get out of control, causing their enemies to mock them).
26
Then Moses stood at the entrance to the camp and said, "Whoever is on Yahweh's side, come to me." All the Levites gathered around him.
27
He said to them, "Yahweh, the God of Israel, says this: 'Let each man fasten his sword on his side and go back and forth from entrance to entrance throughout the camp, and kill his brother, his companion, and his neighbor.'"
28
The Levites did what Moses ordered. That day about three thousand of the people died.
29
Moses said to the Levites, "You have been placed into Yahweh's service today, for each of you has taken action against his son and his brother, so Yahweh might give you a blessing today."
30
The next day Moses said to the people, "You have committed a very great sin. Now I will go up to Yahweh. Perhaps I can make atonement for your sin."
31
Moses returned to Yahweh and said, "Alas! These people have committed a great sin and made themselves an idol of gold.
32
But now, please forgive their sin; but if you do not, blot me out of the book that you have written."
33
Yahweh said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against me, that person I will blot out of my book.
34
So now go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. See, my angel will go before you. But on the day that I punish them, I will punish them for their sin."
35
Yahweh sent a plague on the people because they had made the calf, the one that Aaron made.
Exodus 32:1
the people saw
"the people realized"
Come, make us an idol
The word "come" strengthens the force of the command following it. The people were demanding that Aaron make an idol for them. The making of the golden calf was considered a form of idolatry.
go before us
"lead us" or "be our leader"
Exodus 32:2
bring them to me
The word "them" refers to the golden rings.
Exodus 32:3
All the people
This refers to all the people who rejected Moses as their leader and Moses's God as their God.
Exodus 32:4
fashioned it with an engraving tool, and he made a cast metal figure in the shape of a calf
Aaron melted the gold and poured it into a mold that had the shape of a calf. When the gold became hard, he removed the mold, and the hardened gold had the shape of a calf.
Exodus 32:5
When Aaron saw this
"When Aaron saw what the people did"
Exodus 32:6
to play
The word "play" here is a general term that might mean immoral sexual activity, but it could just as well speak of singing and dancing or even of laughing at and mocking Moses and Yahweh.
Exodus 32:8
left the way that I commanded them
"have stopped obeying what I commanded them to do"
Exodus 32:9
I have seen this people
"I know this people"
a stiff-necked people
"a stubborn people"
Exodus 32:10
Now then
Here Yahweh tells what he will do to the people.
My anger will burn hot against them
"My anger towards them will be terrible" or "I am extremely angry with them"
from you
The word "you" refers to Moses.
Exodus 32:11
why does your anger burn against your people ... a mighty hand?
"Do not let your anger burn against your people ... a mighty hand."
a mighty hand
"and the powerful things you did"
Exodus 32:12
Why should the Egyptians say, 'He led them out ... to destroy them from the face of the earth?'
"If you destroy your people, the Egyptians might say, 'He led them out ... to destroy them from the face of the earth.'. Moses used this question to try to persuade God not to destroy his people.
face of the earth
"from the surface of the earth" or "from the earth"
Turn from your burning anger
"Stop your terrible anger"
Exodus 32:13
Call to mind Abraham
"Remember Abraham" or "Think about Abraham"
you swore
"you made an oath" or "you solemnly promised"
They will inherit it forever
"They will possess it forever"
Exodus 32:15
tablets of the covenant decrees
These are the two stone slabs on which God had engraved his commandments.
Exodus 32:16
The tablets were God's own work, and the writing was God's own writing
These two phrases share similar meanings. The second explains how the tablets were "God's own work."
Exodus 32:17
he said to Moses
It is assumed that Joshua met Moses while Moses was going back to the camp.
Exodus 32:18
It is not the sound of a shout of victory, and it is not the sound of a cry of defeat
"It is not the sound people make when they have won a battle, and not the sound people make when they have lost a battle"
shout ... cry
These words translate the same Hebrew word, which fits well with both "victory" and "defeat." There is no such word in English, but if your language has such a word, you may want to use it here.
Exodus 32:19
the tablets
"the two stone slabs that Yahweh had written on"
Exodus 32:21
Then Moses said to Aaron, "What did this people ... a great sin on them?"
"Then Moses asked Aaron what the people do to him, that he have brought such a great sin on them"
you have brought such a great sin on them
"you have caused them to sin so terribly"
Exodus 32:22
Do not let your anger burn hot
"Do not be so angry"
they are set on doing evil
"they are determined to do what is evil"
Exodus 32:23
this Moses
People showed disrespect by putting the word "this" before his name, as if Moses were someone they did not know and could not trust.
Exodus 32:24
So I said to them, 'Whoever has any gold, let him take it off.'
"So I told them that whoever had any gold should take it off"
I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf
Instead of taking ownership for making the calf, Aaron claims the calf came out of the fire supernaturally.
Exodus 32:25
were running wild
"were not controlling themselves"
Exodus 32:26
Then Moses stood at the entrance ... "Whoever is on Yahweh's side, come to me."
"Then Moses stood at the entrance to the camp and said that whoever was on Yahweh's side should come to him"
Whoever is on Yahweh's side
"Whoever is loyal to Yahweh" or "Whoever serves Yahweh"
Exodus 32:27
go back and forth from entrance to entrance
"go from side of the camp to the other, starting at one entrance to the camp and going to the entrance on the other side of the camp"
Exodus 32:28
three thousand of the people
"3000 of the people"
Exodus 32:29
You have been placed into Yahweh's service
"You have been chosen to serve Yahweh"
for each of you has taken action against his son and his brother
"for you have obeyed Yahweh and killed your sons and your brothers"
Exodus 32:30
You have committed a very great sin
They worshiped an idol.
Perhaps I can make atonement for your sin
"Perhaps I can persuade Yahweh to forgive you"
Exodus 32:31
Alas
If your language has a word that expresses deep sadness, you may want to use it here.
Exodus 32:32
blot me out of the book
"erase my name from the book"
the book that you have written
"the book in which you have written the names of your people"
Exodus 32:33
that person I will blot out of my book
"I will erase that person's name from my book"
Exodus 32:34
But on the day that I punish them, I will punish them
On the day that God decides to punish them, it will be clear that it is God who is judging them.
Exodus 32:35
Yahweh sent a plague on the people
"Yahweh made the people very sick"
they had made the calf, the one that Aaron made
"they told Aaron to make the calf"
Chapter 33
1
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, "Go from here, you and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt. Go to the land about which I made an oath to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, when I said, 'I will give it to your descendants.'
2
I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
3
Go to that land, which is flowing with milk and honey, but I will not go up with you, because you are a stiff-necked people. I might destroy you on the way."
4
When the people heard these troubling words, they mourned, and no one put on any jewelry.
5
Yahweh had said to Moses, "Say to the people of Israel, 'You are a stiff-necked people. If I went among you for even one moment, I would destroy you. So now, take off your jewelry so that I may decide what to do with you.'"
6
So the people of Israel wore no jewelry from Mount Horeb onward.
7
Moses took a tent and pitched it outside the camp, some distance from the camp. He called it the tent of meeting. Everyone who asked Yahweh for anything went out to the tent of meeting, outside the camp.
8
When Moses would go out to the tent, all the people would stand up at their tent entrances and look at Moses until he had gone inside.
9
Whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stand at the tent entrance, and Yahweh would speak with Moses.
10
Whenever all the people saw the pillar of cloud stand at the entrance to the tent, they would get up and worship, every man at his own tent entrance.
11
Yahweh would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua son of Nun, a young man, would stay in the tent.
12
Moses said to Yahweh, "See, you have been saying to me, 'Take this people on their journey,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my eyes.'
13
Now if I have found favor in your eyes, show me your ways so that I may know you and continue to find favor in your eyes. Remember that this nation is your people."
14
Yahweh answered, "My own presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
15
Moses said to him, "If your presence does not go with us, do not take us up from here.
16
For otherwise, how will it be known that I have found favor in your eyes, I and your people? Will it not only be if you go with us that I and your people will be distinct from all the other peoples that are on the surface of the earth?"
17
Yahweh said to Moses, "I will also do this thing that you have requested, for you have found favor in my eyes, and I know you by name."
18
Moses said, "Please show me your glory."
19
Yahweh said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim my name 'Yahweh' before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will show mercy on whom I will show mercy."
20
But Yahweh said, "You must not see my face, for no one can see me and live."
21
Yahweh said, "See, here is a place by me; you will stand on this rock.
22
While my glory passes by, I will put you in a crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.
23
Then I will take away my hand, and you will see my back, but my face will not be seen."
Exodus 33:1
General Information:
While the covenants Yahweh made may not be conditioned upon the obedience of Israel, it is clear that their conquering of the Promised Land was conditioned on their obedience to Yahweh.
Exodus 33:3
that land, which is flowing with milk and honey
"a land that is excellent for raising livestock and growing crops"
flowing with
"full of" or "with an abundance of"
milk
"food from livestock"
honey
"food from crops"
a stiff-necked people
"stubborn people"
Exodus 33:4
jewelry
beautiful clothing as well as chains and rings with jewels in them
Exodus 33:9
the pillar of cloud
"the cloud shaped like a pillar"
would come down
"would come down from the sky"
Exodus 33:11
Yahweh would speak to Moses face to face
"Yahweh would speak directly to Moses"
young man
Joshua was old enough to be a soldier, but he was much younger than Moses
Exodus 33:12
See
"Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
I know you by name
"I know you well"
you have also found favor in my eyes
"I have evaluated you and approve" or "I am pleased with you"
Exodus 33:13
Now if I have found favor in your eyes
"Now If you are pleased with me" or "Now if you approve of me"
show me your ways
"show me what you are going to do in the future" or "show me how people can do what pleases you."
Exodus 33:14
My own presence will go
"I will go"
go with you ... give you
The word "you" here refers to Moses. It is singular.
I will give you rest
"I will let you rest"
Exodus 33:16
For otherwise
"For if your presence does not go with us"
how will it be known
"how will people know"
how will it be known ... people?
"no one will know ... people."
I and your people will be distinct
"everyone will know that I and your people are different." The words "be distinct" translate the same Hebrew word as "set ... apart" in Exodus 8:22, so if your language has one word or phrase for both ideas, you may want to use it there and here.
Will it not only be if
"Will it not only be known if"
Exodus 33:17
General Information:
When Yahweh uses the word "you" in this verse, it is singular and refers to Moses.
you have found favor in my eyes
"I am pleased with you" or "I approve of you"
Exodus 33:19
I will make all my goodness pass before you
"I will move past you so that you may see my goodness"
Exodus 33:21
See
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you."
Exodus 33:23
you will see my back
This is because Yahweh will be walking away from Moses.
but my face will not be seen
"but you will not see my face"
Chapter 34
1
Yahweh said to Moses, "Cut two tablets of stone like the first tablets. I will write on these tablets the words that were on the first tablets, the tablets that you broke.
2
Be ready by morning and come up Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to me on the mountain top.
3
No one is to come up with you. Do not let anyone else be seen anywhere on the mountain. No flocks or herds are even to graze in front of the mountain."
4
So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first ones, and he got up early in the morning and went up Mount Sinai, as Yahweh had instructed him. Moses carried the tablets of stone in his hand.
5
Yahweh came down in the cloud and stood with Moses there, and he pronounced the name "Yahweh."
6
Yahweh passed by before him and proclaimed, "Yahweh, Yahweh, the merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,
7
keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquities, transgressions, and sins. But he will by no means clear the guilty. He will bring the punishment for the fathers' sin on their children and on their children's children, as far as the third and fourth generations."
8
Moses quickly bowed down to the ground and worshiped.
9
Then he said, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, my Lord, please go among us, for this people is stiff-necked. Pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as your inheritance."
10
Yahweh said, "See, I am about to make a covenant. Before all your people, I will do marvels such as have not been done in all the earth nor in any nation. All the people among you will see my deeds, for it is a fearful thing that I am doing with you.
11
Obey what I command you today. I am about to drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
12
Be careful not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, or they will become a trap among you.
13
Rather, you must break down their altars, smash their stone pillars, and cut down their Asherah poles.
14
For you must worship no other god, for Yahweh, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
15
So be careful not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for they prostitute themselves to their gods, and they sacrifice to their gods. Then one of them will invite you and you will eat some of his sacrifice,
16
and then you will even take some of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods, and they will make your sons prostitute themselves to their gods.
17
Do not make for yourselves gods of molten metal.
18
You must keep the Festival of Unleavened Bread. As I commanded you, you must eat bread without yeast for seven days at the fixed time in the month of Aviv, for it was in the month of Aviv you came out from Egypt.
19
The first issue of every womb is mine, even every male firstborn of your livestock, whether from herd or flock.
20
You must redeem the firstborn of a donkey with a lamb, but if you do not buy it back, then you must break its neck. You must redeem all the firstborn of your sons. No one may appear before me empty-handed.
21
You may work for six days, but on the seventh day you must rest. Even at plowing time and in harvest, you must rest.
22
You must observe the Festival of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and you must observe the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year.
23
Three times a year all your men must appear before Lord Yahweh, the God of Israel.
24
For I will drive out nations before you and expand your borders. No one will desire to have your land as their own when you go up to appear before Yahweh your God three times in a year.
25
You must not offer the blood of my sacrifice with any yeast, nor may any meat from the sacrifice at the Festival of the Passover be left over to the morning.
26
You must bring the best of the firstfruits from your soil to my house. You must not boil a young goat in its mother's milk."
27
Yahweh said to Moses, "Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel."
28
Moses was there with Yahweh for forty days and nights; he did not eat any food nor drink any water. He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.
29
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant decrees in his hand, he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant while speaking with God.
30
When Aaron and the people of Israel saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him.
31
But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the community came up to him. Then Moses spoke with them.
32
After this, all the people of Israel came up to Moses, and he told them all the commands that Yahweh had given him on Mount Sinai.
33
When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face.
34
Whenever Moses went before Yahweh to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. When he came out, he would tell the people of Israel what he was commanded to say.
35
When the people of Israel saw Moses' face shining, he would put the veil over his face again until he went back in to speak with Yahweh.
Exodus 34:1
tablets of stone
"flat slabs of stone."
Exodus 34:3
Do not let anyone else be seen anywhere on the mountain
"Do not let anyone else be anywhere on the mountain"
No flocks or herds are even to graze in front of the mountain
"Even flocks or herds are not allowed to come near the mountain to eat."
Exodus 34:5
stood with Moses there
"stood with Moses on the mountain"
he pronounced the name "Yahweh."
"he spoke the name 'Yahweh.'" or "he proclaimed who Yahweh is." For the second meaning, "name" would represent who God is.
Exodus 34:6
Yahweh, Yahweh, the merciful and gracious God
"I, Yahweh, am God, and I am merciful and gracious"
abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness
"always loving my people and always being faithful to them"
Exodus 34:7
keeping steadfast love for thousands
"faithfully loving thousands"
thousands
"thousands of generations". This refers to a great number of people.
he will by no means clear the guilty
"I will by no means clear the guilty"
will by no means clear the guilty
"will certainly not clear the guilty" or "will certainly not say that the guilty are innocent"
He will bring the punishment for the fathers' sin on their children
"He will punish the children for their fathers' sin". This phrase does not mean that a child is necessarily punished for the sins of their parents. Many scholars believe that this passage indicates that a parent's sins will have consequences that will affect their children and grandchildren.
their children
The word "children" refers to sons and daughters.
Exodus 34:9
If now I have found favor in your eyes
"Now If you are pleased with me" or "Now if you approve of me"
our iniquity and our sin
"all our sins"
take us as your inheritance
"take us as the people that you possess forever" or "accept us as the people who belong to you forever"
this people is stiff-necked
"this people is stubborn"
Exodus 34:10
your people
Here "your" refers to Moses.
it is a fearful thing that I am doing with you
"what I do for you will cause people to fear me"
I am doing with you
Here "you" refers to Moses and the people of Israel.
Exodus 34:12
they will become a trap among you
"they will tempt you to sin"
Exodus 34:14
Yahweh, whose name is Jealous
"I, Yahweh, always guard my honor". The word "Jealous" here means that God is concerned to keep his honor. If his people worship other gods, he loses honor, because when his people do not honor him, other people also will not honor him.
Exodus 34:15
for they prostitute themselves to their gods
"for they worship other gods" or "because they worship other gods like prostitutes who go to other men"
you will eat some of his sacrifice
"you will eat some of his sacrifice and become guilty of worshiping his gods" or "and you will prostitute yourself to his god by eating some of his sacrifice"
Exodus 34:18
in the month of Aviv
This is the name of the first month of the Hebrew calendar. Aviv is during the last part of March and the first part of April on Western calendars.
Exodus 34:20
redeem
Firstborn sons and firstborn donkeys belonged to Yahweh, but Yahweh did not want them sacrificed to him. Instead, the Israelites were to sacrifice a lamb in their place. This allowed the Israelites to redeem or buy back the donkeys and sons from Yahweh.
No one may appear before me empty-handed
"No one may come to me without an offering" or "Everyone who comes to me must bring me an offering"
Exodus 34:21
Even at plowing time and in harvest
"Even when you are preparing the soil or gathering the crops"
Exodus 34:22
Festival of Ingathering
This festival was also known as the Festival of Shelters or the Festival of Booths. The idea came from the practice of the farmers living in temporary booths, or huts, out in the fields to guard the crop as it ripened. The word "Ingathering" means when they harvest their crop.
Exodus 34:25
the blood of my sacrifice
"the blood of an animal that you sacrifice to me"
with any yeast
"with bread that has yeast in it"
Exodus 34:28
Moses was there
"Moses was on the mountain"
for forty days and nights
"for forty days, both day and night"
He wrote
"Moses wrote"
Exodus 34:29
had become radiant
"had started to shine"
Exodus 34:31
came up to him
"approached him" or "returned to him." They did not go up the mountain.
Exodus 34:32
all the commands that Yahweh had given him
"all the commands that Yahweh had told him" or "everything that Yahweh had commanded them"
Exodus 34:34
he would remove
"Moses would remove"
what he was commanded
"what Yahweh had commanded him"
Chapter 35
1
Moses assembled all the community of the people of Israel and said to them, "These are the things that Yahweh has commanded you to do.
2
On six days work may be done, but for you, the seventh day must be a holy day, a Sabbath day of complete rest, holy to Yahweh. Whoever does any work on that day must be put to death.
3
You must not light a fire in any of your homes on the Sabbath day."
4
Moses spoke to all the community of the people of Israel, saying, "This is the thing that Yahweh commanded.
5
Take an offering for Yahweh, all of you who have a willing heart. Bring an offering to Yahweh—gold, silver, bronze,
6
blue, purple, and scarlet wool and fine linen; goats' hair;
7
ram skins dyed red and fine leather hides; acacia wood;
8
oil for the sanctuary lamps, spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense,
9
onyx stones and other precious stones to be set for the ephod and breastpiece.
10
Every skilled man among you is to come and make everything that Yahweh has commanded—
11
the tabernacle with its tent, its covering, its clasps, frames, bars, posts, and bases;
12
also the ark with its poles, the atonement lid, and the screen to conceal it.
13
They brought the table with its poles, all its utensils, and the bread of the presence;
14
the lampstand for the lights, with its accessories, its lamps, and the oil for the lamps;
15
the incense altar with its poles, the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; the screen for the tabernacle entrance;
16
the altar for burnt offerings with its bronze grate and its poles and utensils; and the large basin with its base.
17
They brought the hangings for the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the screen for the courtyard entrance;
18
and the tent pegs for the tabernacle and courtyard, together with their ropes.
19
They brought the finely-woven garments for serving in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and his sons, for them to serve as priests."
20
Then the entire congregation of the people of Israel left and went away from Moses' presence.
21
Everyone whose heart stirred him up and whom his spirit made willing came and brought a contribution to Yahweh for the construction of the tabernacle, for all the items of service in it, and for the holy garments.
22
They came, both men and women, all who had a willing heart. They brought brooches, earrings, rings, and ornaments, all kinds of gold jewelry. They all presented offerings of gold as a wave offering to Yahweh.
23
Everyone who had blue, purple, or scarlet wool, fine linen, goat hair, ram skins dyed red, or fine leather skins brought them.
24
Everyone making an offering of silver or bronze brought it as an offering to Yahweh, and everyone who had acacia wood for any use in the work brought it.
25
Every skilled woman spun wool with her hands and brought what she had spun—blue, purple, or scarlet wool, or fine linen.
26
All the women whose hearts stirred them up and who had skill spun goats' hair.
27
The leaders brought onyx stones and other gems to be set into the ephod and the breastpiece;
28
they brought spices and oil for the lamps, for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense.
29
The people of Israel brought a freewill offering to Yahweh; every man and woman whose heart was willing brought materials for all the work that Yahweh had commanded through Moses to be made.
30
Moses said to the people of Israel, "See, Yahweh has called by name on Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur, from the tribe of Judah.
31
He has filled Bezalel with his Spirit, to give him wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, for all kinds of craftsmanship,
32
to make artistic designs and to work in gold, silver, and bronze;
33
also to cut and set stones and to carve wood—to do all kinds of design and craftsmanship.
34
He has put it in his heart to teach, both he and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, from the tribe of Dan.
35
He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work, to work as craftsmen, as engravers, as embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet wool and fine linen, and as weavers. They are craftsmen in all sorts of work, and they are artistic designers.
Exodus 35:1
General Information:
All of the people offered sacrifices to Yahweh. This was a form of worship and a sign of repentance from making the golden calf idol. Other translations use "offering" or "contribution to the LORD" in Exodus 35:5.
Exodus 35:2
the seventh day
"day number seven" or "Saturday"
Whoever does any work on that day must be put to death
"You must kill anyone who does work on that day"
Exodus 35:4
General Information:
In Exodus 35:4-9, Moses tells the Israelites to make the things Yahweh commanded him in Exodus 25:3-7.
Exodus 35:5
Take an offering for Yahweh
"Take up a collection for Yahweh"
all of you who have a willing heart
"everyone who is willing"
Exodus 35:10
Every skilled man
"Every man with a skill"
Exodus 35:12
atonement lid
This is the lid that sits on top of the ark where the atonement offering was made.
Exodus 35:13
They brought
"The people of Israel brought"
bread of the presence
This bread represented the presence of God.
Exodus 35:16
bronze grate
This is a frame of crossed bronze bars for holding wood when burning.
Exodus 35:17
hangings
These were large curtains made of cloth.
posts
These were strong pieces of wood set upright and used as supports.
bases
These were blocks that had a slot in them to keep the board in place.
Exodus 35:18
tent pegs
sharp pieces of wood or metal used to secure the corners of a tent to the ground.
Exodus 35:19
finely-woven garments
This was clothing made from narrow linen threads that someone twisted together to make a stronger thread.
Exodus 35:21
whose heart stirred him up
"who responded to God"
whom his spirit made willing
"who was willing"
Exodus 35:22
all who had a willing heart
"everyone who was willing"
brooches, earrings, rings, and ornaments
These are different kinds of jewelry.
Exodus 35:25
blue, purple, or scarlet wool
"material that is dyed blue, purple, and scarlet", probably wool or "blue, purple and scarlet dye" to dye the linen.
Exodus 35:26
whose hearts stirred them up
"who responded to God". Here "hearts" refers to the women. The hearts of the women who responded to God are spoken of as if they were water stirred up by a storm.
Exodus 35:29
whose heart was willing
"who was willing". Here "heart" refers to the people.
Exodus 35:31
He has filled Bezalel with his Spirit
God's Spirit who gave Bezalel the ability to work is spoken of here as if he was something that filled up Bezalel. See Exodus 31:3-6.
Exodus 35:34
He has put it in his heart to teach
"He gave Bezalel the ability to teach"
Oholiab son of Ahisamak, from the tribe of Dan
"Oholiab" and "Ahisamak" are names of men.
Exodus 35:35
filled them with skill
"made them very skillful"
engravers
a person who cuts designs into a hard material such as wood, stone, or metal
embroiderers
people who sew designs into cloth
craftsmen
people who are skilled in making beautiful objects by hand
weavers
a person who creates cloth using thread
artistic designers
a person who creates beauty with materials
Chapter 36
1
So Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom Yahweh has given skill and ability to know how to do any work in the construction of the holy place are to do the work according to all that Yahweh has commanded."
2
Moses summoned Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skillful person in whose mind Yahweh had given skill, and whose heart stirred within him to come and do the work.
3
They received from Moses all the offerings that the people of Israel had brought for constructing the holy place. The people were still bringing freewill offerings every morning to Moses.
4
So all the skilled people working on the holy place came from the work that they had been doing.
5
The craftsmen told Moses, "The people are bringing much more than enough for doing the work that Yahweh has commanded us to do."
6
So Moses instructed that no one in the camp should bring any more offerings for the construction of the holy place. Then the people stopped bringing these gifts.
7
They had more than enough materials for all the work.
8
So all the craftsmen among them constructed the tabernacle with ten curtains made from fine linen and blue, purple, and scarlet wool with the designs of cherubim. This was the work of Bezalel, the very skilled craftsman.
9
The length of each curtain was twenty-eight cubits, the width four cubits. All the curtains were of the same size.
10
Bezalel joined five curtains to each other, and the other five curtains he also joined to each other.
11
He made loops of blue along the outer edge of the end curtain of one set, and he did the same along the outer edge of the end curtain in the second set.
12
He made fifty loops on the first curtain and fifty loops on the edge of the end curtain in the second set. So the loops were opposite to each another.
13
He made fifty gold clasps and joined the curtains together with them so that the tabernacle became united.
14
Bezalel made curtains of goat hair for a tent over the tabernacle; he made eleven of these curtains.
15
The length of each curtain was thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain was four cubits. Each of the eleven curtains was of the same size.
16
He joined five curtains to each other and the other six curtains to each other.
17
He made fifty loops on the edge of the end curtain of the first set, and fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain that joined the second set.
18
Bezalel made fifty bronze clasps to join the tent together so that it might be one piece.
19
He made for the tabernacle a covering of ram skins dyed red, another covering of fine leather to go above that.
20
Bezalel made vertical frames out of acacia wood for the tabernacle.
21
The length of each frame was ten cubits, and the width of each frame was one and a half cubits.
22
Each frame had two wooden pegs for joining the frames together. He did this for all the frames of the tabernacle.
23
He made the frames for the tabernacle in this way: twenty frames for the south side.
24
Bezalel made forty silver bases to go under the twenty frames. There were two bases under one frame to join the frames together, and also two bases under each of the other frames to join frames together.
25
For the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, he made twenty frames
26
and their forty silver bases. There were two bases under the first frame, two bases under the next frame, and so on.
27
For the back of the tabernacle on the west, Bezalel made six frames.
28
He made two frames for the back corners of the tabernacle.
29
These frames were separate at the bottom, but joined at the top in one ring. He made two of them in this way for the two corners.
30
There were eight frames, together with their silver bases. There were sixteen bases in all, two bases under the first frame, two bases under the next frame, and so on.
31
Bezalel made crossbars of acacia wood—five for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle,
32
five crossbars for the frames of the other side of the tabernacle, and five crossbars for the frames for the back side of the tabernacle to the west.
33
He made the crossbar in the center of the frames, that is, halfway up, to reach from end to end.
34
He covered the frames with gold. He made their rings of gold, for them to serve as holders for the crossbars, and he covered the bars with gold.
35
Bezalel made the curtain of blue, purple, and scarlet wool, and of fine linen, with designs of cherubim, the work of a skillful workman.
36
He made for the curtain four pillars of acacia wood, and he covered them with gold. He also made gold hooks for the pillars, and he cast for them four silver bases.
37
He made a screen for the tent entrance. It was made of blue, purple, and scarlet wool, using fine linen, the work of an embroiderer.
38
He also made the hanging's five pillars with hooks. He covered their tops and their rods with gold. Their five bases were made of bronze.
Exodus 36:1
General Information:
The tent of meeting, or tabernacle, mentioned in previous chapters is constructed in this chapter.
Bezalel
This is the name of a man.
Oholiab
This is the name of a man.
to whom Yahweh has given skill and ability
Here skill and ability are spoken of as if they are something that Yahweh can place inside a person.
according to all that Yahweh has commanded
"just as Yahweh has commanded"
Exodus 36:2
in whose mind Yahweh had given skill
"to whom Yahweh had given skill"
whose heart stirred within him
"who responded to God"
Exodus 36:5
The craftsmen told Moses ... commanded us to do."
"The craftsmen told Moses that the people were bringing much more than enough for doing the work that Yahweh has commanded them to do"
The craftsmen told Moses
"The men working on the sanctuary told Moses"
Exodus 36:8
ten curtains made from fine linen
These curtains are sheets of cloth woven and sewed together so that they can hang to form a wall or tent. See how you translated many of these words in Exodus 26.
Exodus 36:11
He made
Here "he" refers to Bezalel, but it includes all the men working on the sanctuary.
loops of blue
loops of blue cloth
curtain
These were large, heavy sections of woven cloth that were used to form the covering and dividing walls of the tabernacle.
Exodus 36:13
fifty gold clasps
"50 gold clasps"
Exodus 36:14
made eleven
"made 11"
Exodus 36:15
thirty cubits
"30 cubits"
Exodus 36:17
fifty loops
"50 loops"
Exodus 36:18
fifty bronze clasps
"50 bronze clasps"
Exodus 36:21
ten cubits ... one and a half cubits
"10 cubits ... 1.5 cubits"
Exodus 36:22
two wooden pegs for joining
A wooden peg is a small piece of wood sticking out beyond the end of the board so it can be secured.
Exodus 36:24
forty silver bases
"40 silver bases"
twenty frames
"20 frames"
Exodus 36:26
and so on
There will be two bases under each and every frame.
Exodus 36:27
on the west
on the side that is on the west
Exodus 36:28
for the back corners
for the corners at the rear of the tabernacle
Exodus 36:30
sixteen bases in all
"16 bases in all"
and so on
There will be two bases under each and every frame.
Exodus 36:33
from end to end
from one side of the tabernacle to the other side
Exodus 36:37
He made
"Bezalel and his men made"
Chapter 37
1
Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Its length was two and a half cubits, its width was one cubit and a half, and its height was one cubit and a half.
2
He covered it inside and out with pure gold and made for it a border of gold around its top.
3
He cast four rings of gold for its four feet, with two rings on one side of it, and two rings on the other side.
4
He made poles of acacia wood and covered them with gold.
5
He put the poles into the rings on the ark's sides, in order to carry the ark.
6
He made an atonement lid of pure gold. Its length was two and a half cubits, and its width was one and a half cubits.
7
Bezalel made two cherubim of hammered gold for the two ends of the atonement lid.
8
One cherub was for one end of the atonement lid, and other cherub was for the other end. They were made as one piece with the atonement lid.
9
The cherubim spread out their wings upward and overshadowed the atonement lid with them. The cherubim faced one another and looked toward the center of the atonement lid.
10
Bezalel made the table of acacia wood. Its length was two cubits, its width was one cubit, and its height was one and a half cubits.
11
He covered it with pure gold and put a border of pure gold around the top.
12
He made a surrounding frame for it one handbreadth wide, with a surrounding border of gold for the frame.
13
He cast for it four rings of gold and attached the rings to the four corners, where the four feet were.
14
The rings were attached to the frame to provide places for the poles, in order to carry the table.
15
He made the poles out of acacia wood and covered them with gold, in order to carry the table.
16
He made the objects that would be on the table—the dishes, spoons, the bowls, and pitchers to be used to pour out the offerings. He made them out of pure gold.
17
He made the lampstand of pure hammered gold. He made the lampstand with its base and shaft. Its cups, its leafy bases, and its flowers were all made of one piece with it.
18
Six branches extended out from its sides—three branches extended from one side, and three branches of the lampstand extended from the other side.
19
The first branch had three cups made like almond blossoms, with a leafy base and a flower, and three cups made like almond blossoms in the other branch, with a leafy base and a flower. It was the same for all six branches extending out from the lampstand.
20
On the lampstand itself, the central shaft, there were four cups made like almond blossoms, with their leafy bases and the flowers.
21
There was a leafy base under the first pair of branches—made as one piece with it, and a leafy base under the second pair of branches—also made as one piece with it. In the same way there was a leafy base under the third pair of branches, made as one piece with it. It was the same for all six branches extending out from the lampstand.
22
Their leafy bases and branches were all one piece with it, one beaten piece of work of pure gold.
23
Bezalel made the lampstand and its seven lamps, its tongs and their trays of pure gold.
24
He made the lampstand and its accessories with one talent of pure gold.
25
Bezalel made the incense altar. He made it with acacia wood. Its length was one cubit, and its width one cubit. It was square, and its height was two cubits. Its horns were made as one piece with it.
26
He covered the incense altar with pure gold—its top, its sides, and its horns. He also made a surrounding border of gold for it.
27
He made two golden rings to be attached to it under its border on its two opposite sides. The rings were holders for poles to carry the altar.
28
He made the poles of acacia wood, and he covered them with gold.
29
He made the holy anointing oil and the pure fragrant incense, the work of a perfumer.
Exodus 37:1
General Information:
See how you translated many of these words in Exodus 25. The ark, mentioned in previous chapters, is constructed in this chapter. There are other furnishings of the tabernacle that are also produced in this chapter.
two and a half cubits ... one cubit and a half
"2.5 cubits ... 1.5 cubits" or "115 centimeters ... 69 centimeters". A cubit is 46 centimeters.
Exodus 37:3
its four feet
These four pieces of wood that supported the ark are spoken of as if they were human or animal feet.
Exodus 37:4
He made
Though "he" refers to Bezalel, "he" may include all of the workers who assisted him.
Exodus 37:8
They were made as one piece
"He made them as one piece"
Exodus 37:9
The cherubim spread out their wings upward and overshadowed
"They placed the winged creatures so that their wings touched each other and spread out over"
The cherubim faced one another and looked toward
"The faces of the cherubim were towards each other, and they looked toward"
Exodus 37:12
handbreadth
This was the width of a man's hand with fingers spread out.
Exodus 37:14
The rings were attached
"Bezalel attached the rings"
Exodus 37:16
dishes, spoons, the bowls, and pitchers to be used to pour out the offerings
"plates and cups, and also the jars and bowls which the priests will use for pouring out the offerings"
Exodus 37:17
Its cups, its leafy bases, and its flowers were all made of one piece with it
"He made the cups, its leafy bases, and its flowers as one piece with the lampstand"
Exodus 37:19
three cups made like almond blossoms
"he made the 3 cups look like almond blossoms"
almond blossoms
An almond blossom is a white or pink flower with five petals that grows on an almond tree.
Exodus 37:20
there were four cups made like almond blossoms
"there were 4 cups which Bezalel made to look like almond blossoms"
Exodus 37:21
made as one piece with it
"which he made as one piece with the lampstand"
Exodus 37:23
tongs
This is a tool made from two sticks of wood or metal connected at one end and used for picking up objects.
Exodus 37:24
one talent
"33 kilograms"
Exodus 37:27
General Information:
See Exodus 30.
to be attached to it
"which they attached to the altar"
Exodus 37:29
fragrant incense
See Exodus 25.
the work of a perfumer
A perfumer is skilled in mixing spices and oils.
Chapter 38
1
Bezalel made the altar for burnt offerings of acacia wood. It was five cubits long and five cubits wide—a square—and three cubits high.
2
He made extensions of its four corners shaped like ox horns. The horns were made of one piece with the altar, and he covered it with bronze.
3
He made all the equipment for the altar—pots for ashes, shovels, basins, meat forks, and firepans. He made all this equipment with bronze.
4
He made a grate for the altar, a network of bronze to be placed under the ledge, halfway down to the bottom.
5
He cast four rings for the four corners of the bronze grate, as holders for the poles.
6
Bezalel made poles of acacia wood and covered them with bronze.
7
He put the poles through the rings on the sides of the altar, to carry it. He made the altar hollow, out of planks.
8
Bezalel made the large bronze basin with a bronze stand. He made the basin out of mirrors belonging to the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
9
He also made the courtyard. The hangings on the south side of the courtyard were of fine linen, one hundred cubits long.
10
The hangings had twenty posts, with twenty bronze bases. There were hooks attached to the posts, as well as silver rods.
11
In the same way, along the north side, there were hangings one hundred cubits long with twenty posts, twenty bronze bases, hooks attached to the posts, and silver rods.
12
The hangings of the west side were fifty cubits long, with ten posts and bases. The hooks and rods of the posts were silver.
13
The courtyard was also fifty cubits long on the east side.
14
The hangings for one side of the entrance were fifteen cubits long. They had three posts with three bases.
15
On the other side of the entrance of the courtyard were also hangings fifteen cubits long, with three posts and three bases.
16
All the hangings around the courtyard were made of fine linen.
17
The bases for the posts were made of bronze. The hooks and rods for the posts were made of silver, and the covering for the tops of the posts was also made of silver. All the courtyard posts had silver bands on them.
18
The screen at the courtyard gate was twenty cubits long. It was made of blue, purple, and scarlet linen, fine twined linen, and was twenty cubits long. It was twenty cubits in length and five cubits in height, like the courtyard curtains.
19
Their four pillars and bases were of bronze, and the hooks were of silver. The covering for their tops and its rods were made of silver.
20
All the tent pegs for the tabernacle and courtyard were made of bronze.
21
This is the inventory of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the covenant decrees, as it was taken following Moses' instructions. It was the work of the Levites under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.
22
Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur, from the tribe of Judah, made everything that Yahweh had commanded Moses.
23
Oholiab son of Ahisamak, from the tribe of Dan, worked with Bezalel as an engraver, as a skillful workman, and as an embroiderer in blue, purple, and scarlet wool, and in fine linen.
24
All the gold that was used for the project, in all the work connected with the holy place—the gold from the wave offering—was twenty-nine talents and 730 shekels, measured by the standard of the sanctuary shekel.
25
The silver given by the community weighed one hundred talents and 1,775 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel,
26
or one beka per person, which is half a shekel, measured by the sanctuary shekel. This figure was reached on the basis of every person who was counted in the census, those twenty years old and older—603,550 men in all.
27
One hundred talents of silver were cast for the bases of the holy place and the bases of the curtain—one hundred bases, one talent for each base.
28
With the remaining 1,775 shekels of silver, Bezalel made the hooks for the posts, covered the tops of the posts, and made the bands for them.
29
The bronze from the wave offering weighed seventy talents and 2,400 shekels.
30
With this he made the bases for the entrance to the tent of meeting, the bronze altar, its bronze grate, all the equipment for the altar,
31
the bases for the courtyard, the bases for the courtyard entrance, all the tent pegs for the tabernacle, and all the tent pegs for the courtyard.
Exodus 38:1
General Information:
The altar is constructed in this chapter, along with other furnishings of the tabernacle that are also produced in this chapter. The list of materials being used is intended to give the reader an understanding of the scale of the tabernacle. It should fill the reader with awe concerning the power of Yahweh. See how you translated many of these words in Exodus 27.
Exodus 38:2
The horns were made of one piece
"He made the horns as one piece"
Exodus 38:4
to be placed under the ledge
"which they placed under the ledge"
Exodus 38:6
Connecting Statement:
Bezalel's work crew continues to build the tabernacle and furniture.
Exodus 38:7
planks
a long, flat piece of wood that is thicker than a board
Exodus 38:8
large bronze basin with a bronze stand
The stand supported the bronze basin. See how you translated this in Exodus 30.
He made the basin out of mirrors
"The bronze for the basin came from the mirrors"
mirrors
A mirror is a piece of polished metal or glass that reflects an image.
Exodus 38:9
cubits
A cubit is 46 centimeters.
Exodus 38:11
one hundred ... twenty
"100 ... 20"
Exodus 38:12
fifty ... ten
"50 ... 10"
Exodus 38:16
All the hangings around the courtyard were made of fine linen
"Bezalel and the workers made all the hangings around the courtyard with fine linen"
Exodus 38:17
The bases for the posts were made of bronze
"Bezalel and the workers made the bases for the posts out of bronze"
The hooks and rods for the posts were made of silver, and the covering for the tops of the posts was also made of silver
"They made the hooks, the rods for the posts, and the covering for the tops of the posts out of silver"
Exodus 38:18
It was made of
"They made the screen of"
Exodus 38:19
The covering for their tops and its rods were made of silver
"They made the covering for the tops of the posts and their rods out of silver"
Exodus 38:20
All the tent pegs for the tabernacle and courtyard were made of bronze
"They made all of the tent pegs for the tabernacle and courtyard out of bronze"
Exodus 38:21
Connecting Statement:
Bezalel's work crew continues to build the tabernacle and furniture.
as it was taken
"which Moses instructed the Levites to write down"
Ithamar
This is the name of a man. See Exodus 6.
Exodus 38:22
Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur
"Bezalel" and "uri" are the name of men. See Exodus 31.
Yahweh had commanded Moses
"everything that Yahweh told Moses to do"
Exodus 38:23
Oholiab son of Ahisamak
"Oholiab" and "Ahisamak" are names of men. See Exodus 31.
an engraver, as a skillful workman, and as an embroiderer
"as a skilled engraver and embroiderer"
Exodus 38:24
All the gold that was used for the project
"All the gold that the people used for the project"
twenty-nine talents
"29 talents" or "about 960 kilograms". A talent is about 33 kilograms.
730 shekels
"seven hundred and thirty shekels" or "about 8 kilograms." (A shekel is 11 grams).
measured by the standard of the sanctuary shekel
There were evidently shekels of more than one weight at the time. This specified which one was to be used. See Exodus 30:13.
Exodus 38:25
one hundred talents
"100 talents" or "about 330 kilograms"
1,775 shekels
"one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five shekels" or "about 20 kilograms"
The silver given by the community
"The silver which the community gave"
Exodus 38:26
one beka
A beka is 1/2 a shekel.
half a shekel
"1/2 a shekel" or "five and a half grams" or "5 1/2 grams"
This figure was reached on the basis of every person who was counted in the census
Every man who was 20 years old or older was included in the census and was required to give half a shekel.
twenty years old
"20 years old"
Exodus 38:27
One hundred talents of silver were cast
"The workers cast 100 talents of silver" or "The workers cast 3,300 kilograms of silver"
One hundred talents
"100 talents"
Exodus 38:28
1,775 shekels
"one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five shekels"
shekels
A shekel is a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams.
Exodus 38:29
seventy talents and 2,400 shekels
"70 talents and two thousand four hundred shekels" or "2450 kilograms and 2400 bronze coins" or "2,450 kilograms plus 28 kilograms of bronze coins". The shekels were bronze coins. The talents and shekels together would have weighed a total of about 2,500 kilograms.
Exodus 38:30
grate
This is a frame of crossed bars for holding wood when burning. See Exodus 27.
Exodus 38:31
tent pegs
These are sharp bronze stakes that were used to secure the corners of a tent to the ground.
Chapter 39
1
With the blue, purple, and scarlet wool, they made finely-woven garments for service in the holy place. They made Aaron's garments for the holy place, as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
2
Bezalel made the ephod of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet wool, and of fine twined linen.
3
They hammered gold sheets and cut them into wires, to work them into the blue, purple, and scarlet wool, and into the fine linen, the work of a skillful workman.
4
They made shoulder pieces for the ephod, attached at its two upper corners.
5
Its finely-woven waistband was like the ephod; it was made of one piece with the ephod, made of fine twined linen that was gold, blue, purple, and scarlet, just as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
6
They crafted the onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold, set with engravings as on a signet with the names of the sons of Israel.
7
Bezalel put them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod to be memorial stones for the sons of Israel, as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
8
He made the breastpiece, the work of a skillful workman, fashioned like the ephod. He made it of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet wool, and of fine linen.
9
It was square. They folded the breastpiece double. It was one span long and one span wide.
10
They set in it four rows of precious stones. The first row had a ruby, a topaz, and a garnet.
11
The second row had an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
12
The third row had a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst.
13
The fourth row had a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. The stones were mounted in gold settings.
14
There were twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a signet with the name of one of the twelve tribes.
15
On the breastpiece they made chains like cords, braided work of pure gold.
16
They made two settings of gold and two gold rings, and they attached the two rings to the two corners of the breastpiece.
17
They put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the corners of the breastpiece.
18
They attached the other two ends of the braided chains to the two settings. They attached them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at its front.
19
They made two rings of gold and put them on the two other corners of the breastpiece, on the edge next to the inner border of the ephod.
20
They made two more gold rings and attached them to the bottom of the two shoulder pieces of the front of the ephod, close to its seam above the finely-woven waistband of the ephod.
21
They tied the breastpiece by its rings to the ephod's rings with a blue cord, so that it might be attached just above the ephod's finely-woven waistband. This was so that the breastpiece might not become unattached from the ephod. This was done as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
22
Bezalel made the robe of the ephod entirely of blue fabric, the work of a weaver.
23
The robe had an opening for the head in the middle. The opening had a woven edge round about so that it did not tear.
24
On the bottom hem of the robe, they made pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and of fine linen.
25
They made bells of pure gold, and they put the bells between the pomegranates all around on the bottom edge the robe, between the pomegranates—
26
a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate—on the edge of the robe for Aaron to serve in. This was as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
27
They made the tunics of fine linen for Aaron and for his sons.
28
They made the turban of fine linen, the ornate headbands of fine linen, the linen undergarments of fine linen,
29
and the sash of fine linen and of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, the work of an embroiderer. This was as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
30
They made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold; they engraved on it, like the engraving on a signet, "Holy to Yahweh."
31
They attached to the turban a blue cord to the top of the turban. This was as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
32
So the work on the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, was finished. The people of Israel did everything. They followed all the instructions that Yahweh had given to Moses.
33
They brought the tabernacle to Moses—the tent and all its equipment, its clasps, frames, bars, posts, and bases;
34
the covering of ram skins dyed red, the covering of fine leather, and the screen to conceal
35
the ark of the covenant decrees, as well as the poles and the atonement lid.
36
They brought the table, all its utensils, and the bread of the presence;
37
the lampstand of pure gold and its lamps in a row, with its accessories and the oil for the lamps;
38
the golden altar, the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; the screen for the tabernacle entrance;
39
the bronze altar with its bronze grate and its poles and utensil and the large basin with its base.
40
They brought the hangings for the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the screen for the courtyard entrance; its ropes and tent pegs; and all the equipment for the service of the tabernacle, the tent of meeting.
41
They brought the fine woven garments for serving in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and his sons, for them to serve as priests.
42
Thus the people of Israel did all the work as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
43
Moses examined all the work, and, behold, they had done it. As Yahweh had commanded, in that way they did it. Then Moses blessed them.
Exodus 39:1
General Information:
Bezalel's work crew shifts to making the priestly garments. The special, holy clothing mentioned in previous chapters is produced in this chapter to the correct specifications. See how you translated many of these words in Exodus 28.
they made
The word "they" refers to Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other workmen.
as Yahweh had commanded Moses
"just as Yahweh told Moses to do"
Exodus 39:2
Bezalel
This is the name of a man. See Exodus 31.
Exodus 39:5
it was made of one piece with the ephod, made of fine twined linen
"they made it as one piece with the ephod with fine twisted linen"
as Yahweh had commanded Moses
"just as Yahweh told Moses to do." See Exodus 39.
Exodus 39:8
He made
"Bezalel and the workers made"
Exodus 39:10
They set in it
"The workers set in the breastpiece"
ruby, a topaz, and a garnet
Some languages may not have words for each of these stones. The important fact is that they were valuable and different from one another.
Exodus 39:11
an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond
Some languages may not have words for each of these stones. The important fact is that they were valuable and different from one another.
Exodus 39:12
a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst
Some languages may not have words for each of these stones. The important fact is that they were valuable and different from one another.
Exodus 39:13
a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper
Some languages may not have words for each of these stones. The important fact is that they were valuable and different from one another.
The stones were mounted in gold settings
"They mounted the stones in gold settings"
Exodus 39:17
two braided chains
"chains that are made of pure gold and are braided like cords."
Exodus 39:20
finely-woven waistband
This was a cloth belt made from narrow linen threads that someone twisted together to make a stronger thread.
Exodus 39:21
so that it might be attached
"so they could attach it"
the breastpiece might not become unattached from the ephod
"the breastpiece might stay attached to the ephod"
Exodus 39:25
bells of pure gold
These were tiny bells.
Exodus 39:28
turban
This is a head covering worn by men made of a long strip of cloth wound around the head.
headbands
A headband is a narrow, decorative strip of cloth that is worn around the head above the eyes.
undergarments
This is clothing worn under the outer clothes, next to the skin.
Exodus 39:29
sash
This is a long piece of cloth worn over the shoulder or around the waist.
Exodus 39:30
holy crown
This was an engraved crown made of pure gold. See Exodus 29.
Exodus 39:32
General Information:
The Israelites finish making the things Yahweh commanded in Exodus 35:4-9 and Exodus 35:10-12.
So the work on the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, was finished. The people of Israel did everything
"So the people of Israel finished all of the work on the tabernacle". The "tabernacle" and "tent of meeting" are the same thing.
Exodus 39:33
clasps
The clasps fit into the loops to hold the curtains together. See how you translated these in Exodus 26.
bases
These are heavy objects that rest on the ground and keep the object attached to them from moving. See how you translated this in Exodus 25.
Exodus 39:34
the covering of ram skins dyed red, the covering of fine leather
See how you translated similar phrases in Exodus 25.
Exodus 39:35
atonement lid
This is the lid that sits on top of the ark where the atonement offering was made. See Exodus 25.
Exodus 39:36
bread of the presence
This bread represented the presence of God. See Exodus 25.
Exodus 39:39
grate
This is a frame of crossed bars that held wood while burning. See Exodus 27.
Exodus 39:40
They brought
"The people of Israel brought"
Exodus 39:42
Thus the people
"And so the people"
Exodus 39:43
behold
The word "behold" here draws attention to the information that follows.
As Yahweh had commanded, in that way they did it
"They did it in the way that Yahweh had commanded them"
Chapter 40
1
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
2
"On the first day of the first month of the new year you must set up the tabernacle, the tent of meeting.
3
You must place the ark of the covenant decrees in it, and you must shield the ark with the curtain.
4
You must bring in the table and set in order the things that belong on it. Then you must bring in the lampstand and set up the lamps.
5
You must put the golden incense altar before the ark of the covenant decrees, and you must put the screen at the entrance to the tabernacle.
6
You must put the altar for burnt offerings in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting.
7
You must put the large basin between the tent of meeting and the altar and you must put water in it.
8
You must set up the courtyard around it, and you must hang up the screen at the courtyard entrance.
9
You must take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything that is in it. You must set it apart and all its furnishings to me; then it will be holy.
10
You must anoint the altar for burnt offerings and all its utensils. You must set apart the altar to me and it will become very holy to me.
11
You must anoint the bronze basin and its base and set it apart to me.
12
You are to bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and you must wash them with water.
13
You are to clothe Aaron with the garments that are set apart to me, anoint him and set him apart so that he may serve as my priest.
14
You are to bring his sons and clothe them with tunics.
15
You must anoint them as you anointed their father so that they may serve me as priests. Their anointing will make for them a permanent priesthood throughout their people's generations."
16
This is what Moses did; he followed all that Yahweh had commanded him. He did all these things.
17
So the tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month in the second year.
18
Moses set up the tabernacle, put its bases in place, set up its frames, attached its bars, and set up its pillars and posts.
19
He spread the covering over the tabernacle and put the tent over it, as Yahweh had commanded him.
20
He took the covenant decrees and put them into the ark. He also placed the poles on the ark and put the atonement lid on it.
21
He brought the ark into the tabernacle. He set up the curtain for the screen to shield the ark of the covenant decrees, as Yahweh had commanded him.
22
He put the table into the tent of meeting, on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the curtain.
23
He placed the bread in order on the table before Yahweh, as Yahweh had commanded him.
24
He put the lampstand into the tent of meeting, across from the table, on the south side of the tabernacle.
25
He lit the lamps before Yahweh, as Yahweh had commanded him.
26
He put the golden incense altar into the tent of meeting in front of the curtain.
27
He burned fragrant incense on it, as Yahweh had commanded him.
28
He hung the screen at the tabernacle entrance.
29
He put the altar for the burnt offering at the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting. He offered on it the burnt offering and the grain offering, as Yahweh had commanded him.
30
He placed the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar, and he put water in it for washing.
31
Moses, Aaron, and his sons washed their hands and their feet from the basin
32
whenever they would go into the tent of meeting and whenever they would go up to the altar. They washed themselves, as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
33
Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and the altar. He set up the screen at the courtyard entrance. In this way, Moses finished the work.
34
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and Yahweh's glory filled the tabernacle.
35
Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and because Yahweh's glory filled the tabernacle.
36
Whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey.
37
But if the cloud did not rise up from the tabernacle, then the people would not travel. They would stay until the day that it was lifted up.
38
For Yahweh's cloud was over the tabernacle by day, and his fire was over it by night, in plain view of all the people of Israel throughout their journey.
Exodus 40:1
General Information:
This chapter is repetitive and should read as a series of instructions. It is repeated as well to show that Moses was obedient to every detail of Yahweh's command.
Exodus 40:2
the first day of the first month of the new year
The new year marks the time when God rescued his people from Egypt. This happens around the middle of March on Western calendars.
Exodus 40:3
in it
"in the sacred chest"
shield the ark with the curtain
"put the ark behind the curtain"
Exodus 40:5
ark of the covenant decrees
This refers to the "sacred chest."
Exodus 40:9
all its furnishings
"all the things that are a part of it"
Exodus 40:12
You are to bring
Moses will do these things himself.
Exodus 40:13
that are set apart to me
"that you have set apart to me"
Exodus 40:15
throughout their people's generations
"through all the generations of their descendants." See Exodus 12.
Exodus 40:17
So the tabernacle was set up
"So the people set up the tabernacle"
the first day of the first month
This refers to exactly one year after God rescued his people from Egypt. This happens around the middle of March on Western calendars. See Exodus 40:2.
in the second year
This is the second year after Yahweh brought his people out of Egypt.
Exodus 40:18
Moses set up
Moses was the leader. The people helped him set up the tabernacle.
posts
a strong piece of wood set upright and used as a support
Exodus 40:21
He brought
Moses was the leader, with workers helping him.
to shield
"in front of"
Exodus 40:24
He put the lampstand into the tent of meeting
"Moses's workmen set the lampstand inside the sacred tent"
Exodus 40:26
in front of the curtain
"in front of the curtain that separated the holy place from the very holy place"
Exodus 40:31
washed their hands and their feet from the basin
"washed their hands and their feet with water from the basin"
Exodus 40:33
In this way
"And so"
Exodus 40:34
Yahweh's glory filled
"Yahweh's awesome presence filled". This phrase indicates that Yahweh began to dwell within the tabernacle, among Israel, in a special way.
Exodus 40:36
was taken up from over
"rose up from"
Exodus 40:37
that it was lifted up
"when it rose up"
Leviticus
Chapter 1
1
Yahweh called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying,
2
"Speak to the people of Israel and tell them, 'When any man from among you brings an offering to Yahweh, bring as your offering an animal, either from the herd or from the flock.
3
If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he must offer a male without blemish. He is to offer it at the entrance of the tent of meeting, so that it may be accepted before Yahweh.
4
He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and then it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for himself.
5
Then he must kill the bull before Yahweh. Aaron's sons, the priests, will present the blood and sprinkle it on the altar that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting.
6
Then he must skin the burnt offering and cut it to pieces.
7
Then the sons of Aaron the priest will put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire.
8
Then Aaron's sons, the priests, are to place the pieces, including the head and the fat, on the wood that is on the fire that is on the altar.
9
But its inner parts and its legs he must wash with water. Then the priest will burn everything on the altar as a burnt offering. It will produce a sweet aroma for me; it will be an offering made to me by fire.
10
If his offering for the burnt offering is from the flock, one of the sheep or one of the goats, he must offer a male without blemish.
11
He must kill it on the north side of the altar before Yahweh. Aaron's sons, the priests, will sprinkle its blood on every side of the altar.
12
He is to cut it into pieces with its head and its fat, and the priest must place the pieces on the wood that is on the fire that is on the altar,
13
but the inner parts and the legs he must wash with water. Then the priest will offer the whole, and burn it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, and it will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh; it will be an offering made to him by fire.
14
If his offering to Yahweh is to be a burnt offering of birds, then he must bring as his offering either a dove or a young pigeon.
15
The priest must bring it to the altar, wring off its head, and burn it on the altar. Then its blood must be drained out on the side of the altar.
16
He must remove its crop with its contents, and throw it beside the altar on the east side, in the place for the ashes.
17
He must tear it open by its wings, but he must not divide it into two parts. Then the priest will burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire. It will be a burnt offering, and it will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh; it will be an offering made to him by fire.
Leviticus 1:1
Yahweh
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
Leviticus 1:2
When any man from among you
"When any one of you" or "When any of you"
'When any man
Here Yahweh begins speaking to Moses. "from the tent of meeting and told Moses to say this to the people of Israel: 'When any man"
Leviticus 1:3
If his offering ... he must offer
"If your offering ... you must offer"
so that it may be accepted before Yahweh
"so that Yahweh will accept it"
Leviticus 1:4
lay his hand on the head
This is a symbolic action that identifies the person with the animal he is offering. In this way the person is offering himself through the animal to Yahweh, so that God will forgive the person's sins when they kill the animal.
then it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for himself
"then Yahweh will accept it in his place and forgive his sins"
Leviticus 1:5
Then he must kill the bull
"Then you must kill the bull"
before Yahweh
"in the presence of Yahweh"
will present the blood
It is implied that the priests would catch the blood in a bowl as it drained out of the animal. Then they would bring the bowl with the blood in it and present it to Yahweh at the altar.
Leviticus 1:6
Then he must skin the burnt offering and cut it to pieces
As indicated in 1:9, the person must also wash the inner parts and the legs of the animal with water. The person would do this before giving the pieces to the priests so they could place them on the altar.
Then he must skin
Here "he" refers to the one making the offering.
Leviticus 1:7
will put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire
"will put wood on the altar and light a fire"
Leviticus 1:9
But its inner parts and its legs he must wash with water
The person would do this before giving the pieces to the priests to place on the altar.
inner parts
This is the stomach and intestines.
he must wash
Here "he" refers to the one making the offering.
It will produce a sweet aroma for me
Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper offering the sacrifice is spoken of as if Yahweh were pleased by the aroma of the burning sacrifice.
an offering made to me by fire
"a burnt offering to me"
Leviticus 1:11
before Yahweh
"in the presence of Yahweh"
Leviticus 1:12
He is to cut it
"Then you must cut it"
Leviticus 1:13
inner parts ... legs he must wash with water ... burnt offering ... sweet aroma ... made ... by fire
See how you translated many of these words in Leviticus 1:9.
Then the priest will offer the whole, and burn it on the altar
"Then the priest will burn everything on the altar"
it will be an offering made to him by fire
"it will be a burnt offering to me" or "it will be a burnt offering to Yahweh"
Leviticus 1:15
wring off its head
"twist off its head"
Then its blood must be drained out
"Then the priest must drain its blood"
Leviticus 1:16
He must
"The priest must"
its crop with its contents
A crop is a pouch in the bird's throat where pre-digested food is stored.
throw it beside the altar
Here "it" refers to the crop and its contents.
Leviticus 1:17
it will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh
Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the burning sacrifice.
it will be an offering made to him by fire
"it will be a burnt offering to me" or "it will be a burnt offering to Yahweh"
Chapter 2
1
When anyone brings a grain offering to Yahweh, his offering must be fine flour, and he will pour oil on it and put incense on it.
2
He is to take the offering to Aaron's sons the priests, and there the priest will take out a handful of the fine flour with the oil and the incense on it. Then the priest will burn the offering on the altar as a representative offering. It will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh; it will be an offering made to him by fire.
3
Whatever is left of the grain offering will belong to Aaron and his sons. It is very holy to Yahweh from the offerings to Yahweh made by fire.
4
When you offer a grain offering without yeast that is baked in an oven, it must be soft bread of fine flour mixed with oil, or hard bread without yeast, which is spread with oil.
5
If your grain offering is baked with a flat iron pan, it must be of fine flour without yeast that is mixed with oil.
6
You are to divide it into pieces and pour oil on it. This is a grain offering.
7
If your grain offering is cooked in a pan, it must be made with fine flour and oil.
8
You must bring the grain offering made from these things to Yahweh, and it will be presented to the priest, who will bring it to the altar.
9
Then the priest will take some from the grain offering as a representative offering, and he will burn it on the altar. It will be an offering made by fire, and it will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh.
10
What is left of the grain offering will belong to Aaron and his sons. It is very holy to Yahweh from the offerings to Yahweh made by fire.
11
No grain offering that you offer to Yahweh is to be made with yeast, for you must burn no leaven, nor any honey, as an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
12
You will offer them to Yahweh as an offering of firstfruits, but they will not be used to produce a sweet aroma on the altar.
13
You must season each of your grain offerings with salt. You must never allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be missing from your grain offering. With all your offerings you must offer salt.
14
If you offer a grain offering of firstfruits to Yahweh, offer fresh grain that is roasted with fire and then crushed into meal.
15
Then you must put oil and incense on it. This is a grain offering.
16
Then the priest will burn part of the crushed grain and oil and incense as a representative offering. This is an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
Leviticus 2:1
be fine flour
"be the finest flour" or "be the best flour"
flour
a powder made from wheat
Leviticus 2:2
He is to take
"He must take"
take out a handful
"take out what he can hold in his hand"
a representative offering
The handful of the grain offering represents the whole grain offering. This means the whole offering belongs to Yahweh.
It will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh
Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice.
it will be an offering made to him by fire
"it will be a burnt offering to him"
Leviticus 2:4
that is baked in an oven
"that you baked in an oven"
oven
This was probably a hollow object made of clay. A fire was lit under the oven, and the heat would bake the dough inside of the oven.
soft bread of fine flour
It is understood that the soft bread contained no yeast.
which is spread with oil
"with oil on the bread"
Leviticus 2:5
If your grain offering is baked with a flat iron pan
"If you bake your grain offering in a flat iron pan"
a flat iron pan
This is a thick plate made of either clay or metal. The plate was placed over a fire, and the dough cooked on top of the plate.
Leviticus 2:6
to divide it
Here "it" refers to the grain offering cooked on a flat iron pan.
Leviticus 2:7
If your grain offering is cooked
"If you cook your grain offering"
in a pan
A pan is a metal plate with rounded edges. The dough was placed in the pan and cooked over a fire.
Leviticus 2:8
made from these things
"that you made from the flour and oil"
it will be presented
"you will present it"
Leviticus 2:9
a representative offering
The handful of the grain offering represents the whole grain offering. This means the whole offering belongs to Yahweh.
It will be an offering made by fire
"It will be a burnt offering"
it will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh
Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the burning sacrifice.
Leviticus 2:10
from the offerings to Yahweh made by fire
"from the burnt offerings to Yahweh"
Leviticus 2:11
No grain offering that you offer to Yahweh is to be made with yeast
"Do not use yeast in a grain offering that you offer to Yahweh"
as an offering made by fire
“as a burnt offering”
Leviticus 2:12
You will offer them
"You will offer the grain offerings made with leaven or honey"
they will not be used to produce a sweet aroma on the altar
"you will not use them to produce a sweet aroma on the altar" or "you will not burn them on the altar"
Leviticus 2:13
the salt of the covenant of your God
It is implied that the salt is a symbol that represents the covenant with God.
Leviticus 2:14
that is roasted with fire and then crushed
"that you have cooked over a fire and then crushed"
Leviticus 2:16
a representative offering
The handful of the grain offering represents the whole grain offering. This means the whole offering belongs to Yahweh.
Chapter 3
1
If someone offers a sacrifice which is a fellowship offering of an animal from the herd, whether male or female, he must offer an animal without blemish before Yahweh.
2
He will lay his hand on the head of his offering and kill it at the door of the tent of meeting. Then Aaron's sons the priests will sprinkle its blood on the sides of the altar.
3
The man will offer the sacrifice of a fellowship offering by fire to Yahweh. The fat that covers or is connected to the inner parts,
4
and the two kidneys and the fat that is on them by the loins, and the lobe of the liver, with the kidneys—he will remove all of this.
5
Aaron's sons will burn that on the altar with the burnt offering, which is on the wood that is on the fire. This will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh; it will be an offering made to him by fire.
6
If the man's sacrifice of a fellowship offering to Yahweh is from the flock; male or female, he must offer a sacrifice without blemish.
7
If he offers a lamb for his sacrifice, then he must offer it before Yahweh.
8
He will lay his hand on the head of his sacrifice and kill it before the tent of meeting. Then Aaron's sons will sprinkle its blood on the sides of the altar.
9
The man will offer the sacrifice of fellowship offerings as an offering made by fire to Yahweh. The fat, the entire fat tail cut away close to the backbone, and the fat that covers the inner parts and all the fat that is near the inner parts,
10
and the two kidneys and the fat that is with them, which is by the loins, and the lobe of the liver, with the kidneys—he will remove all of this.
11
Then the priest will burn it all on the altar as a burnt offering of food to Yahweh.
12
If the man's offering is a goat, then he will offer it before Yahweh.
13
He must lay his hand on the head of the goat and kill it before the tent of meeting. Then the sons of Aaron will sprinkle its blood on the sides of the altar.
14
The man will offer his sacrifice made by fire to Yahweh. He will remove the fat that covers the inner parts, and all the fat near the inner parts.
15
He will also remove the two kidneys and the fat that is with them, which is by the loins, and the lobe of the liver with the kidneys.
16
The priest will burn all that on the altar as a burnt offering of food, to produce a sweet aroma. All the fat belongs to Yahweh.
17
It will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations in every place you make your home, that you must not eat fat or blood.'"
Leviticus 3:1
before Yahweh
"in the presence of Yahweh" or "to Yahweh"
Leviticus 3:2
lay his hand on the head
This is a symbolic action that identifies the person with the animal he is offering. In this way the person is offering himself to Yahweh through the animal.
Aaron's sons the priests will sprinkle its blood
It is implied that before they sprinkle the blood, they catch blood in a bowl as the it drains from the animal.
Leviticus 3:3
inner parts
This is the stomach and intestines.
Leviticus 3:4
by the loins
This is the part of the body on the sides of the backbone between the ribs and hipbone.
the lobe of the liver
"the best part of the liver"
Leviticus 3:5
This will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh
Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the burning sacrifice.
it will be an offering made to him by fire
“it will be a burnt offering to Yahweh”
Leviticus 3:7
offer it before Yahweh
"offer it in the presence of Yahweh" or "offer it to Yahweh"
Leviticus 3:8
lay his hand on the head
This is a symbolic action that identifies the person with the animal he is offering. In this way the person is offering himself to Yahweh through the animal.
Aaron’s sons will sprinkle its blood
It is implied that before they sprinkle the blood, they catch the blood in a bowl as it drains from the animal.
Leviticus 3:9
inner parts
This is the stomach and intestines.
Leviticus 3:10
and the two kidneys ... the kidneys—he will remove all of this
"He will remove the fat, the entire fat tail ... the inner parts, and the two kidneys ... with the kidneys"
by the loins
This is the part of the body on the sides of the backbone between the ribs and hipbone.
the lobe of the liver
“the best part of the liver”
Leviticus 3:11
will burn it all on the altar as a burnt offering of food to Yahweh
"will burn those things on the altar as an offering to Yahweh. Those things will come from your food supplies"
Leviticus 3:12
before Yahweh
"in the presence of Yahweh" or "to Yahweh"
Leviticus 3:14
will offer his sacrifice made by fire
"will offer his sacrifice by fire" or "will burn his sacrifice"
Leviticus 3:15
He will also
Here "He" refers to the person offering the sacrifice.
Leviticus 3:16
will burn all that on the altar as a burnt offering of food
"will burn those things on the altar to be an offering to Yahweh. It will be as though they are food given to Yahweh"
to produce a sweet aroma
Yahweh is pleased with the aroma of burning meat when he is pleased with the worshiper's sincerity.
Leviticus 3:17
It will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations
This means that they and their descendants must obey this command forever.
or blood
"or consume blood"
Chapter 4
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
2
"Tell the people of Israel, 'When anyone sins without wanting to sin, doing any of the things that Yahweh has commanded not to be done, and if he does something that is prohibited, the following must be done.
3
If it is the anointed priest who sins so as to bring guilt on the people, then let him offer for his sin which he has committed a young bull without blemish to Yahweh as a sin offering.
4
He must bring the bull to the entrance of the tent of meeting before Yahweh, lay his hand on its head, and kill the bull before Yahweh.
5
The anointed priest will take some of the blood of the bull and take it to the tent of meeting.
6
The priest will dip his finger into the blood and sprinkle some of it seven times before Yahweh, before the curtain of the most holy place.
7
Then the priest will put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense before Yahweh, which is in the tent of meeting, and he will pour out all the rest of the blood of the bull at the base of the altar for burnt offerings, which is at the entrance of the tent of meeting.
8
He will cut away all the fat of the bull of the sin offering; the fat that covers the inner parts, all the fat that is attached to the inner parts,
9
the two kidneys and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the lobe of the liver, with the kidneys—he will cut away all this.
10
He will cut it all away, just as he cuts it off from the bull of the sacrifice of peace offerings. Then the priest will burn these parts on the altar for burnt offerings.
11
The skin of the bull and any remaining meat, with its head and with its legs and its inner parts and its dung,
12
all the rest of the parts of the bull—he will carry all these parts outside the camp to a place that they have cleansed for me, where they pour out the ashes; they will burn those parts there on wood. They must burn those parts where they pour out the ashes.
13
If the whole assembly of Israel sins without wanting to sin, and the assembly is unaware that they have sinned and done any of the things which Yahweh has commanded not to be done, and if they are guilty,
14
then, when the sin they have committed becomes known, then the assembly must offer a young bull from the herd for a sin offering and bring it before the tent of meeting.
15
The elders of the assembly will lay their hands on the head of the bull before Yahweh, and the bull will be killed before Yahweh.
16
The anointed priest will bring some of the blood of the bull to the tent of meeting,
17
and the priest will dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before Yahweh, before the curtain.
18
He will put some of the blood on the horns of the altar that is before Yahweh, which is in the tent of meeting, and he will pour out all the blood at the base of the altar for burnt offerings, which is at the entrance of the tent of meeting.
19
He will cut off all the fat from it and burn it on the altar.
20
That is what he must do with the bull. Just as he did with the bull of the sin offering, so will he also do with this bull, and the priest will make atonement for the people, and they will be forgiven.
21
He will carry the bull outside the camp and burn it as he burned the first bull. This is the sin offering for the assembly.
22
When a ruler sins without intending to sin, doing any one of all the things that Yahweh his God has commanded not to be done, and he is guilty,
23
then his sin which he has committed is made known to him, he must bring for his sacrifice a goat, a male without blemish.
24
He will lay his hand on the head of the goat and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt offering before Yahweh. This is a sin offering.
25
The priest will take the blood of the sin offering with his finger and put it on the horns of the altar for burnt offerings, and he will pour out its blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering.
26
He will burn all the fat on the altar, just like the fat of the sacrifice of peace offerings. The priest will make atonement for the ruler concerning his sin, and the ruler will be forgiven.
27
If anyone of the common people sins without intending to sin, doing any of the things which Yahweh has commanded him not to be done, and when he realizes his guilt,
28
then his sin which he has committed is made known to him, then he will bring a goat for his sacrifice, a female without blemish, for the sin that he has committed.
29
He will lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and kill the sin offering at the place of burnt offering.
30
The priest will take some of the blood with his finger and put it on the horns of the altar for burnt offerings. He will pour out all the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.
31
He will cut away all the fat, just as the fat is cut away from off the sacrifice of peace offerings. The priest will burn it on the altar to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. The priest will make atonement for the man, and he will be forgiven.
32
If the man brings a lamb as his sacrifice for a sin offering, he will bring a female without blemish.
33
He will lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and kill it for a sin offering at the place where they kill the burnt offering.
34
The priest will take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger and put it on the horns of the altar for burnt offerings, and he will pour out all its blood at the base of the altar.
35
He will cut away all the fat, just as the fat of the lamb is cut away from the sacrifice of peace offerings, and the priest will burn it on the altar on top of the offerings of Yahweh made by fire. The priest will make atonement for him for the sin he has committed, and the man will be forgiven.
Leviticus 4:1
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying
"Yahweh said to Moses"
Leviticus 4:2
"Tell the people of Israel, 'When anyone sins
"Yahweh spoke to Moses and told him to tell the people of Israel this: 'When anyone sins"
that Yahweh has commanded not to be done
"that Yahweh has commanded the people not to do"
if he does something that is prohibited
"if he does something that Yahweh does not allow"
the following must be done
"he must do the following"
Leviticus 4:3
the anointed priest
This phrase refers to the son of the high priest who will succeed the high priest when the high priest dies.
so as to bring guilt on the people
"so as to cause the people to be guilty"
Leviticus 4:4
He must bring the bull
"The high priest must bring the bull"
lay his hand on its head
This is a symbolic action that identifies the person with the animal he is offering. In this way the person is offering himself to Yahweh through the animal.
Leviticus 4:6
sprinkle some of it
"drip some of it" or "splatter some of it"
Leviticus 4:7
horns of the altar
"the projections at the corners of the altar"
pour out
"empty out the rest of the blood"
at the base of the altar
"at the bottom of the altar"
Leviticus 4:8
He will cut away
"The priest will cut away"
inner parts
This is the stomach and intestines.
Leviticus 4:9
the two kidneys ... with the kidneys—he will cut away all this
"He will cut away the fat that covers the inner parts, all the fat that is attached to the inner parts, the two kidneys ... with the kidneys"
by the loins
This is the part of the body on the sides of the backbone between the ribs and hipbone.
the lobe of the liver
“the best part of the liver”
Leviticus 4:11
The skin of the bull ... and its dung
"As for the skin of the bull ... and its dung"
Leviticus 4:12
a place that they have cleansed for me
A place being ritually pure and suitable to use for serving God is spoken of as if it were physically clean.
they have cleansed for me
Here "they" refers to the priests, and "me" refers to Yahweh.
Leviticus 4:13
is unaware
"does not know"
commanded not to be done
"commanded them not to do"
if they are guilty
"they are guilty" or "they deserve for God to punish them"
Leviticus 4:14
when the sin they have committed becomes known
"when they realize that they have sinned"
Leviticus 4:15
will lay their hands on the head
This is a symbolic action that identifies the people with the animal they are offering. In this way the people are offering themselves to Yahweh through the animal.
the bull will be killed
"and they will kill the bull"
Leviticus 4:16
The anointed priest will bring some of the blood
It is implied that the priest caught the blood in a bowl as the blood drained from the bull.
Leviticus 4:17
before the curtain
It is implied that this is the curtain before the most holy place.
Leviticus 4:18
He will put
"The priest will put"
Leviticus 4:19
all the fat from it and burn it
"all the fat from the bull and burn the fat"
Leviticus 4:20
he must do
"the priest must do"
the priest will make atonement for the people
"the priest will atone for the people's sins"
they will be forgiven
"Yahweh will forgive them"
Leviticus 4:22
God has commanded not to be done
"God has commanded the people not to do"
Leviticus 4:23
then his sin which he has committed is made known to him
"then he realizes that he has sinned"
Leviticus 4:24
He will lay
"The ruler will lay"
lay his hand on the head
This is a symbolic action that identifies the person with the animal he is offering. In this way the person is offering himself to Yahweh through the animal.
where they kill
"where the priests kill"
before Yahweh
"in the presence of Yahweh" or "to Yahweh"
Leviticus 4:25
The priest will take the blood
It is implied that the priest will catch the blood in a bowl as the blood drains from the goat.
Leviticus 4:26
He will burn
"The priest will burn"
The priest will make atonement for the ruler
"The priest will atone for the ruler"
the ruler will be forgiven
"Yahweh will forgive the ruler's sins"
Leviticus 4:29
lay his hand on the head
This is a symbolic action that identifies the person with the animal he is offering. In this way the person is offering himself to Yahweh through the animal.
Leviticus 4:30
all the rest of the blood
"all the blood remaining in the bowl"
Leviticus 4:31
He will cut away
Here "He" refers to the person offering the sacrifice.
just as the fat is cut away
"just as a person cuts away the fat"
will burn it
"will burn the fat"
to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh
Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the burning sacrifice.
The priest will make atonement for the man
"The priest will atone for the man's sins"
he will be forgiven
"Yahweh will forgive the man's sins"
Leviticus 4:33
lay his hand on the head
This is a symbolic action that identifies the person with the animal he is offering. In this way the person is offering himself to Yahweh through the animal.
where they kill
"where the priests kill"
Leviticus 4:35
He will cut away
Here "He" refers to the person offering the sacrifice.
just as the fat of the lamb is cut away
"just as a person cuts away the fat of the lamb"
the priest will burn it
"the priest will burn the fat"
offerings of Yahweh made by fire
"burnt offerings for Yahweh"
will make atonement for him for the sin he has committed
"will atone for the sin the person committed"
the man will be forgiven
"Yahweh will forgive the man's sins"
Chapter 5
1
The person who is a witness or has seen or knows about some matter—if he hears the curse but sins by not testifying, he will bear the guilt of his iniquity.
2
Or if anyone touches anything God has designated as unclean, whether it be the carcass of an unclean wild animal or the carcass of any unclean livestock or unclean creatures that move along the ground, even though he was not aware of what he had done, he has become unclean and is guilty.
3
Or if he touches the uncleanness of someone, whatever that uncleanness is, and if he is unaware of it, then he will be guilty when he learns about it.
4
Or if anyone swears rashly with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatever it is that a man swears rashly with an oath, even if he is unaware of it, when he learns about it, then he will be guilty, in any of these things.
5
When someone is guilty in any of these things, he must confess whatever sin he has committed.
6
Then he must bring his guilt offering to Yahweh for the sin that he has committed, a female animal from the flock, either a lamb or a goat, for a sin offering, and the priest will make atonement for him concerning his sin.
7
If he cannot afford to buy a lamb, then he can bring as his guilt offering for his sin two doves or two young pigeons to Yahweh, one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering.
8
He must bring them to the priest, who will offer one for the sin offering first—he will wring off its head from its neck but will not remove it completely from the body.
9
Then he will sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering on the side of the altar, and he will drain the rest of the blood out at the base of the altar. This is a sin offering.
10
Then he must offer the second bird as a burnt offering, as described in the instructions, and the priest will make atonement for him for the sin that he has committed, and the person will be forgiven.
11
But if he cannot afford to buy two doves or two young pigeons, then he must bring as his sacrifice for his sin a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering. He must not put oil or any incense on it, for it is a sin offering.
12
He must bring it to the priest, and the priest will take a handful of it as a representative offering and then burn it on the altar, on top of the offerings made by fire for Yahweh. This is a sin offering.
13
The priest will make atonement for any sin that the person has committed, and that person will be forgiven. The leftovers from the offering will belong to the priest, as with the grain offering.'"
14
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
15
"If anyone sins and acts unfaithfully in regard to the things that belong to Yahweh, but did so unintentionally, then he must bring his guilt offering to Yahweh. This offering must be a ram without blemish from the flock; its value must be appraised in silver shekels—the shekel of the sanctuary—as a guilt offering.
16
He must satisfy Yahweh for what he had done wrong in connection with what is holy, and he must add one-fifth to it and give it to the priest. Then the priest will make atonement for him with the ram of the guilt offering, and that person will be forgiven.
17
If anyone sins and does anything that Yahweh has commanded not to be done, even if he was unaware of it, he is still guilty and must carry his own guilt.
18
He must bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, worth the current value, as a guilt offering to the priest. Then the priest will make atonement for him concerning the sin he has committed, of which he was unaware, and he will be forgiven.
19
It is a guilt offering, and he is certainly guilty before Yahweh."
Leviticus 5:1
the curse
"people ask God to punish anyone who refuses to tell what he knows "
Leviticus 5:2
God has designated as unclean
Something that God has declared to be unfit for people to touch or eat is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
the carcass
"the dead body"
he has become unclean
A person who is unacceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
Leviticus 5:3
if he touches the uncleanness of someone, whatever that uncleanness is
"if he touches anything that makes a person unclean"
the uncleanness
Something that Yahweh has declared unfit for a person to touch or eat is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
he is unaware of it
"he does not realize it" or "he does not know about it"
Leviticus 5:4
if anyone swears rashly with his lips
"if anyone swears rashly"
if anyone swears rashly
This means to swear an oath without thinking seriously about it. It implies that after the person swears the oath that he either cannot fulfill it or he does not really want to fulfill it.
Leviticus 5:6
the priest will make atonement for him
"the priest will atone for him"
Leviticus 5:7
If he cannot afford to buy a lamb
"If he does not have enough money to buy a lamb"
Leviticus 5:8
he will wring off its head from its neck but will not remove it
"he will kill it by twisting its head and breaking its neck, but he will not remove the head"
Leviticus 5:10
as described in the instructions
"as Yahweh has instructed"
the priest will make atonement for him for the sin that he has committed
"the priest will atone for the sin that the person committed"
the person will be forgiven
"Yahweh will forgive the person"
Leviticus 5:11
a tenth of an ephah
An ephah is 22 liters. A tenth of an ephah is about two liters.
a tenth
This is one part out of ten equal parts.
Leviticus 5:12
He must bring it
"He must bring the fine flour"
a representative offering
The handful that the priest burns on the altar represents the entire offering. This means the whole offering belongs to Yahweh.
on top of the offerings made by fire for Yahweh
"on top of the burnt offerings to Yahweh"
Leviticus 5:13
will make atonement
“will atone”
that person will be forgiven
"Yahweh will forgive that person's sins"
Leviticus 5:15
sins and acts unfaithfully in regard to the things that belong to Yahweh
"sins by failing to give to Yahweh what belongs to Yahweh"
Leviticus 5:16
he must add one-fifth
This means the person must pay an extra one-fifth of the value of what he owes to Yahweh.
one-fifth
This is one part out of five equal parts.
the priest will make atonement for him
“the priest will atone for him”
that person will be forgiven
“Yahweh will forgive that person”
Leviticus 5:17
has commanded not to be done
"has commanded the people not to do"
must carry his own guilt
"he is responsible for his own guilt" or "Yahweh will punish him for his sin"
Leviticus 5:18
worth the current value
This means the person must determine how many shekels the ram is worth by using the official standard
he will be forgiven
"Yahweh will forgive him"
Leviticus 5:19
he is certainly guilty before Yahweh
"Yahweh certainly considers him guilty"
Chapter 6
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
2
"If anyone sins and acts unfaithfully against Yahweh by deceiving his neighbor regarding something held in trust, or was left in his care, or about something that was stolen, or if he has oppressed his neighbor,
3
or he has found something that his neighbor lost and lies about it, or if he swears falsely, or in any matters like these by which people sin,
4
and if he has sinned and is found to be guilty, he must restore whatever he took by robbery or oppression, or that which was entrusted to him, or that which was lost but that he had found.
5
In addition, in any matter in which he swore falsely, he must restore it in full and he must add one-fifth of the value of it and pay it all to the owner on the day that he is found guilty.
6
Then he must bring his guilt offering to Yahweh, a ram without blemish from the flock that is worth the current value, as a guilt offering to the priest.
7
The priest will make atonement for him before Yahweh, and he will be forgiven concerning whatever he has become guilty of doing."
8
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
9
"Command Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the law of the burnt offering: The burnt offering must be on the hearth of the altar all night until morning, and the fire of the altar will be kept burning.
10
The priest will put on his linen clothes, and he will also put on his linen underclothes. He will pick up the ashes that are left after the fire has consumed the burnt offering on the altar, and he will put the ashes beside the altar.
11
He will take off his garments and put on other garments to carry the ashes outside the camp to a place that is clean.
12
The fire on the altar will be kept burning. It must not go out, and the priest will burn wood on it every morning. He will arrange the burnt offering as required on it, and he will burn on it the fat of the peace offerings.
13
Fire must be kept burning on the altar continually. It must not go out.
14
This is the law of the grain offering. The sons of Aaron will offer it before Yahweh before the altar.
15
The priest will take up a handful of the fine flour of the grain offering and of the oil and the incense which is on the grain offering, and he will burn it on the altar to produce a sweet aroma as a representative offering.
16
Aaron and his sons will eat whatever is left of the offering. It must be eaten without yeast in a holy place. They will eat it in the courtyard of the tent of meeting.
17
It must not be baked with yeast. I have given it as their part of my offerings made by fire. It is most holy, as the sin offering and the guilt offering.
18
Every male among the descendants of Aaron may eat of it, as decreed forever throughout your generations, taken from the fire offerings made to Yahweh. Whoever touches them will become holy.'"
19
So Yahweh spoke to Moses again, saying,
20
"This is the offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they will offer to Yahweh on the day when each son is anointed: a tenth part of an ephah of fine flour as a regular grain offering, half of it in the morning and half of it in the evening.
21
It will be made with oil in a baking pan. When it is soaked, you will bring it in. In baked pieces you will offer the grain offering to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh.
22
The anointed priest from among his sons will offer it. As commanded forever, it must be burned up completely to Yahweh.
23
Every grain offering of the priest will be completely burned up. It must not be eaten."
24
Yahweh spoke to Moses again, saying,
25
"Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, 'This is the law of the sin offering: The sin offering must be killed at the place where the burnt offering is killed before Yahweh. It is most holy.
26
The priest who offers it for sin will eat it. It must be eaten in a holy place in the courtyard of the tent of meeting.
27
Whatever touches its meat will become holy, and if the blood is sprinkled on any garment, you must wash it, the part that was sprinkled on, in a holy place.
28
But the clay pot in which it is boiled must be broken. If it is boiled in a bronze pot, it must be scrubbed and rinsed clean in water.
29
Any male among the priests may eat some of it because it is most holy.
30
But any sin offering whose blood is brought into the tent of meeting to make atonement in the holy place must not be eaten. It must be burned with fire.
Leviticus 6:2
acts unfaithfully against Yahweh
"disobeys one of Yahweh's commandments"
deceiving his neighbor regarding something held in trust
"lying to his neighbor about something the neighbor let him borrow"
his neighbor
Here "neighbor" means any Israelite, not just someone who lives nearby.
Leviticus 6:5
in full
"fully" or "totally"
pay it all to the owner
"to pay the person he owes"
he is found guilty
"the judge declares him guilty"
Leviticus 6:6
worth the current value
This means the person must determine how many shekels the ram is worth by using the official standard. You can make clear the understood information.
Leviticus 6:7
The priest will make atonement for him
"The priest will atone for him"
before Yahweh
"in the presence of Yahweh"
he will be forgiven
"God will forgive him"
Leviticus 6:9
"Command Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the law
"Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and told him to command Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the law"
must be on the hearth of the altar
"must be on top of the altar"
the fire of the altar will be kept burning
"you must keep the fire of the altar burning"
Leviticus 6:10
his linen clothes
"his white clothes"
He will pick up the ashes
"He will gather the ashes"
after the fire has consumed the burnt offering
The fire completely burning up the offering is spoken of as if it consumed or used up the burnt offering.
Leviticus 6:11
to a place that is clean
A place that is fit to be used for God's purposes is spoken of as if it were physically clean.
Leviticus 6:12
as required on it
"on it as Yahweh demands"
Leviticus 6:15
to produce a sweet aroma
Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice.
a representative offering
The handful of the grain offering represents the whole grain offering. This means the whole offering belongs to Yahweh.
Leviticus 6:16
It must be eaten
"They must eat it"
Leviticus 6:17
It must not be baked with yeast
“Do not bake it with yeast”
offerings made by fire
"burnt offerings"
Leviticus 6:18
Whoever touches them will become holy
This is an implied warning that those who are not male descendants of Aaron should not touch this offering.
Leviticus 6:20
when each son is anointed
"when he anoints each son, ordaining them as priests"
a tenth part of an ephah
One-tenth of an ephah is about 2 liters.
a tenth
This is one part of ten equal parts.
Leviticus 6:21
in a baking pan
This is a thick plate made of either clay or metal. The plate was placed over a fire, and the dough cooked on top of the plate.
When it is soaked
"When the flour is completely wet with oil"
you will bring it in
Here "you" refers to the person offering the sacrifice.
to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh
Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the burning sacrifice. See how you translated this in Leviticus 1:9.
Leviticus 6:22
The anointed priest
This phrase refers to the son of the high priest who will succeed the high priest when the high priest dies.
As commanded
"As Yahweh has commanded you"
it must be burned up completely
"he must burn all of it"
Leviticus 6:25
"Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, 'This is the law
"Yahweh spoke to Moses again and told him to speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the law"
Speak to Aaron and to his sons
Yahweh is speaking to Aaron and his sons, but these regulations apply to all priest who perform these sacrifices.
The sin offering must be killed at ... before Yahweh
It can be made explicit that this refers to the north side of the altar.
where the burnt offering is killed
"where you kill the animal for the burnt offering"
before Yahweh
"to Yahweh"
Leviticus 6:26
It must be eaten
"He must eat it"
Leviticus 6:27
Whatever touches its meat will become holy
This is an implied warning that no one besides the priests should touch the meat of the sin offering.
if the blood is sprinkled on
"if the blood sprinkles on"
Leviticus 6:28
the clay pot in which it is boiled must be broken
"you must break the clay pot in which you boiled the meat"
If it is boiled in a bronze pot, it must be scrubbed and rinsed clean in water
"If you boiled the meat in a bronze pot, then you must scrub the pot and rinse it with clean water"
Leviticus 6:30
But any sin offering ... must not be eaten
"But no one may eat any sin offering whose blood is brought into the tent of meeting to make atonement in the holy place"
whose blood is brought into the tent of meeting
"from which the priest takes the blood into the tent of meeting"
It must be burned
"The priest must burn it"
with fire
If these words would cause confusion for the reader, you may omit them.
Chapter 7
1
This is the law of the guilt offering. It is most holy.
2
They must kill the guilt offering in the place for killing it, and they must sprinkle its blood against every side of the altar.
3
All the fat in it will be offered: the fat tail, the fat that is over the inner parts,
4
the two kidneys and the fat on them, which is next to the loins, and what covers the liver, with the kidneys—all this must be removed.
5
The priest must burn these parts on the altar as an offering made with fire to Yahweh. This is the guilt offering.
6
Every male among the priests may eat part of this offering. It must be eaten in a holy place because it is most holy.
7
The sin offering is like the guilt offering. The same law applies to both of them. They belong to the priest who makes atonement with them.
8
The priest who offers anyone's burnt offering may have for himself the hide of that offering.
9
Every grain offering that is baked in an oven, and every such offering that is cooked in a frying pan or in a baking pan will belong to the priest who offers it.
10
Every grain offering, either dry or mixed with oil, will belong equally to all the descendants of Aaron.
11
This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings which people will offer to Yahweh.
12
If anyone offers it in order to give thanks, then he must offer it with a sacrifice of cakes made without yeast, but mixed with oil, of cakes made without yeast, but spread with oil, and of cakes made with fine flour that is mixed with oil.
13
Also for the purpose of giving thanks, he must offer with the sacrifice of his peace offering cakes of bread made with yeast.
14
He is to offer one of each kind of these sacrifices as a contribution presented to Yahweh. It will belong to the priests who sprinkle the blood of the peace offerings onto the altar.
15
The person presenting a peace offering for the purpose of giving thanks must eat the meat of his offering on the day of the sacrifice. He must not leave any of it until the next morning.
16
But if the sacrifice of his offering is for the purpose of a vow, or for the purpose of a freewill offering, the meat must be eaten on the day that he offers his sacrifice, but whatever remains of it may be eaten on the next day.
17
However, whatever meat of the sacrifice remains on the third day must be burned.
18
If any of the meat of the sacrifice of one's peace offering is eaten on the third day, it will not be accepted, neither will it be credited to the one who offered it. It will be a disgusting thing, and the person who eats it will carry the guilt of his sin.
19
Any meat that touches an unclean thing must not be eaten. It must be burned with fire. As for the rest of the meat, anyone who is clean may eat it.
20
However, an unclean person who eats any meat from the sacrifice of a peace offering that belongs to Yahweh—that person must be cut off from his people.
21
If anyone touches any unclean thing—whether uncleanness of man or of unclean animal or of some unclean, detestable thing—and if he then eats some of the meat of a sacrifice of peace offering that belongs to Yahweh, that person must be cut off from his people.'"
22
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
23
"Speak to the people of Israel and say, 'You must eat no fat of cattle, sheep, or goats.
24
The fat of an animal that died without being a sacrifice, or the fat of an animal torn by wild animals, may be used for other purposes, but you must certainly not eat it.
25
Whoever eats the fat of an animal that men can offer as a sacrifice by fire to Yahweh, that person must be cut off from his people.
26
You must eat no blood whatsoever in any of your houses, whether it is from a bird or an animal.
27
Whoever eats any blood, that person must be cut off from his people.'"
28
So Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
29
"Speak to the people of Israel and say, 'He who offers the sacrifice of a peace offering to Yahweh must bring part of his sacrifice to Yahweh.
30
The offering for Yahweh to be made by fire, his own hands must bring it. He must bring the fat with the breast, so that the breast may be waved as a wave offering before Yahweh.
31
The priest must burn the fat on the altar, but the breast will belong to Aaron and his descendants.
32
You must give the right thigh to the priest as a contribution from the sacrifice of your peace offerings.
33
The priest, one of Aaron's descendants, who offers the blood of the peace offerings and the fat—he will have the right thigh as his share of the offering.
34
For I have taken from the people of Israel, the breast of the wave offering, and the thigh that is the contribution from the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and they have been given to Aaron the priest and his sons as their regular share.
35
This is what has been consecrated for Aaron and his descendants from the offerings for Yahweh made by fire, on the day when Moses presented them to serve Yahweh in the work of priest.
36
This is the share that Yahweh commanded to be given them from the people of Israel, on the day that he anointed the priests. It will always be their share throughout all generations.
37
This is the law of the burnt offering, of the grain offering, of the sin offering, of the guilt offering, of the consecration offering, and of the sacrifice of peace offerings,
38
about which Yahweh gave commands to Moses on Mount Sinai on the day that he commanded the people of Israel to offer their sacrifices to Yahweh in the wilderness of Sinai.'"
Leviticus 7:2
in the place for killing it
It can be made explicit that this refers to, the north side of the altar, the place where the animals for the burnt offerings are killed.
Leviticus 7:3
All the fat in it will be offered
"The priest must offer all the fat in it"
inner parts
This is the stomach and intestines.
Leviticus 7:4
liver ... kidneys
See how you translated these words in Leviticus 3:4.
next to the loins
This is the part of the body on the sides of the backbone between the ribs and hipbone.
all this must be removed
"the priest must remove all this"
Leviticus 7:5
as an offering made with fire
"as a burnt offering"
Leviticus 7:6
It must be eaten
"They must eat it"
Leviticus 7:7
The same law applies to both of them
"The law is the same for both of them"
to the priest who makes atonement with them
"to the priest who offers the sacrifice to atone for someone's sins"
Leviticus 7:8
hide
the coat or skin of a herd animal
Leviticus 7:9
that is baked in an oven ... that is cooked in a frying pan
"that someone bakes in an oven ... that someone cooks in a frying pan"
oven
This was probably a hollow object made of clay. A fire was lit under the oven, and the heat would bake the dough inside of the oven.
a frying pan
This is a metal plate with rounded edges. The dough was placed in the pan and cooked over a fire.
a baking pan
This is a thick plate made of either clay or metal. The plate was placed over a fire, and the dough cooked on top of the plate.
Leviticus 7:12
of cakes made without yeast, but mixed with oil
"of cakes he made without yeast but mixed with oil"
cakes ... mixed with oil
Here "cakes" refers to a thick bread.
of cakes made without yeast, but spread with oil
"of thin cakes he made without yeast but spread with oil"
of cakes made with fine flour that is mixed with oil
"of cakes he made with fine flour mixed with oil"
cakes made with fine flour
Here "cakes" refers to a thick bread. It is similar to the first type of bread except it is made with the finest flour.
Leviticus 7:15
The person presenting
"The person who offers"
for the purpose of giving thanks
"for the purpose of thanking Yahweh"
Leviticus 7:16
the meat must be eaten ... it may be eaten
"he must eat the meat ... he may eat it"
Leviticus 7:17
on the third day
“after two days”
must be burned
"the person must burn it"
Leviticus 7:18
If any of the meat of the sacrifice of one's peace offering is eaten on the third day
"If anyone eats the meat of his peace offering sacrifice on the third day"
it will not be accepted
"Yahweh will not accept it"
neither will it be credited to the one who offered it
"neither will Yahweh honor the sacrifice that the person offered"
will carry the guilt of his sin
A person being responsible for the sin he committed is spoken of as if he had to carry the guilt physically.
Leviticus 7:19
Any meat that touches an unclean thing must not be eaten
"No one may eat meat that touches something unclean"
an unclean thing
Something that Yahweh has stated is unfit to touch or eat is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
It must be burned
"You must burn it"
anyone who is clean
A person who is acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically clean.
Leviticus 7:20
unclean person
A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
that person must be cut off from his people
"that person may no longer live among his people" or "you must separate that person from his people"
Leviticus 7:21
of man
"of a person"
or of some unclean, detestable thing
"or of some unclean thing that disgusts Yahweh"
Leviticus 7:23
"Speak to the people of Israel and say, 'You must eat no fat
"Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and told him to tell the people of Israel this: 'You must eat no fat"
Leviticus 7:24
died without being a sacrifice
"died but was not a sacrifice"
the fat of an animal torn by wild animals
"the fat of an animal that wild animals killed"
may be used
"you may use"
Leviticus 7:25
sacrifice by fire
"burnt offering"
Leviticus 7:26
You must eat no blood
"You must not consume blood"
in any of your houses
"in any of your homes" or "wherever you live"
Leviticus 7:29
"Speak to the people of Israel and say, 'He who offers
"Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and told him to tell the people of Israel this: 'He who offers"
Leviticus 7:30
The offering for Yahweh to be made by fire, his own hands must bring it
"He himself must bring the offering that he plans to burn as a sacrifice to Yahweh"
his own hands must bring it
"he must bring it himself"
breast
the front part of the animal's body below the neck
so that the breast may be waved as a wave offering before Yahweh
"so that the priest can present it to Yahweh as a wave offering"
may be waved as a wave offering before Yahweh
Raising up the offering is a symbolic gesture that shows that the person is dedicating the sacrifice to Yahweh.
Leviticus 7:32
thigh
the upper part of the leg above the knee
Leviticus 7:34
For I have taken
Here "I" refers to Yahweh.
that is the contribution
"that is given as an offering"
Leviticus 7:35
the offerings for Yahweh made by fire
"the burnt offerings for Yahweh"
Leviticus 7:36
that Yahweh commanded to be given them from the people of Israel
"that Yahweh commanded the people of Israel to give to them"
that he anointed the priests
"that Moses anointed the priests"
throughout all generations
See how you translated these words in Leviticus 3:17.
Chapter 8
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
2
"Take Aaron and his sons with him, the garments and the anointing oil, the bull for the sin offering, the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread.
3
Assemble all the assembly at the entrance to the tent of meeting."
4
So Moses did as Yahweh commanded him, and the assembly came together at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
5
Then Moses said to the assembly, "This is what Yahweh has commanded to be done."
6
Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water.
7
He put the tunic on Aaron and tied the sash around his waist, clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him, and then he tied the ephod around him with the finely-woven waistband and bound it to him.
8
He placed the breastpiece on him, and in the breastpiece he put the Urim and the Thummim.
9
He set the turban on his head, and on the turban, in front, he set the golden plate, the holy crown, as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
10
Moses took the anointing oil, anointed the tabernacle and everything in it and set them apart to Yahweh.
11
He sprinkled the oil on the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its utensils, and the washbasin and its base, to set them apart to Yahweh.
12
He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron's head and anointed him to set him apart.
13
Moses brought Aaron's sons and clothed them with tunics. He tied sashes around their waists and wrapped linen cloth around their heads, as Yahweh had commanded him.
14
Moses brought the bull for the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull that they had brought for the sin offering.
15
Moses killed it, and he took the blood and put it on the horns of the altar with his finger, purified the altar, poured out the blood at the base of the altar, and set it apart for God in order to make atonement for it.
16
He took all the fat that was on the inner parts, the covering of the liver, and the two kidneys and their fat, and Moses burned it all on the altar.
17
But Moses burned the bull, its hide, its meat, and its dung outside the camp, as Yahweh had commanded him.
18
Moses presented the ram for the burnt offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram.
19
He killed it and sprinkled its blood against every side of the altar.
20
He cut the ram into pieces and burned the head and the pieces and the fat.
21
He washed the inner parts and the legs with water, and he burned the whole ram on the altar. It was a burnt offering and produced a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
22
Then Moses presented the other ram, the ram of consecration, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram.
23
Aaron killed it, and Moses took some of its blood and put it on the tip of Aaron's right ear, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot.
24
He brought Aaron's sons, and he put some of the blood on the tip of their right ear, on the thumb of their right hand, and on the big toe of their right foot. Then Moses sprinkled its blood against every side of the altar.
25
He took the fat, the fat tail, all the fat that was on the inner parts, the covering of the liver, the two kidneys and their fat, and the right thigh.
26
Out of the basket of bread without yeast that was before Yahweh, he took one loaf without yeast, and one loaf of oiled bread, and one wafer, and placed them on the fat and on the right thigh.
27
He put it all in the hands of Aaron and in the hands of his sons and waved them before Yahweh as a wave offering.
28
Then Moses took them from off their hands and burned them on the altar for the burnt offering. They were a consecration offering and produced a sweet aroma. It was an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
29
Moses took the breast and waved it as a wave offering to Yahweh. It was Moses' share of the ram for the priests' ordination, as Yahweh had commanded him.
30
Moses took some of the anointing oil and the blood that was on the altar; he sprinkled these on Aaron, on his clothes, on his sons, and on his sons' clothes with him. In this way he set apart Aaron and his clothes, and his sons and their clothes to Yahweh.
31
So Moses said to Aaron and to his sons, "Boil the meat at the entrance to the tent of meeting, and there eat it and the bread that is in the basket of consecration, as I commanded, saying, 'Aaron and his sons will eat it.'
32
Whatever remains of the meat and of the bread you must burn.
33
You must not go out from the entrance of the tent of meeting for seven days, until the days of your ordination are fulfilled. For Yahweh will consecrate you for seven days.
34
What has been done this day—Yahweh has commanded to be done to make atonement for you.
35
You will stay day and night for seven days at the entrance to the tent of meeting, and keep the command of Yahweh, so you will not die, because this is what I have been commanded."
36
So Aaron and his sons did all the things which Yahweh had commanded them through Moses.
Leviticus 8:2
the garments
"the priestly garments" or "the clothes that the priests wore"
Leviticus 8:5
Yahweh has commanded to be done
"Yahweh commands us to do"
Leviticus 8:6
washed them with water
This is a symbolic action. It is a ritually cleaning that prepares them to become priests.
Leviticus 8:7
the tunic ... the sash ... the robe ... the ephod ... the finely-woven waistband
These are special garments that Yahweh commanded the people to make for the priests.
sash
a long piece of cloth that is tied around the waist or chest
bound it to him
"tied it around him"
Leviticus 8:8
He placed the breastpiece on him
"Moses placed the breastpiece on Aaron"
the breastpiece
This is a special garment that Yahweh commanded the people to make for the priests.
the Urim and the Thummim
It is not clear what these are. They were objects that the priest somehow used to determine the will of God.
Leviticus 8:9
the turban ... the golden plate, the holy crown
These are special garments that Yahweh commanded the people to make for the priests.
turban
a man's head covering that is a long piece of cloth wrapped around the head
the golden plate, the holy crown
These two phrases refer to the same thing. It was a plate of pure gold attached to the turban.
Leviticus 8:11
all its utensils
These are all the pots, pans, shovels, and forks used at the altar.
the washbasin
This is a bronze basin that was located between the altar and the tabernacle.
its base
This is a bronze stand on which the washbasin was placed.
Leviticus 8:12
He poured
"Moses poured"
Leviticus 8:13
sashes
This is the plural form of "sash."
Leviticus 8:14
laid their hands on the head
This is a symbolic action that identifies Aaron and his sons with the animal they are offering. In this way they are offering themselves to Yahweh through the animal.
Leviticus 8:15
horns of the altar
This refers to the corners of the altar. They are shaped like the horns of an ox.
set it apart for God
"set the altar apart for God"
in order to make atonement for it
"in order to make it a suitable place for burning sacrifices for sin"
Leviticus 8:16
the inner parts
This is the stomach and intestines.
liver ... kidneys
See how you translated these words in Leviticus 3:4.
Leviticus 8:17
hide
the coat or skin of a herd animal
Leviticus 8:20
He cut the ram
"Moses cut the ram"
Leviticus 8:21
produced a sweet aroma
Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the burning sacrifice.
an offering made by fire to Yahweh
"an offering he burned to Yahweh"
Leviticus 8:22
the ram of consecration
"the ram for setting Aaron and his sons apart for service to God"
Leviticus 8:23
Moses took some of its blood
It is implied that Moses caught the blood in a bowl as the blood drained out from the animal.
Leviticus 8:25
inner parts
This is the stomach and intestines. .
right thigh
The thigh is the upper part of the leg above the knee.
Leviticus 8:26
the basket of bread without yeast that was before Yahweh
This does not refer to the location of the basket of bread. It means this is the bread that Moses had dedicated to Yahweh.
Leviticus 8:27
put it all in the hands of Aaron and in the hands of his sons
"gave it all to Aaron and his sons"
waved them before Yahweh as a wave offering
"they waved them before Yahweh as a wave offering"
waved them
This is a symbolic action that dedicates the offering to Yahweh.
Leviticus 8:28
Moses took them
Here "them" refers to the fat, thigh, and all of the bread.
from off their hands
"from Aaron and his sons"
They were a consecration offering
"They were an offering for setting Aaron and his sons apart for service to Yahweh"
an offering made by fire to Yahweh
“a burnt offering to Yahweh”
produced a sweet aroma
Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the burning sacrifice.
Leviticus 8:29
breast
the front part of the animal's body below the neck
ordination
an official ceremony that makes someone a priest
Leviticus 8:31
as I commanded, saying, 'Aaron and his sons will eat it.'
"as I commanded you to do"
Leviticus 8:33
until the days of your ordination are fulfilled
"until you fulfill the days of your ordination
ordination
This is an official ceremony that makes someone a priest.
Leviticus 8:34
to be done
"us to do"
to make atonement for you
"to atone for your sins"
Chapter 9
1
On the eighth day Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel.
2
He said to Aaron, "Take a calf from the herd for a sin offering, and a ram without blemish for a burnt offering, and offer them before Yahweh.
3
You must speak to the people of Israel and say, 'Take a male goat for a sin offering and a calf and a lamb, both a year old and without blemish, for a burnt offering;
4
also take an ox and a ram for peace offerings to sacrifice before Yahweh, and a grain offering mixed with oil, because today Yahweh will appear to you.'"
5
So they brought all that Moses commanded to the tent of meeting, and all the assembly of Israel approached and stood before Yahweh.
6
Then Moses said, "This is what Yahweh commanded you to do, so that his glory may appear to you."
7
Moses said to Aaron, "Come near the altar and offer your sin offering and burnt offering, and make atonement for yourself and for the people, and offer the sacrifice for the people to make atonement for them, as Yahweh has commanded."
8
So Aaron went near the altar and killed the calf for the sin offering, which was for himself.
9
The sons of Aaron presented the blood to him, and he dipped his finger into it and put it on the horns of the altar; then he poured out the blood at the base of the altar.
10
However, he burned the fat, the kidneys, and the covering of the liver on the altar as a sin offering, as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
11
The meat and the hide he burned outside the camp.
12
Aaron killed the burnt offering, and his sons gave him the blood, which he splashed against every side of the altar.
13
Then they gave him the burnt offering, piece by piece, together with the head, and he burned them on the altar.
14
He washed the inner parts and the legs and burned them on top of the burnt offering on the altar.
15
Aaron presented the people's sacrifice—a goat, then took it as the sacrifice for their sin and killed it; he sacrificed it for sin, as he had done with the first goat.
16
He presented the burnt offering and offered it as Yahweh had commanded.
17
He presented the grain offering; he filled his hand with it and burned it on the altar, along with the morning's burnt offering.
18
He killed also the ox and the ram, the sacrifice for the peace offering, which was for the people. Aaron's sons gave him the blood, which he sprinkled against every side of the altar.
19
However, they cut out the fat of the bull and the ram, the fat tail, the fat that covers the inner parts, the kidneys, and the covering of the liver.
20
They took the parts that were cut out and put these on the breasts, and then Aaron burned the fat on the altar.
21
Aaron waved the breasts and the right thigh as a wave offering before Yahweh, as Moses had commanded.
22
Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them; then he came down from offering the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offering.
23
Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, then came out again and blessed the people, and the glory of Yahweh appeared to all the people.
24
Fire came out from Yahweh and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw this, they shouted and lay facedown.
Leviticus 9:2
before Yahweh
"to Yahweh" or "in the presence of Yahweh"
Leviticus 9:3
You must speak ... and say, ‘Take a male goat ... burnt offering
“You must tell the people of Israel to take a male goat ... burnt offering”
Leviticus 9:4
to sacrifice before Yahweh
"to sacrifice to Yahweh"
Leviticus 9:6
commanded you to do
Here "you" refers to the people of Israel.
so that his glory may appear to you
"so that he may show you the glory of his presence"
Leviticus 9:7
make atonement for yourself and for the people ... offer the sacrifice for the people to make atonement for them
These are two different sacrifices. The first sacrifice is to atone for the sins of the high priest. When the high priest sins it also makes the people guilty. The second sacrifice is to atone of the sins the people themselves commit.
Leviticus 9:9
sons of Aaron presented the blood to him
This implies that they caught the blood in a bowl as the blood drained from the animal.
horns of the altar
This refers to the corners of the altar. They are shaped like the horns of an ox. See how you translated this in Leviticus 4:7.
at the base of the altar
"at the bottom of the altar"
Leviticus 9:10
he burned
"Aaron burned"
kidneys ... liver
See how you translated these words in Leviticus 3:4.
Leviticus 9:11
the hide
This is the coat or skin of a herd animal.
Leviticus 9:12
his sons gave him the blood
the sons caught the blood in a bowl as the blood drained from the animal.
Leviticus 9:14
inner parts
This is the stomach and intestines
Leviticus 9:15
the first goat
"the goat for his own offering"
Leviticus 9:17
along with the morning's burnt offering
This refers to the first sacrifice of each day. The priests would offer this burnt sacrifice in the morning before any other sacrifice.
Leviticus 9:18
He killed
"Aaron killed"
Leviticus 9:19
inner parts
This is the stomach and intestines. See how you translated this in Leviticus 1:9.
Leviticus 9:20
They took the parts
"Aaron's sons took the parts"
put these
The word "these" refers to the fat and inner parts listed previously.
the breasts
This is front part of the animal's body below the neck.
Leviticus 9:21
right thigh
This is the upper part of the leg above the knee
before Yahweh
"to Yahweh"
Leviticus 9:22
then he came down
The phrase "came down" is used because the place of the altar was higher than where the people were standing.
Leviticus 9:23
the glory of Yahweh appeared to all the people
"Yahweh showed all the people the glory of his presence"
Leviticus 9:24
Fire came out from Yahweh and consumed
"Yahweh sent a fire that consumed"
consumed the burnt offering
The fire completely burning up the offering is spoken of as if the fire consumed or used up the burnt offering.
lay facedown
"lay with their faces to the ground." This is a sign respect and honor.
Chapter 10
1
Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, each took his censer, put fire in it, and then incense. Then they offered unapproved fire before Yahweh, which he had not commanded them to offer.
2
So fire came out from before Yahweh and devoured them, and they died before Yahweh.
3
Then Moses said to Aaron, "This is what Yahweh was talking about when he said,
'I will reveal my holiness to those who come near me.
I will be glorified before all the people.'"
Aaron did not say anything.
4
Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, "Come here and carry your brothers out of the camp from before the tabernacle."
5
So they came near and carried them, still wearing their priestly tunics, out of the camp, as Moses had instructed.
6
Then Moses said to Aaron and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his sons, "Do not let your hair on your heads hang loosely, and do not tear your clothes, so that you may not die, and so that Yahweh may not be angry with all the assembly. But allow your relatives, the entire house of Israel, to mourn for those whom the fire of Yahweh has set ablaze.
7
You must not go out from the entrance of the tent of meeting, or you will die, for the anointing oil of Yahweh is on you." So they acted according to Moses' instructions.
8
Yahweh spoke to Aaron, saying,
9
"Do not drink wine or strong drink, you, or your sons who remain with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, so you will not die. This will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations,
10
to distinguish between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean,
11
so that you may teach the people of Israel all the statutes that Yahweh has commanded through Moses."
12
Moses spoke to Aaron and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his remaining sons, "Take the grain offering that remains from the offerings to Yahweh made by fire, and eat it without yeast beside the altar, for it is most holy.
13
You must eat it in a holy place, because it is your share and your sons' share of the offerings to Yahweh made by fire, for this is what I have been commanded to tell you.
14
As for the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the contribution, you must eat them in a clean place, you and your sons and daughters with you, for they are given as your assigned portion and your sons' assigned portion out of the sacrifices of the fellowship offerings of the people of Israel.
15
As for the thigh of the contribution and the breast of the wave offering, they must bring them with the offerings of fat made by fire as a wave offering before Yahweh. They will be yours and your sons' with you as a share forever, as Yahweh has commanded."
16
Then Moses asked about the goat for the sin offering, and found that it was burned up. So he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the remaining sons of Aaron; he said,
17
"Why have you not eaten the sin offering in the area of the tabernacle, since it is most holy, and since Yahweh has given it to you to take away the iniquity of the assembly, to make atonement for them before him?
18
Look, its blood was not brought inside the tabernacle, so you should certainly have eaten it in the tabernacle area, as I commanded."
19
Then Aaron answered Moses, "See, today they made their sin offering and burnt offering before Yahweh, and this thing has happened to me today. If I had eaten the sin offering today, would it have been pleasing in the sight of Yahweh?"
20
When Moses heard that, he was satisfied.
Leviticus 10:1
Nadab and Abihu
These are the names of Aaron's sons.
censer
a shallow metal container which priests used to carry hot coals or incense
put fire in it
"put burning coals in it"
Then they offered unapproved fire before Yahweh, which he had not commanded them to offer
"But Yahweh did not approve of their offering because it was not according to what he commanded them to offer"
unapproved fire before Yahweh
"unapproved fire to Yahweh"
Leviticus 10:2
So fire came out from before Yahweh
"So Yahweh sent a fire"
came out from before Yahweh
"came out from Yahweh"
devoured them
The fire completely burning the men up is spoken of as if the fire devoured or completely used them up.
they died before Yahweh
"they died in the presence of Yahweh"
Leviticus 10:3
This is what Yahweh was talking about when he said, 'I will reveal my holiness ... before all the people.'
"This is what Yahweh was talking about when he said that he would reveal his holiness ... who come near him, and that he will be glorified ... people."
I will reveal my holiness to those who come near me
The phrase "those who come near me" refers to the priests that serve Yahweh. "I will show those that come near to serve me that I am holy" or "Those who come near to serve me must treat me as holy"
I will be glorified before all the people
"They must glorify me before all the people" or "They must honor me in the presence of all the people"
Leviticus 10:4
Mishael ... Elzaphan ... Uzziel
These are names of men.
your brothers
This does not mean they were literal brothers. Here "brothers" means relatives or cousins.
Leviticus 10:5
So they came near
"So Mishael and Elzaphan came near"
carried them, still wearing their priestly tunics
carried the bodies of Nadab and Abihu, which still had on the priestly tunics
Leviticus 10:6
Eleazar ... Ithamar
These are the names of Aaron's sons.
Do not let your hair on your heads hang loosely, and do not tear your clothes
Yahweh is telling Aaron and his sons not to show any outward signs of grief or mourning.
so that you may not die
"so that you will not die"
not be angry with all the assembly
"not be angry with all the people of Israel"
the entire house of Israel
"all the people of Israel"
for those whom the fire of Yahweh has set ablaze
"for those whom Yahweh killed with his fire"
Leviticus 10:9
This will be
Here "This" refers back to the command for the priests to not drink wine or strong drink when they enter the tent of meeting.
a permanent statute throughout your people's generations
See how you translated these words in Leviticus 3:17.
Leviticus 10:10
to distinguish
You can start a new sentence here. "You must do this so that you will be able to distinguish"
between the holy and the profane
"between what is holy and what is common" or "between what is dedicated to God and what is ordinary"
between the unclean and the clean
"between what is unclean and what is clean" or "between what God will not accept and what he will accept"
the unclean
A person or thing that Yahweh has stated is unfit to touch is spoken of as if they were physically unclean.
the clean
A person or thing that Yahweh has stated is fit to touch is spoken of as if they were physically unclean.
Leviticus 10:12
the offerings to Yahweh made by fire
"the burnt offerings to Yahweh"
for it is most holy
"for the grain offering is most holy"
Leviticus 10:13
this is what I have been commanded to tell you
"this is what Yahweh commanded me to tell you"
Leviticus 10:14
for the breast of the wave offering
This refers to the breast of the animals that the Israelites were to bring as offerings to Yahweh and give to the priests, who would wave them before Yahweh.
the thigh of the contribution
This refers to the upper part of the leg above the knee of the animals that the Israelites were to bring as offerings to Yahweh and give to the priests, who would eat them with their families.
in a clean place
A place that is fit to be used for God's purposes is spoken of as if it were physically clean.
for they are given as your assigned portion
"for Yahweh has assigned them to you as your portion"
you and your sons and daughters
Here "you" refers to Aaron.
Leviticus 10:15
They will be yours and your sons' with you as a share forever
"This portion will always be for you and your sons"
Leviticus 10:16
it was burned up
"the priests had burned it all"
Leviticus 10:17
Why have you not eaten ... before him?
"You should have eaten ... before him."
since it is most holy
"since the sin offering is most holy"
to take away the iniquity of the assembly
Causing Yahweh to forgive the people of Israel is spoken of as if iniquity were an object that Yahweh takes from the people.
before him
"in his presence"
Leviticus 10:18
its blood was not brought
"you did not bring its blood"
Leviticus 10:19
this thing has happened
Aaron is referring to the death of his two sons.
would it have been pleasing in the sight of Yahweh?
"certainly, Yahweh would not have been pleased."
Chapter 11
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
2
"Speak to the people of Israel, saying, 'These are the living things which you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth.
3
You may eat any animal that has a split hoof and that also chews the cud.
4
However, some animals either chew the cud or have a split hoof, and you must not eat them, animals such as the camel, because it chews the cud but does not have a split hoof. So the camel is unclean to you.
5
Also the rock badger, because it chews the cud but does not have a split hoof, it is also unclean to you.
6
The rabbit, because it chews the cud, but does not have a split hoof, is unclean to you.
7
The pig, although it has a split hoof, does not chew the cud, is unclean to you.
8
You must not eat any of their meat, nor touch their carcasses. They are unclean to you.
9
The animals living in the water that you may eat are all those that have fins and scales, whether in the ocean or in the rivers.
10
But all living creatures that do not have fins and scales in the ocean or rivers, including all that move in the water and all the living creatures that are in the water—they must be detested by you.
11
Since they must be detested, you must not eat of their meat; also, their carcasses must be detested.
12
Whatever lives in the water and does not have fins and scales is detestable to you.
13
These are the birds you must detest—and you must not eat because they are detestable: the eagle, the vulture, and the black vulture,
14
the kite, any kind of falcon,
15
every kind of raven,
16
the horned owl and the screech owl, the seagull, and any kind of hawk.
17
You must also detest the little owl and the great owl, the cormorant,
18
the white owl and the barn owl, the osprey,
19
the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and also the bat.
20
All winged insects that walk on four legs are detestable to you.
21
Yet you may eat any of the flying insects that also walk on four legs if they have jointed legs for hopping on the ground.
22
You may also eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket, or grasshopper.
23
But all the flying insects that have four feet must be detested by you.
24
You will become unclean until evening by these animals if you touch a carcass of one of them.
25
Whoever picks up one of their carcasses must wash his clothes and remain unclean until evening.
26
Every animal which has a split hoof that is not completely divided or which does not chew the cud is unclean to you. Everyone who touches them will be unclean.
27
Whatever walks on its paws among all the animals that walk on all four legs, they are unclean to you. Whoever touches such a carcass will be unclean until the evening.
28
Whoever picks up such a carcass must wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening. These animals will be unclean to you.
29
Of the animals that creep on the ground, these are the animals that will be unclean to you: the weasel, the rat, every kind of large lizard,
30
the gecko, the monitor lizard, the lizard, the skink, and the chameleon.
31
Of all the animals that creep, these are the animals which will be unclean to you. Whoever touches them when they are dead will be unclean until evening.
32
If any of them dies and falls on anything, that thing will be unclean, whether it is made of wood, cloth, leather, or sackcloth. Whatever it is and whatever it is used for, it must be put into water; it will be unclean until evening. Then it will be clean.
33
For every clay pot into or onto which any unclean animal falls, whatever is in the pot will become unclean, and you must destroy that pot.
34
Any food that could be eaten but has water on it from such a pot is unclean. Any liquid that is for drinking from such a pot is unclean.
35
Anything that one of their carcasses falls on becomes unclean; if it is an oven or small stove, it must be broken to pieces. They are unclean and they must remain unclean to you.
36
A spring or cistern for collecting water remains clean; but anyone who touches their carcass is unclean.
37
If any part of their carcass falls upon any seeds for sowing, those seeds will still be clean.
38
But if water is put on the seeds, and if any part of their carcass falls on them, then they will be unclean to you.
39
If any animal that you may eat dies, then he who touches the carcass will be unclean until evening.
40
Whoever eats any of that carcass must wash his clothes and be unclean until evening. Anyone who picks up such a carcass will wash his clothes and be unclean until evening.
41
Every animal that creeps on the ground is detestable; it must not be eaten.
42
Whatever crawls on its belly, and whatever walks on all four legs, or whatever has many feet—all the animals that creep on the ground, these you must not eat, for they are detestable.
43
You must not make yourselves detestable with any living creatures that creep; you must not make yourselves unclean with them and you must not be made unclean by them.
44
For I am Yahweh your God. You are to keep yourselves holy, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You must not defile yourselves with any kind of animal that moves about on the ground.
45
For I am Yahweh, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You must therefore be holy, for I am holy.
46
This is the law regarding the animals, the birds, every living creature that moves in the waters, and of every creature that creeps on the ground,
47
for which a distinction is to be made between the unclean and the clean, and between the living things that may be eaten and the living things that may not be eaten.'"
Leviticus 11:2
among all the animals
"out of all the animals"
Leviticus 11:3
split hoof
This means a hoof that is split into two parts instead of being one whole.
chews the cud
This means an animal that brings its food up from its stomach and chews it again.
Leviticus 11:4
some animals either chew the cud or have a split hoof
That is, they have one or the other, but not both.
the camel is unclean to you
The camel being unfit for the people to eat is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
Leviticus 11:5
rock badger
a small animal that lives in rocky places
unclean to you
These animals which God declared to be unfit for the people to eat are spoken of as if they were physically unclean.
Leviticus 11:6
rabbit
a small animal with long ears that usually lives in holes in the ground
Leviticus 11:8
nor touch their carcasses
"nor touch their dead bodies"
Leviticus 11:9
fins
the thin, flat part that the fish uses to move through the water
scales
the small plates that cover the body of the fish
Leviticus 11:10
all living creatures that do not have fins and scales in the ocean or rivers
"all creatures that live in the ocean or rivers that do not have fins and scales"
they must be detested by you
"you must detest them" or "you must completely reject them"
Leviticus 11:11
Since they must be detested
"Since you must detest them" or "Since you must completely reject them"
their carcasses must be detested
"you must detest their dead bodies" or "you must not touch their dead bodies"
Leviticus 11:13
vulture
These are birds that are either awake at night or feed on rodents and dead animals.
Leviticus 11:14
kite ... falcon
These are birds that are either awake at night or feed on rodents and dead animals.
Leviticus 11:15
raven
These are birds that are either awake at night or feed on rodents and dead animals.
Leviticus 11:16
horned owl ... screech owl ... seagull ... hawk
These are birds that are either awake at night or feed on rodents and dead animals.
Leviticus 11:17
little owl ... great owl ... the cormorant
These are birds that eat rodents and insects and are awake mainly at night.
the great owl
"the large owl"
Leviticus 11:18
white owl ... barn owl ... osprey
These are birds that eat rodents and insects and are awake mainly at night.
Leviticus 11:19
stork ... heron
These are birds that feed on rodents and lizards.
hoopoe
These are birds that eat rodents and insects and are awake mainly at night.
bat
Although not a bird, the bat is included in this list because it has wings and flies. It has a furry body and is awake mainly at night. It eats insects and rodents.
Leviticus 11:20
All winged insects that walk on four legs are detestable to you
"You will detest all winged insects that walk on four legs"
insects that walk on four legs
"insects that crawl on the ground"
Leviticus 11:22
locust, katydid, cricket, or grasshopper
These are small insects that eat plants and can jump.
Leviticus 11:23
flying insects that have four feet
"flying insects that have four legs"
Leviticus 11:24
You will become unclean until evening by these animals if you touch a carcass of one of them
"The dead bodies of these animals will make you unclean if you touch any of them"
You will become unclean
A person who is unacceptable for God's purposes because he has touched one of these dead animals is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
these animals
This refers to the animals he is about to list in the following verses.
Leviticus 11:26
Every animal ... is unclean to you
These animals that God declared to be unfit for the people to eat are spoken of as if they were physically dirty.
Everyone who touches them will be unclean
A person who is unacceptable for God's purposes because he has touched one of these animals is spoken of as if he were physically unclean.
Leviticus 11:27
paws
animal feet with claws
until the evening
"until sunset"
Leviticus 11:29
large lizard
These are different kinds of reptiles with four legs.
Leviticus 11:30
the gecko, the monitor lizard, the lizard, the skink, and the chameleon
These are different kinds of reptiles with four legs.
skink
"sand lizard"
Leviticus 11:32
whatever it is used for, it must be put into water
"however you use it, you must put it into water"
Leviticus 11:35
carcasses
dead bodies
must be broken to pieces
"You must break it to pieces" or "You must shatter it"
Leviticus 11:36
A spring or cistern ... remains clean
Water that the people are permitted to drink from a spring or cistern is spoken of as if it were physically clean.
Unclean
A person who is unacceptable for God's purposes because he has touched the carcass of one of these animals is spoken of as if he were physically unclean.
Leviticus 11:37
seeds for sowing
"seeds that you intend to plant"
those seeds will still be clean
Seeds that God has permitted the people to plant are spoken of as if they are physically clean, and those that he has not permitted are spoken of as if they were unclean.
Leviticus 11:38
they will be unclean
Seeds that God has permitted the people to plant are spoken of as if they are physically clean, and those that he has not permitted are spoken of as if they were unclean.
But if water is put on the seeds
"But if you put water on the seeds"
Leviticus 11:39
he who touches the carcass will be unclean until evening
A person who is unacceptable for God's purposes because he touches the body of a dead animal is spoken of as if he were physically unclean.
Leviticus 11:41
it must not be eaten
"you must not eat it"
Leviticus 11:43
must not make yourselves detestable ... must not make yourselves unclean ... must not be made unclean by them
Yahweh repeats the same idea in three different ways to strengthen the command that they are not to eat any unclean animal.
you must not make yourselves unclean
A person who is unacceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if he were physically unclean.
and you must not be made unclean by them
"and you must not allow them to make you unclean" or "you must not allow yourselves to become unclean by touching them" Or 2) this refers to the result of disobedience to the two preceding commands. Alternate translation: "or you will be made unclean by them" or "or they will make you unclean" or "you will be unclean because you have touched them"
Leviticus 11:47
for which a distinction is to be made between
"for which you must distinguish between"
between the unclean and the clean
Animals that God declared to be unfit for the people to touch or eat are spoken of as if they were physically unclean, and those which he declared to be acceptable for the people to touch and eat are spoken of as if they were physically clean.
that may be eaten ... that may not be eaten
"that you may eat ... that you may not eat"
Chapter 12
1
Yahweh said to Moses,
2
"Speak to the people of Israel, saying, 'If a woman conceives and gives birth to a male child, then she will be unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during the days of her monthly impurity.
3
On the eighth day the flesh of a baby boy's foreskin must be circumcised.
4
Then the mother's purification from her bleeding will continue for thirty-three days. She must not touch any holy thing or come into the sanctuary until the days of her purification are finished.
5
But if she gives birth to a female child, then she will be unclean for two weeks, as she is during her impurity. Then for sixty-six days she will be purified from her bleeding.
6
When the days of her purification are finished, for a son or for a daughter, she must bring a one year old lamb as a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or dove as a sin offering, to the entrance of the tent of meeting, to the priest.
7
Then he will offer it before Yahweh and make atonement for her, and she will be cleansed from the flow of her blood. This is the law regarding a woman who gives birth to either a male or a female child.
8
If she is not able to afford a lamb, then she must take two doves or two young pigeons, one as a burnt offering and the other as a sin offering, and the priest will make atonement for her; then she will be clean.'"
Leviticus 12:2
she will be unclean
A woman whom other people must not touch because she is bleeding from her womb is spoken of as if she were physically unclean.
during the days of her monthly impurity
This refers to the time of the month when a woman bleeds from her womb.
Leviticus 12:3
the flesh of a baby boy's foreskin must be circumcised
"a priest must circumcise the baby boy"
Leviticus 12:4
the mother's purification from her bleeding will continue for thirty-three days
This means that the mother will remain impure for thirty-three days.
the sanctuary
The reader should understand that this is different from the Holy Place, the first chamber in the tabernacle.
Leviticus 12:5
she will be unclean for two weeks
A woman whom other people must not touch because she is bleeding from her womb is spoken of as if she were physically unclean.
for two weeks
"for 14 days"
for sixty-six days she will be purified from her bleeding
"it will take sixty-six days for her to be purified from her bleeding"
Leviticus 12:6
When the days of her purification are finished
"When the days of the mother's purification are finished"
for a son or for a daughter
This refers to the different number of days for purification based on if she gave birth to a son or daughter.
Leviticus 12:7
she will be cleansed from the flow of her blood
"this will cleanse her from her bleeding occurring during childbirth"
Leviticus 12:8
If she is not able to afford a lamb
"If she does not have enough money to buy a lamb"
then she will be clean
A woman whom other people may touch is spoken of as if she were physically clean.
Chapter 13
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
2
"When anyone has on the skin of his body a swelling or scab or a bright spot, and it becomes infected and there is leprosy in his body, then he must be brought to Aaron the high priest, or to one of his sons the priests.
3
Then the priest will examine the disease in the skin of his body. If the hair in the diseased area has turned white, and if the disease appears to be deeper than just on the skin, then it is leprosy. After the priest examines him, he must pronounce him unclean.
4
If the bright spot in his skin is white, and the appearance of it is no deeper than the skin, and if the hair in the diseased area has not turned white, then the priest must isolate the one with the disease for seven days.
5
On the seventh day, the priest must examine him to see if in his opinion the disease is not any worse, and if it has not spread in the skin. If it has not, then the priest must isolate him seven days more.
6
The priest will examine him again on the seventh day to see if the disease is better and has not spread farther in the skin. If it has not, then the priest will pronounce him clean. It is a rash. He must wash his clothes, and then he is clean.
7
But if the rash has spread in the skin after he has shown himself to the priest for his cleansing, he must then show himself to the priest again.
8
The priest will examine him to see if the rash has spread farther in the skin. If it has spread, then the priest must pronounce him unclean. It is leprosy.
9
When leprosy is in someone, then he must be brought to the priest.
10
The priest will examine him to see if there is a white swelling in the skin, if the hair has turned white, or if there is raw flesh in the swelling.
11
If there is, then it is leprosy, and the priest must pronounce him unclean. He will not isolate him, because he is already unclean.
12
If the leprosy breaks out widely in the skin and covers all the skin of the person with the disease from his head to his feet, as far as it appears to the priest,
13
then the priest must examine him to see if the leprosy has covered all his body. If it has, then the priest must pronounce the person who has the disease as clean. If it has all turned white, then he is clean.
14
But if raw flesh appears on him, he will be unclean.
15
The priest must look at the raw flesh and pronounce him unclean because the raw flesh is unclean. It is leprosy.
16
But if the raw flesh turns white again, then the person must go to the priest.
17
The priest will examine him to see if the flesh has turned white. If it has then the priest will pronounce that person to be clean.
18
When a person has a boil on the skin and it has healed,
19
and in place of the boil there is white swelling or a bright spot, reddish-white, then it must be shown to the priest.
20
The priest will examine it to see if it appears deeper under the skin, and if the hair there has turned white. If so, then the priest must pronounce him unclean. It is leprosy, if it has developed in the place where the boil was.
21
But if the priest examines it and sees that there is no white hair in it, and that it is not under the skin but has faded, then the priest must isolate him for seven days.
22
If it spreads widely in the skin, then the priest must pronounce him unclean. It is an infectious disease.
23
But if the bright spot stays in its place and has not spread, then it is the scar of the boil, and the priest must pronounce him clean.
24
When the skin has a burn and the raw flesh of the burn has become a reddish-white or white spot,
25
then the priest will examine it to see if the hair in that spot has turned white, and if it appears to be deeper than the skin. If it has, then it is leprosy. It has broken out in the burn, and the priest must pronounce him unclean. It is leprosy.
26
But if the priest examines it and finds that there is no white hair in the spot, and it is not under the skin but has faded, then the priest must isolate him for seven days.
27
Then the priest must examine him on the seventh day. If it has spread widely in the skin, then the priest must pronounce him unclean. It is leprosy.
28
If the spot stays in its place and has not spread in the skin but has faded, then it is a swelling from the burn, and the priest must pronounce him clean, for it is nothing more than the scar of the burn.
29
If a man or woman has an infectious disease on the head or chin,
30
then the priest must examine the person for an infectious disease to see if it appears to be deeper than the skin, and if there is yellow, thin hair in it. If there is, then the priest must pronounce him unclean. It is an itch, leprosy on the head or the chin.
31
If the priest examines the itching disease and sees that it is not under the skin, and if there is no black hair in it, then the priest will isolate the person with the itching disease for seven days.
32
On the seventh day the priest will examine the disease to see if it has spread. If there is no yellow hair, and if the disease appears to be only skin deep,
33
then he must be shaved, but the diseased area must not be shaved, and the priest must isolate the person with the itching disease for seven more days.
34
On the seventh day the priest will examine the disease to see if it has stopped spreading in the skin. If it appears to be no deeper than the skin, then the priest must pronounce him clean. The person must wash his clothes, and then he will be clean.
35
But if the itching disease has spread widely in the skin after the priest said he was clean,
36
then the priest must examine him again. If the disease has spread in the skin, the priest does not need to seek for yellow hair. The person is unclean.
37
But if in the priest's view the itching disease has stopped spreading and black hair has grown in the area, then the disease has healed. He is clean, and the priest must pronounce him clean.
38
If a man or a woman has white spots on the skin,
39
then the priest must examine the person to see if the spots are a dull white, which is only a rash that has broken out in the skin. He is clean.
40
If a man's hair has fallen out of his head, he is bald, but he is clean.
41
If his hair has fallen out of the front part of his head, and if his forehead is bald, he is clean.
42
But if there is a reddish-white sore on his bald head or forehead, it is leprosy that has broken out.
43
Then the priest must examine him to see if the swelling of the diseased area on his bald head or forehead is reddish-white, like the appearance of leprosy in the skin.
44
If it is, then he is leprous and is unclean. The priest must surely pronounce him unclean because of his disease on his head.
45
The leprous person who has the disease must wear torn clothes, his hair must hang loosely, and he must cover his face up to his nose and call out, 'Unclean, unclean.'
46
All the days that he has the infectious disease he will be unclean. Because he is unclean with a disease that can spread, he must live alone. He must live outside the camp.
47
A garment that is contaminated with leprosy, whether it is a wool or linen garment,
48
or anything woven or knitted from wool or linen, or leather or anything made with leather—
49
if there is a greenish or reddish contamination in the garment, the leather, the woven or knitted material, or anything made of leather, then it is a leprosy that spreads; it must be shown to the priest.
50
The priest must examine the item for leprosy; he must isolate anything that has leprosy for seven days.
51
He must examine the leprosy again on the seventh day. If it has spread in the garment or anything woven or knitted from wool or linen material, or leather or anything in which leather is used, then it is harmful leprosy, and the item is unclean.
52
He must burn the garment, or anything woven or knitted from wool or linen material, or leather or anything made with leather, anything in which the leprosy is found, for it can lead to disease. The item must be completely burned up.
53
If the priest examines the item and sees that the leprosy has not spread in the garment or material woven or knitted from wool or linen, or leather goods,
54
then he will command them to wash the item in which the leprosy was found, and he must isolate it for seven more days.
55
Then the priest will examine the item after the item where there was leprosy was washed. If the leprosy has not changed its color, even though it has not spread, it is unclean. You must burn the item, no matter where the leprosy has contaminated it.
56
If the priest examines the item, and if the leprosy has faded after it was washed, then he must tear out the contaminated part from the garment or from the leather, or from the woven or knitted material.
57
If the leprosy still appears in the garment, either in the woven or knitted material, or in anything made of leather, it is spreading. You must burn any item that has the leprosy.
58
The garment or anything woven or knitted from wool or linen material, or leather or anything made with leather—if you wash the item and the leprosy is gone, then the item must be washed a second time, and it will be clean.
59
This is the law about leprosy in a garment of wool or linen, or anything woven or knitted from wool or linen material, or leather or anything made with leather, so that you may pronounce it clean or unclean."
Leviticus 13:2
then he must be brought
"then someone must bring him" or "then he must go"
to one of his sons
"to one of Aaron's sons"
Leviticus 13:3
skin of his body
Here "his" refers to the person with the skin disease.
leprosy
Leprosy was a skin disease. There were different skin diseases called leprosy in the Bible.
he must pronounce him unclean
"the priest must pronounce the man unclean." The man whom other people must not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean.
Leviticus 13:5
the priest must examine him
Here "him" refers to the person with the skin disease.
if it has not spread in the skin
This means if the skin disease has not increased in size or moved to other parts of the body.
seventh day
"day 7"
Leviticus 13:6
the priest will pronounce him clean ... he is clean
The man whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean.
rash
This is an area of the skin that is irritated, but the rash will not spread to other people.
Leviticus 13:7
he ... himself
This refers to the person with the skin disease.
Leviticus 13:9
he must be brought to the priest
"someone must bring him to the priest" or "he must go to the priest"
Leviticus 13:10
if there is raw flesh in the swelling
Here "raw flesh" could refer to open sores on the skin or it could refer to new skin that has grown, but the area around it is still diseased. Either one indicates that the skin disease is not healing properly.
Leviticus 13:11
the priest must pronounce him unclean ... he is already unclean
The man whom other people must not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean.
Leviticus 13:13
the priest must pronounce the person ... he is clean
The man whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean and the man whom other people must not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean.
Leviticus 13:18
a boil
a painful area on the skin that is infected
Leviticus 13:21
examines it
Here "it" refers to the white swelling or bright spot on the skin.
Leviticus 13:26
examines it
Here "it" refers to the burn on the person's skin.
Leviticus 13:33
then he must be shaved, but the diseased area must not be shaved
"the person must shave the hair near the sore but not the hair on the sore"
Leviticus 13:34
the disease
Here "the disease" refers to the disease on the person's head or chin.
the priest must pronounce him clean ... he will be clean
The man whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean.
Leviticus 13:35
after the priest said he was clean
The man whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean.
Leviticus 13:39
a dull white
"a faded white"
rash
See how you translated this word in Leviticus 13:6.
He is clean
The person whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean.
Leviticus 13:46
outside the camp
The camp is the area where the majority of Israelites lived. The unclean person was not permitted to live among them because his disease may spread to others.
Leviticus 13:47
A garment that is contaminated with leprosy
"A garment that has leprosy on it" or "A garment that mildews"
is contaminated
has become impure because something harmful has been added to it
Leviticus 13:48
or anything woven or knitted
"or anything that someone has woven or knitted"
Leviticus 13:49
if there is a greenish or reddish contamination in the garment
"if there is greenish or reddish mildew in the garment"
it must be shown to the priest
"the owner must show it to a priest"
Leviticus 13:51
seventh day
"day 7"
anything in which leather is used
"anything in which a person uses leather"
the item is unclean
Something that God has declared to be unfit for people to touch is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
Leviticus 13:52
anything in which the leprosy is found
"anything on which he found the leprosy"
it can lead to disease
The leprosy could cause disease in a person who comes in contact with the item.
The item must be completely burned up
"He must burn the item completely"
Leviticus 13:54
then he will command them
"then the priest will command the owners" Here the priest is telling the people what to do with household items that were possibly infected.
in which the leprosy was found
"in which they found the leprosy"
Leviticus 13:55
after the item where there was leprosy was washed
"after they washed the item where there was leprosy"
it is unclean
Something that God has declared to be unfit for people to touch is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
You must burn the item
Here "you" does not refer to the priest specifically. It just means someone must burn the object.
Leviticus 13:56
after it was washed
"after the owner washed it"
Leviticus 13:57
You must burn
Here "you" does not refer to the priest specifically. It just means someone must burn the item.
Leviticus 13:58
then the item must be washed
"then the owner must wash it"
Leviticus 13:59
leprosy in a garment ... made with leather
See how you translated these words in Leviticus 13:47-48.
so that you may pronounce it
"so that a priest may declare it"
Chapter 14
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
2
"This will be the law for the leper on the day of his cleansing. He must be brought to the priest.
3
The priest will go out of the camp to examine the leper to see if the leprosy is healed.
4
Then the priest will command that the one to be cleansed must take two live, clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop.
5
The priest will command him to kill one of the birds over fresh water that is in a clay pot.
6
The priest will then take the live bird and the cedar wood, and the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, and he will dip all these things, including the live bird, in the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water.
7
Then the priest will sprinkle this water seven times onto the person who is to be cleansed from the leprosy, and then the priest will pronounce him to be clean. Then the priest will release the living bird into the open fields.
8
The person who is being cleansed will wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and bathe himself in water, and then he will be clean. After that he must come into the camp, but he will live outside his tent for seven days.
9
On the seventh day he must shave all his hair off his head, and he must also shave off his beard and eyebrows. He must shave off all his hair, and he must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; then he will be clean.
10
On the eighth day he must take two male lambs without blemish, one female lamb a year old without blemish, and three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering, and one log of oil.
11
The priest who cleanses him will stand the person who is to be cleansed, along with those things, before Yahweh at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
12
The priest will take one of the male lambs and offer it as a guilt offering, together with the log of oil; he will wave them for a wave offering before Yahweh.
13
He must kill the male lamb in the place where they kill the sin offerings and the burnt offerings, in the area of the tabernacle, for the sin offering belongs to the priest, as does the guilt offering, because it is most holy.
14
The priest will take some of the blood of the guilt offering and put it on the tip of the right ear of the person who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot.
15
Then the priest will take oil from the log and pour it into the palm of his own left hand,
16
and dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and sprinkle some of the oil with his finger seven times before Yahweh.
17
The priest will put the rest of the oil in his hand on the tip of the right ear of the person to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. He must put this oil on top of the blood from the guilt offering.
18
As for the rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand, he will put it on the head of the person who is to be cleansed, and the priest will make atonement for him before Yahweh.
19
Then the priest will offer the sin offering and make atonement for him who is to be cleansed because of his uncleanness, and afterward he will kill the burnt offering.
20
Then the priest will offer the burnt offering and the grain offering on the altar. The priest will make atonement for the person, and then he will be clean.
21
However, if the person is poor and cannot afford these sacrifices, then he may take one male lamb as a guilt offering to be waved, to make atonement for himself, and one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering, and a log of oil,
22
together with two doves or two young pigeons, such as he is able to get; one bird will be a sin offering and the other a burnt offering.
23
On the eighth day he must bring them for his cleansing to the priest, to the entrance to the tent of meeting, before Yahweh.
24
The priest will take the lamb for an offering, and he will take with it the log of olive oil, and he will wave them as a wave offering before Yahweh.
25
The priest will kill the lamb for the guilt offering, and he will take some of the blood of the guilt offering and put it on the tip of the right ear of the one who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot.
26
Then the priest will pour some of the oil into the palm of his own left hand,
27
and he will sprinkle with his right finger some of the oil that is in his left hand seven times before Yahweh.
28
The priest will then put some of the oil that is in his hand on the tip of the right ear of the one who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, the same places where he put the blood of the guilt offering.
29
He will put the rest of the oil that is in his hand on the head of the one who is to be cleansed, to make atonement for him before Yahweh.
30
He must offer one of the doves or young pigeons, such as the person has been able to get—
31
one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, along with the grain offering. Then the priest will make atonement for the one who is to be cleansed before Yahweh.
32
This is the law for a person in whom there is leprosy, who is not able to afford the standard offerings for his cleansing."
33
Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
34
"When you have come into the land of Canaan which I gave to you as a possession, and if I put leprosy that spreads in a house in the land of your possession,
35
then he who owns the house must come and tell the priest. He must say, 'There seems to me to be something like leprosy in my house.'
36
Then the priest will command that they empty the house before he goes in to see the evidence of leprosy, so that nothing in the house will be made unclean. Afterward the priest must go in to see the house.
37
He must examine the leprosy to see if it is in the house walls, and to see whether it appears greenish or reddish in the depressions in the wall's surface.
38
If the house does have leprosy, then the priest will go out of the house and shut the door to the house for seven days.
39
Then the priest will return again on the seventh day and examine it to see if the leprosy has spread in the walls of the house.
40
If it has, then the priest will command that they take out the stones in which the leprosy has been found and throw them into an unclean place outside the city.
41
He will require all the inside walls of the house to be scraped, and they must take the contaminated material that is scraped off outside the city and dump it into the unclean place.
42
They must take other stones and put them in the place of the stones that were removed, and they must use new clay to plaster the house.
43
If leprosy comes again and breaks out in the house in which the stones have been taken away and the walls have been scraped and then replastered,
44
then the priest must come in and examine the house to see if leprosy has spread in the house. If it has, then it is harmful leprosy, and the house is unclean.
45
The house must be torn down. The stones, timber, and all the plaster in the house must be carried away out of the city to the unclean place.
46
In addition, whoever goes into the house during the time it is closed up will be unclean until evening.
47
Anyone who has lain down in the house must wash his clothes, and anyone who ate in the house must wash his clothes.
48
If the priest enters the house to examine it to see whether the leprosy has spread in the house after the house was plastered, then, if the leprosy is gone, he will pronounce the house clean.
49
Then the priest must take two birds to cleanse the house, and cedar wood, and scarlet yarn, and hyssop.
50
He will kill one of the birds over fresh water in a clay jar.
51
He will take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet yarn, and the live bird, and dip them in the blood of the killed bird, into the fresh water, and sprinkle the house seven times.
52
He will cleanse the house with the blood of the bird and with the fresh water, with the live bird, the cedar wood, the hyssop, and the scarlet yarn.
53
But he will let the live bird go out of the city into the open fields. In this way he must make atonement for the house, and it will be clean.
54
This is the law for all types of leprosy and things that cause it, and for an itch,
55
and for leprosy in clothing and in a house,
56
for swelling, for a rash, and for a bright spot,
57
to determine when any of these cases is unclean or when it is clean. This is the law for leprosy."
Leviticus 14:2
the day of his cleansing
This refers to the day on which the priest declares the person to be ritually clean.
He must be brought to the priest
"Someone must bring him to the priest" or "He must go to the priest"
Leviticus 14:3
leprosy
See how you translated this word in Leviticus 13:3.
Leviticus 14:4
the one to be cleansed
"the person he is cleansing"
clean birds
Birds that God allowed the people to eat and offer as sacrifices are spoken of as if they were physically clean.
scarlet yarn
"red yarn"
hyssop
an herb with a pleasant smell that was used for medicine
Leviticus 14:6
the bird that was killed
"the bird that the person killed"
Leviticus 14:7
the person who is to be cleansed
"the person he is cleansing"
the priest will pronounce him to be clean
The person whom other people may touch and who is acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if he were physically clean.
Leviticus 14:10
he must take
Here "he" refers to the man who was cleansed.
ephah
One ephah is 22 liters.
log
One log is 0.31 liters.
Leviticus 14:11
will stand the person ... along with those things, before Yahweh
"will present the person ... along with those things to Yahweh"
Leviticus 14:13
in the area of the tabernacle
This phrase clarifies the previous phrase and further defines where the priest was to kill the lamb.
Leviticus 14:16
sprinkle some of the oil ... before Yahweh
"sprinkle some of the oil ... in Yahweh's presence." There is no indication of what the priest sprinkled the oil on.
Leviticus 14:17
the rest of the oil in his hand
"the rest of the oil that is in his hand"
Leviticus 14:18
before Yahweh
"in Yahweh's presence"
Leviticus 14:20
he will be clean
The person whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean.
Leviticus 14:21
cannot afford
"does not have enough money to buy"
to be waved ... for himself
"that the priest will wave ... for him"
Leviticus 14:27
sprinkle ... some of the oil ... before Yahweh
"sprinkle ... some of the oil ... in Yahweh's presence." There is no indication of what the priest sprinkled the oil on.
Leviticus 14:30
He must offer
"The priest must offer"
Leviticus 14:34
When you have come
Here "you" refers to the people of Israel.
in the land of your possession
"in the land that you possess"
Leviticus 14:36
so that nothing in the house will be made unclean
"so that he does not need to declare anything left in the house to be unclean"
the house will be made unclean
The house that Yahweh has stated is unfit for people to touch or live in is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
Leviticus 14:37
in the depressions in the wall's surface
This means the priest is to determine whether mildew has gone deeper that just the surface of the walls.
Leviticus 14:40
in which the leprosy has been found
"in which they found the leprosy"
leprosy
Here this probably refers to mildew.
an unclean place
A place that is unfit for people to occupy or to be used for God's purposes is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
Leviticus 14:41
He will require
Here "He" refers to the priest.
all the inside walls of the house to be scraped
"that the owner scrapes all the inside walls"
the contaminated material that is scraped off
"the contaminated material that they scraped off"
the unclean place
A place that is unfit for people to occupy or to be used for God's purposes is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
Leviticus 14:42
the stones that were removed
"the stones that they removed"
they must use new clay to plaster the house
"they must cover the stones with new clay"
Leviticus 14:43
in the house ... then replastered
"in the house after the owner takes away the stones, scrapes the walls, and covers the new stones with clay"
Leviticus 14:45
The house must be torn down
"They must tear the house down"
The stones, timber, and all the plaster in the house must be carried away
"They must carry away the stones, timber, and all the plaster in the house"
Leviticus 14:46
whoever goes into the house ... will be unclean
A person whom other people may not touch and who is not acceptable for God's purposes because he has entered the house is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
until evening
"until sunset"
Leviticus 14:48
the house was plastered
"the owner put new clay on the stones"
he will pronounce the house clean
A place that is fit for people to occupy is spoken of as if it were physically clean.
Leviticus 14:49
cedar wood, and scarlet yarn, and hyssop
See how you translated these words in Leviticus 14:4.
Leviticus 14:51
the blood of the killed bird
"the blood of the bird that he killed"
Leviticus 14:52
He will cleanse the house
"The priest will make the house ritually clean"
Leviticus 14:53
it will be clean
A house that is fit for people to occupy is spoken of as if it were physically clean.
Leviticus 14:57
unclean or ... clean
People and items that other people may not touch are spoken of as if they were physically unclean, and those which people may touch are spoken of as if they were physically clean.
Chapter 15
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
2
"Speak to the people of Israel, and say to them, 'When any man has an infected fluid that comes out of his body, he becomes unclean.
3
His uncleanness is due to this infected fluid. Whether his body flows with fluid or is stopped up, it is unclean.
4
Every bed on which he lies will be unclean, and everything on which he sits will be unclean.
5
Whoever touches his bed must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until evening.
6
Anyone who sits on anything on which the man with the flow of infected fluid sat, that person must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and he will be unclean until evening.
7
Anyone who touches the body of the one who has a flow of infected fluid must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until evening.
8
If the person who has such a flow of fluid spits on someone who is clean, then that person must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and he will be unclean until evening.
9
Any saddle which he who has a flow rides upon will be unclean.
10
So whoever touches anything that was under that person will be unclean until evening, and anyone who carries those things must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; he will be unclean until evening.
11
Anyone the man with the discharge touches without washing his hands with water must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and he will be unclean until evening.
12
Any clay pot that the one with such a flow of fluid touches must be broken, and every container of wood must be rinsed in water.
13
When he who has a flow is cleansed from his flow, then he must count for himself seven days for his cleansing; then he must wash his clothes and bathe his body in running water. Then he will be clean.
14
On the eighth day he must take two doves or two young pigeons and come before Yahweh at the entrance to the tent of meeting; there he must give the birds to the priest.
15
The priest must offer them, one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, and the priest must make atonement for him before Yahweh for his flow.
16
If any man has an emission of semen, then he must bathe his whole body in water; he will be unclean until evening.
17
Every garment or leather on which there is semen must be washed with water; it will be unclean until evening.
18
If a man lies with a woman and there is an emission of semen, both of them must bathe with water and be unclean until evening.
19
When a woman has a flow of blood, her impurity will continue for seven days, and whoever touches her will be unclean until evening.
20
Everything she lies on during her period will be unclean; everything that she sits on will also be unclean.
21
Whoever touches her bed must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; that person will be unclean until evening.
22
Whoever touches anything that she sits on must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; that person will be unclean until evening.
23
Whether it is on the bed or on anything on which she sits, if he touches it, that person will be unclean until evening.
24
If any man lies with her, and if her impure flow touches him, he will be unclean for seven days. Every bed on which he lies will be unclean.
25
If a woman has a flow of blood for many days that is not in the time of her impurity, or if she has a flow beyond the time of her impurity, during all the days of the flow of her uncleanness, she will be as if she were in the days of her impurity. She is unclean.
26
Every bed on which she lies all during her flow of blood will be to her just like the bed on which she lies during her impurity, and everything on which she sits will be unclean, just like the uncleanness of her impurity.
27
Whoever touches any of those things will be unclean; he must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and he will be unclean until evening.
28
But if she is cleansed from her flow of blood, then she will count for herself seven days, and after that she will be clean.
29
On the eighth day she will take to her two doves or two young pigeons and bring them to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
30
The priest will offer one bird as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, and he will make atonement for her before Yahweh for her unclean flow of blood.
31
This is how you must separate the people of Israel from their uncleanness, so they will not die due to their uncleanness, by defiling my tabernacle, where I live among them.
32
This is the law for anyone who has a flow of fluid, for any man whose semen goes out of him and makes him unclean,
33
for any woman who has a menstrual period, for anyone with a flow of fluid, whether male or female, and for any man who lies with an unclean woman.'"
Leviticus 15:2
comes out of his body
This refers to the man's private parts.
he becomes unclean
The person whom other people may not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean.
Leviticus 15:3
it is unclean
"his body is unclean" or "he is unclean"
Leviticus 15:4
unclean
The bed or anything that the man sits on that other people must not touch are spoken of as if they were physically unclean.
Leviticus 15:5
Whoever touches his bed ... be unclean
The person whom other people may not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean.
until evening
"until sunset"
Leviticus 15:7
who touches the body
"who touches any part of the body"
Leviticus 15:9
saddle
A saddle is a leather seat that a person puts on the back of a horse in order to ride it.
Any saddle ... will be unclean
Something that Yahweh has stated is unfit to touch is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
Leviticus 15:10
that person
This refers to the person with the infected fluid.
Leviticus 15:11
Anyone the man with the discharge touches
"Anyone the person with the infected flow touches"
Leviticus 15:12
Any clay pot that the one with such a flow of fluid touches must be broken
"Someone must break any clay pot that the one with such a flow of fluid touches"
every container of wood must be rinsed in water
"someone must rinse every wooden container in water"
Leviticus 15:13
is cleansed from his flow
"recovers from his flow"
Then he will be clean
The man whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean.
Leviticus 15:16
unclean until evening
People and objects that other people must not touch are spoken of as if they were physically unclean.
Leviticus 15:17
Every garment ... must be washed with water
"Someone must wash with water every garment or leather on which there is semen"
Leviticus 15:18
man lies with a woman
"man has sexual relations with a woman"
Leviticus 15:19
has a flow of blood
This word refers to the time when blood flows from a woman's womb.
her impurity will continue
"she will continue to be impure"
Leviticus 15:20
her period
These words refer to the time when blood flows from a woman's womb.
Leviticus 15:21
her bed
This refers to the woman who is menstruating.
Leviticus 15:25
she will be as if she were in the days of her impurity
This means that if the woman bleeds from her womb at any time other than her regular menstruation time, she is still unclean just as she is during her menstruation.
Leviticus 15:26
everything on which she sits will be unclean
Objects that other people must not touch are spoken of as if they were physically unclean.
Leviticus 15:28
But if she
The word "she" refers to the woman who is menstruating.
is cleansed from her flow of blood
"recovers from her flow of blood"
she will be clean
The woman whom other people may touch is spoken of as if she were physically clean.
Leviticus 15:29
she will take to her
"she will take for herself"
Leviticus 15:30
her unclean flow of blood
"her flow of blood that makes her unclean"
Leviticus 15:31
This is how you must separate the people of Israel from their uncleanness
"This is how you must prevent the people of Israel from becoming unclean"
their uncleanness
People whom other people may not touch and who are not acceptable for God's purposes are spoken of as if they were physically unclean.
Leviticus 15:32
This is the law
"These are the things that must be done"
Leviticus 15:33
an unclean woman
People whom other people may not touch are spoken of as if they were physically unclean.
who has a menstrual period
"who is menstruating" or "who is bleeding from her womb"
who lies with
"who has sexual relations with"
Chapter 16
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses—this was after the death of Aaron's two sons, when they had gone near to Yahweh and then died.
2
Yahweh said to Moses, "Speak to Aaron your brother and tell him not to come at just any time into the most holy place inside the curtain, before the atonement lid that is on the ark. If he does, he will die, because I appear in the cloud over the atonement lid.
3
So here is how Aaron must come into the most holy place. He must enter with a young bull as a sin offering, and a ram as a burnt offering.
4
He must put on the holy linen tunic, and he must put the linen undergarments on himself, and he must wear the linen sash and linen turban. These are the holy garments. He must bathe his body in water and then dress himself with these clothes.
5
He must take from the assembly of the people of Israel two male goats as a sin offering and one ram as a burnt offering.
6
Then Aaron must present the bull as the sin offering, which will be for himself, to make atonement for himself and his family.
7
Then he must take the two goats and set them before Yahweh at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
8
Then Aaron must cast lots for the two goats, one lot for Yahweh, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
9
Aaron must then present the goat on which the lot fell for Yahweh, and offer that goat as a sin offering.
10
But the goat on which the lot fell for the scapegoat must be brought alive before Yahweh, to make atonement by sending him away as a scapegoat into the wilderness.
11
Then Aaron must present the bull for the sin offering, which will be for himself. He must make atonement for himself and for his family, so he must kill the bull as a sin offering for himself.
12
Aaron must take a censer full of coals of fire from off the altar before Yahweh, with his hands full of finely ground sweet incense, and bring these things inside the curtain.
13
There he must put the incense on the fire before Yahweh so that the cloud from the incense may cover the atonement lid over the covenant decrees. He must do this so he will not die.
14
Then he must take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the front of the atonement lid. He must sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times before the atonement lid.
15
Then he must kill the goat for the sin offering that is for the people and bring its blood inside the curtain. There he must do with the blood as he did with the blood of the bull: He must sprinkle it on the atonement lid and then before the atonement lid.
16
He must make atonement for the holy place because of the unclean actions of the people of Israel, and because of their rebellion and all their sins. He must also do this for the tent of meeting, where Yahweh lives among them, in the presence of their unclean actions.
17
No one must be in the tent of meeting when Aaron enters it to make atonement in the most holy place, and until he comes out and has finished making atonement for himself and for his family, and for all the assembly of Israel.
18
He must go out to the altar that is before Yahweh and make atonement for it, and he must take some of the bull's blood and some of the goat's blood and put it on the horns of the altar all around.
19
He must sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and set it apart to Yahweh, away from the unclean actions of the people of Israel.
20
When he has finished atoning for the most holy place, the tent of meeting, and the altar, he must present the live goat.
21
Aaron must lay both his hands on the head of the live goat and confess over him all the evil deeds of the people of Israel, all their rebellion, and all their sins. Then he must put that sinfulness on the head of the goat and send the goat away in the care of a man who is ready to lead the goat into the wilderness.
22
The goat must carry on himself all the people's evil deeds to a solitary place. There in the wilderness, the man must let the goat go free.
23
Then Aaron must go back into the tent of meeting and take off the linen garments that he had put on before going into the most holy place, and he must leave those garments there.
24
He must bathe his body in water in a holy place, and put on his normal garments; then he must go out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering for the people, and in this way make atonement for himself and for the people.
25
He must burn the fat of the sin offering on the altar.
26
The man who let the scapegoat go free must wash his clothes and bathe his body in water; after that, he may come back into the camp.
27
The bull for the sin offering and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy place, must be carried outside the camp. There they must burn their hides, flesh, and dung.
28
The man who burns those parts must wash his clothes and bathe his body in water; after that, he may come back into the camp.
29
It will always be a statute for you that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you must humble yourselves and do no work, whether the native born or a foreigner who is living among you.
30
This is because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you from all your sins so you will be clean before Yahweh.
31
It is a solemn Sabbath of rest for you, and you must humble yourselves and do no work. This will always be a statute among you.
32
The high priest, the one who will be anointed and ordained to be high priest in his father's place, must make this atonement and put on the linen garments, that is, the holy garments.
33
He must make atonement for the most holy place; he must make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar, and he must make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly.
34
This will always be a statute for you, to make atonement for the people of Israel because of all their sins, once in every year." This was done as Yahweh commanded Moses.
Leviticus 16:1
Aaron's two sons
This refers to Nadab and Abihu. They died because they brought fire to Yahweh that he did not approve.
Leviticus 16:3
So here is how
"This is how"
Leviticus 16:4
undergarments
clothing worn next to the skin under the outer clothes
sash
a piece of cloth that ties around the waist or chest
turban
head covering made from wrapped strips of cloth
Leviticus 16:5
from the assembly
"from the congregation"
Leviticus 16:6
the sin offering, which will be for himself
"the sin offering for himself"
Leviticus 16:8
the scapegoat
"the goat that is sent away." Aaron was to have someone set the goat free in the wilderness.
Leviticus 16:9
on which the lot fell
"which the lot designated"
Leviticus 16:11
he must kill the bull
Aaron would catch the blood of the bull in a bowl so he could later sprinkle it on the atonement lid.
Leviticus 16:12
censer
a container for fire and incense, used by the priests
sweet incense
"sweet-smelling incense." This refers to the smell and not to the taste of the incense.
Leviticus 16:14
the blood of the bull
This is the blood Aaron caught with a bowl in Leviticus 16:11.
sprinkle it with his finger
He used his finger to splash the blood.
on the front of the atonement lid
He put the blood on the top part of the lid. He also put it on the side of the lid that was towards him as he entered the most holy place.
before the atonement lid
Possible meanings are 1) "below the atonement lid onto the chest" or 2) "onto the ground in front of the atonement lid."
Leviticus 16:16
He must make atonement for the holy place because of the unclean actions of the people of Israel
The sins of the people of Israel made the holy place unclean.
unclean actions ... rebellion ... sins
These words mean basically the same thing. They emphasize that the people have committed all kinds of sins.
unclean actions
Sinful actions which make people unacceptable to Yahweh are spoken of as if they were physically unclean actions.
in the presence of their unclean actions
"in the presence of people who commit sinful actions"
Leviticus 16:18
He must go out to the altar that is before Yahweh
This is the altar of sacrifice just inside the courtyard of the tabernacle.
make atonement for it
Like the holy place and tent of meeting, the altar is unclean because of the sins of the people.
horns of the altar
"the projections at the corners of the altar." This refers to the corners of the altar. They are shaped like the horns of an ox.
Leviticus 16:19
to cleanse it
The altar being fit to be used for God's purposes is spoken of as if it were physically clean.
set it apart to Yahweh, away from the unclean actions of the people of Israel
The altar being dedicated to Yahweh is spoken of as if it were physically separated from the sins of the people.
the unclean actions
Sinful actions which make people unacceptable to Yahweh are spoken of as if they were physically unclean actions.
Leviticus 16:20
he must present the live goat
This goat is called the scapegoat in Leviticus 16:10.
Leviticus 16:21
confess over him
"confess over the goat"
he must put that sinfulness on the head of the goat
Aaron's actions here were a symbolic transfer of the people's sin to the goat as a sign that the goat would bear the punishment for their guilt.
evil deeds ... rebellion ... sins
These all mean basically the same thing. Aaron is confessing every kind of sin that the people committed.
Leviticus 16:23
take off the linen garments
These were the special garments Aaron wore only when he entered the most holy place.
Leviticus 16:24
He must bathe his body in water in a holy place
Here "holy place" does not refer to the tent of meeting. This was a different place set aside for him to bathe himself.
put on his normal garments
These are the clothes that Aaron wore for his ordinary duties.
Leviticus 16:25
He must burn
"Aaron must burn"
Leviticus 16:26
The man who let the scapegoat go free must wash his clothes and bathe his body in water
The man was unclean because of his contact with the scapegoat, which carried the sin of the people.
scapegoat
"the goat that is sent away."
Leviticus 16:27
whose blood was brought
"whose blood Aaron brought"
must be carried
"someone must carry"
their hides
"their skins." Here "their" refers to the bull and the goat.
Leviticus 16:29
for you
The word "you" is plural and refers to the people of Israel.
in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month
This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The tenth day is near the end of September on the western calendar.
Leviticus 16:30
atonement will be made for you
"Aaron will make atonement for you"
to cleanse you ... so you will be clean
People who are acceptable for God's purposes are spoken of as if they were physically clean.
Leviticus 16:31
It is a solemn Sabbath of rest for you
This is not the same as the Sabbath they observed every week on the seventh day. This was a special Sabbath on the Day of Atonement.
Leviticus 16:32
the one who will be anointed and ordained
"the one they will anoint and ordain"
in his father's place
When the high priest died, one of his sons would replace him.
the holy garments
These are special clothes the high priest must wear when he enters the most holy place.
Leviticus 16:33
for all the people of the assembly
"for all the people of Israel"
Leviticus 16:34
This was done as Yahweh commanded Moses
"And Moses did as Yahweh commanded" or "And Aaron did as Yahweh commanded Moses"
Chapter 17
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
2
"Speak to Aaron and to his sons, and to all the people of Israel. Tell them what Yahweh has commanded:
3
'Any man from Israel who kills an ox, lamb, or goat in the camp, or who kills it outside the camp, in order to sacrifice it—
4
if he does not bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting to offer it as a sacrifice to Yahweh before his tabernacle, that man is guilty of bloodshed. He has shed blood, and that man must be cut off from among his people.
5
The purpose of this command is so that the people of Israel will bring their sacrifices to Yahweh at the entrance to the tent of meeting, to the priest, to be sacrificed as fellowship offerings to Yahweh, instead of offering sacrifices in an open field.
6
The priest will sprinkle the blood on Yahweh's altar at the entrance to the tent of meeting; he will burn the fat for it to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh.
7
The people must no longer offer their sacrifices to goat idols, for which they act as prostitutes. This will be a permanent statute for them throughout their people's generations.'
8
You must say to them, 'Any man of Israel, or any foreigner who lives among them, who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice
9
and does not bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting in order to sacrifice it to Yahweh, that man must be cut off from his people.
10
If any person of the house of Israel, or any foreigner who lives among them consumes any blood, I will set my face against that person who consumes blood and I will cut him off from among his people.
11
For the life of an animal is in its blood. I have given its blood to you to make atonement on the altar for your lives, because it is the blood that makes atonement, for it is the blood that atones for the life.
12
Therefore I said to the people of Israel that no one among you must eat blood, neither may any foreigner who lives among you eat blood.
13
Anyone of the people of Israel, or any of the foreigners who live among them, who hunts and kills an animal or bird that may be eaten, that person must pour out its blood and cover the blood with earth.
14
For the life of each creature is its blood. That is why I said to the people of Israel, "You must not eat the blood of any creature, for the life of every living creature is its blood. Whoever eats it must be cut off."
15
Every person who eats an animal that has died or that has been torn by wild animals, whether that person is native born or a foreigner living among you, he must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and he will be unclean until the evening. Then he will be clean.
16
But if he does not wash his clothes or bathe his body, then he must carry his guilt.'"
Leviticus 17:4
before his tabernacle
"before Yahweh's tabernacle"
that man must be cut off from among his people
"that person may no longer live among his people" or "you must separate that person from his people"
Leviticus 17:5
to the priest, to be sacrificed
"to the priest, so he may sacrifice them"
instead of offering sacrifices in an open field
The people had been offering their sacrifices in the open field. God wanted them to stop doing that.
Leviticus 17:7
for which they act as prostitutes
The people being unfaithful to Yahweh by worshiping false gods is spoken of as if they were acting like a man who betrays his wife by committing adultery. Alternate translation: "for which they are unfaithful to Yahweh"
a permanent statute for them throughout their people's generations
See how you translated this phrase in Leviticus 3:17.
Leviticus 17:9
that man must be cut off from his people
"that person may no longer live among his people" or "you must separate that person from his people"
Leviticus 17:10
I will set my face against that person
"I have made up my mind to oppose that person"
will set my face against
"will stare angrily at"
I will cut him off from among his people
"I will not permit that person to live among his people any longer" or "I will separate that person from his people"
Leviticus 17:11
For the life of an animal is in its blood ... that atones for the life
This means God uses the blood to atone for the sins of the people because the blood is life. The people should not consume the blood because it has this special purpose.
Leviticus 17:12
I said
Here "I" refers to Yahweh.
no one among you must eat blood
"no one among you may eat meat with blood in it"
Leviticus 17:13
that may be eaten
"that I have said they may eat"
cover the blood with earth
"cover the blood with dirt"
Leviticus 17:14
the life of each creature is its blood
"each creature is able to live because of its blood"
Whoever eats it must be cut off
"Whoever eats blood may no longer live among his people" or "You must separate from his people anyone who eats blood"
Leviticus 17:15
that has been torn by wild animals
"that wild animals have killed"
is native born
"is an Israelite"
he will be unclean ... Then he will be clean
The person whom other people may not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean and the person whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean.
until the evening
"until sunset"
Leviticus 17:16
then he must carry his guilt
"then he is responsible for his own guilt" or "then I will punish him for his sin"
Chapter 18
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
2
"Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'I am Yahweh your God.
3
You must not do the things that the people do in Egypt, where you lived previously. You must not do the things that the people do in Canaan, the land to which I am taking you. Do not follow their customs.
4
My laws are what you must do, and my commandments are what you must keep, so that you walk in them, because I am Yahweh your God.
5
Therefore you must keep my decrees and my laws. If a person obeys them, he will live because of them. I am Yahweh.
6
Do not approach any close relatives to uncover nakedness, I am Yahweh.
7
Do not uncover the nakedness of your father by uncovering the nakedness of your mother; she is your mother, you must not uncover her nakedness.
8
Do not uncover the nakedness of your father's wives; it is your father's nakedness.
9
Do not uncover the nakedness of your sister, whether she is the daughter of your father or the daughter of your mother, whether she was born in your home or distant from you.
10
Do not uncover the nakedness of your son's daughter or your daughter's daughter, for their nakedness is your own nakedness.
11
Do not uncover the nakedness of your father's wife's daughter, brought up in your father's family, since she is your sister.
12
Do not uncover the nakedness of your father's sister; she is your father's relative.
13
Do not uncover the nakedness of your mother's sister, she is your mother's relative.
14
Do not uncover the nakedness of your father's brother, that is, you must not approach his wife; she is your aunt.
15
Do not uncover the nakedness of your daughter-in-law; she is your son's wife; you must not uncover her nakedness.
16
Do not uncover the nakedness of your brother's wife; that is your brother's nakedness.
17
Do not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter; and you must not take her son's daughter or her daughter's daughter to uncover her nakedness; they are relatives; that is wickedness.
18
You must not marry your wife's sister as a second wife and uncover her nakedness while your first wife is alive.
19
Do not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness during the impurity of her uncleanness.
20
Do not have sexual relations with your neighbor's wife and defile yourself with her in this way.
21
You must not give any of your children to put them into the fire, so that you sacrifice them to Molech, because you must not profane the name of your God. I am Yahweh.
22
Do not lie with other men as with a woman; that is detestable.
23
Do not lie with any animal and defile yourself with it. Neither should any woman present herself to an animal to lie with it; that is a perversion.
24
Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, for in all these ways the nations are defiled, the nations that I will drive out from before you.
25
The land became defiled, so I have punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out its inhabitants.
26
You, therefore, must keep my commandments and decrees, and you must not do any of these detestable things, neither the native-born Israelite nor the foreigner who lives among you.
27
For these detestable things are what the people who lived in the land before you committed, and now the land is defiled.
28
Therefore be careful so that the land does not vomit you up also after you have defiled it, as it vomited out the people who were before you.
29
Whoever does any of these detestable things, the persons who do such things will be cut off from among their people.
30
Therefore you must keep my command not to practice any of these detestable customs which were practiced here before you, so that you do not defile yourselves by them. I am Yahweh your God.'"
Leviticus 18:4
My laws are what you must do, and my commandments are what you must keep
"You must obey all of my laws and commandments"
so that you walk in them
"so that you conduct your behavior according to them"
Leviticus 18:6
uncover nakedness
"uncover nakedness" means "have sexual relations"
Leviticus 18:7
Do not uncover the nakedness of your father
"Do not disgrace your father" or "Do not shame shame your father"
by uncovering the nakedness of your mother ... you must not uncover her nakedness
"by having sexual relations with your mother ... you must not have sexual relations with her"
Leviticus 18:8
Do not uncover the nakedness of your father's wives
"Do not have sexual relations with your father's wives"
your father's wives
Sometimes men had more than one wife. God did not allow a son to have sexual intercourse with any woman married to his father.
it is your father's nakedness
"you disgrace your father" or "you shame your father"
Leviticus 18:9
Do not uncover the nakedness of
"Do not have sexual relations with"
whether she is the daughter of your father or the daughter of your mother
This means a man cannot have sexual intercourse with his sister if they have the same parents or even if she has a different mother or father.
whether she was born in your home or distant from you
Another possible meaning is, "whether she grew up at your home or far away from you."
Leviticus 18:10
their nakedness is your own nakedness
"you will disgrace both them and yourself" or "you will shame both them and yourself"
Leviticus 18:11
Possible meanings are 1) "your half-sister" or 2) "your stepsister." Here the man does not have the same father or mother as the woman. They became brother and sister when their parents married.
Leviticus 18:14
Do not uncover the nakedness of your father's brother
"Do not disgrace your father's brother" or "Do not shame shame your father's brother"
you must not approach his wife
"do not go to his wife in order to have sexual intercourse with her"
Leviticus 18:16
that is your brother's nakedness
"if you do that, you will shame your brother"
Leviticus 18:19
the impurity of her uncleanness
This is the time every month when a woman bleeds from her womb. The words "impurity" and "uncleanness" both occur to emphasize how disgusting a man is to consider her nakedness at that time.
Leviticus 18:20
your neighbor's wife
"any man's wife"
Leviticus 18:21
You must not give any of your children to put them into the fire
"You must not burn your children alive"
you must not profane the name of your God
"you must not dishonor your God"
Leviticus 18:22
Do not lie with
"Do not have sexual relations with"
that is detestable
Here "detestable" refers to a violation of the natural order of things as Yahweh intended them to be.
Leviticus 18:23
to lie with it
"to have sexual relations with it"
Leviticus 18:24
the nations are defiled
"the people of the nations defiled themselves"
Leviticus 18:25
The land became defiled
"The people defiled the land"
the land vomited out its inhabitants
"I forcibly removed the people from the land, like a person vomits up food"
Leviticus 18:26
any of these detestable things
"any of these disgusting things"
Leviticus 18:28
Therefore be careful
"Therefore be careful to obey me"
so that the land does not vomit you up ... as it vomited out the people
"so that I do forcibly remove you from the land ... as I forcibly removed the people"
Leviticus 18:29
the persons ... will be cut off from among their people
"the persons ... may no longer live among their people" or "you must separate the persons ... from their people"
Leviticus 18:30
which were practiced here before you
"which the people did here before you came"
by them
Here "them" refers to the detestable customs.
Chapter 19
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
2
"Speak to all the assembly of the people of Israel and say to them, 'You must be holy, for I Yahweh your God am holy.
3
Everyone must respect his mother and his father, and you must keep my Sabbaths. I am Yahweh your God.
4
Do not turn to worthless idols, nor make for yourselves molten gods. I am Yahweh your God.
5
When you offer a sacrifice of fellowship offerings to Yahweh, you must offer it that you may be accepted.
6
It must be eaten the same day you offer it, or on the next day. If anything remains until the third day, it must be burned up with fire.
7
If it is eaten at all on the third day, it is a foul thing; it must not be accepted,
8
and everyone who eats it must carry his own guilt because he has defiled what is holy to Yahweh, and that person must be cut off from his people.
9
When you reap the harvest of your land, you must not completely reap the corners of your field, neither will you gather all the gleanings of your harvest.
10
You must not gather every grape from your vineyard, nor gather the grapes that have fallen on the ground in your vineyard. You must leave them for the poor and for the foreigner. I am Yahweh your God.
11
Do not steal.
Do not lie.
Do not deceive each other.
12
Do not swear by my name falsely and profane the name of your God. I am Yahweh.
13
Do not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired servant must not stay with you all night until the morning.
14
Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but fear your God. I am Yahweh.
15
Do not cause judgment to be false. You must not exalt the poor nor favor the great. Instead, judge your neighbor justly.
16
Do not walk around spreading slander among your people, but seek to protect your neighbor's life. I am Yahweh.
17
Do not hate your brother in your heart. You should rebuke your neighbor frankly, and do not bring sin upon yourself because of him.
18
Do not take vengeance or hold any grudge against any of your people, but instead love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh.
19
You must keep my commands.
Do not try to breed your animals with different kinds of other animals.
Do not mix two different kinds of seeds when planting your field.
Do not wear clothing made of two kinds of material mixed together.
20
Whoever lies with a slave girl who is promised to a husband, but who has not been ransomed or given her freedom, must be punished. They must not be put to death because she was not free.
21
A man must bring his guilt offering to Yahweh to the entrance to the tent of meeting—a ram as a guilt offering.
22
Then the priest will make atonement for him with the ram for the guilt offering before Yahweh, for the sin that he has committed. Then the sin which he has committed will be forgiven.
23
When you come into the land and have planted all kinds of trees for food, then you must regard the fruit they produce as forbidden to be eaten. The fruit must be forbidden to you for three years. It must not be eaten.
24
But in the fourth year all the fruit will be holy, a sacrifice of praise to Yahweh.
25
In the fifth year you may eat the fruit, having waited so that the trees might produce more. I am Yahweh your God.
26
Do not eat any meat with blood still in it.
Do not practice divination or sorcery.
27
You will not round off the corners of the hair on the sides of your head or shave off the edge of your beard.
28
Do not cut your body for the dead or put tattoo marks on your body. I am Yahweh.
29
Do not disgrace your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the nation will fall to prostitution and the land will become full of wickedness.
30
You must keep my Sabbaths and honor the sanctuary of my tabernacle. I am Yahweh.
31
Do not turn to sorcerers or spiritists. Do not seek them out, or they will defile you. I am Yahweh your God.
32
You must rise before the gray-headed person and honor the presence of an old man. You must fear your God. I am Yahweh.
33
If a foreigner lives among you in your land, you must not do him any wrong.
34
The foreigner who lives with you must be to you like the native-born Israelite who lives among you, and you must love him as yourself, because you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God.
35
Do no injustice when measuring length, weight, or quantity.
36
You must use just scales, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin. I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
37
You must obey all my decrees and all my laws, and do them. I am Yahweh.'"
Leviticus 19:3
keep my Sabbaths
"observe my Sabbaths" or "respect my day of rest"
Leviticus 19:4
Do not turn to worthless idols
"Do not begin to worship worthless idols"
Leviticus 19:5
you must offer it that you may be accepted
"you must offer it properly so that I will accept you" or 2) Yahweh will accept the sacrifice from the person. Alternate translation: "you must offer it properly so that I will accept your sacrifice"
Leviticus 19:6
It must be eaten
"You must eat it"
it must be burned
"you must burn it"
Leviticus 19:7
If it is eaten at all
"If you eat any of it"
it must not be accepted
"You may not accept it for eating"
Leviticus 19:8
everyone ... must carry his own guilt
"everyone ... is responsible for his own guilt" or "Yahweh will punish everyone ... for his sin"
that person must be cut off from his people
"that person may no longer live among his people" or "you must separate that person from his people"
Leviticus 19:9
When you reap the harvest of your land, you must not completely reap the corners of your field
"When you gather your crops, do not gather all the way to the edges of your fields"
neither will you gather all the gleanings of your harvest
"and do not go back and pick up all that you left behind"
Leviticus 19:12
Do not swear by my name falsely
"Do not use my name to swear about something that is not true"
Leviticus 19:13
Do not oppress your neighbor or rob him
"Do not hurt or rob anyone"
The wages of a hired servant must not stay with you all night until the morning
Yahweh commands the employer to pay his servant promptly when his work is done that day.
Leviticus 19:14
or put a stumbling block before the blind
"and do not put something in front of a blind person to make him trip over it"
Leviticus 19:15
Do not cause judgment to be false
"Do not judge falsely" or "Do not just unjustly"
You must not exalt the poor nor favor the great
"You must not show favoritism to anyone based on how much money they have"
judge your neighbor justly
"judge everyone according to what is right"
Leviticus 19:16
slander
untrue, hurtful messages about other people
Leviticus 19:17
Do not hate your brother in your heart
"Do not continually hate your brother"
You should rebuke your neighbor frankly
"You must correct a person who is sinning"
Leviticus 19:19
clothing made of two kinds of material mixed together
"clothing that someone made from two kinds of material"
Leviticus 19:20
lies with
"has sexual relations with"
who is promised to a husband
"who is engaged to marry another man"
but who has not been ransomed or given her freedom
"but whom her future husband has not ransomed or given her freedom"
must be punished
"you must punish them"
They must not be put to death
"You must not kill them"
Leviticus 19:21
A man must bring his guilt offering to Yahweh to the entrance to the tent of meeting—a ram as a guilt offering
"A man must bring a ram as a guilt offering to Yahweh to the entrance of the tent of meeting"
Leviticus 19:22
the sin which he has committed will be forgiven
"Yahweh will forgive the sin which he has committed"
Leviticus 19:23
then you must regard the fruit they produce as forbidden to be eaten ... It must not be eaten
"then you must not eat the fruit of the trees for the first three years"
you must regard the fruit they produce as forbidden to be eaten
"you must regard the fruit they produce as something that I have forbidden you to eat"
Leviticus 19:29
the nation will fall to prostitution and the land will become full of wickedness
"the people will begin to practice prostitution and many wicked things"
Leviticus 19:31
sorcerers or spiritists
"anyone who communicates with the world of the dead"
Do not seek them out, or they will defile you
"Do not seek those people out. If you do, they will defile you"
Leviticus 19:32
You must rise
Standing up in front of someone is a sign of respect.
the gray-headed person
This refers to a person whose hair has turned gray from age, or "an old person."
Leviticus 19:36
ephah
This was a measurement for grain.
hin
This was a measurement for liquids.
Leviticus 19:37
must obey ... and do them
These phrases mean the same thing and emphasize the command for obedience.
Chapter 20
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
2
"Say to the people of Israel, 'Anyone among the people of Israel, or any foreigner who lives in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech, must certainly be put to death. The people in the land must stone him with stones.
3
I also will set my face against that man and will cut him off from among his people because he has given his child to Molech, so as to defile my holy place and profane my holy name.
4
If the people of the land close their eyes to that man when he gives any of his children to Molech, if they do not put him to death,
5
then I myself will set my face against that man and his clan, and I will cut him off and everyone else who acts like a prostitute as he did in order to act like a prostitute with Molech.
6
The person who turns to sorcerers and spiritists so as to prostitute themselves with them, I will set my face against that person; I will cut him off from among his people.
7
Therefore consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am Yahweh your God.
8
You must keep my commands and carry them out. I am Yahweh who sets you apart as holy.
9
Everyone who curses his father or his mother must surely be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother, so his blood is upon him.
10
The man who commits adultery with another man's wife, that is, anyone who commits adultery with his neighbor's wife—the adulterer and the adulteress must both certainly be put to death.
11
If a man lies with his father's wife, he uncovers his father's nakedness. Both the son and his father's wife must certainly be put to death. Their blood is upon them.
12
If a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both of them must certainly be put to death. They have committed perversion. Their blood is upon them.
13
If a man lies with another man, as with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must surely be put to death. Their blood is upon them.
14
If a man marries a woman and also marries her mother, this is wickedness. They must be burned, both he and the women, so that there will be no wickedness among you.
15
If a man lies with an animal, he must surely be put to death, and you must kill the animal.
16
If a woman approaches any animal and lies with it, you must kill the woman and the animal. They must certainly be put to death. Their blood is upon them.
17
If a man takes his sister, a daughter of his father or a daughter of his mother, and he sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness, it is a shameful thing. They must be cut off in the sight of the children of their people. He has uncovered the nakedness of his sister and he must carry his guilt.
18
If a man lies with a woman during her menstrual period and has uncovered her nakedness, he has uncovered her flow, the fountain of her blood. Both the man and woman must be cut off from among their people.
19
You must not uncover the nakedness of your mother's sister, or your father's sister, because you would disgrace your close relative. You must carry your own guilt.
20
If a man lies with his aunt, he has uncovered his uncle's nakedness. They will bear responsibility for their sin, and they will die childless.
21
If a man marries his brother’s wife, that is abhorrent. He has uncovered his brother's nakedness; they will be childless.
22
You must therefore keep all my statutes and all my decrees; you must obey them so that the land into which I am bringing you to live will not vomit you up.
23
You must not walk in the statutes of the nations that I will drive out before you, for they have done all these things, and I detest them.
24
I said to you, "You will inherit their land; I will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey. I am Yahweh your God, who has separated you from the other peoples.
25
You must therefore distinguish between the clean animals and the unclean, and between the unclean birds and the clean. You must not make yourselves detestable with unclean animals or birds or with any creature that crawls along the ground, which I have separated as unclean from you.
26
You must be holy, for I, Yahweh, am holy, and I have separated you from the other peoples, for you belong to me.
27
A man or a woman who is a sorcerer or spiritist must certainly be put to death. The people must stone them with stones. Their blood is upon them.'"
Leviticus 20:2
gives any of his children to Molech
"kills any of his children as a sacrifice to Molech"
must certainly be put to death. The people in the land must stone him with stones
"the people in the land must stone him to death"
Leviticus 20:3
I also will set my face against that man
"I have made up my mind to oppose that man"
he has given his child
"he has sacrificed his child"
so as to defile my holy place and profane my holy name
"and by doing that, he has defiled my holy place and profaned my holy name"
profane my holy name
"dishonor my reputation" or "dishonor me"
Leviticus 20:4
close their eyes to
"disregard" or "ignore"
Leviticus 20:5
who acts like a prostitute as he did in order to act like a prostitute with Molech
"who is unfaithful to Yahweh as he was in order to commit faithless acts with Molech"
Leviticus 20:6
so as to prostitute themselves with them
"by doing that, they seek advice from the spirits rather than from me"
Leviticus 20:8
You must keep my commands and carry them out
The words "keep" and "carry out" mean basically the same thing. They are used together in order to emphasize that the people must obey God.
Leviticus 20:9
must surely be put to death
"you must surely put to death"
his blood is upon him
"the guilt for his violent death is his alone"
Leviticus 20:10
certainly be put to death
"you must certainly put both of them to death"
Leviticus 20:11
lies with his father's wife
"has sexual relations with his father's wife"
he uncovers his father's nakedness
"he disgraces his father" or "he shames his father"
Leviticus 20:12
They have committed perversion
Here God calls a man having sex with his son's wife a "perversion", a serious sin.
Leviticus 20:13
as with a woman
"just like he would with a woman"
what is detestable
"something detestable" or "something detestable"
Leviticus 20:14
They must be burned, both he and the women
"You must burn to death both the man and the women"
Leviticus 20:16
you must kill the woman and the animal. They must certainly be put to death
Both clauses mean the same thing. They emphasize that the woman and animal must die.
Leviticus 20:17
takes
"has sexual relations with" or 2) it simply means "to marry."
a daughter of his father or a daughter of his mother
"whether it is his full sister or half-sister"
he sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness
"they have sexual relations"
has uncovered the nakedness of his sister
"has had sexual relations with his sister"
he must carry his guilt
"He is responsible for his sin" or "You must punish him"
Leviticus 20:18
must be cut off from
"that person may no longer live among his people" or "you must separate that person from his people"
menstrual period
the time every month when a woman bleeds from her womb
he has uncovered her flow, the fountain of her blood
"he has done a shameful thing by uncovering the flow of her blood"
a man lies with a woman
"a man has sexual relations with a woman"
Both the man and woman must be cut off
"Because they have done this shameful thing, both the man and woman must be cut off"
Leviticus 20:19
You must not uncover the nakedness of your mother's sister
"Do not have sexual relations with your mother's sister"
Leviticus 20:20
a man lies with his aunt
"a man has sexual relations with his aunt"
he has uncovered his uncle's nakedness
"he has disgraced his uncle" or "he has shamed his uncle"
Leviticus 20:21
marries his brother’s wife
Some interpret this to apply only when the brother is still alive or has become the father of male children by the woman.
He has uncovered his brother's nakedness
"He has disgraced his brother" or "He has shamed his brother"
Leviticus 20:22
the land into which I am bringing you to live will not vomit you up
"the land to which I am bringing you will not reject you"
Leviticus 20:23
You must not walk in
"you must not follow"
the statutes
or "the customs"
drive out
"remove"
Leviticus 20:24
a land flowing with milk and honey
"a land that is excellent for cattle and farming" or "a productive land"
Leviticus 20:26
I have separated you
"I have distinguished you" or "I have set you apart"
Leviticus 20:27
must certainly be put to death
"they must certainly put to death"
Their blood is upon them
"the guilt for their violent death is theirs alone"
Chapter 21
1
Yahweh said to Moses: "Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them, 'No one among you should make himself unclean for those who die among his people,
2
except for his closest relatives—his mother, his father, his son, his daughter, his brother,
3
or his virgin sister who is dependent on him, since she has no husband—for her he may make himself unclean.
4
But he must not make himself unclean for other relatives and so defile himself.
5
Priests must not shave their heads or shave off the corners of their beards, nor cut their bodies.
6
They must be holy to their God and not disgrace the name of their God, because the priests offer Yahweh's food offerings, the bread of their God. Therefore the priests must be holy.
7
They must not marry any woman who is a prostitute and who is defiled, and they must not marry a woman divorced from her husband, for he is holy to his God.
8
You will set him apart, for he is the one who offers bread to your God. He must be holy to you, because I, Yahweh who makes you holy, am holy.
9
Any daughter of any priest who defiles herself by becoming a prostitute disgraces her father. She must be burned.
10
The one who is the high priest among his brothers, on whose head the anointing oil has been poured, and who has been consecrated to wear the special garments of the high priest, must not wear his hair loose or tear his clothes.
11
He must not go anywhere that a dead body is present and defile himself, even for his father or his mother.
12
The high priest must not leave the sanctuary area of the tabernacle or profane the sanctuary of his God, because he has been consecrated as high priest by the anointing oil of his God. I am Yahweh.
13
The high priest must marry a virgin as his wife.
14
He must not marry a widow, a divorced woman, or a woman who is a prostitute. He will not marry these kinds of women. He may only marry a virgin from his own people,
15
so he will not defile his children among his people, for I am Yahweh, who makes him holy.'"
16
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
17
"Speak to Aaron and tell him, 'Whoever of your descendants throughout their generations has a bodily defect, he must not approach to offer the food to his God.
18
Any man who has a bodily defect must not approach Yahweh, such as a blind man or a man who is unable to walk, one who is disfigured or deformed,
19
a man with a crippled hand or foot,
20
a man who has a hump in his back or is abnormally thin or short, or a man with a defect in his eyes, or with a disease, sore, scabs, or whose testicles have been crushed.
21
No man among the descendants of Aaron the priest with a bodily defect may come near to perform the offerings made by fire for Yahweh. Such a man has a bodily defect; he must not come near to offer the bread of his God.
22
He may eat the food of his God, whether some of the most holy or some of the holy.
23
However, he must not enter inside the curtain or come near the altar, because he has a bodily defect, so that he does not defile my holy place, for I am Yahweh, who makes them holy.'"
24
So Moses spoke these words to Aaron, to his sons, and to all the people of Israel.
Leviticus 21:1
make himself unclean
A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
among his people
"among the Israelites"
Leviticus 21:3
virgin
This can also be translated as "young woman"
Leviticus 21:5
shave off the corners of their beards
It is impossible to be certain what the writer intended here. Possible meanings are 1) shave off certain parts of their beards or 2) cut or shave any part of their beards.
Leviticus 21:6
They must be holy
"They must be set apart"
not disgrace the name of their God
"not disgrace God's reputation" or "not disgrace their God"
the bread of their God
Here "bread" represents food in general. Yahweh does not actually eat these offerings. It is the sincerity of those offering the food that pleases God.
Leviticus 21:7
They must not
"The priests must not"
he is holy
"they are holy" or "all priests are holy"
Leviticus 21:8
You will set him apart
"You people must treat the priest as holy"
He must be holy to you
"You must regard him as holy"
Leviticus 21:9
She must be burned
"You must burn her to death"
Leviticus 21:10
anointing oil
This is a reference to the anointing oil used in the ceremony consecrating a new the high priest.
on whose head the anointing oil has been poured, and who has been consecrated
"on whose head they poured anointing oil and consecrated him"
must not wear his hair loose or tear his clothes
Loose hair and torn clothes were signs of mourning.
Leviticus 21:12
must not leave the sanctuary area
This does not mean the high priest could never leave. God did not allow him to leave in order to grieve over someone who died.
Leviticus 21:14
from his own people
"from among his own tribe, the tribe of Levi"
Leviticus 21:15
he will not defile his children among his people
"that he will not have unworthy children by marrying an ungodly woman"
Leviticus 21:17
he must not approach to offer the food to his God
"he must not come to burn the burnt offering of food on God's altar"
Leviticus 21:18
must not approach Yahweh
A priest had to meet specific physical standards in order to approach Yahweh. This does not imply that physical defects were the result of immorality or that all people with physical defects are unable to approach Yahweh.
one who is disfigured or deformed
"one whose body or face is deformed"
Leviticus 21:21
to offer the bread of his God
"to make burnt offering of food on God's altar"
Leviticus 21:22
He may
Here "he" refers to the priest with the bodily defect.
eat the food of his God
"eat the food offering of his God." Parts of the sacrifices belonged to the priests and could be eaten.
some of the most holy or some of the holy
"some of the sacrifices offered in the most holy place or some of the sacrifices offered in the holy place"
Leviticus 21:24
to his sons
"to Aaron's sons"
Chapter 22
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
2
"Speak to Aaron and to his sons, tell them to keep away from the holy things of the people of Israel, which they set apart to me. They must not profane my holy name. I am Yahweh.
3
Say to them, 'If any of your descendants throughout your generations approaches the holy things that the people of Israel have set apart to Yahweh, while he is unclean, that person must be cut off from before me: I am Yahweh.
4
None of the descendants of Aaron who is leprous or has an infection flowing from his body may eat any of the sacrifices made to Yahweh until he is clean. Whoever touches anything unclean through contact with the dead, or by contact with a man who has a flow of semen,
5
or whoever touches any creeping animal that makes him unclean, or any person who makes him unclean, whatever kind of uncleanness it may be—
6
then the priest who touches anything unclean will be unclean until evening. He must not eat any of the holy things, unless he has bathed his body in water.
7
When the sun has set, he will then be clean. After sunset he may eat from the holy things, because they are his food.
8
He must not eat anything found dead or killed by wild animals, by which he would defile himself. I am Yahweh.
9
The priests must follow my instructions, or they will be guilty of sin and could die for profaning me. I am Yahweh who makes them holy.
10
No one outside the priest's family, including guests of a priest or his hired servants, may eat anything that is holy.
11
But if a priest buys any slave with his own money, that slave may eat from the things set apart to Yahweh. The priest's family members and slaves born in his house, they also may eat with him from those things.
12
If a priest's daughter married someone who is not a priest, she may not eat any of the holy contribution offerings.
13
But if a priest's daughter is a widow, or divorced, and if she has no child, and if she returns to live in her father's house as in her youth, she may eat from her father's food. But no one who is not in the priestly family may eat from the priest's food.
14
If a man eats a holy food without knowing it, then he must repay the priest for it; he must add one-fifth to it and give it back to the priest.
15
The people of Israel must not profane the holy things that they have raised high and presented to Yahweh,
16
and cause themselves to carry the sin that would make them guilty of eating the holy food, for I am Yahweh who makes them holy.'"
17
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
18
"Speak to Aaron and his sons, and to all the people of Israel. Say to them, 'Any man from the house of Israel, or an alien living in Israel, when they present a sacrifice—whether it is to fulfill a vow, or whether it is a freewill offering, or they present to Yahweh a burnt offering,
19
if it is to be accepted, they must offer a male animal without blemish from the cattle, sheep, or goats.
20
But you must not offer whatever has a blemish. I will not accept it on your behalf.
21
Whoever offers a sacrifice of fellowship offerings from the herd or the flock to Yahweh to fulfill a vow, or as a freewill offering, it must be unblemished to be accepted. There must be no defect in the animal.
22
You must not offer animals that are blind, disabled, or maimed, or that have warts, sores, or scabs. You must not offer these to Yahweh as a sacrifice by fire on the altar.
23
You may present as a freewill offering an ox or a lamb that is deformed or small, but an offering like that will not be accepted for a vow.
24
Do not offer any animal to Yahweh that has bruised, crushed, torn, or cut testicles. Do not do this within your land.
25
You must not present the bread of your God from the hand of a foreigner. Those animals are deformed and have defects in them, they will not be accepted for you.'"
26
Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
27
"When a calf or a sheep or a goat is born, it must remain seven days with its mother. Then from the eighth day on, it may be accepted as a sacrifice for an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
28
Do not kill a cow or ewe along with its young, both on the same day.
29
When you sacrifice a thank offering to Yahweh, you must sacrifice it in an acceptable way.
30
It must be eaten on the same day that it is sacrificed. You must leave none of it until the next morning. I am Yahweh.
31
So you must keep my commandments and carry them out. I am Yahweh.
32
You must not profane my holy name. I must be acknowledged as holy by the people of Israel. I am Yahweh who makes you holy,
33
who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am Yahweh."
Leviticus 22:2
tell them to keep away from the holy things
"tell them when they should keep away from the holy things." Yahweh is about to describe situations where a priest is unclean and not allowed to touch holy things.
profane my holy name
"dishonor my reputation" or "dishonor me"
Leviticus 22:3
throughout your generations
"from now on"
while he is unclean
A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
that person must be cut off from before me
"that person will no longer be able to serve as a priest"
Leviticus 22:4
an infection flowing from his body
"a bodily discharge"
from his body
"from his private parts"
until he is clean
A person who is acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically clean.
through contact with the dead
"by touching a dead body"
the sacrifices made to Yahweh
"the sacrifices that someone has offered to Yahweh"
Leviticus 22:5
or whoever touches any creeping animal that makes him unclean, or any person who makes him unclean
"or whoever is unclean from touching a creeping animal or from touching another unclean person"
Leviticus 22:6
the priest ... will be unclean
A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
until evening
"until sunset"
Leviticus 22:7
he will then be clean
"the priest will then be considered clean." A person who is acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically clean.
Leviticus 22:8
found dead or killed by wild animals
"that someone found dead or that a wild animal has killed"
Leviticus 22:12
the holy contribution offerings
"the holy offerings which people have contributed"
Leviticus 22:14
he must repay the priest for it; he must add one-fifth to it
Possible meanings are 1) that the person had to replace the food that he had eaten with the same kind of food or 2) that the person had to pay money to the priest for the food that he had eaten.
one-fifth
This is one part out of five equal parts.
Leviticus 22:15
that they have raised high and presented
"that they have offered"
Leviticus 22:16
cause themselves to carry the sin that would make them guilty
"they would receive the punishment because they are guilty"
Leviticus 22:18
an alien
"a foreigner"
Leviticus 22:19
if it is to be accepted
"if Yahweh is to accept it" or "if I, Yahweh, am to accept it"
Leviticus 22:21
to be accepted
"for me to accept it" or "for Yahweh to accept it"
Leviticus 22:22
disabled, or maimed
These words refer to defects caused by accidents.
warts, sores, or scabs
These refer to types of skin diseases.
Leviticus 22:23
will not be accepted
"I will not accept" or "Yahweh will not accept"
deformed or small
These words refer to defects the animal has from birth.
Leviticus 22:25
must not present the bread of your God
"must not present an animal as a food offering to your God"
from the hand of a foreigner
"that a foreigner has given you"
they will not be accepted for you
"Yahweh will not accept them from you"
Leviticus 22:27
it may be accepted
"you may accept it"
for an offering made by fire
"for a burnt offering"
Leviticus 22:30
It must be eaten
"You must eat it"
that it is sacrificed
"that you sacrificed it"
Leviticus 22:31
keep my commandments and carry them out
"obey my commandments"
Leviticus 22:32
You must not profane my holy name
"You must not dishonor me, for I am holy" or "You must not dishonor my holy reputation"
I must be acknowledged as holy by the people of Israel
"The people of Israel must acknowledge me as holy"
Chapter 23
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses:
2
"Speak to the people of Israel, and say to them, 'These are the appointed festivals for Yahweh, which you must proclaim as holy assemblies; they are my regular festivals.
3
You may work for six days, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a holy assembly. You must do no work because it is a Sabbath for Yahweh in all the places where you live.
4
These are the appointed festivals of Yahweh, the holy assemblies that you must announce at their appointed times:
5
In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight, is Yahweh's Passover.
6
On the fifteenth day of the same month is the Festival of Unleavened Bread for Yahweh. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread.
7
The first day you must set apart to gather together; you will not do any of your regular work.
8
You will present a food offering to Yahweh for seven days. The seventh day is an assembly set apart to Yahweh, and on that day you must not do any regular work.'"
9
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
10
"Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'When you have come into the land that I will give you, and when you reap its harvest, then you must bring a bundle of the firstfruit of the grain to the priest.
11
He will raise the bundle of grain before Yahweh and present it to him, for it to be accepted on your behalf. It is on the day after the Sabbath that the priest will raise it and present it to me.
12
On the day when you raise the bundle of grain and present it to me, you must offer a male lamb one year old and without blemish as a burnt offering to Yahweh.
13
The grain offering must be two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to Yahweh, to produce a sweet aroma, and with it a drink offering of wine, a fourth of a hin.
14
You must eat no bread, nor roasted or fresh grain, until the same day you have brought this offering to your God. This will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations, in every place that you live.
15
Beginning from the day after the Sabbath—that was the day you brought the bundle of grain as the wave offering—count seven full weeks.
16
You must count fifty days, which would be the day after the seventh Sabbath. Then you must present an offering of new grain to Yahweh.
17
You must bring out of your houses two loaves made from two-tenths of an ephah. They must be made from fine flour and baked with yeast; they will be a wave offering of the firstfruits to Yahweh.
18
You must present with the bread seven lambs one year old and without blemish, one young bull from the herd, and two rams. They must be a burnt offering to Yahweh, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, an offering made by fire and producing a sweet aroma for Yahweh.
19
You must offer one male goat for a sin offering, and two male lambs a year old for a sacrifice, as fellowship offerings.
20
The priest must wave them together with the bread of the firstfruits before Yahweh, and present them to him as an offering with the two lambs. They will be holy offerings to Yahweh for the priest.
21
You must make a proclamation on that same day. There will be a holy assembly, and you must do no ordinary work. This will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations in all the places where you live.
22
When you reap the harvest of your land, you must not completely reap the corners of your fields, and you must not gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must leave them for the poor and for the foreigner. I am Yahweh your God.'"
23
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
24
"Speak to the people of Israel and say, 'In the seventh month, the first day of that month will be a solemn rest for you, a memorial with the blowing of trumpets, and a holy assembly.
25
You must do no ordinary work, and you must offer a sacrifice made by fire to Yahweh.'"
26
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
27
"Now the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It is to be a holy assembly, and you must humble yourselves and present to Yahweh an offering by fire.
28
You must do no work on that day because it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for yourselves before Yahweh your God.
29
Whoever does not humble himself on that day must be cut off from his people.
30
Whoever does any work on that day, I, Yahweh, will destroy him from among his people.
31
You must do no work of any kind on that day. This will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations in all the places where you live.
32
This day must be to you a Sabbath of solemn rest, and you must humble yourselves the ninth day of the month at the evening. From evening to evening you are to observe your Sabbath."
33
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
34
"Speak to the people of Israel, saying, 'On the fifteenth day of the seventh month will be the Festival of Shelters for Yahweh. It will last seven days.
35
On the first day there must be a holy assembly. You must do no ordinary work.
36
For seven days you must offer a sacrifice made by fire to Yahweh. On the eighth day there must be a holy assembly, and you must make a sacrifice offered with fire to Yahweh. This is a solemn assembly, and you must not do any ordinary work.
37
These are the appointed festivals for Yahweh, which you must proclaim as holy assemblies to offer sacrifice by fire to Yahweh, a burnt offering and a grain offering, sacrifices and drink offerings, each on its own day.
38
These festivals will be in addition to the Sabbaths of Yahweh and your gifts, all your vows, and all your freewill offerings that you give to Yahweh.
39
Regarding the Festival of Shelters, on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruits of the land, you must keep this festival of Yahweh for seven days. The first day will be a solemn rest, and the eighth day will also be a solemn rest.
40
On the first day you must take the best fruit from the trees, branches of palm trees, and leafy branches of thick trees, and willows from streams, and you will rejoice before Yahweh your God for seven days.
41
For seven days each year, you must celebrate this festival for Yahweh. This will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations in all the places where you live. You must celebrate this festival in the seventh month.
42
You must live in small shelters for seven days. All who were born in Israel must live in small shelters for seven days,
43
so that your descendants, generation after generation, may learn how I made the people of Israel live in such shelters when I led them out of the land of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God.'"
44
In this way, Moses announced to the people of Israel the appointed festivals for Yahweh.
Leviticus 23:2
the appointed festivals for Yahweh
"the festivals for Yahweh" or "Yahweh's festivals"
Leviticus 23:3
the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest
This is something the people must do habitually. After every six days in which they can work, they must rest on the seventh day.
a holy assembly
"a holy day, when you must assemble together to worship me"
Leviticus 23:4
at their appointed times
"at their proper times"
Leviticus 23:5
first month, on the fourteenth day of the month
The first month of the Hebrew calendar marks when Yahweh brought the Israelites out of Egypt. The fourteenth day is around the beginning of April on the Western calendar.
at twilight
"at sunset"
Leviticus 23:6
the fifteenth day of the same month
The "same month" is the first month of the Hebrew calendar (verse 5). It was in the first month that Yahweh brought the Israelites out of Egypt. The fifteenth day are around the beginning of April on the Western calendar.
Leviticus 23:7
The first day you must set apart to gather together
"You must set apart the first day to gather together" or "You must treat the first day as different and gather together"
Leviticus 23:8
will present a food offering
They would present it to Yahweh by burning it on the altar.
The seventh day is an assembly set apart to Yahweh
"The seventh day is a day when you must assemble together to worship Yahweh"
Leviticus 23:11
for it to be accepted
"for Yahweh to accept it" or "and I will accept it"
Leviticus 23:13
two-tenths of an ephah
"four and a half liters"
a fourth of a hin
"one liter"
Leviticus 23:14
nor roasted or fresh grain
"nor cooked or uncooked grain"
This will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations
This means that they and their descendants must obey this command forever.
Leviticus 23:17
made from two-tenths of an ephah. They must be made from fine flour and baked with yeast
"that you have made from two-tenths of an ephah of flour and then baked with yeast"
Leviticus 23:18
producing a sweet aroma for Yahweh
"Yahweh will be pleased with you" or "that pleases the Yahweh"
Leviticus 23:22
When you reap the harvest of your land, you must not completely reap the corners of your fields
"When you gather your crops, do not gather them all the way to the edges of your fields"
Leviticus 23:24
the seventh month, the first day of that month
This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day is near the middle of September on Western calendars.
a solemn rest
a period of time that was only for worship and not for work
Leviticus 23:25
you must offer a sacrifice made by fire to Yahweh
"you must offer a sacrifice that you make by fire to Yahweh" or "you must burn an offering on the altar to Yahweh"
Leviticus 23:27
tenth day of this seventh month
This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The tenth day is near the end of September on Western calendars.
the Day of Atonement
"the Day of Sacrifice for Forgiveness"
Leviticus 23:29
must be cut off from his people
"must be excluded from his people" or "you must separate that person from his people"
Leviticus 23:30
on that day
"on the Day of Atonement"
Leviticus 23:32
a Sabbath of solemn rest
This is not the same as the Sabbath they observed every week on the seventh day. This was a special Sabbath on the Day of Atonement.
you must humble yourselves
"you must humble yourselves and eat nothing"
the ninth day of the month
"the ninth day of the seventh month"
From evening to evening
"From sunset to sunset on the next day"
Leviticus 23:34
fifteenth day of the seventh month
This is near the beginning of October on Western calendars.
Festival of Shelters
This is a celebration during which the people of Israel lived in temporary shelters for seven days as a way to remember the time they spent living in the wilderness after they left Egypt.
Leviticus 23:37
These are the appointed festivals
This refers to the festivals mentioned in 23:1-36.
Leviticus 23:39
when you have gathered in the fruits
"after you have gathered the crops"
Leviticus 23:40
branches of palm trees ... willows from streams
Possible uses for these branches are 1) to make temporary shelters or 2) to wave them as part of their joyous celebration. Some translations state their use clearly; other translations leave it implicit.
willows
trees with long, narrow leaves, which grow near water
Leviticus 23:43
your descendants, generation after generation, may learn
"your descendants belonging to all future generations may learn" or "all your descendants may learn forever"
Chapter 24
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
2
"Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil beaten from olives to be used in the lamp, that the light may burn continually.
3
Outside the curtain before the covenant decrees in the tent of meeting, Aaron must continually, from evening to morning, keep the lamp lit before Yahweh. This will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations.
4
The high priest must always keep the lamps lit before Yahweh, the lamps on the lampstand of pure gold.
5
You must take fine flour and bake twelve loaves with it. There must be two-tenths of an ephah in each loaf.
6
Then you must set them in two rows, six in a row, on the table of pure gold before Yahweh.
7
You must put pure incense along each row of loaves as a representative offering. This incense will be an offering made by fire for Yahweh.
8
Every Sabbath day the high priest must regularly set out the bread before Yahweh on behalf of the people of Israel, as a sign of an everlasting covenant.
9
This offering will be for Aaron and his sons, and they are to eat it in a place that is holy, for it is a portion from the offerings to Yahweh made by fire."
10
Now it happened that the son of an Israelite woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the people of Israel. This son of the Israelite woman fought against a man of Israel in the camp.
11
The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the name of Yahweh and cursed God, so the people brought him to Moses. His mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, from the tribe of Dan.
12
They held him in custody until Yahweh himself should declare his will to them.
13
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
14
"Take the man who has cursed God outside the camp. All who heard him must lay their hands on his head, and then the entire assembly must stone him.
15
You must explain to the people of Israel and say, 'Whoever curses his God must carry his own sin.
16
He who blasphemes the name of Yahweh must surely be put to death. All the assembly must certainly stone him, whether he is a foreigner or a native-born Israelite. If anyone blasphemes the name of Yahweh, he must be put to death.
17
If anyone strikes down another human being, he must certainly be put to death.
18
If anyone strikes down someone's animal, he must pay it back, life for life.
19
If anyone injures his neighbor, it must be done to him as he did to his neighbor:
20
fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. As he has caused an injury to a person, so must it also be done to him.
21
Anyone who kills an animal must pay it back, and anyone who kills a person must be put to death.
22
You must have the same law for both the foreigner and the native-born Israelite, for I am Yahweh your God.'"
23
So Moses spoke to the people of Israel, and the people brought the man outside the camp, the one who had cursed Yahweh. They stoned him with stones. The people of Israel carried out the command of Yahweh to Moses.
Leviticus 24:2
pure oil beaten from olives
"pure olive oil"
the lamp
"the lamp in the tent of meeting"
Leviticus 24:3
Outside the curtain before the covenant decrees
The phrase "covenant decrees" represents either the tablets that the decrees were written on or the box that the tablets were put in. These were kept in the very holy place, which was the room behind the curtain in the tent of meeting. Alternate translation: "Outside the curtain that is in front of the tablets of the covenant decrees" or "Outside the curtain that is in front of the box of the covenant"
curtain
This was a thick fabric hung as a wall. It was not like a light window curtain.
from evening to morning
"from sunset to sunrise" or "all night"
This will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations
This means that they and their descendants must obey this command forever.
Leviticus 24:5
two-tenths of an ephah
"four and a half liters"
Leviticus 24:6
the table of pure gold before Yahweh
This table is in the holy place, which is before the most holy place.
Leviticus 24:7
as a representative offering
"to represent the loaves as an offering" or "to be an offering that represents the loaves"
This incense will be an offering made by fire for Yahweh
"You will burn this incense as an offering for Yahweh"
Leviticus 24:9
This offering
"This bread that is offered"
for it is a portion from the offerings
"for they took it from the offerings"
Leviticus 24:11
blasphemed the name of Yahweh and cursed God
"blasphemed Yahweh by cursing him" or "said terrible things about Yahweh"
Shelomith
This is the name of a woman.
Dibri
This is the name of a man.
Leviticus 24:14
All who heard him must lay their hands on his head
They were to put their hands on his head to show that he was the guilty one.
Leviticus 24:15
must carry his own sin
"must suffer for his sin" or "must be punished
Leviticus 24:16
must surely be put to death
"the people must surely put him to death" or "the people must surely kill him"
Leviticus 24:17
he must certainly be put to death.
"You must certainly put to death anyone who kills another person"
Leviticus 24:18
must pay it back
"must pay it back by giving him a live animal"
life for life
"one life to replace the other life" or "to replace the one that he killed"
Leviticus 24:19
it must be done to him
"you must do to him"
Leviticus 24:20
fracture for fracture
"broken bone for broken bone" or "If he breaks someone's bone, one of his bones must be broken" or "If he breaks someone's bone, they will break one of his bones"
eye for eye
"If he destroys someone's eye, one of his bones must be destroyed" or "If he destroys someone's eye, they will destroy his eye"
tooth for tooth
"If he knocks out someone's tooth, one of his teeth must be knocked out" or "If he knocks out someone's tooth, they will knock out one of his teeth"
Leviticus 24:21
anyone who kills a person must be put to death
"they must put to death anyone who kills a person"
Leviticus 24:23
carried out the command
"obeyed the command"
Chapter 25
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying,
2
"Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'When you come into the land that I give you, then the land must be made to keep a Sabbath for Yahweh.
3
You must plant your field for six years, and for six years you must prune your vineyard and gather the produce.
4
But in the seventh year, a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land must be observed, a Sabbath for Yahweh. You must not plant your field or prune your vineyard.
5
You must not conduct an organized harvest of whatever grows by itself, and you must not conduct an organized harvest of whatever grapes grow on your unpruned vines. This will be a year of solemn rest for the land.
6
Whatever the unworked land grows during the Sabbath year will be food for you. You, your male and female servants, your hired servants and the foreigners who live with you may gather food,
7
and your livestock and also wild animals may eat whatever the land produces.
8
You must count off seven Sabbaths of years, that is, seven times seven years, so that there will be seven Sabbaths of years, totaling forty-nine years.
9
Then you must blow a loud ram's horn everywhere on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the Day of Atonement you must blow a ram's horn throughout all your land.
10
You must set apart the fiftieth year to Yahweh and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It will be a Jubilee for you, in which property and slaves must be returned to his own clan.
11
The fiftieth year will be a Jubilee for you. You must not plant or conduct an organized harvest, and you must not gather the grapes that grow on the unpruned vines.
12
For it is a Jubilee, which will be holy for you. You must eat the produce that grows by itself out of the fields.
13
You must return everyone to his own property in this year of Jubilee.
14
If you sell any land to your neighbor or buy any land from your neighbor, you must not cheat or wrong each other.
15
If you buy land from your neighbor, consider the number of years and crops that can be harvested until the next Jubilee. Your neighbor selling the land must consider that also.
16
A larger number of years until the next Jubilee will increase the value of land, and a smaller number of years until the next Jubilee will decrease the value, because the number of harvests the land will produce for the new owner is related to the number of years before the next Jubilee.
17
You must not cheat or wrong one another; instead, you must honor your God, for I am Yahweh your God.
18
Therefore you must obey my decrees, keep my laws, and carry them out. Then you will live in the land in safety.
19
The land will yield its produce, and you will eat your fill and live there in safety.
20
You might say, "What will we eat during the seventh year? Look, we cannot plant or gather our produce."
21
I will command my blessing to come upon you in the sixth year, and it will produce harvest enough for three years.
22
You will plant in the eighth year and continue to eat from the previous years' produce and the stored food. Until the harvest of the ninth year comes in, you will be able to eat from the provisions stored in the previous years.
23
The land must not be sold to a new permanent owner, because the land is mine. You are all foreigners and sojourners on my land.
24
You must observe the right of redemption for all the land that you acquire; you must allow the land to be bought back by the family from whom you bought it.
25
If your fellow Israelite became poor and for that reason sold some of his property, then his nearest relative must come and redeem what his brother has sold.
26
If a man has no relative to redeem his property, but if he has prospered and has the ability to redeem it,
27
then he may calculate the years since the land was sold and repay the balance to the man to whom he sold it. Then he may return to his own property.
28
But if he is not able to get the land back for himself, then the land he has sold will remain in the ownership of the one who bought it until the year of Jubilee. At the year of Jubilee, the land will be returned to the man who sold it, and the original owner will return to his property.
29
If a man sells a house in a walled city, then he may buy it back within a whole year after it was sold. For a full year he will have the right of redemption.
30
If the house is not redeemed within a full year, then the house in the walled city will become the permanent property of the buyer throughout his generations. It is not to be returned in the year of Jubilee.
31
But the houses of the villages that have no wall around them will be considered as the field of the land. They may be redeemed, and they must be returned during the year of Jubilee.
32
As for the cities of the Levites, the houses owned by the Levites in the cities they possess may be redeemed at any time.
33
If one of the Levites does not redeem a house he sold, then the house that was sold in the city where it is located must be returned in the year of Jubilee, for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their property among the people of Israel.
34
But the fields around their cities may not be sold because they are the permanent property of the Levites.
35
If your fellow countryman becomes poor, so that he can no longer provide for himself, then you must help him as you would help a foreigner or a sojourner so that he may live among you.
36
Do not take from him interest or usury, but honor your God so that your brother may keep living with you.
37
You must not give him a loan of money and charge interest, nor sell him your food to earn a profit.
38
I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, in order that I might give you the land of Canaan, and that I might be your God.
39
If your fellow countryman has become poor and sells himself to you, you must not make him work like a slave.
40
Treat him as a hired servant. He must be like a sojourner. He will serve with you until the year of Jubilee.
41
Then he will go away from you, he and his children with him, and he will return to his own clan and to his fathers' property.
42
For they are my servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. They will not be sold as slaves.
43
You must not rule over them severely, but you must honor your God.
44
As for your male and female slaves, whom you can obtain from the nations who live around you, you may buy slaves from them.
45
You may also buy slaves from the foreigners who are living among you and from their clans who are with you, who have been born in your land, and they may become your property.
46
You may provide such slaves as an inheritance for your children after you, to hold as property, and make them slaves for life, but you must not rule over your brothers among the people of Israel severely.
47
If a foreigner or someone living temporarily with you has become wealthy, and if one of your fellow Israelites has become poor and sells himself to that foreigner, or to a member of a foreigner's clan,
48
after your fellow Israelite has been bought, he may be bought back. Someone in his family may redeem him.
49
It might be the person's uncle, or his uncle's son, who redeems him, or anyone who is in his clan. Or, if he has become prosperous, he may redeem himself.
50
He must bargain with the man who bought him; they must count the years from the year he sold himself to his purchaser until the year of Jubilee. The price of his redemption must be figured in keeping with the rate paid to a hired servant, for the number of years he might continue to work for the one who bought him.
51
If there are still many years until the year of Jubilee, he must pay back as the price for his redemption an amount of money that is in proportion to the number of those years.
52
If there are only a few years to the year of Jubilee, then he must bargain with his purchaser to reflect the number of years left before the year of Jubilee, and he must pay for his redemption in keeping with the number of years.
53
He is to be to the purchaser like a man hired year by year. The purchaser is not to rule over him severely.
54
If he is not redeemed by these means, then he must serve until the year of Jubilee, he and his children with him.
55
To me the people of Israel are servants. They are my servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God.'"
Leviticus 25:2
the land must be made to keep a Sabbath for Yahweh
"you must obey the Sabbath law by letting the land rest every seventh year for Yahweh" or "you must obey Yahweh's Sabbath by not farming the land every seventh year"
Leviticus 25:3
prune your vineyard
To prune a vineyard is to cut the branches and vines to help the fruit grow better.
Leviticus 25:4
a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land must be observed
"you must observe a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land" or "you must obey the Sabbath law by not farming the land every seventh year"
Leviticus 25:5
You must not conduct ... for the land
Yahweh will not allow the owner of a field to organize his workers and harvest the land as he does the other six years. However, Yahweh will allow individuals to go through the fields to pick and eat the fruit they find.
your unpruned vines
"your vines that you do not prune"
Leviticus 25:6
Whatever the unworked land grows
"whatever grows on the unworked land"
the unworked land
"your gardens that you do not tend"
Leviticus 25:7
whatever the land produces
"whatever grows on the land"
Leviticus 25:8
there will be seven Sabbaths of years
"they will be seven sets of seven years"
Leviticus 25:9
the tenth day of the seventh month
This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The tenth day is near the end of September on Western calendars.
the Day of Atonement
On this day each year the high priest would make a sacrifice to Yahweh so that Yahweh would forgive all the sins of the people of Israel.
Leviticus 25:10
a Jubilee for you
The Jubilee was a year when the Jews had to return land to its' original owners and set slaves free. Alternate translation: "a year of restoration for you" or "a year for you to return land and free slaves"
property and slaves must be returned
"you must return property and slaves"
Leviticus 25:11
a Jubilee for you
"a year for you to return the land to me"
Leviticus 25:12
You must eat the produce that grows by itself out of the fields
Yahweh did not allow the land owner to organize his workers and harvest the land as he did the other six years. However, he did allow individuals to go through the fields and eat what they find.
Leviticus 25:13
this year of Jubilee
"this year of restoration" or "this year to return land and free slaves"
Leviticus 25:15
that can be harvested
"that you can harvest"
the next Jubilee
"the next year of restoration" or "the next year to return land"
Leviticus 25:18
obey my decrees, keep my laws, and carry them out
All of these phrases mean basically the same thing. They emphasize that the people must obey everything Yahweh says.
Leviticus 25:19
you will eat your fill
"you will eat till you are full" or "you will eat plenty"
Leviticus 25:20
You might say
Here "You" refers to the people of Israel.
Leviticus 25:21
I will command my blessing to come upon you
"I will send my blessing on you" or "I will bless you"
Leviticus 25:22
from the provisions stored
"from the food you store"
Leviticus 25:23
The land must not be sold to a new permanent owner
"You must not sell your land permanently to another person"
Leviticus 25:24
You must observe the right of redemption
"You must remember that the original owner has the right to redeem the land whenever he wants"
you must allow the land to be bought back by the family from whom you bought it
"you must allow the family from whom you bought the land to buy it back"
Leviticus 25:27
the land was sold
"he sold the land"
repay the balance to the man to whom he sold it
"repay to the purchaser who bought it the money the purchaser would have made"
Leviticus 25:28
will return to his property
"will go back to his land"
Leviticus 25:29
after it was sold
"after he sold it"
the right of redemption
"the right to redeem it"
Leviticus 25:30
If the house is not redeemed
"If he or his family does not redeem the house"
the buyer throughout his generations
"the buyer and his descendants"
It is not to be returned
"The man who bought that house will not have to return it"
Leviticus 25:31
But the houses of the villages that have no wall
Some villages did not have a wall around them.
Leviticus 25:32
the houses owned by the Levites in the cities they possess
"the houses that the Levites own in their cities"
may be redeemed at any time
"the Levites may redeem them at any time"
Leviticus 25:33
the house that was sold in the city where it is located must be returned
"the one who bought the house in the city where it is located must return it"
the year of Jubilee
"the year of restoration" or "the year to return land and free slaves"
their property among the people of Israel
The land of Canaan was divided up among the people of Israel, but of that land, the Levites were only given 48 cities with the fields around them. Alternate translation: "their part of the land that the Israelites possessed" or "their property in the land of Israel"
Leviticus 25:34
But the fields around their cities may not be sold
"But the Levites must not sell the fields around their cities"
Leviticus 25:36
Do not take from him interest or usury
"Do not require him to pay back any more than you lent him"
Leviticus 25:39
you must not make him work like a slave
The owner was to treat the Israelite with more respect than he would treat a slave.
Leviticus 25:40
Treat him as a hired servant
The owner was to treat the Israelite with more respect than he would treat a slave.
Leviticus 25:42
they are my servants
"your fellow countrymen are my servants"
They will not be sold as slaves
"You must not sell them as slaves"
Leviticus 25:44
you may buy slaves from them
"you may buy slaves from those nations"
Leviticus 25:48
after your fellow Israelite has been bought, he may be bought back. Someone in his family may redeem him
"after the foreigner buys your fellow Israelite, someone in the Israelite's family may buy him back"
Leviticus 25:50
until the year of Jubilee
An Israelite could be a slave only until the year of Jubilee. These instructions are for when an Israelite wanted to buy back his freedom before the year of Jubilee.
The price of his redemption must be figured
"They must figure the price of his redemption" or "They must figure how much to pay for the foreigner to set the Israelite free"
in keeping with the rate paid to a hired servant
"according to the rate a person would pay to hire a servant"
for the number of years he might continue to work
"for the number of years until the jubilee that the Israelite would have continued to work but will not"
Leviticus 25:51
he must pay back
"the Israelite slave must pay back"
Leviticus 25:53
rule over him severely
"rule over him in a way that harms him" or "treat him badly"
Leviticus 25:54
If he is not redeemed by these means
"If no one redeems him by these means from the one who bought him as a slave"
by these means
"in this way"
he must serve until the year of Jubilee, he and his children with him
The Israelite slave and his children would serve the foreigner until the year of Jubilee, and then the foreigner would have to set the Israelite and his children free.
Leviticus 25:55
To me the people of Israel are servants
"For it is to me that the people of Israel are servants." This is the reason that God wanted the Israelites to be set free in the year of jubilee. They were his servants. They were not permitted to be anyone else's permanent slave.
Chapter 26
1
"You must make no idols, and you must not lift up a carved figure or a sacred stone pillar, and you must not place any carved stone image in your land to which you bow down, for I am Yahweh your God.
2
You must keep my Sabbaths and honor my sanctuary. I am Yahweh.
3
If you walk in my laws and keep my commandments and obey them,
4
then I will give you rain in its season; the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will yield their fruit.
5
Your threshing will continue to the time of the grape harvest, and the grape harvest will extend to the planting season. You will eat your bread to the full and live safely where you make your home in the land.
6
I will give peace in the land; you will lie down with nothing to make you afraid. I will take the dangerous animals away from the land, and the sword will not pass through your land.
7
You will chase your enemies, and they will fall before you by the sword.
8
Five of you will chase away a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand; your enemies will fall before you by the sword.
9
I will look at you with favor and make you fruitful and multiply you; I will establish my covenant with you.
10
You will eat food stored a long time. You will have to bring out the stored food because you will need the room for the new harvest.
11
I will place my tabernacle among you, and I will not detest you.
12
I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.
13
I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, so that you would not be their slaves. I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you to walk standing up straight.
14
But if you will not listen to me, and will not obey all these commandments,
15
and if you reject my decrees and detest my laws, so that you will not obey all my commandments, but break my covenant—
16
if you do these things, then I will do this to you: I will inflict terror on you, diseases and fever that will destroy the eyes and will drain away your life. You will plant your seeds in vain, because your enemies will eat their produce.
17
I will set my face against you, and you will be overpowered by your enemies. Men who hate you will rule over you, and you will run away, even when no one is chasing you.
18
If after all this you do not listen to me, then I will punish you seven times as severely for your sins.
19
I will break your pride in your power. I will make the sky over you like iron and your land like bronze.
20
Your strength will be used up in vain, because your land will not produce its harvest, and your trees in the land will not produce their fruit.
21
If you walk against me and will not listen to me, I will bring seven times more blows on you, in proportion to your sins.
22
I will send wild animals against you, which will rob you of your children, destroy your livestock, and make you so few in number that your roads will be desolate.
23
If in spite of these things you still do not accept my correction and you continue to walk in opposition to me,
24
then I will also walk in opposition to you, and I myself will punish you seven times because of your sins.
25
I will bring a sword on you that will execute vengeance for breaking the covenant. You will be gathered together inside your cities, and I will send a plague among you there, and then you will be delivered into the hand of your enemy.
26
When I cut off your staff of food, ten women will be able to bake your bread in one oven, and they will distribute your bread by weight. You will eat but not be satisfied.
27
If you do not listen to me despite these things, but continue to walk against me,
28
then I will walk against you in anger, and I will punish you even seven more times as much for your sins.
29
You will eat the flesh of your sons; you will eat the flesh of your daughters.
30
I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and throw your corpses on the corpses of your idols, and I myself will abhor you.
31
I will turn your cities into ruins and destroy your sacred places. I will not be pleased with the aroma of your offerings.
32
I will devastate the land. Your enemies who will live there will be shocked at the devastation.
33
I will scatter you among the nations, and I will draw out my sword and follow you. Your land will be devastated, and your cities will be ruined.
34
Then the land will enjoy its Sabbaths for as long as it lies desolate and you are in your enemies' lands. During that time, the land will rest and enjoy its Sabbaths.
35
As long as it lies desolate, it will have rest, which will be the rest that it did not have with your Sabbaths, when you lived in it.
36
As for those of you who are left in your enemies' lands, I will send fear into your hearts so that even the sound of a leaf blowing in the wind will startle you, and you will flee as though you were fleeing from the sword. You will fall, even when no one is chasing you.
37
You will stumble over each other as though you were running from the sword, even though no one is chasing you. You will have no power to stand before your enemies.
38
You will perish among the nations, and your enemies' land will itself devour you.
39
Those who are left among you will waste away in their iniquity, there in your enemies' lands, and because of their fathers' iniquities they will waste away as well.
40
Yet if they confess their iniquity and their fathers' iniquity, and the unfaithfulness that they committed against me, and also their walking against me—
41
which caused me to turn against them and I brought them into the land of their enemies—if their uncircumcised hearts become humbled, and if they accept the punishment for their sins,
42
then will I call to mind my covenant with Jacob, my covenant with Isaac, and my covenant with Abraham; also, I will call the land to mind.
43
The land will be abandoned by them, so it will be pleased with its Sabbaths while it lies desolate without them. They will have to pay the penalty for their iniquity because they themselves rejected my decrees and detested my laws.
44
Yet despite all this, when they are in their enemies' land, I will not reject them, neither will I detest them so as to completely destroy them and do away with my covenant with them, for I am Yahweh their God.
45
But for their sakes I will call to mind the covenant with their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, so that I might be their God. I am Yahweh."
46
These are the commandments, decrees, and laws that Yahweh made between himself and the people of Israel at Mount Sinai through Moses.
Leviticus 26:2
keep my Sabbaths
"obey the rules for my Sabbaths"
Leviticus 26:3
walk in my laws and keep my commandments and obey them
"If you carefully obey my laws and commands"
walk in my laws
"If you behave according to my laws" or "if you live according to my laws"
Leviticus 26:5
will eat your bread to the full
"will eat food until you are full" or "will have plenty of food to eat"
Leviticus 26:6
I will give peace in the land
"I will cause there to be peace in the land"
the sword will not pass through your land
"no armies will attack you"
Leviticus 26:7
they will fall before you by the sword
"they will die when you attack them with the sword" or "you will kill them in battle"
Leviticus 26:8
Five of you will chase away a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand
This means the Israelites will have victory against larger armies.
Leviticus 26:9
I will look at you with favor
"I will show you favor" or "I will bless you"
make you fruitful and multiply you
These two phrases refer to God causing them to have many descendants so they become a large group.
make you fruitful
"cause you to have many children"
Leviticus 26:10
You will eat food stored a long time
"You will have enough food stored to eat for a long time" or "you will have enough food to store and eat it for a long time"
Leviticus 26:11
I will place my tabernacle among you
"I will put my dwelling place among you"
I will not detest you
"I will accept you"
Leviticus 26:12
I will walk among you
"I will live with you"
Leviticus 26:13
I have broken the bars of your yoke
"I have set you free from the hard labor they made you do"
Leviticus 26:16
if you do these things
The phrase "these things" refers to the things listed in Leviticus 26:14-15.
I will inflict terror on you
"I will send disasters that will terrify you"
will drain away your life
"will slowly take away your life" or "will slowly make you die." It is the diseases and the fever that will do this.
You will plant your seeds in vain
"You will plant your seeds, but you will not get anything from them"
Leviticus 26:17
I will set my face against you
"I have made up my mind to oppose you"
you will be overpowered by your enemies
"your enemies will defeat you"
Leviticus 26:18
seven times
Here "seven times" is not literal. It means Yahweh will increase the severity of his punishment.
Leviticus 26:19
I will break your pride in your power
"I will punish you and so end the pride that you feel about your power" or "I will punish you so that you will no longer be proud of your power"
I will make the sky over you like iron and your land like bronze
This means God will stop the rain from falling from the sky. This will make the ground hard so that people cannot plant seed or grow crops.
Leviticus 26:20
Your strength will be used up in vain
"You will work very hard in vain" or "You will work very hard, but you will not receive anything good from working so hard"
Leviticus 26:21
walk against me
"rebel against me"
I will bring seven times more blows on you
"I will cause seven times as many disasters to come against you" or "I will punish you seven times more severely"
seven times
Here "seven times" is not literal. It means Yahweh will increase the severity of his punishment.
in proportion to your sins
"according to how much you have sinned"
Leviticus 26:22
which will rob you of your children
"which will kill your children"
your roads will be desolate
"no one will travel on your roads"
Leviticus 26:23
If in spite of these things
"If when I punish you like this" or "If I discipline you like this and"
you still do not accept my correction
"you still do not listen to my correction" or "you still do not obey me"
walk in opposition to me
"oppose me" or "fight against me"
Leviticus 26:24
because of your sins
"because you continue to sin against me"
Leviticus 26:25
I will bring a sword on you
"I will bring an enemy army against you" or "I will cause an enemy army to attack you"
that will execute vengeance
"that will punish you"
for breaking the covenant
"for disobeying the covenant" or "because you disobey the covenant"
You will be gathered together
"You will gather together" or "You will hide"
you will be delivered into the hand of your enemy
"I will deliver you into the hand of your enemy" or "I will allow your enemy to control you"
Leviticus 26:26
When I cut off your staff of food
"When I stop you from being able to get food" or "When I make it impossible for you to get the food you depend on"
ten women will be able to bake your bread in one oven
This implies that there will be so little flour that one small oven will be able to hold all the bread that many women can put into it.
they will distribute your bread by weight
This means there will be so little food that they will have to measure how much each person gets.
Leviticus 26:27
If you do not listen to me
"If you do not obey me"
to walk against me
"to oppose me" or "to fight against me"
Leviticus 26:28
I will walk against you
"I will oppose you"
Leviticus 26:30
I will destroy ... cut down ... throw your corpses
"I will send an enemy army to destroy ... cut down ... throw your corpses"
your corpses
"your dead bodies"
the corpses of your idols
"your lifeless idols"
Leviticus 26:31
I will turn your cities into ruins and destroy your sacred places
"I will send enemy armies to turn your cities into ruins and destroy your sacred places"
your sacred places
These were places where people worshiped idols instead of God.
I will not be pleased with the aroma of your offerings
"You will burn offerings, but I will not be pleased with you"
Leviticus 26:33
I will draw out my sword and follow you
"I will send enemy armies to attack you" or "I will send enemy armies to attack you with their swords"
Your land will be devastated, and your cities will be ruined
"Your enemies will devastate your land and destroy your cities"
Leviticus 26:34
Then the land will enjoy its Sabbaths
"Then the land will rest according to the Sabbath law" or "Then, as required by the Sabbath law, the land will not be farmed"
Leviticus 26:35
it will have rest
"it will not be farmed"
Leviticus 26:36
I will send fear into your hearts
"I will make you terribly afraid"
as though you were fleeing from the sword
"as though you were fleeing from someone who was chasing you with a sword" or "as though you were fleeing from an enemy army"
Leviticus 26:37
as though you were running from the sword
"as though you were running away from someone who was chasing you with a sword" or "as though you were running away from an enemy army"
to stand before your enemies
"to resist your enemies when they attack you" or "to fight back against your enemies"
Leviticus 26:38
your enemies' land will itself devour you
"you will die in your enemies' land"
Leviticus 26:39
Those who are left among you
"Those of you who do not die"
waste away in their iniquity
Wasting away in their sins represents wasting away because of their sins.
their fathers' iniquities
Here "their fathers" represents their ancestors.
Leviticus 26:41
to turn against them
"to oppose them"
if their uncircumcised hearts become humbled
"if they will be humble instead of stubbornly disobedient"
Leviticus 26:42
then will I call to mind my covenant with Jacob, my covenant with Isaac, and my covenant with Abraham
"then I will fulfill the covenant I made with Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham"
I will call the land to mind
"I will fulfill my promise about the land"
Leviticus 26:43
The land will be abandoned by them
"The people of Israel will abandon their land"
so it will be pleased with its Sabbaths
"so it will benefit from the Sabbaths"
Leviticus 26:45
I will call to mind the covenant with their ancestors
"I will fulfill the covenant with their ancestors"
in the sight of the nations
"in the knowledge of the nations" or "and the nations knew about it"
the nations
"the people of the nations"
Chapter 27
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
2
"Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'If anyone makes a special vow to Yahweh, use the following valuations.
3
Your standard value for a male from twenty to sixty years old must be fifty shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary.
4
For a female of the same ages your standard value must be thirty shekels.
5
From five years to twenty years old your standard value for a male must be twenty shekels, and for the female ten shekels.
6
From one month old to five years your standard value for a male must be five shekels of silver, and for a female three shekels of silver.
7
From sixty years old and up for a male your standard value must be fifteen shekels, and for a female ten shekels.
8
But if the person making the vow cannot pay the standard value, then the person being given must be presented to the priest, and the priest will value that person by the amount the one making the vow is able to afford.
9
If what is vowed is an animal that people can give as an offering to Yahweh, any part of that animal that is given to Yahweh becomes holy.
10
The person must not exchange it or substitute a good one for a bad one, or a bad for a good one. If he substitutes one animal for another, both it and the substitute become holy.
11
However, if what is vowed is an unclean animal that people cannot give as an offering to Yahweh, then the person must bring the animal to the priest.
12
The priest will value it, by the market value of the animal. Whatever value the priest places on the animal, that will be its value.
13
If the owner wishes to redeem it, then a fifth of its value is to be added to its redemption price.
14
When a man sets apart his house as a holy gift to Yahweh, then the priest will set its value as either good or bad. Whatever the priest values it, so it will be.
15
But if the owner who set apart his home wishes to redeem it, he must add a fifth of its value to its redemption price, and it will belong to him.
16
If a man sets apart to Yahweh some of the fields of his property, then the valuation of it will be in proportion to the amount of seed required to plant it—a homer of barley will be valued at fifty shekels of silver.
17
If he sets apart his field during the year of Jubilee, the valuation of it will stand.
18
But if he sets apart his field after the year of Jubilee, then the priest must calculate the value of the field by the number of years that remain until the next year of Jubilee, and the valuation of it must be reduced.
19
If the man who set apart the field wishes to redeem it, then he must add a fifth to the valuation, and it will belong to him.
20
If he does not redeem the field, or if he has sold the field to another man, it cannot be redeemed any more.
21
Rather, the field, when it is released in the year of Jubilee, will be a holy gift to Yahweh, like the field that has been completely given to Yahweh. It will belong to the priest.
22
If a man sets apart a field that he has bought, but that field is not part of his family's land,
23
then the priest will figure the valuation of it up to the year of Jubilee, and the man must pay its value on that day as a holy gift to Yahweh.
24
In the year of Jubilee, the field will return to the man from whom it was bought, to the one whose property the land is.
25
All the valuations must be set by the weight of the sanctuary shekel. Twenty gerahs must be the equivalent of one shekel.
26
No one may set apart the firstborn among animals, since the firstborn already belongs to Yahweh; whether ox or sheep, it is Yahweh's.
27
If it is an unclean animal, then the owner may buy it back at the valuation of it, and a fifth must be added to that value. If the animal is not redeemed, then it is to be sold at the set value.
28
But nothing that a man devotes to Yahweh, from all that he has, whether man or animal, or his family land, may be sold or redeemed. Everything that is devoted is very holy to Yahweh.
29
No ransom may be paid for the person who is devoted for destruction. That person must be put to death.
30
All the tithe of the land, whether grain grown on the land or fruit from the trees, is Yahweh's. It is holy to Yahweh.
31
If a man redeems any of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value.
32
As for every tenth of the herd or the flock, whatever passes under the shepherd's rod, one-tenth must be set apart to Yahweh.
33
The shepherd must not search for the better or the worse animals, and he must not substitute one for another. If he changes it at all, then both it and that for which it is changed will be holy. It cannot be redeemed.'"
34
These are the commandments that Yahweh gave at Mount Sinai to Moses for the people of Israel.
Leviticus 27:2
If anyone makes a special vow to Yahweh
"If anyone vows to give someone to Yahweh"
use the following valuations
"use the following values as your gift to the Lord in place of the person" or "give the Lord the following amounts of silver instead of the person"
Leviticus 27:3
Your standard value
"The amount to pay" or "You must pay"
fifty shekels of silver
"fifty pieces of silver, each of which weighs ten grams" or "five hundred grams of silver"
after the shekel of the sanctuary
"Use the kind of shekel that is used in the sanctuary" or "When you weigh the silver, use the weight that is used in the sanctuary"
Leviticus 27:5
for the female ten shekels
"for the female of that age your standard value must be ten shekels"
Leviticus 27:7
sixty years old and up
"sixty years old and older"
Leviticus 27:8
the person being given must be presented to the priest
"he must present to the priest the person he is giving"
Leviticus 27:9
any part of that animal that is given to Yahweh becomes holy
"you must set apart to Yahweh any part of that animal that that person has given to Yahweh"
Leviticus 27:10
both it and the substitute
"both it and the one he exchanges it for" or "both animals"
Leviticus 27:11
is an unclean animal that people cannot give as an offering to Yahweh
"is in fact one that Yahweh will not accept because it is unclean"
Leviticus 27:12
market value
This is the value the animal is normally worth when someone buys or sells it.
Leviticus 27:13
wishes to redeem it
"wishes to buy it back"
Leviticus 27:15
he must add a fifth of its value to its redemption price
"he must divide the value of the house into five equal parts, add the amount equal to one of those parts, and pay all of it"
Leviticus 27:16
a homer of barley will be valued at
"a piece of land that requires one homer of barley in order to plant all of it will be valued at" or 'the value of land that requires one homer of barley will be"
homer
A homer is 220 liters.
Leviticus 27:17
the year of Jubilee
This occurs every 50 years.
the valuation of it will stand
"its value will remain the same" or "its value will be the full amount"
Leviticus 27:18
the valuation of it must be reduced
"he must reduce the estimated value"
Leviticus 27:20
If he does not redeem the field
If he does not redeem the field before the year of Jubilee"
it cannot be redeemed any more
"he can no longer buy it back"
Leviticus 27:21
in the year of Jubilee
"in the year of restoration" or "the year for you to return land and free slaves." This was a year when the Jews had to return land to its original owners and set slaves free.
that has been completely given to Yahweh
"that someone has completely given to Yahweh"
Leviticus 27:24
the man from whom it was bought ... the one whose property the land is
These two phases refer to the same person. Normally the land would be bought from its owner.
Leviticus 27:25
All the valuations must be set
"The priests must determine the estimated values"
by the weight of the sanctuary shekel
There were shekels of different weights. This is the one that people had to use in the sanctuary of the sacred tent.
Twenty gerahs must be the equivalent of one shekel
"One shekel must equal twenty gerahs"
Leviticus 27:26
No one may set apart
"No one may set apart to Yahweh"
Leviticus 27:27
If the animal is not redeemed
"If the person does not buy back the animal"
Leviticus 27:29
No ransom may be paid
"No one may pay a ransom"
for the person who is devoted for destruction
"for any person whom Yahweh has determined should die because of his sin"
That person must be put to death
"you must put that person to death" or "you must kill that person"
Leviticus 27:31
If a man redeems any of his tithe
"If a man wants to buy back any of his tithe"
Leviticus 27:32
whatever passes under the shepherd's rod
"when you count your animals by raising your shepherd rod and having them walk under it to the other side" or "when you count the animals"
one-tenth
"every tenth animal"
Leviticus 27:33
then both it and that for which it is changed
"then both animals"
It cannot be redeemed
"He cannot redeem it" or "He cannot buy it back"
Leviticus 27:34
These are the commandments
This is a summary statement. It refers to the commandments that were given in the past chapters.
Numbers
Chapter 1
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses in the tent of meeting in the wilderness of Sinai. This happened on the first day of the second month during the second year after the people of Israel had come out from the land of Egypt. Yahweh said,
2
"Conduct a census of the whole congregation of the men of Israel by their clans, by their ancestral households. Number them by name. Count all the males man by man,
3
who is twenty years old or older. Count all who can fight as soldiers for Israel. You and Aaron must record the number of men in their armed groups.
4
A man from each tribe, a clan head, must serve with you as his tribe's leader. Each leader must lead the men who will fight for his ancestors' household.
5
These are the names of the leaders who must fight with you:
From the tribe of Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur;
6
from the tribe of Simeon, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai;
7
from the tribe of Judah, Nahshon son of Amminadab;
8
from the tribe of Issachar, Nethanel son of Zuar;
9
from the tribe of Zebulun, Eliab son of Helon;
10
from the tribe of Ephraim son of Joseph, Elishama son of Ammihud;
from the tribe of Manasseh, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur;
11
from the tribe of Benjamin, Abidan son of Gideoni;
12
from the tribe of Dan, Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai;
13
from the tribe of Asher, Pagiel son of Okran;
14
from the tribe of Gad, Eliasaph son of Deuel;
15
and from the tribe of Naphtali, Ahira son of Enan."
16
These were the men appointed from the people. They led their ancestors' tribes. They were the leaders of the clans in Israel.
17
Moses and Aaron took these men, who were recorded by name,
18
and they assembled the whole community together on the first day of the second month. The men twenty years old and older registered their ancestry by name, by their clans, by their ancestral households. They were numbered man by man.
19
Then Moses recorded their numbers in the wilderness of Sinai, as Yahweh had commanded him to do.
20
From the descendants of Reuben, Israel's firstborn, from the records, by their clans, by their ancestral households, the names of all the men twenty years old or older, able to go to war, were counted man by man.
21
They counted 46,500 men from the tribe of Reuben.
22
From the descendants of Simeon, from the records, by their clans, by their ancestral households, the names of all the mustered men twenty years old or older, able to go to war, were counted man by man.
23
They counted 59,300 men from the tribe of Simeon.
24
From the descendants of Gad, from the records, by their clans, by their ancestral households, the names of all the men twenty years old or older, able to go to war, were counted.
25
They counted 45,650 men from the tribe of Gad.
26
From the descendants of Judah, from the records, by their clans, by their ancestral households, the names of all the men twenty years old or older, able to go to war, were counted.
27
They counted 74,600 men from the tribe of Judah.
28
From the descendants of Issachar, from the records, by their clans, by their ancestral households, the names of all the men twenty years old or older, able to go to war, were counted.
29
They counted 54,400 men from the tribe of Issachar.
30
From the descendants of Zebulun, from the records, by their clans, by their ancestral households, the names of all the men twenty years old or older, able to go to war, were counted.
31
They counted 57,400 men from the tribe of Zebulun.
32
From the descendants of Ephraim son of Joseph, from the records, by their clans, by their ancestral households, the names of all the men twenty years old or older, able to go to war, were counted.
33
They counted 40,500 men from the tribe of Ephraim.
34
From the descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph, from the records, by their clans, by their ancestral households, the names of all the men twenty years old or older, able to go to war, were counted.
35
They counted 32,200 men from the tribe of Manasseh.
36
From the descendants of Benjamin, from the records, by their clans, by their ancestral households, the names of all the men twenty years old or older, able to go to war, were counted.
37
They counted 35,400 men from the tribe of Benjamin.
38
From the descendants of Dan, from the records, by their clans, by their ancestral households, the names of all the men twenty years old or older, able to go to war, were counted.
39
They counted 62,700 from the tribe of Dan.
40
From the descendants of Asher, from the records, by their clans, by their ancestral households, the names of all the men twenty years old or older, able to go to war, were counted.
41
They counted 41,500 men from the tribe of Asher.
42
From the descendants of Naphtali, from the genealogical records, by their clans, by their ancestral households, the names of all the men twenty years old or older, able to go to war, were counted.
43
They counted 53,400 from the tribe of Naphtali.
44
Moses and Aaron counted all these men, together with the twelve men who were leading Israel, each from his ancestor's household.
45
So all the men of Israel from twenty years old and older, all who could fight in war, were counted in each of their ancestral households.
46
They counted 603,550 men.
47
But the Levites were not counted according to their ancestors' tribes
48
because Yahweh had said to Moses,
49
"You must not count the tribe of Levi or include them in the total of the people of Israel.
50
Rather, assign the Levites to care for the tabernacle of the covenant decrees, and to care for all the furnishings in the tabernacle and for everything in it. The Levites must carry the tabernacle, and they must carry the tabernacle's furnishings. They must care for the tabernacle and make their camp around it.
51
When the tabernacle is to move to another place, the Levites must take it down. When the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites must set it up. Any stranger who comes near the tabernacle must be killed.
52
When the people of Israel set up their tents, each man must do so near the banner that belongs to his armed group.
53
However, the Levites must set up their tents around the tabernacle of the covenant decrees so that my anger does not come upon the people of Israel. The Levites must perform the duties of the tabernacle of the covenant decrees."
54
The people of Israel did all these things. They did everything that Yahweh commanded through Moses.
Numbers 1:1
Yahweh
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
the first day of the second month
This is the second month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day is near the middle of April on Western calendars.
the second year
"year 2"
Numbers 1:2
males man by man
"males, one by one" or "males, head by head" or "males, each one". They counted how many men of military age were in each tribe of Israel. These men would also become the heads of families. It is possible the numbers in this chapter are rounded to the nearest 100.
Numbers 1:3
twenty years old
"20 years old"
record the number of men in their armed groups
This refers to assigning the men to their military divisions.
Numbers 1:4
a clan head
"a leader of a clan"
serve with you
"help you"
Numbers 1:5
Elizur ... Shedeur
These are names of men.
Numbers 1:6
Shelumiel ... Zurishaddai
These are names of men.
Numbers 1:7
General Information:
Yahweh continues to list the leaders of the tribes to Moses.
Numbers 1:16
the men appointed
"the men whom Yahweh appointed"
Numbers 1:17
took these men
"gathered these men together"
who were recorded by name
"whose names they had recorded"
Numbers 1:18
the first day of the second month
This is the second month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day is near the middle of April on Western calendars. See how you translated this in Numbers 1:1.
man by man
"one by one" or "head by head"
Numbers 1:20
the names of all the men twenty years old or older, able to go to war, were counted
"they counted by name all the men twenty years old or older, able to go to war"
older, able to go to war, were
"older—men who were able to go to war—were"
counted man by man
"counted one by one" or "counted head by head"
Numbers 1:21
46,500 men
"forty-six thousand five hundred men"
Numbers 1:22
the names of all the mustered men twenty years old or older, able to go to war, were counted
"they counted by name all the mustered men twenty years old or older, able to go to war, by"
mustered men
"men they had called to fight"
Numbers 1:23
59,300 men
"fifty-nine thousand three hundred men"
Numbers 1:27
74,600 men
"seventy-four thousand six hundred men"
Numbers 1:29
54,400 men
"fifty-four thousand four hundred men"
Numbers 1:30
older, able to go to war, were
"older—men who were able to go to war—were."
Numbers 1:31
57,400 men
"fifty-seven thousand four hundred men"
Numbers 1:33
40,500 men
"forty thousand five hundred men"
Numbers 1:35
32,200 men
"thirty-two thousand two hundred men"
Numbers 1:37
35,400 men
"thirty-five thousand four hundred men"
Numbers 1:39
They counted 62,700
"They counted sixty-two thousand seven hundred"
Numbers 1:41
They counted 41,500
"They counted forty-one thousand five hundred"
Numbers 1:43
They counted 53,400
"They counted fifty-three thousand four hundred"
Numbers 1:45
So all the men of Israel ... were counted in each of their ancestral households
"So they counted all the men of Israel ... in each of their ancestors' households". This long phrase is repeated multiple times in the census. See how you translated it in Numbers 1:20.
Numbers 1:46
603,550 men
"six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty men"
Numbers 1:47
the Levites were not counted
"Moses and Aaron did not count the Levites"
Numbers 1:49
must not count the tribe of Levi
"must not count the men of the tribe of Levi"
Numbers 1:50
the tabernacle of the covenant decrees
The tabernacle was also called by this longer name because the ark with the law of God was placed inside it.
everything in it
Here "it" refers to the tabernacle.
The Levites must carry the tabernacle
"When you travel, the Levites must carry the tabernacle"
make their camp around it
"set up their tents around it"
Numbers 1:51
When the tabernacle is to be set up
"When it is time to set up the tabernacle"
Any stranger ... must be killed
"Any stranger ... must die" or "You must kill any stranger who comes near the tabernacle"
Numbers 1:52
the banner
a large flag
his armed group
"his military division"
Numbers 1:53
the tabernacle of the covenant decrees
The tabernacle was also called by this longer name because the ark with the law of God was placed inside it.
so that my anger does not come upon the people of Israel
"so that in my anger I do not punish the people of Israel". Here Yahweh speaks of not punishing the Israelites as his anger not coming upon them. The phrase "come upon" refers to his anger being applied to them.
perform the duties of the tabernacle
"do all the work connected to the tabernacle" or "take care of everything connected to the tabernacle"
Numbers 1:54
Yahweh commanded through Moses
Yahweh had commanded Moses everything that the Israelites were to do, and then Moses had commanded the Israelites.
Chapter 2
1
Yahweh spoke again to Moses and Aaron. He said,
2
"Each one of the people of Israel must camp around his standard, with the banners of their fathers' houses. They will camp around the tent of meeting on every side.
3
Those will be camping on the east of the tent of meeting, where the sun rises, they are the camp of Judah by their armed groups, and they are camping under their standard. Nahshon son of Amminadab is the leader of the people of Judah.
4
The number of the host of the people of Judah is 74,600.
5
The tribe of Issachar must camp next to Judah. Nethanel son of Zuar must lead the army of Issachar.
6
The number of the host of the people of Issachar is 54,400 men.
7
The tribe of Zebulun must camp next to Issachar. Eliab son of Helon must lead the army of Zebulun.
8
The number of the host of the people of Zebulun is 57,400.
9
All the number of the camp of Judah is 186,400. They will set out first.
10
On the south side will be the camp of Reuben under their standard. The leader of the camp of Reuben is Elizur son of Shedeur.
11
The number of the host of the people of Reuben is 46,500.
12
Simeon is camping next to Reuben. The leader of the tribe of Simeon is Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.
13
The number of the host of the people of Simeon is 59,300.
14
The tribe of Gad is next. The leader of the people of Gad is Eliasaph son of Deuel.
15
The number of the host of the people of Gad is 45,650.
16
The number of all the men assigned to the camp of Reuben, according to their divisions, is 151,450. They will set out second.
17
Next, the tent of meeting must go out from the camp with the Levites in the middle of all the camps. They must go out from the camp in the same order as they come into the camp. Every man must be in his place, by his banner.
18
On the west side will be the divisions of the camp of Ephraim under their standard. The leader of the people of Ephraim is Elishama son of Ammihud.
19
The number of the host of the people of Ephraim is 40,500.
20
Next to them is the tribe of Manasseh. The leader of Manasseh is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.
21
The number of the host of the people of Manasseh is 32,200.
22
Next will be the tribe of Benjamin. The leader of Benjamin is Abidan son of Gideoni.
23
The number of the host of the people of Benjamin is 35,400.
24
All those numbered in the camp of Ephraim is 108,100. They will set out third.
25
On the north will be the divisions of the camp of Dan. The leader of the people of Dan is Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.
26
The number the host of the people of Dan is 62,700.
27
The people of the tribe of Asher camp next to Dan. The leader of Asher is Pagiel son of Okran.
28
The number the host of the people of Asher is 41,500.
29
The tribe of Naphtali is next. The leader of Naphtali is Ahira son of Enan.
30
The number of the host of the people of Naphtali is 53,400.
31
All those numbered in the camp with Dan is 157,600. They will go out from the camp last, under their banner."
32
These are the descendants of Israel, numbered according to their ancestral households. All those counted in their camps, by their divisions, are 603,550.
33
But the Levites were not counted along with the people of Israel, as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
34
The people of Israel did everything that Yahweh commanded Moses. They camped by their banners. They went out from the camp by their clans, in the order of their ancestor's households.
Numbers 2:2
around his standard
The "standards" were four larger groups that the tribes were divided into. Each standard was commanded to camp together. The standards was represented by a banner. Moses told each tribe where to camp.
with the banners of their fathers' houses
Each extended family also had a banner under with the camp, which was within the area designated for their standard.
banners
A banner is a large flag.
Numbers 2:3
Nahshon son of Amminadab
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:7.
Numbers 2:4
74,600
"seventy-four thousand six hundred"
Numbers 2:5
General Information:
Yahweh continues telling Moses where each tribe and its army will camp around the tent of meeting.
Nethanel son of Zuar
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:8.
Numbers 2:6
host
"division." This is a military term for a large group of soldiers.
54,400 men
"fifty-four thousand four hundred men"
Numbers 2:7
Eliab son of Helon
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:9.
Numbers 2:8
57,400
"fifty-seven thousand four hundred men."
Numbers 2:9
All the number ... is 186,400
"The number of the men camped under the standard of Judah is 186,400" (one hundred and eighty-six thousand four hundred.)
the camp of Judah
This refers to the three tribes that camp east of the tent of meeting: the tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
They will set out first
"When travelling, the camp of Judah will start walking first" or "When the Israelites leave, those tribes will leave first"
Numbers 2:10
Elizur son of Shedeur
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:5.
Numbers 2:11
46,500
"46,500 men" or "forty-six thousand five hundred men."
Numbers 2:12
Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:6.
Numbers 2:13
59,300
"Fifty-nine thousand three hundred men." or "59,300 men"
Numbers 2:14
Eliasaph son of Deuel
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:14.
Numbers 2:15
45,650
"forty-five thousand six hundred and fifty men." or "45,650 men"
Numbers 2:16
The number of all the men ... is 151,450
"The number of all the men ... is one hundred and fifty-one thousand four hundred and fifty." or "The number of all the men camped under the standard of Reuben, according to their divisions, is 151,450"
They will set out second
"When traveling, the camp of Reuben will start walking second" or "When the Israelites leave, those tribes will leave next". This means that when the Israelite camp moves, the camp of Reuben will start walking out after the camp of Judah goes out.
Numbers 2:17
the tent of meeting must go out ... in the middle of all the camps
This means that the tent of meeting must be carried by the Levites in the middle of the tribes as they travel.
They must go out
"They" refers to the twelve tribes.
by his banner
"by his tribe's banner"
Numbers 2:19
40,500
"Forty thousand five hundred men." or "40,500 men"
Numbers 2:20
Next to them
This means that the tribe of Manasseh will set out next, after the tribe of Ephraim.
Numbers 2:21
32,200
"Thirty-two thousand two hundred men." or "32,200 men"
Numbers 2:22
Abidan son of Gideoni
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:11.
Numbers 2:23
35,400
"Thirty-five thousand four hundred men." or "35,400 men"
Numbers 2:24
All those numbered ... 108,100
"All those numbered ... one hundred and eight thousand one hundred men." or "The number of the men camped under the standard of Ephraim is 108,100"
They will set out third
"When travelling, the camp of Ephraim will start walking third" or "When the Israelites leave, those tribes will leave next". This means that when the Israelite camp moves, the camp of Ephraim will start walking out after the camp of Judah and the camp of Reuben go out.
Numbers 2:25
the divisions of the camp of Dan
"the divisions that camp under the standard of Dan". This refers to the divisions of Dan, Asher, and Naphthali that are under the standard of Dan.
Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:12.
Numbers 2:26
62,700
"Sixty-two thousand seven hundred men." or "62,700 men"
Numbers 2:27
Pagiel son of Okran
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:13.
Numbers 2:28
41,500
"forty-one thousand five hundred men." or "41,500 men."
Numbers 2:29
Ahira son of Enan
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:15.
Numbers 2:30
53,400
"fifty-three thousand four hundred men." or "53,400 men."
Numbers 2:31
All those numbered ... 157,600
"All those numbered ... one hundred and fifty-seven thousand six hundred men." or "The number of the men camped under the standard of Dan is 157,600."
Numbers 2:32
All those counted
"Moses and Aaron counted them all"
by their divisions
Here "their" refers to the people of Israel.
are 603,550
"are six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty people"
Numbers 2:34
They went out from the camp
"When they traveled, they went out from the camp"
Chapter 3
1
Now this is the history of the descendants of Aaron and Moses when Yahweh spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai.
2
The names of Aaron's sons were Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
3
These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests who were anointed and who were ordained to serve as priests.
4
But Nadab and Abihu fell dead before Yahweh when they offered to him unacceptable fire in the wilderness of Sinai. Nadab and Abihu had no children, so just Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests with Aaron their father.
5
Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said,
6
"Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest for them to help him.
7
They must perform the duties on behalf of Aaron and the whole community before the tent of meeting. They must serve in the tabernacle.
8
They must care for all the furnishings in the tent of meeting, and they must help the tribes of Israel to carry out the tabernacle service.
9
You must give the Levites to Aaron and his sons. They are wholly given to help him serve the people of Israel.
10
You must appoint Aaron and his sons as priests, but any foreigner who comes near must be put to death."
11
Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said,
12
"Look, I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel. I have done this instead of taking each firstborn, who opens the womb, from among the people of Israel. The Levites belong to me,
13
for all the firstborn belong to me. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I set apart for myself all the firstborn in Israel, both men and animals. They belong to me. I am Yahweh."
14
Yahweh spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai. He said,
15
"Count the descendants of Levi in each family, in their clans. Count every male who is one month old and older."
16
Moses counted them, following the word of Yahweh, just as he was commanded to do.
17
The names of the sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
18
These are the names of the sons of Gershon, by their clans: Libni and Shimei.
19
The sons of Kohath, by their clans: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
20
The sons of Merari, by their clans: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites, listed clan by clan.
21
The clans of the Libnites and the Shimeites come from Gershon. These are the clans of the Gershonites.
22
All the males from a month old and older were counted, totaling 7,500.
23
The clans of the Gershonites must camp on the west side of the tabernacle.
24
Eliasaph son of Lael must lead the clans of the descendants of the Gershonites.
25
The family of Gershon must care for the tent of meeting including the tabernacle. They must care for the tent, its covering, and the curtain used as the entrance to the tent of meeting.
26
They must care for the courtyard hangings, the curtain at the courtyard entrance—the courtyard that surrounds the sanctuary and the altar. They must care for the ropes of the tent of meeting and for everything in it.
27
These clans come from Kohath: the clan of the Amramites, the clan of the Izharites, the clan of the Hebronites, and the clan of the Uzzielites. These clans belong to the Kohathites.
28
8,600 males have been counted aged one month old and older to perform the duties of the sanctuary.
29
The Kohath clans must camp on the south side of the tabernacle.
30
Elizaphan son of Uzziel must lead the ancestral households of the Kohathites.
31
They must care for the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the holy things that are used in their service, the curtain, and all the work around it.
32
Eleazar son of Aaron the priest must lead the men who lead the Levites. He must supervise the men who perform the duties of the holy place.
33
Two clans have come from Merari: the clan of the Mahlites and the clan of the Mushites. These clans have come from Merari.
34
6,200 males have been counted aged one month old and older.
35
Zuriel son of Abihail must lead the ancestral households of Merari. They must camp on the north side of the tabernacle.
36
The descendants of Merari must care for the framing of the tabernacle, the crossbars, posts, bases, all the hardware, and everything related to them, including
37
the pillars and posts of the courtyard that surround the tabernacle, with their sockets, pegs, and ropes.
38
Moses and Aaron and his sons must camp on the east side of the tabernacle, in front of the tent of meeting, toward the sunrise. They are responsible for performing the duties of the sanctuary and the duties of the people of Israel. Any foreigner who approaches the sanctuary must be put to death.
39
Moses and Aaron counted all the males in the clans of Levi who were aged one month old and older, just as Yahweh commanded. They counted twenty-two thousand men.
40
Yahweh said to Moses, "Count all the firstborn males of the people of Israel who are aged one month old and older. List their names.
41
You must take the Levites for me—I am Yahweh—instead of all the firstborn of the people of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of the firstborn of the livestock of the descendants of Israel."
42
Moses counted all the firstborn people of Israel as Yahweh had commanded him to do.
43
He counted all the firstborn males by name, aged one month old and older. He counted 22,273 men.
44
Again, Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said,
45
"Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and take the Levites' livestock instead of the people's livestock. The Levites belong to me—I am Yahweh.
46
For the redemption of the 273 firstborn sons of Israel who exceed the number of the Levites
47
you must collect five shekels for each of them. You must use the shekel of the sanctuary as your standard weight. The shekel equals twenty gerahs.
48
You must give the redemption money that you paid to Aaron and his sons."
49
So Moses collected the redemption money from those who exceeded the number of those redeemed by the Levites.
50
Moses collected the money from the firstborn of the people of Israel. He collected 1,365 shekels, weighing with the shekel of the sanctuary.
51
Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and to his sons. Moses did everything he was told to do by Yahweh's word, as Yahweh had commanded him.
Numbers 3:1
Now
The author uses the word "now" to shift to telling a new historical account.
Numbers 3:2
Nadab the firstborn
"Nadab, who was the firstborn"
Nadab ... Abihu ... Ithamar
These are names of men.
Numbers 3:3
the priests who were anointed and who were ordained
"the priests whom Moses anointed and ordained"
Numbers 3:4
fell dead before Yahweh
"suddenly died before Yahweh"
before Yahweh
"in Yahweh's presence"
they offered to him unacceptable fire
"they burned an incense offering in a way that Yahweh did not approve of"
Numbers 3:6
Bring the tribe of Levi
"Bring the men of the tribe of Levi". The Levites were given a special function in Israel. They belonged to or were specially dedicated to serve Yahweh. They were to be priests and were held to a higher standard than the rest of Israel. Only two of Aaron's sons survived because his other two sons offered improper sacrifices. This tribe had a lot of responsibility during this time.
Numbers 3:7
on behalf of
"for." This means to do something for someone else, acting as a representative for them.
Numbers 3:8
help the tribes of Israel
"help the people of Israel"
they must help the tribes of Israel to carry out the tabernacle service
"they must help the tribes of Israel by serving in the tabernacle"
tabernacle service
"work of the tabernacle"
Numbers 3:9
You must give
"You" refers to Moses.
They are wholly given
"I have given them entirely"
Numbers 3:10
any foreigner who comes near must be put to death
"you must kill any foreigner who comes near" or "any foreigner who comes near must die"
but any foreigner who comes near
"but any foreigner who comes near the tabernacle"
Numbers 3:12
Look
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
I have taken the Levites
"I have chosen the Levites"
each firstborn, who opens the womb
"every firstborn son, the first to come from the womb"
Numbers 3:15
Count the descendants
"Count the male descendants"
Numbers 3:16
following the word of Yahweh, just as he was commanded to do
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are used together to emphasize that he obeyed Yahweh.
Numbers 3:17
General Information:
This is a list of the descendants of Levi.
Numbers 3:18
General Information:
This is a list of the descendants of Gershon.
Numbers 3:19
General Information:
This is a list of the descendants of Kohath.
Numbers 3:20
General Information:
This is a list of the descendants of Merari.
Numbers 3:21
come from Gershon
"descend from Gershon"
Libnites ... Shimeites ... Gershonites
"Libnites" and "Shimeites" are the name of clans, named after the head of their family. The "Gershonites" is the name of people who descended from Gershon.
Numbers 3:22
All the males from a month old and older were counted
"Moses counted all the males from a month old and older"
7,500
"seventy-five hundred males" or "seven thousand five hundred males"
Numbers 3:24
Eliasaph ... Lael
These are the names of men.
Numbers 3:26
the courtyard hangings
"the curtains in the courtyard"
the courtyard that surrounds the sanctuary and the altar
"that is, the courtyard that surrounds the sanctuary and the altar"
Numbers 3:27
General Information:
This is a list of clans that descended from Kohath. See Numbers 3:17.
Numbers 3:28
8,600 males have been counted
"Moses counted 8,600 males"
8,600 males
"eight thousand six hundred males"
aged one month old and older
"from a month old and older"
perform the duties of the sanctuary
"do all the work connected to the sanctuary" or "take care of everything connected to the sanctuary". See how you translated this in Numbers 1:53.
Numbers 3:30
General Information:
These verses give us information about the clans that descended from Kohath.
Numbers 3:31
the holy things that are used in their service
"the holy things which the priests use for service"
Numbers 3:32
perform the duties of the holy place
"do all the work connected to the holy place" or "take care of everything connected to the holy place". See how you translated similar words in Numbers 1:53.
Numbers 3:33
General Information:
This is a list of clans that descended from Merari.
Numbers 3:34
6,200 males have been counted
"Moses counted 6,200 males"
6,200 males
"six thousand two hundred males"
Numbers 3:36
the framing
The panels that they made by joining together smaller pieces of wood.
crossbars
These are support beams that give stability to the structure.
posts
A strong piece of wood set upright and used as a support.
bases
The bases held the posts in place.
hardware
This means everything used to join the crossbars, posts, and bases together.
Numbers 3:37
with their sockets
"pillars and posts."
sockets, pegs, and ropes
These are all items used secure the pillars and posts into place.
Numbers 3:38
his sons
Here "his" refers to Aaron
toward the sunrise
"on the east side, where the sun rises"
performing the duties of the sanctuary
"doing all the work connected to the sanctuary" or "taking care of everything connected to the sanctuary". See how you translated similar words in Numbers 1:53.
Any foreigner who approaches the sanctuary must be put to death
"You must kill any foreigner who approaches the sanctuary" or "Any foreigner who approaches the sanctuary must die"
Numbers 3:39
twenty-two thousand men
"22,000 men" or "22,000 males"
Numbers 3:41
the livestock of the Levites
"you must take all the Levites' livestock"
Numbers 3:42
all the firstborn people
"all the firstborn sons"
Numbers 3:43
22,273 men
"twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three men"
Numbers 3:46
For the redemption of
"to redeem". Some translations use "ransom". This refers back to the Exodus from Egypt in Exodus 12 and 13. Also, see how the Apostle Paul uses these phrases to refer to Jesus Christ as the Passover Lamb and Redeemer. (1 Corinthians 5:7, Galatians 3:13, 1Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14 and 1 Peter 1:19).
273 firstborn
"two hundred and seventy-three firstborn"
sons of Israel
Only the firstborn males were counted.
who exceed the number of the Levites
This means that there are 273 more firstborn males among the other tribes of the Israelites than there are total number of Levite males.
Numbers 3:47
five shekels
"about 55 grams of silver". A shekel is a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams.
You must use the shekel of the sanctuary as your standard weight
"You must use the weight of the shekels in the sanctuary as your standard weight". This means that the shekel must weight the same as those in the sanctuary.
twenty gerahs
"20 gerahs." A gerah is a unit of weight equal to about 0.57 kilograms.
Numbers 3:48
the redemption money that you paid
"the money that you collected for their redemption." Some translations use "ransom" instead of "redemption". This refers to the shekels that Moses collected.
Numbers 3:50
1,365 shekels
"about 15 kilograms of silver". "one thousand three hundred and sixty-five shekels." A shekel is 11 grams.
Numbers 3:51
the redemption money
This refers to the money that Moses collected. Some translations use "ransom".
to his sons
Here "his" refers to Aaron
he was told to do by Yahweh's word, as Yahweh had commanded him
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are combined for emphasis.
he was told to do by Yahweh's word
"that Yahweh had told him to do"
Chapter 4
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron. He said,
2
"Conduct a census of the male descendants of Kohath from among the Levites, by their clans and ancestral households.
3
Count all the men who are thirty to fifty years old. These men must join the company to serve in the tent of meeting.
4
The descendants of Kohath must take care of the most holy things reserved for me in the tent of meeting.
5
When the camp prepares to move forward, Aaron and his sons must go into the tent, take down the screening curtain that separates the most holy place from the holy place and cover the ark of the testimony with it.
6
They must cover the ark with a piece of fine leather. They must spread a cloth that is completely blue over it. They must insert the poles to carry it.
7
They are to spread a blue cloth on the table of the bread of the presence. On it they must put the dishes, spoons, bowls, and jars for the drink offering. Bread must always continue to be on the table.
8
They are to spread over them a scarlet cloth and cover the same with hides of fine leather. They must insert poles to carry the table.
9
They must take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand, along with its lamps, tongs, trays, and all the jars of oil for the lamps.
10
They must put the lampstand and all its accessories into a covering of fine leather, and they must put it on a carrying frame.
11
They must spread a cloth of blue on the gold altar. They must cover it with a covering of fine leather, and then insert the carrying poles.
12
They must take all the equipment for the ministry, with which they serve in the sanctuary, and wrap it in a blue cloth. They must cover that with the hides of fine leather and put the equipment on the carrying frame.
13
They must clear away the ashes of fat from the altar and spread a purple cloth on the altar.
14
They must put on the carrying frame all the equipment that they use in the work of the altar. These objects are the firepans, forks, shovels, bowls, and all the other equipment for the altar. They must cover the altar with fine leather hides and then insert the carrying poles.
15
When Aaron and his sons have completely covered the holy place and all its equipment, and when the camp moves forward, then the descendants of Kohath must come to carry the holy place. If they touch the holy instruments, they must die. This is the work of the descendants of Kohath, to carry the furnishings in the tent of meeting.
16
Eleazar son of Aaron the priest oversees the care of the oil for the light, the sweet incense, the regular grain offering, and the anointing oil. He oversees the care of the entire tabernacle and all that is in it, the holy place and its equipment."
17
Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron. He said,
18
"Do not allow the Kohathite tribal clans to be cut off from among the Levites.
19
So do this for them that they may live and not die, when they approach the most holy things: Aaron and his sons must go in, and assign each man to his work and his responsibility.
20
But the Kohathites must not go in to look at the holy place, even for a moment, or they must die."
21
Yahweh spoke again to Moses. He said,
22
"Conduct a census of the descendants of Gershon also, by their ancestor's families and by their clans.
23
Count those who are thirty years old to fifty years old. Count all of them who will join the company to serve in the tent of meeting.
24
This is the work of the clans of the Gershonites, when they serve and what they carry.
25
They must carry the curtains of the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, its covering, the covering of fine leather hides that is on it, and the curtains for the entrance to the tent of meeting.
26
They must carry the curtains of the court, the curtain for the doorway of the court's gate, which is near the tabernacle and near the altar, their ropes, and all the instruments for their service. Whatever should be done with these things, they must do it.
27
Aaron and his sons must direct all the service of the descendants of the Gershonites, in everything that they transport, and in all their service. You must assign them to all their responsibilities.
28
This is the service of the clans of the descendants of the Gershonites for the tent of meeting. Ithamar son of Aaron the priest must lead them in their service.
29
You must count the descendants of Merari by their clans, and order them by their ancestor's families,
30
from thirty years old and older up to fifty years old. Count everyone who is going to join the company and serve in the tent of meeting.
31
This is their responsibility and their burden in all their service for the tent of meeting. They must care for the framing of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts, and sockets,
32
along with the posts of the courtyard around the tabernacle, their sockets, pegs, and their ropes, with all their hardware. List by name the articles they must carry.
33
This is the service of the clans of the descendants of Merari, what they are to do for the tent of meeting, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest."
34
Moses and Aaron and the leaders of the community counted the descendants of the Kohathites by the clans of their ancestor's families.
35
They counted them from thirty years old and older up to fifty years old. They counted everyone who would join the company to serve in the tent of meeting.
36
They counted 2,750 men by their clans.
37
This was the list of the clans of the Kohathites who served in the tent of meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them according to Yahweh's command that was given through Moses.
38
The descendants of Gershon were counted in their clans, by their ancestor's families,
39
from thirty to fifty years old, everyone who would join the company to serve in the tent of meeting.
40
All the men, counted by their clans and their ancestor's families, numbered 2,630.
41
Moses and Aaron counted the clans of the descendants of Gershon who would serve in the tent of meeting. In doing this, they obeyed what Yahweh had commanded them to do through Moses.
42
The descendants of Merari were counted in their clans by their ancestor's families,
43
from thirty to fifty years old, everyone who would join the company to serve in the tent of meeting.
44
All the men, counted by their clans and their ancestor's families, numbered 3,200.
45
This was the list of the clans of the descendants of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron counted according to Yahweh's command that came by the hand of Moses.
46
So Moses, Aaron, and the chiefs of Israel counted all the Levites by their clans in their ancestral families
47
from thirty to fifty years old. They counted everyone who would do work in the tabernacle, and who would carry and care for the items in the tent of meeting.
48
They counted 8,580 men.
49
At Yahweh's command, Moses counted each man, keeping count of each by the type of work he was assigned to do. He counted each man by the kind of responsibility he would bear. In doing this, they obeyed what Yahweh had commanded them to do through Moses.
Numbers 4:2
Kohath
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 3:17.
Numbers 4:3
thirty to fifty years old
"30 to 50 years old"
join the company
The word "company" refers to the rest of the people working in the tent of meeting.
Numbers 4:4
reserved for me
"that I have specially selected for myself"
Numbers 4:5
When the camp prepares
"When the people prepare". Here "camp" refers to all of the people in the camp.
to move forward
"to move to another location"
the screening curtain
This refers to the curtain that kept people from being able to see into the most holy place.
cover the ark of the testimony with it
The word "it" refers to the curtain that separated the most holy place from the holy place.
Numbers 4:6
insert the poles
"insert the poles into the rings on the ark's sides"
Numbers 4:7
the bread of the presence
"the bread of Yahweh's presence"
On it they must put
Here "it" refers to the blue cloth.
Bread must always continue to be
"There must always be bread"
Numbers 4:8
They are to spread over them
The word "them" refers to "the dishes, spoons, bowls, and jars" (verse 7).
scarlet cloth
"red cloth"
insert poles
"insert poles into the rings at the corners of the table"
Numbers 4:10
They must put ... into a covering of fine leather
"They must cover ... with fine leather"
they must put it on a carrying frame
"they must place all of these things on a frame for carrying them"
Numbers 4:11
insert the carrying poles
"insert the carrying poles into the rings one the sides of the altar"
Numbers 4:12
the carrying frame
a wooden rectangle made with poles used to carry things
for the ministry
"used when serving Yahweh in the holy place"
Numbers 4:14
in the work of the altar
"when serving at the altar"
Numbers 4:15
to carry the holy place
"to carry all of the items of the holy place". Here the holy place refers to all the items that make up the holy place that Aaron and his sons covered in cloth and skins.
when the camp moves forward
"when the people move forward"
the holy instruments
"the holy equipment"
Numbers 4:16
the oil for the light
"the oil for the lamps"
the care of
"those who care for"
Numbers 4:18
to be cut off from among the Levites
"to do anything that will cause me to completely remove them from among the Levites". This phrase refers to the death of the Kohathites.
Numbers 4:19
So do this for them
This phrase refers to what Yahweh says next. Moses will protect the Kohathites by not allowing them to go in and see the holy place.
his work ... his responsibility
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are combined for emphasis.
Numbers 4:20
Kohathites
This refers to the descendants of Kohath. See how you translated this in Numbers 3:27.
Numbers 4:22
of the descendants of Gershon
"of the male descendants of Gershon"
Gershon
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 3:17.
Numbers 4:23
thirty years old to fifty years old
"30 years old to 50 years old"
Numbers 4:24
This is the work of the clans ... when they serve and what they carry
This sentence is a description that tells us what the following verses are about.
Numbers 4:25
the covering of fine leather hides that is on it
"the covering of fine leather hides that is placed on top of that" or "the outer covering made of fine leather hides"
Numbers 4:26
Whatever should be done with these things
"Whatever work that these things require"
Numbers 4:27
must direct all the service of the descendants of the Gershonites
"must tell the descendants of the Gershonites how they are to serve Yahweh in the tent of meeting"
Numbers 4:28
This is the service of the clans of the descendants of the Gershonites for the tent of meeting
"This is how the clans of the descendants of the Gershonites will serve in the tent of meeting"
Ithamar
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:2.
Numbers 4:29
the descendants of Merari
"the male descendants of Merari"
Merari
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 3:17.
order them
"list them"
Numbers 4:31
This is their responsibility
"This" refers to what Yahweh says next.
crossbars, posts, and sockets
These are all parts of the framing of the tabernacle. See how you translated all of these parts in Numbers 3:36-37.
Numbers 4:32
their sockets, pegs, and their ropes, with all their hardware
Here "their" refers to the posts of the court.
sockets, pegs, and their ropes
These are all parts of the framing of the tabernacle. See how you translated all of these parts in Numbers 3:36-37.
List by name the articles they must carry
"List by each man's name the articles he must carry"
Numbers 4:33
under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest
"as Ithamar son of Aaron the priest directs them"
Ithamar
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:2.
Numbers 4:34
the descendants of the Kohathites
"the male descendants of the Kohathites"
Numbers 4:35
everyone who would join the company
"everyone who was assigned to join the company"
Numbers 4:36
2,750 men
"two thousand seven hundred and fifty men"
Numbers 4:38
The descendants of Gershon were counted
"Moses and Aaron counted the male descendants of Gershon"
Numbers 4:39
everyone who would join the company
"everyone who was assigned to join the company"
Numbers 4:40
counted by their clans
"whom Moses and Aaron counted by their clans"
2,630
"two thousand six hundred and thirty men."
Numbers 4:41
they obeyed
"they" refers to Moses and Aaron.
Numbers 4:42
The descendants of Merari were counted
"Moses and Aaron counted the descendants of Merari"
Numbers 4:44
counted by their clans
"whom Moses and Aaron counted by their clans"
numbered 3,200
"numbered three thousand two hundred"
Numbers 4:45
to Yahweh's command that came by the hand of Moses
"to the command Moses received from Yahweh and gave to Aaron"
Numbers 4:46
counted all the Levites by their clans
Moses gave special instructions for each of the families of the tribes of Levi. Each family was given a special role in the ministry of the tabernacle.
Numbers 4:48
8,580 men
"eight thousand five hundred and eighty men"
Numbers 4:49
At Yahweh's command
"As Yahweh commanded"
keeping count of each by the type ... He counted each man by the kind of responsibility he would bear
These two phrase have similar meaning and are used together to emphasize how Moses counted all the men.
by the type of work he was assigned to do
"by his type of work assignment" or "by the type of work he had assigned each man to do"
he would bear
"he would have"
they obeyed what Yahweh had commanded them
Here "they" and "them" refer to Moses and Aaron.
Chapter 5
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said,
2
"Command the people of Israel to send away from the camp every leper, everyone who has an oozing sore, and whoever is unclean through touching a dead body.
3
Whether male or female, you must send them out of the camp. They must not defile the camp, because I live in it."
4
The people of Israel did so. They sent them out of the camp, as Yahweh commanded Moses. The people of Israel obeyed Yahweh.
5
Again Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said,
6
"Speak to the people of Israel. When a man or woman commits any sin such as people do to one another, and is unfaithful to me, that person is guilty.
7
Then he must confess the sin that he has done. He must completely pay back the price of his guilt and add to the price one-fifth more. He must give this to the one he has wronged.
8
But if the wronged person has no close relative to receive the payment, he must pay the price for his guilt to me through a priest, along with a ram to atone for himself.
9
Every contribution, everything the people of Israel have set apart, which they have brought to the priest, will belong to him.
10
The offerings of every person will be for the priest; if anyone gives anything to the priest, it will belong to him."
11
Again, Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said,
12
"Speak to the people of Israel. Say to them, 'Suppose that a man's wife turns away and is unfaithful to her husband.
13
If a man lies with her and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband, and her impurity is undetected even though she defiled herself, and there is no witness against her, since she was not caught in the act,
14
nevertheless, a spirit of jealousy might still inform the husband that his wife is defiled. However, a spirit of jealousy might falsely come on a man when his wife is not defiled.
15
In such cases, the man must bring his wife to the priest. The husband must take an offering required on her behalf, a tenth of an ephah of barley flour. He must pour no oil on it and put no frankincense on it, because it is a grain offering of jealousy, a grain offering for remembering, as a reminder of the iniquity.
16
The priest must bring her near and place her before Yahweh.
17
The priest must take a jar of holy water and take dust from the floor of the tabernacle. He must put the dust into the water.
18
The priest will set the woman before Yahweh and he will untie the hair on the woman's head. He will put into her hands the grain offering of remembrance, which is the grain offering of jealousy. The priest will hold in his hand the bitter water that can bring a curse.
19
The priest will put the woman under an oath and say to her, 'If no other man has lain with you, and if you have not gone astray and committed uncleanness, then you will be free from this bitter water that can bring a curse.
20
But if you have gone astray, though you are under your husband's authority and you have defiled yourself, and some other man has had sexual relations with you,
21
then, (the priest must cause the woman to swear an oath that can bring down a curse on her, and then he must continue speaking to the woman) 'Yahweh will make you into a curse that will be shown to your people to be such. This will happen if Yahweh causes your thigh to waste away and your abdomen to swell.
22
This water that brings the curse will go into your stomach and make your abdomen swell and your thighs waste away.' The woman is to reply, 'Amen. Amen.'
23
The priest must write these curses on a scroll, and then he must wash away the written curses into the bitter water.
24
The priest must make the woman drink the bitter water that brings the curse. The water that brings the curse will enter her and become bitter.
25
The priest must take the grain offering of jealousy out of the woman's hand. He must hold up the grain offering before Yahweh and bring it to the altar.
26
The priest must take a handful of the grain offering as a representative offering, and burn it on the altar. Then he must give the woman the bitter water to drink.
27
When he gives her the water to drink, if she is defiled because she has committed a sin against her husband, then the water that brings the curse will enter her and become bitter. Her abdomen will swell and her thigh will waste away. The woman will be cursed among her people.
28
But if the woman is not defiled and if she is clean, then she must be free. She will be able to conceive children.
29
This is the law of jealousy. It is the law for a woman who goes astray from her husband and is defiled.
30
It is the law for a man with a spirit of jealousy when he is jealous of his wife. He must bring the woman before Yahweh, and the priest must do to her everything that this law of jealousy describes.
31
The man will be free from guilt for bringing his wife to the priest. The woman must bear any guilt she might have."
Numbers 5:1
General Information:
Israel's entire camp was to be a "clean" place. This meant that people who could not be made acceptable to God were not allowed inside the camp.
Numbers 5:2
oozing sore
This refers to an open cut that has been leaking fluids for a long time.
whoever is unclean through touching a dead body
If a person touched a dead body they were considered unclean. A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
Numbers 5:3
you must send
Here "you" is plural and refers to the people of Israel.
Numbers 5:4
The people of Israel did so
"The people of Israel sent those who were unclean out of the camp"
Numbers 5:6
any sin such as people do to one another
"any sin that people usually commit against one another"
is unfaithful to me
"they have also wronged me". If someone sins against another person, it means that they have also sinned against Yahweh and Yahweh considers that person as unfaithful to him.
Numbers 5:7
the price of his guilt
"what is considered a suitable amount of money for the wrong that he has done". Here the person's "sin" is referred to as his "guilt."
add to the price one-fifth more
This means the person must pay an extra one-fifth of the price that he owes.
one-fifth
This is one part out of five equal parts.
Numbers 5:8
But if the wronged person has no close relative to receive the payment
"But if the wronged person has died and has no close relative to receive the payment"
if the wronged person
"if the person whom the guilty person has wronged"
he must pay the price for his guilt to me through a priest
If a person made a payment to a priest to pay for his guilt it was the same as if the person had made the payment to Yahweh.
to atone for himself
"to atone for his sin"
Numbers 5:10
The offerings of every person will be for the priest; if anyone gives anything to the priest, it will belong to him
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and may be combined to state that the offerings that someone gives belong to the priest to whom they have been given.
Numbers 5:12
Connecting Statement:
The words "Suppose that a man's wife turns away" begin a long description of a possible situation, something that has not happened but might happen. Yahweh tells Moses what to do if it does happen.
a man's wife turns away
"a man's wife is unfaithful"
is unfaithful to her husband
"sins against her husband by having sexual relations with another man"
Numbers 5:13
If a man lies with her
"If a man has sexual relations with her"
in the act
"in the act of adultery" or "sleeping with him"
Numbers 5:14
his wife is defiled ... his wife is not defiled
"his wife has defiled herself ... his wife has not defiled herself"
a spirit of jealousy might still inform the husband
"the husband might feel jealous and become suspicious"
a spirit of jealousy might falsely come on a man
"a man might feel jealous for no reason"
Numbers 5:15
a tenth
This is one part out of ten equal parts.
a tenth of an ephah
"2 liters"
a grain offering of jealousy
"a grain offering for jealousy"
a reminder of the iniquity
A "reminder" is something that shows evidence that something had occurred that required justice. In this case, he made the offering to determine whether his wife had committed adultery or not.
Numbers 5:16
near and place her before Yahweh
"near the altar and place her in the presence of Yahweh"
Numbers 5:18
before Yahweh
"in the presence of Yahweh"
Numbers 5:19
no other man has lain with you
"no other man has had sexual relations with you"
if you have not gone astray
"if you have not been unfaithful to your husband"
and committed uncleanness
"by committing uncleanness." This phrase refers to committing adultery.
you will be free from this bitter water
"this bitter water will not harm you, though it is able to"
this bitter water that can bring a curse
"this bitter water can be a curse to you"
Numbers 5:20
"have been unfaithful to your husband"
Numbers 5:21
that can bring down a curse on her
"that can cause a curse to come upon her"
Yahweh will make you into a curse ... your people to be such
"Because Yahweh curses you, other people will curse you as well, and Yahweh will show people that you are truly cursed"
that will be shown to your people to be such
"that he will show to your people as a curse"
your thigh to waste away and your abdomen to swell
"your womb to be useless and your abdomen to swell". Here the word "thigh" is a polite way of referring to the woman's womb or her private parts. Possible meanings are 1) that the woman will become unable to have children or 2) that the woman's pregnancy will end too early and the baby will die.
Numbers 5:22
Amen. Amen.
"Yes, that is exactly what should happen if I am guilty"
Numbers 5:23
he must wash away the written curses
This means that he is to wash the ink off of the scroll.
the written curses
"the curses he has written"
Numbers 5:24
General Information:
Verse 24 explains in a general way what the priest must do and what is expected to happen when the woman drinks the water. Verse 25 and 26 explains in detail how the priest is to do this work. The priest gives the water to the woman and she drinks it only once.
Numbers 5:25
grain offering of jealousy
"a grain offering for jealousy." See how you translated this in Numbers 5:15.
Numbers 5:26
a representative offering
The handful of the grain offering represents the whole grain offering, which belongs to Yahweh.
Numbers 5:27
if she is defiled because she has committed
"if she has defined herself by committing"
committed a sin
"committed adultery"
Her abdomen will swell and her thigh will waste away
See how you translated these concepts in Numbers 5:21.
The woman will be cursed among her people
"Her people will curse her"
Numbers 5:28
is not defiled
"has not defiled herself"
if she is clean
Here "being innocent" is spoken of as "being clean."
then she must be free
"then she will not be cursed" or "then she is free from guilt."
conceive children
"become pregnant"
Numbers 5:29
the law of jealousy
"the law for dealing with jealousy"
who goes astray from her husband
"who is unfaithful to her husband"
is defiled
"defiles herself"
Numbers 5:30
a spirit of jealousy
"who is jealous"
when he is jealous of his wife
"and suspects that his wife has been unfaithful to him"
before Yahweh
"in the presence of Yahweh"
Numbers 5:31
will be free from guilt for bringing his wife to the priest
"will not be guilty of doing something wrong by bringing his wife to the priest"
must bear
"must endure"
Chapter 6
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said,
2
"Speak to the people of Israel. Say to them, 'When a man or a woman consecrates himself to Yahweh with the special vow of a Nazirite,
3
he must abstain from wine and strong drink. He must not drink vinegar made from wine or from strong drink. He must not drink any grape juice or eat fresh grapes or raisins.
4
In all the days of his consecration, he must eat nothing that is made from the grape vine, including everything from the seeds to the skins.
5
During all the time of his vow of consecration, no razor is to be used on his head until the days of his consecration to Yahweh are fulfilled. He must be set apart to Yahweh. He must let the hair grow long on his head.
6
During all the time that he sets himself apart to Yahweh, he must not come near a dead body.
7
He must not make himself unclean even for his father, mother, brother, or sister, if they die. This is because he is consecrated to God, as everyone can see by his long hair.
8
During all the time of his consecration he is holy, reserved for Yahweh.
9
If someone very suddenly dies beside him and defiles his consecrated head, then he must shave his head on the day of his purification—on the seventh day he must shave it.
10
On the eighth day he must bring two doves or two young pigeons to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
11
The priest must offer one bird as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering. These will atone for him because he sinned by being near the dead body. He must consecrate his head again on that day.
12
He must set himself apart to Yahweh for the days of his consecration. He must bring a male lamb one year old as a guilt offering. The days before he defiled himself must not be counted, because his consecration was defiled.
13
This is the law about the Nazirite for when the time of his consecration is complete. He must be brought to the entrance of the tent of meeting.
14
He must present his offering to Yahweh. He must offer as a burnt offering a male lamb one year old and without blemish. He must bring as a sin offering a female lamb one year old and without blemish. He must bring a ram as a fellowship offering that is without blemish.
15
He must also bring a basket of bread made without yeast, loaves of fine flour mixed with oil, wafers without yeast rubbed with oil, together with their grain offering and drink offerings.
16
The priest must present them before Yahweh. He must offer his sin offering and burnt offering.
17
With the basket of unleavened bread, he must present the ram as a sacrifice, the fellowship offering to Yahweh. The priest must present also the grain offering and the drink offering.
18
The Nazirite must shave his consecrated head at the entrance to the tent of meeting. He must take the hair from his head and put it on the fire that is under the sacrifice of fellowship offerings.
19
The priest must take the boiled shoulder of the ram, one loaf of bread without yeast out of the basket, and one wafer without yeast. He must place them into the hands of the Nazirite after he has shaved his consecrated hair.
20
The priest must wave them as an offering before Yahweh, a holy portion for the priest, together with the breast that was waved and the thigh that was the contribution for the priest. After that, the Nazirite may drink wine.
21
This is the law for the Nazirite who vows his offering to Yahweh for his consecration. Whatever else he may give, he must keep the obligations of the vow he has taken, to keep the promise indicated by the law of his consecration.'"
22
Again Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said,
23
"Speak to Aaron and to his sons. Say, 'You must bless the people of Israel in this way. You must say to them,
24
"May Yahweh bless you
and keep you.
25
May Yahweh make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you.
26
May Yahweh look on you with favor
and give you peace."'
27
It is in this way that they must give my name to the people of Israel. Then I will bless them."
Numbers 6:1
General Information:
The Nazirite vow was a special type of vow between a person and Yahweh. This chapter gives the rules for people to be consecrated to God as Nazirites.
Numbers 6:3
he must abstain from
"he must not consume"
vinegar made from wine
"vinegar that people make from wine"
vinegar
a drink produced when wine and other strong drinks ferment too long and become sour
raisins
dried grapes
Numbers 6:4
the days of his consecration
"the days in which he has consecrated himself to me"
nothing that is made from the grape vine
"nothing that people make from grapes"
from the seeds to the skins
"from any part of a grape"
Numbers 6:5
vow of consecration
"vow of dedication"
no razor is to be used on his head
"no one is to use a razor on his head"
the days of his consecration to Yahweh
"the days that he has separated himself to Yahweh" or "the days that he has dedicated himself to Yahweh"
to Yahweh are fulfilled
"to Yahweh are complete"
He must be set apart to Yahweh
"He must set himself apart to Yahweh"
Numbers 6:7
consecrated
"dedicated"
unclean
A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
he is consecrated
"he has consecrated himself"
Numbers 6:8
of his consecration
"that he has consecration himself"
reserved for Yahweh
"he has reserved himself for Yahweh" or "set apart for Yahweh"
Numbers 6:9
defiles his consecrated head
"defiles his long hair which shows everyone he is separated to God" or "he becomes defiled"
the seventh day
"day 7"
Numbers 6:10
the eighth day
"day 8"
Numbers 6:12
for the days of his consecration
"during the time he is being set apart again"
He must bring a male lamb ... as a guilt offering
"He must bring a male lamb one year old to the priest as a guilt offering"
The days before he defiled himself must not be counted
"He must not count the days before he defiled himself"
his consecration was defiled
"he defiled himself" or "he made himself unacceptable"
Numbers 6:13
of his consecration
"for which he has consecrated himself"
He must be brought
"Someone must bring him" or "He must go"
Numbers 6:14
He must present his offering to Yahweh
"He must present his offering to Yahweh by bringing it to the priest to be sacrificed" or "He must present his offering to Yahweh by bringing it to the priest who will sacrifice it"
Numbers 6:15
bread made without yeast
"bread he made without yeast"
fine flour mixed with oil
"fine flour that he mixed with oil"
wafers without yeast rubbed with oil
"wafers without yeast which he rubbed with oil"
wafers without yeast
small pieces of flat bread
together with their grain offering and drink offerings
"together with the grain offering and drink offering that Yahweh required to accompany the other offerings"
Numbers 6:16
He must offer his sin offering
"He" refers to the priest and "his" refers to the man who took a vow.
Numbers 6:17
the fellowship offering
"as the fellowship offering"
The priest must present also ... drink offering
"The priest must present also ... the drink offering to Yahweh"
Numbers 6:18
his consecrated head
"his head, on which he had grown out his hair to show that he had consecrated himself to Yahweh"
Numbers 6:19
the boiled shoulder of the ram
"the shoulder of the ram that he boiled"
Numbers 6:20
The priest must wave them
"Then the priest must take them back and wave them"
together with
"as well as"
that was waved
"that the priest waved"
Numbers 6:21
his consecration
"for which he has consecrated himself to Yahweh"
Whatever else he may give
"If he decides to give any additional offerings"
he must keep the obligations of the vow he has taken
"he must still obey the requirements of the vow he has taken"
he promise indicated by the law of his consecration
"the promise that the law for his consecration indicates"
Numbers 6:23
You must bless the people of Israel
"You" is plural.
Numbers 6:24
May Yahweh bless you and keep you
Here "you" is singular.
keep you
"protect you."
Numbers 6:25
make his face shine on you
"smile at you" or "look at you with kindness"
on you ... to you
Here "you" is singular.
Numbers 6:26
look on you with favor
"show you favor"
on you ... give you
Here "you" is singular.
Numbers 6:27
they must give my name
"they must let the people of Israel know that they are mine"
Chapter 7
1
On the day that Moses completed the tabernacle, he anointed it and set it apart to Yahweh, together with all of its furnishings. He did the same for the altar and all its utensils. He anointed them and set them apart to Yahweh.
2
On that day, the leaders of Israel, the heads of their ancestor's families, offered sacrifices. These men were leading the tribes. They had overseen the counting of the men in the census.
3
They brought their offerings before Yahweh. They brought six covered carts and twelve oxen. They brought one cart for every two leaders, and each leader brought one ox. They presented these things in front of the tabernacle.
4
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said,
5
"Accept the offerings from them and use the offerings for the work in the tent of meeting. Give the offerings to the Levites, to each one as his work needs them."
6
Moses took the carts and the oxen, and he gave them to the Levites.
7
He gave two carts and four oxen to the descendants of Gershon, because of what their work needed.
8
He gave four carts and eight oxen to the descendants of Merari, in the care of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest. He did this because of what their work required.
9
But he gave none of those things to the descendants of Kohath, because theirs would be the work related to the things that belong to Yahweh that they would carry on their own shoulders.
10
The leaders offered their goods for the dedication of the altar on the day that Moses anointed the altar. The leaders offered their sacrifices in front of the altar.
11
Yahweh said to Moses, "Each leader must offer on his own day his sacrifice for the dedication of the altar."
12
On the first day, Nahshon son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah, offered his sacrifice.
13
His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering.
14
He gave one gold dish that weighed ten shekels and was full of incense.
15
He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb.
16
He gave one male goat as a sin offering.
17
He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Nahshon son of Amminadab.
18
On the second day, Nethanel son of Zuar, leader of Issachar, offered his sacrifice.
19
He offered as his sacrifice one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering.
20
He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense.
21
He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb.
22
He gave one male goat as a sin offering.
23
He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Nethanel son of Zuar.
24
On the third day, Eliab son of Helon, leader of the descendants of Zebulun, offered his sacrifice.
25
His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering.
26
He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense.
27
He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb.
28
He gave one male goat as a sin offering.
29
He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Eliab son of Helon.
30
On the fourth day, Elizur son of Shedeur, leader of the descendants of Reuben, offered his sacrifice.
31
His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering.
32
He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense.
33
He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb.
34
He gave one male goat as a sin offering.
35
He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Elizur son of Shedeur.
36
On the fifth day, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, leader of the descendants of Simeon, offered his sacrifice.
37
His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering.
38
He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense.
39
He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb.
40
He gave one male goat as a sin offering.
41
He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.
42
On the sixth day, Eliasaph son of Deuel, leader of the descendants of Gad, offered his sacrifice.
43
His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering.
44
He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense.
45
He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb.
46
He gave one male goat as a sin offering.
47
He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Eliasaph son of Deuel.
48
On the seventh day, Elishama son of Ammihud, leader of the descendants of Ephraim, offered his sacrifice.
49
His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering.
50
He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense.
51
He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb.
52
He gave one male goat as a sin offering.
53
He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Elishama son of Ammihud.
54
On the eighth day, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, leader of the descendants of Manasseh, offered his sacrifice.
55
His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering.
56
He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense.
57
He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb.
58
He gave one male goat as a sin offering.
59
He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.
60
On the ninth day, Abidan son of Gideoni, leader of the descendants of Benjamin, offered his sacrifice.
61
His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering.
62
He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense.
63
He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb.
64
He gave one male goat as a sin offering.
65
He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Abidan son of Gideoni.
66
On the tenth day, Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai, leader of the descendants of Dan, offered his sacrifice.
67
His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering.
68
He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense.
69
He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb..
70
He gave one male goat as a sin offering.
71
He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.
72
On the eleventh day, Pagiel son of Okran, leader of the descendants of Asher, offered his sacrifice.
73
His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering.
74
He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense.
75
He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb.
76
He gave one male goat as a sin offering.
77
He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Pagiel son of Okran.
78
On the twelfth day, Ahira son of Enan, leader of the descendants of Naphtali, offered his sacrifice.
79
His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering.
80
He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense.
81
He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb.
82
He gave one male goat as a sin offering.
83
He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Ahira son of Enan.
84
This was the dedication offering for the altar on the day that it was anointed: the chiefs of Israel set apart the twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls, and twelve gold dishes.
85
Each silver platter weighed 130 shekels and each bowl weighed seventy shekels. All the silver vessels weighed 2,400 shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel.
86
Each of the twelve gold dishes, full of incense, weighed ten shekels by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. All the gold dishes weighed 120 shekels.
87
They set apart all the animals for the burnt offerings, twelve bulls, twelve rams, and twelve year-old male lambs. They gave their grain offering. They gave twelve male goats as a sin offering.
88
From all their cattle, they gave twenty-four bulls, sixty rams, sixty male goats, and sixty male lambs a year old, as the sacrifice for the fellowship offering. This was for the dedication of the altar after it was anointed.
89
When Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with Yahweh, he heard his voice speaking to him. Yahweh spoke to him from above the atonement lid on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim. He spoke to him.
Numbers 7:1
Moses completed the tabernacle
"Moses finished setting up the tabernacle". When the tabernacle was completed, they consecrated the altar. Each tribe brought an offering to consecrate the altar.
Numbers 7:2
the leaders of Israel ... the heads of their ancestor's families
"the leaders of Israel who are also the heads of their ancestors families"
the heads of their ancestor's families
"the leaders of their ancestor's families"
had overseen the counting of the men
"had helped Aaron and Moses to count the men"
Numbers 7:3
They brought their offerings before Yahweh ... They presented these things in front of the tabernacle
"They brought their offerings to Yahweh and presented them to him in front of the tabernacle"
six covered carts and twelve oxen
"6 covered carts and 12 oxen"
Numbers 7:5
to each one as his work needs them
"to each man as he needs them for his work"
Numbers 7:7
Gershon
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 3:17.
because of what their work needed
"because it was what they needed to do their work"
Numbers 7:8
Merari
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 3:17.
in the care of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest
"under the supervision of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest" or "Ithamar son of Aaron the priest oversaw their work"
Ithamar
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:2.
He did this because
The word "he" refers to Moses.
because of what their work required
"because it was what they needed to do their work"
Numbers 7:9
none of those things
This refers to the carts and oxen.
Kohath
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 3:17.
theirs would be the work
"their work would be"
the things that belong to Yahweh
"the things that Yahweh reserved for the tabernacle"
Numbers 7:10
offered their goods
"offered gifts"
Numbers 7:11
Each leader must offer on his own day his sacrifice
"Each day, one leader must offer his sacrifice"
Numbers 7:12
the first day
"day 1" or "day number 1"
Nahshon son of Amminadab
These are the names of men. See how you translated these names in Numbers 1:7.
Numbers 7:13
weighing 130 shekels
"weighing one hundred and thirty shekels." or "weighing nearly one and a half kilograms" or "weighing one kilogram and 430 grams"
one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels
"one silver bowl weighing 70 shekels." or "one silver bowl weighing nearly eight tenths of a kilogram" or "one silver bowl weighting 770 grams"
by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel
"measured by the standard weights used in the sanctuary". There were shekels of different weights. This is the one that people had to use in the sanctuary of the sacred tent.
fine flour mixed with oil
"fine flour that he had mixed with oil"
Numbers 7:14
one gold dish that weighed ten shekels
"one gold dish that weighed one tenth of a kilogram" or "one gold dish that weighed 110 grams"
Numbers 7:17
that were a year old
"that were each one year old"
This was the sacrifice of Nahshon son of Amminadab
"This was what Nahshon son of Amminadab presented"
Nahshon son of Amminadab
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:7.
Numbers 7:18
the second day
"day 2" or "day number 2"
Nethanel son of Zuar
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:8.
Numbers 7:19
one silver platter weighing 130 shekels
"one silver platter weighing nearly one and a half kilograms" or "one silver platter weighing one kilogram and 430 grams"
one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels
"one silver bowl weighing 70 shekels." or "one silver bowl weighing nearly eight tenths of a kilogram" or "one silver bowl weighting 770 grams"
by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel
"measured by the standard weights used in the sanctuary"
fine flour mixed with oil
"fine flour that he had mixed with oil"
Numbers 7:20
one gold dish weighing ten shekels
"one gold dish weighing one tenth of a kilogram" or "one gold dish weighting 110 grams"
Numbers 7:23
that were a year old
"that were each one year old"
This was the sacrifice of Nethanel son of Zuar
"This was what Nethanel son of Zuar presented"
Nethanel son of Zuar
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:8.
Numbers 7:24
the third day
"day 3" or "day number 3"
Eliab son of Helon
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:9.
Numbers 7:25
one silver platter weighing 130 shekels
one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels
by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel
See how you translated these same weights in Numbers 7:13.
Numbers 7:26
one gold dish weighing ten shekels
See how you translated these same weights in Numbers 7:14.
Numbers 7:29
that were a year old
"that were each one year old"
This was the sacrifice of Eliab son of Helon
"This was what Eliab son of Helon gave as a sacrifice"
Eliab son of Helon
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:9.
Numbers 7:30
the fourth day
"day 4" or "day number 4"
Elizur son of Shedeur
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:5.
Numbers 7:32
one gold dish weighing ten shekels
See how you translated these same weights in Numbers 7:14.
Numbers 7:35
that were a year old
"that were each one year old"
This was the sacrifice of Elizur son of Shedeur
"This was what Elizur son of Shedeur gave as a sacrifice"
Elizur son of Shedeur
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:5.
Numbers 7:36
the fifth day
"day 5" or "day number 5"
Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:6.
Numbers 7:41
This was the sacrifice of Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai
"This was what Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai gave as a sacrifice." "Shelumiel" and "Zurishaddai" are names of men.
Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:6.
Numbers 7:42
the sixth day
"day 6" or "day number 6"
Eliasaph son of Deuel
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 1:14.
Numbers 7:47
This was the sacrifice of Eliasaph son of Deuel
"This was what Eliasaph son of Deuel gave as a sacrifice"
Eliasaph son of Deuel
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:14.
Numbers 7:48
the seventh day
"day 7" or "day number 7"
Elishama son of Ammihud
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:10.
Numbers 7:53
This was the sacrifice of Elishama son of Ammihud
"This was what Elishama son of Ammihud presented"
Elishama son of Ammihud
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:10.
Numbers 7:54
the eighth day
"day 8" or "day number 8"
Gamaliel son of Pedahzur
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:10.
Numbers 7:59
This was the sacrifice of Gamaliel son of Pedahzur
"This was what Gamaliel son of Pedahzur gave as a sacrifice"
Gamaliel son of Pedahzur
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:10.
Numbers 7:60
the ninth day
"day 9" or "day number 9"
Abidan son of Gideoni
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:11.
Numbers 7:65
This was the sacrifice of Abidan son of Gideoni
"This was what Abidan son of Gideoni gave as a sacrifice"
Abidan son of Gideoni
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:11.
Numbers 7:66
the tenth day
"day 10" or "day number 10"
Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:12.
Numbers 7:71
This was the sacrifice of Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai
"This was what Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai gave as a sacrifice"
Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:12.
Numbers 7:72
the eleventh day
"day 11" or "day number 11"
Pagiel son of Okran
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:13.
Numbers 7:77
This was the sacrifice of Pagiel son of Okran
"This was what Pagiel son of Okran gave as a sacrifice." "Pagiel" and "Okran" were names of men. See how you translated their names in Numbers 1:13.
Numbers 7:78
the twelfth day
"day 12" or "day number 12"
Ahira son of Enan
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:15.
Numbers 7:83
This was the sacrifice of Ahira son of Enan
"This was what Ahira son of Enan gave as a sacrifice"
Ahira son of Enan
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:15.
Numbers 7:84
set apart
The phrase "set apart" means to be dedicated to a specific purpose. In this case, the offerings were dedicated to Yahweh.
on the day that it was anointed
"when Moses anointed the altar". Here the word "day" refers to a general period of time. The leaders of Israel dedicated these things over the course of 12 days.
Numbers 7:86
All the gold dishes weighed
"All the gold dishes together weighed"
120 shekels
"one hundred and twenty shekels"
Numbers 7:88
twenty-four ... sixty
"24 ... 60."
a year old
"that were one year old"
after it was anointed
"after Moses had anointed it"
Numbers 7:89
he heard his voice speaking to him
"he heard Yahweh speaking to him"
from above the atonement lid ... from between the two cherubim
These two phrases describe the same location.
ark of the testimony
See how you translated this phrase in Numbers 4:5.
He spoke to him
"Yahweh spoke to Moses"
Chapter 8
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said,
2
"Speak to Aaron. Say to him, 'The seven lamps must give light in front of the lampstand when you light them.'"
3
Aaron did this. He lit the lamps on the lampstand to give light toward the front of it, as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
4
The lampstand was made in this way and Yahweh showed Moses the pattern for it. It was to be hammered gold from its base to its top, with hammered cups like blossoms.
5
Again, Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said,
6
"Take the Levites from among the people of Israel and purify them.
7
Do this to them to purify them: Sprinkle the water of atonement on them. Make them shave their entire body, wash their clothes, and purify themselves.
8
Then have them take a young bull and its grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil. Let them take another young bull as a sin offering.
9
You will bring the Levites in front of the tent of meeting and assemble the whole community of the people of Israel.
10
When you bring the Levites before Yahweh, the people of Israel must lay their hands on the Levites.
11
Aaron must offer the Levites before Yahweh, as a wave offering from the people of Israel so that they may do the service of Yahweh.
12
The Levites must place their hands on the heads of the bulls. You must offer one bull for a sin offering and the other bull for a burnt offering to me, to atone for the Levites.
13
Present the Levites before Aaron and before his sons, and lift them up as a wave offering to me.
14
In this way you must separate the Levites from among the people of Israel. The Levites will belong to me.
15
After that, the Levites must go in to serve in the tent of meeting. You must purify them. You must offer them as a wave offering.
16
Do this, because they are entirely mine from among the people of Israel. They will take the place of each firstborn, the first issue of the womb, of all the descendants of Israel. I have taken the Levites for myself.
17
All the firstborn from among the people of Israel are mine, both man or animal. On the day that I took the lives of all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I set them apart for myself.
18
I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of all the firstborn.
19
I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons. I have taken them from among the people of Israel to do the work of the people of Israel in the tent of meeting. I have given them to atone for the people of Israel so that no plague will harm the people when they come near to the holy place."
20
Moses, Aaron, and the whole community of the people of Israel did this with the Levites. They did everything that Yahweh had commanded Moses concerning the Levites. The people of Israel did this with them.
21
The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothing, and Aaron presented them as a wave offering to Yahweh and he made atonement for them to cleanse them.
22
After that, the Levites went in to do their service in the tent of meeting before Aaron and before Aaron's sons. This was as Yahweh had commanded Moses about the Levites. They treated all the Levites in this way.
23
Yahweh spoke again to Moses. He said,
24
"All of this is for the Levites who are twenty-five years old and more. They must join the company to serve in the tent of meeting.
25
They must stop serving in this way at the age of fifty years. At that age they must not serve any longer.
26
They may help their brothers who continue to work at the tent of meeting, to perform their duties, but they must serve no more. This is how you must deal with the Levites in all their responsibilities."
Numbers 8:1
General Information:
The consecration of the tabernacle continues in this chapter. The people obeyed Yahweh's exact instructions.
Numbers 8:2
must give light in front
"must shine towards the front"
Numbers 8:3
to give light
"to shine"
Numbers 8:4
The lampstand was made
"They had made the lampstand"
with hammered cups like blossoms
"with hammered cups that resemble flower blossoms"
Numbers 8:7
to purify them
Here "them" refers to the Levites.
Sprinkle the water of atonement on them
"Sprinkle on them the water that symbolizes atonement"
Make them shave their entire body, wash their clothes, and purify themselves
Possible meanings are 1) Moses was to have the Levites shave, wash, and purify, or 2) Moses was to have the Levites purify themselves by shaving and washing, or Make them shave their entire body and wash their clothes; in this way they will purify themselves.
Numbers 8:8
a young bull and its grain offering
When offering a young bull, a grain offering was usually required to accompany it.
of fine flour mixed with oil
"of fine flour that they have mingled with oil"
Numbers 8:9
assemble the whole community
"gather the whole community"
Numbers 8:10
before Yahweh
Here Yahweh refers to himself by his own name.
the people of Israel must lay their hands on the Levites
"The people Israel must lay their hands on the Levites, dedicating them to me"
Numbers 8:11
as a wave offering
"if they were a wave offering". Aaron was to present the Levites to Yahweh with the same amount of dedication as if they were a sacrifice given to him.
Numbers 8:12
The Levites must place their hands on the heads of the bulls
This is a symbolic action that identifies the Levites with the animals being offered. In this way the person is offering himself through the animal to Yahweh.
Numbers 8:13
lift them up as a wave offering to me
"dedicate them to me, as if you were lifting them up a wave offering to me". Aaron was to present the Levites to Yahweh as if he were lifting up an offering to Yahweh.
Numbers 8:15
You must purify them. You must offer them as a wave offering
"But first, you must purify them. You must offer them as a wave offering". Yahweh repeats these things to emphasize their importance. This must happen before the Levites go to serve at the tent of meeting.
You must offer them as a wave offering
"You must dedicate them to me, as if you were presenting a wave offering to me". Aaron was to present the Levites to Yahweh as if they were a wave offering to him.
Numbers 8:16
firstborn, the first issue of the womb
The phrase "first issue of the womb" is another way of saying "firstborn."
Numbers 8:17
I took the lives
"I killed". This is a polite way of referring to when a person kills someone.
I set them apart
"the firstborn from among the people of Israel."
Numbers 8:18
I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of all the firstborn
"I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn from among the people of Israel"
Numbers 8:19
I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons
Yahweh appointing the Levites to help Aaron and his sons is spoken of as if they were a gift that Yahweh were giving to Aaron and his sons.
I have taken them ... I have given them
Here "them" refers to the Levites.
when they come near
Here "they" refers to the people of Israel.
Numbers 8:20
Moses, Aaron, and the whole community of the people of Israel ... The people of Israel did this with them
"Moses, Aaron, and the whole community of the people of Israel did with the Levites everything that Yahweh had commanded Moses concerning the Levites". Here there are three parallel sentences that give the same information. It is repeated to emphasize that the people did this with the Levites as Yahweh had commanded.
Numbers 8:22
to do their service
"to serve"
before Aaron and before Aaron's sons
"in the presence of Aaron and his sons"
This was
"What they did was"
They treated all the Levites in this way
"They did to the Levites what Yahweh commanded." The word "They" refers to the people of Israel.
Numbers 8:24
All of this is for the Levites
"All of these commandments are for the Levites"
twenty-five years old
"25 years old"
must join the company to serve in the tent of meeting
The word "company" refers to the rest of the people working in the tent of meeting. See how you translated this phrase in Numbers 4:3.
Numbers 8:25
at the age of fifty years
"at 50 years old" or "when they become 50 years old"
Numbers 8:26
deal with the Levites in all their responsibilities
"make sure the Levites do their duty"
Chapter 9
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they came out from the land of Egypt. He said,
2
"Let the people of Israel keep the Passover at its fixed time of year.
3
On the fourteenth day of this month, at evening, you must keep the Passover at its fixed time of year. You must keep it, follow all the regulations, and obey all the decrees that are related to it."
4
So, Moses told the people of Israel that they should keep the Festival of the Passover.
5
So they kept the Passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at evening, in the wilderness of Sinai. The people of Israel obeyed everything that Yahweh commanded Moses to do.
6
There were certain men who became unclean by the body of a dead man. They could not keep the Passover on that day. They went before Moses and Aaron on that same day.
7
Those men said to Moses, "We are unclean because of the dead body of a man. Why do you keep us from offering the sacrifice to Yahweh at the fixed time of year among the people of Israel?"
8
Moses said to them, "Wait for me to hear what Yahweh will instruct about you."
9
Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said,
10
"Speak to the people of Israel. Say, 'If any of you or your descendants are unclean because of a dead body, or are on a long journey, he may still keep the Passover to Yahweh.'
11
In the second month on the fourteenth day at evening, they will eat the Passover meal. They must eat the Passover lamb with bread that is made without yeast and with bitter herbs.
12
They must not leave any of it until the morning, or break any of its bones. They must follow all the regulations for the Passover.
13
But any person who is clean and is not on a journey, but who fails to keep the Passover, that person must be cut off from his people because he did not bring the offering that Yahweh requires at the fixed time of year. That man must carry his sin.
14
If a stranger lives among you and keeps the Passover to Yahweh, he must keep it according to the statute of the Passover and according to its rule. You must have one statute both for the sojourner and for the one who was born in the land."
15
On the day that the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant decrees. At evening the cloud was over the tabernacle. It appeared like fire until morning.
16
It continued that way. The cloud covered the tabernacle and appeared like fire at night.
17
Whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tent, the people of Israel would set out on their journey. Wherever the cloud stopped, the people would camp.
18
At Yahweh's command, the people of Israel would travel, and at his command, they would camp. While the cloud stopped over the tabernacle, they would stay in their camp.
19
When the cloud remained on the tabernacle for many days, then the people of Israel would obey Yahweh's instructions and not travel.
20
Sometimes the cloud remained a few days on the tabernacle. In that case, they would obey Yahweh's command—they would make camp and then travel on again at his command.
21
Sometimes the cloud was present in camp from evening until morning. When the cloud lifted in the morning, they journeyed. If it continued for a day and for a night, only when the cloud lifted would they journey on.
22
Whether the cloud stayed on the tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, for as long as it stayed there, the people of Israel would stay in their camp and not travel. But whenever the cloud was taken up, they would set out on their journey.
23
They would camp at Yahweh's command, and they would travel at his command. They obeyed Yahweh's command given through Moses.
Numbers 9:1
in the first month of the second year after they came out from the land of Egypt
This means that they had come out of Egypt a year earlier. They were beginning their second year in the wilderness.
in the first month
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. It marks when God brought the people of Israel out of Egypt.
after they came out from the land of Egypt
"after they left the land of Egypt". Here "they" refers to the people of Israel.
Numbers 9:2
Let the people ... at its fixed time of year
"Let the people ... at the time of year they currently observe it". The word "fixed" means "previously set." This means that this is when the observe it every year. This chapter records the celebration of the Passover for the first time since it began. The people kept the Passover as directed by the Lord.
Numbers 9:3
On the fourteenth day ... at its fixed time of year
"On the fourteenth day ... and observe it, for this is the time you do celebrate it every year"
the fourteenth day
"day 14"
follow all the regulations, and obey all the decrees
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are combined to emphasize that they needed to obey the commands.
You must keep it
"You must observe it" or "You must celebrate it"
Numbers 9:4
keep the Festival of the Passover
"observe the Festival of the Passover" or "celebrate the Festival of the Passover"
Numbers 9:5
in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month
"on day 14 of the first month." This refers to time in the Jewish calendar.
Numbers 9:6
became unclean by the body of a dead man
"became unclean because they touched the body of a dead man"
unclean
A person who God considers spiritually unacceptable or defiled is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
keep the Passover
"observe the Passover" or "celebrate the Passover"
Numbers 9:7
because of the dead body of a man
"because we have touched the body of a dead man"
Why do you keep us from offering the sacrifice ... among the people of Israel?
"It is not fair that you keep us away from offering the sacrifice ... among the people of Israel."
fixed
set or predetermined
Numbers 9:10
unclean
A person who God considers spiritually unacceptable or defiled is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
because of a dead body
"because you have touched a dead body"
Numbers 9:11
eat the Passover
"observe the Passover" or "celebrate the Passover"
the second month on the fourteenth day
"day 14 of month 2." This refers to time in the Jewish calendar.
at evening
"at sunset"
with bread that is made without yeast
"with bread that contains no yeast"
bitter herbs
These are small plants that have a strong and usually bad taste.
Numbers 9:12
or break any of its bones
"and they must not break any of its bones"
Numbers 9:13
any person who is clean
A person who God considers spiritually acceptable is spoken of as if the person were physically clean.
that person must be cut off
"that person must be sent away" or "you must send that person away"
fixed
set or predetermined
That man must carry his sin
"That man must bear the punishment for his sin"
Numbers 9:14
lives among you
Here "you" is plural and refers to the people of Israel.
he must keep it according to the statute of the Passover and according to its rule
"that stranger must keep it and do all that Yahweh has commanded concerning the Passover."
in the land
"in the land of Israel"
Numbers 9:15
the tabernacle was set up
"the Levites set up the tabernacle"
the tent of the covenant decrees
See how you translated the phrase "the tabernacle of the covenant decrees" in Numbers 1:50.
It appeared like fire until morning
"During the night the cloud looked like a huge fire until morning"
Numbers 9:16
It continued that way
"The cloud remained this way over the tabernacle"
appeared like fire at night
"it looked like a huge fire at night"
Numbers 9:17
the cloud was taken up
"moved" or "Yahweh took up the cloud"
the cloud stopped
"the cloud stopped moving"
Numbers 9:18
At Yahweh's command
"When Yahweh commanded"
Numbers 9:20
on the tabernacle
"over the tabernacle"
make camp
"set up their camp"
Numbers 9:21
from evening until morning
"only from evening until morning" or "over the tabernacle for only one night"
If it continued
"If the cloud stayed over the tabernacle"
only when the cloud lifted would they journey on
"then after the cloud moved they would travel"
Numbers 9:22
the cloud was taken up
"the cloud rose up" or "Yahweh took up the cloud"
Numbers 9:23
at Yahweh's command
"what Yahweh commanded"
Yahweh's command given through Moses
"the command that Yahweh had given through Moses"
Chapter 10
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said,
2
"Make two silver trumpets. Hammer the silver to make them. You must use the trumpets to call the community together and to call the community to move their camps.
3
The priests must blow the trumpets to call all the community together in front of you at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
4
If the priests blow only one trumpet, then the leaders, the heads of the clans of Israel, must gather to you.
5
When you blow a loud signal, the tribes camped on the east side must begin their journey.
6
When you blow a loud signal the second time, the tribes camped on the south side must begin their journey. They must blow a loud signal for their journeys.
7
When the community gathers together, blow the trumpets, but not loudly.
8
The sons of Aaron, the priests, must blow the trumpets. This will always be an ordinance for you throughout your people's generations.
9
When you go to war in your land against an adversary who oppresses you, then you must sound an alarm with the trumpets. I, Yahweh your God, will call you to mind and save you from your enemies.
10
Also, at the times of celebration, both your regular festivals and at the beginnings of the months, you must blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices for your fellowship offerings. These will act as a reminder of you to me, your God. I am Yahweh your God."
11
In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud was lifted from the tabernacle of the covenant decrees.
12
The people of Israel then went on their journey from the wilderness of Sinai. The cloud stopped in the wilderness of Paran.
13
They made their first journey, following Yahweh's command given through Moses.
14
The camp under the banner of Judah's descendants went out first, moving out their individual armies. Nahshon son of Amminadab led Judah's army.
15
Nethanel son of Zuar led the army of the tribe of Issachar's descendants.
16
Eliab son of Helon led the army of the tribe of Zebulun's descendants.
17
The descendants of Gershon and of Merari, who cared for the tabernacle, took down the tabernacle and then set out on their journey.
18
Next, the armies under the banner of Reuben's camp set out on their journey. Elizur son of Shedeur led Reuben's army.
19
Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai led the army of the tribe of Simeon's descendants.
20
Eliasaph son of Deuel led the army of the tribe of Gad's descendants.
21
The Kohathites set out. They carried the sanctuary's holy equipment. Others would set up the tabernacle before the Kohathites arrived at the next camp.
22
The armies under the banner of Ephraim's descendants set out next. Elishama son of Ammihud led Ephraim's army.
23
Gamaliel son of Pedahzur led the army of the tribe of Manasseh's descendants.
24
Abidan son of Gideoni led the army of the tribe of Benjamin's descendants.
25
The armies that camped under the banner of Dan's descendants set out last. Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai led Dan's army.
26
Pagiel son of Okran led the army of the tribe of Asher's descendants.
27
Ahira son of Enan led the army of the tribe of Naphtali's descendants.
28
This is the way that the armies of the people of Israel set out on their journey.
29
Moses spoke to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite. Reuel was the father of Moses' wife. Moses spoke to Hobab and said, "We are traveling to a place that Yahweh described. Yahweh said, 'I will give it to you.' Come with us and we will do you good. Yahweh has promised to do good for Israel."
30
But Hobab said to Moses, "I will not go with you. I will go to my own land and my own relatives."
31
Then Moses replied, "Please do not leave us. You know how to camp in the wilderness. You must watch out for us.
32
If you go with us, we will do for you the same good that Yahweh does to us."
33
They journeyed from the mountain of Yahweh for three days. The ark of the covenant of Yahweh went before them for three days to find a place for them to rest.
34
Yahweh's cloud was over them in the daytime as they journeyed.
35
Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say, "Rise up, Yahweh. Scatter your enemies. Make those who hate you run from you."
36
Whenever the ark stopped, Moses would say, "Return, Yahweh, to Israel's many tens of thousands."
Numbers 10:1
General Information:
In the ancient Near East, trumpets were used for many purposes. They were used to call people together. They were also used to lead people into battle.
Numbers 10:2
Make two silver trumpets
"Tell someone to make two silver trumpets". This means that Yahweh commanded Moses to have someone make the trumpet. He did not make them himself.
You must use the trumpets
Moses will not blow the trumpets himself, but he will command the priests to blow them.
Numbers 10:3
in front of you
"while you are present." Moses was to be there with the priest when he blew the trumpets.
Numbers 10:4
the leaders, the heads of the clans of Israel
"the leaders, who are the heads of the clans of Israel". These two phrases refer to the same group of people. Here the second phrase is used to describe the first phrase.
Numbers 10:5
When you blow a loud signal
"When they blow a loud signal". Here the word "you" is plural. Yahweh is speaking to Moses, but he is referring to the priests. The priests will blow the trumpets, Moses will not.
Numbers 10:6
When you blow a loud signal
"When they blow a loud signal"
the second time
"time number 2" or "again"
They must blow a loud signal for their journeys
"They" refers to the priests and the word "their" refers to the people of Israel.
Numbers 10:7
When the community gathers together
"To gather the community together"
Numbers 10:8
be an ordinance for you
"be a rule for you." Here "you" is plural and refers to the people of Israel.
Numbers 10:9
When you go to war ... oppresses you
"When the people of Israel go to war ... oppresses Israel".
then you must sound an alarm with the trumpets
"then you must command the priests to sound an alarm with the trumpets". Here Yahweh again speaks to Moses using the word "you" but actually wants Moses to have the priests blow the trumpets.
call you to mind
"remember you"
Numbers 10:10
of celebration
"when you celebrate"
you must blow the trumpets
"you must command the priests to blow the trumpets"
at the beginnings of the months
There are 12 months on the Hebrew calendar. The beginning phase of the moon with its sliver of light marked the beginning of each month in the lunar calendar.
your burnt offerings ... your fellowship offerings ... you to me
In these phrases the words "your" and "you" are plural and refer to the people of Israel.
over the sacrifices
"in honor of the sacrifices"
will act as a reminder of you to me
"will act as a memorial for you of me." or "will always remind you of me."
These will act
The word "these" refers to the trumpets and the sacrifices.
Numbers 10:11
In the second year
"In year 2." This refers to the second year after Yahweh brought the Israelites out of Egypt.
in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month
"on day 20 of month 2." This is the second month of the Hebrew calendar.
the cloud was lifted
"the cloud rose up" or "Yahweh lifted the cloud"
the tabernacle of the covenant decrees
The tabernacle was also called by this longer name because the ark with the law of God was placed inside it. See how you translated this in Numbers 1:50.
Numbers 10:13
Yahweh's command given through Moses
"the commands that Yahweh had given through Moses"
Numbers 10:14
The camp under the banner of Judah's descendants
This camp includes the three tribes under the division of Judah: Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
went out first
They packed up their camp and they left that place before all the others left. Each tribe had its place in line as did the tabernacle. Their movements through the desert were very deliberate and ordered.
Nahshon son of Amminadab
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:7.
Numbers 10:15
Nethanel son of Zuar
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:8.
Numbers 10:16
Eliab son of Helon
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:9.
Numbers 10:17
Gershon ... Merari
See how you translated these men's names in Numbers 3:17.
Numbers 10:18
the armies under the banner of Reuben's camp
This refers to the armies of the tribes under the division of Reuben: Reuben, Simeon, and Gad.
Elizur son of Shedeur
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:5.
Numbers 10:19
Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai
See how you translated this man's name Numbers 1:6.
Numbers 10:20
Eliasaph son of Deuel
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:14.
Numbers 10:21
Kohathites
This refers to the descendants of Kohath. See how you translated this in Numbers 3:27.
Numbers 10:22
The armies under the banner of Ephraim's descendants
This refers to the armies of the tribes under the division of Ephraim: Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin.
Elishama son of Ammihud
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:10.
Numbers 10:23
Gamaliel son of Pedahzur
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:10.
Numbers 10:24
Abidan son of Gideoni
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:11.
Numbers 10:25
The armies that camped under the banner of Dan's descendants
This refers to the armies of the tribes under the division of Dan: Dan, Asher, and Naphtali.
Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:12.
Numbers 10:26
Pagiel son of Okran
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:13.
Numbers 10:27
Ahira son of Enan
See how you translated these names of men in Numbers 1:15.
Numbers 10:29
Hobab son of Reuel
This is the name of a man.
that Yahweh described
"that Yahweh described to us"
we will do you good
"we will treat you well"
Numbers 10:31
You must watch out for us
"You can guide us and show us how to live in the desert"
Numbers 10:33
They journeyed
"They" refers to the people of Israel.
the mountain of Yahweh
"Mount Sinai, the mountain of Yahweh"
The ark of the covenant of Yahweh went before them
"Men carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh before them as they traveled". The group of Levites carrying the ark of the covenant went before the people of Israel as the traveled.
Numbers 10:35
Whenever the ark set out
"Whenever the people carrying the ark set out". Here the ark was really being carried by men.
Rise up, Yahweh
Here the phrase "rise up" is a request for Yahweh to act. In this case, Moses is asking him to scatter their enemies.
Make those who hate you run from you
"Make those who hate you run away from your ark and your people". Here Moses speaks about Yahweh causing their enemies to flee from the people of Israel as if they were fleeing from Yahweh himself.
Numbers 10:36
Whenever the ark stopped
"Whenever the people carrying the ark stopped"
many tens of thousands
"many tens of thousands of people"
Chapter 11
1
Now the people complained about their troubles as Yahweh listened. Yahweh heard the people and became angry. Fire from Yahweh burned among them and consumed some of the camp on its edges.
2
Then people called out to Moses, so Moses prayed to Yahweh, and the fire stopped.
3
That place was named Taberah, because Yahweh's fire burned among them.
4
Some foreign people began to camp with Israel's descendants. They wanted better food to eat. Then the people of Israel began to weep and say, "Who will give us meat to eat?
5
We remember the fish that we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic.
6
Now our appetite is gone, because all we can see is this manna."
7
Manna was like coriander seed. It looked like resin.
8
The people walked around and gathered it. They ground it in mills, beat it in mortars, boiled it in pots, and made it into cakes. It tasted like a delicacy baked with olive oil.
9
When the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna also fell.
10
Moses heard the people weeping in their families, and every man was at the entrance to his tent. Yahweh was very angry, and in Moses' eyes their complaining was wrong.
11
Moses said to Yahweh, "Why have you treated your servant so badly? Why are you not pleased with me? You make me carry the load of all these people.
12
Did I conceive all these people? Have I given them birth so that you should say to me, 'Carry them closely to your chest as a father carries a baby?' Should I carry them to the land that you swore to their ancestors to give them?
13
Where can I find meat to give to all this people? They are weeping in front of me and are saying, 'Give us meat to eat.'
14
I cannot bear all these people alone. They are too much for me.
15
Since you are treating me this way, kill me now—if I find favor in your eyes—do not let me see my misery."
16
Yahweh said to Moses, "Bring to me seventy of Israel's elders. Be sure that they are elders and officers of the people. Bring them to the tent of meeting to stand there with you.
17
I will come down and talk with you there. I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will bear the burden of the people with you. You will not have to bear it alone.
18
Say to the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow you will indeed eat meat, for you have wept and Yahweh has heard. You said, "Who will give us meat to eat? It was good for us in Egypt." Therefore Yahweh will give you meat, and you will eat it.
19
You will not eat meat for only one day, two days, five days, ten days, or twenty days,
20
but you will eat meat for a whole month until it comes out of your nostrils. It will disgust you because you have rejected Yahweh, who is among you. You have wept before him. You said, "Why did we leave Egypt?"'"
21
Then Moses said, "The people I am with are 600,000 footmen, and you have said, 'I will give them meat to eat for a whole month.'
22
Should we kill flocks and herds to satisfy them? Should we catch all the fish in the sea to satisfy them?"
23
Yahweh said to Moses, "Is my hand short? Now you will see whether or not my word is true."
24
Moses went out and told the people Yahweh's words. He gathered seventy of the people's elders and positioned them around the tent.
25
Yahweh came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses. Yahweh took some of the Spirit that was on Moses and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but only on that occasion and not again.
26
Two men remained in the camp, named Eldad and Medad. The Spirit also rested on them. Their names were written on the list, but they had not gone out to the tent. Nevertheless, they prophesied in the camp.
27
A young man in the camp ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp."
28
Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant, one of his chosen men, said to Moses, "My master Moses, stop them."
29
Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all of Yahweh's people were prophets and that he would put his Spirit on them all!"
30
Then Moses and the elders of Israel went back to the camp.
31
Then a wind came from Yahweh and brought quail from the sea. They fell near the camp, about a day's journey on one side and a day's journey on the other side. The quail surrounded the camp about two cubits above the ground.
32
The people were busy gathering quail all that day, all the night, and all the next day. No one gathered less than ten homers of quail. They shared the quail all through the camp.
33
While the meat was still between their teeth, while they were chewing it, the anger of Yahweh was kindled at them. He attacked the people with a very great disease.
34
That place was named Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had craved meat.
35
From Kibroth Hattaavah the people traveled to Hazeroth, where they stayed.
Numbers 11:1
Fire from Yahweh burned
"Yahweh sent fire that burned"
Numbers 11:3
That place was named
"They named that place"
Numbers 11:4
Who will give us meat to eat?
"We wish that we had meat to eat.". The Israelites ask this question in order to complain and to express their desire for something other than manna to eat.
Numbers 11:6
our appetite is gone
"we do not want to eat"
Numbers 11:7
coriander seed
Coriander is also known as cilantro and serves as a spice when dried.
resin
This is a sticky substance with a pale yellow color.
Numbers 11:10
in Moses' eyes
"in Moses' opinion" or "in Moses' judgement". Moses complained about having too much responsibility. Therefore, God gave seventy men the spirit of prophecy to help Moses. The people complained about food, even though Yahweh was miraculously providing them with their food. The people complained because they did not have meat or fish to eat. God sent them quail. He punished some of the people, but it does not say why God did this.
Numbers 11:11
Why have you treated your servant so badly? Why are you not pleased with me?
"You should not treat me, your servant, so badly. You should not be angry with me!" or "I, your servant, have done nothing wrong for you to treat me so badly!". Moses used these questions to complain about the way God was treating him.
You make me carry the load of all these people
"You make me responsible for all these people, but it's too hard for me"
Numbers 11:12
Did I conceive all these people?
"I am not the father of all these people."
Have I given them birth so that you should say to me, 'Carry ... baby?'
"I have not given them birth, so you have no right to say to me, 'Carry ... baby'!". Moses wants God to remember that God told him to take care of the Israelites even though Moses was not their father.
Carry them closely to your chest
To take care of the Israelites is spoken of as if it were to carry a helpless newborn baby.
Should I carry them ... to give them?
"You should not expect me to carry them ... to give them!" or "I am not able to carry them ... to give them!"
Numbers 11:13
Where can I find meat to give to all this people?
"I cannot possibly find enough meat to give to all these people."
Numbers 11:14
I cannot bear all these people alone
"I cannot provide for all these people alone"
They are too much for me
"This responsibility is too difficult for me"
Numbers 11:17
some of the Spirit that is on you
"some of the power that the Spirit has given you". The "Spirit" here represents the power that God's Spirit had given to Moses so that he could do what God told him to do.
They will bear the burden of the people with you
"They will help you care for the people"
You will not have to bear it alone
"You will not care for them alone"
Numbers 11:18
Who will give us meat to eat?
"We wish that we had meat to eat."
Numbers 11:20
until it comes out of your nostrils
"until you are sick and vomit" or "until it feels like it would have to come out of your nostrils"
Why did we leave Egypt?
"We never should have left Egypt."
Numbers 11:21
600,000 footmen
"six hundred thousand footmen"
Numbers 11:22
Should we kill flocks and herds to satisfy them? Should we catch all the fish in the sea to satisfy them?
"We would have to kill entire flocks and herds and catch all the fish in the sea to satisfy them!"
all the fish in the sea
The word "all" is an exaggeration to show how impossible it was to provide food for all the people of Israel.
to satisfy them
"to satisfy their hunger"
Numbers 11:23
Is my hand short?
"Do you think that I am not powerful enough to do this?" or "You should know I am more than strong enough to do this.". God uses this question to rebuke Moses for thinking that God did not have the power to provide enough meat for the people.
Numbers 11:24
Yahweh's words
"what Yahweh had said"
Numbers 11:25
some of the Spirit that was on Moses
"some of the power that the Spirit had given to Moses"
put it on the seventy elders
"gave it to the seventy elders". Giving power to the elders is spoken of as putting the Spirit on them. See how you translated these phrases in Numbers 11:17
When the Spirit rested on them
"When they had power from the Spirit". Having power from the Spirit is spoken of as if the Spirit rested on them.
Numbers 11:26
The Spirit also rested on them
"The Spirit also gave them power"
Their names were written on the list
"Moses had written their names on the list"
Numbers 11:28
stop them
"tell them to stop prophesying"
Numbers 11:29
Are you jealous for my sake?
"You should not be jealous for my sake.". Moses uses this question to rebuke Joshua.
Are you jealous for my sake?
"Are you concerned that they might be taking away something that belongs to me?" or "Are you concerned that people will not respect my authority?"
that he would put his Spirit on them all
"that God's Spirit would give them all power"
Numbers 11:31
quail
a small bird
about a day's journey on one side and a day's journey on the other side
"in each direction for as far as a person could walk in one day"
about two cubits
"about 92 centimeters" or "about 1 meter". A cubit is a unit of measurement equal to about 46 centimeters.
Numbers 11:32
No one gathered less than ten homers of quail
"Everyone gathered at least ten homers of quail"
ten homers
"2,200 liters". A homer is a unit of volume equal to about 220 liters.
Numbers 11:33
While the meat was still between their teeth, while they were chewing it
"While they were still eating the meat". These two phrases mean basically the same thing. Together they emphasize that God punished them immediately, even while they were eating the meat.
the anger of Yahweh was kindled at them
"Yahweh became very angry with them"
Numbers 11:34
That place was named Kibroth Hattaavah
"They named that place Kibroth Hattaavah"
Numbers 11:35
Hazeroth
This is the name of a place in the desert.
Chapter 12
1
Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married.
2
They said, "Has Yahweh spoken only with Moses? Has he not spoken also with us?" Now Yahweh heard what they said.
3
Now the man Moses was very humble, humbler than anyone else on earth.
4
Right away Yahweh spoke to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam: "Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting." So the three of them went out.
5
Then Yahweh came down in a pillar of cloud. He stood at the entrance to the tent and called Aaron and Miriam. They both came forward.
6
Yahweh said, "Now listen to my words.
When a prophet of mine is with you,
I will reveal myself to him in visions
and speak to him in dreams.
7
My servant Moses is not like that.
He is faithful in all my house.
8
I speak to Moses directly, not with visions or riddles.
He sees my form.
So why are you unafraid
to speak against my servant, against Moses?"
9
Yahweh's anger burned against them, and then he left them.
10
The cloud rose from over the tent, and Miriam was suddenly leprous—she was as white as snow. When Aaron turned toward Miriam, he saw that she had leprosy.
11
Aaron said to Moses, "Oh, my master, please do not hold this sin against us. We have spoken foolishly, and we have sinned.
12
Please do not let her be like a dead newborn whose flesh is half consumed when it emerges from its mother's womb."
13
So Moses called out to Yahweh. He said, "Please heal her, God, please."
14
Yahweh said to Moses, "If her father had spit in her face, she would be disgraced for seven days. Shut her outside the camp for seven days. After that bring her in again."
15
So Miriam was shut outside the camp for seven days. The people did not journey until she had returned to the camp.
16
After that, the people journeyed from Hazeroth and camped in the wilderness of Paran.
Numbers 12:2
Has Yahweh spoken only with Moses? Has he not spoken also with us?
"Yahweh has not spoken only with Moses. He has also spoken with us.". Miriam and Aaron use these questions to complain that Moses had so much authority and they did not.
Numbers 12:3
Now the man Moses
"Now" is used here to mark a pause in the story. The narrator tells background information about Moses's character.
Numbers 12:5
a pillar of cloud
"a cloud shaped like a pillar" or "a tall cloud"
Numbers 12:7
My servant Moses is not like that
"I do not speak to Moses like that"
He is faithful in all my house
"Moses leads my people faithfully" or "Moses is the one whom I trust to lead my people Israel". Here "my house" represents the nation of Israel. Being faithful in God's house represents being faithful in leading Israel.
Numbers 12:8
speak to Moses directly
God used the idiom "mouth to mouth" meaning "speaking directly with both people present." This indicated that Moses was more than just a prophet and greater than other prophets.
So why are you unafraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?
"You should be afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses.". Yahweh asks this question to rebuke Miriam and Aaron.
against my servant, against Moses
"against my servant, Moses"
Numbers 12:9
Yahweh's anger burned against them
"Yahweh became very angry with them"
Numbers 12:10
was as white as snow
"became very white". Leprosy turned Miriam's skin white.
Numbers 12:11
do not hold this sin against us
To hold people's sin against them is to say that they are guilty for their sin. Here it represents punishing them for their sin.
Numbers 12:12
Please do not let her be like a dead newborn whose flesh is half consumed
"Please do not let her be like a dead newborn baby whose flesh is half decayed". Miriam's leprosy would cause her body to decay until she died. The flesh being decayed is spoken of as if it were eaten.
Numbers 12:13
Please heal her, God, please
The word "please" is repeated for emphasis.
Numbers 12:14
If her father had spit in her face
This describes a situation that could have happened but did not. Spitting in someone's face was a terrible insult.
Numbers 12:15
Miriam was shut outside the camp
"Moses shut Miriam outside the camp" or "Moses sent Miriam outside the camp".
Numbers 12:16
Hazeroth
This is the name of a place in the desert. See how you translated it in Numbers 11:35.
Chapter 13
1
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said,
2
"Send some men to examine the land of Canaan, which I have given to the people of Israel. Send a man from every tribe of their ancestors. Each man must be a leader among them."
3
Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran, so that they might obey Yahweh's command. All of them were leaders among the people of Israel.
4
These were their names: from the tribe of Reuben, Shammua son of Zakkur;
5
from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat son of Hori;
6
from the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh;
7
from the tribe of Issachar, Igal son of Joseph;
8
from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun;
9
from the tribe of Benjamin, Palti son of Raphu;
10
from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi;
11
from the tribe of Joseph (that is to say, from the tribe Manasseh), Gaddi son of Susi;
12
from the tribe of Dan, Ammiel son of Gemalli;
13
from the tribe of Asher, Sethur son of Michael;
14
from the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vophsi;
15
from the tribe of Gad, Geuel son of Maki.
16
These were the names of the men whom Moses sent to examine the land. Moses called Hoshea son of Nun by the name of Joshua.
17
Moses sent them to examine the land of Canaan. He said to them, "Approach from the Negev and go up into the hill country.
18
Examine the land to see what it is like. Observe the people who live there, whether they are strong or weak, and whether they are few or many.
19
See what the land is like where they live. Is it good or bad? What cities are there? Are they like camps, or are they fortified cities?
20
See what the land is like, whether it is good for growing crops or not, and whether there are trees there or not. Be brave and bring back samples of the land's produce." Now the time was the season for the first ripe grapes.
21
So the men went up and examined the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, near Lebo Hamath.
22
They went up from the Negev and arrived at Hebron. Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, were there. Now Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.
23
When they reached the Valley of Eshkol, they cut down a branch with a cluster of grapes. They carried it on a staff between two of their group. They also brought pomegranates and figs.
24
That place was named the Valley of Eshkol, because of the grape cluster that the people of Israel cut down there.
25
After forty days, they returned from examining the land.
26
They came back to Moses, Aaron, and all the community of the people of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh. They brought back word to them and to all the community, and showed them the produce from the land.
27
They told Moses, "We reached the land to which you sent us. It certainly flows with milk and honey. Here is some produce from it.
28
However, the people who make their homes there are strong. The cities are fortified and very large. We also saw descendants of Anak there.
29
The Amalekites live in the Negev. The Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites have their homes in the hill country. The Canaanites live by the sea and along the Jordan River."
30
Then Caleb silenced the people who were before Moses and said, "Let us go up and take possession of the land, for we are certainly able to conquer it."
31
But the other men who had gone with him said, "We are not able to attack the people because they are stronger than we are."
32
So they spread around a discouraging report to the people of Israel about the land that they had examined. They said, "The land that we looked at is a land that eats up its inhabitants. All the people whom we saw there are people of great height.
33
There we saw the Nephilim, descendants of Anak, people who came from giants. In our own sight we were like grasshoppers in comparison with them, and this is what we were in their sight, too."
Numbers 13:1
General Information:
Leaders from each of the tribes went to spy on the Promised Land in Canaan. Yahweh was not concerned with how many people were there; because he could defeat them and it appears that he is testing the faith of the people. The people were supposed to be excited to enter this wonderful land, instead they were afraid.
Numbers 13:2
which I have given
"which I have decided to give". God had decided that the land of Canaan would belong to the people of Israel, but they had not yet moved into it.
Each man must be a leader among them
"Each man whom you send must be a leader among his tribe"
Numbers 13:4
Shammua son of Zakkur
These are men's names.
Numbers 13:5
Shaphat ... Hori
These are men's names.
Numbers 13:6
Jephunneh
A man's name.
Numbers 13:7
Igal
A man's name.
Numbers 13:8
Nun
A man's name.
Numbers 13:9
Palti ... Raphu
These are men's names.
Numbers 13:10
Gaddiel ... Sodi
These are men's names.
Numbers 13:11
Gaddi ... Susi
These are men's names.
from the tribe of Joseph (that is to say, from the tribe Manasseh)
"from the tribe of Joseph's son Manasseh"
Numbers 13:12
Ammiel ... Gemalli
These are men's names.
Numbers 13:13
Sethur ... Michael
These are men's names.
Numbers 13:14
Nahbi ... Vophsi
These are men's names.
Numbers 13:15
Geuel ... Maki
These are men's names.
Numbers 13:19
Is it good or bad? What cities are there? Are they like camps, or are they fortified cities?
"See if the land is good or bad, what kind of cities are there, and whether those cities are only camps, or whether they have defensive walls around them."
Are they like camps, or are they fortified cities
Fortified cities had strong walls around them to protect them from enemy armies. Camps did not have these walls.
Numbers 13:21
Zin ... Rehob
These are names of places. The word "Zin" is the Hebrew name of the wilderness.
Numbers 13:22
Zoan
This is the name of a place.
Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt
"the Canaanites had built Hebron 7 years before the Egyptians built Zoan"
Ahiman ... Sheshai ... Talmai
These are names of clans that were named after their ancestors.
Anak
This is the name of a man.
Numbers 13:23
Eshkol
This is the name of a place.
between two of their group
"between two men of their group"
Numbers 13:24
That place was named
"They named that place"
Numbers 13:25
After forty days
"After 40 days"
Numbers 13:26
They brought back word
"They brought back their report"
Numbers 13:27
It certainly flows with milk and honey
"It is certainly excellent for raising livestock and growing crops" or "It is certainly very fertile land"
milk
"food from livestock"
honey
"food from crops"
Numbers 13:32
they spread around ... They said
Here "they" refers to all of the men who examined the land except for Caleb and Joshua.
the land that they had examined
Here "they" refers to all of the men who examined the land including Caleb and Joshua.
a land that eats up its inhabitants
"a very dangerous land" or "a land where the people will kill us"
Numbers 13:33
the Nephilim
These seem to have been giants, very tall, large people.
Anak
This is the name of a man.
In our own sight ... in their sight
"In our own opinion ... in their opinion" or "In our own judgment ... in their judgment"
we were like grasshoppers in comparison with them
"we are as small as grasshoppers in comparison with them"
Chapter 14
1
That night all the community wept loudly.
2
All the people of Israel criticized Moses and Aaron. The whole community said to them, "We wish we had died in the land of Egypt, or here in this wilderness!
3
Why did Yahweh bring us to this land to die by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become victims. Is it not better for us to return to Egypt?"
4
They said to one another, "Let us choose another leader, and let us return to Egypt."
5
Then Moses and Aaron lay facedown before all the assembly of the community of the people of Israel.
6
Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were some of those sent to examine the land, tore their clothes.
7
They spoke to all the community of the people of Israel. They said, "The land that we passed through and examined is a very good land.
8
If Yahweh is pleased with us, then he will take us into this land and give it to us. The land flows with milk and honey.
9
But do not rebel against Yahweh, and do not fear the people in the land, for they are bread to us. Their protection will be removed from them, because Yahweh is with us. Do not fear them."
10
Then all the congregation said to stone them with stones. But the glory of Yahweh appeared at the tent of meeting to all the people of Israel.
11
Yahweh said to Moses, "How long must this people despise me? How long must they fail to trust me, despite all the signs of my power that I have done among them?
12
I will attack them with plague, disinherit them, and make from your own clan a nation that will be greater and mightier than they are."
13
Moses said to Yahweh, "If you do this, then the Egyptians will hear about it, because you rescued this people from them by your power.
14
They will tell it to this land's inhabitants. They have heard that you, Yahweh, are present with this people, because you are seen face to face. Your cloud stands over our people. You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night.
15
Now if you kill this people as one man, then the nations that have heard this report about you will say,
16
'Because Yahweh could not take this people into the land that he swore to give them, he has killed them in the wilderness.'
17
Now, I beg you, may the power of my Lord be great. For you have said,
18
'Yahweh is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He forgives iniquity and transgression. He will by no means clear the guilty when he brings the punishment of the ancestors' sin on their descendants, to the third and fourth generation.'
19
Pardon, I plead with you, this people's iniquity because of the greatness of your covenant faithfulness, just as you have always forgiven this people from the time they were in Egypt until now."
20
Yahweh said, "I have pardoned them in keeping with your request,
21
but truly, as I live, and as all the earth will be filled with my glory,
22
all those people who saw my glory and the signs of power that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness—they have still tested me these ten times and have not listened to my voice.
23
So I say that they will certainly not see the land about which I made an oath to their ancestors. Not one of them who despised me will see it,
24
except for my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly. I will bring him into the land where he had gone, and his descendants will take possession of it.
25
(Now the Amalekites and Canaanites lived in the valley.) Tomorrow turn and go to the wilderness by the way of the Sea of Reeds."
26
Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron. He said,
27
"How long must I tolerate this evil community that criticizes me? I have heard the complaining of the people of Israel against me.
28
Say to them, 'As I live—this is Yahweh's declaration—as you have spoken in my hearing, I will do this to you:
29
Your dead bodies will fall in this wilderness, all you who complained against me, you who were counted in the census, the whole number of the people from twenty years old and upward.
30
You will certainly not go into the land that I promised to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
31
But your little ones who you said would be victims, I will take them into the land. They will experience the land that you have rejected!
32
As for you, your dead bodies will fall in this wilderness.
33
Your children will be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years. They must bear the punishment for your acts of rebellion until the end of your corpses in the wilderness.
34
According to the number of the days during which you examined the land, forty days, you will bear the punishment for your sins for forty years, one year for every day, and you will know my opposition.
35
I, Yahweh, have spoken. I will certainly do this to all this evil community that is gathered together against me. They will be completely cut off in this wilderness, and here they will die.'"
36
So the men Moses sent to spy out the land, who returned and made the entire community grumble against Moses by spreading a bad report about the land—
37
these men who had brought out a bad report about the land were struck down, and they died of a plague before Yahweh.
38
Of those men who had gone to spy out the land, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh remained alive.
39
When Moses reported these words to all the people of Israel, they mourned very deeply.
40
They rose up early in the morning and went to the top of the mountain and said, "Look, we are here, and we will go to the place that Yahweh has promised, for we have sinned."
41
But Moses said, "Why are you now violating Yahweh's command? You will not succeed.
42
Do not go, because Yahweh is not with you to prevent you from being defeated by your enemies.
43
The Amalekites and Canaanites are there, and you will die by the sword because you turned back from following Yahweh. So he will not be with you."
44
But they arrogantly went up into the hill country; however, neither Moses nor the ark of the covenant of Yahweh left the camp.
45
Then the Amalekites came down, and also the Canaanites who lived on those hills. They attacked the Israelites and beat them down all the way to Hormah.
Numbers 14:1
General Information:
The author uses several rhetorical questions in this chapter. These questions indicate that people did not have faith in Yahweh. Yahweh also uses rhetorical questions to show the people's lack of faith.
Numbers 14:3
Why did Yahweh bring us to this land to die by the sword?
"Yahweh should not have brought us to this land only to die by the sword."
to die by the sword
"to die when people attack us with swords" or "to die in battle"
Is it not better for us to return to Egypt?
"It would be better for us to return to Egypt than to try to conquer Canaan."
Numbers 14:4
They said to one another
This refers to the people of Israel.
Numbers 14:5
lay facedown
"lay down with their faces touching the ground." or "lay facedown in humility to God" or "lay facedown to pray to God". Moses and Aaron did this to show that they were humbling themselves before God. They feared that God might punish the people for rebelling against him.
Numbers 14:6
Nun ... Jephunneh
These are names of men.
who were some of those sent
"who were some of those whom Moses sent"
tore their clothes
Tearing one's clothes was a gesture indicating the person is very troubled and is mourning.
Numbers 14:8
The land flows with milk and honey
"It is excellent for raising livestock and growing crops" or "It is very fertile land". See how you translated this in Numbers 13:27.
Numbers 14:9
for they are bread to us
"We will destroy them as easily as we can eat food". Joshua and Caleb speak of destroying their enemies as easily as if they were eating bread.
Their protection will be removed from them
"Yahweh will remove their protection from them"
Their protection
"Anyone that might protect them"
Numbers 14:11
How long must this people despise me? How long must they fail to trust me, despite all the signs ... them?
"This people has despised me for too long. They have failed to trust me for too long, despite all the signs ... them.". Yahweh uses these questions to show that he was angry and had lost patience with the people.
Numbers 14:12
disinherit them
"reject them from being my people." This may imply that he would destroy them, and some versions translate it that way.
make from your own clan
Here "your" is singular and refers to Moses.
Numbers 14:14
you are seen face to face
"they have seen you" or "you speak directly to me". See Numbers 12:8.
Numbers 14:15
as one man
"all at one time"
Numbers 14:17
my Lord
Some ancient manuscripts and modern translations read, "Yahweh."
Numbers 14:18
abounding in steadfast love
"always showing that he loves his people"
He will by no means clear the guilty
"he will certainly not clear guilty people." or "He will always punish the guilty"
when he brings the punishment of the ancestors' sin on their descendants
"when he punishes the guilty people's descendants for the guilty people's sins"
Numbers 14:21
all the earth will be filled with my glory
"my glory will fill all the earth"
Numbers 14:22
they have still tested me
"they have continued to test me"
these ten times
"too many times"
have not listened to my voice
"have not obeyed what I have said"
Numbers 14:24
because he has a different spirit
"because he has a different attitude" or "because he is different"
and follows me wholeheartedly
"and obeys me wholeheartedly"
Numbers 14:27
How long must I tolerate this evil community that criticizes me?
"I have tolerated this evil community who has criticized me long enough."
I have heard the complaining of the people of Israel
"I have heard the people of Israel complain"
Numbers 14:28
as you have spoken in my hearing
"as I have heard you say"
Numbers 14:29
Your dead bodies will fall
"You will die"
you who were counted in the census
"you whom Moses counted in the census"
from twenty years old and upward
"twenty years old and older"
Numbers 14:30
You will certainly not go into the land ... home, except Caleb ... Joshua ... Nun
"The only ones of you who will go into the land ... home are Caleb ... Joshua ... Nun"
Numbers 14:32
your dead bodies will fall
"you will die"
Numbers 14:33
Your children will be shepherds in the wilderness
"Your children will wander in the wilderness." This is because in ancient times, shepherds usually wandered from place to place so their flocks and herds could find pasture.
They must bear the punishment for your acts
"They must have me punish them for your acts" or "They must suffer because of what you have done"
until the end of your corpses
"until the last one of you dies" or "until all of you die"
Numbers 14:34
you will bear ... you will know
"you must bear ... you must know" or "you will have to bear ... you will have to know."
bear the punishment for your sins
"have me punish you for your sins" or "suffer because of your sins"
my opposition
"what it is like when I oppose you"
Numbers 14:35
They will be completely cut off
"they will come to an end" or "they will all be destroyed"
Numbers 14:37
these men who had brought out a bad report about the land were struck down, and they died of a plague before Yahweh
"Yahweh struck down these men who had brought out a bad report about the land, and they died"
Numbers 14:40
Look, we are here
These words are used to emphasize that they have changed their minds and now want to do what they should have done the day before.
Numbers 14:41
Why are you now violating Yahweh's command?
"You should not be violating Yahweh's command again."
Numbers 14:42
Yahweh is not with you
"Yahweh will not help you"
to prevent you from being defeated by your enemies
"to prevent your enemies from defeating you" or "to give you victory over your enemies"
Numbers 14:43
you will die by the sword
"you will die in battle" or "they will kill you when you fight against them"
you turned back from following Yahweh
"you stopped obeying Yahweh" or "you have decided not to obey Yahweh"
he will not be with you
"he will not help you"
Numbers 14:44
they arrogantly went up into the hill country
"they dared to go up into the hill country even though God did not approve"
into the hill country
Much of the land of Israel is elevated. When the Israelites crossed the Jordan River valley to attack the Canaanites, there were hills that they had to climb in order to go farther.
Numbers 14:45
beat them down
"defeated them" or "crushed them"
Chapter 15
1
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said,
2
"Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'When you go into the land where you will live, which Yahweh will give to you,
3
you are to prepare an offering by fire to Yahweh, either a burnt offering or a sacrifice to fulfill a vow or a freewill offering, or an offering at your feasts, to produce a pleasing aroma for Yahweh from the herd or the flock.
4
You must offer to Yahweh a burnt offering as well as a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one-fourth of a hin of oil.
5
You must also offer with the burnt offering, or for the sacrifice, one-fourth of a hin of wine for the drink offering for each lamb.
6
If you are offering a ram, you must prepare as a grain offering two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a third of a hin of oil.
7
For the drink offering, you must offer a third of a hin of wine. It will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh.
8
When you prepare a bull as a burnt offering or as a sacrifice to fulfill a vow, or as a fellowship offering to Yahweh,
9
then you must offer with the bull a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with half a hin of oil.
10
You must offer as the drink offering half a hin of wine, as an offering made by fire, to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh.
11
It must be done this way for each bull, for each ram, and for each of the male lambs or young goats.
12
Every sacrifice that you prepare and offer must be done as described here.
13
All who are native-born must do these things in this way, when anyone brings an offering made by fire, to produce an aroma that is pleasing to Yahweh.
14
If a sojourner is staying with you, or whoever may live among you throughout your people's generations, he must make an offering made by fire, to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. He must act as you act.
15
There must be the same law for the community and for the foreigner who stays with you, a permanent law throughout your people's generations. As you are, so also must be the sojourner staying with you. He must act as you act before Yahweh.
16
The same law and decree must apply to you and to the foreigner who is staying with you.'"
17
Again Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said,
18
"Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'When you come into the land where I will take you,
19
when you eat the food produced in the land, you must lift up a contribution to Yahweh.
20
From the first of your dough you must offer a loaf to lift it up as a contribution, a contribution from the threshing floor. You must lift it up in this way.
21
You must give to me a lifted contribution throughout your people's generations from the first of your dough.
22
You will sometimes sin without intending to do so, when you do not obey all these commands that I have spoken to Moses—
23
everything that I have commanded you through Moses from the day that I began to give you commands and onward throughout your people's generations.
24
In the case of unintentional sin without the community's knowledge, then all the community must offer one young bull as a burnt offering to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. Along with this must be made a grain offering and drink offering, as commanded by the decree, and one male goat as a sin offering.
25
The priest must make atonement for all the community of the people of Israel. They will be forgiven because the sin was an error. They have brought their sacrifice, an offering made by fire to me. They have brought their sin offering before me for their error.
26
Then all the community of the people of Israel will be forgiven, and also the foreigners who are staying with them, because all the people committed the sin unintentionally.
27
If a person sins unintentionally, then he must offer a female goat a year old as a sin offering.
28
The priest must make atonement before Yahweh for the person who goes astray and sins unintentionally. That person will be forgiven when atonement has been made.
29
You must have the same law for the one who does anything unintentionally, the same law for the one who is native born among the people of Israel and for the foreigners who are staying among them.
30
But the person who does anything with a high hand, whether he is native born or a foreigner, blasphemes me. That person must be cut off from among his people.
31
Because he has despised my word and has broken my commandment, that person must be cut off completely. His iniquity will be on him.'"
32
While the people of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering wood on the Sabbath day.
33
Those who found him brought him to Moses, Aaron, and all the community.
34
They kept him in custody because it had not been declared what should be done with him.
35
Then Yahweh said to Moses, "The man must surely be put to death. All the community must stone him with stones outside the camp."
36
So all the community brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
37
Again Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said,
38
"Speak to the descendants of Israel and command them to make for themselves tassels to hang from the borders of their garments, to hang them from each border by a blue cord. They must do this throughout their people's generations.
39
It will be a special reminder to you, when you may look at it, of all my commandments, to carry them out so that you do not look to your own heart and your own eyes and prostitute yourselves to them.
40
Do this so that you may call to mind and obey all my commandments, and so that you may be holy, reserved for me, your God.
41
I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to become your God. I am Yahweh your God."
Numbers 15:1
General Information:
Numbers 15:1-32 indicates what God told Moses to tell the people of Israel. As the people travel through the wilderness, Yahweh is purifying them. He is doing this so that they are able to enter into the Promised Land.
Numbers 15:3
to produce a pleasing aroma for Yahweh from the herd or the flock
"to produce from the herd or flock a smell that pleases Yahweh." or "to please Yahweh by burning a sacrifice from the herd or the flock." The Lord's pleasure with the aroma represents his pleasure with the person who burns the offering.
Numbers 15:4
a tenth of an ephah
"about 2 liters" or "two liters". An ephah is a unit of volume equal to about 22 liters.
one-fourth of a hin
"about 1 liter" or "one liter". A hin is a unit of volume equal to about 3.7 liters.
Numbers 15:6
two-tenths of an ephah
"4 liters" or "four and a half liters"
a third of a hin
"one liter". A hin is a unit of volume equal to about 3.7 liters.
Numbers 15:7
It will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh
"It will produce a smell that pleases Yahweh." or "You will please Yahweh by offering it."
Numbers 15:9
three-tenths of an ephah
"six and one half liters"
half a hin
"two liters"
Numbers 15:10
made by fire
"that you burn on the altar"
to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh
"to produce a smell that pleases Yahweh." or "to please Yahweh by offering it."
Numbers 15:11
It must be done
"You must do it"
Numbers 15:12
must be done as described
"you must do as I have described"
Numbers 15:13
made by fire
"that they burn on the altar"
Numbers 15:14
he must make an offering made by fire
"he must burn an offering on the altar"
Numbers 15:15
As you are, so also must be the sojourner
"You and the sojourner staying with you are alike before Yahweh" or "The same law applies to both you and the sojourner"
He must act as you act before Yahweh
"He must act as you act in Yahweh's presence." or "he must act as you act and obey all of Yahweh's commands." Because it says that they must act as the Israelites in Yahweh's presence, it is implied that they must obey all of Yahweh's commands.
Numbers 15:19
the food produced in the land
"the food that the land produces" or "the food that you produce in the land"
Numbers 15:20
the first of your dough
Possible meanings are that this refers to 1) the first grain that they would gather during the harvest or 2) the dough that they would make from the first of their grain.
a loaf
Calling it a loaf implies that they would cooked the dough first.
to lift it up as a contribution
"to offer it as a gift"
a contribution from the threshing floor
The offering is spoken of as being from the threshing floor because this is where they would separate the grain from the other parts of the plant.
Numbers 15:22
General Information:
The word "you" here refers to Israelite people.
Numbers 15:24
must be made a grain offering and drink offering
"you must make a grain offering and drink offering"
as commanded by the decree
"as I commanded when I made the decree"
Numbers 15:25
They will be forgiven
"I will forgive them"
made by fire
"that they made by fire" or "that they burned on the altar"
Numbers 15:26
all the community of the people of Israel will be forgiven
"I will forgive all the community of the people of Israel"
Numbers 15:27
a female goat a year old
"a one year old female goat"
Numbers 15:28
That person will be forgiven when atonement has been made
"I will forgive that person when the priest has made atonement"
Numbers 15:30
with a high hand
"defiantly" or "knowing it is a sin and not caring"
That person must be cut off from among his people
"his people must send him away" or "I will no longer consider him to be one of the people of Israel"
Numbers 15:31
has broken my commandment
"has disobeyed my commandment" or "has not obeyed what I commanded"
His iniquity will be on him
"I will punish him because of his sin" or "I will consider him guilty"
Numbers 15:34
it had not been declared what should be done with him
"Yahweh had not declared what they should do with him"
Numbers 15:35
The man must surely be put to death
"You must surely put the man to death" or "The man must surely die"
Numbers 15:38
the descendants of Israel
"the people of Israel"
Numbers 15:39
to carry them out
"to obey them"
so that you do not look to your own heart and your own eyes
"so that you do not think about whatever you want". The heart represents what a person wants, and the eyes represent what a person sees and wants.
prostitute yourselves to them
"be shamefully unfaithful to me" or "do those things instead of obeying me". Being unfaithful to God by choosing to do whatever they want is spoken of as if they were women who were unfaithful to their husband by choosing to have sinful relationships with other men. The imagery of prostitution is commonly used in Scripture to indicate that Yahweh alone is to be worshiped. The people are compared to the prostitute because a husband is to only have a sexual relationship with his wife. Both the prostitute and the worship of other gods are violations of this exclusive relationship. Many cultures will struggle with this imagery because of a desire to use euphemisms.
Numbers 15:40
Connecting Statement:
The word "you" refers to the people.
call to mind
"remember"
Numbers 15:41
I am Yahweh your God
This phrase is repeated for emphasis.
Chapter 16
1
Now Korah son of Izhar son of Kohath son of Levi, along with Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, descendants of Reuben, gathered some men.
2
They rose up against Moses, along with other men from the people of Israel, 250 leaders of the community who were men of reputation in the community.
3
They assembled themselves together to confront Moses and Aaron. They said to them, "You have gone too far! All the community is set apart, every one of them, and Yahweh is among them. Why do you lift up yourselves above the rest of Yahweh's community?"
4
When Moses heard that, he lay facedown.
5
He spoke to Korah and all his companions, "In the morning Yahweh will make known who belongs to him and who is set apart to him. He will bring that person near to him. The one he chooses he will bring near to himself.
6
Do this, Korah and all your group. Take censers
7
tomorrow and put fire and incense in them before Yahweh. The one whom Yahweh chooses, that man will be set apart to Yahweh. You have gone too far, you descendants of Levi."
8
Again, Moses said to Korah, "Now listen, you descendants of Levi:
9
is it a small thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the community of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do work in Yahweh's tabernacle, and to stand before the community to serve them?
10
He has brought you near, and all your kinfolk, the descendants of Levi, with you, yet you are seeking the priesthood also!
11
Therefore you and all your company have gathered together against Yahweh. Who is Aaron that you grumble against him?"
12
Then Moses called for Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, but they said, "We will not come up.
13
Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness? Now you want to make yourself ruler over us!
14
In addition, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, or given us the fields and vineyards as an inheritance. Now do you want to blind us with empty promises? We will not come to you."
15
Moses was very angry and said to Yahweh, "Do not respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, and I have not harmed any of them."
16
Then Moses said to Korah, "Tomorrow you and all your companions must go before Yahweh—you and they, and Aaron.
17
Each of you must take his censer and put incense in it. Then each man must bring before Yahweh his censer, 250 censers. You and Aaron, also, must each bring your censer."
18
So every man took his censer, put fire in it, laid incense in it, and stood at the entrance to the tent of meeting with Moses and Aaron.
19
Korah assembled all the community against Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting, and Yahweh's glory appeared to all the community.
20
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron:
21
"Separate yourselves from among this community that I may consume them immediately."
22
Moses and Aaron lay facedown and said, "God, the God of the spirits of all humanity, if one man sins, must you be angry with all the community?"
23
Yahweh replied to Moses. He said,
24
"Speak to the community. Say, 'Get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.'"
25
Then Moses rose up and went to Dathan and Abiram; the elders of Israel followed him.
26
He spoke to the community and said, "Now leave the tents of these wicked men and touch nothing of theirs, or you will be consumed by all their sins."
27
So the community on every side of the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram left them. Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the entrance to their tents, with their wives, sons, and their little ones.
28
Then Moses said, "By this you will know that Yahweh has sent me to do all these works, for I have not done them of my own accord.
29
If these men die a natural death such as normally happens, then Yahweh has not sent me.
30
But if Yahweh creates something new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that they possess, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you must understand that these men have despised Yahweh."
31
As soon as Moses finished speaking all these words, the ground opened under those men.
32
The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, their families, and all the people who belonged to Korah, as well as all their possessions.
33
So they and all that they possessed went down alive into Sheol. The earth closed over them, and they perished from among the community.
34
All Israel around them fled from their cries. They exclaimed, "The earth may swallow us up also!"
35
Then fire flashed out from Yahweh and devoured the 250 men who had offered incense.
36
Again Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
37
"Speak to Eleazar son of Aaron the priest and let him take up the censers out of the flames, for the censers are set apart to me. Then let him scatter the burning coals at a distance.
38
Take the censers of those who lost their lives because of their sin. Let them be made into hammered plates as a covering over the altar. Those men did offer them before me, so they are set apart to me. They will be a sign of my presence to the people of Israel."
39
Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers that had been used by the men who were burned up, and they were hammered out into a covering for the altar,
40
to be a reminder to the people of Israel, so that no outsider who was not descended from Aaron should come up to burn incense before Yahweh, so they might not become like Korah and his group—just as Yahweh had commanded through Moses.
41
But the next morning all the community of the people of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron. They said, "You have killed Yahweh's people."
42
Then it happened, when the community had assembled against Moses and Aaron, that they looked toward the tent of meeting and, behold, the cloud was covering it. Yahweh's glory appeared,
43
and Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting.
44
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said,
45
"Go away from in front of this community so that I may consume them immediately." Then Moses and Aaron lay down with their faces to the ground.
46
Moses said to Aaron, "Take the censer, put fire in it from off the altar, put incense in it, carry it quickly to the community, and make atonement for them, because anger is coming from Yahweh. The plague has begun."
47
So Aaron did as Moses directed. He ran into the middle of the community. The plague had quickly started to spread among the people, so he put in the incense and made atonement for the people.
48
Aaron stood between the dead and the living; in this way the plague was stopped.
49
Those who died by the plague were 14,700 in number, besides those who had died in the matter of Korah.
50
Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance to the tent of meeting, and the plague ended.
Numbers 16:1
Kohath
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 3:17.
Numbers 16:2
rose up against Moses
"rebelled against Moses"
men of reputation in the community
"famous members of the community" or "important men in the community"
Numbers 16:3
You have gone too far
"You have done more than you should" or "You assume to have more authority than you should"
Why do you lift up yourselves above the rest of Yahweh's community?
"You are wrong to lift up yourselves above the rest of Yahweh's community."
lift up yourselves above the rest
"consider yourselves more important than the rest"
Numbers 16:4
he lay facedown
This indicates that Moses was humbling himself before God. He was afraid that God would punish the people for rebelling against God and his chosen leaders.
Numbers 16:5
who is set apart to him
"whom Yahweh has set apart for himself"
Numbers 16:6
censers
containers in which to burn incense
Numbers 16:7
before Yahweh
"in Yahweh's presence"
that man will be set apart to Yahweh
"Yahweh will set apart that man for himself"
You have gone too far
"You have done more than you should" or "You assume to have more authority than you should"
Numbers 16:9
is it a small thing for you ... to serve them?
"You behave as though it it is a small thing for you ... to serve them!" or "You should not consider it a small thing ... to serve them!"
a small thing for you
"not enough for you" or "unimportant to you"
Numbers 16:10
you are seeking the priesthood also
"you want to have the priesthood too" or "you want to be priests also"
Numbers 16:11
Who is Aaron that you grumble against him?
"You are not really complaining about Aaron, but about Yahweh, whom Aaron obeys!"
Numbers 16:13
Is it a small thing that you have brought us ... to kill us in the wilderness?
"You behave as though it was a small thing for you to bring us ... and kill us in the wilderness.". Dathan and Abiram use this question to rebuke Moses.
a small thing
"not enough" or "unimportant"
a land flowing with milk and honey
"that is excellent for raising livestock and growing crops" or "a very fertile land". They spoke of the land being good for animals and plants as if the milk and honey from those animals and plants were flowing through the land. See how you translated this in Numbers 14:8.
to kill us
"to have us die"
Numbers 16:14
as an inheritance
They spoke of what God would give them to be theirs forever as if it were an inheritance.
Now do you want to blind us with empty promises?
"Now you want to blind us with empty promises."
to blind us
"to deceive us"
with empty promises
"with promises that you do not keep" or "by promising to do things that you do not do"
Numbers 16:15
I have not taken one donkey from them
"I have not taken anything from them, not even one donkey"
Numbers 16:17
censer
a container in which to burn incense
Numbers 16:19
General Information:
A certain Levite and a few men from the tribe of Reuben claimed that they were just as good as Moses and Aaron, and they also could do the work of sacrificing animals at the sacred tent. So Moses told them to come to the sacred tent and burn incense to Yahweh. God then made the earth open and swallow up these leaders and their families. He also sent fire to destroy 250 other men who had joined with those leaders. These actions showed that only the Levites could be priests. Also, it taught the people that to rebel against Yahweh's anointed was to rebel against Yahweh.
Numbers 16:21
that I may consume them
"that I may destroy them" or "and I will destroy them"
Numbers 16:22
lay facedown
This shows that Moses and Aaron were humbling themselves before God.
the God of the spirits of all humanity
"the God who gives life to all humanity"
if one man sins, must you be angry with all the community?
"please do not be angry with all the community because one man sins"
Numbers 16:26
you will be consumed
"you will be destroyed"
you will be consumed by all their sins
"you will be destroyed because of all their sins"
you will be consumed by all their sins
"all their sins will destroy you" or "Yahweh will destroy you because of all their sins"
Numbers 16:28
By this you will know
The word "this" refers to what Moses will say next.
Numbers 16:30
the earth opens its mouth and swallows them
"and they fall into it and are buried underneath the ground". Moses speaks as if the earth were alive and the opening in the ground into which these people would fall were a large mouth that would eat them.
Numbers 16:32
The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them
"The earth opened up like a large mouth, and they fell into it and were buried in it" or "There was a giant hole in the ground, and they fell into it and were buried in it"
Numbers 16:33
went down alive into Sheol
A similar phrase occurs in Numbers 16:30. See how you translated it there.
Numbers 16:34
They exclaimed
"They" refers to "All Israel."
The earth may swallow us up also
"The earth might open up and we too will fall into it" or "If the earth opens up again, we too will fall into it and be buried"
Numbers 16:35
fire flashed out from Yahweh and devoured the 250 men
"fire flashed out from Yahweh and destroyed the 250 men"
250 men
"two hundred and fifty men"
Numbers 16:37
out of the flames
This refers to the flames that burned the 250 men.
Numbers 16:38
those who lost their lives
"those who died"
Let them be made
"Let Eleazar make them". Here "them" refers to the censers.
they are set apart ... They will be a sign
Here "they" and "They" refer to the censers.
Numbers 16:39
that had been used by the men who were burned up
"that the men whom the fire had burned up had used"
Numbers 16:42
Then it happened
This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
had assembled against Moses and Aaron
"had assembled to complain against Moses and Aaron"
behold, the cloud
"suddenly, the cloud."
Numbers 16:45
so that I may consume them
"so that I may destroy them"
lay down with their faces to the ground
This indicates that Moses and Aaron are humbling themselves before God.
Numbers 16:46
anger is coming from Yahweh
"Yahweh is showing us his anger" or "Yahweh is very angry and is acting according to his anger"
Numbers 16:47
he put in the incense
"he burned the incense"
Numbers 16:48
the plague was stopped
"the plague stopped spreading"
Numbers 16:49
14,700 in number
"fourteen thousand seven hundred in number"
Chapter 17
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said,
2
"Speak to the people of Israel and get staffs from them, one for each ancestral tribe, twelve staffs. Write each man's name on his staff.
3
You must write Aaron's name on Levi's staff. There must be one staff for each leader from his ancestors' tribe.
4
You must place the staffs in the tent of meeting in front of the covenant decrees, where I meet with you.
5
It will happen that the staff of the man whom I choose will bud. I will cause the complaints from the people of Israel to stop, which they are speaking against you."
6
So Moses spoke to the people of Israel. All the tribal leaders gave him staffs, one staff from each leader, selected from each of the ancestral tribes, twelve staffs in all. Aaron's staff was among them.
7
Then Moses deposited the staffs before Yahweh in the tent of the covenant decrees.
8
The next day Moses went into the tent of the covenant decrees and, behold, Aaron's staff for the tribe of Levi had budded. It grew buds and produced blossoms and ripe almonds!
9
Moses brought out all the staffs from before Yahweh to all the people of Israel, and each man took his staff.
10
Yahweh said to Moses, "Put Aaron's staff in front of the covenant decrees. Keep it as a sign of guilt against the people who rebelled so that you may end complaints against me, or they will die."
11
Moses did just as Yahweh had commanded him.
12
The people of Israel spoke to Moses and said, "We will die here. We will all perish!
13
Everyone who comes up, who approaches Yahweh's tabernacle, will die. Must we all perish?"
Numbers 17:2
twelve
"12"
Numbers 17:3
Levi's staff
The name Levi here refers to the tribe of Levi.
for each leader from his ancestors' tribe
The word "his" refers to "each leader."
Numbers 17:4
the covenant decrees
"the ark of the covenant" or "the box that holds the covenant decrees". The phrase "the covenant decrees" refers to the box that held the tablets that the covenant decrees were written on. God told Moses that each tribe should bring one wooden staff and leave it overnight at the temple. The next day Aaron's staff representing the tribe of Levi bloomed and produced ripe almond nuts. This showed that the tribe of Levi was still the tribe chosen to be Yahweh's priests.
Numbers 17:5
the staff of the man whom I choose will bud
"buds will start to grow on the staff of the man whom I choose"
cause the complaints from the people of Israel to stop, which they are speaking against you
"make the people of Israel stop complaining against you"
Numbers 17:6
selected from each of the ancestral tribes
"whom Moses selected from each of the ancestor's tribes"
Numbers 17:7
the tent of the covenant decrees
"the tent of the covenant box" or "the tent that the covenant decrees are in"
Numbers 17:8
behold
The word "behold" here shows that something especially important has happened.
Numbers 17:10
the covenant decrees
"the ark of the covenant" or "the box that holds the covenant decrees"
so that you may end complaints against me
"so that you may stop them from complaining against me"
or they will die
"so that they will not die"
Numbers 17:12
We will die here. We will all perish!
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are combined for emphasis.
Chapter 18
1
Yahweh said to Aaron, "You, your sons, and your ancestor's clan will be responsible for all sins committed against the sanctuary. But only you and your sons with you will be responsible for all sins committed by anyone in the priesthood.
2
As for your fellow members of the tribe of Levi, your ancestors' tribe, you must bring them with you so they may join you and help you when you and your sons serve in front of the tent of the covenant decrees.
3
They must perform your duties and the duties of the whole tent. However, they must not come near to anything in the holy place or connected with the altar, or they and also you will die.
4
They must join you and perform the duties connected with the tent of meeting, for all the work connected with the tent. A foreigner must not come near you.
5
You must perform the duties for the holy place and for the altar so that my anger does not come on the people of Israel again.
6
Look, I myself have chosen your fellow members of the Levites from among the descendants of Israel. They are a gift to you, given to me to do the work connected to the tent of meeting.
7
But only you and your sons may exercise the priesthood regarding everything connected with the altar and everything inside the curtain. You yourselves must fulfill those responsibilities. I am giving you the priesthood as a gift. Any foreigner who approaches must be put to death."
8
Then Yahweh said to Aaron, "Look, I have given you the duty of handling the contributions lifted up to me, and all the holy offerings that the people of Israel give to me. I have given these offerings to you as a consecrated portion and to your sons as your assigned portion for all time.
9
This will belong to you from the most holy things that are kept from the fire. From every offering of theirs—every grain offering, every sin offering, and every guilt offering—they are set apart to you and to your sons.
10
These offerings are very holy; every male must eat it, for they are holy to you.
11
These are the contributions that will belong to you, set apart out of all their gifts of the wave offerings of the people of Israel. I have given them to you, your sons, and your daughters, as your portion forever. Everyone who is ceremonially clean in your family may eat any of these offerings.
12
All the best of the oil, all the best of the new wine and grain, the firstfruits that the people give to me—all these things I have given to you.
13
The first ripe produce of all that is in their land, which they bring to me, will be yours. Everyone who is clean in your family may eat these things.
14
Every devoted thing in Israel will be yours.
15
Every first issue of the womb, all the firstborn that the people offer to Yahweh, both of man and animal, will be yours. Nevertheless, the people must certainly redeem every firstborn son, and they must redeem the firstborn male of unclean animals.
16
Those that are to be redeemed by the people must be redeemed after becoming one month old. Then the people may redeem them for the price of five shekels of silver, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel, which equals twenty gerahs.
17
But the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat—you must not redeem these animals; they are set apart to me. You must sprinkle their blood on the altar and burn their fat as an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to Yahweh.
18
Their meat will be yours. Like the breast and the right thigh that are lifted as an offering, their meat will be yours.
19
All the holy contributions that the people of Israel present to Yahweh, I have given to you, and to your sons and to your daughters with you, as a continual share. It is an everlasting covenant of salt, a binding covenant forever, before Yahweh for both you and your descendants with you."
20
Yahweh said to Aaron, "You will have no inheritance in the people's land, nor will you have any share of property among the people. I am your share and inheritance among the people of Israel.
21
To the descendants of Levi, look, I have given all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the service that they provide in working at the tent of meeting.
22
From now on the people of Israel must not come near the tent of meeting, or they will be responsible for this sin and die.
23
The Levites must do the work connected to the tent of meeting. They will be responsible for any iniquity regarding it. This will be a permanent law throughout your people's generations. Among the people of Israel they must have no inheritance.
24
For the tithes of the people of Israel, which they offer as a contribution to Yahweh—it is these that I have given to the Levites as their inheritance. That is why I said to them, 'They must have no inheritance among the people of Israel.'"
25
Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
26
"You must speak to the Levites and say to them, 'When you receive from the people of Israel the tenth that I have given to you from them for your inheritance, you will present a contribution from it to Yahweh, a tenth of the tithe.
27
Your contribution must be considered by you as if it were a tenth of the grain from the threshing floor or of the production from the winepress.
28
So you also must make a contribution to Yahweh from all the tithes that you receive from the people of Israel. From them you must give his contribution to Aaron the priest.
29
Out of all the gifts you receive, you must make every contribution to Yahweh. You must do this from all the best and the holiest things that have been given to you.'
30
Therefore you must say to them, 'When you present the best of it, then it must be credited to the Levites as the product from the threshing floor and the winepress.
31
You may eat the rest of your gifts in any place, you and your families, because it is your pay in return for your work in the tent of meeting.
32
You will not bear any sin by eating and drinking it, if you have presented to Yahweh the best of what you have received. But you must not profane the holy offerings of the people of Israel, or you will die.'"
Numbers 18:1
all sins committed against the sanctuary
"all sins that anyone commits against the sanctuary"
all sins committed by anyone in the priesthood
"all sins that anyone in the priesthood commits"
anyone in the priesthood
"any priest"
Numbers 18:3
They must perform your duties
"They" refers to members of the tribe of Levi; the word "you" is singular and refers to Aaron.
perform your duties and the duties of the whole tent
"do the work I have commanded you to do and all the work connected with the whole tent." See how you translated similar words in Numbers 1:53.
or they and also you will die
Here "they" refers to any member of the tribe of Levi who comes "near to anything in the sanctuary;" the word "you" is plural and refers to both Aaron and the rest of the Levites who are serving in approved roles.
Numbers 18:4
They must join you
"They" refers to members of the tribe of Levi; the word "you" is singular and refers to Aaron.
perform the duties
"do all the work"
not come near you
Here "you" is plural and refers to both Aaron and the rest of the Levites.
Numbers 18:5
You must perform the duties
Here "you" is plural and refers to both Aaron and the rest of the Levites.
perform the duties for the holy place
"do all the work connected to the holy place" or "take care of everything connected to the holy place" or "keeping watch over the holy place" See how you translated similar words in Numbers 1:53.
so that my anger does not come on the people of Israel again
"so that I do not become very angry with the people of Israel again" or "so that I do not punish the people of Israel again"
Numbers 18:6
They are a gift to you
"They are like a gift to you"
given to me
"which I have set apart for myself" or "and I have set them apart for myself"
Numbers 18:7
only you and your sons
Here "you" and "your" are singular and refer to Aaron. Other occurrences of "you" and "your" are plural and refer to Aaron and his sons.
exercise the priesthood
"do the work of priests"
everything inside the curtain
"everything in the room behind the curtain"
Any foreigner who approaches must be put to death
"Any foreigner who approaches must die" or "You must put to death any foreigner who approaches"
who approaches
"who approaches the sacred things"
Numbers 18:8
the contributions lifted up to me
"the offerings that people give to me"
I have given these offerings to you
"I give these offerings to you". The tribes of Israel were required to bring a tithe (offering) to the Levites in order to free them to serve Yahweh as priests. There is a detailed description of what belonged to Yahweh in this chapter.
as your assigned portion for all time
"as the portion that you will continually receive"
Numbers 18:9
kept from the fire
"that you do not completely burn on the altar"
Numbers 18:12
the firstfruits
This refers to the first of the best oil, wine, and grain that they harvest.
Numbers 18:13
Everyone who is clean in your family
"Everyone in your family who is acceptable to me"
Numbers 18:15
Every first issue of the womb, all the firstborn
The word "firstborn" means the same thing and explains the phrase "first issue of the womb".
Numbers 18:16
Those that are to be redeemed by the people must be redeemed after becoming one month old
"The people must buy them back when they become one month old"
Those that are to be redeemed
Most likely this refers only to firstborn humans that must be redeemed and not to firstborn unclean animals.
five shekels ... which equals twenty gerahs
"five pieces of silver ... each of which equals ten grams" or "fifty grams of silver, using the standard weights that are used in the sanctuary"
five shekels
"five shekels of silver"
sanctuary shekel
This is the shekel that people had to use in the sanctuary of the sacred tent. It weighed twenty gerahs, which was about 11 grams.
Numbers 18:17
You must sprinkle their blood
"You must kill them and sprinkle their blood"
made by fire
"that you make by fire" or "that you burn with fire on the altar"
an aroma pleasing to Yahweh
"and Yahweh will be pleased with you"
Numbers 18:18
the breast and the right thigh that are lifted as an offering
"the breast and the right thigh that you lift up as a gift to me"
Numbers 18:19
I have given to you
"I give to you". God speaks as if he had already done this because it is a decision that he had already made.
as a continual share
"as the portion that you will continually receive"
an everlasting covenant of salt ... a binding covenant forever
"an agreement forever"
an everlasting covenant of salt
"a covenant made with salt." or "a permanent covenant."
Numbers 18:20
You will have no inheritance in the people's land
"You will not possess any of the people's land" or "You will not receive any of the land that the Israelites will possess"
I am your share and inheritance
"Instead, I am what you will have" or "Instead, I will allow you to serve me and I will provide for you through that service"
Numbers 18:21
look, I have given
"indeed, I have given"
as their inheritance
"as their portion of what I give to all Israel"
Numbers 18:23
Among the people of Israel they must have no inheritance
"they must not have any of the land that the other people of Israel receive"
Numbers 18:24
as their inheritance
"as their portion of what I give to all Israel"
Numbers 18:26
When you receive from the people of Israel the tenth that I have given to you from them
The people of Israel would offer Yahweh a tenth of their crops and animals, and Yahweh would give that to the Levites.
for your inheritance
"as your portion of what I give to all Israel"
Numbers 18:27
Your contribution must be considered by you
"You must consider your contribution"
Numbers 18:28
you must give his contribution to Aaron the priest
"you must give Aaron the priest the contribution that you owe Yahweh"
Numbers 18:29
that have been given to you
"that the people of Israel give to you"
Numbers 18:30
the best of it
"the best of what you have received from the people of Israel"
Numbers 18:31
the rest of your gifts
The "gifts" are the offerings that the Israelites give to God and that the Levites receive from them.
Numbers 18:32
You will not bear any sin by eating and drinking it
"You will not be guilty when you eat and drink it"
Chapter 19
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron. He said,
2
"This is a statute, a law which Yahweh is commanding you: Say to the people of Israel that they must bring to you a red heifer without flaw or blemish, and which has never carried a yoke.
3
Give the heifer to Eleazar the priest. He must bring it outside the camp, and someone must kill it in front of him.
4
Eleazar the priest must take some of its blood with his finger and sprinkle it seven times toward the front of the tent of meeting.
5
The heifer must be burned in his sight—its hide, its flesh, and its blood with its dung, must be burned.
6
The priest must take cedarwood, hyssop, and scarlet wool, and throw it all into the middle of the burning heifer.
7
Then he must wash his clothes and bathe in water. Then he may come into the camp, where he will remain unclean until the evening.
8
The one who has burned the heifer must wash his clothes in water and bathe in water. He will remain unclean until the evening.
9
A man who is clean must gather up the heifer's ashes and put them outside the camp in a clean place. These ashes must be kept for the community of the people of Israel. They will mix the ashes with water for purification from sin, since the ashes were from a sin offering.
10
The one who gathered the heifer's ashes must wash his clothes. He will remain unclean until the evening. This will be a permanent law for the people of Israel and the foreigners who stay with them.
11
Whoever touches the dead body of any man will be unclean for seven days.
12
Such a person must purify himself on the third day and on the seventh day. Then he will be clean. But if he does not purify himself the third day, then he will not be clean on the seventh day.
13
Whoever touches a dead person, the body of a man who has died, and does not purify himself—this person defiles Yahweh's tabernacle. That person must be cut off from Israel because the water for impurity was not sprinkled on him. He will remain unclean; his uncleanness will remain on him.
14
This is the law for when someone dies in a tent. Everyone who goes into the tent and everyone who is already in the tent will be unclean for seven days.
15
Every open container with no cover becomes unclean.
16
In the same way, anyone outside a tent who touches someone who has been killed with a sword, any other dead body, a human bone, or a grave—that person will be unclean for seven days.
17
Do this for the unclean person: Take some ashes from the burnt sin offering and mix them in a jar with fresh water.
18
Someone who is clean must then take hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle it on the tent, on all the containers inside the tent, on the persons who were there, and on anyone who touched the bone, the one who was killed, the one who died, or the grave.
19
On the third day and on the seventh day, the clean person must sprinkle the unclean person. On the seventh day the unclean person must purify himself. He must wash his clothes and bathe in water. At evening he will become clean.
20
But anyone who remains unclean, who refuses to purify himself—that person will be cut off from the community, because he has defiled Yahweh's sanctuary. The water for impurity has not been sprinkled on him; he remains unclean.
21
This will be an ongoing law concerning these situations. The one who sprinkles the water for impurity must wash his clothes. The one who touches the water for impurity will become unclean until evening.
22
Whatever the unclean person touches will become unclean. The person who touches it will become unclean until evening."
Numbers 19:1
General Information:
Ritually clean...This chapter talks about being clean. Some of these rituals were required to make a priest clean in order to set them apart to serve Yahweh. Other rituals were required because they prevented people from getting sick.
Numbers 19:2
a statute, a law
"a statute of the law" or "a legal statute"
Yahweh is commanding
"I, Yahweh, am commanding" or "I am commanding"
bring to you
Here "you" is singular and refers to Moses.
flaw or blemish
These two words mean basically the same thing and emphasize that this animal is to have no imperfections.
Numbers 19:5
in his sight
"in his view"
Numbers 19:6
priest must take cedarwood
"The priest" refers to Eleazar.
scarlet wool
"red wool"
Numbers 19:7
Then he must wash his clothes
Here "he" refers to Eleazar the priest.
he will remain unclean
Being unacceptable to God or unfit to do any sacred work is spoken of as not being clean.
Numbers 19:9
A man who is clean
Being acceptable to God and fit to do sacred work is spoken of as being clean.
These ashes must be kept
"You must keep these ashes"
Numbers 19:11
General Information:
The ideas of "clean" and "purify" represent being acceptable to God. The ideas of "unclean," "defile," "impurity," and "uncleanness" represent not being acceptable to God.
the dead body of any man
"the dead body of any person"
Numbers 19:12
purify himself
"ask someone to purify him"
if he does not purify himself the third day, then he will not be clean on the seventh day
"he will be clean on the seventh day only if he purifies himself the third day"
Numbers 19:13
That person must be cut off
"That person must be sent away" or "you must send that person away". Here the phrase "be cut off" means to be disowned and sent away. See how you translated this in Numbers 9:13.
the water for impurity was not sprinkled on him
"no one sprinkled the water for impurity on him"
the water for impurity
"the water that is sprinkled on impure things to make them pure"
He will remain unclean; his uncleanness will remain on him
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are combined for emphasis.
Numbers 19:15
Every open container with no cover becomes unclean
"Open containers will remain clean only if they have covers"
Numbers 19:16
someone who has been killed with a sword
"someone whom someone else has killed with a sword"
Numbers 19:20
that person will be cut off
"That person must be sent away" or "you must send that person away"
Numbers 19:21
the water for impurity
"the water that is sprinkled on impure things to make them pure" or "the water for making things pure." See how you translated this in Numbers 19:13.
Chapter 20
1
So the people of Israel, the whole community, went into the wilderness of Zin in the first month; they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried.
2
There was no water for the community, so they assembled together against Moses and Aaron.
3
The people complained against Moses. They said, "It would have been better if we had died when our fellow Israelites died in front of Yahweh!
4
Why have you brought Yahweh's community into this wilderness to die here, we and our animals?
5
Why did you make us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this horrible place? There is no place for seed, figs, vines, or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink."
6
So Moses and Aaron went away from in front of the assembly. They went to the entrance of the tent of meeting and lay facedown. There Yahweh's brilliant glory appeared to them.
7
Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
8
"Take the staff and assemble the community, you, and Aaron your brother. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and command it to flow with water. You will produce water for them out of that rock, and you must give it to the community and their livestock to drink."
9
Moses took the staff from before Yahweh, as Yahweh had commanded him to do.
10
Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock. Moses said to them, "Listen now, you rebels. Must we bring water out of this rock for you?"
11
Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, and much water came out. The community drank, and their livestock drank.
12
Then Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust me or honor me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, you will not bring this assembly into the land I have given them."
13
This place was called the waters of Meribah because the people of Israel had quarreled with Yahweh there, and he showed himself to them as holy.
14
Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom: Your brother Israel says this: "You know all the hardship that has found us.
15
You know that our ancestors went down to Egypt and lived in Egypt a long time. The Egyptians treated us harshly and also our ancestors.
16
When we called out to Yahweh, he heard our voice and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt. Look, we are in Kadesh, a city on the border of your land.
17
I am asking you to let us pass through your land. We will not pass through field or vineyard, nor will we drink the water in your wells. We will go along the king's highway. We will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left until we have passed your border."
18
But the king of Edom replied to him, "You may not pass through here. If you do, I will come with the sword to attack you."
19
Then the people of Israel said to him, "We will go along the highway. If we or our livestock drink your water, we will pay for it. Just let us walk through on foot, without doing anything else."
20
But the king of Edom replied, "You may not pass through." So the king of Edom came against Israel with a strong hand with many soldiers.
21
The king of Edom refused to allow Israel to cross over their border. Because of this, Israel turned away from the land of Edom.
22
So the people journeyed from Kadesh. The people of Israel, the whole community, came to Mount Hor.
23
Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor, on Edom's border. He said,
24
"Aaron must be gathered to his people, for he will not enter the land that I have given to the people of Israel. This is because you both rebelled against my word at the waters of Meribah.
25
Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up to Mount Hor.
26
Take Aaron's priestly garments off him and put them on Eleazar his son. Aaron must die and be gathered to his people there."
27
Moses did as Yahweh commanded. They went up Mount Hor in the sight of all the community.
28
Moses took Aaron's priestly garments off him and put them on Eleazar his son. Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down.
29
When all the community saw that Aaron was dead, the entire house of Israel wept for Aaron for thirty days.
Numbers 20:1
the wilderness of Zin
The word "Zin" here is the Hebrew name of the wilderness.
the first month
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. It marks when God rescued the Israelites from the Egyptians. The first month is during the last part of March and the first part of April on the Western calendar.
was buried
"they buried her"
Numbers 20:2
they assembled
Here "they" refers to the community.
assembled together
"came as a mob"
Numbers 20:3
in front of Yahweh
This represents being in front of Yahweh's tent.
It would have been better if we had died when our fellow Israelites died in front of Yahweh
It is possible that this statement should be taken as hyperbole, but it does not have to be taken this way. The translator should probably avoid treating this as hyperbole.
Numbers 20:4
Why have you brought Yahweh's community into this wilderness to die here, we and our animals?
"You should not have brought Yahweh's community into this wilderness to die here, we and our animals."
Numbers 20:5
Why did you make us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this horrible place?
"You should not have made us leave Egypt to bring us to this horrible place."
Numbers 20:6
lay facedown
This indicates that Moses and Aaron are humbling themselves before God.
Numbers 20:8
before their eyes
"while they watch you"
Numbers 20:9
from before Yahweh
"from Yahweh's tent"
Numbers 20:10
Must we bring water out of this rock for you?
"You complain that there is no water. Well, we will make water come out of this rock." or "You would not be happy even if we caused water to come out of this rock. But I will do it anyway."
Must we bring
Here "we" refers to Moses and Aaron and may include Yahweh, but does not include the people.
Numbers 20:11
struck the rock twice
God told Moses to command water to come out of a rock for the people who were complaining that they had no water. Moses became angry with the people and hit the rock twice. God told him that he and Aaron would not be allowed to go into Canaan because he disobeyed by hitting the rock instead of just speaking to it.
Numbers 20:12
Because you did not trust me or honor me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel
"Because you did not trust me or honor me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, but struck the rock instead of speaking to it as I told you"
in the eyes of the people of Israel
"while the people of Israel were watching you"
Numbers 20:13
This place was called
"People called this place"
Numbers 20:14
Your brother Israel
Moses uses this phrase to emphasize that the Israelites and the Edomites are related because their ancestors, Jacob and Esau, were brothers.
Numbers 20:16
When we called out to Yahweh
"When we prayed to Yahweh begging him to help us"
he heard our voice
"he heard our cry" or "he heard what we asked for"
Look
The word "look" here shows that they have stopped speaking about the past and are now speaking about their present situation.
Numbers 20:17
Connecting Statement:
The messengers continue speaking to the king of Edom.
We will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left
"We will not leave the road in any direction"
the king's highway
This is the main road that connects Damascus in the north to the Gulf of Aqabah in the south.
Numbers 20:18
You may not pass ... to attack you
"Your people may not pass ... to attack them". Here "you" is singular and refers to Moses, who represents the people of Israel
I will come with the sword
"I will send my army"
Numbers 20:19
the people of Israel
This phrase refers to the Israelite messengers.
walk through on foot
This means that they would simply travel through the area by walking. They would not come in chariots to attack the people of Edom.
Numbers 20:20
the king of Edom came against Israel with a strong hand with many soldiers
"the king of Edom sent a strong army of many soldiers to attack Israel"
Numbers 20:21
cross over their border
The word "their" refers to the Edomites.
Numbers 20:22
The people of Israel, the whole community
The phrase "the whole community" emphasizes that every person who was a part of "the people of Israel" was present, without exception.
Numbers 20:24
Aaron must be gathered to his people
"Aaron must die". This means that it is time for Aaron to die and for his spirit to go to the place where his ancestors are.
rebelled against my word
"refused to do what I said"
Numbers 20:26
must die and be gathered to his people
These two phrases mean that it is time for Aaron to die and for his spirit to go to the place where his ancestors are.
Numbers 20:29
thirty days
"30 days"
Chapter 21
1
When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was traveling by the road to Atharim, he fought against Israel and took some of them captive.
2
Israel vowed to Yahweh and said, "If you give us victory over these people, then we will completely destroy their cities."
3
Yahweh listened to Israel's voice and he gave them victory over the Canaanites. They completely destroyed them and their cities. That place was named Hormah.
4
They traveled from Mount Hor by the road to the Sea of Reeds to go around the land of Edom. The people became very discouraged on the way.
5
The people spoke against God and Moses: "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread, no water, and we hate this miserable food."
6
Then Yahweh sent poisonous snakes among the people. The snakes bit the people; many people of Israel died.
7
The people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned because we have spoken against Yahweh and you. Pray to Yahweh for him to take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people.
8
Yahweh said to Moses, "Make a snake and attach it to a pole. It will happen that everyone who is bitten will survive, if he looks at it."
9
So Moses made a bronze snake and attached it to a pole. When a snake bit any person, if he looked at the bronze snake, he survived.
10
Then the people of Israel traveled on and camped at Oboth.
11
They traveled from Oboth and camped at Iye Abarim in the wilderness that faces Moab toward the east.
12
From there they traveled on and camped in the Valley of Zered.
13
From there they traveled on and camped on the other side of the Arnon River, which is in the wilderness that extends from the border of the Amorites. The Arnon River forms the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.
14
That is why it says in the scroll of the Wars of Yahweh,
"... Zahab
in Suphah, and the valleys of the Arnon,
15
the slope of the valleys that lead toward the town of Ar
and lie along the border of Moab."
16
From there they traveled to Beer, the well where Yahweh said to Moses, "Gather the people together for me to give them water."
17
Then Israel sang this song:
"Spring up, well!
Sing about it,
18
about the well that our leaders dug,
the well the nobles of the people dug,
with the scepter and their staffs."
Then from the wilderness they traveled to Mattanah.
19
From Mattanah they traveled to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth,
20
and from Bamoth to a valley in the land of Moab. That is where the top of Mount Pisgah looks down on the wilderness.
21
Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites saying,
22
"Let us pass through your land. We will not turn into any field or vineyard. We will not drink the water from your wells. We will travel by the king's highway until we have crossed your border."
23
But King Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his border. Instead, Sihon gathered all his army together and went out into the wilderness against Israel. He came to Jahaz, where he fought against Israel.
24
Israel attacked the army of Sihon with the edge of the sword and took their land from the Arnon to the Jabbok river, as far as the land of the people of Ammon. Now the border of the people of Ammon was fortified.
25
Israel took all the Amorite cities and lived in all of them, including Heshbon and all of its villages.
26
Heshbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab. Sihon had taken all his land from his territory to the Arnon River.
27
That is why those who speak in proverbs say,
"Come to Heshbon.
Let the city of Sihon be rebuilt and established again.
28
A fire blazed from Heshbon,
a flame from the city of Sihon
that devoured Ar of Moab,
and the owners of the high places of Arnon.
29
Woe to you, Moab!
You have perished, people of Chemosh.
He has made his sons to be fugitives
and his daughters to be prisoners
of Sihon king of the Amorites.
30
But we have conquered Sihon.
Heshbon is devastated all the way to Dibon.
We have defeated them all the way to Nophah,
which reaches to Medeba."
31
So Israel began to live in the Amorites' land.
32
Then Moses sent men to look at Jazer. They took its villages and drove out the Amorites who were there.
33
Then they turned and went up by the road of Bashan. Og king of Bashan went out against them, he and all his army, to fight them at Edrei.
34
Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Do not fear him, because I have given you victory over him, all his army, and his land. Do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon."
35
So they killed him, his sons, and all his army, until none of his people were left alive. Then they took over his land.
Numbers 21:1
he fought against Israel
"his army fought against Israel"
Numbers 21:2
Israel vowed
"The people of Israel vowed" or "The Israelites made a vow"
Numbers 21:3
listened to Israel's voice
"did what Israel asked"
Israel's voice
"what Israel asked"
They completely destroyed them and their cities
"The people of Israel completely destroyed the Canaanite army and their cities"
That place was named Hormah
"They named that place Hormah"
Numbers 21:5
Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?
"You should not made us leave Egypt to die in the wilderness!". After all Yahweh had done, they were very ungrateful. This showed their lack of faith and trust in Yahweh.
Numbers 21:7
we have spoken against Yahweh and you
"we have said bad things about Yahweh and you"
we have spoken ... from us
The words "we" and "us" here refer to the people but not to Moses.
Numbers 21:8
Make a snake
"Make a model of a snake"
everyone who is bitten
"everyone whom a snake bites"
Numbers 21:9
a bronze snake
"a snake out of bronze"
if he looked at the bronze snake, he survived
Here "he" refers to "any person" who was bitten by a snake.
Numbers 21:11
that faces Moab
"that is next to Moab"
Numbers 21:13
forms the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites
The Moabite people lived south of the river and the Amorites lived on the north. The river was a boundary between them.
Numbers 21:14
Zahab in Suphah
These are both names of places.
Numbers 21:15
the slope of the valleys that lead toward the town of Ar and lie along the border of Moab
"the valleys that go downhill to the town of Ar and lie along the border of Moab"
Numbers 21:16
to Beer, the well
"to Beer. There was a well there"
where Yahweh said to Moses, "Gather the people together for me to give them water."
"where Yahweh told Moses to gather the people together for him to give them water"
Numbers 21:17
Spring up, well
"Water, fill up the well". Here "well" represents the water in the well. The Israelites are speaking to the water as if it were a person who could hear them, and they are asking for it to fill the well.
Numbers 21:18
the well that our leaders dug, the well the nobles of the people dug
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize the role of the leaders in digging the well.
with the scepter and their staffs
"using even their scepter and staffs". A scepter was carried by those with authority, and the staff was carried by everyone. Neither of these are digging tools. These two items emphasize that they were not too proud to use any means available
Numbers 21:19
Nahaliel ... Bamoth
These are the names of places.
Numbers 21:20
Mount Pisgah
This is the name of a mountain.
looks down on the wilderness
"rises above the wilderness"
Numbers 21:21
Then Israel
"Then the Israelites". Here "Israel" refers to the people of Israel, and especially to their leaders.
Numbers 21:22
We will not turn into any field or vineyard
"We will not go into any of your fields or vineyards"
the king's highway
This is the main road that connects Damascus in the north to the Gulf of Aqabah in the south. See how you translated this in Numbers 20:17.
Numbers 21:23
to pass through his border
"to cross over his border" or "to cross over into his land"
Jahaz
This is the name of a place.
he fought against Israel
"they fought against the Israelites". Here "he" refers to King Sihon who represents himself and his army.
Numbers 21:24
Israel attacked
"The Israelites attacked". Here "Israel" refers to the people of Israel.
with the edge of the sword
"with the sharp part of the sword." or "and completely defeated them." The "edge of the sword" is associated with death and complete destruction.
took their land
"conquered the land of the Amorites." Here the word "their" refers to the Amorites.
was fortified
"was strongly defended." The Israelites did not attack the Ammonites.
Numbers 21:25
Heshbon and all of its villages
"Heshbon and the nearby villages that it controlled"
Numbers 21:26
Sihon had taken all his land
The word "his" refers to the king of Moab.
Numbers 21:27
Heshbon ... city of Sihon
These are two names that refer to the same city.
Let the city of Sihon be rebuilt and established again
"Let someone rebuild and establish again the city of Sihon"
rebuilt and established
"completely rebuilt"
Numbers 21:28
A fire blazed from Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon
"King Sihon led a strong army from the city of Heshbon". These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize that destruction will begin at Heshbon. The fire refers to a destroying army.
devoured Ar of Moab
"destroyed the town of Ar in the land of Moab"
Numbers 21:29
Moab ... people of Chemosh
These two phrases refer to the same people.
people of Chemosh
"the people who worship Chemosh". "Chemosh" was the name of the false god whom the Moabites worshiped.
He has made his sons
"He" and "his" refer to Chemosh.
Numbers 21:30
we have conquered
Here "we" refers to the Israelites who defeated Sihon.
Heshbon is devastated
"We have devastated Heshbon"
Heshbon ... all the way to Dibon ... all the way to Nophah ... to Medeba
These are all places in Sihon's kingdom. This means the Israelites destroyed Sihon's entire nation.
Numbers 21:32
drove out
"chased away"
Numbers 21:33
went out against them
"attacked them"
Numbers 21:34
Do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites
"Destroy him like you destroyed Sihon king of the Amorites". The Israelites had completely destroyed Sihon.
Numbers 21:35
So they killed him
"So the army of Israel killed Og"
none of his people were left alive
"all of his people were dead"
they took over his land
"they took control of his land"
Chapter 22
1
The people of Israel traveled on until they camped in the plains of Moab near Jericho, on the other side of the Jordan River from the city.
2
Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
3
Moab was very afraid of the people because they were many, and Moab was in terror of the people of Israel.
4
The king of Moab said to the elders of Midian, "This multitude will eat up all that is around us as an ox eats up the grass in a field." Now Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.
5
He sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor, at Pethor which is by the Euphrates River, in the land of his nation and his people. He called him and said, "Look, a nation has come here from Egypt. They cover the face of the earth and they are right now next to me.
6
Please come now and curse this nation for me, because they are too strong for me. Perhaps then I can manage to attack them and drive them out of the land. I know that those you bless will be blessed, and that those you curse will be cursed."
7
So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian left, taking payment for divination. They came to Balaam and spoke to him Balak's words.
8
Balaam said to them, "Stay here tonight. I will bring you what Yahweh says to me." So the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam that night.
9
God came to Balaam and said, "Who are these men who came to you?"
10
Balaam answered God, "Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent them to me. He said,
11
'Look, the people who have come from Egypt cover the surface of my land. Now come and curse them for me. Perhaps I will manage to fight them and drive them out.'"
12
God replied to Balaam, "You must not go with those men. You must not curse the people of Israel because they have been blessed."
13
Balaam rose up in the morning and said to Balak's leaders, "Go back to your land because Yahweh refuses to allow me to go with you."
14
So the leaders of Moab left and went back to Balak. They said, "Balaam refused to come with us."
15
Balak sent again more leaders who were even more honored than the first group.
16
They came to Balaam and said to him, "Balak son of Zippor says this, 'Please let nothing stop you from coming to me,
17
because I will pay you extremely well and give you great honor, and I will do whatever you tell me to do. So please come and curse this people for me.'"
18
Balaam answered and said to Balak's servants, "Even if Balak would give me his palace full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of Yahweh, my God, and do less or more than what he tells me.
19
Now then, please wait here tonight too, so that I may learn anything further that Yahweh says to me."
20
God came to Balaam at night and said to him, "Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them. But only do what I tell you to do."
21
Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the leaders of Moab.
22
But because he went, God's anger was kindled. The angel of Yahweh placed himself in the road as someone hostile to Balaam, who was riding on his donkey. Balaam's two servants were also with him.
23
The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the road with his drawn sword in his hand. The donkey turned off the road and went into a field. Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back to the road.
24
Then the angel of Yahweh stood in a narrow part of the road between some vineyards, with a wall on his right side and another wall on his left side.
25
The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh again. She went against the wall and pinned Balaam's foot against it. Balaam struck her again.
26
The angel of Yahweh went further and stood in another narrow place where there was no way to turn to either side.
27
The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh, and she lay down under Balaam. Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
28
Then Yahweh opened the donkey's mouth so she could talk. She said to Balaam, "What have I done to you that induced you to strike me these three times?"
29
Balaam replied to the donkey, "It was because you acted so stupidly with me. I wish there were a sword in my hand. If there were, by now I would have killed you."
30
The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life long to this present day? Have I ever been in the habit of doing such things to you before?" Balaam said, "No."
31
Then Yahweh opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the road with his drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed down and lay facedown.
32
The angel of Yahweh said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Look, I have come as someone hostile to you because your actions before me have been wicked.
33
The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away from me, I would certainly have killed you and spared her life."
34
Balaam said to the angel of Yahweh, "I have sinned. I did not know that you stood against me in the road. So now, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back."
35
But the angel of Yahweh said to Balaam, "Go on ahead with the men. But you must only speak the words that I tell you." So Balaam went with the leaders of Balak.
36
When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at a city in Moab at the Arnon, which is on the border.
37
Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not send men to you to summon you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?"
38
Then Balaam replied to Balak, "See, I have come to you. Do I now have any power to say anything? I can only say the words that God puts into my mouth."
39
Balaam went with Balak, and they arrived at Kiriath Huzoth.
40
Then Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep and gave some meat to Balaam and the leaders who were with him.
41
In the morning, Balak took Balaam up to the high place of Baal. From there Balaam could see only a part of the Israelites in their camp.
Numbers 22:1
on the other side of the Jordan River from the city
The Israelites were camped on the east side of the Jordan River, while Jericho was on the west side.
Numbers 22:2
Balak son of Zippor
Balak was king of Moab.
Zippor
Zippor is the father of Balak.
Numbers 22:3
Moab was very afraid of the people ... Moab was in terror of the people of Israel
"All of the Moabites were very afraid"
because they were many
"because there were many of them"
Numbers 22:4
The king of Moab said to the elders of Midian
The Moabites and the Midianites were two different groups of people, but the Midianites were living in the land of Moab at that time.
This multitude will eat up all that is around us as an ox eats up the grass in a field
The way the Israelites will destroy their enemies is spoken of as if they were an ox eating up the grass in a field.
Now Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time
This changes from the main story to background information about Balak.
Numbers 22:5
He sent messengers
"Balak sent messengers"
Beor
This is the name of Balaam's father.
Pethor
This is the name of a city.
of his nation and his people
"of Balaam's nation and people". The chapter begins a section on Balaam. The king of Moab wanted the prophet Balaam to come and curse Israel. God told him not to go but he wanted to go; so God told him to say only what God wanted him to say. Yahweh was able to use Balaam, even though he was not a prophet of Yahweh.
He called him
"Balak called Balaam." Balak did not speak to Balaam directly, but did so through the messengers he sent.
They cover the face of the earth
"They are extremely numerous"
the face of the earth
This refers to the surface of the earth.
Numbers 22:6
drive them
"chase them"
I know that those you bless will be blessed, and that those you curse will be cursed
"I know you have the power to bless or to curse people"
Numbers 22:7
payment for divination
"money to pay Balaam to curse Israel"
They came to Balaam
"They went to Balaam"
spoke to him Balak's words
"told him the message from Balak"
Numbers 22:8
I will bring you
"I will tell you"
Numbers 22:9
God came to Balaam
"God appeared to Balaam"
Who are these men who came to you?
"Tell me about these men who came to you.". Yahweh uses a question to introduce a new topic of conversation.
Numbers 22:11
Look ... drive them out
Balaam restates the message that Balak sent to him. See how you translated these phrases in Numbers 22:5-6.
drive them out
"chase them away"
Numbers 22:12
because they have been blessed
"because I have blessed them"
Numbers 22:16
They came to Balaam
"They went to Balaam"
Numbers 22:17
this people
"this group of people"
Numbers 22:18
Balak's servants
These were probably soldiers, not household servants.
Even if Balak would give me his palace full of silver and gold
Balaam is describing something that would never happen. He is emphasizing that there is nothing that could make him disobey Yahweh.
I cannot go beyond the word of Yahweh ... and do less or more than what he tells me
This means Balaam cannot disobey Yahweh in any way.
Numbers 22:21
saddled his donkey
A saddle is a seat put on the back of an animal in order to ride it.
Numbers 22:22
God's anger was kindled
"God became very angry"
as someone hostile to Balaam
"as an enemy to Balaam" or "in order to stop Balaam"
Numbers 22:23
with his drawn sword
"with his sword ready to attack"
The donkey turned off the road and went into a field
The donkey did this to avoid the angel of Yahweh.
to turn her back
"to turn it back"
Numbers 22:25
She went against the wall
This was an attempt to escape from the angel of Yahweh in the road.
She went
"It went"
pinned Balaam's foot against it
"pushed Balaam's foot against it" or "hurt Balaam's foot against it"
Numbers 22:27
Balaam's anger was kindled
"Balaam became very angry". The increase in Balaam's anger is spoken of as if it was a fire starting to burn. See how you translated a similar phrase in Numbers 22:22.
Numbers 22:28
Then Yahweh opened the donkey's mouth so she could talk
"Then Yahweh gave the donkey the ability to speak like a human would speak"
She said to Balaam
"The donkey said to Balaam"
Numbers 22:30
Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life long to this present day?
"I am your donkey on which you have ridden all your life, right up to the present moment."
Have I ever been in the habit of doing such things to you before?
"I have never been in the habit of doing such things to you!"
Numbers 22:31
Then Yahweh opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of Yahweh
"Then Yahweh gave Balaam the ability to see the angel of Yahweh"
with his drawn sword
"with his sword ready to attack"
Balaam bowed down and lay facedown
This indicates that Balaam is humbling himself before the angel.
Numbers 22:32
Why have you struck your donkey these three times?
"You should not have struck your donkey these three times."
as someone hostile to you
"as an enemy to you" or "to oppose you"
Numbers 22:33
If she had not turned ... killed you and spared her life
This statement indicates what could have happened but did not. The donkey's actions saved Balaam.
Numbers 22:34
So now, if it is displeasing to you
"So if you do not want me to continue going"
Numbers 22:35
with the leaders of Balak
"with the leaders whom Balak had sent."
Numbers 22:36
Arnon
This is the name of a river. See how you translated it in Numbers 21:13.
Numbers 22:37
Did I not send men to you to summon you?
"Surely I sent men to summon you."
Why did you not come to me?
"You should have come to me!"
Am I not able to honor you?
"Surely you know that I am able to pay you money for coming to me."
Numbers 22:38
Do I now have any power to say anything?
"But I have no power to say anything I want". Balaam uses this question to tell Balak that he will not be able to do everything that Balak asks him to do.
the words that God puts into my mouth
"the message that God wants me to say"
Numbers 22:39
Kiriath Huzoth
This is the name of a town.
Numbers 22:40
some meat
"some of the meat from the sacrifices"
Numbers 22:41
the high place of Baal
These words could refer to 1) the same place as Bamoth in Numbers 21:19; the word Bamoth means "the high place." Or 2) another high place where people sacrificed to Baal.
Chapter 23
1
Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars here for me and prepare seven bulls and seven rams."
2
So Balak did as Balaam requested. Then Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on every altar.
3
Then Balaam said to Balak, "Stand at your burnt offering and I will go. Perhaps Yahweh will come to meet me. Whatever he shows me I will tell you." So he went away to a hilltop with no trees.
4
Then God met Balaam, and Balaam said to him, "I have built seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on each one."
5
Yahweh put a message in Balaam's mouth and said, "Return to Balak and speak to him."
6
So Balaam returned to Balak, who was standing by his burnt offering, and all the leaders of Moab were with him.
7
Then Balaam began to speak his proverb and said,
"Balak has brought me from Aram,
the king of Moab from the eastern mountains.
'Come, curse Jacob for me,' he said.
'Come, denounce Israel.'
8
How can I curse those whom God has not cursed?
How can I denounce those whom Yahweh does not denounce?
9
For from the top of the rocks I see him;
from the hills I look at him.
See, there is a people who live alone
and do not consider themselves as just an ordinary nation.
10
Who can count the dust of Jacob
or number even only one-fourth of Israel?
Let me die the death of a righteous person,
and let my life's end be like his!"
11
Balak said to Balaam, "What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but look, you have blessed them."
12
Balaam answered and said, "Should I not be careful to say only what Yahweh puts in my mouth?"
13
So Balak said to him, "Please come with me to another place where you can see them. You will only see the nearest of them, not all of them. There you will curse them for me."
14
So he took Balaam into the field of Zophim, to the top of Mount Pisgah, and built seven more altars. He offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.
15
Then Balaam said to Balak, "Stand here by your burnt offering, while I meet with Yahweh over there."
16
So Yahweh met Balaam and put a message in his mouth. He said, "Return to Balak and give him my message."
17
Balaam returned to him, and look, he was standing by his burnt offering, and the leaders of Moab were with him. Then Balak said to him, "What has Yahweh said?"
18
Balaam began his prophecy. He said,
"Rise up, Balak, and hear.
Listen to me, you son of Zippor.
19
God is not a man, that he should lie,
or a human being, that he should change his mind.
Has he promised anything without doing it?
Has he said he would do something without carrying it out?
20
Look, I have been commanded to bless.
God has given a blessing, and I cannot reverse it.
21
He has not looked upon disaster in Jacob,
and he has not seen trouble in Israel.
Yahweh their God is with them,
and the shout of the king is among them.
22
God brought them out of Egypt
with strength like that of a wild ox.
23
There is no sorcery that works against Jacob,
and no divination harms Israel.
Now it must be said about Jacob and Israel,
'Look what God has done!'
24
Look, the people rise like a lioness,
as a lion emerges and attacks.
He does not lie down until he eats his victim
and drinks the blood of what he has killed."
25
Then Balak said to Balaam, "Do not curse them or bless them at all."
26
But Balaam answered and said to Balak, "Did I not tell you that I must say all that Yahweh tells me to say?"
27
So Balak replied to Balaam, "Come now, I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God for you to curse them there for me."
28
So Balak took Balaam to the top of Mount Peor, which looks down on the wilderness.
29
Balaam said to Balak, "Build me seven altars here and prepare seven bulls and seven rams."
30
So Balak did as Balaam had said; he offered up a bull and a ram on each altar.
Numbers 23:1
Balak
This is the king of Moab. The story of Balaam continues in this chapter.
prepare seven bulls and seven rams
"kill seven bulls and seven rams as a sacrifice"
Numbers 23:3
Stand at your burnt offering and I will go
"Stay here with your burnt offering and I will go a distance away"
Numbers 23:4
I have offered up a bull and a ram
"I have killed a bull and a ram and burnt them as an offering"
Numbers 23:5
Yahweh put a message in Balaam's mouth
"Yahweh told Balaam what he wanted him to say to Balak"
Numbers 23:6
General Information:
Cursing God's people...God does not allow others to curse his people. Balaam blessed Israel twice when he was supposed to curse them. This may be taken as humor or an ironic situation.
Numbers 23:7
his proverb
"his prophecy"
Balak has brought me from Aram ... the king of Moab from the eastern mountains
These phrases mean the same thing.
denounce Israel
To "denounce" here means to judge someone harshly, to consider Israel guilty of great evil.
Numbers 23:8
How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom Yahweh does not denounce?
"But I cannot curse those whom God has not cursed. I cannot denounce those whom Yahweh does not denounce!"
Numbers 23:9
from the top of the rocks I see him ... from the hills I look at him
Balaam viewed Israel from the top of a hill.
I see him ... I look at him
Here "him" refers to the people of Israel.
there is a people
"there is a group of people"
do not consider themselves as just an ordinary nation
"they consider themselves to be a special nation"
Numbers 23:10
Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even only one-fourth of Israel?
"There are too many Israelites to count. No one could count even a fourth of them because there are so many."
the death of a righteous person
"the peaceful death of a righteous person"
a righteous person ... like his
These refer to the people of Israel as a single person.
Numbers 23:11
What have you done to me?
"I cannot believe you did this to me!"
but look
This emphasizes the shocking action that follows.
Numbers 23:12
Should I not be careful to say only what Yahweh puts in my mouth?
"I must be very careful to say only what Yahweh tells me to say."
to say only what Yahweh puts in my mouth
"to say only what Yahweh wants me to say"
Numbers 23:13
There you will curse them for me
"There you will curse the Israelites for me"
Numbers 23:14
field of Zophim
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The word 'Zophim' means 'to watch' or 'to spy.'"
Mount Pisgah
This is the name of a mountain. See how you translated this in Numbers 21:20.
Numbers 23:16
put a message in his mouth
"told him what to say"
He said
"Then Yahweh said"
Numbers 23:18
Balak, and hear ... Listen to me, you son of Zippor
These two phrases are repeated to emphasize how important it was for Balak to pay attention.
Balak ... son of Zippor
See how you translated these names in Numbers 22:2.
Numbers 23:19
Has he promised anything without doing it? Has he said he would do something without carrying it out?
"He has never promised a thing without fulfilling what he promised. He has always done exactly what he said he would do."
Numbers 23:20
I have been commanded to bless
"God has commanded me to bless the Israelites"
Numbers 23:21
disaster in Jacob ... trouble in Israel
Possible meanings are 1) God has given Israel only good things or 2) there is no sin in Israel that would cause him to judge them.
the shout of the king is among them
"they shout with joy because Yahweh is their king"
Numbers 23:22
with strength like that of a wild ox
This says that Yahweh's great strength is equal to an ox.
Numbers 23:23
it must be said
"people must say"
Look what God has done!
"Look at the good things God has done for them!"
Numbers 23:24
the people rise like a lioness ... he has killed
This verse speaks of Israel defeating her enemies as if Israel was a lion devouring its prey.
Numbers 23:26
Did I not tell you that I must say all that Yahweh tells me to say?
"I told you before that I must say all that Yahweh tells me to say."
Numbers 23:28
which looks down on the wilderness
"which looks down on the wilderness where Israel was"
Chapter 24
1
When Balaam saw that it pleased Yahweh to bless Israel, he did not go, as at the other times, to use sorcery. Instead, he looked toward the wilderness.
2
Balaam raised his eyes and saw that Israel was camped, each in their own tribe, and the Spirit of God came on him.
3
He received this prophecy and said,
"This is the declaration of Balaam son of Beor,
the declaration of the man whose eyes are wide open,
4
the declaration of the one who hears the words of God,
who sees a vision from the Almighty,
who bows down with his eyes open.
5
How delightful are your tents, Jacob,
the place where you live, Israel!
6
Like valleys they spread out,
like gardens by the riverside,
like aloes planted by Yahweh,
like cedars beside the waters.
7
Water will flow from their buckets,
and their seed will have abundant water.
Their king will be greater than Agag,
and their kingdom will be honored.
8
God will bring him out of Egypt.
He will have strength like a wild ox.
He will eat up the nations who fight against him.
He will break their bones to pieces.
He will shoot them with his arrows.
9
He crouches down like a lion,
like a lioness. Who dares disturb him?
May everyone who blesses him be blessed;
may everyone who curses him be cursed."
10
Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam and he struck his hands together in anger. Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, but look, you have blessed them three times.
11
So flee home now. I said I would greatly reward you, but Yahweh has kept you from getting any reward."
12
Then Balaam replied to Balak, "I said to the messengers that you sent to me,
13
'Even if Balak gave me his palace full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond Yahweh's word and anything bad or good, or anything at all that I might want to do. I can say only what Yahweh tells me to say.' Did I not say this to them?
14
So now, look, I will go back to my people. But first let me advise you about what this people will do to your people in the days ahead."
15
Balaam began this prophecy. He said,
"This is the declaration of Balaam son of Beor,
the declaration of the man whose eyes are wide open.
16
This is the declaration of someone who hears words from God,
who has knowledge from the Most High,
who sees visions from the Almighty,
who bows down with open eyes.
17
I see him, but he is not here now.
I look at him, but he is not near.
A star will come out of Jacob,
and a scepter will rise out of Israel.
He will shatter Moab's leaders
and destroy all the descendants of Seth.
18
Then Edom will become a possession of Israel,
and Seir will also become their possession,
enemies of Israel,
whom Israel will conquer with force.
19
Out of Jacob a king will come who will have dominion,
and he will destroy the survivors of their city."
20
Then Balaam looked at Amalek and began his prophecy. He said,
"Amalek was once the greatest of nations,
but his end will be eternal destruction."
21
Then Balaam looked toward the Kenites and began his prophecy. He said,
"The place where you live is strong,
and your nest is in the rocks.
22
Nevertheless you Kenites will be consumed by fire
when Assyria carries you away captive."
23
Then Balaam began his final prophecy. He said,
"Woe! Who will survive when God does this?
24
Ships will come from the coast of Cyprus
;
they will attack Assyria and will conquer Eber,
but they, too, will end in destruction."
25
Then Balaam got up and left. He returned to his home, and Balak also went away.
Numbers 24:1
as at the other times
"like he did the previous times". The story of Balaam continues in this chapter. God does not allow others to curse his people. Balaam blesses Israel again and the king is angry and sends him home. This may be taken as humor or an ironic situation.
Numbers 24:2
Balaam raised his eyes
"He looked up"
Spirit of God came on him
This mean's God's Spirit took control of him to prophesy.
Numbers 24:3
He received this prophecy
"God gave him this prophecy"
Balaam son of Beor
Beor was Balaam's father. See how you translated this in Numbers 22:5.
whose eyes are wide open
This means that he sees and understands clearly.
Numbers 24:4
who sees ... who bows
Here Balaam refers to himself as "He."
who bows down
This is an act of humility.
with his eyes open
Here "eyes open" means Balaam has received the ability to know what God wants to say.
Numbers 24:6
Like valleys they spread out
Balaam speaks of the Israelies as if they were numerous enough to cover entire valleys.
like gardens by the riverside
Balaam speaks of the Israelies as if they were well-watered gardens that produce an abundant harvest.
aloes planted by Yahweh
"aloes which Yahweh has planted". Aloes are plants with a pleasant smell that grow well even in dry conditions. Balaam speaks of the Israelies as if they would thrive and be pleasant like aloe plants.
like cedars beside the waters
Cedar trees were the largest trees in Israel. Balaam speaks of the Israelies as if they grew as large as well-watered cedar trees.
Numbers 24:7
Water will flow from their buckets, and their seed will have abundant water
"God will bless Israel and they will have plenty of water for their seed to grow healthy crops"
Their king will be greater ... their kingdom will be honored
These two phrases emphasize how much God will bless them compared to other nations.
will be greater
will have more honor and will be more powerful
their kingdom will be honored
"other people will give honor to their kingdom"
Numbers 24:8
God will bring him
"God will bring the Israelites"
He will have strength like a wild ox
This phrase emphasizes that the Israelites have great strength. The ox was the strongest animal the Israelites owned.
He will eat up the nations
Balaam speaks of the Israelites as if they are wild animals that eat their enemies. This means they will destroy their enemies.
Numbers 24:9
He crouches down like a lion, like a lioness
Balaam compares the Israelites to both male and female lions. This means they are dangerous and always ready to attack.
Who dares disturb him?
"No one dares to disturb him!"
May everyone who blesses him be blessed; may everyone who curses him be cursed
"May God bless those who bless the Israelites; may he curse those who curse the Israelites"
Numbers 24:10
Balak's anger was kindled
"Balak became very angry"
struck his hands together in anger
This was a sign of great frustration and anger.
Numbers 24:11
flee home now
Balak is very angry and wants Balaam to leave quickly, as if Balak were going to kill him.
Numbers 24:13
Even if Balak gave me his palace full of silver and gold
This statement emphasizes that there is nothing that would make Balaam disobey God.
Did I not say this to them?
"I said this to them."
Numbers 24:14
this people
"the Israelites"
Numbers 24:15
Balaam son of Beor
Beor was Balaam's father. See how you translated this in Numbers 22:5.
whose eyes are wide open
This means that he sees and understands clearly.
Numbers 24:16
who has knowledge from the Most High
"who knows things that God Most High has revealed to him"
bows down
This is a sign of submission to God.
Numbers 24:17
I see him, but he is not here now. I look at him, but he is not near
Balaam is having a vision of a future event. The word "him" refers to a future leader of Israel.
A star will come out of Jacob
Here "star" refers to an Israelite king that will rise in power.
out of Jacob
"from among the descendants of Jacob"
a scepter will rise out of Israel
This means the same thing as the first part of the sentence. Here "scepter" refers to a powerful king.
out of Israel
"from among the Israelites in the future"
shatter Moab's leaders
Possible meanings are 1) he will break the heads of the leaders of Moab or 2) he will destroy the leaders of Moab.
all the descendants of Seth
This also refers to the Moabites, who were descendants of Seth.
Numbers 24:18
Edom will become a possession of Israel
"The Israelites will occupy Edom"
Seir will also become their possession
"Israel will also conquer the people of Seir". Here "Seir" refers to the people who lived near Mount Seir.
Numbers 24:19
Out of Jacob a king will come
Jacob was the ancestor of the Israelites. "Jacob" refers to the whole people group.
of their city
This refers to the city of Ar where Balak met Balaam.
Numbers 24:20
Balaam looked at Amalek
Here "Amalek" refers to the people of Amalek. This continues Balaam's vision while turning to look in the direction of the Amalek nation, and then he prophecies about the Amalekites.
his end
A singular pronoun is used because the Amalekites are spoken of as a single person.
Numbers 24:21
the Kenites
This is the name of a people group who descended from Kain.
The place where you live is strong
"The place were you live is well defended"
your nest is in the rocks
"your location is as secure as a nest high in the rocks"
Numbers 24:22
Nevertheless you Kenites will be consumed by fire when Assyria carries you away captive
"Nevertheless the Assyrians will destroy you Kenites like a fire, and take you away as captives"
Numbers 24:23
Who will survive when God does this?
"No one will survive when God does this!"
Numbers 24:24
Cyprus
This is the name of an island in the Mediterranean Sea.
they, too, will end in destruction
"God will destroy them also"
Chapter 25
1
Israel stayed in Shittim, and the men began to prostitute themselves with women of Moab,
2
for the Moabites had invited the people to the sacrifices to their gods. So the people ate and bowed down to Moabite gods.
3
The men of Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and Yahweh's anger was kindled against Israel.
4
Yahweh said to Moses, "Kill all the leaders of the people and hang them up before me to expose them in the daylight, so that my fierce anger may turn away from Israel."
5
So Moses said to the judges of Israel, "Each of you must kill his people who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor."
6
Then one of the men of the sons of Israel came and brought among his family members a Midianite woman. This happened in the sight of Moses and all the community of the people of Israel, while they were weeping at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
7
When Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron the priest, saw that, he rose up from among the community and took a spear in his hand.
8
He followed the man of Israel into the tent and thrust the spear through both of their bodies, both the man of Israel and the woman. So a plague that God had sent on the people of Israel stopped.
9
Those who died by the plague were twenty-four thousand in number.
10
Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
11
"Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron the priest, has turned my rage away from the people of Israel because he was passionate with my zeal among them. So I have not consumed the people of Israel in my jealousy.
12
Therefore say, 'Yahweh says, "Look, I am giving to Phinehas my covenant of peace.
13
For him and his descendants after him, it will be a covenant of an everlasting priesthood because he was zealous for me, his God. He has atoned for the people of Israel."'"
14
Now the name of the man of Israel who was killed with the Midianite woman was Zimri son of Salu, a leader of an ancestor's family among the Simeonites.
15
The name of the Midianite woman who was killed was Kozbi daughter of Zur, who was head of a tribe and ancestral household in Midian.
16
So Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
17
"Treat the Midianites as enemies and attack them,
18
for they treated you like enemies with their deceitfulness. They led you into evil in the case of Peor and in the case of their sister Kozbi, the daughter of a leader in Midian, who was killed on the day of the plague in the matter of Peor."
Numbers 25:1
Shittim
This is the name of a place in Moab. The story of Balaam concludes in this chapter.
Numbers 25:2
bowed down
This was an act of worship.
Numbers 25:3
Peor
Peor was the name of a mountain. See how you translated this in Numbers 23:28.
Yahweh's anger was kindled
"Yahweh became very angry"
Numbers 25:4
all the leaders of the people
"all the leaders of the people who are guilty of idolatry"
to expose them in the daylight
This means that the leaders of Israel will kill these people and leave their dead bodies out where all the people can see them.
Numbers 25:5
to the judges of Israel
"to the judges of Israel who were not guilty of idolatry"
Peor
Peor was the name of a mountain. See how you translated this in Numbers 23:28.
Numbers 25:6
brought among his family members a Midianite woman
"brought a Midianite woman to the Israelite camp to sleep with her". Balaam told the young women from Moab to act friendly to the Israelite men and invite them to feasts in honor of their god Baal. The men went to the feasts and worshiped Baal, so God was angry and killed 24,000 Israelite men. Foreign women are often the source of problems in Israel, since they caused the men to worship their false gods.
in the sight of Moses and all the community of the people of Israel
Here "in the sight of" means they heard about it, or found out about it.
Numbers 25:7
Eleazar
This is the name of Aaron's son. See how you translated it in Numbers 3:2.
Numbers 25:8
He followed
"Phinehas followed"
Numbers 25:11
Connecting Statement:
Yahweh begins to speak to Moses.
turned my rage away from the people of Israel
"caused me to no longer be angry with the people of Israel"
I have not consumed the people of Israel in my jealousy
"I have not destroyed the people of Israel in my terrible anger"
Numbers 25:13
Connecting Statement:
This is the end of Yahweh's speech that begins in verse 11.
For him ... of Israel."'"
"Therefore say to them that Yahweh says that he is giving to Phinehas his covenant of peace. For him and his descendants after him, it will be a covenant of an everlasting priesthood because he was zealous for Yahweh, his God. He has atoned for the people of Israel."
Numbers 25:14
Now
The word "Now" is used here to mark a pause in the story, where the author tells background information about Zimri and Kozbi.
who was killed
"whom Phinehas killed"
Zimri ... Salu
These are names of men.
Numbers 25:15
Zur
This is the name of a man.
Kozbi
This is the name of a woman.
Numbers 25:18
with their deceitfulness
"by deceiving you"
They led you into evil
"They persuaded you to do this evil thing"
in the case of Peor ... in the matter of Peor
Both of these phrases mean that these things happened at Mount Peor.
Peor
Peor was the name of a mountain. See how you translated this in Numbers 23:28.
who was killed
"whom Phinehas killed"
Chapter 26
1
It came about after the plague that Yahweh spoke to Moses and Eleazar son of Aaron the priest. He said,
2
"Count all the community of the people of Israel, from twenty years old and up, by their ancestor's families, all who are able to go to war for Israel."
3
So Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke to them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho and said,
4
"Count the people, from twenty years old and up, as Yahweh commanded Moses and the people of Israel, who came out of the land of Egypt."
5
Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. From his son Hanok came the clan of the Hanokites. From Pallu came the clan of the Palluites.
6
From Hezron came the clan of the Hezronites. From Karmi came the clan of the Karmites.
7
These were the clans of Reuben, who numbered 43,730 men.
8
Eliab was a son of Pallu.
9
Eliab's sons were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. These were the same Dathan and Abiram who were in the company of Korah when they rebelled against Moses and Aaron and rebelled against Yahweh.
10
The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah when all his company died. At that time, fire devoured 250 men, who became a warning sign.
11
But Korah's line did not die out.
12
The clans of Simeon's descendants were these:
Through Nemuel, the clan of the Nemuelites,
through Jamin, the clan of the Jaminites,
through Jakin, the clan of the Jakinites,
13
through Zerah, the clan of the Zerahites,
through Shaul, the clan of the Shaulites.
14
These were the clans of Simeon's descendants, who numbered 22,200 men.
15
The clans of Gad's descendants were these:
Through Zephon, the clan of the Zephonites,
through Haggi, the clan of the Haggites,
through Shuni, the clan of the Shunites,
16
through Ozni, the clan of the Oznites,
through Eri, the clan of the Erites,
17
through Arod, the clan of the Arodites,
through Areli, the clan of the Arelites.
18
These were the clans of Gad's descendants, who numbered 40,500 men.
19
Judah's sons were Er and Onan, but these men died in the land of Canaan.
20
The clans of Judah's other descendants were these:
through Shelah, the clan of the Shelanites,
through Perez, the clan of the Perezites, and
through Zerah, the clan of the Zerahites.
21
The descendants of Perez were these:
Through Hezron, the clan of the Hezronites,
through Hamul, the clan of the Hamulites.
22
These were the clans of Judah's descendants, who numbered 76,500 men.
23
The clans of Issachar's descendants were these:
Through Tola, the clan of the Tolaites,
through Puah, the clan of the Puites,
24
through Jashub, the clan of the Jashubites,
through Shimron, the clan of the Shimronites.
25
These were the clans of Issachar, who numbered 64,300 men.
26
The clans of Zebulun's descendants were these:
Through Sered, the clan of the Seredites,
through Elon, the clan of the Elonites,
through Jahleel, the clan of the Jahleelites.
27
These were the clans of the Zebulunites, who numbered 60,500 men.
28
The clans of Joseph's descendants were Manasseh and Ephraim.
29
The descendants of Manasseh were these:
through Makir, the clan of the Makirites (Makir was Gilead's father),
through Gilead, the clan of the Gileadites.
30
Gilead's descendants were these:
Through Iezer, the clan of the Iezerites,
through Helek, the clan of the Helekites,
31
through Asriel, the clan of the Asrielites,
through Shechem, the clan of the Shechemites,
32
through Shemida, the clan of the Shemidaites,
through Hepher, the clan of the Hepherites.
33
Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons, but only daughters.
The names of his daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah.
34
These were the clans of Manasseh, who numbered 52,700 men.
35
The clans of Ephraim's descendants were these:
Through Shuthelah, the clan of the Shuthelahites,
through Beker, the clan of the Bekerites,
through Tahan, the clan of the Tahanites.
36
The descendants of Shuthelah were, by Eran, the clan of the Eranites.
37
These were the clans of Ephraim's descendants, who numbered 32,500 men. These were Joseph's descendants, counted in each of their clans.
38
The clans of Benjamin's descendants were these:
Through Bela, the clan of the Belaites,
through Ashbel, the clan of the Ashbelites,
through Ahiram, the clan of the Ahiramites,
39
through Shephupham, the clan of the Shuphamites,
through Hupham, the clan of the Huphamites.
40
The descendants of Bela were Ard and Naaman. From Ard came the clan of the Ardites, and from Naaman came the clan of the Naamites.
41
These were the clans of Benjamin's descendants. They numbered 45,600 men.
42
The clans of Dan's descendants were, by Shuham, the clans of the Shuhamites. These were the clans of Dan's descendants.
43
All the clans of the Shuhamites numbered 64,400 men.
44
The clans of Asher's descendants were these:
Through Imnah, the clan of the Imnites,
through Ishvi, the clan of the Ishvites,
through Beriah, the clan of the Beriites.
45
The descendants of Beriah were these:
Through Heber, the clan of the Heberites,
through Malkiel, the clan of the Malkielites.
46
The name of Asher's daughter was Serah.
47
These were the clans of Asher's descendants, who numbered 53,400 men.
48
The clans of Naphtali's descendants were these:
Through Jahzeel, the clan of the Jahzeelites,
through Guni, the clan of the Gunites,
49
through Jezer, the clan of the Jezerites,
through Shillem, the clan of the Shillemites.
50
These were the clans of Naphtali's descendants, who numbered 45,400 men.
51
This was the complete count of men of Israel: 601,730.
52
Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
53
"The land must be divided among these men as an inheritance according to the number of their names.
54
To the larger clans you must give more inheritance, and to the smaller clans you must give less inheritance. To every family you must give an inheritance according to the number of men who were counted.
55
However, the land must be divided by random lots. They must inherit the land according to the names of their ancestors' tribes.
56
Their inheritance must be divided among the larger and the smaller clans, distributed to them by random lot."
57
The Levite clans, counted clan by clan, were these:
Through Gershon, the clan of the Gershonites,
through Kohath, the clan of the Kohathites,
through Merari, the clan of the Merarites.
58
The clans of Levi were these:
the clan of the Libnites,
the clan of the Hebronites,
the clan of the Mahlites,
the clan of the Mushites,
and the clan of the Korahites.
Kohath was Amram's ancestor.
59
The name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, a descendant of Levi, who was born to Levites in Egypt. She bore to Amram their children, who were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam their sister.
60
To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
61
Nadab and Abihu died when they offered before Yahweh unacceptable fire.
62
The males who were counted among them numbered twenty-three thousand, all males one month old and up. But they were not counted among Israel's descendants because no inheritance was given to them among the people of Israel.
63
These are the ones who were counted by Moses and Eleazar the priest. They counted the people of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.
64
But among these there was no man who had been counted by Moses and Aaron the priest when the descendants of Israel were counted in the wilderness of Sinai.
65
For Yahweh had said that all of those people would certainly die in the wilderness. There was not a man left among them, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
Numbers 26:1
General Information:
The people are counted in preparation for entering into the Promised Land. None of the adults who came out of Egypt with Moses were still alive except the two faithful spies, Joshua and Caleb.
Numbers 26:2
Count all the community
"Count all the men of the community"
twenty years old and up
"20 years old and older"
Numbers 26:3
spoke to them
"spoke to the Israelite leaders"
plains
A plain is a large flat area of land.
Numbers 26:4
twenty years old and up
"20 years old and older"
Numbers 26:5
General Information:
The leaders of Israel are counting the men, 20 years old and older, according to their tribes and families.
was the firstborn of Israel
Here "Israel" refers to the man also known as Jacob.
From his son
The word "his" refers to Rueben.
Numbers 26:7
43,730 men
"forty-three thousand seven hundred and thirty men"
Numbers 26:8
Eliab
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 16:1.
Numbers 26:9
Eliab ... Dathan ... Abiram
See how you translated these men's names in Numbers 16:1.
Numbers 26:10
The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up
"Yahweh caused the earth to split open, and the men fell in the hole"
fire devoured 250 men
"Yahweh caused a fire that killed 250 men"
250 men
"two hundred and fifty men"
Numbers 26:11
Korah's line
"all of Korah's family"
die out
"end"
Numbers 26:14
22,200 men
"twenty-two thousand two hundred men"
Numbers 26:18
40,500 men
"forty thousand five hundred men"
Numbers 26:22
76,500 men
"seventy-six thousand five hundred men"
Numbers 26:25
64,300 men
"sixty-four thousand three hundred men"
Numbers 26:27
60,500 men
"sixty thousand five hundred men"
Numbers 26:34
52,700 men
"fifty-two thousand seven hundred men"
Numbers 26:37
32,500 men
"thirty-two thousand five hundred men"
These were Joseph's descendants, counted
"These were Joseph's descendants, descended from his sons Manasseh and Ephraim, counted". The word "these" refers to all of the men descended from Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh.
counted in each of their clans
"they counted them in each of their clans"
Numbers 26:41
45,600 men
"forty-five thousand six hundred men"
Numbers 26:43
64,400 men
"sixty-four thousand four hundred men"
Numbers 26:47
53,400 men
"fifty-three thousand four hundred men"
Numbers 26:50
45,400 men
"forty-five thousand four hundred men"
Numbers 26:51
the complete count
"the total number"
601,730
"six-hundred and one thousand, seven hundred and thirty men."
Numbers 26:53
The land must be divided
"You must divide the land"
these men
This refers to all of the men that were counted in their clans, beginning in Numbers 26:5.
according to the number of their names
"by the number of people in each clan"
Numbers 26:54
General Information:
Yahweh continues speaking to Moses.
give more inheritance
"give more land as an inheritance"
who were counted
"whom the leaders of Israel counted"
Numbers 26:55
the land must be divided
"you must divide the land"
by random lots
"by casting lots"
Numbers 26:56
distributed to them
"and you must distribute the land to them"
Numbers 26:57
General Information:
This is a list of the Levite clans. Moses counts the Levites separately from the other tribes because they did not receive any land.
counted clan by clan
"that the leaders also counted clan by clan"
Gershon ... Kohath ... Merari
See how you translated these men's names in Numbers 3:17.
Numbers 26:58
Amram's
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 3:19.
Numbers 26:59
She bore to Amram their children
"She and Amram had children"
Numbers 26:60
Nadab ... Abihu ... Ithamar
See how you translated these men's names in Numbers 3:2.
Numbers 26:61
they offered before Yahweh unacceptable fire
"they burned an incense offering to Yahweh in a way that he did not approve of". Here the word "fire" is used to refer to "burning incense." See how you translated a similar phrase in Numbers 3:4.
Numbers 26:62
who were counted
"whom the leaders counted"
twenty-three thousand
"23,000"
one month old and up
"one month old and older"
they were not counted
"but the leaders did not count them"
because no inheritance was given to them
"because Yahweh said they would not receive any land as an inheritance"
Numbers 26:63
who were counted by Moses and Eleazar the priest
"whom Moses and Eleazar the priest counted"
Numbers 26:64
there was no man
"there were no men"
who had been counted by Moses and Aaron the priest
"whom Moses and Aaron the priest had counted"
when the descendants of Israel were counted
"when they counted the descendants of Israel"
Numbers 26:65
There was not a man left among them, except
"The only ones who were still alive were". The word "them" refers to all of the people who were counted in the wilderness of Sinai.
son of Jephunneh
Jephunneh was Caleb's father. See how you translated this in Numbers 13:6.
son of Nun
Nun was Joshua's father. See how you translated this in Numbers 11:28.
Chapter 27
1
Then to Moses came the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher son of Gilead son of Makir son of Manasseh, of the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. These were the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah.
2
They stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and before all the community at the entrance to the tent of meeting. They said,
3
"Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company that gathered themselves together to oppose Yahweh, in the company of Korah. He died for his own sin, and he had no sons.
4
Why should our father's name be taken away from among his clan members because he had no son? Give us a possession among our father's relatives."
5
So Moses brought their case before Yahweh.
6
Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
7
"Zelophehad's daughters are speaking correctly. You must certainly give them a possession as an inheritance among their father's relatives, and you must ensure that their father's inheritance passes on to them.
8
You must speak to the people of Israel and say, 'If a man dies and has no son, then you must cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter.
9
If he has no daughter, then you must give his inheritance to his brothers.
10
If he has no brothers, then you must give his inheritance to his father's brothers.
11
If his father has no brothers, then you must give his inheritance to his nearest relative in his clan, and he must take it for his own. This will be a law established by decree for the people of Israel, as Yahweh has commanded me.'"
12
Yahweh said to Moses, "Go up this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel.
13
After you have seen it, you, too, must be gathered to your people, like Aaron your brother.
14
This will happen because you two rebelled against my command in the wilderness of Zin during the strife of the congregation. There, when the water flowed from the rock, in your anger you failed to honor me as holy before the eyes of the whole community." These are the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.
15
Then Moses spoke to Yahweh and said,
16
"May you, Yahweh, the God of the spirits of all humanity, appoint a man over the community,
17
a man who may go out and come in before them and lead them out and bring them in, so that your community is not like sheep that have no shepherd."
18
Yahweh said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom my Spirit lives, and lay your hand on him.
19
Place him before Eleazar the priest and before all the community, and command him before their eyes to lead them.
20
You must put some of your authority on him, so that all the community of the people of Israel may obey him.
21
He will go before Eleazar the priest to seek my will for him by the decisions of the Urim. It will be at his command that the people will go out and come in, both he and all the people of Israel with him, the whole community."
22
So Moses did as Yahweh had commanded him. He took Joshua and placed him before Eleazar the priest and all the community.
23
Moses laid his hands on him and commanded him to lead, as Yahweh had commanded him to do.
Numbers 27:1
Then to Moses came the daughters of Zelophehad ... son of Joseph
"Then the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher son of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh, of the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph came to Moses." This tells us the genealogy of Zelophehad. He died without any sons. His five daughters went to Moses and requested to receive the land that Zelophehad's sons would have received. Yahweh told Moses that it is right to give a man's inheritance to his daughter if he has no son.
Zelophehad son of Hepher ... Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah
See how you translated these men's names in Numbers 26:33.
Gilead ... Makir
See how you translated these men's names in Numbers 26:29.
Numbers 27:2
They stood
"The daughters of Zelophehad stood"
Numbers 27:3
among the company that gathered themselves together to oppose Yahweh, in the company of Korah
The words "the company of Korah" further identify the words "the company that gathered themselves together to oppose Yahweh."
gathered themselves
"made a plan"
for his own sin
"because of his own sin"
Numbers 27:4
Why should our father's name be taken away from among his clan members because he had no son?
"You should not remove our father's name from the clan members just because he did not have a son.". At that time, only sons received land as an inheritance. The daughters use this question to suggest that they should receive the inheritance and continue the family clan.
Give us a possession among our father's relatives
"Give us land where our father's relatives live"
Numbers 27:7
a possession
"land"
among their father's relatives
"where their father's relatives live"
Numbers 27:11
be a law established by decree for the people of Israel
"be a law that all the people of Israel must obey"
has commanded me
Here "me" refers to Moses.
Numbers 27:12
this mountain of Abarim
"this mountain in the Abarim range" Abarim was a range or line of mountains in Moab.
that I have given to the people of Israel
"that I will give to the people of Israel". Here Yahweh speaks about the land that he is giving the people of Israel as if he has already given it to them.
Numbers 27:13
you, too, must be gathered to your people
"you must die". This means that Moses will die and his spirit will go to the place where his ancestors are.
like Aaron your brother
"and you must die like your older brother Aaron died"
Numbers 27:14
you two rebelled
This refers to Moses and Aaron.
wilderness of Zin
See how you translated this phrase in Numbers 13:21.
the strife of the congregation
"when the people of Israel were rebelling against me"
when the water flowed from the rock, in your anger
This refers to an event when Yahweh made water miraculously flow out of a rock. God told Moses to speak to the rock. Instead, Moses hit the rock because he was angry with the people. See Numbers 20:8-13.
you failed to honor me as holy
"you did not treat me as holy"
before the eyes of the whole community
"in front of the whole community"
waters of Meribah
See how you translated this phrase in Numbers 20:13.
Numbers 27:16
the God of the spirits of all humanity
"the God over all of humanity" or "the God who gives life to all humanity"
a man over the community
"a man to lead the community”
Numbers 27:17
a man who may go out and come in before them and lead them out and bring them in
This means a person who will lead all the people and also lead the army into battle.
so that your community is not like sheep that have no shepherd
This means without a leader the people will wander and be helpless.
Numbers 27:18
Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom my Spirit lives
Yahweh's Spirit is in Joshua, meaning that he obeys Yahweh and follows his commands. God told Moses to appoint Joshua as the new leader. He became Yahweh's anointed leader.
lay your hand on him
"lay your hand on him to appoint him"
Numbers 27:19
command him before their eyes to lead them
"in front of all of them command Joshua to lead the people of Israel"
Numbers 27:20
General Information:
Yahweh continues speaking to Moses about Joshua.
You must put some of your authority on him
"You should give him some of your authority" or "Let him decide what the people should do"
Numbers 27:21
Urim
This was a sacred stone that the High Priest wore on his chest plate. He used it to determine God's will.
It will be at his command that the people will go out and come in
"He will command the community's movements". "Going out" and "coming in" are two opposite commands used to emphasize that he will have full command over their movements.
both he and all the people of Israel with him, the whole community
"both he and the entire nation of Israel"
Numbers 27:22
placed him before
"told him to stand in front of"
Numbers 27:23
laid his hands on him and commanded him to lead
Here "him" refers to Joshua. The laying on of hands was a way of setting a person apart to do a special task for God.
to lead
"to lead the people" or "to be the leader of the Israelites"
as Yahweh had commanded him to do
Here "him" refers to Moses.
Chapter 28
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
2
"Command the people of Israel and say to them, 'You must offer sacrifices to me at the appointed times, the food of my offerings made by fire to produce a sweet aroma for me.'
3
You must also say to them, 'This is the offering made by fire that you must offer to Yahweh—male lambs a year old without blemish, two each day, as a regular burnt offering.
4
One lamb you must offer in the morning, and the other lamb you must offer in the evening.
5
You must offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with one-fourth of a hin of beaten oil.
6
This is the regular burnt offering that was commanded at Mount Sinai to produce a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
7
The drink offering with it must be one-fourth of a hin for one of the lambs. You must pour out in the holy place a drink offering of strong drink to Yahweh.
8
The other lamb you must offer in the evening along with another grain offering like the one offered in the morning. You must also offer another drink offering with it, an offering made by fire, to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh.
9
On the Sabbath day you must offer two male lambs, each a year old without blemish, and two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with oil, and the drink offering with it.
10
This is to be the burnt offering for every Sabbath, in addition to the regular burnt offering and the drink offering with it.
11
At the beginning of each month, you must offer a burnt offering to Yahweh. You must offer two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old without blemish.
12
You must also offer three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering mixed with oil for each bull, and two-tenths of fine flour as a grain offering mixed with oil for the one ram.
13
You must also offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering for each lamb. This is to be the burnt offering, to produce a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
14
The people's drink offerings must be half a hin of wine for a bull, a third of a hin for a ram, and one-fourth of a hin for a lamb. This is to be the burnt offering for every month throughout the months of the year.
15
One male goat as a sin offering to Yahweh must be offered. This will be in addition to the regular burnt offering and the drink offering with it.
16
During the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, comes Yahweh's Passover.
17
On the fifteenth day of this month a feast is to be held. For seven days, bread without yeast must be eaten.
18
On the first day, there must be a holy assembly to honor Yahweh. You must not do regular work on that day.
19
However, you must offer a sacrifice made by fire, a burnt offering to Yahweh. You must offer two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, without blemish.
20
Along with the bull, you must offer a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, and along with the ram, two-tenths.
21
With each of the seven lambs, you must offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil,
22
and one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for yourselves.
23
You must offer these in addition to the regular burnt offering required each morning.
24
As described here, you must offer these sacrifices daily, for the seven days of the Passover, the food of the offering made by fire, a sweet aroma for Yahweh. It must be offered in addition to the regular burnt offering and the drink offering with it.
25
On the seventh day you must have a holy assembly to honor Yahweh, and you must not do regular work on that day.
26
Also on the day of the firstfruits, when you offer a new grain offering to Yahweh in your Festival of Weeks, you must have a holy assembly to honor Yahweh, and you must not do regular work on that day.
27
You must offer a burnt offering to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. You must offer two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old.
28
Offer also grain offering to go with them: Fine flour mixed with oil, three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for each bull and two-tenths for the one ram.
29
Offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for each of the seven lambs,
30
and one male goat to make atonement for yourselves.
31
When you offer those animals without blemish, along with their drink offerings, this must be in addition to the regular burnt offering and the grain offering with it.
Numbers 28:1
General Information:
God commanded the Israelites to make special offerings for Sabbaths, new months, Passover and firstfruits. On each of these occasions, specific sacrifices were required.
Numbers 28:2
at the appointed times
"at the times that I haven chosen"
the food of my offerings made by fire to produce
"the food offerings that you will burn on the altar produce"
a sweet aroma for me
"a smell I enjoy"
Numbers 28:3
the offering made by fire
"the burnt offering" or "the offering you have burned by fire on the altar"
Numbers 28:5
mixed with
"which you have mixed with"
a tenth of an ephah
"2 liters" or "a tenth of an ephah (which is about 2 liters)"
one-fourth of a hin
"a liter" or "one-fourth of a hin (which is almost 1 liter)"
beaten oil
"pressed oil" or "pure olive oil." This refers to oil that has been pressed out of olives.
Numbers 28:6
that was commanded at Mount Sinai
"that Yahweh commanded at Mount Sinai"
made by fire
"that you burned on the altar"
Numbers 28:7
one-fourth of a hin
"a liter" or "one-fourth of a hin (which is almost 1 liter)"
You must pour out in the holy place a drink offering of strong drink to Yahweh
"It must be a drink offering of strong drink and you must pour it out in the holy place to Yahweh"
Numbers 28:8
like the one offered
"like the one you offered"
Numbers 28:9
two-tenths of an ephah
"four and a half liters" or "two tenths of an ephah (which is about 4.5 liters)"
mixed with oil
"which you have mixed with oil"
the drink offering with it
"the drink offering that accompanies it"
Numbers 28:12
three-tenths of an ephah
"six liters" or "three-tenths of an ephah (which is about six liters)". "Three-tenths" means three parts out of ten equal parts.
mixed with oil
"which you have mixed with oil"
two-tenths of fine flour
"four and a half liters of fine flour" or "two-tenths of an ephah (which is about 4.5 liters) of fine flour"
Numbers 28:13
a tenth of an ephah
"2 liters" or "a tenth of an ephah (which is about 2 liters)"
made by fire
"that you burned on the altar"
Numbers 28:14
half a hin
"two liters" or "half a hin (which is two liters)". "Half" means one part out of two equal parts.
a third of a hin
"1.2 liters" or "One and one-fifth liters" or "half a hin (which is 1.2 liters)"
one-fourth of a hin
"a liter" or "one-fourth of a hin (which is almost 1 liter)"
Numbers 28:15
One male goat as a sin offering to Yahweh must be offered
"You must offer one male goat to Yahweh as a sin offering"
Numbers 28:16
the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month
"During the first month, on day 14 of the month." This refers to the first month of the Hebrew calendar.
comes Yahweh's Passover
"you must celebrate Yahweh's Passover"
Numbers 28:17
On the fifteenth day of this month
"On day 15 of this month." This refers to the first month of the Hebrew calendar.
a feast is to be held
"you must have a feast"
bread without yeast must be eaten
"you must eat bread without yeast"
Numbers 28:18
On the first day
"On day 1 of the feast"
there must be a holy assembly to honor Yahweh
"you must gather together to worship and honor Yahweh." The phrase "a holy assembly" means the people gather together to worship Yahweh. Worshiping Yahweh is a holy event.
Numbers 28:19
you must offer a sacrifice made by fire, a burnt offering
"you must burn an offering on the altar"
Numbers 28:20
three-tenths of an ephah
"six liters" or "three-tenths of an ephah (which is about six liters)"
mixed with oil
"which you have mixed with oil"
Numbers 28:22
to make atonement
"to atone"
Numbers 28:23
required each morning
"which Yahweh requires each morning"
Numbers 28:24
As described here
"As I, Yahweh, have described here"
the food of the offering made by fire
"you must burn the food offering on the altar"
a sweet aroma for Yahweh
"as a sweet aroma for Yahweh"
It must be offered
"You must offer it"
Numbers 28:25
have a holy assembly to honor Yahweh
"gather together to worship and honor Yahweh."
Numbers 28:26
the day of the firstfruits
"the day of the firstfruits, that is the day." This refers to the day during the Festival of Weeks when they offer the grain offering to Yahweh.
have a holy assembly to honor Yahweh
"gather together to worship and honor Yahweh."
Numbers 28:28
mixed with oil
"which you have mixed with oil"
three-tenths of an ephah
"six liters" or "three-tenths of an ephah (which is about six liters)"
Numbers 28:29
fine flour mixed with oil
"fine flour which you mix with oil"
Numbers 28:30
to make atonement
"to atone"
Numbers 28:31
their drink offerings
"the drink offerings that are offered with them" or "the drink offerings that accompany them"
Chapter 29
1
In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you must have a holy assembly to honor Yahweh. You must not do regular work on that day. It will be a day when you blow trumpets.
2
You must offer a burnt offering to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. You must offer one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, each without blemish.
3
You must offer with them their grain offering, fine flour mixed with oil, three-tenths of an ephah for the bull, two-tenths for the ram,
4
and one-tenth for each lamb of the seven lambs.
5
You must offer one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for yourselves.
6
Make these offerings in the seventh month in addition to all of the offerings you will make on the first of each month: the special burnt offering and the grain offering to go with it. These must be in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and its drink offerings. As you make these offerings, you will obey what has been decreed to produce a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
7
On the tenth day of the seventh month you must have a holy assembly to honor Yahweh. You must humble yourselves and do no work.
8
You must offer a burnt offering to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. You must offer one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old. They must each be without blemish.
9
You must offer with them a grain offering, fine flour mixed with oil, three-tenths of an ephah for the bull, two-tenths for the one ram,
10
and a tenth of an ephah for each of the seven lambs.
11
You must offer one male goat as a sin offering. This will be in addition to the sin offering of atonement, the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings.
12
On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you must have a holy assembly to honor Yahweh. You must not do regular work on that day, and you must celebrate the festival for him seven days.
13
You must offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. You must offer thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old. Each must be without blemish.
14
You must offer with them a grain offering, fine flour mixed with oil, three-tenths of an ephah for every bull of the thirteen bulls, two-tenths for each ram of the two rams,
15
and a tenth of an ephah for each of the fourteen lambs.
16
You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and the drink offering with it.
17
On the second day of the assembly, you must offer twelve young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, each without blemish.
18
You must make with them a grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded.
19
You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings.
20
On the third day of the assembly, you must offer eleven bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, each without blemish.
21
You must make with them a grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded.
22
You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings.
23
On the fourth day of the assembly, you must offer ten bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, each without blemish.
24
You must make with them a grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded.
25
You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings.
26
On the fifth day of the assembly, you must offer nine bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, each without blemish.
27
You must make with them a grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded.
28
You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings.
29
On the sixth day of the assembly, you must offer eight bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, each without blemish.
30
You must make with them a grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded.
31
You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings.
32
On the seventh day of the assembly, you must offer seven bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, each without blemish.
33
You must make with them a grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded.
34
You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings.
35
On the eighth day you must have another solemn assembly. You must not do regular work on that day.
36
You must make a burnt offering, an offering made by fire to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. You must offer one bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, each without blemish.
37
You must offer their grain offering and their drink offerings for the bull, for the ram, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded.
38
You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings.
39
These are what you must offer to Yahweh at your fixed festivals. These must be in addition to your vows and freewill offerings. You must offer these as your burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings, and fellowship offerings.'"
40
Moses told the people of Israel everything that Yahweh had commanded him to say.
Numbers 29:1
General Information:
This chapter continues the material from the previous chapter about offerings on specific days.
In the seventh month, on the first day of the month
"On day 1 of month 7". This refers to the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar.
have a holy assembly to honor Yahweh
"gather together to worship and honor Yahweh."
It will be a day when you blow trumpets
"It will be a day when the priests blow trumpets". The priests blew the trumpet to begin a worship service or to gather the community together. This is also known as "The Feast of Trumpets". Be sure to look back to Exodus 23:16, Exodus 34:22 and Numbers 28:26 to recall the Feasts of Harvest, Ingathering and Weeks.
Numbers 29:3
their grain offering
"the grain offerings that are offered with them" or "the grain offerings that accompany them"
mixed with oil
"which you have mixed with oil"
three-tenths of an ephah
"six liters of fine flour mixed with oil" or "three-tenths of an ephah (which is about six liters)"
two-tenths
"four and a half liters of fine flour mixed with oil" or "two-tenths of an ephah (which is about 4.5 liters)". "Two tenths" means two parts out of ten equal parts.
Numbers 29:4
one-tenth
"2 liters of fine flour mixed with oil" or "a tenth of an ephah (which is about 2 liters)"
Numbers 29:5
to make atonement
"to atone"
Numbers 29:6
in the seventh month ... the first of each month
"in month 7 ... day 1 of each month." The word "month" refers to a month of the Hebrew calendar.
of each month: the special burnt offering ... with it
"of each month—the special burnt offering ... with it." This is the offering that is made on the first day of each month.
the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and its drink offerings
"the regular burnt offering, with the grain offering and drink offerings that accompany it". This refers to the offerings the priests were to give every day. The grain offering and drink offering were to be offered with the regular burnt offering.
you will obey what has been decreed
"you will obey Yahweh's decree" or "you will obey what Yahweh had decreed"
an offering made by fire to Yahweh
"an offering you burnt on the altar to Yahweh"
Numbers 29:7
the tenth day of the seventh month
"day 10 of month 7" The word "month" refers to those in the Hebrew calendar.
have a holy assembly to honor Yahweh
"gather together to worship and honor Yahweh."
Numbers 29:9
fine flour mixed with oil
"fine flour which you have mixed with oil"
Numbers 29:10
a tenth of an ephah
"2 liters" or "a tenth of an ephah (which is about 2 liters)"
Numbers 29:11
its grain offering, and their drink offerings
"along with the grain offering and the drink offerings that accompany them"
Numbers 29:12
the fifteenth day of the seventh month
"day 15 of month 7." The word "month" refer to those in the Hebrew calendar.
have a holy assembly to honor Yahweh
"gather together to worship and honor Yahweh."
you must celebrate the festival for him
"you must celebrate the festival for Yahweh"
Numbers 29:13
a sacrifice made by fire
"you must burn it on the altar"
thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs
"13 young bulls, 2 rams, and 14 male lambs"
Numbers 29:14
fine flour mixed with oil
"fine flour which you have mixed with oil"
thirteen bulls
"13 bulls"
Numbers 29:15
fourteen lambs
"14 lambs"
Numbers 29:16
its grain offering, and the drink offering with it
The grain offering and drink offering accompany the regular burnt offering.
Numbers 29:17
On the second day of the assembly
"On day 2 of the festival." Here the word "assembly" refers to the Festival of Weeks or Feast of Tabernacles.
twelve young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs
"12 young bulls, 2 rams, and 14 male lambs"
Numbers 29:18
as were commanded
"as Yahweh commanded"
Numbers 29:19
its grain offering, and their drink offerings
"along with the grain offering and the drink offerings that accompany them"
Numbers 29:20
the third day of the assembly
"day 3 of the festival." Here the word "assembly" refers to the Festival of Weeks.
eleven bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs
"11 bulls, 2 rams, and 14 male lambs"
Numbers 29:21
as were commanded
"as Yahweh commanded"
Numbers 29:22
its grain offering, and their drink offerings
"along with the grain offering and the drink offerings that accompany them"
Numbers 29:23
General Information:
Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do during the festival in the seventh month.
the fourth day of the assembly
"day 4 of the festival." Here the word "assembly" refers to the Festival of Weeks.
fourteen male lambs
"14 male lambs"
Numbers 29:24
as were commanded
"as Yahweh commanded"
Numbers 29:25
its grain offering, and their drink offerings
"along with the grain offering and the drink offerings that accompany them"
Numbers 29:26
the fifth day of the assembly
"day 5 of the festival." Here the word "assembly" refers to the Festival of Weeks.
Numbers 29:28
its grain offering, and their drink offerings
"along with the grain offering and the drink offerings that accompany them"
Numbers 29:29
the sixth day of the assembly
"day 6 of the festival." Here the word "assembly" refers to the Festival of Weeks.
Numbers 29:32
the seventh day of the assembly
"day 7 of the festival." Here the word "assembly" refers to the Festival of Weeks
Numbers 29:35
General Information:
Yahweh tells Moses what the people must do after the seven-day festival in the seventh month.
eighth day
This "eighth" is the ordinal number for eight.
have another solemn assembly
"gather together again to worship Yahweh." This is another assembly similar to the one on the first day of the festival.
Numbers 29:36
an offering made by fire
"you must burn it on the altar"
Numbers 29:37
their grain offering and their drink offerings
"the grain offerings and the drink offerings". These offerings were to be offered with the bull, the ram, and the lambs.
as were commanded
"as Yahweh commanded"
Numbers 29:39
These are what you must offer
"These offerings are what you must offer"
Chapter 30
1
Moses spoke to the leaders of the tribes of the people of Israel. He said, "This is what Yahweh has commanded.
2
When a man makes a vow to Yahweh, or swears an oath to bind himself with a binding promise, he must not break his word. He must keep his promise to do everything that comes out of his mouth.
3
When a young woman living in her father's house makes a vow to Yahweh and binds herself with a promise, while within the house of her father,
4
if her father hears the vow and the promise by which she has bound herself, and if he says nothing to reverse her, then all her vows will remain in force, and every pledge by which she has bound herself will stand.
5
But if her father overrules her when he hears about it, none of her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand; Yahweh will forgive her because her father has forbidden her.
6
If she marries a husband after she makes a vow or her lips uttered a rash promise by which she has bound herself,
7
and her husband hears about it but says nothing to her, then her vows will stand, and the pledges by which she bound herself will stand.
8
But if her husband stops her on the day that he hears about it, then he cancels the vow that she has made, the rash talk of her lips with which she has bound herself, and Yahweh will forgive her.
9
But any vow of a widow or a divorced woman will stand against her.
10
If a woman made a vow in her husband's house or bound herself by a promise with an oath,
11
and her husband hears of it but he says nothing to her and he does not oppose her, then all her vows will stand, and every pledge by which she bound herself will stand.
12
But if her husband cancels them on the day that he heard about them, then whatever came out of her lips about her vows or promises will not stand. Her husband has canceled them, and Yahweh will forgive her.
13
Any vow and any binding oath to afflict her, her husband may make it stand or her husband may cancel it.
14
But if her husband says nothing to her from day to day, then he confirms all her vows and binding promises that she has made, and they will stand, because he has said nothing to her on the day that he heard of them.
15
If her husband cancels his wife's vow after he has heard about them, then he will be responsible for her guilt."
16
These are the statutes that Yahweh commanded Moses to announce—statutes for what is between a man and his wife and between a father and his daughter when she is in her youth in her father's family.
Numbers 30:2
a man makes a vow
"any man". The words "a man" refer to any man, not one particular man. Because a vow is a type of promise, men must do what they have vowed to do. A father or a husband has one day in which to cancel a woman's vow. Otherwise, she must do what she vowed she would do.
to bind himself with a binding promise
"committing to fulfill a promise" or "promising to do something"
he must not break his word. He must keep his promise to do everything that comes out of his mouth
Here "word" refers to what he said. These two sentences are combined to emphasize that he must fulfill his promises.
he must not break his word
"he must fulfill his promises"
everything that comes out of his mouth
"to do everything that he says he will do" Here the word "mouth" refers to the things that the man says.
Numbers 30:3
binds herself with a promise
"commits herself to fulfilling a promise"
Numbers 30:4
the vow and the promise
"the vow". These two phrases emphasize what she has promised to do.
by which she has bound herself
"that she has committed herself to fulfill"
he says nothing to reverse her
"he does not cancel what she has said"
will stand
"she will be obligated to fulfill".
Numbers 30:5
her vows or the pledges
"her vows"
will stand
"she will be obligated to fulfill"
Yahweh will forgive her
"Yahweh will forgive her for not fulfilling her vows"
Numbers 30:6
rash
something done without thinking
by which she has bound herself
"which she has committed herself to fulfill"
Numbers 30:7
says nothing to her
"says nothing to her about her vow" or "does not tell her to have Yahweh release her from the vow". You may need to specify that her husband says nothing to her about her vow.
by which she bound herself
"that she has committed herself to fulfill"
will stand
"she will be obligated to fulfill"
Numbers 30:8
the vow that she has made ... the rash talk of her lips
"the vow that she has made ... that is, the rash talk of her lips." These two phrases refer to the same thing. The second phrase describes the vow that the woman made.
the rash talk of her lips
"the rash things she has said" or "her rash promise". The phrase "the rash talk" refers to the rash promise that she made. Here "her lips" means the woman herself.
with which she has bound herself
"that she has committed herself to fulfill"
Yahweh will forgive her
"Yahweh will forgive her for not fulfilling her vow". Here Moses speaks about Yahweh forgiving the woman for not fulfilling her vow as if he were releasing her from something that bound her.
Numbers 30:9
General Information:
Moses continues telling the leaders of the tribes what Yahweh has commanded.
a divorced woman
"a woman whom a man has divorced"
will stand against her
"she will be obligated to fulfill"
Numbers 30:10
If a woman made a vow in her husband's house
"If a married woman makes a vow"
Numbers 30:11
then all her vows will stand
"then she must fulfill all her vows"
Numbers 30:12
then whatever came out of her lips
"then whatever she said"
will not stand
"she will not be obligated to fulfill"
Yahweh will forgive her
"Yahweh will forgive her for not fulfilling her vow"
Numbers 30:13
binding oath to afflict her
an oath by which the woman says that unless she fulfills the oath, God or other poeple have the right to afflict her
Numbers 30:14
binding promises
"obligations" or "promises"
will stand
"she will be obligated to fulfill"
because he has said nothing to her
"because her husband has said nothing to her about them"
Numbers 30:15
then he will be responsible for her guilt
"if she does not fulfill her vow, she will not be guilty of her sin, and he will be guilty instead of her". This means that her husband will be guilty of her sin instead of her if she does not fulfill her vow.
Chapter 31
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
2
"Take vengeance on the Midianites for what they did to the people of Israel. After doing that, you will die and be gathered to your people."
3
So Moses spoke to the people. He said, "Arm some of your men for war so they may go against Midian and carry out Yahweh's vengeance on it.
4
Every tribe throughout Israel must send a thousand soldiers to war."
5
So out of Israel's thousands of men, one thousand from each tribe were provided from the clans of Israel, twelve thousand men armed for war.
6
Then Moses sent them to battle, a thousand from every tribe, along with Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, and with some articles from the holy place and the trumpets in his possession for sounding signals.
7
They fought against Midian, as Yahweh had commanded Moses. They killed every man.
8
They killed the kings of Midian with the rest of their dead: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor, with the sword.
9
The army of Israel took captive the women of Midian, their children, all their cattle, all their flocks, and all their goods. They took these as plunder.
10
They burned all their cities where they lived and all their camps.
11
They took all the plunder and prisoners, both people and animals.
12
They brought the prisoners, the booty, and the spoil to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the community of the people of Israel. They brought these to the camp in the plains of Moab, by the Jordan near Jericho.
13
Moses, Eleazar the priest, and all the leaders of the community went to meet them outside the camp.
14
But Moses was angry with the officers of the army, the commanders of thousands and the captains of hundreds, who came from serving in the battle.
15
Moses said to them, "Have you let all the women live?
16
Look, these women caused the people of Israel, through Balaam's advice, to commit faithlessness against Yahweh in the matter of Peor, when the plague spread among Yahweh's community.
17
Now then, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known a man by lying with him.
18
But keep alive for yourselves all the young girls who have not known a man by lying with him.
19
All of you who have killed anyone or touched anyone who was killed must stay outside the camp for seven days. On the third day and the seventh day you must purify yourselves and your captives.
20
You must purify every garment and everything made of animal hide and goats' hair, and everything made of wood."
21
Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone to war, "This is a decreed law that Yahweh has commanded Moses:
22
The gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead,
23
and everything that resists fire, you must put it through the fire, and it will become clean. You must then purify those things with the water of cleansing. Whatever cannot go through the fire you must cleanse with that water.
24
You must wash your clothes on the seventh day, and then you will become clean. Afterward you may come into Israel's camp."
25
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
26
"You and Eleazar the priest and the heads of the community's ancestral clans are to count all the plundered things that were captured, both men and animals.
27
Divide the plunder into two parts. Divide it between the soldiers who went out to battle and all the rest of the community.
28
Then levy a tax to be given to me from the soldiers who went out to battle. This tax must be one out of every five hundred, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep, or goats.
29
Take this tax from their half and give it to Eleazar the priest for a contribution to Yahweh.
30
Also from the people of Israel's half, you must take one out of every fifty—from the persons, cattle, donkeys, and sheep—from all the animals. Give these to the Levites who perform the duties of my tabernacle."
31
So Moses and Eleazar the priest did as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
32
Now the booty that remained of the spoil that the men of war had plundered was 675,000 sheep,
33
seventy-two thousand cattle,
34
sixty-one thousand donkeys,
35
and thirty-two thousand women who had not known a man by lying with him.
36
The half that was kept for the soldiers numbered 337,000 sheep,
37
and the tax for Yahweh of the sheep was 675.
38
The cattle were thirty-six thousand, from which the tax for Yahweh was seventy-two.
39
The donkeys were 30,500 from which the tax for Yahweh was sixty-one.
40
The persons were sixteen thousand women, from which the tax for Yahweh was thirty-two.
41
Moses took the tax that was to be a contribution presented to Yahweh. He gave it to Eleazar the priest, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
42
As for the people of Israel's half that Moses had taken from the soldiers who had gone to war—
43
the community's half was 337,500 sheep,
44
thirty-six thousand oxen,
45
30,500 donkeys,
46
and sixteen thousand women.
47
From the people of Israel's half, Moses took one out of every fifty, both of people and animals. He gave them to the Levites who performed the duties of Yahweh's tabernacle, as Yahweh had commanded him to do.
48
Then the officers of the army, the commanders over thousands and the captains over hundreds, came to Moses.
49
They said to Moses, "Your servants have counted the soldiers who are under our command, and not one man is missing.
50
We have brought Yahweh's offering, what each man found, articles of gold, armlets and bracelets, signet rings, earrings, and necklaces, to make atonement for ourselves before Yahweh."
51
Moses and Eleazar the priest received from them the gold—all the articles of craftsmanship.
52
All the gold of the contribution that they gave to Yahweh—the offerings from the commanders of thousands and from the captains of hundreds—weighed 16,750 shekels.
53
Each soldier had taken plunder, each man for himself.
54
Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold from the commanders of thousands and captains of hundreds. They took it into the tent of meeting as a reminder of the people of Israel for Yahweh.
Numbers 31:1
General Information:
Israel killed the Midianites, including Balaam, for tempting them to worship Baal. This battle was at Yahweh's command. Yahweh would bring justice.
Numbers 31:2
Take vengeance on the Midianites for what they did to the people of Israel
Yahweh was punishing the Midianites for convincing the people of Israel to worship idols.
you will die and be gathered to your people
This is a polite way to emphasize that it is time for Moses to die and for his spirit to go to the place where his ancestors are.
Numbers 31:3
Arm some of your men for war
"Give weapons to some of your men"
go against Midian and carry out Yahweh's vengeance on it
"go fight a war against the Midianites, to punish them for what they did to us"
Numbers 31:4
a thousand
"1,000"
Numbers 31:5
twelve thousand
"12,000"
Israel's thousands of men
"the thousands of Israel's men"
one thousand from each tribe were provided
"every tribe sent 1,000 men to war"
twelve thousand men armed for war
All 12 tribes sent men, including the tribe of Levi. Each tribe sent 1,000 men into battle.
Numbers 31:6
the trumpets in his possession
"the trumpets that he was in charge of"
Numbers 31:8
Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba
These are names of kings of Midian.
Balaam son of Beor
Beor was Balaam's father. See how you translated this in Numbers 22:5.
Numbers 31:9
They took these as plunder
"They took the Midianites' possessions as their own"
Numbers 31:10
They burned all their cities where they lived and all their camps
"Israel's army burned all the Midianites' cities where they lived and all of their camps"
Numbers 31:11
They took
"The army of Israel took"
Numbers 31:12
plains
a large area of flat land
Numbers 31:14
the commanders of thousands and the captains of hundreds
"the commanders of 1,000 soldiers and the captains of 100 soldiers" or "the commanders of large military divisions and the captains of smaller military divisions"
Numbers 31:15
Have you let all the women live?
The law was explicit on who would be permitted to live. The army violated the law by allowing all the women and children to live. This was a rebuke to the army leaders.
Numbers 31:16
Look
"Listen"
Numbers 31:17
has known a man by lying with him
"has had sexual relations with a man"
Numbers 31:18
General Information:
Moses speaks to the commanders of the Israelite army about becoming clean before God.
keep alive for yourselves
"you may keep alive and take as wives for yourselves"
who have not known a man by lying with him
"who have not had sexual relations with any man." This refers to girls who were virgins.
Numbers 31:19
All of you
Moses is referring to anyone who fought in battle.
you must purify yourselves
They must become spiritually clean again before entering the camp.
Numbers 31:20
everything made of animal hide and goats' hair, and everything made of wood
"everything that someone has made of animal hide, goats' hair, or wood"
Numbers 31:21
General Information:
Eleazar teaches the soldiers the customs of becoming ceremonially clean before Yahweh.
Numbers 31:22
gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead
metals that were used during that time period
Numbers 31:23
that resists fire
"that will not burn"
put it through the fire
"put it into the fire"
water of cleansing
This refers to water that someone has mixed with ashes from a sin offering. See: Numbers 19:17-19.
Numbers 31:24
then you will become clean
These are the customs of becoming ceremonially clean before Yahweh.
Numbers 31:26
count all the plundered things that were captured
"count all of the possessions that the soldiers captured"
the heads of the community's ancestral clans
"the leaders of each clan in the community"
Numbers 31:28
General Information:
Yahweh continues speaking to Moses. The word "me" refers to Yahweh.
Then levy a tax to be given to me from the soldiers who went out to battle
"Collect a tax from the soldiers' plunder and give it to me"
every five hundred
"every 500"
Numbers 31:29
from their half
"from the soldiers' half"
for a contribution to Yahweh
"for a contribution to me"
Numbers 31:30
Also from the people of Israel's half
"Also from the people of Israel's half of the plunder"
perform the duties of my tabernacle
"do all the work connected to my tabernacle" or "take care of everything connected to my tabernacle". See how you translated this in Numbers 1:53.
Numbers 31:32
Now
Moses begins listing the amount of plunder and how much went to the soldiers, to the people, and to Yahweh.
675,000 sheep
"six hundred and seventy-five thousand sheep"
Numbers 31:33
seventy-two thousand cattle
"72,000 cattle"
Numbers 31:34
sixty-one thousand donkeys
"61,000 donkeys"
Numbers 31:35
thirty-two thousand women
"32,000 women"
women who had not known a man by lying with him
"women who had no had sexual relations with a man."
Numbers 31:36
General Information:
Moses is listing the plunder that goes to the soldiers and the tax that goes to Yahweh.
The half that was kept for the soldiers
"The soldiers' part of the sheep"
337,000 sheep
"three hundred and thirty-seven thousand sheep"
Numbers 31:37
the tax for Yahweh of the sheep was 675
"the tax they were to give to Yahweh was 675 sheep"
was 675
"was six hundred and seventy-five"
Numbers 31:38
thirty-six thousand
36,000
seventy-two
72
Numbers 31:39
were 30,500
"were thirty thousand five hundred"
sixty-one
61
Numbers 31:40
sixteen thousand
16,000
thirty-two
32
Numbers 31:41
to be a contribution presented to Yahweh
"to be a contribution to Yahweh"
Numbers 31:43
337,500 sheep
"three hundred and thirty-seven thousand five hundred sheep"
Numbers 31:44
thirty-six thousand oxen
36,000 oxen
Numbers 31:46
sixteen thousand women
"16,000 women." It has been stated earlier that all the males and the married women captives were put to death.
Numbers 31:47
General Information:
The tax on the people's portion was higher than the tax on the soldiers' portion.
performed the duties of Yahweh's tabernacle
"did all the work connected to Yahweh's tabernacle" or "took care of everything connected to Yahweh's tabernacle". See how you translated similar words in Numbers 1:53.
Numbers 31:48
the commanders over thousands and the captains over hundreds
"the commanders over 1,000 soldiers and the captains over 100 soldiers" or "the commanders over large military divisions and the captains over smaller military divisions" See how you translated a similar phrase in Numbers 31:14.
Numbers 31:49
Your servants have counted
The commanders refer to themselves as "your servants." This is a polite way to speak to someone with greater authority.
not one man is missing
"we know for certain that every man is here"
Numbers 31:50
armlets and bracelets, signet rings, earrings, and necklaces
These are all types of jewelry that people wore.
to make atonement for ourselves before Yahweh
"to thank God for saving our lives"
Numbers 31:51
the gold—all the articles of craftsmanship
"all the golden jewelry"
Numbers 31:52
All the gold of the contribution that they gave to Yahweh—the offerings from the commanders of thousands and from the captains of hundreds—weighed
"All the gold of the contribution that the commanders of thousands and the captains of hundreds gave to Yahweh weighed"
from the commanders of thousands and from the captains of hundreds
See how you translated a similar phrase in Numbers 31:14.
16,750
"sixteen thousand, seven hundred and fifty"
shekels
A shekel is 11 grams.
Numbers 31:54
as a reminder of the people of Israel for Yahweh
The gold will remind the people that Yahweh gave them victory, while reminding Yahweh that the people fulfilled his revenge on the Midianites.
Chapter 32
1
Now the descendants of Reuben and of Gad had large numbers of livestock. When they saw the land of Jazer and Gilead, the land was a wonderful place for livestock.
2
So the descendants of Gad and Reuben came and spoke to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the leaders of the community. They said,
3
"This is a list of places we have surveyed: Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon.
4
These are the lands that Yahweh attacked before the community of Israel, and they are good places for livestock. We, your servants, have a lot of livestock."
5
They said, "If we have found favor in your eyes, let this land be given to us, your servants, as a possession. Do not make us cross over the Jordan."
6
Moses replied to the descendants of Gad and Reuben, "Should your brothers go to war while you settle down here?
7
Why discourage the hearts of the people of Israel from going over into the land that Yahweh has given them?
8
Your fathers did the same thing when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to examine the land.
9
They went up to the Valley of Eshkol. They saw the land and then discouraged the hearts of the people of Israel so that they refused to enter the land that Yahweh had given them.
10
Yahweh's anger was kindled on that day. He took an oath and said,
11
'Surely none of the men who came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and up, will see the land about which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, because they have not completely followed me, except for
12
Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and Joshua son of Nun. Only Caleb and Joshua have completely followed me.'
13
So Yahweh's anger was kindled against Israel. He made them wander around in the wilderness for forty years until all the generation who had done evil in his sight was destroyed.
14
Look, you have risen up in your fathers' place, like just more sinful men, to add to Yahweh's burning anger toward Israel.
15
If you turn away from following him, he will again leave Israel in the wilderness and you will have destroyed all this people."
16
So they came near Moses and said, "Allow us to build fences here for our livestock and cities for our families.
17
However, we ourselves will be ready and armed to go with Israel's army until we have led them into their place. But our families will live in the fortified cities because of the other people who still live in this land.
18
We will not return to our houses until every one of the people of Israel has obtained his inheritance.
19
We will not inherit the land with them on the other side of the Jordan, because our inheritance is here on the east side of the Jordan."
20
So Moses replied to them, "If you do what you say, if you arm yourselves to go before Yahweh to war,
21
then every one of your armed men must cross over the Jordan before Yahweh, until he has driven out his enemies from before him
22
and the land is subdued before him. Then afterward you may return. You will be guiltless toward Yahweh and toward Israel. This land will be your possession before Yahweh.
23
But if you do not do so, look, you will have sinned against Yahweh. Be sure that your sin will find you out.
24
Build cities for your families and pens for your sheep; then do what you have said."
25
The descendants of Gad and Reuben spoke to Moses and said, "Your servants will do as you, our master, commands.
26
Our little ones, our wives, our cattle, and all our livestock will stay there in the cities of Gilead.
27
However, we, your servants, every man who is armed for war, will cross over before Yahweh to battle, as our master says."
28
So Moses gave instructions concerning them to Eleazar the priest, to Joshua son of Nun, and to the leaders of the ancestor's clans in the tribes of the people of Israel.
29
Moses said to them, "If the descendants of Gad and Reuben cross over the Jordan with you, every man who is armed to battle before Yahweh, and if the land is subdued before you, then you will give them the land of Gilead as a possession.
30
But if they do not cross over with you armed, then they will acquire their possessions among you in the land of Canaan."
31
So the descendants of Gad and Reuben answered and said, "As Yahweh has said to us, your servants, this is what we will do.
32
We will cross over armed before Yahweh into the land of Canaan, but our possessed inheritance will remain with us on this side of the Jordan."
33
So to the descendants of Gad and Reuben, and also to the half tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph, Moses gave the kingdom of Sihon, king of the Amorites, and of Og, king of Bashan. He gave to them the land, and distributed to them all its cities with their borders, the cities of the land around them.
34
The descendants of Gad rebuilt Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer,
35
Atroth Shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah,
36
Beth Nimrah, and Beth Haran as fortified cities with pens for sheep.
37
The descendants of Reuben rebuilt Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim,
38
Nebo, Baal Meon—their names were later changed, and Sibmah. They gave other names to the cities that they rebuilt.
39
The descendants of Makir son of Manasseh went to Gilead and took it away from the Amorites who were in it.
40
Then Moses gave Gilead to the Makirites, the descendants of Manasseh, and his people settled there.
41
Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, went and captured its towns and called them Havvoth Jair.
42
Nobah went and captured Kenath and its villages, and he called it Nobah, after his own name.
Numbers 32:1
Now
This word is used here to mark a pause in the story. Reuben and Gad were given the land conquered east of the Jordan River. This land had good pastures, and suited these tribes because they had many sheep, goats and cattle. They had not yet entered into the Promised Land, and it would have been sinful to not fight with the rest of Israel. So they promised to enter the land to fight with the other tribes, and then return to their own land.
Numbers 32:3
Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon
These are names of cities.
Numbers 32:4
General Information:
The people from Reuben and Gad continue speaking to Moses, Eleazar, and the other leaders.
the lands that Yahweh attacked before the community of Israel
"the lands where Yahweh enabled us to defeat the people living there"
We, your servants
The people of the tribes of Reuben and Gad refer to themselves in this way to show respect to a person of higher authority.
Numbers 32:5
If we have found favor in your eyes
"If you are pleased with us"
let this land be given to us
"give this land to us"
Do not make us cross over the Jordan
"Do not make us cross over the Jordan to take possession of land on that side". They wanted the land on the east side of the Jordan River instead of crossing over to the west side and claiming land there.
Numbers 32:6
Should your brothers go to war while you settle down here?
"It is wrong for you to settle down in this land while your brothers go to war."
Numbers 32:7
Why discourage the hearts ... the land that Yahweh has given them?
"Do not discourage the hearts ... the land that Yahweh has given them."
discourage the hearts of the people of Israel from going
"discourage the people of Israel from going" or "cause the people of Israel to not want to go"
Numbers 32:9
Valley of Eshkol
This is the name of a place. See how you translated this in Numbers 13:23.
They saw the land
"They saw the strong people and cities in the land"
discouraged the hearts of the people of Israel
"discouraged the people of Israel"
Numbers 32:10
Yahweh's anger was kindled
"Yahweh became very angry"
Numbers 32:11
none of the men
"none of the people." This phrase refers to both men and women.
twenty years old and up
"20 years old or older"
completely followed me
"completely obeyed me" or "been completely devoted to me"
Numbers 32:12
Jephunneh ... Nun
These are names of men.
Kenizzite
This is the name of a people group.
Only Caleb and Joshua have completely followed me
"because they have not completely followed me, except for Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and Joshua son of Nun," which begin in Numbers 32:11.
Numbers 32:13
Yahweh's anger was kindled against Israel
"Yahweh became very angry with Israel"
forty years
"40 years"
all the generation ... sight was destroyed
"he destroyed all the generation ... sight" or "all the generation ... sight had died"
who had done evil in his sight
"who had done evil before Yahweh" or "who had done evil in Yahweh's presence"
Numbers 32:14
you have risen up in your fathers' place
"you have begun to act just like your ancestors"
to add to Yahweh's burning anger toward Israel
"to cause Yahweh to be even more angry with Israel"
Numbers 32:15
all this people
"all this generation of people"
Numbers 32:17
will be ready and armed
"will be ready to fight a war"
in the fortified cities
"in the secured cities"
Numbers 32:18
has obtained his inheritance
"has taken possession of his portion of the land"
Numbers 32:20
if you arm yourselves
"if you take your weapons"
before Yahweh
"in the presence of Yahweh"
Numbers 32:21
until he has driven out his enemies from before him
"until Yahweh has driven out his enemies from his presence." or "until Yahweh has enabled your soldiers to defeat the enemy and force them away from his presence."
Numbers 32:22
the land is subdued before him
"in his presence the Israelites have subdued the people who live in the land".
you may return
"you may return to this land on the east side of the Jordan"
You will be guiltless toward Yahweh and toward Israel
"You will have fulfilled your obligation to Yahweh and to Israel" or "There will be nothing for which Yahweh or the people of Israel can blame you."
Numbers 32:23
Be sure that your sin will find you out
"Know for sure that Yahweh will punish you for your sin"
Numbers 32:25
Your servants
The people of Gad and Reuben refer to themselves as "your servants."
Numbers 32:27
will cross over
"will cross over the Jordan River"
every man who is armed for war
"every man prepared for war"
as our master says
"as you, our master, say" or "as you say, Master". The men speak of Moses in the third person to show great respect.
Numbers 32:29
every man who is armed
"every man who is ready with his weapon"
if the land is subdued before you
"if Yahweh subdues before you the people living in the land" or "if they help you subdue the people living in the land"
Numbers 32:30
then they will acquire their possessions among you in the land of Canaan
"then the descendants of Gad and Reuben will receive the land with you in Canaan"
Numbers 32:32
We will cross over armed
"We will cross over the Jordan ready to fight"
our possessed inheritance
"the portion of land that we will possess"
will remain with us
"will be ours"
Numbers 32:33
Sihon ... Og
These are names of kings who ruled two separate kingdoms.
Numbers 32:34
Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer
These are names of cities.
Numbers 32:35
Atroth Shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah
These are names of cities.
Numbers 32:36
Beth Nimrah, and Beth Haran
These are names of cities.
Numbers 32:37
Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim
These are names of cities.
Numbers 32:38
Nebo, Baal Meon ... Sibmah
These are names of cities.
their names were later changed
"people later changed the names of these cities"
Numbers 32:39
Makir
See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 26:29.
Numbers 32:41
Jair
This is the name of a man.
Havvoth Jair
This is the name of a city.
Numbers 32:42
Nobah
This is the name of a man.
Kenath
This is the name of a city.
Chapter 33
1
These were the movements of the people of Israel after they left the land of Egypt by their armed groups under the leadership of Moses and Aaron.
2
Moses wrote down the places from where they left to where they went, as commanded by Yahweh. These were their movements, departure after departure.
3
They traveled from Rameses during the first month, leaving on the fifteenth day of the first month. On the morning after the Passover, the people of Israel left openly, in the sight of all the Egyptians.
4
This happened while the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, those whom Yahweh had killed among them, for he also made judgments against their gods.
5
The people of Israel set out from Rameses and camped at Sukkoth.
6
They set out from Sukkoth and camped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness.
7
They set out from Etham and turned back to Pi Hahiroth, which is opposite Baal Zephon, where they camped opposite Migdol.
8
Then they set out from opposite Pi Hahiroth and passed through the middle of the sea into the wilderness. They traveled three days' journey into the wilderness of Etham and camped at Marah.
9
They set out from Marah and arrived at Elim. At Elim were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. That is where they camped.
10
They set out from Elim and camped by the Sea of Reeds.
11
They set out from the Sea of Reeds and camped in the wilderness of Sin.
12
They set out from the wilderness of Sin and camped at Dophkah.
13
They set out from Dophkah and camped at Alush.
14
They set out from Alush and camped at Rephidim, where no water was found for the people to drink.
15
They set out from Rephidim and camped in the wilderness of Sinai.
16
They set out from the wilderness of Sinai and camped at Kibroth Hattaavah.
17
They set out from Kibroth Hattaavah and camped at Hazeroth.
18
They set out from Hazeroth and camped at Rithmah.
19
They set out from Rithmah and camped at Rimmon Perez.
20
They set out from Rimmon Perez and camped at Libnah.
21
They set out from Libnah and camped at Rissah.
22
They set out from Rissah and camped at Kehelathah.
23
They set out from Kehelathah and camped at Mount Shepher.
24
They set out from Mount Shepher and camped at Haradah.
25
They set out from Haradah and camped at Makheloth.
26
They set out from Makheloth and camped at Tahath.
27
They set out from Tahath and camped at Terah.
28
They set out from Terah and camped at Mithkah.
29
They set out from Mithkah and camped at Hashmonah.
30
They set out from Hashmonah and camped at Moseroth.
31
They set out from Moseroth and camped at Bene Jaakan.
32
They set out from Bene Jaakan and camped at Hor Haggidgad.
33
They set out from Hor Haggidgad and camped at Jotbathah.
34
They set out from Jotbathah and camped at Abronah.
35
They set out from Abronah and camped at Ezion Geber.
36
They set out from Ezion Geber and camped in the wilderness of Zin at Kadesh.
37
They set out from Kadesh and camped at Mount Hor, at the edge of the land of Edom.
38
Aaron the priest went up Mount Hor at Yahweh's command and died there in the fortieth year after the people of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fifth month, on the first day of the month.
39
Aaron was 123 years old when he died on Mount Hor.
40
The Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the southern wilderness in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the people of Israel.
41
They set out from Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah.
42
They set out from Zalmonah and camped at Punon.
43
They set out from Punon and camped at Oboth.
44
They set out from Oboth and camped at Iye Abarim, on the border of Moab.
45
They set out from Iye Abarim and camped at Dibon Gad.
46
They set out from Dibon Gad and camped at Almon Diblathaim.
47
They set out from Almon Diblathaim and camped in the mountains of Abarim, opposite Nebo.
48
They set out from the mountains of Abarim and camped in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.
49
They camped by the Jordan, from Beth Jeshimoth to Abel Shittim in the plains of Moab.
50
Yahweh spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho and said,
51
"Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'When you cross over the Jordan into the land of Canaan,
52
then you must drive out all the land's inhabitants before you. You must destroy all their carved figures. You must destroy all their cast metal images and demolish all their high places.
53
You must take possession of the land and settle in it, because I have given you the land to possess.
54
You must inherit the land by lot, according to each clan. To the larger clans you must give a larger share of land, and to the smaller clans you must give a smaller share of land. Wherever the lot falls to each clan, that land will belong to it. You will inherit the land according to your ancestors' tribes.
55
But if you do not drive out the land's inhabitants before you, then the people you allow to stay will become like objects in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will make your lives difficult in the land where you settle.
56
Then it will happen that what I now intend to do to those people, I will do also to you.'"
Numbers 33:1
by their armed groups
"by their military divisions." This means that each tribe had their own men, who were armed, to protect them. This chapter is a summary of Israel's exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land, including their wandering through the desert. The phrase "they set out" means "they left".
Numbers 33:2
as commanded by Yahweh
"as Yahweh commanded"
departure after departure
"from one place to another place"
Numbers 33:3
General Information:
Moses lists the places the Israelites went after they left Egypt.
during the first month, leaving on the fifteenth day of the first month
Here "first" is the ordinal number one and "fifteenth" is the ordinal number fifteen. This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. The fifteenth day is near the beginning of April on Western calendars.
the people of Israel left openly, in the sight of all the Egyptians
"the Israelites left in plain view of the Egyptians"
Numbers 33:4
their firstborn
"their firstborn sons"
he also made judgments against their gods
"he also proved that he is greater than their gods". Yahweh proving that he is more powerful than all of the false gods that the Egyptians worshiped is spoken of as if Yahweh judged or punished those false gods.
Numbers 33:5
set out from
"departed from"
Numbers 33:6
on the edge of the wilderness
"on the border of the wilderness."
Numbers 33:8
passed through the middle of the sea
This refers to when Yahweh divided the Red Sea so that the Israelites could escape from the Egyptian army.
Numbers 33:9
twelve springs ... seventy palm trees
"12 springs ... 70 palm trees"
Numbers 33:14
where no water was found for the people to drink
"where the people could not find water to drink"
Numbers 33:15
General Information:
Moses continues to list the places the Israelites went after they left Egypt.
Numbers 33:38
in the fortieth year after
"40 years after"
in the fifth month, on the first day of the month
This is the fifth month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day is near the middle of July on Western calendars.
Numbers 33:39
123 years old
"one hundred and twenty-three years old"
Numbers 33:40
The Canaanite, the king of Arad
"The Canaanite king of Arad"
Arad
This was the name of a Canaanite city.
heard of the coming of the people of Israel
"heard that the people of Israel were coming"
Numbers 33:48
plains
a large area of flat land.
Numbers 33:52
demolish all their high places
"destroy all of their high places."
Numbers 33:53
General Information:
Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do when entering Canaan.
Numbers 33:54
inherit the land
The Israelites claiming the land as their permanent possession is spoken of as if they were inheriting the land.
Wherever the lot falls to each clan, that land will belong to it
"Each clan will receive the land according to how the lot falls"
Numbers 33:55
like objects in your eyes and thorns in your sides
Just like a small object in a person's eye or a small thorn that sticks into a person skin can cause great irritation, so even a small portion of the Canaanites, if left in the land, would cause great trouble for the Israelites.
Chapter 34
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
2
"Command the people of Israel and say to them, 'When you enter the land of Canaan, the land that will belong to you, the land of Canaan and its borders,
3
your southern border will extend from the wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom. The eastern end of the southern border will be on a line that ends at the southern end of the Salt Sea.
4
Your border will turn south from the hill of Akrabbim and pass along through the wilderness of Zin. From there, it will run south of Kadesh Barnea and continue to Hazar Addar and further to Azmon.
5
From there, the border will turn from Azmon toward the brook of Egypt and follow it to the sea.
6
The western border will be the coastline of the Great Sea. This will be your western border.
7
Your northern border will extend along a line that you must mark out from the Great Sea to Mount Hor,
8
then from Mount Hor to Lebo Hamath, then on to Zedad.
9
Then the border will continue to Ziphron and end at Hazar Enan. This will be your northern border.
10
Then you must mark out your eastern border from Hazar Enan south to Shepham.
11
Then the eastern border will go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain. The border will continue along the east side of the Sea of Kinnereth.
12
Then the border will continue south along the Jordan River to the Salt Sea and continue down the eastern border of the Salt Sea. This will be your land, following its borders all around.'"
13
Then Moses commanded the people of Israel and said, "This is the land that you will receive by lot as a possession, which Yahweh has commanded to give to the nine tribes and to the half tribe.
14
The tribe of the descendants of Reuben, following the assignment of property to their ancestor's tribe, and the tribe of the descendants of Gad, following the assignment of property to their ancestor's tribe, and the half tribe of Manasseh have all received their land.
15
The two tribes and the half tribe have received their possession beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, toward the sunrise."
16
Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
17
"These are the names of the men who will divide the land for your inheritance: Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun.
18
You must choose one leader from every tribe to divide the land as their possession.
19
These are the names of the men:
From the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh.
20
From the tribe of the descendants of Simeon, Shemuel son of Ammihud.
21
From the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad son of Kislon.
22
From of the tribe of the descendants of Dan a leader, Bukki son of Jogli.
23
From the descendants of Joseph, of the tribe of the descendants of Manasseh a leader, Hanniel son of Ephod.
24
From the tribe of the descendants of Ephraim a leader, Kemuel son of Shiphtan.
25
From the tribe of the descendants of Zebulun a leader, Elizaphan son of Parnak.
26
From the tribe of the descendants of Issachar a leader, Paltiel son of Azzan.
27
From the tribe of the descendants of Asher a leader, Ahihud son of Shelomi.
28
From the tribe of the descendants of Naphtali a leader, Pedahel son of Ammihud."
29
Yahweh commanded these men to divide the land of Canaan and to give it to each of the tribes of Israel as their possession.
Numbers 34:1
General Information:
Moses told them all of the land they would inherit and live in and said that they should divide it up by casting lots.
Numbers 34:3
wilderness of Zin
See how you translated this phrase in Numbers 33:12.
Numbers 34:4
General Information:
Yahweh continues telling Moses where the borders are for the land that he is giving to the Israelites.
Numbers 34:7
Mount Hor
See how you translated this name in Numbers 20:22.
Numbers 34:13
to the nine tribes and to the half tribe
This refers to the remaining tribes of Israel who will live on the west side of the Jordan River in the land of Canaan. The tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh had already received their land on the east side of the Jordan River.
Numbers 34:14
following the assignment of property to their ancestor's tribe
"according to how Yahweh assigned the property to their ancestor's tribe,"
Numbers 34:15
The two tribes and the half tribe
"The tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh"
Numbers 34:17
divide the land for your inheritance
Here "your" is plural and refers to the people of Israel. These men will cast lots to divide the land and distribute it to the tribes.
Numbers 34:19
General Information:
This is the list of men who will help divide the land among the tribes.
Numbers 34:21
General Information:
This continues the list of men who will help divide the land among the tribes.
Numbers 34:27
General Information:
This concludes the list of men who will help divide the land among the tribes.
Chapter 35
1
Yahweh spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho and said,
2
"Command the people of Israel to give some of their own shares of the inheritance that they possess to the Levites. They must give them cities to live in and pastureland surrounding those cities.
3
The Levites will have these cities to live in. The pastureland will be for their cattle, their flocks, and all their other animals.
4
The pasturelands around the cities that you will give to the Levites must extend from the city walls for one thousand cubits in every direction.
5
You must measure two thousand cubits from outside the city on the east side, and two thousand cubits to the south side, two thousand cubits to the west side, and two thousand cubits to the north side. This will be the pasturelands for their cities. The cities will be in the center.
6
Six of the cities that you will give to Levites must serve as cities of refuge. You must provide these as places to which a person who has killed someone can flee. Also provide forty-two other cities.
7
The cities that you give to the Levites will total forty-eight. You must give their pasturelands with them.
8
As for the cities which you will give from the possession of the children of Israel, from tribes with many you shall take many, and from tribes with few you shall take few. Every tribe according to its inheritance shall give some of his cities to the Levites."
9
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and said,
10
"Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'When you cross over the Jordan into the land of Canaan,
11
then you must choose cities to serve as cities of refuge for you, a place to which a person who has killed someone unintentionally may flee.
12
These cities must be your refuge from the avenger, so that the killer will not die without first standing trial before the community.
13
You must choose six cities as cities of refuge.
14
You must provide three cities beyond the Jordan and three in the land of Canaan. They will be cities of refuge.
15
For the people of Israel, for the foreigner, and for the sojourner, these six cities will serve as a refuge to which anyone who kills someone unintentionally can flee.
16
But if an accused man has struck his victim with an instrument of iron, and if his victim dies, then the accused is indeed a murderer. He must certainly be put to death.
17
If an accused man has struck his victim with a stone in his hand that might kill the victim, and if his victim dies, then the accused is indeed a murderer. He must certainly be put to death.
18
If an accused man has struck his victim with a wooden weapon that might kill the victim, and if the victim dies, then the accused is indeed a murderer. He must certainly be put to death.
19
The avenger of blood must put the murderer to death. When he meets him, the avenger of blood must put him to death.
20
If he strikes another in hatred or throws something at him, while hiding to ambush him, so that the victim dies,
21
or if he strikes him down in hatred with his hand so that the victim dies, then the accused who struck him must surely be put to death. He is a murderer. The avenger of blood may put the murderer to death when he meets him.
22
But if an accused man suddenly hits a victim without premeditated hate or throws something that hits the victim without lying in wait
23
or if he throws a stone that could kill a victim without seeing the victim, then the accused was not the victim's enemy; he was not trying to hurt the victim. But this is what to do if the victim dies anyway.
24
In that case, the community must judge between the accused and the avenger of blood on the basis of these rules.
25
The community must rescue the killer from the power of the avenger of blood. The community must return the accused to the city of refuge to which he had originally fled. He must live there until the death of the current high priest, the one who was anointed with the holy oil.
26
But if the killer at any time goes beyond the border of the city of refuge to which he fled,
27
and if the avenger of blood finds him outside the border of his city of refuge, and if he kills the killer, the avenger of blood will not be guilty of murder.
28
This is because the accused man should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. After the death of the high priest, the killer may return to the land where he has his own property.
29
These laws must be statutes for you through all your people's generations in all the places where you live.
30
Whoever kills any person, the murderer must be killed, as testified to by the words of witnesses. But one witness's word alone may not cause any person to be put to death.
31
Also, you must not accept ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of murder. He must certainly be put to death.
32
You must not accept ransom for the one who has fled to a city of refuge. You must not in this way allow him to reside on his own property until the high priest dies.
33
Do not pollute in this way the land where you live, because blood from murder pollutes the land. No atonement can be made for the land when blood has been shed on it, except by the blood of the one who shed it.
34
So you must not defile the land in which you live because I am living in it. I, Yahweh, live among the people of Israel.'"
Numbers 35:1
plains
a large area of flat land. This chapter continues the material from the previous chapter. Yahweh told Moses to establish safe places for people who accidentally killed other people, to prevent revenge killings. Justice is an important concept in this chapter.
Numbers 35:2
give some of their own shares of the inheritance that they possess to the Levites
Yahweh did not give the Levites their own land, so they had to live in cities that belonged to other tribes.
pastureland
an area of land where animals feed on grass.
Numbers 35:4
one thousand cubits
"460 meters". "1,000 cubits." A cubit is about 46 centimeters.
Numbers 35:5
two thousand cubits
"920 meters" or "2,000 cubits"
Numbers 35:6
a person who has killed someone
This refers to people who have killed someone, but it had not yet been determined whether they killed the person intentionally or accidentally.
forty-two
"42"
Numbers 35:7
forty-eight
"48"
Numbers 35:11
unintentionally
accidentally or without wanting to or trying to.
Numbers 35:12
the avenger
This refers to a close relative that seeks vengeance by killing the accused man.
so that the killer will not die without first standing trial before the community
This phrase "the killer" indicates that the community knows who killed the man who died. The question they are deciding is if the killer committed murder or if he killed by accident.
Numbers 35:16
General Information:
Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.
He must certainly be put to death
"You must certainly execute him"
Numbers 35:19
The avenger of blood
"The one who avenges the murder" or "The relative seeking vengeance"
Numbers 35:21
the accused who struck him must surely be put to death
"the relative must certainly execute the accused man" or "the accused man must die"
Numbers 35:22
without premeditated hate
"without planning it out of hate ahead of time"
without lying in wait
"without intentionally having tried to harm the victim"
Numbers 35:25
The community must rescue the killer from the power of the avenger of blood
This means if the community judges that the death was an accident, then they must save the accused man from the relative who wants to kill him.
the one who was anointed with the holy oil
"the one you anointed with holy oil"
Numbers 35:27
the avenger of blood
"the one who avenges the murder"
Numbers 35:29
through all your people's generations
"and all of your descendants who will live after you"
Numbers 35:30
the murderer must be killed
"someone must execute the murderer"
as testified to by the words of witnesses
"according to the testimony of witnesses" or "as witnesses testify to the murder"
But one witness' word alone may not cause any person to be put to death
"But the word of only one witness is not enough for you to execute a person"
Numbers 35:31
He must certainly be put to death
"You must execute him"
Numbers 35:32
You must not ... allow him to reside on his own property
"You must not ... allow him to leave the city of refuge and return home to live on his own property"
in this way
"by accepting a ransom"
Numbers 35:33
Do not pollute in this way the land where you live, because blood from murder pollutes the land
"Do not make the land where you live unacceptable to me in this way, because blood from murder makes the land unacceptable to me"
in this way
This means by disobeying the laws concerning a person who kills someone.
No atonement can be made for the land when blood has been shed on it, except by the blood of the one who shed it
"The only atonement that can be made for the land when blood has been shed on it is the blood of the one who shed it"
when blood has been shed
"when someone has shed blood" or "when someone has intentionally killed another person"
Chapter 36
1
Then the leaders of the ancestors' families of the clan of Gilead son of Makir (who was Manasseh's son), who were from the clans of the descendants of Joseph, came and spoke before Moses and before the leaders who were the heads of the ancestor's families of the people of Israel.
2
They said, "Yahweh commanded you, our master, to give a share of land by lot to the people of Israel. You were commanded by Yahweh to give the possession of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters.
3
But if his daughters marry men in another tribe of the people of Israel, then their share of land will be removed from our ancestor's share. It will be added to the share of the tribes that they join. In that case, it will be removed from the assigned share of our inheritance.
4
In that case, when the year of Jubilee of the people of Israel comes, then their possession will be joined to the possession of the tribe that they have joined. In this way, their possession will be taken away from the possession of our ancestors' tribe."
5
So Moses gave a command to the people of Israel, at Yahweh's word. He said, "What the tribe of Joseph's descendants says is right.
6
This is what Yahweh commands concerning Zelophehad's daughters. He says, 'Let them be married to whom they think best, but they must marry only within the clan of the tribe of their father.'
7
No possession of the people of Israel must change from one tribe to another. Each one of the people of Israel must continue with the possession of his ancestor's tribe.
8
Every woman of the people of Israel who has a possession in her tribe must marry someone from the clans belonging to her father's tribe. This is so that everyone of the people of Israel may own an inheritance from his ancestors.
9
No share may change hands from one tribe to another. Everyone of the tribes of the people of Israel must keep his own inheritance."
10
So Zelophehad's daughters did as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
11
Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, married descendants of Manasseh.
12
They married into the clans of the descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph. In this way, their inheritances remained in the tribe to which their father's clan belonged.
13
These are the commands and the decrees that Yahweh gave by Moses to the people of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.
Numbers 36:1
Makir
This is the name of a man. See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 26:29.
Numbers 36:2
You were commanded by Yahweh
"Yahweh commanded you"
Zelophehad
This is the name of a man. See how you translated this man's name in Numbers 26:33.
Numbers 36:3
will be removed from our ancestor's share
"will no longer belong to our ancestor's share". Women who inherited land from their father must marry men from their tribe, so the inheritance stays within the tribe.
It will be added
"It will belong to"
it will be removed from the assigned share of our inheritance
"it will no longer be a part of our inheritance"
Numbers 36:4
the year of Jubilee of the people
This refers to a celebration which happens once every fifty years. In this celebration, all land that someone sold or traded must return to the original owner.
their possession will be joined
"their possession will belong"
their possession will be taken away from the possession of our ancestors' tribe
"they will take our tribe's share of the land"
Numbers 36:5
at Yahweh's word
"according to what Yahweh said."
Numbers 36:6
Let them be married to whom they think best
"Let them marry whom they want"
they must marry only within the clan of the tribe of their father
"but they may only marry someone from their father's tribal clan"
Numbers 36:7
No possession
"No portion of the land"
Numbers 36:8
who has a possession in her tribe
"who owns a share of land in her tribe"
may own an inheritance
The land that each clan possesses is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that they received.
Numbers 36:9
No share may change hands from one tribe to another
"No one may transfer the ownership of any share of land from one tribe to another"
Numbers 36:11
Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Noah
See how you translated these women's names in Numbers 26:33.
Numbers 36:12
their inheritances
"the lands that they received as an inheritance"
Numbers 36:13
plains
a large area of flat land.
Deuteronomy
Chapter 1
1
These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain of the Jordan River valley over against Suph, between Paran, Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab.
2
It is eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea.
3
It happened in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spoke to the people of Israel, telling them all that Yahweh commanded him concerning them.
4
This was after Yahweh had attacked Sihon the king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth at Edrei.
5
Beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses began to announce these instructions, saying,
6
"Yahweh our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying, 'You have lived long enough in this hill country.
7
Turn and take your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all the places near there in the plain of the Jordan River valley, in the hill country, in the lowlands, in the Negev, and by the seashore—the land of the Canaanites, and in Lebanon as far as the great river, the Euphrates.
8
Look, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land that Yahweh swore to your fathers—to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob—to give to them and to their descendants after them.'
9
I spoke to you at that time, saying, 'I am not able to carry you myself alone.
10
Yahweh your God has multiplied you, and, look, you are today as the multitude of the stars of heaven.
11
May Yahweh, the God of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as you are, and bless you, as he has promised you!
12
But how can I myself alone carry your loads, your burdens, and your disputes?
13
Take wise men, understanding men, and men of good repute from each tribe, and I will make them heads over you.'
14
You answered me and said, 'The thing that you have spoken is good for us to do.'
15
So I took the heads of your tribes, wise men, and men of good repute, and made them heads over you, captains of thousands, captains of hundreds, captains of fifties, captains of tens, and officers, tribe by tribe.
16
I commanded your judges at that time, saying, 'Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge righteously between a man and his brother, and the foreigner who is with him.
17
You will not show partiality to anyone in a dispute; you will hear the small and the great alike. You will not be afraid of the face of man, for the judgment is God's. The dispute that is too hard for you, you will bring to me, and I will hear it.'
18
I commanded you at that time all the things that you should do.
19
We journeyed away from Horeb and went through all that great and terrible wilderness that you saw, on our way to the hill country of the Amorites, as Yahweh our God had commanded us; and we came to Kadesh Barnea.
20
I said to you, 'You have come to the hill country of the Amorites, which Yahweh our God is giving to us.
21
Look, Yahweh your God has set the land before you; go up, take possession, as Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has spoken to you; do not be afraid, neither be discouraged.'
22
Every one of you came to me and said, 'Let us send men ahead of us, so that they may search out the land for us, and bring us word about the way by which we should attack, and about the cities to which we will come.'
23
The advice pleased me well; I took twelve men of you, one man for every tribe.
24
They turned and went up into the hill country, came to the Valley of Eshkol, and scouted it.
25
They took some of the produce of the land in their hands and brought it down to us. They also brought us word and said, 'It is a good land that Yahweh our God is giving to us.'
26
Yet you refused to attack, but rebelled against the commandment of Yahweh your God.
27
You complained in your tents and said, "It is because Yahweh hated us that he has brought us out of the land of Egypt, to give us into the hand of the Amorites to destroy us.
28
Where can we go now? Our brothers have made our heart to melt, saying, 'Those people are bigger and taller than we are; their cities are large and are fortified up to the heavens; moreover, we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.'"
29
Then I said to you, 'Do not be terrified, neither be afraid of them.
30
Yahweh your God, who goes before you, he will fight for you, like everything that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes,
31
and also in the wilderness, where you have seen how Yahweh your God carried you, as a man carries his son, everywhere you went until you came to this place.'
32
Yet in spite of this word you did not believe Yahweh your God,
33
who went before you on the way to find a place for you to make camp, in fire by night and in a cloud by day.
34
Yahweh heard the sound of your words and was angry; he swore and said,
35
'Surely not one of these men of this evil generation will see the good land that I swore to give to your ancestors,
36
except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it and I will give him and his descendants the land that he has stepped on, because he wholly followed Yahweh.'
37
Also Yahweh was angry with me because of you, saying, 'You also will not go in there;
38
Joshua son of Nun, who stands before you, he will go in there; encourage him, for he will lead Israel to inherit it.
39
Moreover, your little children, the ones you said would be victims, who today have no knowledge of good or evil—they will go in there. To them I will give it, and they will possess it.
40
But as for you, turn and take your journey into the wilderness along the way to the Sea of Reeds.'
41
Then you answered and said to me, 'We have sinned against Yahweh; we will go up and fight, and we will follow all that Yahweh our God has commanded us to do.' Every man among you girded on his weapons of war, and you were ready to attack the hill country.
42
Yahweh said to me, 'Say to them, "Do not attack and do not fight, for I will not be with you, and you will be defeated by your enemies.'
43
I spoke to you in this way, but you did not listen. You rebelled against the commandment of Yahweh; you were arrogant and attacked the hill country.
44
But the Amorites, who lived in that hill country, came out against you and chased you like bees, and crushed you in Seir, as far as Hormah.
45
You returned and wept before Yahweh; but Yahweh did not listen to your voice, nor did he pay attention to you.
46
So you stayed in Kadesh many days, all the days that you stayed there.
Deuteronomy 1:1
beyond the Jordan
"east of the Jordan". This refers to the land across the Jordan River, to the east of Israel. Moses was east of the Jordan when he spoke to the Israelites.
Suph ... Paran ... Tophel ... Laban ... Hazeroth ... Dizahab
These are the names of places.
Deuteronomy 1:2
It is eleven days' journey from Horeb ... to Kadesh Barnea
"It takes eleven days to walk from Horeb ... to Kadesh Barnea"
Mount Seir
This is a mountainous area south of the Dead Sea. The area is also called "Edom."
eleven
"11"
Deuteronomy 1:3
It happened in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spoke
"They had lived in the wilderness for 40 years, 11 months, and 1 day, when Moses spoke"
fortieth
40th
in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month
This is the eleventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day is near the middle of January on Western calendars.
Yahweh
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
Deuteronomy 1:4
Yahweh had attacked
"Yahweh had enabled the Israelites to defeat". This chapter explains that Israel's conquering of the Promised Land will be done by Yahweh. They are not to fear the people of Canaan but be obedient to Yahweh. Yahweh is bringing about his judgement upon the people of Canaan.
Sihon ... Og
These are names of kings.
Heshbon ... Ashtaroth at Edrei
These are names of cities.
Deuteronomy 1:5
Beyond the Jordan
"East of the Jordan River"
Deuteronomy 1:6
spoke to us
The word "us" refers to Moses and the other people of Israel.
You have lived long enough in this hill country
"You do not need to stay near this mountain any longer"
Deuteronomy 1:7
Turn and take your journey
"Start again on your journey"
hill country ... Euphrates
Yahweh is describing places in the land that he has promised to give to the Israelites. This is an area in the hills near the place where the Amorites lived.
lowlands
an area of land that is low and flat
Deuteronomy 1:8
Look
"Pay attention to what I am about to say"
I have set the land before you
"I am now giving this land to you". While the Promised Land belongs to Israel, they do not possess the land. Possessing the land is an important theme. Possessing the land depended on Israel's faithfulness.
that Yahweh swore
"that I, Yahweh, swore"
fathers
"ancestors"
Deuteronomy 1:9
I spoke to you at that time
"When we were at Horeb, I spoke to you". Here "I" refers to Moses. The phrase "at that time" refers to when the Israelites were at Horeb, which is the same as Mount Sinai.
I am not able to carry you myself alone
"It is too much for me to lead you by myself".
Deuteronomy 1:10
as the multitude of the stars of heaven
"a great crowd of many people"
Deuteronomy 1:11
a thousand times
"very many times"
a thousand
1000
Deuteronomy 1:12
But how can I myself alone carry your loads, your burdens, and your disputes?
"I cannot carry your loads, your burdens, and your disputes by myself."
carry your loads, your burdens
"take care of your problems, your complaints"
your disputes
"your arguments" or "your disagreements"
Deuteronomy 1:13
men of good repute from each tribe
"men from each tribe whom the people of Israel respect,"
Deuteronomy 1:15
men of good repute
"men whom your people respected."
of thousands ... of hundreds ... of fifties ... of tens
"of groups of 1,000 ... of groups of 100 ... of groups of 50 ... and groups of 10"
captains ... officers
These are titles for different leaders in Israel's government.
tribe by tribe
"from each of your tribes"
Deuteronomy 1:16
judge righteously between a man and his brother
"make right and fair decisions about the disputes Israelites have with each other,"
Deuteronomy 1:17
General Information:
Moses continues speaking to the judges, so the commands are plural.
You will not show partiality
"Do not show partiality"
you will hear the small and the great alike
"you will treat all people alike"
You will not be afraid of the face of man
"Do not be afraid of anyone". "You will not" is a command.
Deuteronomy 1:18
at that time
This means the time when they were at Horeb, at Mount Sinai.
Deuteronomy 1:19
General Information:
Moses continues reminding the people of Israel what the previous generation of Israelites did.
terrible wilderness that you saw
"large and dangerous desert that you crossed through,"
Deuteronomy 1:21
Look ... your God ... before you; go up, take possession ... your fathers ... to you; do not be afraid, neither be discouraged
Moses is speaking to the Israelites as if he were speaking to one man, so these forms should be singular, not plural.
has set the land before you
"is now giving this land to you."
Deuteronomy 1:23
twelve men
"12 men"
Deuteronomy 1:24
They turned and went
"They left that place and went"
Valley of Eshkol
This is a valley in the Hebron region, which is south of Jerusalem.
scouted it
"looked for places they could attack"
Deuteronomy 1:25
They took
"The 12 men took"
took some of the produce of the land in their hands
"picked some of the produce of the land"
brought us word and said
"told us"
said, 'It is a good land that Yahweh our God is giving to us.'
"said that the land that Yahweh our God was giving to us was good"
Deuteronomy 1:26
Yet you refused to attack
God commanded the Israelites to attack and destroy the Amorites, but the Israelites were afraid and refused to fight them.
Deuteronomy 1:27
into the hand of the Amorites
"into the power of the Amorites"
Deuteronomy 1:28
Where can we go now?
"We have nowhere to go."
made our heart to melt
"made us very afraid"
are fortified up to the heavens
"have walls so high it is like they reach up to the heavens"
sons of the Anakim
These are descendants of the Anak people who were very large and fierce.
Deuteronomy 1:29
I said to you
"I said to your ancestors"
Deuteronomy 1:30
before your eyes
"which you yourselves saw"
Deuteronomy 1:31
you have seen ... Yahweh your God carried you ... you went ... you came
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
Yahweh your God carried you, as a man carries his son
"Yahweh your God has taken care of you, like a father takes care of his son"
until you came to this place
"until you came to this land that God promised to give you"
Deuteronomy 1:33
make camp
"put up your tents,"
Deuteronomy 1:34
heard the sound of your words
"heard what you were saying"
he swore and said
God made a vow not to allow those who rebelled against him to enter the land he promised to give them.
Deuteronomy 1:35
will see
"will enter"
Deuteronomy 1:36
Jephunneh
This is the name of Caleb's father.
he wholly followed Yahweh
"he has completely obeyed me"
Deuteronomy 1:37
Yahweh was angry with me because of you
This refers to when Moses disobeyed what Yahweh told him to do because Moses was angry with the people of Israel. See Numbers 20:11-12.
Deuteronomy 1:38
Nun
This is the name of Joshua's father.
who stands before you
"who stands before you as your servant" or "who helps you"
Deuteronomy 1:40
turn and take your journey
"turn around and go back on the road you have come on"
Deuteronomy 1:41
sinned against Yahweh
"we have rebelled against Yahweh by disobeying him"
we will follow
"we will obey"
to attack the hill country
"to attack the people who live in the hill country"
Deuteronomy 1:42
for I will not be with you, and you will be defeated by your enemies
"your enemies will defeat you because I will not be with you"
Deuteronomy 1:43
attacked the hill country
"attacked the people who live in the hill country"
Deuteronomy 1:44
chased you like bees
A "bee" is a small, flying insect that flies in large groups and stings people who threaten them. This means that so many Amorites attacked the Israelite soldiers that they had to leave the battle.
Seir
This is the name of a piece of land.
Hormah
This is the name of a city.
crushed you
"killed many of your soldiers"
Deuteronomy 1:45
returned and wept
"returned to Kadesh and wept"
Chapter 2
1
Then we turned and took our journey into the wilderness by the way to the Sea of Reeds, as Yahweh had spoken to me; we went around Mount Seir for many days.
2
Yahweh spoke to me, saying,
3
'You have gone around this mountain long enough; turn northward.
4
Command the people, saying, "You are to pass through the border of your brothers, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir; they will be afraid of you. Therefore be careful
5
not to fight with them, for I will not give you any of their land, no, not even enough for the sole of a foot to step on; for I have given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession.
6
You will purchase food from them for money, so that you may eat; you will also buy water from them for money, so that you may drink.
7
For Yahweh your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand; he has known your walking through this great wilderness. For these forty years Yahweh your God has been with you, and you have lacked nothing."'
8
So we passed by our brothers, the descendants of Esau who live in Seir, away from the Arabah road, from Elath and from Ezion Geber. Then we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab.
9
Yahweh said to me, 'Do not trouble Moab, and do not fight with them in battle. For I will not give you his land for your own possession, because I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot, for their possession.'
10
(The Emites lived there previously, a people as great, as many, and as tall as the Anakim;
11
these also are considered to be the Rephaim, like the Anakim; but the Moabites call them the Emites.
12
The Horites also lived in Seir previously, but the descendants of Esau succeeded them. They destroyed them from before them and lived in their place, like Israel did to the land of his possession that Yahweh gave to them.)
13
"'Now rise up and go over the brook Zered.' So we went over the brook Zered.
14
Now the days from when we came from Kadesh Barnea until we crossed the brook Zered, were thirty-eight years. It was by that time that all that generation of the men fit for fighting were gone from the people, as Yahweh had sworn to them.
15
Moreover, the hand of Yahweh was against that generation in order to destroy them from the people until they were gone.
16
So it happened, when all the men fit for fighting were dead and gone from among the people,
17
that Yahweh spoke to me, saying,
18
'You are today to pass over Ar, the border of Moab.
19
When you come near opposite the people of Ammon, do not trouble them or fight them; for I will not give you any of the land of the people of Ammon as a possession; because I have given it to the descendants of Lot as a possession.'"
20
(That also is considered to be a land of the Rephaim. The Rephaim lived there previously—but the Ammonites call them Zamzummim—
21
a people as great, as many, and as tall as the Anakim. But Yahweh destroyed them before the Ammonites, and they succeeded them and lived in their place.
22
This Yahweh also did for the people of Esau, who live in Seir, when he destroyed the Horites from before them, and the descendants of Esau succeeded them and have lived in their place even until today.
23
As for the Avvites who lived in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, who came from Caphtor, destroyed them and settled in their place.)
24
"'Now rise up, go on your journey, and pass over the Valley of the Arnon; look, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to possess it, and fight with him in battle.
25
Today I will begin to put the fear and terror of you on the peoples that are under the whole sky; they will hear a report about you and will tremble and be in anguish because of you.'
26
I sent messengers from the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon, king of Heshbon, with words of peace, saying,
27
'Let me pass through your land; I will go along the highway; I will turn neither to the right hand nor to the left.
28
You will sell me food for money, so that I may eat; give me water for money, so that I may drink; only let me pass through on my feet;
29
as the descendants of Esau who live in Seir, and as the Moabites who live in Ar, did for me; until I pass over the Jordan into the land that Yahweh our God is giving us.'
30
But Sihon, king of Heshbon, would not let us pass by him; for Yahweh your God had hardened his mind and made his heart obstinate, that he might defeat him by your might, which he has now done today.
31
Yahweh said to me, 'Look, I have begun to deliver up Sihon and his land before you; begin to possess it, in order that you may inherit his land.'
32
Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to fight at Jahaz.
33
Yahweh our God gave him over to us and we defeated him and his sons and all his people.
34
We took all his cities at that time and completely destroyed every city—men and the women and the little ones; we left no survivor.
35
Only the livestock we took as booty for ourselves, along with the spoil of the cities that we had taken.
36
From Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, and from the city that is in the valley, all the way to Gilead, there was not a city too high for us. Yahweh our God gave them into our hands.
37
It was only to the land of the descendants of Ammon that you did not go, as well as all the side of the Jabbok River, and the cities of the hill country—wherever Yahweh our God had forbidden us to go.
Deuteronomy 2:1
General Information:
Moses continues reminding the people of Israel what the previous generation of Israelites did. Yahweh is faithful to the covenant he made with Abraham and is also faithful to the promises he made with Esau and Lot. Because of this, Israel was given specific land it was able to conquer in Canaan.
Then we turned and took our journey
"Then we turned around and went"
we went around Mount Seir for many days
Possible meanings are 1) the Israelites traveled around the mountain called Seir for a very long time or 2) the Israelites wandered in a region called Mount Seir for a very long time.
Mount Seir
This is a mountainous area south of the Dead Sea. The area is also called "Edom."
many days
Some languages translate this as "many nights."
Deuteronomy 2:4
of your brothers, the descendants of Esau
"of your relatives, the descendants of Esau"
Deuteronomy 2:5
I have given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession
Yahweh is reminding the Israelites that he has given this area to the descendants of Esau.
Deuteronomy 2:6
General Information:
Moses continues to instruct Israel in how they are to treat the descendants of Esau.
You will purchase food from them
"I permit you to purchase food from them" or "If you need food, you are to purchase it from them". Yahweh is giving them permission or instruction, not a command, and he is telling them not to steal.
from them
"from Esau's descendants"
Deuteronomy 2:7
your God has blessed you ... your hand ... your walking ... your God ... with you, and you have lacked
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
you in all the work of your hand
"all of your work"
he has known your walking
Here what happened to the people while they were walking is spoken of as their "walking."
forty years
"40 years"
you have lacked nothing
"you have had everything you needed."
Deuteronomy 2:8
by our brothers
"by our relatives"
Elath ... Ezion Geber
These are names of cities.
we turned
"we kept going"
Deuteronomy 2:9
General Information:
This is the end of a part of Moses's speech reminding the Israelites of how Yahweh guided them in the wilderness.
Do not trouble Moab
"Do not trouble the people of Moab"
Ar
This is the name of a city in Moab.
the descendants of Lot
The people of Israel were related to the descendants of Moab. Moab was the son of Lot. Lot was the nephew of Abraham.
Deuteronomy 2:10
General Information:
The writer begins to give background information about the people of the land. These words are not part of Moses's speech to the Israelites.
The Emites lived
These words give background information about the Emite people, who had lived in the land before the Moabites. Your language may have a special way to mark background information.
Emites
This is the name of a people group that were considered giants.
Anakim
These are descendants of the Anak people who were very large and fierce.
Deuteronomy 2:11
General Information:
This continues the background information about the different people groups that had lived in the land.
Rephaim
This is the name of a people group that were considered giants.
Deuteronomy 2:12
Horites
This is the name of a people group.
destroyed them from before them
"killed all of them so none of them were left living with them" or "removed them from their presence by killing all of them"
Deuteronomy 2:13
General Information:
Moses continues reminding the Israelites of what had happened to them in the wilderness.
'Now rise up ... Zered.' So
"Then Yahweh told us to rise up ... Zered. So"
rise up
begin to do something
the brook Zered
This stream flows into the Dead Sea from the southeast and creates the border between Edom and Moab.
Deuteronomy 2:14
Now the days
The word "now" marks a change from the story to background information about how long the people of Israel traveled and about God's anger towards that generation. If your language has a way of showing that what follows is background information, you should use it here.
thirty-eight years
"38 years"
were gone from the people
This is a polite way of saying "had died."
Deuteronomy 2:15
the hand of Yahweh was against
"Yahweh used his power against" or "Yahweh punished"
Deuteronomy 2:18
You are
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the word "you" is singular.
Deuteronomy 2:19
do not trouble ... will not give you
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the command and the word "you" are singular.
to the descendants of Lot
The people of Israel were related to the descendants of Ammon. Ammon was the son of Lot. Lot was the nephew of Abraham.
Deuteronomy 2:20
General Information:
These verses begin to give background information about the people groups who lived in the land. If your language has a way of showing that what follows is background information, you should use it here.
That also is considered
"People also consider that"
Rephaim
This is the name of a people group.
Deuteronomy 2:21
Anakim
This is the name of a people group.
destroyed them before the Ammonites
"allowed the Ammonites to defeat them" or "allowed the Ammonites to kill them all"
they succeeded them and lived in their place
"the Ammonites took over everything the Rephaim had owned and have lived where the Rephaim had lived"
Deuteronomy 2:22
Horites
This is the name of a people group.
succeeded them and have lived in their place
"took over everything the Horites had owned and have lived where the Horites had lived"
Deuteronomy 2:23
General Information:
The writer finishes describing how God enabled Esau to conquer the land Esau is now inhabiting.
Avvites ... Caphtorim
These are names of people groups.
Caphtor
This is the name of a place. It may be another name for the island of Crete located in the Mediterranean Sea.
destroyed them
"destroyed the Avvim"
settled in their place
"lived where the Avvim had lived"
Deuteronomy 2:24
General Information:
The writer has finished giving background information and is now again telling what Moses said to the Israelites.
Now rise up
"Now get up" or "Now go."
go on your journey
"continue your journey"
Valley of the Arnon
This is the name of the valley of the Arnon River. It creates the border between Moab and the Amorites.
I have given into your hand
"I have given you the power to defeat"
your hand ... Begin to possess it ... fight
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the word "your" and the commands "begin to possess" and "fight" are singular.
Sihon
This is the name of a king. See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 1:4.
Heshbon
This is the name of a city.
fight with him
"fight against him and his army"
Deuteronomy 2:25
terror of you ... report about you ... because of you
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so all instances of "you" are singular.
put the fear and terror
"put a terrible fear"
peoples that are under the whole sky
"peoples in every land"
tremble and be in anguish
"tremble in anguish."
Deuteronomy 2:26
I sent
Here "I" refers to Moses.
wilderness of Kedemoth
This is the name of a place near the valley of Arnon.
Sihon ... Heshbon
These are the names of a man and a place. See how you translated them in Deuteronomy 1:4.
with words of peace
"with my offer of peace" or "with a message from me asking for peace"
Deuteronomy 2:27
I will turn neither to the right hand nor to the left
"I will not change direction" or "I will always stay on the path"
Deuteronomy 2:28
You will sell me food for money, so that I may eat; give me water for money, so that I may drink
"I expect to have to pay for food so I can eat and to pay for water so I can drink". Moses tells Sihon that the Israelites will not steal from the Amorites and requests that Sihon and his people sell food and water to the Israelites; he is not giving a command.
sell me ... I may eat ... give me ... I may drink
"sell to me and my people ... we may eat ... give us ... we may drink". Moses is referring to the people of Israel as if they were Moses himself.
only let me pass through on my feet
"only let us walk through your land"
Deuteronomy 2:30
General Information:
Moses continues to remind the people of what happened in the past.
your God ... your might
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so all instances of "your" are singular.
hardened his mind and made his heart obstinate
"caused him to become very stubborn."
obstinate
refusing to change opinion or behavior
Deuteronomy 2:31
to deliver up Sihon and his land before you
"to give Sihon and his land over to you,"
begin to possess it, in order that you may inherit his land
"take possession of his land, so that you may inherit it."
Deuteronomy 2:32
Jahaz
This is the name of a city in Moab
Deuteronomy 2:34
We took all his cities
"We captured all of King Sihon's cities"
Deuteronomy 2:36
Aroer
This is the name of a city on the north bank of the Arnon River.
there was not a city too high for us
"we were able to defeat the people of every city even if the city had high walls around it"
Deuteronomy 2:37
you did not go
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so "you" is singular.
Jabbok River
This is the name of a river that created the border between Sihon's land and the land of the Ammonites.
Chapter 3
1
Then we turned and went up the way to Bashan. Og, the king of Bashan, came and attacked us, he and all his people, to fight at Edrei.
2
Yahweh said to me, 'Do not fear him; for I have given you victory over him and have put all his people and his land under your control. You will do to him as you did to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.'
3
So Yahweh our God also gave us victory over Og the king of Bashan, and all his people were put under our control. We struck them down until not one survivor remained for him.
4
We took all his cities at that time. There was not one of the sixty cities that we did not take from them—all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
5
These were all cities fortified with high walls, gates, and bars; this was besides very many unwalled villages.
6
We completely destroyed them, as we did to Sihon king of Heshbon, completely destroying every city—men and the women and the little ones.
7
But all the livestock and the spoil of the cities we took as booty for ourselves.
8
At that time we took the land out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan, from the Valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon
9
(Mount Hermon is called Sirion by the Sidonians, and the Amorites call it Senir)
10
and all the cities of the plain, all Gilead, and all Bashan, all the way to Salekah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan."
11
(For of the remnant of the Rephaim, only Og king of Bashan had remained. Look! His bed was a bed of iron. Was it not in Rabbah, where the descendants of Ammon live? It was nine cubits long and four cubits wide, the way people measure.)
12
"This land that we took in possession at that time—from Aroer, that is by the Valley of the Arnon, and half the hill country of Gilead, and its cities—I gave to the Reubenites and to the Gadites.
13
The rest of Gilead and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, I gave to the half tribe of Manasseh. (All the region of Argob in Bashan was called the land of Rephaim.
14
Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, took all the region of Argob to the border of the Geshurites and the Maakathites. He called the region, even Bashan, by his own name, Havvoth Jair, to this day.)
15
I gave Gilead to Makir.
16
To the Reubenites and to the Gadites I gave territory from Gilead to the Valley of the Arnon—the middle of the valley is the territory's border—and to the Jabbok River, which is the border with the descendants of Ammon.
17
Another of its borders is also the plain of the Jordan River valley, from Kinnereth to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Salt Sea) to the slopes of Mount Pisgah eastward.
18
I commanded you at that time, saying, 'Yahweh your God has given you this land to possess it; you, all the men of war, will pass over armed before your brothers, the people of Israel.
19
But your wives, your little ones, and your livestock (I know that you have much livestock), will stay in your cities that I have given you,
20
until Yahweh gives rest to your brothers, as he has to you, until they also possess the land that Yahweh your God is giving them beyond the Jordan; then will you return, every man of you, to your own property that I have given you.'
21
I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, 'Your eyes have seen all that Yahweh your God has done to these two kings; Yahweh will do the same to all the kingdoms where you go over.
22
You will not fear them, for Yahweh your God is the one who will fight for you.'
23
I earnestly appealed to Yahweh at that time, saying,
24
'O Lord Yahweh, you have begun to show your servant your greatness and your strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or in earth that can do the same works as you have done, and the same mighty acts?
25
Let me go over, I beg you, and see the good land that is beyond the Jordan, that good hill country, and also Lebanon.'
26
But Yahweh was angry with me because of you; he did not listen to me. Yahweh said to me, 'Let this be enough for you—speak no more to me about this matter:
27
go up to the top of Pisgah and lift up your eyes westward, northward, southward, and eastward; look with your eyes, for you will not go over the Jordan.
28
Instead, instruct Joshua and encourage and strengthen him, for he will go over before this people, and he will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.'
29
So we stayed in the valley opposite Beth Peor.
Deuteronomy 3:1
General Information:
Moses continues reminding the people of Israel of what happened in the past. The victories recorded in this chapter occurred on the east side of the Jordan River. This was not part of the Promised Land, which was on the west side of the Jordan River.
Og
This is the name of a king. See how you translated it in Deuteronomy 1:4
Edrei
This is the name of a city.
Deuteronomy 3:2
Sihon
This is the name of a king. See how you translated it in Deuteronomy 1:4.
Heshbon
This is the name of a city.
Yahweh said to me, 'Do not fear him; ... given you ... under your control ... You will do ... as you did ... at Heshbon.'
Yahweh is speaking to Moses as if Moses were the Israelites, so the command "do not fear" and all instances of "you" and "your" are plural.
fear him ... over him ... his people and his land
Here the words "him" and "his" refer to Og.
I have given you victory
Yahweh speaks of what he will do as if he had already done it.
You will do to him as you did to Sihon
"You will destroy Og and his people as you did Sihon"
Deuteronomy 3:3
all his people were put under our control
"Yahweh put all of Og's people under our control"
not one survivor remained for him
"all of his people were dead." This emphasizes that the Israelites did not let anyone live.
Deuteronomy 3:4
There was not one of the sixty cities that we did not take
"We took every one of the sixty cities"
sixty cities
"60 cities"
the region of Argob
This is the name of a region within Bashan.
Deuteronomy 3:5
These were all cities fortified with
"These were all cities protected by"
besides very many
"in addition to very many" or "not including very many"
Deuteronomy 3:6
Sihon
This is the name of a king.
Heshbon
This is the name of a city. See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 1:4.
Deuteronomy 3:8
out of the hand of the two kings
"from the control of the two kings" or "from the two kings"
Amorites
"Amorite people." See how you translated the name of this people group in Deuteronomy 1:4.
beyond the Jordan
"east of the Jordan River"
the Valley of the Arnon
See how you translated these words in Deuteronomy 2:24.
Mount Hermon
This is the name of a mountain at the northern border of Bashan.
Deuteronomy 3:9
Mount Hermon ... Sirion ... Senir
These are all names of the same mountain which is at the northern border of Bashan.
Deuteronomy 3:10
Bashan ... Edrei ... Og
See how you translated these in Deuteronomy 1:4.
of the plain
This is high, flat land between the Arnon River and Mount Gilead.
Salekah
This is the name of a city near Edrei.
Deuteronomy 3:11
For of the remnant ... the way people measure
This is background information about King Og.
Rephaim
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 2:11.
Look!
"Pay attention to the important thing I am going to tell you."
Was it not in Rabbah, ... live?
"It was in Rabbah, ... live." or "It is in Rabbah ... live.". The writer uses a question to remind the people of Israel that they could go to Rabbah and see how large Og must have been.
cubits
A cubit is 46 centimeters.
the way people measure
"according to the cubit most people use"
Deuteronomy 3:12
General Information:
Moses continues reminding the people of what happened in the past.
Aroer
See how you translated the name of this town in Deuteronomy 2:36.
the Valley of the Arnon
See how you translated these words in Deuteronomy 2:24.
Deuteronomy 3:13
All the region of Argob in Bashan was called the land of Rephaim
The writer begins to present background information about the land that the people of Israel captured. If your language has a way of showing that what follows is background information, you should use it here.
Deuteronomy 3:14
Jair
This is the name of a man.
the Geshurites and the Maakathites
These are people groups who lived west of Bashan.
Havvoth Jair
Translators may make a footnote that says: "The name 'Havvoth Jair' means 'tent villages of Jair' or 'realm of Jair.'"
Deuteronomy 3:15
I gave
Here "I" refers to Moses.
to Makir
"to the descendants of Makir". Makir was the son of Manasseh. He had died before Moses gave this land.
Deuteronomy 3:16
Jabbok River
This is the name of a river that created the border between Sihon's land and the land of the Ammonites. See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 2:37.
Deuteronomy 3:17
Another of its borders is also
"The western border of the Reubenite and Gadite territory is"
Kinnereth
the Sea of Kinnereth, also called "the Sea of Galilee" or "the Lake of Gennesaret"
Mount Pisgah
This is the name of a mountain in the northern part of the Abarim mountain range.
Deuteronomy 3:18
I commanded you at that time
Moses reminds the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh that they must help the other Israelites conquer the rest of the land God promised them.
will pass over armed before
"will take your weapons and cross the Jordan River ahead of"
your brothers, the people of Israel
"your fellow Israelites"
Deuteronomy 3:20
Yahweh gives rest to your brothers
"Yahweh allows your brothers to rest" or "Yahweh allows your brothers to stop fighting wars and live peacefully"
beyond the Jordan
"east of the Jordan River". This refers to the land across the Jordan River, to the east of Israel. Moses was east of the Jordan when he said this. See how you translated these words in Deuteronomy 1:1.
then will you return
"only then are you to return.". Moses is emphasizing that the other tribes must possess their land before Yahweh will permit these three tribes to possess their land.
Deuteronomy 3:21
General Information:
Moses continues reminding the people of Israel about what happened in the past.
Your eyes have seen
"You have seen". Here "eyes" refers to Joshua.
Deuteronomy 3:23
I earnestly appealed
Here "I" refers to Moses. This means he asked God in a very emotional way.
Deuteronomy 3:24
to show your servant
"to show me, your servant"
your strong hand
"your power"
for what god is there ... acts?
"for there is no god ... acts.". Moses uses a question to emphasize that Yahweh is the only God with the power to do the works he has done.
in heaven or in earth
These two extremes together mean "anywhere."
Deuteronomy 3:25
beyond the Jordan
"west of the Jordan River,". When Moses spoke these words to Yahweh, he was east of the Jordan River in Moab.
Deuteronomy 3:26
Yahweh was angry with me because of you
This refers to when Moses disobeyed what Yahweh told him to do because Moses was angry with the people of Israel. See Numbers 20:11-12.
Deuteronomy 3:27
lift up your eyes
"look"
Deuteronomy 3:29
Beth Peor
This is the name of a town in Moab near Mount Pisgah.
Chapter 4
1
Now, Israel, listen to the laws and the decrees that I am about to teach you, to do them; so that you may live and go in and possess the land that Yahweh, the God of your fathers, is giving you.
2
You will not add to the words that I command you, neither will you diminish them, so that you may keep the commandments of Yahweh your God that I am about to command you.
3
Your eyes have seen what Yahweh did because of Baal Peor; for all the men who followed the Baal of Peor, Yahweh your God has destroyed them from among you.
4
But you who clung to Yahweh your God are alive today, every one of you.
5
Look, I have taught you laws and decrees, as Yahweh my God had commanded me, that you should do so in the midst of the land which you are going into in order to possess it.
6
Therefore keep them and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear about all these statutes and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'
7
For what other great nation is there that has a god so near to them, as Yahweh our God is whenever we call upon him?
8
What other great nation is there that has laws and decrees so righteous as all this law that I am setting before you today?
9
Only pay attention and carefully guard yourself, so that you do not forget the things that your eyes have seen, so that they do not leave your heart for all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children.
10
On the day that you stood before Yahweh your God at Horeb, when Yahweh said to me, 'Assemble me the people, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.'
11
You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain. The mountain burned with fire to the heart of heaven, with darkness, cloud, and thick darkness.
12
Yahweh spoke to you out of the middle of the fire; you heard the voice with its words, but you saw no form; you only heard a voice.
13
He declared to you his covenant that he commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments. He wrote them on two tablets of stone.
14
Yahweh commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and rules, so that you might do them in the land that you are crossing over to take possession of it.
15
So watch yourselves carefully—for you saw no kind of form on the day that Yahweh spoke to you at Horeb out of the middle of the fire—
16
that you do not corrupt yourselves by making a carved image in the form of any figure, in the likeness of male or female,
17
the likeness of any animal on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the heavens,
18
the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, or the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth.
19
You must not lift your eyes up to the heavens and look at the sun, the moon, or the stars—all the host of the heavens—and be drawn away to worship them and adore them—those things of which Yahweh your God has given a share to all the peoples under all the heavens.
20
But Yahweh has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be to him a people of his own inheritance, as you are today.
21
Yahweh was angry with me because of you; he swore that I would not go over the Jordan, and that I would not go into the good land that Yahweh your God is giving to you as an inheritance.
22
Rather, I must die in this land; I must not go over the Jordan. But you will go over and possess that good land.
23
Pay attention to yourselves, so that you do not forget the covenant of Yahweh your God, which he made with you, and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of anything that Yahweh your God has forbidden you to make.
24
For Yahweh your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God.
25
When you beget children and children's children, and when you will have been in the land for a long time, and if you corrupt yourselves and make a carved figure in the form of anything, and do what is evil in the sight of Yahweh your God, to provoke him to anger—
26
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that you will soon utterly perish from off the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess; you will not prolong your days in it, but you will be completely destroyed.
27
Yahweh will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations, where Yahweh will lead you away.
28
There you will serve other gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, hear, eat, nor smell.
29
But from there you will seek Yahweh your God, and you will find him, when you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.
30
When you are in distress, and when all these things will have come on you, in those later days you will return to Yahweh your God and listen to his voice.
31
For Yahweh your God is a merciful God; he will not fail you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers that he swore to them.
32
Ask now about the days that are past, which were before your time, since the day that God created man on the earth, ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether there has been anything so great as this, or has anything like it ever been heard?
33
Did ever a people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and live?
34
Or has God ever attempted to go and take for himself a nation from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, as everything that Yahweh your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
35
To you these things were shown, so that you might know that Yahweh is God, and that there is no one else besides him.
36
Out of heaven he made you to hear his voice, so that he might instruct you; on earth he made you see his great fire; you heard his words out of the midst of the fire.
37
Because he loved your fathers, he chose their descendants after them, and brought you out of Egypt with his presence, with his great power;
38
in order to drive out from before you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in, to give you their land as an inheritance, as today.
39
Know therefore today, and lay it on your heart, that Yahweh is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no one else.
40
You will keep his statutes and his commandments that I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you forever."
41
Then Moses selected three cities on the east side of the Jordan,
42
so that anyone might flee to one of them if he killed another person accidentally, without being his enemy previously. By fleeing to one of these cities, he might survive.
43
They were: Bezer in the wilderness, the plain country, for the Reubenites; Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites.
44
This is the law that Moses placed before the people of Israel;
45
these are the covenant decrees, laws, and ordinances that he spoke to the people of Israel when they came out of Egypt,
46
when they were east of the Jordan, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, in the land of Sihon, king of the Amorites, who had lived at Heshbon, whom Moses and the people of Israel had defeated when they came out of Egypt.
47
They took his land as a possession, and the land of Og king of Bashan—these, the two kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan toward the east.
48
This territory went from Aroer, on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, to Mount Siyon (or Mount Hermon),
49
and included all of the plain of the Jordan River valley, eastward beyond the Jordan, to the Sea of the Arabah, to the slopes of Mount Pisgah.
Deuteronomy 4:1
I am about to teach you
Moses is telling the people of Israel what God wants them to do. Moses is not allowed to enter into the Promised Land. Since they are getting ready to possess the Promised Land, Moses gives them some last instructions before his death. In order to possess the land, the people needed to obey the law of Moses. This will be the most important thing in the religious life of Israel.
to do them
"and obey them"
Deuteronomy 4:2
You will not add to the words ... neither will you diminish them
Yahweh does not want his people to create new laws, or to ignore those he has already given them.
Deuteronomy 4:3
Your eyes have seen
"You saw". Here "eyes" refers to the people of Israel.
because of Baal Peor
"because of the sins you committed at Baal Peor"
Peor
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 3:29.
Yahweh your God has destroyed them from among you
Moses speaks to the people of Israel as though they were one person, so "your" and "you" are singular.
Deuteronomy 4:4
you who clung to Yahweh
"you who were careful to obey Yahweh"
Deuteronomy 4:5
Look
"Pay attention"
that you should do so in the midst of the land
"that you should obey them when you live in the land"
Deuteronomy 4:6
keep them and do them
"obey them carefully"
this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples
"this is what will show the peoples that you are wise and that you understand what is important"
this great nation is a wise and understanding people
"the people of this great nation are wise and understanding"
Deuteronomy 4:7
General Information:
Moses continues to speak to the people of Israel.
For what other great nation is there ... him?
"For there is no other great nation ... him."
Deuteronomy 4:8
What other great nation is there ... today?
"There is no other great nation ... today."
Deuteronomy 4:9
Only pay attention ... guard yourself ... you do not forget ... your eyes ... your heart ... your life ... Make them known to your children and your children's children
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they are one person, so all instances of "you," "your," and "yourself," as well as the commands "pay attention," "guard," and "make known" are singular.
Only pay attention and carefully guard yourself
"Pay careful attention and be sure to remember these things always"
you do not forget ... they do not leave your heart
These phrases means the same thing and emphasize that the people of Israel must remember what they have seen.
your eyes have seen
"you have seen"
Deuteronomy 4:10
you stood before Yahweh your God
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they are one person, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
Assemble me the people
"Bring the people together and bring them to me"
Deuteronomy 4:11
General Information:
Moses continues to remind the Israelites of their history.
with fire to the heart of heaven
"with a fire that went up to the sky". "The heart of" means "the middle of" or "the innermost part of," and "heaven" here refers to the sky.
with darkness, cloud, and thick darkness
"with a thick, dark cloud" or "heavy cloud."
Deuteronomy 4:13
He declared
"Yahweh declared"
to you
Here "you" refers to the Israelites who were at Mount Horeb.
Deuteronomy 4:14
in the land that you are crossing over to take possession of
"after you have crossed over the Jordan River and taken possession of the land."
Deuteronomy 4:16
do not corrupt yourselves
"do not do what is wrong"
Deuteronomy 4:18
creeps on the ground
"crawls on the ground,"
Deuteronomy 4:19
You must not lift your eyes ... and look ... and be drawn ... Yahweh your God
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" and the words "lift," "look," and "be drawn" are singular.
You must not ... and be drawn away to worship
"Do not ... and do not let anyone make you want to worship" or "Do not ... and do not allow yourself worship"
all the host of the heavens
"all the multitude of things in the sky" or "all the army of the heavens." Here this refers to the lights we see in the sky, including the sun, moon, stars. They are called the host because there are so many of them, just as armies have many soldiers.
of which Yahweh your God has given a share to all the peoples
"that Yahweh your God has put there to help all people groups"
Deuteronomy 4:20
brought you out of the iron furnace
"brought you out of the land where people made you do hard work". Moses speaks of Egypt and the hard work the Israelites did there as if it were an oven in which iron is heated and the Israelites were the iron.
a people of his own inheritance
"people who belong only to him."
Deuteronomy 4:21
Yahweh was angry with me because of you
This refers to when Moses disobeyed what Yahweh told him to do because Moses was angry with the people of Israel. See Numbers 20:11-12.
Yahweh your God is giving to you
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so "you" and "your" are singular.
Deuteronomy 4:23
Pay attention to yourselves
"Pay careful attention"
Yahweh your God has forbidden you
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one person, so the words "you" and "your" are singular.
Deuteronomy 4:24
Yahweh your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God
"Yahweh your God will severely punish and destroy you like a fire does because he does not want you to worship other gods"
Yahweh your God
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one person, so the word "your" is singular.
Deuteronomy 4:25
you beget ... Yahweh your God
The words "you" and "your" are singular here.
beget
become the father of, or become the ancestor of
if you corrupt yourselves
"if you do what is wrong."
do what is evil in the sight of Yahweh your God, to provoke him to anger
"you make Yahweh your God angry by doing what he says is evil"
Deuteronomy 4:26
I call heaven and earth to witness
Possible meanings are 1) Moses is calling on all those who live in heaven and earth to be witnesses to what he says or 2) Moses is speaking to heaven and earth as if they are people, and he is calling them to be witnesses to what he says.
you will not prolong your days
"you will not be able to live a long time"
but you will be completely destroyed
"but Yahweh will destroy many of you". As indicated in the next verse, not every Israelite will be killed. Here "completely destroy" is a generalization and emphasizes that many of the Israelites will die.
Deuteronomy 4:27
Yahweh will scatter you among the peoples
"Yahweh will send you to many different places and force you to live there"
will lead you away
"will send you" or "will cause your enemies to take you away"
Deuteronomy 4:28
the work of men's hands, wood and stone
"the wood and stone idols that men have made". Here "men's hands" refers the men themselves, and "the work ... wood and stone" to the idols that they have created.
Deuteronomy 4:29
General Information:
Moses continues to speak to the people of Israel. He speaks as though they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
But from there
"But when you are in those other nations"
you will seek
The word "you" here is plural.
when you search after him
"when you really try to find him" or "when you really try to know him"
with all your heart and with all your soul
"completely" or "earnestly."
Deuteronomy 4:30
will have come on
"have happened to"
in those later days
"afterwards" or "then"
listen to his voice
"obey what he says". Here "listen" means to hear and obey. Also, "his voice" refers to Yahweh and emphasizes what he says.
Deuteronomy 4:33
Did ever a people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and live?
"No other people besides you has heard God speak from the middle of the fire and lived.". Here the people of Israel are reminded of how Yahweh has spoken to them in an amazing way in the past.
hear the voice of God speaking
"hear God's voice as he spoke"
Deuteronomy 4:34
by a mighty hand, and by an outstretched arm
"by showing his mighty power"
before your eyes
"in front of you"
Deuteronomy 4:35
General Information:
Moses continues to speak to the people of Israel if they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
To you these things were shown
"Yahweh showed you these things"
Deuteronomy 4:36
he made you to hear ... made you see
"he made sure you heard ... made sure you saw"
made you ... you heard
"made your fathers ... your fathers heard". Moses speaks as if the people to whom he was speaking were the people he had spoken to at Mount Sinai many years earlier. The people at Mount Sinai were actually the fathers of the people to whom he was speaking these words.
Deuteronomy 4:37
General Information:
Moses continues to speak to the people of Israel if they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
your fathers
This refers to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob's sons.
with his presence, with his great power
"with the great power that comes from his presence" or "with his great power"
Deuteronomy 4:39
lay it on your heart
"remember it"
in heaven above and on the earth beneath
"over everything"
Deuteronomy 4:40
prolong your days
"be able to live a long time"
Deuteronomy 4:41
General Information:
Moses's speech, which began in Deuteronomy 1:6, has finished, and the writer continues the narrative that ended in Deuteronomy 1:5.
Deuteronomy 4:43
Bezer ... Ramoth ... Golan
These are names of cities.
Deuteronomy 4:44
This is the law
This refers to the laws Moses will give in the following chapters.
Deuteronomy 4:46
Beth Peor
This is the name of a town in Moab near Mount Pisgah. See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 3:29.
Sihon ... Amorites ... Heshbon
"King Sihon ... Amorite people ... town of Heshbon." See how you translated these names in Deuteronomy 1:4.
Deuteronomy 4:47
his land
King Sihon's land
beyond the Jordan toward the east
"from the side of the Jordan River toward the east"
Deuteronomy 4:48
Aroer
This is the name of a city. See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 2:36.
the Valley of the Arnon
This is the name of a place. See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 2:24.
Mount Siyon ... Mount Hermon
These are different names for the same mountain.
Mount Siyon
The word "Siyon" is another spelling of "Sirion" Deuteronomy 3:9.
Mount Hermon
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 3:8.
Deuteronomy 4:49
eastward beyond the Jordan
"eastward from the side of the Jordan River". This refers to the land across the Jordan River, to the east of Israel. Moses was east of the Jordan when he said this.
Sea of the Arabah ... Mount Pisgah
See how you translated these names in Deuteronomy 3:17.
Chapter 5
1
Moses called to all Israel and said to them, "Listen, Israel, to the statutes and the decrees that I will speak in your ears today, that you may learn them and keep them.
2
Yahweh our God made a covenant with us at Horeb.
3
Yahweh did not make this covenant with our ancestors, but with us, all of us alive here today.
4
Yahweh spoke with you face to face on the mount out of the middle of the fire
5
(I stood between Yahweh and you at that time, to reveal to you his word; for you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up the mountain). Yahweh said,
6
'I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
7
You will have no other gods before me.
8
You will not make for yourself a carved figure nor any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water below.
9
You will not bow down to them or serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God. I punish the ancestors' wickedness by bringing punishment on the children, to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
10
and showing steadfast love to thousands, to those who love me and keep my commandments.
11
You will not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain.
12
Observe the Sabbath day to keep it holy, as Yahweh your God commanded you.
13
For six days you will labor and do all your work;
14
but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God. On it you will not do any work—not you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your animals, nor any foreigner who is within your gates. This is so that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you.
15
You will call to mind that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and Yahweh your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm. Therefore Yahweh your God has commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
16
Honor your father and your mother, as Yahweh your God has commanded you to do, that you may live a long time in the land that Yahweh your God gives you, and so that it may go well with you.
17
You will not murder.
18
You will not commit adultery.
19
You will not steal.
20
You will not give false witness against your neighbor.
21
You will not covet your neighbor's wife, you will not covet your neighbor's house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.'
22
These words Yahweh spoke in a loud voice to all your assembly on the mountain out of the middle of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness; he did not add any more words. He wrote them down on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.
23
It came about, when you heard the voice out of the middle of the darkness, while the mountain was burning, that you came near to me—all your elders and the heads of your tribes.
24
You said, 'Look, Yahweh our God has shown us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the middle of the fire; we have seen today that when God speaks with people, they can live.
25
But why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of Yahweh our God any longer, we will die.
26
For who besides us is there among all flesh who has heard the voice of the living God speak out of the middle of the fire and lived, as we have done?
27
As for you, you should go and listen to everything that Yahweh our God says; repeat to us everything that Yahweh our God says to you; we will listen to it and obey it.'
28
Yahweh heard your words when you spoke to me. He said to me, 'I have heard the words of this people, what they said to you. What they said was good.
29
Oh, that there were such a heart in them, that they would honor me and always keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their children forever!
30
Go say to them, "Return to your tents."
31
But as for you, stand here by me, and I will tell you all the commandments, the statutes, and the decrees that you will teach them, so that they may keep them in the land that I will give them to possess.'
32
You will keep, therefore, what Yahweh your God has commanded you; you will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
33
You will walk in all the ways that Yahweh your God has commanded you, so that you may live, and so that it may go well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that you will possess.
Deuteronomy 5:1
General Information:
Moses continues to speak to the people of Israel. This chapter repeats the material of Exodus 20. It is known as the Ten Commandments.
called to all Israel
Here "all" is a generalization. Moses wanted everyone in Israel to hear and obey his words, but his voice was probably not so loud that everyone actually heard him.
that I will speak in your ears today
"that I will speak to you today". Here "ears" refers to the whole person. This emphasizes that the people know what Moses has said to them, so they cannot sin and then say they did not know they were sinning.
Deuteronomy 5:3
Yahweh did not make this covenant with our ancestors
Possible meanings are 1) Yahweh did not only make a covenant with those who were at Horeb; the covenant was also with the later generations of Israelites or 2) Yahweh did not make this covenant with their distant ancestors, such as, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; instead, this covenant began with the Israelites at Horeb.
Deuteronomy 5:4
face to face
This refers to two people who are close to each other and looking at each other when they are speaking to each other.
on the mount
"on the mountain"
Deuteronomy 5:5
at that time
Moses is referring to an event that happened about 40 years earlier.
Deuteronomy 5:6
out of the house of slavery
"out of the place where you were slaves"
Deuteronomy 5:7
General Information:
The phrases "you will" and "you will not" are commands. He speaks to the Israelites as if they were one person. Some translations set each of the commandments in the list of Ten Commandments in 5:7-21 farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. The ULB uses a separate paragraph for each commandment.
You will have no other gods before me
"You must not worship any other gods but me"
Deuteronomy 5:8
that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water below
"that is in the earth beneath your feet, or that is in the water below the earth"
Deuteronomy 5:9
General Information:
Moses continues to speak to the people of Israel as if they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
You will not bow down to them or serve them
"You will not worship the carved figures or do as they command"
You will not
"Never"
I ... am a jealous God
"I ... want you to worship only me"
Deuteronomy 5:10
showing steadfast love to thousands, to those who love me and keep my commandments
"faithfully loving thousands, those who love me"
to thousands, to those who love me
"forever, to those who love me". Some translations read "to a thousand generations of those who love me." The word "thousands" refers to a number that is too many to count.
Deuteronomy 5:11
General Information:
Moses continues to speak to the people of Israel as if they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
You will not take the name of Yahweh
"You will not use the name of Yahweh"
in vain
"carelessly" or "without proper respect" or "for wrong purposes"
Yahweh will not hold him guiltless
"Yahweh will consider him guilty" or "Yahweh will punish him"
Deuteronomy 5:12
to keep it holy
"to dedicate it to God"
Deuteronomy 5:13
do all your work
"do all your usual duties"
Deuteronomy 5:14
seventh day
"day 7." Here "seventh" is the ordinal number for seven.
On it you will not do
"On that day never do"
within your gates
"within your community" or "inside your city"
Deuteronomy 5:15
General Information:
Moses continues to speak to the people of Israel as if they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
You will call to mind
"You must remember"
by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm
"by showing his mighty power". See how you translated these words in Deuteronomy 4:34.
Deuteronomy 5:18
You will not commit adultery
"You will not sleep with anyone other than your spouse"
Deuteronomy 5:20
You will not give false witness against your neighbor
"You will not tell lies about someone"
Deuteronomy 5:23
General Information:
Moses continues to remind the people of Israel what happened in the past.
heard the voice
"heard the sound of the voice" or "heard Yahweh speaking"
Deuteronomy 5:25
General Information:
Moses continues to remind the Israelites what the Israelites had said to Moses.
But why should we die?
"We are afraid that we will die."
Deuteronomy 5:26
For who besides us is there ... have done?
"There are no other people besides us ... have done."
all flesh
"all people" or "all living beings"
Deuteronomy 5:28
when you spoke to me
Here "me" refers to Moses.
Deuteronomy 5:29
Oh, that there were
"I would be very happy if there were". If your language has a word that expresses a strong desire for something, you might want to use it here.
Deuteronomy 5:31
you will teach them
"you will teach the people of Israel"
Deuteronomy 5:32
You will keep
Moses is giving a command to the people of Israel.
you will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left
"you will not disobey him in any way" or "you will do everything he says"
Deuteronomy 5:33
prolong your days
"be able to live a long time". See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 4:40.
Chapter 6
1
Now these are the commandments, statutes, and decrees that Yahweh your God has commanded me to teach you, so that you might keep them in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess;
2
so that you might honor Yahweh your God, so as to keep all his statutes and commandments that I am commanding you—you, your sons, and your sons' sons, all the days of your lives, so that your days may be prolonged.
3
Therefore listen to them, Israel, and keep them, so that it may go well with you, so that you may greatly multiply, in a land flowing with milk and honey, as Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has promised you would do.
4
Listen, Israel: Yahweh our God, Yahweh is one.
5
You will love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.
6
The words that I am commanding you today will be in your heart;
7
and you will diligently teach them to your children; you will talk about them when you sit in your house, when you walk on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up.
8
You will tie them as a sign upon your hand, and they will serve as frontlets between your eyes.
9
You will write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
10
When Yahweh your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, that he would give you, with large and very good cities that you did not build,
11
and houses full of all kinds of good things that you did not make, cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant, you will eat and be satisfied—
12
then be careful so that you do not forget Yahweh, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
13
You will honor Yahweh your God; him you will worship, and you will swear by his name.
14
You will not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you—
15
for Yahweh your God in the midst of you is a jealous God—if you do, the anger of Yahweh your God will be kindled against you and he will destroy you from the surface of the earth.
16
You will not test Yahweh your God as you tested him at Massah.
17
You will diligently keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, his solemn commands, and his statutes, that he has commanded you.
18
You will do what is right and good in the sight of Yahweh, that it may go well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land that Yahweh swore to your fathers,
19
to drive out all your enemies from before you, as Yahweh has said.
20
When your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What are the covenant decrees, the statutes, and the other decrees that Yahweh our God commanded you?'
21
then you will say to your son, 'We were Pharaoh's slaves in Egypt; Yahweh brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand,
22
and he displayed signs and wonders, great and severe, on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his house, before our eyes;
23
and he brought us out from there, so that he might bring us in, to give us the land that he swore to our fathers.
24
Yahweh commanded us to always keep all these statutes, to fear Yahweh our God for our good, so that he might keep us alive, as we are today.
25
If we keep all these commands before Yahweh our God, as he has commanded us, this will be our righteousness.'
Deuteronomy 6:1
General Information:
Moses continues the speech to the people of Israel he began in Deuteronomy 5:1 and beginning in chapter 6:2, he speaks to the people of Israel as if they were one person. Yahweh's continued blessing of the people of Israel is dependent upon the people's obedience to the law of Moses.
might keep
"might obey"
going over the Jordan
"going to the other side of the Jordan River"
Deuteronomy 6:2
to keep
"to obey"
that your days may be prolonged
"that I may prolong your days" or "that I may cause you to live a long time". This can be translated similarly to "prolong your days" in Deuteronomy 4:26. There are many metaphors in this chapter that describe the greatness of the Promised Land and the wholehearted worship that is completely dedicated to Yahweh.
Deuteronomy 6:3
General Information:
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel Yahweh's words as if the Israelites are one person.
listen to them
"listen to Yahweh's commandments, statutes, and decrees". Here "listen" means to obey, and "them" refers to Yahweh's commandments.
keep them
"obey them"
a land flowing with milk and honey
"a land where plenty of milk and honey flow" or "a land that is excellent for cattle and farming"
Deuteronomy 6:4
Yahweh our God, Yahweh is one
"Our God Yahweh is the one and only God"
Deuteronomy 6:5
with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might
These three phrases are used together to mean "completely" or "earnestly." See how you translated "with all your heart, with all your soul" in Deuteronomy 4:29.
Deuteronomy 6:6
I am commanding you
Moses is speaking God's commandments to the people of Israel.
will be in your heart
"you must always remember"
Deuteronomy 6:7
you will diligently teach ... you will talk
"I command you to diligently teach ... I command you to talk." The reader should understand that these as commands.
Deuteronomy 6:8
tie them
"tie these words"
as a sign upon your hand
"as something to make you remember my laws"
they will serve as frontlets
"my words will serve as frontlets". This may also mean "obey these words so that it is as if they were physically there."
frontlets
ornaments a person wears on the forehead
Deuteronomy 6:9
You will write
Moses states that this is a command.
Deuteronomy 6:10
large and very good cities that you did not build
All these cities will belong to the people of Israel when they conquer the people in Canaan.
Deuteronomy 6:12
out of the house of bondage
"out of the place where you were slaves". Here "house of bondage" refers to Egypt, the place where the people of Israel had been slaves.
Deuteronomy 6:13
You will honor Yahweh your God; him you will worship, and you will swear by his name
"It is Yahweh your God and no one else whom you will honor; it is he alone whom you will worship, and it is by his name and only his name that you will swear." Your language may have another way of emphasizing that Yahweh is telling the Israelites not to worship or serve any other god.
you will swear by his name
"you will swear and ask Yahweh to confirm it" or "when you swear you will speak his name". To swear by the name of Yahweh means to make Yahweh the basis or the power on which the oath is made.
Deuteronomy 6:15
in the midst of you
"who lives among you"
the anger of Yahweh your God will be kindled against you
"Yahweh your God will kindle his anger" or "Yahweh your God will become very angry". Moses compares Yahweh's anger to someone starting a fire to destroy things.
destroy you from
"destroy you so that there is nothing left of you anywhere on"
Deuteronomy 6:16
You will not test Yahweh
Here "test" means to challenge Yahweh and force him to prove himself.
Massah
This is the name of a place in the desert. The translator may add a footnote that says: "The name 'Massah' means 'testing.'"
Deuteronomy 6:18
You will do what is right and good in the sight of Yahweh
"Do what Yahweh says is right and good". This is a command and a blessing. If the Israelites obey Yahweh, they will receive blessings from Yahweh.
Deuteronomy 6:20
General Information:
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel Yahweh's words as if the Israelites are one person.
What are the covenant decrees ... commanded you
"What do the covenant decrees ... commanded mean to you" or "Why should you obey the covenant decrees ... commanded you". In this question the "covenant decrees" represent their meaning and purpose.
your son
This refers to the children of the adult people of Israel to whom Moses was speaking Yahweh's words.
Deuteronomy 6:21
with a mighty hand
"with his mighty power". Here "a mighty hand" refers to Yahweh's power. See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 4:34.
Deuteronomy 6:22
on all his house
"on all of his people". Here "his house" refers to the people of Yahweh.
before our eyes
"where we could see them"
Deuteronomy 6:23
might bring us in
"might bring us into Canaan"
Deuteronomy 6:24
General Information:
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel what they should tell their children about Yahweh's commandments.
keep
obey at all times and for a long time
Deuteronomy 6:25
before Yahweh
"in the presence of Yahweh" or "where Yahweh can see us"
this will be our righteousness
"he will consider us righteous". The word "this" refers to keeping Yahweh's commands.
Chapter 7
1
When Yahweh your God brings you into the land that you go to possess, he will drive out many nations before you—the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites—seven nations greater and mightier than you.
2
It is Yahweh your God who gives them over to you when you defeat them, and then you must completely destroy them. You will make no covenant with them, and show them no mercy.
3
Neither will you arrange any marriages with them. You will not give your daughters to their sons, and you will not take their daughters for your sons.
4
For they will turn away your sons from following me, so that they may worship other gods. So the anger of Yahweh will be kindled against you, and he will destroy you quickly.
5
This is how you will deal with them: You will break down their altars, dash their stone pillars in pieces, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their cast idols.
6
For you are a nation that is set apart to Yahweh your God. He has chosen you to be a people for him to possess, more than all the other peoples that are on the face of the earth.
7
Yahweh did not set his love upon you or choose you because you were more in number than any people—for you were the fewest of all peoples—
8
but because he loves you, and he wished to keep the oath that he had sworn to your fathers. This is why Yahweh has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.
9
Therefore know that Yahweh your God—he is God, the faithful God, who keeps covenants and faithfulness for a thousand generations with those who love him and keep his commandments,
10
but repays those who hate him to their face, to destroy them; he will not be lenient on whoever hates him; he will repay him to his face.
11
You will therefore keep the commandments, the statutes, and the decrees that I command you today, so that you will do them.
12
If you listen to these decrees, and keep and do them, it will happen that Yahweh your God will keep with you the covenant and the faithfulness that he swore to your fathers.
13
He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the fruit of your ground—your grain, your new wine, and your oil—the calves of your herds and the young of your flocks in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you.
14
You will be blessed more than all other peoples; there will not be a childless male or a barren female among you or among your livestock.
15
Yahweh will take away from you all sickness; none of the evil diseases of Egypt that you have known will he put on you, but he will put them on all those who hate you.
16
You will consume all the peoples whom Yahweh your God will give over to you, and your eye will not pity them. You will not worship their gods, for that will be a trap for you.
17
If you say in your heart, 'These nations are more numerous than I; how can I dispossess them?'—
18
do not be afraid of them; you will call to mind what Yahweh your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt;
19
the great sufferings that your eyes saw, the signs, the wonders, the mighty hand, and the outstretched arm by which Yahweh your God brought you out. Yahweh your God will do the same to all the peoples whom you fear.
20
Moreover, Yahweh your God will send the hornet among them, until those who are left and who hide themselves from you perish from your presence.
21
You will not be frightened at them, for Yahweh your God is among you, a great and fearsome God.
22
Yahweh your God will drive out those nations before you little by little. You will not defeat them all at once, or the wild animals would become very many around you.
23
But Yahweh your God will give you victory over them when you meet them in battle; he will greatly confuse them until they are destroyed.
24
He will put their kings under your power, and you will make their name perish from under heaven. No one will be able to stand before you, until you have destroyed them.
25
You will burn the carved figures of their gods—do not covet the silver or the gold that covers them and take it for yourself, because if you do, you will become trapped by it—for it is an abomination to Yahweh your God.
26
You will not bring any abomination into your house and start to worship it. You will utterly detest and abhor it, for it is set apart for destruction.
Deuteronomy 7:1
General Information:
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel Yahweh's words as if the Israelites are one person. This chapter references parts of the Abrahamic covenant that Yahweh made with Abraham and it also emphasizes Yahweh's faithfulness to this covenant.
Deuteronomy 7:2
General Information:
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel Yahweh's words as if the Israelites are one person.
gives them over to you
"enables you to defeat them"
you defeat them
Here "them" refers to the seven nations from Deuteronomy 7:1.
you must completely destroy them
The people of Canaan were to be punished by Yahweh. Yahweh used Israel to punish these nations. If they were not completely destroyed, they would lead Israel into sin. Therefore, they were to be completely destroyed and be shown no mercy.
Deuteronomy 7:4
For they will
"If you allow your children to marry the people from the other nations, the people from the other nations will"
So the anger of Yahweh will be kindled against you
"Yahweh will kindle his anger against you" or "Then Yahweh will become very angry with you"
against you
The word "you" refers to all the Israelites and so is plural.
Deuteronomy 7:5
you will deal ... You will break ... dash ... cut ... burn
Moses is speaking to all the Israelites here, so these words are all plural.
Deuteronomy 7:6
General Information:
Moses tells the people of Israel Yahweh's words as if the Israelites are one person.
you are a nation that is set apart
Yahweh choosing the people of Israel to belong to him in a special way is spoken of as if Yahweh set them apart from all other nations.
that are on the face of the earth
"that live on the earth"
Deuteronomy 7:7
General Information:
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel Yahweh's words. All instances of "you" and "your" are plural.
did not set his love upon you
"did not love you more than he loved others"
Deuteronomy 7:8
with a mighty hand
"with his mighty power". Here "a mighty hand" refers to Yahweh's power. These words also appear in Deuteronomy 4:34.
redeemed you out of the house of bondage
"rescued you from being slaves". Moses speaks of Yahweh rescuing the people of Israel from being slaves as if Yahweh had paid money to a slave owner.
house of bondage
"out of the place where you were slaves". See how you translated these words in Deuteronomy 6:12.
hand of Pharaoh
"control of Pharaoh". Here "hand" means "the control of."
Deuteronomy 7:9
General Information:
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel Yahweh's words as if the Israelites are one person.
for a thousand generations
"for 1,000 generations"
Deuteronomy 7:10
repays those who hate him to their face
"repays them quickly and openly so that they know God has punished them."
he will not be lenient on whoever hates him
"Yahweh will severely punish everyone who hates him". The words "not be lenient" are an understatement to emphasize that Yahweh will severely punish.
Deuteronomy 7:12
General Information:
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel Yahweh's words. He speaks as if the Israelites are one person in verse 12 and to all of them as a group in verse 13.
Deuteronomy 7:13
multiply you
"increase the number of your people"
the fruit of your womb
"your children."
the fruit of your ground
"your crops."
the calves of your herds and
"your cattle so they will become many, as will"
Deuteronomy 7:14
General Information:
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel Yahweh's words as if the Israelites are one person.
You will be blessed more than all other peoples
"I will bless you more than I bless any other people"
there will not be a childless male or a barren female among you or among your livestock
"All of you will be able to have children and your livestock will be able to reproduce". Moses uses a negative statement to emphasize that they all will be able to have children.
among you ... your livestock
The words "you" and "your" are plural here.
Deuteronomy 7:15
take away from you all sickness
"make sure that you do not become ill" or "keep you completely healthy"
none of the evil diseases ... will he put on you, but he will put them on all those who hate you
"he will not make you sick with any of the evil diseases ... but he will make your enemies sick with them"
Deuteronomy 7:16
General Information:
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel Yahweh's words as if the Israelites are one person.
You will consume all the peoples
"I command you to completely destroy all the people groups"
your eye will not pity them
"do not allow what you see to cause you to pity them" or "do not pity them because you see that what you are doing is hurting them". This is a command. Moses speaks as if what the eye sees were the eye itself.
You will not worship
"never worship"
that will be a trap for you
If the people worship other gods, they will be like an animal caught in a hunter's trap, and they will be unable to escape.
Deuteronomy 7:17
If you say in your heart
"Even if you say in your heart". The people should not be afraid even if they notice that the nations are stronger than they are.
say in your heart
"think"
how can I dispossess them?
"I do not know how I will be able to dispossess them"
dispossess them
"take their land away from them"
Deuteronomy 7:18
do not be afraid
"even then do not be afraid"
you will call to mind
"you must remember"
Deuteronomy 7:19
that your eyes saw
"that you saw"
the mighty hand, and the outstretched arm
"and the mighty power". See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 4:34.
Deuteronomy 7:20
Moreover, Yahweh
"And also, Yahweh"
send the hornet
Possible meanings are 1) God will send actual flying insects that sting people and cause pain, or 2) God will cause the people to become terrified and want to run away.
perish from your presence
"die so you do not see them anymore"
Deuteronomy 7:21
You will not
"Never"
a great and fearsome God
"a great and awesome God." or "a great God who causes the people to fear."
Deuteronomy 7:22
little by little
"slowly."
Deuteronomy 7:23
give you victory over
"enable you to defeat"
victory over them
"victory over the armies from the other nations"
he will greatly confuse them
"he will make them so they cannot think clearly"
until they are destroyed
"until you have destroyed them"
Deuteronomy 7:24
you will make their name perish from under heaven
The Israelites will completely destroy all the people from those nations, and in the future no one will remember them.
stand before you
"stand against you" or "defend themselves against you"
Deuteronomy 7:25
General Information:
Moses continues to tell the people of Israel Yahweh's words. In verse 25 he speaks to the group as a group, so the forms of "you" are plural, but in verse 26 he speaks as if the Israelites are one person, so the forms are singular.
You will burn
This is a command.
do not covet ... trapped by it
These words add to the instruction to burn the idols.
you will become trapped by it
"it will become a trap to you". Even taking the gold or silver on the idols could cause the people to start worshiping them.
for it is an abomination to Yahweh your God
"do this because Yahweh your God hates it very much". These words tell why Yahweh wants the people to burn the idols.
Deuteronomy 7:26
You will utterly detest and abhor
"You will completely hate"
for it is set apart for destruction
"for Yahweh has set it apart for destruction"
Chapter 8
1
You must keep all the commands that I am giving you today, so that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that Yahweh swore to your fathers.
2
You will call to mind all the ways that Yahweh your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order that he might humble you, that he might test you to know what was in your heart, as to whether you would keep his commandments or not.
3
He humbled you, and made you hunger, and fed you with manna, which you had not known and which your fathers had not known. He did that to make you know that it is not by bread alone that people live; rather, it is by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahweh that people live.
4
Your clothing did not wear out and fall off you, and your feet did not swell up during those forty years.
5
You will think about in your heart, how, as a man disciplines his son, so Yahweh your God disciplines you.
6
You will keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, so that you might walk in his ways and honor him.
7
For Yahweh your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out into valleys and among hills;
8
a land of wheat and barley, of vines, fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of olive trees and honey.
9
It is a land in which you will not eat bread in poverty and in which you will not lack anything; a land whose stones are made of iron, and out of whose hills you may dig copper.
10
You will eat and be full, and you will bless Yahweh your God for the good land that he has given you.
11
Be careful that you do not forget Yahweh your God, by failing to keep his commandments and his rules and statutes that I am commanding you today.
12
Otherwise, when you eat and are full, and when you build good houses and live in them, your heart will be lifted up.
13
Be careful when your herds and flocks multiply and when your silver and gold increase, and all that you have is multiplied,
14
then your heart becomes lifted up and you forget Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
15
Do not forget him who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the rock of flint.
16
He fed you in the wilderness with manna that your ancestors had never known, so that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end,
17
but you may say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand acquired all this wealth.'
18
But you will call to mind Yahweh your God, for it is he who gives you the power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is today.
19
It will happen that, if you will forget Yahweh your God and walk after other gods, worship them, and reverence them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish.
20
Like the nations that Yahweh is making to perish before you, so will you perish, because you would not listen to the voice of Yahweh your God.
Deuteronomy 8:1
General Information:
Moses continues to speak to the Israelites as if they are one person. This chapter recalls the great things that Yahweh has done for Israel and is about to do for them; so they do not forget him and continue to worship him. They must remember that Yahweh is the source of their blessings.
You must keep ... you may live and multiply, and go in and possess ... your fathers
All instances of "you" and "your" and the verbs are plural.
Deuteronomy 8:2
You will call to mind
"You must remember"
forty years
"40 years"
he might humble you
"he might show you how weak and sinful you are"
to know
"to reveal" or "to show"
what was in your heart
"what kind of people you are" or "how you would behave"
Deuteronomy 8:3
He humbled you
"Yahweh showed you how weak and sinful you are."
fed you with manna
"gave you manna to eat"
it is not by bread alone that people live
"food is not the only thing people need so they can live"
it is by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahweh that people live
"people must obey the commands of Yahweh so they can live" or "people must do what Yahweh tells them to do so they can live"
Deuteronomy 8:4
General Information:
Moses continues to speak to the Israelites as if they are one person.
Your clothing ... forty years
This is the last item that they should "call to mind"
forty years
"40 years"
Deuteronomy 8:5
You will think ... God disciplines you
This continues the list of commands that begins in Deuteronomy 8:1.
You will think about in your heart
"You will understand"
Deuteronomy 8:7
General Information:
Moses continues to speak to the Israelites as if they are one person.
a land of
"a land with" or "a land that has"
Deuteronomy 8:9
a land in which you will not eat bread in poverty
"a land where there will be plenty of food for you". This means that they will eat and they will not be in poverty. They will have plenty to eat. The word "bread" refers to food in general.
and in which you will not lack anything
"and where you will have everything you need"
stones are made of iron
The stones are full of iron ore. Iron is a very hard metal useful for making swords and plows.
dig copper
"mine copper." Copper is a soft metal useful for making household utensils.
Deuteronomy 8:10
You will eat and be full
"You will have enough food to eat until you are full,"
you will bless
"you will praise" or "you will give thanks to"
Deuteronomy 8:11
General Information:
Moses continues to speak to the Israelites as if they are one person.
Deuteronomy 8:12
Connecting Statement:
"when you eat and are full" and "when you build good houses.". This verse describes the first two items of a list of five things that might make the Israelites forget about Yahweh (verse 11).
when you eat and are full
"when you have enough food to eat"
your heart will be lifted up
"you will become prideful and no longer obey Yahweh"
Deuteronomy 8:13
Connecting Statement:
This verse describes the last three of the five things that might cause them to forget Yahweh. The first two are "you eat and are full" and "you build good houses and live in them". (See verse 12). The last three are "when your herds and flocks multiply," "when your silver and gold increase," and "all that you have is multiplied."
your herds and flocks
"your herds of cattle and flocks of sheep and goats"
multiply
increase greatly in number
all that you have is multiplied
"you have many more things" or "you have many more possessions"
Deuteronomy 8:14
Connecting Statement:
This verse contains the first two of three items Moses warns the people to be careful of (verse 11): that "your heart becomes lifted up" and "you forget Yahweh your God." It then lists the first of four characteristics of Yahweh that they need to remember, that Yahweh "brought you out of the land of Egypt."
your heart becomes lifted up
"you become prideful and no longer obey Yahweh".
who brought you out
Moses begins to remind the Israelites of what they know about Yahweh.
out of the house of bondage
"out from the place where you were slaves"
Deuteronomy 8:15
Connecting Statement:
This verse gives the second and third items in the list of characteristics that Moses reminds the Israelites they must remember about "Yahweh your God" (verse 14). The first is that he "brought you out of Egypt", the second that he led them "through the ... wilderness," and the third that he "brought ... water out of the rock."
General Information:
Moses continues to speak to the Israelites as if they are one person. He also continues to remind the Israelites of what they know about Yahweh (verse14).
who led ... who brought
"Yahweh, who led ... Yahweh, who brought"
fiery serpents
"poisonous snakes"
thirsty ground
"dry ground"
Deuteronomy 8:16
Connecting Statement:
This is the fourth item in the list of characteristics that Moses reminds the Israelites that they must remember about "Yahweh your God" (verse 14). The first is that he "brought you out of Egypt" , the second that he led them "through the ... wilderness" (verse 15), and the third is that he "brought ... water out of the rock" (verse 15).
He fed
"Yahweh fed"
to do you good
"to help you" or "because it would be good for you"
Deuteronomy 8:17
but you may say in your heart
"but you may think to yourself". This is the third thing the people might do when their hearts "become lifted up" and they "forget Yahweh" (verse 14).
My power and the might of my hand acquired all this wealth
"I got this wealth because I am so strong and powerful" or "I have acquired all these things by my own power and ability"
Deuteronomy 8:18
But you will call to mind
"But remember"
that he may establish
"in this way he establishes" or "in this way he is faithful to establish."
that he may
"so he can"
establish
cause to stand or to remain
as it is today
"as he is establishing his covenant now"
Deuteronomy 8:19
walk after other gods
"serve other gods". Walking refers to obeying.
against you ... you will
These instances of "you" are plural.
I testify against you
"I warn you" or "I tell you in front of witnesses"
you will surely perish
"you will certainly die"
Deuteronomy 8:20
before you ... you perish ... you would not ... your God
All these instances of "you" and "your" are plural.
before you
"in front of you"
would not listen to the voice of Yahweh
"would not obey Yahweh's commandments"
Chapter 9
1
Hear, Israel; you are about to cross over the Jordan today, to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than yourself, and cities that are great and fortified up to heaven,
2
a people great and tall, the sons of the Anakim, whom you know, and of whom you have heard people say, 'Who can stand before the sons of Anak?'
3
Know therefore today that Yahweh your God is he who goes over before you like a devouring fire; he will destroy them, and he will subdue them before you; so will you drive them out and make them to perish quickly, as Yahweh has said to you.
4
Do not say in your heart, after Yahweh your God has thrust them out from before you, 'It was because of my righteousness that Yahweh has brought me in to possess this land,' for it was because of the wickedness of these nations that Yahweh is driving them out from before you.
5
It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you are going in to possess their land, but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that your God is driving them out from before you, and so that he may make come true the word that he swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
6
Know therefore, that Yahweh your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people.
7
Remember and do not forget how you provoked Yahweh your God to anger in the wilderness; from the day that you left the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against Yahweh.
8
Also at Horeb you provoked Yahweh to anger, and Yahweh was angry enough with you to destroy you.
9
When I went up the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant that Yahweh made with you, I stayed on the mountain for forty days and forty nights; I neither ate bread nor drank water.
10
Yahweh gave to me the two tablets of stone written with his finger; on them was written everything just like all the words that Yahweh announced to you on the mountain out of the middle of the fire on the day of the assembly.
11
It happened at the end of those forty days and forty nights that Yahweh gave me the two tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant.
12
Yahweh said to me, 'Arise, go down quickly from here, for your people, whom you brought out of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have quickly turned aside out of the path that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a cast figure.'
13
Furthermore, Yahweh spoke to me and said, 'I have seen this people; they are a stubborn people.
14
Let me alone, so that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven, and I will make of you a nation mightier and greater than they.'
15
So I turned around and came down the mountain, and the mountain was burning. The two tablets of the covenant were in my hands.
16
I looked, and behold, you had sinned against Yahweh your God. You had molded for yourselves a calf. You had quickly turned aside out of the path that Yahweh had commanded you.
17
I took the two tablets and threw them out of my hands. I broke them before your eyes.
18
Again I lay facedown before Yahweh for forty days and forty nights; I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all your sin that you had committed, in doing that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, so as to provoke him to anger.
19
For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure with which Yahweh was angry enough against you to destroy you. But Yahweh listened to me that time also.
20
Yahweh was very angry with Aaron so as to destroy him; I prayed for Aaron also at the same time.
21
I took your sin, the calf that you had made, and burned it, beat it, and crushed it and ground it very small, until it was as fine as dust. I threw its dust into the stream that came down from the mountain.
22
At Taberah, at Massah, and at Kibroth Hattaavah, you provoked Yahweh to wrath.
23
When Yahweh sent you from Kadesh Barnea and said, 'Go up and take possession of the land that I have given you,' then you rebelled against the commandment of Yahweh your God, and you did not believe or listen to his voice.
24
You have been rebellious against Yahweh from the day that I knew you.
25
So I lay facedown before Yahweh those forty days and forty nights, because he had said that he would destroy you.
26
I prayed to Yahweh and said, 'O Lord Yahweh, do not destroy your people or your inheritance whom you have redeemed through your greatness, which you have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand.
27
Call to mind your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; do not look at the stubbornness of this people, nor at their wickedness, nor at their sin,
28
so that the land from where you brought us should say, "Because Yahweh was not able to bring them into the land that he promised to them, and because he hated them, he has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness."
29
Yet they are your people and your inheritance, whom you brought out by your great strength and by the display of your power.'
Deuteronomy 9:1
General Information:
Moses continues to speak to the Israelites as if they are one person. This chapter assures the Israelites that it is Yahweh who will empower them to conquer the Promised Land. The Israelites will not be strong enough on their own to conquer these other nations. The people did not earn this victory, but it is Yahweh's punishment of these sinful nations. He also reminds Israel of their sin. This serves as a warning to the people of Israel. If they sin again, Yahweh will punish them too.
Hear, Israel
"Listen, people of Israel"
to dispossess
"to take the land from"
fortified up to heaven
"have walls so high it is like they reach up to the heavens". This is an exaggeration that emphasizes how frightened the people were because the cities were so large and strong. See how you translated similar words here (and in the following verses) in Deuteronomy 1:28.
Deuteronomy 9:2
Who can stand before the sons of Anak?
"There is no one who can defend himself against the sons of Anak."
Deuteronomy 9:3
today
Moses is speaking of the days and weeks beginning on that day, not of the time since the sun had last set.
like a devouring fire
Yahweh is powerful and able to destroy the armies of the other nations.
subdue them before you
"make them weak so you can control them"
Deuteronomy 9:4
Do not say in your heart
"Do not think to yourselves"
has thrust them out
"has driven the other peoples out"
Deuteronomy 9:5
the uprightness of your heart
"because you always thought and desired the right things"
so that he may make come true the word
"so that he may fulfill the promise"
your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are the "ancestors" of whom Moses is speaking.
Deuteronomy 9:6
a stiff-necked people
"stubborn people" or "people who refuse to change"
Deuteronomy 9:7
Remember and do not forget
"Be careful to remember"
how you provoked Yahweh
Here "you" refers to the Israelites that are present with Moses and also the Israelites of the previous generation.
you came to this place, you have been rebellious
These instances of "you" are plural.
to this place
This refers to the Jordan River Valley.
Deuteronomy 9:9
General Information:
Moses is reminding the people of Israel what happened in the past.
the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant that Yahweh made with you
Here the second phrase clarifies that "the tablets of stone" are the ones on which God wrote the Ten Commandments.
forty days and forty nights
"40 days and 40 nights"
Deuteronomy 9:10
on them was written everything just like all the words that Yahweh announced to you
"Yahweh wrote on them the same words he had said to you"
Yahweh announced ... out of the middle of the fire
It was as if Yahweh were a person standing in the middle of a fire and speaking with a loud voice.
on the day of the assembly
"on the day when you Israelites all came and met together in one place"
Deuteronomy 9:12
General information
These verses refer to the "Golden Calf" that was made in Exodus 32:7-8.
your people ... have corrupted themselves
"your people ... are doing what is wrong."
They have quickly turned aside out of the path that I commanded them
"They have already disobeyed my commands"
Deuteronomy 9:14
blot out their name from under heaven
"make their name disappear completely" or "kill them all so no one will ever remember them." (See Deuteronomy 7:24).
Deuteronomy 9:16
behold
The word "behold" here shows that Moses was surprised by what he saw.
molded for yourselves a calf
The Israelites of the earlier generation had asked Aaron to make a metal calf so they could worship it.
You had quickly turned aside out of the path that Yahweh had commanded you
"You had quickly disobeyed what Yahweh had commanded you".
Deuteronomy 9:17
General Information:
Moses continues reminding the people of Israel about what happened in the past.
I broke them before your eyes
"I broke them right in front of you" or "I broke them where you could see them"
Deuteronomy 9:18
lay facedown
"lay with my face on the ground." This is a way of showing that Yahweh was great and Moses was not.
Deuteronomy 9:19
I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure with which Yahweh was angry enough against you to destroy you
"Yahweh was angry at you—he was extremely displeased with you—he was angry enough to destroy you, and so I was afraid of what he would do"
Deuteronomy 9:21
I took ... burned ... beat ... ground ... threw
"I had people take ... burn ... beat ... grind ... throw"
your sin, the calf that you had made
"the calf, which you sinfully made". Here the golden calf itself is referred to as their "sin."
Deuteronomy 9:22
Taberah ... Massah ... Kibroth Hattaavah
These are names of places that the people of Israel went through while they were in the wilderness.
Deuteronomy 9:23
Go up
They were on low land, and the land Yahweh had told them to take was in the hills, so they had to go uphill to get to it.
rebelled against the commandment
"rebelled against Yahweh; you did not obey the commandment"
listen to his voice
"obey what he said"
Deuteronomy 9:24
from the day that I knew you
"from the time I began to lead you." or "from the day that he knew you."
Deuteronomy 9:26
you have redeemed
"you have rescued". See Exodus 32 through 34.
through your greatness
"through your great power"
with a mighty hand
"with your mighty power"
Deuteronomy 9:27
General Information:
Moses continues praying to Yahweh so that he may not destroy the people of Israel.
Call to mind
"Remember"
Deuteronomy 9:28
so that the land from where you brought us
"so that the people of Egypt"
should say
"can say"
Deuteronomy 9:29
by your great strength and by the display of your power
These phrases emphasize the greatness of Yahweh's power that he used to rescue his people.
Chapter 10
1
At that time Yahweh said to me, 'Carve two tablets of stone like the first, and come up to me on the mountain, and make an ark of wood.
2
I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets that you broke, and you will put them in the ark.'
3
So I made an ark of acacia wood, and I carved two tablets of stone like the first, and I went up the mountain, having the two tablets in my hand.
4
He wrote on the tablets, like the first writing, the Ten Commandments which Yahweh had spoken to you on the mountain out of the middle of the fire on the day of the assembly; then Yahweh gave them to me.
5
I turned and came down from the mountain, and put the tablets in the ark that I had made; there they are, as Yahweh commanded me."
6
(The people of Israel journeyed from Beeroth Bene Jaakan to Moserah. There Aaron died, and there he was buried; Eleazar, his son, served in the priest's office in his place.
7
From there they journeyed to Gudgodah, and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land of streams of water.
8
At that time Yahweh chose the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, to stand before Yahweh to serve him, and to bless people in his name, as today.
9
Therefore Levi has no portion nor inheritance of land with his brothers; Yahweh is his inheritance, as Yahweh your God spoke to him.)
10
"I stayed on the mountain as at the first time, forty days and forty nights. Yahweh listened to me that time also; Yahweh did not wish to destroy you.
11
Yahweh said to me, 'Arise, go before the people to lead them on their journey; they will go in and possess the land that I swore to their ancestors to give to them.'
12
Now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God require of you, except to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, and to worship Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
13
to keep the commandments of Yahweh, and his statutes, which I am commanding you today for your own good?
14
Behold, to Yahweh your God belongs heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth, with all that is in them.
15
Only Yahweh took pleasure in your fathers so as to love them, and he chose you, their descendants, after them, more than any of the other peoples, as he does today.
16
Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and no longer stiffen your necks.
17
For Yahweh your God, he is God of gods and Lord of lords, the Great God, the Mighty One and the Fearsome One, who favors no one and takes no bribes.
18
He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and he shows love for the foreigner by giving him food and clothing.
19
Therefore love the foreigner; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
20
You will fear Yahweh your God; him will you worship. To him you must cling, and by his name will you swear.
21
He is your praise, and he is your God, who has done for you these great and fearsome things, which your eyes have seen.
22
Your fathers went down into Egypt as seventy persons; now Yahweh your God has made you as many as the stars of the heavens.
Deuteronomy 10:1
General Information:
Moses continues to remind the people of Israel about what happened in the past. This chapter focuses on retelling the great things Yahweh has done and is a continuation of the material from the previous chapter. It is possible that this is a type of sermon or homily, where Moses is giving the people instructions.
At that time
"After I finished praying"
the first
"the first two tablets". This refers to the first set of tablets that Moses had broken.
the mountain
This refers to Mount Sinai.
Deuteronomy 10:3
went up the mountain
"went up Mount Sinai"
Deuteronomy 10:4
out of the middle of the fire
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 9:10.
on the day of the assembly
"on the day when you Israelites all came and met together in one place"
Deuteronomy 10:5
I turned
Here "I" refers to Moses.
came down from the mountain
"came down from Mount Sinai"
in the ark
"in the box" or "in the chest"
Deuteronomy 10:6
General Information:
The writer continues the short account of where the Israelites had traveled.
Beeroth Bene Jaakan ... Moserah
These are names of different places the people of Israel went through while in the wilderness.
Beeroth Bene Jaakan
Translator may add a footnote: "The name 'Beeroth Bene Jaakan' means 'the wells that belonged to the sons of Jaakan' or 'the wells that belonged to the people of Jaakan.'"
there he was buried
"that is where they buried him" or "the Israelites buried him there"
Eleazar
This is the name of Aaron's son.
Deuteronomy 10:7
Gudgodah ... Jotbathah
These are names of different places the people of Israel went through while in the wilderness.
Deuteronomy 10:8
General Information:
The writer begins to explain why the tribe of Levi has no inheritance in the land.
to stand before Yahweh to serve him
"to offer the sacrifices that Yahweh requires"
in his name
"as representatives of Yahweh"
as today
"as they are doing today"
Deuteronomy 10:9
no portion nor inheritance of land
The tribe of Levi did not receive a portion of the promised land when they arrived there.
Yahweh is his inheritance
"Yahweh is what they will have" or "Yahweh will allow them to serve him and he will provide for them through that service"
Yahweh your God
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the word "your" here is singular.
spoke to him
"spoke to the tribe of Levi"
Deuteronomy 10:10
General Information:
Moses resumes reminding the people of Israel about what happened in the past.
as at the first time
"as I did the first time"
Deuteronomy 10:11
possess the land
"take the land" or "take possession of the land"
their ancestors
This refers to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
to give to them
"that I would give to you, their descendants."
Deuteronomy 10:12
Now, Israel
"Now, people of Israel"
what does Yahweh your God require of you, except to fear ... with all your soul
"Yahweh your God requires you to do no more than this: to fear ... with all your soul."
to walk in all his ways
"to obey all his commands"
with all your heart and with all your soul
See how you translated these two phrases in Deuteronomy 4:29.
Deuteronomy 10:13
to keep the commandments ... for your own good?
"Yahweh your God requires you to do no more than this: to fear ... with all your soul, to keep the commandments ... for your own good.". This question begins in verse 12.
Deuteronomy 10:14
Behold, to
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: to"
heaven ... earth
These words mean that all things everywhere belong to Yahweh.
the heaven of heavens
This refers to the highest places in the heavens. Everything in the heavens belong to God.
Deuteronomy 10:15
chose you
Here the word "you" refers to all the Israelites and is plural.
Deuteronomy 10:16
Therefore
"Because of this"
circumcise the foreskin of your heart
The word "foreskin" refers to the fold of skin on a man's private parts that is removed during circumcision. Here Moses is referring to a spiritual circumcision. This means the people must remove the sin from their lives.
no longer stiffen your necks
"stop being stubborn"
Deuteronomy 10:17
God of gods
"the supreme God" or "the only true God"
Lord of lords
"the supreme Lord" or "the greatest Lord"
the Fearsome One
"the one who causes people to fear,"
Deuteronomy 10:18
He executes justice for the fatherless
"Yahweh makes sure that people treat the fatherless justly"
widow
A true widow is a woman whose husband has died and has no children to care for her in her old age.
Deuteronomy 10:19
Therefore
"Because of this,"
Deuteronomy 10:20
General Information:
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
him will you worship
"he is the one you must worship"
To him you must cling
"You must rely on him" or "He is the one you must rely on"
by his name will you swear
"you will swear and ask Yahweh to confirm it" or "when you swear you will speak his name"
Deuteronomy 10:21
which your eyes have seen
"which you yourselves have seen"
He is your praise
"He is the one you must praise" or "It is because you worship him that other peoples will praise you"
Deuteronomy 10:22
General Information:
Moses continues to speak to the people of Israel as if they are one man, so "you" and "your" are singular.
went down into Egypt
"traveled south to Egypt" or "went to Egypt"
seventy persons
"70 persons"
as many as the stars of the heavens
"more than you can count"
Chapter 11
1
Therefore you will love Yahweh your God and always keep his instructions, his statutes, his decrees, and his commandments.
2
Notice that I am not speaking to your children, who have not known nor have they seen the punishment of Yahweh your God, his greatness, his mighty hand, or his outstretched arm,
3
the signs and deeds that he did in the midst of Egypt to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and to all his land.
4
Neither did they see what he did to the army of Egypt, to their horses, or to their chariots, how he made the water of the Sea of Reeds overwhelm them as they pursued after you, and how Yahweh has destroyed them until today,
5
or what he did for you in the wilderness until you came to this place.
6
They had not seen what Yahweh had done to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab son of Reuben, how the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, their households, their tents, and every living thing that followed them, in the middle of all Israel.
7
But your eyes have seen all the great works of Yahweh that he did.
8
Therefore keep all the commandments that I am commanding you today, that you may be strong, and go in and possess the land where you are going over to possess it,
9
and that you may prolong your days in the land that Yahweh swore to your fathers to give to them and to their descendants, a land flowing with milk and honey.
10
For the land, where you go in to possess it, is not like the land of Egypt, from where you came, where you sowed your seed and watered it with your foot, like a garden of herbs;
11
but the land, where you go over to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinks water of the rain of the heavens,
12
a land that Yahweh your God cares for; the eyes of Yahweh your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.
13
It will happen, if you will listen diligently to my commandments that I command you today, to love Yahweh your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,
14
that I will give the rain of your land in its season, the former rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil.
15
I will give grass in your fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be full.
16
Pay attention to yourselves so that your heart is not deceived, and you turn aside and worship other gods and bow down to them;
17
so that the anger of Yahweh is not kindled against you; and so that he does not shut up the heavens so that there will be no rain, and the land will not yield its fruit, and so that you perish quickly from off the good land that Yahweh is giving you.
18
Therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and soul, bind them as a sign on your hand, and let them be as frontlets between your eyes.
19
You will teach them to your children and talk about them when you sit in your house, when you walk on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up.
20
You will write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates,
21
that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that Yahweh swore to your ancestors to give them for as long as the heavens are above the earth.
22
For if you diligently keep all these commandments that I am commanding you, so as to do them, to love Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cling to him,
23
then Yahweh will drive out all these nations from before you, and you will dispossess nations larger and mightier than yourselves.
24
Every place where the sole of your foot will tread will be yours; from the wilderness to Lebanon, from the river, the Euphrates River, to the western sea will be your border.
25
No man will be able to stand before you. Yahweh your God will lay the fear of you and the terror of you upon all the land that you tread on, as he has said to you.
26
Look, I set before you today a blessing and a curse:
27
the blessing, if you obey the commandments of Yahweh your God that I command you today,
28
and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of Yahweh your God, but turn aside from the way that I command you today, to go after other gods that you have not known.
29
It will happen, when Yahweh your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, that you will set the blessing on Mount Gerizim, and the curse on Mount Ebal.
30
Are they not beyond the Jordan, west of the western road, in the land of the Canaanites who live in the Arabah, over against Gilgal, beside the oaks of Moreh?
31
For you are to cross over the Jordan to go in to possess the land that Yahweh your God is giving you, and you will possess it and live in it.
32
You will keep all the statutes and the decrees that I set before you today.
Deuteronomy 11:1
Therefore
This chapter begins with the word "therefore," which looks back to the instructions Moses gave in the previous two chapters. This chapter is included in the covenant God made with Moses, even though it is not explicitly said. The instruction that Moses gives and the retelling of the great things Yahweh has done for Israel are very important, because this generation entering into the Promised Land did not witness many of these events.
always keep
"always obey"
Deuteronomy 11:2
who have not known nor have they seen
"who have not experienced"
his mighty hand, or his outstretched arm
"or his mighty power". See how you translated these words in Deuteronomy 4:34.
Deuteronomy 11:3
in the midst of Egypt
"in Egypt"
to all his land
"to all his people"
Deuteronomy 11:4
Neither did they see what he did
"Neither did your children see what Yahweh did"
the army of Egypt
"the Egyptian soldiers"
they pursued after you
Here "you" means the Israelites who were alive about 40 years earlier.
Deuteronomy 11:5
to this place
This is the plain of the Jordan River Valley where Moses is speaking to them before they cross over into Canaan.
Deuteronomy 11:6
General Information:
Moses continues to remind the adults to teach their children God's mighty deeds.
Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab
Moses is referring to an event in the past when Dathan and Abiram rebelled against Moses and Aaron.
Dathan ... Abiram ... Eliab
These are names of men.
son of Reuben
"descendant of Reuben"
earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up
Yahweh causes the land to split open so that the people fell in.
every living thing that followed them
This refers to their servants and animals.
in the middle of all Israel
This means all the people of Israel witnessed what happened to Dathan, Abiram, their families, and their possessions.
Deuteronomy 11:7
But your eyes have seen
"But you have seen"
Deuteronomy 11:8
possess the land
"take the land"
where you are going over to possess it
The phrase "are going over" is used because the people of Israel will have to cross the Jordan River to enter into Canaan.
Deuteronomy 11:9
prolong your days
"be able to live a long time".
a land flowing with milk and honey
"a land where plenty of milk and honey flow" or "a land that is excellent for cattle and farming". See Deuteronomy 6:3.
Deuteronomy 11:10
watered it with your foot
"worked hard to water it". They would use their feet to turn a water wheel that supplied water to the fields.
garden of herbs
"vegetable garden" or "garden of vegetables"
Deuteronomy 11:11
drinks water of the rain of the heavens
"the rain from the sky gives it plenty of water"
Deuteronomy 11:12
the eyes of Yahweh your God are always upon it
"Yahweh your God is always watching over it"
from the beginning of the year to the end of the year
"continuously throughout the entire year"
Deuteronomy 11:13
It will happen, if
This means that what Yahweh promises will happen if the Israelites obey his commands.
that I command
Here "I" refers to Moses.
with all your heart and with all your soul
"with all your being" or "with all your energy". See Deuteronomy 4:29.
Deuteronomy 11:14
I will give the rain of your land in its season
"I will cause it to rain on your land in the proper season"
I will give
"Yahweh will give" or "He will give"
the former rain and the latter rain
"the autumn rain and spring rain" or "the rain in the right seasons"
Deuteronomy 11:16
Pay attention to yourselves
"Be careful" or "Beware"
so that your heart is not deceived
"so that your desires do not deceive you" or "so that you do not deceive yourself"
you turn aside and worship other gods
"you start worshiping other gods"
Deuteronomy 11:17
so that the anger of Yahweh is not kindled against you
"so that Yahweh does not become angry with you"
so that he does not shut up the heavens so that there will be no rain, and the land will not yield its fruit
"so that he does not cause the rain to stop falling from the sky so that crops will not grow in the land"
Deuteronomy 11:18
lay up these words of mine in your heart and soul
"be very careful to remember these words that I am saying to you"
these words of mine
"these commands that I have given you"
your heart and soul
Here "heart" and "soul" represent a person's mind or thoughts.
bind them
"tie these words." See Deuteronomy 6:8.
as a sign on your hand
"as something to make you remember my laws"
let them be as frontlets between your eyes
"let my words be as as frontlets between your eyes."
frontlets
ornaments a person wears on the forehead
Deuteronomy 11:19
when you sit in your house, when you walk on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up
Using the different places "in your house" and "on the road," and the opposites "when you lie down" and "get up,". These phrases represent anywhere, anytime.
Deuteronomy 11:20
You will write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates
See how you translated these words in Deuteronomy 6:9.
Deuteronomy 11:21
that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied
"that Yahweh may cause you and your children to live a long time"
to your ancestors
This refers to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
to give them for as long as the heavens are above the earth
"to give them as a possession forever" or "to allow them to live there forever"
Deuteronomy 11:22
For if you diligently keep all these commandments that I am commanding you, so as to do them
"For if you are careful to do everything that I have commanded you"
walk in all his ways
A person obeying Yahweh is spoken of as if he were walking on Yahweh's ways or roads.
to cling to him
"to rely on him" or "to have a good relationship with him". See Deuteronomy 10:20.
Deuteronomy 11:23
all these nations from before you, and you will dispossess nations
"all of these people groups from before you, and you will take the land from people groups". Here "nations" represent the people groups already living in Canaan.
larger and mightier than yourselves
Although Israel's army is smaller and weaker than the people groups living in Canaan, Yahweh will enable the people of Israel to defeat them.
Deuteronomy 11:24
Every place where the sole of your foot will tread
"Every place you go"
from the river, the Euphrates River
"from the Euphrates River"
Deuteronomy 11:25
No man will be able to stand before you
"No one will be able to stop you" or "No one will be able to oppose you"
Yahweh your God will lay the fear of you and the terror of you upon all the land that you tread on
"Yahweh your God will cause the people in every place you go to be very afraid of you"
the fear of you and the terror of you
"a terrible fear of you"
upon all the land that you tread on
"upon all the people in every place you go"
Deuteronomy 11:26
General Information:
Here Moses summarizes the two options the people of Israel could choose. They could choose to obey and receive God's blessing or they could choose to disobey and receive God's punishment.
Look
"Pay attention"
I set before you today a blessing and a curse
"Today you must choose whether God will bless you or curse you"
Deuteronomy 11:27
the blessing, if you obey
"God will bless you if you obey"
Deuteronomy 11:28
but turn aside from the way that I command you today, to go after other gods
"but stop obeying what I command you today, in order to worship other gods"
other gods that you have not known
This refers to the gods that other people groups worship. The Israelites know Yahweh because he has revealed himself to them and they have experienced his power.
Deuteronomy 11:29
you will set the blessing on Mount Gerizim, and the curse on Mount Ebal
"some of you must stand on top of Mount Gerazim and proclaim what will cause Yahweh to bless you, and the others must stand on top of Mount Ebal and proclaim what will cause Yahweh to curse you"
Mount Gerizim ... Mount Ebal
These are names of mountains on the west side of the Jordan River.
Deuteronomy 11:30
Are they not beyond the Jordan ... Moreh?
"As you know, they are beyond the Jordan ... Moreh.". The Israelites are on the eastern side of the Jordan River. Moses uses a question to remind the people where these mountains are located.
beyond the Jordan
"on the west side of the Jordan River"
west of the western road
"in the west"
over against Gilgal
"near Gilgal" This may not be the same place as the city near Jericho. Moses may be referring to a place that is near Shechem.
oaks of Moreh
These are sacred trees near Gilgal.
Deuteronomy 11:32
all the statutes and the decrees
These are the statutes and decrees Moses will give in Deuteronomy 12 through 26.
I set before you today
This does not mean these are new. Moses is reviewing the same statutes and decrees that he gave 40 years earlier.
I set before you
"I am giving to you"
Chapter 12
1
These are the statutes and the decrees that you will keep in the land that Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess, all the days that you live on the earth.
2
You will surely destroy all the places where the nations that you will dispossess worshiped their gods, on the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree.
3
You must break down their altars, dash in pieces their stone pillars, and burn their Asherah poles. You must cut down the carved figures of their gods and destroy their name out of that place.
4
You will not worship Yahweh your God like that.
5
But to the place where Yahweh your God chooses out of all your tribes to establish his name, that will be the place where he lives, and it is there that you will go.
6
It is there that you will bring your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, and the offerings presented by your hand, your offerings for vows, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks.
7
It is there that you will eat before Yahweh your God and rejoice about everything that you have put your hand to, you and your households, where Yahweh your God has blessed you.
8
You will not do all the things that we are doing here today; now everyone is doing whatever is right in his own eyes;
9
for you have not yet come to the rest, to the inheritance that Yahweh your God is giving you.
10
But when you go over the Jordan and live in the land that Yahweh your God is causing you to inherit, he will give you rest from all your enemies round about so that you live in safety.
11
Then to the place where Yahweh your God will choose to cause his name to live there—there you will bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, and the offerings presented by your hand, and all your choice offerings for vows that you will vow to Yahweh.
12
You will rejoice before Yahweh your God—you, your sons, your daughters, your male servants, your female servants, and the Levites who are within your gate, because he has no portion or inheritance among you.
13
Pay attention to yourself that you do not offer your burnt offerings at every place that you see;
14
but it is at the place that Yahweh will choose among one of your tribes that you will offer your burnt offerings, and there you will do everything that I command you.
15
However, you may kill and eat animals within all your gates, as you desire, receiving the blessing of Yahweh your God for all that he has given you; the unclean and the clean persons both may eat of it, animals such as the gazelle and the deer.
16
But you will not eat the blood; you will pour it out on the earth like water.
17
You must not eat within your gates from the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, or the firstborn of your herd or flock; and you must not eat any of the meat you sacrifice along with any of your vows that you make, nor that of your freewill offerings, nor that of the offering you present with your hand.
18
Instead, you will eat them before Yahweh your God in the place that Yahweh your God will choose—you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, and the Levite who is within your gates; you will rejoice before Yahweh your God about everything to which you put your hand.
19
Pay attention to yourself so that you do not abandon the Levite as long as you live on your land.
20
When Yahweh your God enlarges your borders, as he has promised you, and you say, 'I will eat flesh,' because of your desire to eat meat, you may eat meat, as your soul desires.
21
If the place where Yahweh your God chooses to establish his name is too far from you, then you will kill some of your herd and your flock that Yahweh has given you, as I have commanded you; you may eat within your gates, as your soul desires.
22
Like the gazelle and the deer are eaten, so you will eat of it; the unclean and the clean persons may eat of it alike.
23
Only be sure that you do not consume the blood, for the blood is the life; you will not eat the life with the meat.
24
You will not eat it; you will pour it out on the earth like water.
25
You will not eat it, so that it may go well with you, and with your children after you, when you will do what is right in the eyes of Yahweh.
26
But the things that belong to Yahweh that you have and the offerings for your vows—you will take these and go to the place that Yahweh chooses.
27
There you will offer your burnt offerings, the meat and the blood, on the altar of Yahweh your God; the blood of your sacrifices will be poured out on the altar of Yahweh your God, and you will eat the flesh.
28
Observe and listen to all these words that I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the eyes of Yahweh your God.
29
When Yahweh your God cuts off the nations from before you, when you go in to dispossess them, and you dispossess them, and live in their land,
30
pay attention to yourself that you are not trapped into following them, after they are destroyed from before you—trapped into investigating their gods, into asking, 'How do these nations worship their gods? I will do the same.'
31
You must not worship Yahweh your God in that way, for everything that is an abomination to Yahweh, things that he hates—they have done these with their gods; they even burn their sons and their daughters in fire for their gods.
32
Whatever I command you, observe it. Do not add to it or take away from it.
Deuteronomy 12:1
General Information:
This chapter is a continuation of the covenant Yahweh made with Moses. In the ancient Near East, when nations conquered other nations, they often added the gods of the conquered nation into their collection of gods they worshiped. It was rare to worship only one God. Israel was to be known for worshiping Yahweh and Yahweh alone. The reasons for these food restrictions are not always known.
you will keep
"you must obey"
all the days that you live on the earth
"for as long as you live"
Deuteronomy 12:2
You will surely destroy
"You must destroy"
the nations that you will dispossess
"the people groups whose land you will take". Here "nations" represents the people groups that live in Canaan.
Deuteronomy 12:3
You must break down their altars
"you must destroy the altars of those nations"
dash in pieces
"break into pieces" or "shatter"
destroy their name
"destroy them so completely that no one will remember them" or "destroy anything that represents these false gods"
that place
This refers to each place where the nations worshiped their gods.
Deuteronomy 12:4
You will not worship Yahweh your God like that
"You should not worship Yahweh your God like those nations worshiped their gods."
Deuteronomy 12:5
to establish his name
"to have his people build the place where they will worship him"
it is there that you will go
They will go to worship where God decides.
Deuteronomy 12:6
the offerings presented by your hand
"the offerings that you present"
your offerings for vows, your freewill offerings
"your offerings to fulfill a vow, your voluntary offerings."
the firstborn of your herds and flocks
God requires that the people give him every firstborn male of their livestock.
Deuteronomy 12:7
It is there
This refers to the place that Yahweh will choose for the children of Israel to worship.
rejoice about everything that you have put your hand to
"rejoice about all the work you have done"
Deuteronomy 12:8
You will not do all the things that we are doing here today
"You will not do as we are doing here today."
now everyone is doing whatever is right in his own eyes
"everyone is doing what he considers to be right" or "now everyone is doing what he judges to be right"
Deuteronomy 12:9
to the rest
"to the land where you will rest"
to the inheritance that Yahweh your God is giving you
"to the land that Yahweh your God is giving to you as a permanent possession"
Deuteronomy 12:10
live in the land
This refers to the land of Canaan.
in the land that Yahweh your God is causing you to inherit
God giving the land of Canaan to the people of Israel is spoken of as if he were a father giving an inheritance to his children.
he will give you rest from all your enemies round about
"he will give you peace from all your enemies around you"
Deuteronomy 12:11
the offerings presented by your hand
"the offerings that you present"
all your choice offerings for vows
"all your voluntary offerings to fulfill vows"
Deuteronomy 12:12
rejoice before Yahweh
"rejoice in the presence of Yahweh"
the Levites who are within your gate
"the Levites who live inside your city"
because he has no portion or inheritance among you
The fact that Yahweh would not give any of the land to the Levites is spoken of as if a father were not giving them an inheritance.
he has no portion
"they have no portion". Here "he" refers to Levi. Levi represents all of his descendants.
Deuteronomy 12:13
Pay attention to yourself
"Be careful"
every place that you see
"any place that pleases you" or "wherever you want"
Deuteronomy 12:14
but it is at the place that Yahweh will choose
The burnt offerings are to be made at the tabernacle, which Yahweh himself would choose the location.
Deuteronomy 12:15
However, you may kill and eat animals within all your gates
The people could only kill animals as sacrifices in the place that Yahweh would choose. They could kill animals for food anywhere they wanted.
within all your gates
"inside your city" or "at your homes"
the unclean ... persons
A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
the clean persons
A person who is acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically clean.
the gazelle and the deer
"the antelope and the deer"
Deuteronomy 12:16
But you will not eat the blood
The blood represents life and God did not allow the people to eat the blood along with the meat.
Deuteronomy 12:17
General Information:
Moses describes to the people all the special offerings and sacrifices that are to be made at the tabernacle.
nor that of the offering you present with your hand
"nor that of any offering which you bring to Yahweh"
Deuteronomy 12:18
you will eat them
"you will eat your offerings"
before Yahweh
"in the presence of Yahweh
the Levite who is within your gates
"any Levite who lives inside your city"
everything to which you put your hand
"rejoice about all the work you do"
Deuteronomy 12:19
Pay attention to yourself
"Be careful about yourself"
that you do not abandon the Levite
"that you take good care of the Levite"
Deuteronomy 12:20
enlarges your borders
"enlarges your territory" or "gives you even more land"
you say, 'I will eat flesh,' because of your desire to eat meat
"and you decide that you want to eat meat"
as your soul desires
"as you want" or "as you crave"
Deuteronomy 12:21
to establish his name
"to have his people build the place where they will worship him"
as your soul desires
"as you desire"
Deuteronomy 12:22
Like the gazelle and the deer are eaten
"Just like you eat the gazelle and the deer"
the unclean ... persons
A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
the clean persons
A person who is acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically clean.
Deuteronomy 12:23
the blood is the life
"the blood sustains life" or "the blood causes animals and people to live"
you will not eat the life with the meat
"You will not eat what sustains life with the meat" or "you will not eat the blood, which sustains life, with the meat"
Deuteronomy 12:25
what is right in the eyes of Yahweh
"what is right in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considers to be right"
Deuteronomy 12:27
the blood of your sacrifices will be poured out
"the priest will pour out the blood of the sacrifice"
you will eat the flesh
"you will eat some of the meat". God's law specifies which parts of the animal are for the burnt offering, which parts are for the priest and which parts are for the person making the offer to eat.
Deuteronomy 12:28
Observe and listen to all these words that I command you
"Carefully listen to and obey everything that I am commanding you"
that it may go well with you and with your children after you
"that you and your descendants may prosper"
what is good and right in the eyes of Yahweh
"what is good and right in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considers to be good and right"
Deuteronomy 12:29
cuts off the nations
Yahweh destroying the people groups in Canaan is spoken of as if he were cutting them off, as one would cut a branch from a tree.
when you go in to dispossess them, and you dispossess them
"when you take everything from them"
Deuteronomy 12:30
pay attention to yourself
"be careful"
that you are not trapped into following them ... trapped into investigating their gods, into asking
"that you do not act like them ... that you do try to learn about their gods, asking"
not trapped into following them
The Israelites worshiping idols as the people groups of Canaan worship idols is spoken of as if the Israelites were following behind the other people groups.
after they are destroyed from before you
"after Yahweh destroys them before you"
into asking, 'How do these nations worship their gods? I will do the same.'
"into asking about how those people groups worship their gods so that you can do the same."
Deuteronomy 12:32
Do not add to it or take away from it
They are not to create more laws nor ignore laws that God has given them.
Chapter 13
1
If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and if he gives you a sign or a wonder,
2
and if the sign or the wonder comes about, of which he spoke to you and said, 'Let us go after other gods, that you have not known, and let us worship them,'
3
do not listen to the words of that prophet, or to that dreamer of dreams; for Yahweh your God is testing you to know whether you love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
4
You will walk after Yahweh your God, honor him, keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and you will worship him and cling to him.
5
That prophet or that dreamer of dreams will be put to death, because he has spoken rebellion against Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and who redeemed you out of the house of bondage. That prophet wants to draw you out of the way in which Yahweh your God commanded you to walk. So completely remove the evil from among you.
6
Suppose that your brother, the son of your mother, or your son, or your daughter, or the wife of your bosom, or your friend who is to you like your own soul, secretly entices you and says, 'Let us go and worship other gods' which you have not known, neither you nor your ancestors—
7
any of the gods of the peoples that are round about you, near to you or far off from you, from the one end of the earth to the other end of the earth.'
8
You must not give in to him or listen to him, and you must not permit your eye to pity him, and you must not spare him or conceal him.
9
Instead, you will surely kill him; your hand will be the first on him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.
10
You will stone him to death with stones, because he has tried to draw you away from Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
11
All Israel will hear and fear, and will not continue to do this kind of wickedness among you.
12
If you hear anyone say about one of your cities, that Yahweh your God gives you to live in:
13
Some wicked fellows have gone out from among you and have drawn away the inhabitants of their city and said, 'Let us go and worship other gods that you have not known.'
14
Then you will examine the evidence, make search, and investigate it thoroughly. When you discover that it is true and certain that such an abominable thing has been done among you, then you will take action.
15
You will surely attack the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, completely destroy it and all the people who are in it, along with its livestock, with the edge of the sword.
16
You will gather all the spoil from it into the middle of its street and will burn the city, as well as all its booty, as a burnt offering for Yahweh your God. The city will be a heap of ruins forever; it must never be built again.
17
None of those things set apart for destruction must stick in your hand. This must be the case, so that Yahweh will turn from the burning of his anger, show you mercy, have compassion on you, and make you increase in numbers, as he has sworn to your fathers.
18
He will do this because you are listening to the voice of Yahweh your God, to keep all his commandments that I am commanding you today, to do that which is right in the eyes of Yahweh your God.
Deuteronomy 13:1
General Information:
Moses continues speaking to the people of Israel, who were required to listen to Yahweh's prophets unless they were encouraging the people to worship other gods. The punishment for anyone leading the people to worship other gods was death. These instructions were to keep Israel's worship of Yahweh pure.
If there arises among you
"If there appears among you" or "If someone among you claims to be"
a dreamer of dreams
This is someone who receives messages from God through dreams.
a sign or a wonder
These two words refer to various miracles.
Deuteronomy 13:2
comes about
"takes place" or "happens"
of which he spoke to you and said, 'Let us go after other gods, that you have not known, and let us worship them,'
"and he tells you to serve and worship other gods which you have not known,"
Let us go after other gods
"Let us follow other gods"
go after other gods, that you have not known
The phrase "gods, that you have not known" refers to the gods that other people groups worship. The Israelites know Yahweh because he has revealed himself to them and they have experienced his power.
Deuteronomy 13:3
do not listen to the words of that prophet, or to that dreamer of dreams
"do not listen to what that prophet say nor to what the dreamer of dreams says"
with all your heart and with all your soul
These two phrases are used together to mean "completely" or "earnestly." See Deuteronomy 4:29.
Deuteronomy 13:4
You will walk after Yahweh your God
"You will obey Yahweh"
obey his voice
"obey what he says"
cling to him
"rely on him".
Deuteronomy 13:5
will be put to death
"you must kill"
he has spoken rebellion
"he has tried to make you rebel"
who redeemed you out of the house of bondage
"who rescued you out of the place where you were slaves"
the house of bondage
"Egypt where you were slaves". Here "house of bondage" represents Egypt where the people of Yahweh had been slaves.
draw you out of the way in which Yahweh your God commanded you to walk
"make you disobey what Yahweh your God commanded"
So completely remove the evil from among you
"So you must remove from among the people of Israel the person who does this evil thing" or "So you must kill this evil person"
Deuteronomy 13:6
wife of your bosom
"wife you love" or "wife you dearly embrace"
bosom
chest, shoulders, and arms
your friend who is to you like your own soul
"your dearest friend" or "a friend you love as much as you love yourself"
secretly entices you and says, 'Let us go and worship other gods' which you have not known
"secretly entices you to go and worship other gods which you have not known". The words "Let us go and worship other gods" are a direct quote. The words "which you have not known" describe the other gods, but they are not part of the quote. In some languages, it might be more natural to use an indirect quote.
Deuteronomy 13:7
that are round about you
"that are around you." These words describe the peoples.
from the one end of the earth to the other end of the earth
"everywhere on earth." or "throughout the entire earth."
Deuteronomy 13:8
You must not give in to him
"Do not agree to what he wants"
you must not permit your eye to pity him
"you must not look at him with pity" or "you must not show him mercy"
you must not spare him or conceal him
"you must not show him mercy or hide from others what he has done"
Deuteronomy 13:9
your hand will be the first on him to put him to death
"you must be the first to strike him to kill him". This means that he was to throw the first stone at the guilty person.
the hand of all the people
"the other people will join you"
Deuteronomy 13:10
he has tried to draw you away from Yahweh
"to turn you away from Yahweh," or "he has tried to make you disobey Yahweh,"
out of the house of bondage
"out from the place where you were slaves"
Deuteronomy 13:11
All Israel will hear and fear
It is implied that when the people hear about the person who was executed, they will be afraid to act like he did.
Deuteronomy 13:13
Some wicked fellows have gone out from among you
The phrase "from among you" means that these wicked men were Israelites who lived in their communities.
have drawn away the inhabitants of their city and said, 'Let us go and worship other gods that you have not known.'
"have persuaded those who live in their city to go and worship other gods that they have not known."
have drawn away the inhabitants of their city
A person causing someone else to stop obeying Yahweh is spoken of as if the person has caused the other person to physically turn and leave Yahweh.
Deuteronomy 13:14
examine the evidence, make search, and investigate it thoroughly
Moses is emphasizing that they must carefully find out what truly happened at the city.
that such an abominable thing has been done among you
"that the people of the city have done such a terrible thing"
Deuteronomy 13:15
with the edge of the sword
"with your swords"
Deuteronomy 13:16
all the spoil
"all the plunder." This refers to the things that an army collects after winning a battle.
heap of ruins
"pile of ruins"
it must never be built again
"no one must ever rebuild the city"
Deuteronomy 13:17
None of those things set apart for destruction must stick in your hand
"You must not keep any of the things God has commanded you to destroy". Yahweh cursing something and promising to destroy it is spoken of as if Yahweh were setting the object apart from other things.
must stick in your hand
"must you keep"
Yahweh will turn from the burning of his anger
"Yahweh will stop being angry"
to your fathers
Here "fathers" means ancestors or forefathers.
Deuteronomy 13:18
you are listening to the voice of Yahweh
"you are obeying what Yahweh says"
that which is right in the eyes of Yahweh your God
"that which is right in Yahweh's judgment" or "that which Yahweh your God considers to be right"
Chapter 14
1
You are the people of Yahweh your God. Do not cut yourselves, nor shave any part of your face for the dead.
2
For you are a nation that is set apart to Yahweh your God, and Yahweh has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, more than all peoples that are on the surface of the earth.
3
You must not eat any abominable thing.
4
These are the animals that you may eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,
5
the deer, the gazelle, the roebuck, the wild goat, and ibex, and the antelope, and the mountain sheep.
6
You may eat any animals that parts the hoof, that is, that has the hoof divided in two, and that chews the cud.
7
Nevertheless, you must not eat some animals that chew the cud or that have the hoof divided in two: the camel, the rabbit, and the rock badger; because they chew the cud but do not part the hoof, they are unclean to you.
8
The pig is unclean to you as well because he parts the hoof but does not chew the cud; he is unclean to you. Do not eat pig meat, and do not touch their carcasses.
9
Of these things that are in water you may eat: whatever has fins and scales;
10
but whatever has no fins and scales you must not eat; they are unclean to you.
11
All clean birds you may eat.
12
But these are the birds that you must not eat: the eagle, the vulture, the osprey,
13
the red kite and black kite, any kind of falcon.
14
You must not eat any kind of raven,
15
and the ostrich, and the night hawk, the sea gull, any kind of hawk,
16
the little owl, the great owl, the white owl,
17
the pelican, the osprey, the cormorant.
18
You must not eat the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat.
19
All winged, swarming things are unclean to you; they must not be eaten.
20
You may eat all clean flying things.
21
You must not eat of anything that dies of itself; you may give it to the foreigner who is within your gates, that he may eat it; or you may sell it to a foreigner. For you are a nation that is set apart to Yahweh your God. You must not boil a young goat in its mother's milk.
22
You must surely tithe all the yield of your seed, that which comes out from the field year after year.
23
You must eat before Yahweh your God, in the place where he will choose to make a dwelling for his name, the tithe of your grain, of your new wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock; that you may learn to always honor Yahweh your God.
24
If the journey is too long for you so that you are not able to carry it, because the place where Yahweh your God will choose to establish his name is too far from you, then, when Yahweh God blesses you,
25
you will convert the offering into money, tie up the money in your hand, and go to the place that Yahweh your God will choose.
26
There you will spend the money for whatever you desire: cattle, sheep, wine or strong drink, or for whatever you desire. Then you will eat there before Yahweh your God and rejoice, you and your household.
27
The Levite who is within your gates—do not abandon him, for he has no portion nor inheritance with you.
28
At the end of every three years you will present all the tithe of your produce in the same year, and you will store it up within your gates;
29
and the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the foreigner, and the fatherless, and the widow who are within your gates, will come and eat and be satisfied. Do this so that Yahweh your God may bless you in all the work of your hand that you do.
Deuteronomy 14:1
General Information:
This chapter is part of the law of Moses, which is part of the covenant Yahweh made with Moses. The people were not allowed to eat the unclean animals. Scholars are uncertain about the reasons for the animals to be considered to be clean or unclean. The result of these food restrictions was a nation that was different than the nations surrounding it.
You are the people
"We are the people"
Do not cut yourselves, nor shave any part of your face for the dead
These were ways the people groups living in Canaan showed that they were grieving over people who had died. Moses is telling the people of Israel not to act like them.
nor shave any part of your face
"nor shave the front of your head"
Deuteronomy 14:2
you are a nation ... has chosen you
"we are a nation ... has chosen us"
For you are a nation ... surface of the earth
See how you translated these words in Deuteronomy 7:6.
you are a nation that is set apart to Yahweh your God
"Yahweh your God has set you apart from other nations"
Yahweh has chosen you to be a people for his own possession
This means that the people of Israel belong to Yahweh in a special way.
a people for his own possession
"a people for his treasured possession" or "his people"
more than all peoples that are on the surface of the earth
"out of all the people groups in the world"
Deuteronomy 14:3
You must not eat any abominable thing
The people of Israel were told not to eat anything that God said was unfit for eating.
Deuteronomy 14:5
the deer, the gazelle, the roebuck
"all kinds of deer."
the gazelle
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 12:15.
ibex, and the antelope
"all kinds of antelope."
Deuteronomy 14:6
that parts the hoof
"that have split hooves."
chews the cud
This means the animal brings its food up from its stomach and chews it again.
Deuteronomy 14:7
rabbit
This is a small animal with long ears that usually lives in holes in the ground.
rock badger
This is a small animal that lives in rocky places.
they are unclean to you
Something Yahweh says is unfit for his people to eat is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
Deuteronomy 14:8
The pig is unclean to you
Yahweh says this is unfit for his people to eat.
Deuteronomy 14:9
Of these things that are in water you may eat
"You may eat these kinds of animals that live in the water"
fins
the thin, flat part which the fish uses to move through the water
scales
the small plates that cover the body of the fish
Deuteronomy 14:11
All clean birds
An animal that God says is fit for his people to eat is spoken of as if the animal were physically clean.
Deuteronomy 14:12
eagle ... vulture ... osprey
These are birds that are either awake at night or feed on small animals and dead animals.
Deuteronomy 14:13
red kite ... black kite ... falcon
These are birds that are either awake at night or feed on small animals and dead animals.
Deuteronomy 14:14
raven
A bird that either is awake at night or feeds on small animals and dead animals.
Deuteronomy 14:17
cormorant
A bird that is either awake at night or feeds on small animals and dead animals.
Deuteronomy 14:18
stork ... heron, the hoopoe
These are types of birds that eat small animals and lizards.
the bat
animal with wings and furry body which is awake mainly at night and eats insects and rodents
Deuteronomy 14:19
All winged, swarming things
This means all flying insects that move in large groups.
they must not be eaten
"you must not eat them"
Deuteronomy 14:20
all clean flying things
Animals that God says are fit for his people to eat.
Deuteronomy 14:21
anything that dies of itself
This means an animal that dies a natural death.
is within your gates
"lives in your towns"
For you are a nation that is set apart to Yahweh your God
"For Yahweh your God has set you apart from other nations"
Deuteronomy 14:22
tithe all the yield of your seed
This means they are to give one part out of ten parts from their crops.
year after year
"every year"
Deuteronomy 14:23
before Yahweh
"in the presence of Yahweh"
make a dwelling for his name
"have his people build the place where they will worship him". Yahweh will choose one location where he will live and people will come to worship him there.
Deuteronomy 14:24
carry it
Here "it" refers to the tithe of crops and livestock.
to establish his name
"to have his people build the place where they will worship him". See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 12:5.
Deuteronomy 14:25
you will convert the offering into money
"you will sell your offering for money,"
tie up the money in your hand, and go
"put the money in a bag and take it with you"
Deuteronomy 14:26
for whatever you desire
"for whatever you want:"
before Yahweh
"in the presence of Yahweh"
Deuteronomy 14:27
do not abandon him
"make sure to take care of him"
for he has no portion nor inheritance with you
The tribe of Levi did not receive a portion of land as their inheritance. Their share of the inheritance was the honor of serving Yahweh as his priests.
Deuteronomy 14:28
every three years you will present all the tithe of your produce
Once every 3 years the Israelites were to store their tithes within their own towns so that it would be used to provide for the Levites, orphans, widows and foreigners.
Deuteronomy 14:29
fatherless
These are children whose parents have both died and do not have relatives to care for them.
widow
This is a woman whose husband has died and has no children to care for her in her old age.
in all the work of your hand that you do
"in all the work you do"
Chapter 15
1
At the end of every seven years, you must cancel debts.
2
This is the manner of the release: Every creditor will cancel that which he has lent to his neighbor; he will not demand it from his neighbor or his brother because Yahweh's cancellation of debts has been proclaimed.
3
From a foreigner you may demand it; but whatever of yours is with your brother your hand must release.
4
However, there should be no poor among you (for Yahweh will surely bless you in the land that he gives you as an inheritance to possess),
5
if only you diligently listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, to keep all these commandments that I am commanding you today.
6
For Yahweh your God will bless you, as he promised you; you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you.
7
If there is a poor man among you, one of your brothers, within any of your gates in your land that Yahweh your God is giving you, you must not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother;
8
but you must surely open your hand to him and surely lend him sufficient for his need.
9
Be careful not to have a wicked thought in your heart, saying, 'The seventh year, the year of release, is near,' so that you will not be stingy in regard to your poor brother and give him nothing; he might cry out to Yahweh about you, and it would be sin for you.
10
You must surely give to him, and your heart must not be sorry when you give to him, because in return for this Yahweh your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you put your hand to.
11
For the poor will never cease to exist in the land; therefore I command you and say, 'You must surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor in your land.'
12
If your brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you and serves you for six years, then in the seventh year you must let him go free from you.
13
When you let him go free from you, you must not let him go empty-handed.
14
You must liberally provide for him out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your winepress. As Yahweh your God has blessed you, you must give to him.
15
You must remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and that Yahweh your God redeemed you; therefore I am commanding you today to do this.
16
It will happen that if he says to you, 'I will not go away from you,' because he loves you and your house, and because he is well off with you,
17
then you must take an awl and thrust it through his ear to a door, and he will be your servant for life. You must do the same with your female servant.
18
It must not seem difficult for you to let him go free from you, because he has served you for six years and given twice the value of a hired person. Yahweh your God will bless you in all that you do.
19
All the firstborn males in your herd and your flock you must set apart to Yahweh your God. You will do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock.
20
You must eat the firstborn before Yahweh your God year by year in the place that Yahweh will choose, you and your household.
21
If it has any blemish—for example, if it is lame or blind, or has any blemish whatever—you must not sacrifice it to Yahweh your God.
22
You will eat it within your gates; the unclean and the clean persons alike must eat it, as you would eat a gazelle or a deer.
23
Only you must not eat its blood; you must pour its blood out on the ground like water.
Deuteronomy 15:1
General Information:
This chapter gives instructions about the necessity to regularly forgive debt among their fellow countryman, preventing people from being trapped by their poverty. As Yahweh's chosen nation, there must be justice in Israel. This chapter gives commands that encouraged justice by protecting the poor, servants and slaves.
seven years
"7 years"
you must cancel debts
"forgive every thing which people still owe you"
Deuteronomy 15:2
This is the manner of the release
"This is how to cancel the debts"
creditor
a person who lends money to other people
his neighbor or his brother
"his fellow Israelite". The words "neighbor" and "brother" emphasize the close relationship that they have with each other.
because Yahweh's cancellation of debts has been proclaimed
"because Yahweh has required that you cancel debts"
Deuteronomy 15:3
your hand must release
"you must not demand it back" or "you must not require repayment"
Deuteronomy 15:4
no poor
"no poor people" or "no one who is poor"
the land that he gives
This refers to the land of Canaan.
he gives you as an inheritance to possess
The land that Yahweh is giving to his people is spoken of as if it were an inheritance from Yahweh.
Deuteronomy 15:5
if only you diligently listen to the voice of Yahweh your God
"if only you are careful to obey what Yahweh your God says"
Deuteronomy 15:6
you will lend ... you will not borrow
"you will lend money ... you will not borrow money"
to many nations ... over many nations
"to the people of many nations ... over the people of many nations"
you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you
This means to be financially superior and basically means the same thing as the previous part of the sentence.
Deuteronomy 15:7
If there is a poor man
"If there is a poor person"
one of your brothers
"one of your fellow Israelites"
within any of your gates
"within any of your towns"
you must not harden your heart
"you must not be stubborn"
nor shut your hand from your poor brother
"nor refuse to help your fellow Israelite who is poor"
Deuteronomy 15:8
but you must surely open your hand to him
"but you must surely help him"
Deuteronomy 15:9
not to have a wicked thought in your heart, saying
"not to think a wicked thought"
The seventh year, the year of release, is near
It is implied that because the year of release will happen soon, the person thinking this will be reluctant to help a poor person since it is likely that the poor person will not have to pay him back.
the year of release, is near
"the year to cancel debts, will happen soon"
so that you will not be stingy in regard to your poor brother and give him nothing
"so that you are not stubborn and refuse to give anything to your fellow Israelite"
cry out to Yahweh
"shout to Yahweh for help"
it would be sin for you
"Yahweh will consider what you have done to be sinful"
Deuteronomy 15:10
your heart must not be sorry
"you should not regret it" or "you should be happy"
in all that you put your hand to
"in all that you do"
Deuteronomy 15:11
For the poor will never cease to exist in the land
"For there will always be poor people in the land"
I command you and say, 'You must surely open your hand ... in your land.'
"I command you to open your hand ... in your land"
open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor
"help your fellow Israelite, those who are needy, and those who are poor"
your brother, to your needy, and to your poor
"help your fellow Israelites who cannot help themselves"
Deuteronomy 15:12
If your brother
"If a fellow Israelite" or "If a fellow Hebrew"
is sold to you
"sell themselves to you". If a person could not repay their debts, they sometimes sold themselves into slavery to pay what they owed.
six years
"6 years"
Deuteronomy 15:13
you must not let him go empty-handed
"you must not let him leave without having anything to provide for himself and his family"
Deuteronomy 15:14
liberally provide for him
"generously give to him". Abundance is implied.
Deuteronomy 15:15
remember that you were a slave
"remember that your people were once slaves"
that Yahweh your God redeemed you
Yahweh rescuing the people of Israel from being slaves in Egypt is spoken of as if Yahweh paid money to redeem his people from slavery.
Deuteronomy 15:16
if he says to you, 'I will not go away from you,'
"if he says to you that he will not go away from you,"
your house
Here "house" represents the person's family.
Deuteronomy 15:17
then you must take an awl and thrust it through his ear to a door
"then you will place his head near a wooden door frame in your house, and then put the point of the awl through his earlobe into the wood"
awl
a sharp, pointed tool used to make a hole
for life
"until he dies"
Deuteronomy 15:18
It must not seem difficult for you to let him go free from you
"Be pleased when you let him go free"
given twice the value of a hired person
This means the owner only had to pay half the amount for this slave to work than he would for a person he hired.
a hired person
This is a person who works for pay.
Deuteronomy 15:19
shear
to cut off wool or hair
Deuteronomy 15:20
before Yahweh
"in the presence of Yahweh your God"
year by year
"each year" or "every year"
Deuteronomy 15:21
lame
physically disabled
Deuteronomy 15:22
within your gates
"within your community" or "inside your city"
the unclean ... persons
A person who is not acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
the clean persons
A person who is acceptable for God's purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically clean.
a gazelle or a deer
See how you translated these in Deuteronomy 12:15.
Deuteronomy 15:23
you must not eat its blood
"you must not consume its blood." Yahweh did not allow Israelites to consume blood because it represented life.
Chapter 16
1
Observe the month of Aviv, and keep the Passover to Yahweh your God, for in the month of Aviv Yahweh your God brought you out of Egypt by night.
2
You will sacrifice the Passover to Yahweh your God with some of the flock and the herd in the place where Yahweh will choose to make a dwelling for his name.
3
You will eat no leavened bread with it; seven days will you eat unleavened bread with it, the bread of affliction; for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste. Do this all the days of your life so that you may call to mind the day when you came out of the land of Egypt.
4
No yeast must be seen among you within all your borders during seven days; nor must any of the meat that you sacrifice in the evening on the first day remain until the morning.
5
You must not sacrifice the Passover within any of your city gates that Yahweh your God is giving you.
6
Instead, sacrifice at the place where Yahweh your God will choose to make a dwelling for his name. There you will perform the sacrifice of the Passover in the evening at the going down of the sun, at the time of year that you came out of Egypt.
7
You must roast it and eat it at the place that Yahweh your God will choose; in the morning you will turn and go to your tents.
8
For six days you will eat unleavened bread; on the seventh day there will be a solemn assembly for Yahweh your God; on that day you must do no work.
9
You will count seven weeks for yourselves; from the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain you must start counting seven weeks.
10
You must keep the Festival of Weeks for Yahweh your God with the tribute of a freewill offering from your hand that you will give, according as Yahweh your God has blessed you.
11
You will rejoice before Yahweh your God—you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, the Levite who is within your city gates, and the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow who are among you, at the place where Yahweh your God will choose to make a dwelling for his name.
12
You will call to mind that you were a slave in Egypt; you must observe and do these statutes.
13
You must keep the Festival of Shelters for seven days after you have gathered in the harvest from your threshing floor and from your winepress.
14
You will rejoice during your festival—you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, the Levite, and the foreigner, and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates.
15
For seven days you must observe the festival for Yahweh your God at the place that Yahweh will choose, because Yahweh your God will bless you in all your harvest and all the work of your hands, and you must be completely joyful.
16
Three times in a year all your males must appear before Yahweh your God at the place that he will choose: at the Festival of Unleavened Bread, at the Festival of Weeks, and at the Festival of Shelters. No one will appear before Yahweh empty-handed.
17
Rather, every man will bring a gift as he is able, that you might know the blessing that Yahweh your God has given to you.
18
You must make judges and officers within all your city gates that Yahweh your God is giving you; they will be taken from each of your tribes, and they must judge the people with righteous judgment.
19
You must not take justice away by force; you must not show partiality nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.
20
You must follow after justice, after justice alone, so that you may live and inherit the land that Yahweh your God is giving you.
21
You must not set up for yourselves an Asherah, any sort of pole, beside the altar of Yahweh your God that you will make for yourself.
22
Neither must you set up for yourself any sacred stone pillar, which Yahweh your God hates.
Deuteronomy 16:1
General Information:
This chapter retells the specific commands about how to celebrate the Passover; recalling the Passover in Egypt, which was an important event in the formation of the nation of Israel. There are several other important festivals described in this chapter. As Yahweh's chosen nation, there must be justice in Israel. Also, Yahweh must be the only God in Israel. He alone is to be worshiped.
month of Aviv
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. It marks when God brought the people of Israel out of Egypt. It is during the last part of March and the first part April on Western calendars.
keep the Passover
"celebrate the Passover meal" or "eat the Passover meal"
Deuteronomy 16:2
You will sacrifice the Passover
"For the Passover you will offer a sacrifice". Here "Passover" represents the animal that is sacrificed for the Passover celebration.
make a dwelling for his name
"have his people build the place where they will worship him". See Deuteronomy 14:23.
Deuteronomy 16:3
with it
Here "it" refers to the animal they will sacrifice and eat.
the bread of affliction
"this bread will remind you of how much you suffered while in Egypt". This was the name of the unleavened bread.
out of the land of Egypt in haste
"out of the land of Egypt in such hurry you did not have time to make bread with yeast in it".
Do this all the days of your life
"Do this as long as you live"
call to mind
"remember"
Deuteronomy 16:4
No yeast must be seen among you
"You must not have any yeast among you"
within all your borders
"inside all your territory" or "in all your land"
first day
This "first" is the ordinal number for one.
Deuteronomy 16:5
You must not sacrifice the Passover
"For the Passover you must not sacrifice the animal". Here "Passover" represents the animal that will be sacrificed.
within any of your city gates
"within any of your towns"
Deuteronomy 16:6
make a dwelling for his name
"have his people build the place where they will worship him". See Deuteronomy 14:23.
at the going down of the sun
"at sunset"
Deuteronomy 16:7
You must roast it
"You must cook it". A fire is implied. See Exodus 12:8.
Deuteronomy 16:8
solemn assembly
"special gathering"
Deuteronomy 16:9
from the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain
"from the time that you begin harvesting the grain". "Seven weeks" refers to the Festival of Weeks.
sickle
a tool with a curved blade used for cutting grass, grain, and vines
Deuteronomy 16:10
with the tribute of a freewill offering from your hand that you will give
"and you will give your free will offering"
according as Yahweh your God has blessed you
"according to the harvest which Yahweh your God has given you" They will base their offering on their harvest.
Deuteronomy 16:11
your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, the Levite
"your sons, your daughters, your male servants, your females servants, any Levite"
the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow
"all foreigners, orphans, and widows"
fatherless
These are children whose parents have both died and do not have relatives to care for them.
widow
This means a woman whose husband has died and has no children to care for her in her old age.
make a dwelling for his name
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 14:23.
Deuteronomy 16:12
call to mind
"remember"
Deuteronomy 16:13
Festival of Shelters
Other names for this festival are "Feast of Tabernacles," "Festival of Booths," and "Feast of the Ingathering." During harvest time, farmers would set up temporary shelters in the field. This festival took place after the last harvest of the year.
Deuteronomy 16:15
the festival
"the Festival of Shelters"
all the work of your hands
"all the work you do"
Deuteronomy 16:16
all your males must appear before Yahweh
The men could represent their whole families. Females were allowed, but Yahweh did not require that they come.
must appear before Yahweh
"must come and stand in the presence of Yahweh"
No one will appear before Yahweh empty-handed
"Every person who comes before Yahweh must bring an offering"
Deuteronomy 16:18
You must make judges
"You must appoint judges" or "You must choose judges". Justice is a reoccurring theme.
they will be taken
"you will choose them"
judge the people with righteous judgment
"judge the people fairly"
Deuteronomy 16:19
You must not take justice away by force
"You must not be unfair when you judge" or "You must make just decisions".
You must not
Here "You" refers to those who will be appointed as judges and officers.
for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous
"for even a wise man who accepts a bribe will become blind, and even a righteous man who accepts a bribe will tell lies"
the wise
"a wise person" or "wise people"
perverts the words of the righteous
"causes a righteous person to lie"
Deuteronomy 16:20
follow after justice, after justice alone
"do only what is fair". This person is spoken of as if he was following close behind justice.
inherit the land that Yahweh your God is giving you
Receiving the land that God is giving to the people is spoken of as if the people are inheriting the land from God.
Deuteronomy 16:21
You must not
Here "You" refers to all the people of Israel.
Deuteronomy 16:22
any sacred stone pillar, which Yahweh your God hates
"any sacred stone pillar because Yahweh your God hates them"
sacred stone pillar
This refers to pillars that are idols used to worship false gods.
Chapter 17
1
You must not sacrifice to Yahweh your God an ox or a sheep in which is any blemish or anything bad, for that would be an abomination to Yahweh your God.
2
If there is found among you, within any of your city gates that Yahweh your God is giving you, any man or woman who does what is evil in the sight of Yahweh your God and transgresses his covenant,
3
anyone who has gone and worshiped other gods and bowed down to them, either the sun, the moon, or any of the host of heaven—nothing that I have commanded—
4
and if you are told about this, or if you have heard of it, then you must make a careful investigation. If it is true and certain that such an abomination has been done in Israel, this is what you should do.
5
You must bring that man or woman, who has done this evil thing, to your city gates, that very man or woman, and you must stone that person to death.
6
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, will he who must die be put to death; but at the mouth of only one witness he must not be put to death.
7
The hand of the witnesses must be the first to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people; and you will remove the evil from among you.
8
If a matter arises that is too hard for you to judge—perhaps a question of one kind of bloodshed or another, of one kind of lawsuit or another, or of one kind of wound or another—matters of controversy within your city gates—then you must go up to the place that Yahweh your God chooses.
9
You must go to the priests, the descendants of Levi, and to the judge who will be serving at that time; you will seek their advice, and they will give you the verdict.
10
Then you must do according to what they order you to do, at the place Yahweh will choose. Be careful to do all that they teach you.
11
Follow the law they teach you, and do according to the decisions they give you. Do not turn aside from what they tell you, to the right hand or to the left.
12
Anyone who acts in arrogance, listening neither to the priest who is standing to serve before Yahweh your God nor to the judge—that man will die; you will completely remove the evil from Israel.
13
All the people must hear and fear, and act arrogantly no more.
14
When you have come to the land that Yahweh your God gives you, and when you take possession of it and begin to live in it, and then you say, 'I will set a king over myself, like all the nations that are round about me,'
15
then you must surely set as king over yourself someone whom Yahweh your God will choose. You must set as king over yourself someone from among your brothers. You must not put a foreigner, who is not your brother, over yourself.
16
But he must not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt so that he may multiply horses, for Yahweh had said to you, 'You will never return that way again.'
17
He must not take many wives for himself, so that his heart does not turn away. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.
18
When he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he must write for himself in a scroll a copy of this law, from the law that is before the priests, who are Levites.
19
The scroll must be with him, and he must read in it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to honor Yahweh his God, so as to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to observe them.
20
He must do this so that his heart is not lifted up above his brothers, and so that he does not turn away from the commandments, to the right hand or to the left, so he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his descendants in the midst of Israel.
Deuteronomy 17:1
General Information:
In the ancient Near East, it was common for a person to be punished by the testimony of a single person, especially if this was an important person. The rules in this chapter give protection to people; especially the poor by requiring multiple witnesses, allowing justice to be done.
in which is any blemish
"that has a blemish" or "that has something wrong with it." The animal is to appear without any deformity.
that would be an abomination to Yahweh
"that would be disgusting to Yahweh"
Deuteronomy 17:2
If there is found
"If you find someone"
within any of your city gates
"living in one of your cities"
what is evil in the sight of Yahweh your God
"something that Yahweh your God thinks is evil"
transgresses his covenant
"disobeys his covenant"
Deuteronomy 17:3
any of the host of heaven
"any of the multitude of things in the sky". "any of the army of heaven." This refers to the lights we see in the sky, including the sun, moon, stars. They are called the host because there are so many of them, just as armies have many soldiers.
Deuteronomy 17:4
if you are told about this
"if someone tells you about this disobedient act"
you must make a careful investigation
"you must carefully investigate what happened"
such an abomination has been done in Israel
"someone has done such a horrible thing in Israel"
Deuteronomy 17:6
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, will he who must die be put to death
"If two or three witnesses speak against the person, then you must execute him"
but at the mouth of only one witness he must not be put to death
"but if only one person speaks against him, then you must not execute him"
Deuteronomy 17:7
The hand of the witnesses must be the first to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people
"The witnesses themselves must be the first ones to throw stones. Then all the people will execute the person by throwing stones at him"
you will remove the evil from among you
"you must remove from among the Israelites this person who does this evil thing" or "you must execute this evil person"
Deuteronomy 17:8
If a matter arises
"If there is a matter" or "If there is a situation"
one kind of bloodshed or another
"murder or accidental killing"
one kind of lawsuit or another
"whether a lawsuit is just or unjust"
one kind of wound or another
"whether harm was done intentionally or by accident"
Deuteronomy 17:9
you will seek their advice
"you will ask them to advise you"
they will give you the verdict
"they will decide on the matter"
Deuteronomy 17:11
Follow the law they teach you
"You must obey what the judge and priests decide about the matter"
Do not turn aside from what they tell you, to the right hand or to the left
"Do not disobey anything they tell you" or "Do everything they say"
Deuteronomy 17:12
arrogance, listening neither to the priest who is standing to serve before Yahweh your God nor to the judge—that
"arrogance, if he will not listen to the priest who is standing to serve before Yahweh your God and he will not listen to the judge—that"
you will completely remove the evil from Israel
"you must remove from among the Israelites the person who does this evil thing" or "you must execute this evil Israelite"
Deuteronomy 17:13
All the people must hear and fear, and act arrogantly no more
It is implied that when the people hear about the person who was executed for acting arrogantly, they will be afraid and not act arrogantly themselves.
Deuteronomy 17:14
General Information:
Israel was not to have a king because Yahweh was their king. Knowing the sinfulness of the people, Yahweh anticipated that one day Israel would have a king. Therefore, this passage gives commands about their king prophetically. They were not allowed to collect chariots because they were a sign of earthly power and the king was to trust in Yahweh. (See 1 Samuel 8).
When you have come to the land
"entered."
then you say, 'I will set a king over myself, like all the nations that are round about me,'
"then you decide that you want a king just like the peoples of the nations that surround you have kings,"
I will set a king over myself ... round about me
"We will set over ourselves ... round about us"
set a king over myself
Giving someone the authority to rule as king is spoken of as if the people were setting the person in a place above them.
all the nations that are round about me
"all the surrounding nations". Here "nations" represent the people who live in the nations.
Deuteronomy 17:15
someone from among your brothers
"one of your fellow Israelites"
a foreigner, who is not your brother, over yourself
"a foreigner over yourself" or "a non-Israelite over yourself". Yahweh is emphasizing that the people of Israel should not let a foreigner rule over them.
Deuteronomy 17:16
he must not multiply horses for himself
"he must not get large numbers of horses for himself" or "he must not keep acquiring more horses for himself'
for Yahweh had said to you, 'You will never return that way again.'
"for Yahweh had said that you must never return to Egypt again."
Deuteronomy 17:17
so that his heart does not turn away
"so that they do not cause him to stop honoring Yahweh and start worshiping false gods". An Israelite king who marries foreign wives and starts to worship their false gods is spoken of as if his heart were to turn away from Yahweh.
Deuteronomy 17:18
When he sits on the throne of his kingdom
"When he becomes king"
he must write for himself in a scroll a copy of this law
"he must personally write in a scroll a copy of this law for himself" or "he must appoint someone to write in a scroll a copy of this law for him"
from the law that is before the priests, who are Levites
"from the copy of the law that the Levitical priests keep"
Deuteronomy 17:19
so as to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to observe them
These two phrases emphasize that the king must obey all of God's law.
Deuteronomy 17:20
so that his heart is not lifted up above his brothers
"so that he does not think he is better than his fellow Israelites"
so that he does not turn away from the commandments, to the right hand or to the left
"so that he does not disobey any of the commandments" or "so that he obeys all of the commandments"
prolong his days
"be able to live a long time". See Deuteronomy 4:26.
Chapter 18
1
The priests, who are Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, will have no portion nor inheritance with Israel; they must eat the offerings of Yahweh made by fire as their inheritance.
2
They must have no inheritance among their brothers; Yahweh is their inheritance, as he said to them.
3
This is the share given to the priests, given to them from the people who offer a sacrifice, whether it be an oxen or a sheep: the shoulder, the two cheeks, and the inner parts.
4
The firstfruits of your grain, of your new wine, and of your oil, and the first of the fleece of your sheep, you must give him.
5
For Yahweh your God has chosen him out of all your tribes to stand to serve in the name of Yahweh, him and his sons forever.
6
If a Levite comes from any of your towns out of all Israel where he is living and desires with all his soul to come to the place Yahweh will choose,
7
then he must serve in the name of Yahweh his God as all his brothers the Levites do, who stand there before Yahweh.
8
They must have similar portions to eat, besides of what comes of the sale of his family's inheritance.
9
When you have come into the land that Yahweh your God is giving you, you must not learn to observe the abominations of those nations.
10
There must not be found among you anyone who sacrifices his son or his daughter in the fire, or anyone who uses divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer
11
or one who casts spells or a sorcerer or a spiritist or one who seeks the dead.
12
For whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh; it is because of these abominations that Yahweh your God is driving them out from before you.
13
You must be blameless before Yahweh your God.
14
For these nations that you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery and divination; but as for you, Yahweh your God has not allowed you to do so.
15
Yahweh your God will raise up for you a prophet from among you, one of your brothers, like me. You must listen to him.
16
This is what you asked from Yahweh your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, saying, 'Let us not hear again the voice of Yahweh our God, nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.'
17
Yahweh said to me, 'What they have said is good.
18
I will raise up a prophet for them from among their brothers, just like you. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will speak to them all that I command him.
19
It will happen that if anyone does not listen to the words of mine that he speaks in my name, I will require it of him.
20
But the prophet who speaks a word arrogantly in my name, a word that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that very prophet must die.'
21
This is what you must say in your heart: 'How will we recognize a message that Yahweh has not spoken?'
22
You will recognize a message that Yahweh has spoken when a prophet speaks in the name of Yahweh. If that thing does not occur nor happen, then that is something that Yahweh has not spoken and the prophet has spoken it in arrogance, and you must not be afraid of him.
Deuteronomy 18:1
General Information:
This chapter is one of the first prophecies about the promised, coming Messiah. "Levites"... As Yahweh's chosen priests, the priests were to trust in Yahweh to provide for them. He provided for them through the rest of the Israelites. Yahweh was their inheritance.
will have no portion nor inheritance with Israel
"will not possess any of the people's land" or "will not receive any of the land that the Israelites will possess".
no portion
"no part"
Deuteronomy 18:2
among their brothers
"among the other tribes of Israel" or "among the other Israelites"
Yahweh is their inheritance
"instead, they will have Yahweh". See how you translated a similar phrase in Deuteronomy 10:9.
Deuteronomy 18:3
the inner parts
This refers to the stomach and intestines.
Deuteronomy 18:4
you must give him
"you must give to the priest."
Deuteronomy 18:5
has chosen him
Here "him" represents all the Levites.
to stand to serve in the name of Yahweh
"to be his special servants" or "to serve as a representative of Yahweh"
him and his sons forever
"the Levites and their descendants forever"
Deuteronomy 18:6
desires with all his soul
"strongly desires"
Deuteronomy 18:7
then he must serve in the name of Yahweh his God
"then he must serve Yahweh his God as a priest"
who stand there before Yahweh
"who serve in the sanctuary in the presence of Yahweh"
Deuteronomy 18:8
his family's inheritance
This refers to what the priest would inherit from his father.
Deuteronomy 18:9
When you have come
"entered."
you must not learn to observe the abominations of those nations
"you must not do the terrible things that the people of the other nations do".
Deuteronomy 18:10
There must not be found among you anyone
"There must not be anyone among you"
anyone who uses divination ... tells fortunes ... interprets omens ... sorcerer
"anyone who uses magic to try to find out what will happen in the future or to cast spells". These are different ways of practicing magic. God has forbidden every kind of magic.
Deuteronomy 18:11
one who casts spells or a sorcerer or a spiritist or one who seeks the dead
"anyone who uses magic to cast spells or to talk to the spirits of dead people".
Deuteronomy 18:12
driving them out
This refers to the people already living in Canaan.
Deuteronomy 18:14
For these nations
"For these people groups"
these nations that you will dispossess
"these nations whose land you will take"
Deuteronomy 18:15
Yahweh your God will raise up for you a prophet
Yahweh appointing a person to be a prophet is spoken of as if Yahweh would raise or lift the person up. This chapter is one of the first prophecies about the promised, coming Messiah. (See Matthew 21:11).
one of your brothers
"one of your fellow Israelites"
Deuteronomy 18:16
This is what you asked
Here "you" refers to the Israelites at Mount Horeb about 40 years earlier.
at Horeb on the day of the assembly
"on the day you gathered together at Horeb"
on the day of the assembly, saying, 'Let us not hear again the voice of Yahweh our God, nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.'
"on the day of the assembly when you said that you did not want to hear the voice of Yahweh our God, nor see his great fire anymore, because you were afraid that you would die."
Let us not hear again the voice of Yahweh our God
"Let us not hear Yahweh our God speak again"
Deuteronomy 18:18
I will put my words in his mouth
Yahweh telling the prophet what to say is spoken of as if Yahweh would put words in the prophet's mouth.
speak to them
"speak to the people of Israel"
Deuteronomy 18:19
does not listen to the words of mine that he speaks in my name
"does not listen to him when he speaks my message"
require it of him
"I will hold him responsible" or "I will punish him." This refers to the person who does not listen to the prophet.
Deuteronomy 18:20
who speaks a word arrogantly
"who dares to speak a message" or "who is arrogant enough to speak a message"
in my name
"for me" or "with my authority"
a word
"a message"
who speaks in the name of other gods
This means the prophet claims that false gods told him to speak a certain message.
Deuteronomy 18:21
This is what you must say in your heart
"You ask yourself" or "You must say to yourself"
How will we recognize a message that Yahweh has not spoken?
"How will we know if the message that the prophet speaks is from Yahweh?" Here "we" refers to the people of Israel.
Deuteronomy 18:22
a prophet speaks in the name of Yahweh
"a prophet claims to speak for me" or "a prophet claims to speak with my authority"
the prophet has spoken it in arrogance
"the prophet has spoken this message without my authority"
Chapter 19
1
When Yahweh your God cuts off the nations, those whose land Yahweh your God is giving you, and when you come after them and live in their cities and houses,
2
you must select three cities for yourself in the middle of your land that Yahweh your God is giving you to possess.
3
You must build a road and divide the borders of your land into three parts, the land that Yahweh your God is causing you to inherit, so that everyone who kills another person may flee there.
4
This is the instruction concerning the one who kills another and flees from there in order to save his own life—the one who unintentionally kills his neighbor without hating him at the time of the accident.
5
For example, if a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and he chops with the ax to cut down a tree, and the ax head slips off of the handle and strikes his neighbor and kills him—then that man must flee to one of these cities and save his life.
6
Otherwise the avenger of blood might go after the one who took a life, and in the heat of his anger overtake him, if the distance is too great, strike him and kill him, even though that man did not deserve to die, since he had not hated his neighbor in the past.
7
Therefore I command you to select three cities for yourself.
8
If Yahweh your God enlarges your borders, as he has sworn to your ancestors to do, and gives you all the land that he promised to give to your ancestors;
9
if you keep all these commandments to do them, which I am commanding you today—commandments to love Yahweh your God and to always walk in his ways, then you must add three more cities for yourself, besides these three.
10
Do this so that innocent blood is not shed in the midst of the land that Yahweh your God is giving you for as an inheritance, so that no bloodguilt may be on you.
11
But if anyone hates his neighbor, lies in wait for him, rises up against him, and mortally wounds him so that he dies, and if he then flees into one of these cities—
12
then the elders of his city must send and bring him back from there, and turn him over to the hand of the avenger of blood, so that he may die.
13
Your eye must not pity him; instead, you must completely remove the bloodguilt from Israel so that it may go well with you.
14
You must not remove your neighbor's landmark that they set in place a long time ago, in your inheritance that you will inherit, in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you to possess.
15
One sole witness must not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any matter that he sins; at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, must any matter be confirmed.
16
Suppose that an unrighteous witness rises up against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing.
17
Then both men, the ones between whom the controversy exists, must stand before Yahweh, before the priests and the judges who serve in those days.
18
The judges must make diligent inquiries; see, if the witness is a false witness and has testified falsely against his brother,
19
then must you do to him, as he had wished to do to his brother; and you will remove the evil from among you.
20
Then those who remain will hear and fear, and will from then on commit no longer any such evil among you.
21
Your eyes must not pity; life will pay for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Deuteronomy 19:1
General Information:
The chapter describes a famous law, often called the "law of retaliation". It is said, an "eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot". This does not mean a person who causes another person to lose their eye must have their own eye removed as punishment. Instead, it is about limiting the punishment or the ability of a person to retaliate. Also, this chapter describes the establishment of special cities to protect those fleeing from revenge killings.
When Yahweh your God cuts off the nations
Yahweh destroying the people who live in Canaan is spoken of as if he were cutting them off, as one would cut a piece of cloth or cut a branch from a tree.
those whose land Yahweh your God is giving you
"those nations who were living in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you"
come after them
"possess the land after those nations are gone"
Deuteronomy 19:2
select three cities
"choose 3 cities"
Deuteronomy 19:3
You must build a road
They were to build roads so that it would be easy for people to travel to these cities.
divide the borders of your land into three parts
It is implied that one of the cities they choose must be in each part of the land.
the land that Yahweh your God is causing you to inherit
Yahweh giving the land to the people of Israel is spoken of as if the people are inheriting the land.
Deuteronomy 19:4
This is the instruction
"These are the instructions"
concerning the one who kills another
"for a person who kills another person"
and flees from there
"and who escapes to one of these cities" or "who runs to one of these cities"
the one who unintentionally kills his neighbor
"any person who kills another person by accident"
without hating him at the time of the accident
"but did not hate his neighbor before he killed him." This implies there was no cause for him to kill his neighbor purposely.
Deuteronomy 19:5
For example, if a man goes into the forest ... and kills him
The author gives an example of how someone might accidentally kill his neighbor.
the ax head slips off of the handle
The iron part of the ax comes off the wooden handle.
strikes his neighbor and kills him
This means the head of the ax hits and kills the neighbor.
to one of these cities and save his life
It is implied that the family of the dead man may try to get revenge. The man who killed him can flee to one of these cities, and the people there will protect him.
Deuteronomy 19:6
the avenger of blood
An "avenger of blood" is a close relative of the person who was killed and is responsible for punishing the murderer.
the one who took a life
"the one who killed the other person"
in the heat of his anger
"and being very angry"
strike him and kill him
"And the blood avenger strikes and kills the one who had killed the other person"
though that man did not deserve to die, since he had not hated his neighbor in the past
"though that man did not deserve to die since he accidentally killed the other person and was not his enemy, and he had not planned to hurt the man"
Deuteronomy 19:8
enlarges your borders
"gives you more land to possess"
as he has sworn to your ancestors to do
"like he promised your ancestors that he would do"
Deuteronomy 19:9
if you keep all these commandments to do them
"if you obey all these commandments"
to always walk in his ways
"to always obey him"
then you must add three more cities for yourself
"then you must choose three more cities for a person to escape to if he accidentally kills someone"
besides these three
"in addition to the three cities you already established"
Deuteronomy 19:10
Do this so that innocent blood is not shed
"Do this so that family members do not kill an innocent person"
in the midst of the land
"in the land" or "in the territory"
so that no bloodguilt may be on you
The people of Israel being guilty for a person dying because they did not build a city where he would be safe from the "blood avenger" is spoken of as if the guilt of his death is on them.
may be on you
This means that if a family member kills an innocent person, then all the people of Israel will be guilty for letting that happen.
Deuteronomy 19:11
his neighbor
Here "neighbor" means any person in general.
lies in wait for him
"hides and waits in order to kill him"
rises up against him
"attacks him"
mortally wounds him so that he dies
"hurts him so that he dies" or "and kills him"
Deuteronomy 19:12
must send and bring him back from there
"must send someone to get him and bring him back from the city that he escaped to"
turn him over
"give him over"
to the hand of the avenger of blood
"to the power of the responsible relative" or "to the responsible relative"
he may die
"the murderer may die" or "the responsible relative may execute the murderer"
Deuteronomy 19:13
Your eye must not pity him
"Do not show him mercy" or "Do not feel sorry for him"
you must completely remove the bloodguilt from Israel
"you must execute the murderer so that the people of Israel will not become guilty for the death of an innocent person"
from Israel
Here "Israel" refers to the people of Israel.
Deuteronomy 19:14
You must not remove your neighbor's landmark
"You must not take land away from your neighbor by moving the markers on the borders of his land"
they set in place
"that your ancestors placed"
in your inheritance that you will inherit, in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you to possess
"in the land that Yahweh your God is giving to you to possess"
Deuteronomy 19:15
General Information:
In the ancient Near East, it was common for a person to be punished by the testimony of a single person, especially if this was an important person. The rules in this chapter give protection to people, especially the poor by requiring multiple witnesses. This allowed justice to be done.
One sole witness
"A single witness" or "Only one witness"
must not rise up against a man
"must not speak to the judges about something bad that a man did"
in any matter that he sins
"anytime that a man does something bad"
at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses
"at the testimony of at least two or three people" or "based on what at least two or three people say happened"
must any matter be confirmed
"will you confirm that the man is guilty"
Deuteronomy 19:16
Suppose that
"When" or "If"
an unrighteous witness
"a witness who intends to harm someone else"
rises up against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing
"tells the judge that a man sinned in order to get the man in trouble" or "tells the judge that a man sinned, so the judge will punish him"
Deuteronomy 19:17
the ones between whom the controversy exists
"the ones who disagree with one another"
must stand before Yahweh, before the priests and the judges
This means the two persons must go to the sanctuary where Yahweh's presence dwells. At the sanctuary are priests and judges who have the authority to make legal decisions for Yahweh.
stand before Yahweh, before the priests and the judges
The phrase "stand before" means to go to someone with authority and let him make a legal decision about a matter.
Deuteronomy 19:18
The judges must make diligent inquiries
"The judges must work very hard to determine what happened;"
Deuteronomy 19:19
then must you do to him, as he had wished to do to his brother
"then you must punish the false witness in the same way as he wanted you to punish the other man"
you will remove the evil from among you
"you will remove the evil practice from among you"
Deuteronomy 19:20
Then those who remain
"When you punish the false witness, the rest of the people"
will hear and fear
"will hear about the punishment and be afraid of getting punished"
commit no longer any such evil
"never again do something evil like that"
Deuteronomy 19:21
Your eyes must not pity
"You must not pity him" or "You must not show him mercy"
Chapter 20
1
When you march out to battle against your enemies, and see horses, chariots, and a people more numerous than you, you must not be afraid of them; for Yahweh your God is with you, he who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
2
When you are about to enter into battle, the priest must approach and speak to the people.
3
He must say to them, 'Listen, Israel, you are going to battle against your enemies. Do not let your hearts faint. Do not fear or tremble. Do not be afraid of them.
4
For Yahweh your God is the one who is going with you to fight for you against your enemies and to save you.'
5
The officers must speak to the people and say, 'What man is there who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, so that he does not die in battle and another man dedicates it.
6
Is there anyone who has planted a vineyard and has not enjoyed its fruit? Let him go home, so he will not die in battle and another man enjoy its fruit.
7
What man is there who is betrothed to a woman but has not yet married her? Let him go home so that he does not die in battle and another man marry her.'
8
The officers must speak further to the people and say, 'What man is there who is fearful or fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house, so that his brother's heart does not melt like his own heart.'
9
When the officers have finished speaking to the people, they must appoint commanders of armies over them.
10
When you march up to attack a city, make those people an offer of peace.
11
If they answer peaceably and open their gates to you, all the people who are found in it must become forced labor for you and must serve you.
12
But if it makes no offer of peace to you, and instead makes war against you, then you must besiege it,
13
and when Yahweh your God gives you victory and puts them under your control, you must strike every man in the town with the edge of the sword.
14
But the women, the little ones, the livestock, and everything that is in the city, and all its spoil, you will take as booty for yourself. You will consume the booty of your enemies, whom Yahweh your God has given to you.
15
You must act in this way toward all the cities that are very far from you, cities that are not of the cities of these following nations.
16
In the cities of these peoples that Yahweh your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must keep alive nothing that breathes.
17
You must completely destroy them: the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, as Yahweh your God has commanded you.
18
Do this so that they do not teach you to act in any of their abominable ways, as they have done for their gods. If you do, you will sin against Yahweh your God.
19
When you will besiege a city for a long time, as you wage war against it to capture it, you must not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against them. For you may eat from them, so you must not cut them down. For is the tree of the field a man whom you should besiege?
20
Only the trees that you know are not trees for food, you may destroy and cut down; you will build siege works against the city that makes war with you, until it falls.
Deuteronomy 20:1
When you march out to battle against your enemies
"When you go out to fight in a war against your enemies". Israel was not to worry about the power and strength of other nations. Instead, they were to trust in the power of Yahweh, who is the source of their military strength and protection. This is why a priest leads them into battle, rather than a military commander.
see horses, chariots
People considered an army with many horses and chariots to be very strong.
he who brought you up out of the land of Egypt
"Yahweh who led you out from the land of Egypt".
Deuteronomy 20:2
speak to the people
"speak to the soldiers of Israel"
Deuteronomy 20:3
Do not let your hearts faint. Do not fear or tremble. Do not be afraid of them
These four expressions all mean the same thing and strongly emphasize that they are not to be afraid.
Do not let your hearts faint
"Do not be afraid."
Deuteronomy 20:4
Yahweh your God is the one who is going with you to fight for you against your enemies
Yahweh defeating the enemies of the people of Israel is spoken of as if Yahweh were a warrior who would fight along with the people of Israel. Israel's conquering of the Promised Land was unique in history because it was a type of holy war and had special rules. This war was really Yahweh's punishment against the sin of the Canaanite people. If the people were not completely destroyed, they would cause Israel to sin.
to save you
"to give you victory"
Deuteronomy 20:5
General Information:
Moses says what the army officers must say to the people of Israel before a battle. In ancient Israel, men were excused from fighting in battle for several different reasons. Some of these reasons are mentioned in this chapter. Apparently, needing to establish a new house, the need to harvest a field and cowardice were possible excuses.
The officers must speak
One of the officers' jobs was to decide who could leave the army.
What man is there ... Let him go and return to his house
"If any soldier here has built a new house and has not dedicated it, he should go back to his house". The questions are intended to tell the readers that Yahweh only wants soldiers who are completely dedicated to fighting for him.
so that he does not die in battle and another man dedicates it
"so that he will not die in battle, because if he dies, another man could dedicate it"
Deuteronomy 20:6
General Information:
Moses continues describing situations that allow a man to leave the military.
Is there anyone who has planted ... Let him go home
"If any soldier here has a new vineyard, but has not yet harvested its grapes, he should go back to his house"
so he will not die in battle and another man enjoy its fruit
"so that he will not die in battle, because if he dies, another man could harvest its fruit instead of him"
Deuteronomy 20:7
What man is there who is betrothed to a woman ... Let him go home
"If any soldier here has promised to marry a woman, but has not yet married her, he should go back to his house"
so that he does not die in battle and another man marry her
"so that he will not die in battle, because if he dies, another man could marry her instead of him"
Deuteronomy 20:8
What man is there who is fearful or fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house
"If any soldier here is afraid and not brave, he should go back to his house"
fearful or fainthearted
"afraid to fight in battle"
his brother's heart does not melt like his own heart
"another Israelite does not become afraid like he is afraid"
brother's heart ... his own heart
Here "heart" represents a person's courage.
Deuteronomy 20:9
they must appoint commanders of armies over them
"the officers must appoint people to be commanders of the army and to lead the people of Israel."
Deuteronomy 20:10
When you march up to attack a city
"When you go to attack the people of a city"
make those people an offer of peace
"give the people in the city a chance to surrender"
Deuteronomy 20:11
they answer peaceably
Possible meanings are 1) they answer in a peaceful manner or 2) they accept the offer of peace.
open their gates to you
"let you enter their city peacefully". The phrase "open their gates to you" represents the people surrendering.
all the people who are found in it
"all the people in the city"
must become forced labor for you
"must become your slaves"
Deuteronomy 20:12
But if it makes no offer of peace
"But if the people of the city do not surrender" or "But if the people of the city do not accept your offer of peace"
Deuteronomy 20:13
strike every man in the town with the edge of the sword
"kill every man in the town with your sword."
Deuteronomy 20:14
the little ones
"the children"
all its spoil
"all the valuable things"
booty
These are the valuable things which people take from those they attacked.
Deuteronomy 20:15
all the cities
"all the people who live in cities"
Deuteronomy 20:16
In the cities of these peoples that Yahweh your God is giving you as an inheritance
The cities in Canaan that Yahweh is giving to the people are spoken of as their inheritance.
you must keep alive nothing that breathes
"you must not let any living thing stay alive." or "you must kill every living thing"
Deuteronomy 20:17
You must completely destroy them
"You must completely destroy these people groups:"
Deuteronomy 20:18
Do this so that they
"Destroy these nations so that they"
to act in any of their abominable ways ... their gods
"to act in abominable ways, like the people in these nations have done with their gods"
If you do, you will sin against Yahweh your God
"If you act like these people, you will sin against Yahweh your God."
Deuteronomy 20:19
wage war
"fight in a war"
by wielding an ax against them
"by cutting down the trees with an ax"
For is the tree of the field a man whom you should besiege?
"For fruit trees are not people, so they are not your enemy."
Deuteronomy 20:20
you know are not trees for food
"you know are not trees that grow fruit to eat"
siege works
These are tools and structures, such as ladders and towers, that are needed to lay siege to a city.
until it falls
"until the people of the city lose the war"
Chapter 21
1
If someone is found killed in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you to possess, lying in the field, and it is not known who has attacked him;
2
then your elders and your judges must go out, and they must measure to the cities that are around him who has been killed.
3
Then the elders of the town nearest to the dead man's body must take a heifer from the herd, one that has never been put to work, and that has not borne the yoke.
4
Then they must lead the heifer down to a valley with running water, a valley that has been neither plowed nor sown, and there in the valley they must break the heifer's neck.
5
The priests, descendants of Levi, must come forward, for Yahweh your God has chosen them to serve him and give blessing in the name of Yahweh and to decide every case of dispute and assault by their word.
6
All the elders of the city that is the nearest to the killed man must wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley;
7
and they must answer to the case and say, 'Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it.
8
Forgive, Yahweh, your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, and do not put guilt for innocent bloodshed in the midst of your people Israel.' Then the bloodshed will be forgiven them.
9
In this way you will completely remove the innocent blood from your midst, when you do what is right in the eyes of Yahweh.
10
When you go out to do battle against your enemies and Yahweh your God gives you victory and puts them under your control, and you take them away as captives,
11
if you see among the captives a beautiful woman, and you delight in her and wish to take her for yourself as a wife,
12
then you will bring her home to your house; she will shave her head and cut her nails.
13
Then she will take off the clothes she was wearing when she was taken captive and she will remain in your house and mourn for her father and her mother a full month. After that you may go to her and be her husband, and she will be your wife.
14
But if you take no delight in her, then you may let her go where she wishes. But you must not sell her at all for money, and you must not treat her like a slave, because you have humiliated her.
15
If a man has two wives and one is loved and the other is hated, and they have both borne him children—both the beloved wife and the hated wife—if the firstborn son is of her that is hated,
16
then on the day that the man causes his sons to inherit what he possesses, he may not make the son of the beloved wife the firstborn before the son of the hated wife, the son who is actually the firstborn.
17
Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the hated wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he possesses, for that son is the beginning of his strength. The right of the firstborn belongs to him.
18
If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and who, even though they correct him, will not listen to them;
19
then his father and his mother must lay hold on him and bring him out to the elders of his city and to the gate of his city.
20
They must say to the elders of his city, 'This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.'
21
Then all the men of his city must stone him to death with stones; and you will remove the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and fear.
22
If a man has committed a sin worthy of death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree,
23
then his body must not remain all night on the tree. You must surely bury him the same day; for whoever is hanged is cursed by God. You must not defile the land that Yahweh your God is giving you as an inheritance.
Deuteronomy 21:1
General Information:
The rules and instructions in this chapter help to ensure peace in Israel. This is not a military peace, but it is about establishing peace within Israel and among the people.
If someone is found killed
"If someone finds a person whom someone else has killed"
lying in the field
The dead person is lying in the field.
it is not known who has attacked him
"nobody knows who attacked him"
Deuteronomy 21:2
they must measure to the cities
"they must measure the distance to the cities". "Elders"...Older men were required to lead the people of Israel and help to administer justice. These men would function as judges, which would later become a more official position
him who has been killed
"him whom someone has killed" or "the dead body"
Deuteronomy 21:3
has not borne the yoke
"has not worn a yoke."
Deuteronomy 21:4
running water
"a stream"
a valley that has been neither plowed nor sown
"a valley where nobody has plowed the ground or planted seeds"
Deuteronomy 21:5
must come forward
"must come to the valley"
for Yahweh your God has chosen them to serve him
"because the priests are the ones whom Yahweh your God has chosen to serve him"
Yahweh your God
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if he were speaking to one man, so the word "your" is singular.
give blessing
"bless the people of Israel"
in the name of Yahweh
"as one who says and does what Yahweh himself would say and do"
Yahweh and to decide every case of dispute and assault by their word
"Yahweh, and they will be the ones who settle all disagreements and cases of violence"
Deuteronomy 21:6
the heifer whose neck was broken
"the heifer whose neck the priests broke"
Deuteronomy 21:7
they must answer to the case
"they must testify to Yahweh about this case"
Our hands have not shed this blood
"We did not kill this innocent person"
neither have our eyes seen it
"and we did not see anyone kill this person"
Deuteronomy 21:8
General Information:
Moses continues to tell the elders what they should say when they wash their hands over the heifer. He speaks to them as if he were speaking to one man, so the words "you" and "your" are singular.
whom you have redeemed
Yahweh rescuing the people is spoken of as if Yahweh paid money to redeem his people from slavery.
do not put guilt for innocent bloodshed in the midst of your people Israel
"do not treat your people Israel as if they are guilty of killing an innocent person"
Then the bloodshed will be forgiven them
"Then Yahweh will forgive his people Israel for the death of an innocent person"
Deuteronomy 21:9
you will completely remove the innocent blood from your midst
"you will not be guilty any more of killing an innocent person"
what is right in the eyes of Yahweh
"what is right in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considers to be right"
Deuteronomy 21:10
you go out
"you who are soldiers go out"
Deuteronomy 21:11
you delight in her
The word "delight in" here probably refers to tender feelings rather than sexual desire.
wish to take her for yourself as a wife
"want to marry her,"
Deuteronomy 21:12
she will shave her head
"she will shave the hair off of her head"
cut her nails
"cut her fingernails."
Deuteronomy 21:13
she will take off the clothes she was wearing
"she will take off the clothes of her people and put on Israelite clothes"
when she was taken captive
"when you took her captive"
a full month
"an entire month"
After that you may go to her
"After that you may have sexual relations with her" or "After that you may lie with her"
Deuteronomy 21:14
But if you take no delight in her
"But if you sleep with her and then decide that you do not want her as your wife"
let her go where she wishes
"let her go wherever she wants to go"
because you have humiliated her
"because you shamed her by sleeping with her and then sending her away"
Deuteronomy 21:15
one is loved and the other is hated
"the man loves one of his wives and he hates the other wife" or "the man loves one wife more than he loves the other wife"
if the firstborn son is of her that is hated
"if the firstborn son belongs to the wife whom the man hates"
Deuteronomy 21:16
then on the day that the man
"when the man"
the man causes his sons to inherit what he possesses
"the man gives his possessions to his sons as an inheritance"
he may not make the son of the beloved wife the firstborn before the son of the hated wife
"he may not treat the son of the beloved wife as if he were the firstborn instead of the son of the hated wife."
Deuteronomy 21:17
a double portion
"twice as much"
that son is the beginning of his strength
"that son is the one who shows that the man can become the father of sons"
Deuteronomy 21:18
who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother
"who will not obey what his father or mother say"
they correct him
"they punish him for his wrongdoing" or "they train and instruct him"
Deuteronomy 21:19
must lay hold on him and bring him out
"must force him to come out,"
Deuteronomy 21:20
This son of ours
"Our son"
he will not obey our voice
"he will not do what we tell him to do" or "he will not obey us"
a glutton
a person who eats and drinks too much
a drunkard
a person who drinks too much alcohol and gets drunk often
Deuteronomy 21:21
stone him to death with stones
"throw stones at him until he dies"
you will remove the evil from among you
"you must remove from among the Israelites the person who does this evil thing" or "you must execute this evil person"
All Israel
"All the people of Israel"
will hear of it and fear
"will hear about what happened to the son and be afraid that the people will punish them also"
Deuteronomy 21:22
If a man has committed a sin worthy of death
"If a man has done something so bad that you need to punish him by killing him"
he is put to death
"you execute him" or "you kill him"
you hang him on a tree
"after he has died you hang him on a tree" or "you kill him by hanging him on a wooden post"
Deuteronomy 21:23
bury him the same day
"bury him on the same day as when you execute him". See John 19:31 and Galatians 3:13.
for whoever is hanged is cursed by God
"because God curses everyone whom people hang on trees" and "for people hang on trees those whom God has cursed."
You must not defile the land
Leaving the body on the tree would defile the land.
Chapter 22
1
You must not watch your fellow Israelite's ox or his sheep go astray and hide yourself from them; you must surely bring them back to him.
2
If your fellow Israelite is not near to you, or if you do not know him, then you must bring the animal home to your house, and it must be with you until he looks for it, and then you must restore it to him.
3
You must do the same with his donkey; you must do the same with his garment; you must do the same with every lost thing of your fellow Israelite's, anything that he has lost and you have found; you must not hide yourself.
4
You must not see your fellow Israelite's donkey or his ox fallen down in the road and hide yourself from them; you must surely help him to lift it up again.
5
A woman must not wear what pertains to a man, and neither must a man put on women's clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh your God.
6
If a bird's nest happens to be in front of you on the road, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs in it, and the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you must not take the mother along with the young.
7
You must surely let the mother go, but the young you may take for yourself. Obey this command so that it may go well with you, and that you may prolong your days.
8
When you build a new house, then you must make a railing for your roof so that you do not bring blood on your house if anyone falls from there.
9
You must not plant your vineyard with two kinds of seed, so that the whole harvest is not confiscated by the holy place, the seed that you have sown and the yield of the vineyard.
10
You must not plow with an ox and a donkey together.
11
You must not wear fabric made of wool and linen together.
12
You must make yourself fringes on the four corners of the cloak with which you clothe yourself.
13
Suppose a man takes a wife, and he goes to her, and then hates her,
14
and then accuses her of shameful deeds and puts a bad reputation on her, and says, 'I took this woman, but when I came near to her, I found no proof of virginity in her.'
15
Then the father and mother of the girl must take proof of her virginity to the elders at the city gate.
16
The girl's father must say to the elders, 'I gave my daughter to this man as a wife, and he hates her.
17
See, he has accused her of shameful things and said, "I did not find in your daughter the proof of virginity." But here is the proof of my daughter's virginity.' Then they will spread the garment out before the elders of the city.
18
The elders of that city must take that man and punish him;
19
and they must force him to pay a fine of one hundred shekels of silver, and give them to the father of the girl, because the man has caused a bad reputation for a virgin of Israel. She must be his wife; he may not send her away during all his days.
20
But if this thing is true, that the proof of virginity was not found in the girl,
21
then they must bring out the girl to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city must stone her to death with stones, because she has committed a disgraceful action in Israel, to act as a prostitute in her father's house; and you will remove the evil from among you.
22
If a man is found lying with a woman who is married to another man, then they must both die, the man who was lying with the woman and the woman herself; and you will remove the evil from Israel.
23
If there is a girl who is a virgin, betrothed to a man, and another man finds her in the city and lies with her,
24
take both of them to the city gate, and stone them to death. You must stone the girl, because she did not cry out, even though she was in the city. You must stone the man, because he violated his neighbor's wife; and you will remove the evil from among you.
25
But if the man finds the betrothed girl in the field, and if he seizes her and lies with her, then only the man who lies with her must die.
26
But to the girl you must do nothing; there is no sin worthy of death in the girl. For this case is like when a man attacks his neighbor and kills him.
27
For he found her in the field; the betrothed girl cried out, but there was no one to save her.
28
If a man finds a girl who is a virgin but who is not betrothed, and if he seizes her and lies with her, and if they are discovered,
29
then the man who lay with her must give fifty shekels of silver to the girl's father, and she must become his wife, because he has violated her. He may not send her away during all his days.
30
A man must not take his father's wife as his own; he must not take away his father's marriage rights.
Deuteronomy 22:1
General Information:
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the words "you" and "your" here are singular. The instructions in this chapter help to maintain order. The people are to have integrity. The people's sin will result in serious punishment.
go astray
"walk away from its owner"
hide yourself from them
"act as if you do not see them"
Deuteronomy 22:2
If your fellow Israelite is not near to you
"If your fellow Israelite lives far away from you,"
or if you do not know him
"or if you do not know who the owner of the animal is"
it must be with you until he looks for it
"you must keep the animal with you until its owner comes looking for it,"
Deuteronomy 22:3
You must do the same with his donkey
"You must return his donkey in the same way"
you must do the same with his garment
"you must return his clothing in the same way"
you must not hide yourself
"you must not act as if you do not see that he has lost something" or "you must not go away without doing anything"
Deuteronomy 22:4
you must surely help him to lift it up again
"you must help your fellow Israelite lift the animal back up onto its feet."
Deuteronomy 22:5
what pertains to a man
"men's clothing"
Deuteronomy 22:6
bird's nest
a home that birds make for themselves out of sticks, grass, plants, and mud
with young ones or eggs in it
"with baby birds or eggs in the nest"
the mother sitting on the young
"the mother bird is sitting on the baby birds"
Deuteronomy 22:7
prolong your days
"be able to live a long time". See Deuteronomy 4:26.
Deuteronomy 22:8
a railing for your roof
a low fence around the edge of the roof so people will not fall off the roof
so that you do not bring blood on your house
"so that it will not be the fault of your household if someone dies"
if anyone falls from there
"if anyone falls from the roof because you did not make a railing"
Deuteronomy 22:9
so that the whole harvest is not confiscated by the holy place
"so that you do not defile the whole harvest and the priests do not allow you to use it"
the yield of the vineyard
"the fruit that grows in the vineyard"
Deuteronomy 22:11
wool
soft, curly hair that grows on a sheep
linen
thread made from the flax plant
Deuteronomy 22:12
fringes
threads that are bound together and hang from the end of each corner of the cloak
the cloak
a long garment that a person wears over his other clothes
Deuteronomy 22:13
he goes to her
"he has sexual relations with her"
Deuteronomy 22:14
then accuses her of shameful deeds
"then accuses her of having had sexual relations with someone else before she was married"
puts a bad reputation on her
"makes other people think she is a bad person"
but when I came near to her
"but when I had sexual relations with her"
I found no proof of virginity in her
"she could not prove to me that she was a virgin". If a woman was not a virgin, she was not considered to be worth marrying. The man who slept with her was responsible for providing for her since she will not be able to find a husband to provide for her.
Deuteronomy 22:15
must take proof of her virginity
"must take something that proves that she has never had sexual relations"
Deuteronomy 22:17
he has accused her of shameful things
"he has accused her of having slept with someone before he married her"
I did not find in your daughter the proof of virginity
"Your daughter could not prove that she has never had sexual relations"
But here is the proof of my daughter's virginity
"But this proves that my daughter has never had sexual relations"
Then they will spread the garment out before the elders of the city
"And then the mother and father will show the clothing with the bloodstain to the elders as proof that she was a virgin"
Deuteronomy 22:19
they must force him to pay a fine
"they must make him pay as a punishment"
one hundred shekels
"100 shekels"
give them to the father of the girl
"give the money to the father of the girl"
has caused a bad reputation for a virgin of Israel
"has caused people to think that a virgin of Israel is a bad person"
he may not send her away
"never allow him to divorce her"
during all his days
"for his entire life"
Deuteronomy 22:20
But if this thing is true
"But if it is true" or "But if what the man said is true"
that the proof of virginity was not found in the girl
"that the man did not find proof that the girl was a virgin"
the proof of virginity
"something that proves that the girl has never had sexual relations"
Deuteronomy 22:21
then they must bring out the girl
"then the elders must bring out the girl"
stone her to death with stones
"throw stones at her until she dies"
because she has committed a disgraceful action in Israel
"because she has done a disgraceful thing in Israel,"
to act as a prostitute in her father's house
"acting like a prostitute while living in her father's house"
you will remove the evil
"you must remove from among the Israelites the person who does this evil thing" or "you must execute this evil person"
Deuteronomy 22:22
If a man is found
"If someone finds a man"
lying with
"having sexual relations with"
and you will remove
"in this way you will remove"
Deuteronomy 22:23
betrothed to a man
"who is promised to marry a man"
lies with her
"has sexual relations with her"
Deuteronomy 22:24
take ... and stone
These commands are addressed to Israel as a group and so are plural.
take both of them
"then you must bring both the girl and the man who slept with her"
because she did not cry out
"because she did not call for help"
because he violated his neighbor's wife
"because he slept with a girl who belongs to a fellow Israelite"
you will remove the evil from among you
"you must remove from among the Israelites the person who does this evil thing" or "you must execute this evil person"
Deuteronomy 22:25
the betrothed girl
a girl whose parents have agreed to let her marry a certain man, but she has not married him yet
then only the man who lies with her must die
"then you must only kill the man who lay with her"
Deuteronomy 22:26
there is no sin worthy of death in the girl
"you are not to punish her by killing her for what she did."
For this case is like when a man attacks his neighbor and kills him
"Because this situation is like the situation when somebody attacks another person and kills him."
Deuteronomy 22:27
For he found her in the field
"Because the man found the girl working in the field;"
Deuteronomy 22:28
but who is not betrothed
"but whose parents have not promised another man that she will marry him"
if they are discovered
"if somebody finds out what happened"
Deuteronomy 22:29
fifty shekels of silver
"fifty pieces of silver" or "550 grams of silver"
He may not send her away during all his days
"He must never divorce her during his entire life"
Deuteronomy 22:30
must not take his father's wife as his own
"must not marry his father's former wife, even if she is not his mother"
Chapter 23
1
No man whose genitals are crushed or cut off may enter the assembly of Yahweh.
2
No illegitimate child may belong to the assembly of Yahweh; as far as to the tenth generation of his descendants, none of them may belong to the assembly of Yahweh.
3
An Ammonite or a Moabite may not belong to the assembly of Yahweh; as far as to the tenth generation of his descendants, none of them may belong to the assembly of Yahweh.
4
This is because they did not meet you with bread and with water on the road when you had come out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram Naharaim, to curse you.
5
But Yahweh your God would not listen to Balaam; instead, Yahweh your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because Yahweh your God loved you.
6
You must never seek their peace or prosperity, during all your days.
7
You must not detest an Edomite, for he is your brother; you must not abhor an Egyptian, because you were a foreigner in his land.
8
The descendants of the third generation that are born to them may belong to the assembly of Yahweh.
9
When you march out as an army against your enemies, then you must keep yourselves from every evil thing.
10
If there is among you any man who is unclean because of a nighttime accident, then he must go out of the army's camp; he must not come back into the camp.
11
When evening comes, he must bathe himself in water; when the sun goes down, he will come back inside the camp.
12
You must have a place also outside the camp to which you will go;
13
and you will have something among your tools to dig with; when you squat down to relieve yourself, you must dig with it and then put back the earth and cover up what has come out from you.
14
For Yahweh your God walks in the midst of your camp to give you victory and to give your enemies into your hand. Therefore your camp must be holy, so that he may not see any unclean thing among you and turn away from you.
15
You must not give back to his master a slave who has escaped from his master.
16
Let him live with you, in whatever town he chooses. Do not oppress him.
17
There must be no cultic prostitute among any of the daughters of Israel, neither must there be a cultic prostitute among the sons of Israel.
18
You must not bring the wages of a prostitute or the wages of a dog into the house of Yahweh your God for any vow; for both these are abominations to Yahweh your God.
19
You must not lend on interest to your fellow Israelite—interest of money, interest of food, or the interest of anything that is lent on interest.
20
To a foreigner you may lend on interest; but to your fellow Israelite you must not lend on interest, so that Yahweh your God may bless you in all that you put your hand to, in the land which you are going in to possess.
21
When you make a vow to Yahweh your God, you must not be slow in fulfilling it, for Yahweh your God will surely require it of you; it would be sin for you not to fulfill it.
22
But if you will refrain from making a vow, it will be no sin for you.
23
That which has gone out from your lips you must observe and do; according as you have vowed to Yahweh your God, anything that you have freely promised with your mouth.
24
When you go into your neighbor's vineyard, you may eat as many grapes as you desire, but do not put any in your basket.
25
When you go into your neighbor's ripe grain, you may pluck the heads of grain with your hand, but do not put a sickle to your neighbor's ripe grain.
Deuteronomy 23:1
man whose genitals are crushed or cut off
"man whose private body parts someone has crushed or cut off."
may enter the assembly of Yahweh
"may be a full member of the Israelite community". This was probably the corporate worship of Yahweh, when the people would come together to worship him.
Deuteronomy 23:2
illegitimate child
Possible meanings are 1) a child born to parents who committed incest or adultery or 2) a child born to a prostitute.
as far as to the tenth generation of his descendants
"even after ten generations of the illegitimate child's descendants"
none of them
"none of these descendants"
Deuteronomy 23:3
may not belong to the assembly of Yahweh
"may not be a full member of the Israelite community"
Deuteronomy 23:4
they did not meet you with bread and with water
"they did not welcome you by bringing you food and drink"
against you ... curse you
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the word "you" here is singular.
Deuteronomy 23:5
would not listen
"did not pay attention"
turned the curse into a blessing for you
"had him bless you and not curse you"
Deuteronomy 23:6
You must never seek their peace or prosperity
"You should never make a peace treaty with the Ammonites and the Moabites"
during all your days
"as long as you are a nation"
Deuteronomy 23:7
You must not detest an Edomite
"Do not hate an Edomite"
for he is your brother
"because he is your relative"
you must not abhor an Egyptian
"do not hate an Egyptian"
Deuteronomy 23:8
The descendants of the third generation that are born to them may belong to the assembly of Yahweh
"If an Edomite or an Egyptian comes to live in the Israelite community, his grandchildren may become full members of that community"
Deuteronomy 23:9
against your enemies
"to fight against your enemies"
keep yourselves from every evil thing
"keep yourselves away from all bad things"
Deuteronomy 23:10
any man who is unclean because of a nighttime accident
"any man who is unclean because he had an emission of semen while he was asleep"
Deuteronomy 23:13
you will have something among your tools to dig with
"you should have a tool that you can use to dig with"
when you squat down to relieve yourself
"when you squat down to defecate"
you must dig with it
"you must dig a hole with the tool"
cover up what has come out from you
"cover up your excrement"
Deuteronomy 23:14
so that he may not see any unclean thing among you
"so that Yahweh may not see any unclean thing among you,"
Deuteronomy 23:15
a slave who has escaped from his master
"a slave from another country who escaped from his master and came to Israel"
Deuteronomy 23:16
Let him live with you
"Let the slave live among your people,"
Deuteronomy 23:17
cultic prostitute ... among any of the daughters ... among the sons
Possible meanings are that Moses 1) openly forbids women and men to perform sexual acts as part of temple service or 2) forbids women and men to perform sexual acts to receive money.
Deuteronomy 23:18
You must not bring the wages of a prostitute ... into the house
"A woman who earns money as a prostitute must not bring that money ... into the house"
a dog
a man who allows men to have sex with him for money
into the house of Yahweh your God
"into the temple"
for any vow
"to fulfill a vow;"
both these
the wages of a female prostitute and of a male prostitute.
Deuteronomy 23:19
lend on interest
to lend to somebody and force that person to pay back more than was lent
interest of money ... anything that is lent on interest
"you must not charge interest when you lend somebody money, food, or anything else"
Deuteronomy 23:20
all that you put your hand to
"all that you do"
Deuteronomy 23:21
you must not be slow in fulfilling it
"you must not take a long time to fulfill the vow"
for Yahweh your God will surely require it of you
"because Yahweh your God will blame you and punish you if you do not fulfill your vow"
Deuteronomy 23:22
But if you will refrain from making a vow, it will be no sin for you
"But, if you do not make a vow, you will not sin because you will not have a vow to fulfill"
Deuteronomy 23:23
That which has gone out from your lips
"The words you have spoken"
according as you have vowed to Yahweh your God
"whatever you have vowed to Yahweh your God that you will do"
anything that you have freely promised with your mouth
"anything that people have heard you promise to do because you wanted to do it"
with your mouth
"so that people heard you say it"
Deuteronomy 23:24
you may eat as many grapes as you desire
"then you may enjoy eating grapes until you are full"
but do not put any in your basket
"but you may not put any grapes in your bag to take them away with you"
Deuteronomy 23:25
When you go into your neighbor's ripe grain
"When you walk through your neighbor's field where there is grain growing,"
you may pluck the heads of grain with your hand
"then you may eat the kernels of grain with your hand"
but do not put a sickle to your neighbor's ripe grain
"but do not cut down your neighbor's ripe grain and take it with you."
sickle
a sharp tool that farmers use to harvest wheat
Chapter 24
1
When a man takes a wife and marries her, if she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found something shameful about her, then he must write her a certificate of divorce, put it into her hand, and send her out of his house.
2
When she has gone out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife.
3
If the second husband hates her and writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it into her hand, and sends her out of his house; or if the second husband dies, the man who took her to be his wife—
4
then her former husband, the one who had first sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after she has become unclean; for that would be an abomination to Yahweh. You must not cause the land to become guilty, the land that Yahweh your God is giving you as an inheritance.
5
When a man takes a new wife, he will not go to war with the army, neither may he be commanded to go on any forced duty; he will be free to be at home for one year and will bring joy to his wife whom he has taken.
6
No man may take a mill or an upper millstone as a pledge, for that would be taking a person's life as a pledge.
7
If a man is found kidnapping any of his brothers from among the people of Israel, and treats him as a slave and sells him, that thief must die; and you will remove the evil from among you.
8
Be careful regarding any plague of leprosy, so that you carefully observe and follow every instruction given to you which the priests, the Levites, teach you; as I commanded them, so you will act.
9
Call to mind what Yahweh your God did to Miriam as you were coming out of Egypt.
10
When you make your neighbor any kind of loan, you must not go into his house to fetch his pledge.
11
You will stand outside, and the man to whom you have lent will bring the pledge outside to you.
12
If he is a poor man, you must not lie down with his pledge in your possession.
13
You must surely restore to him the pledge by the time the sun goes down, so that he may lie down in his cloak and bless you; it will be righteousness for you before Yahweh your God.
14
You must not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he is of your fellow Israelites or of the foreigners who are in your land within your city gates.
15
Each day you must give him his wage; the sun must not go down on this unsettled matter, for he is poor and is counting on it. Do this so that he does not cry out against you to Yahweh, and so that it not be a sin that you have committed.
16
The parents must not be put to death for their children, neither must the children be put to death for their parents. Everyone must be put to death for his own sin.
17
You must not twist the justice that is due the foreigner or the fatherless, nor take the widow's cloak as a pledge.
18
Remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and that Yahweh your God rescued you from there. Therefore I instruct you to obey this command.
19
When you reap your harvest in your field, and if you have forgotten an omer of grain in the field, you must not go back to get it; it must be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, or for the widow, so that Yahweh your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
20
When you beat the olives off your olive tree, you must not go over the branches again; it will be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, or for the widow.
21
When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you must not glean it again. What is left over will be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow.
22
You must call to mind that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I instruct you to obey this command.
Deuteronomy 24:1
General Information:
This chapter continues the teaching about how to maintain justice in Israel and also gives limitations regarding the lending of money. Lending money to fellow Israelites was a way to help them out and was not intended to be a way to make money off their brothers.
When a man takes a wife and marries her
"When a man marries a woman"
if she finds no favor in his eyes
"if he decides that he does not like her"
because he has found something shameful about her
The word translated "shameful" here implies sexual immorality.
he must write her a certificate of divorce
"he must give his wife an official paper saying that they are not married anymore"
Deuteronomy 24:2
she may go and be another man's wife
"she may go and marry another man."
Deuteronomy 24:3
General Information:
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the words "you" and "your" here are singular.
If the second husband hates her
"If the second husband decides that he hates the woman"
puts it into her hand
"gives it to the woman"
Deuteronomy 24:4
after she has become unclean
"after she has become unclean by the divorce and remarriage to another man"
You must not cause the land to become guilty
"You must not spread guilt around in the land"
Deuteronomy 24:5
When a man takes a new wife
"When a man is newly married to a woman"
neither may he be commanded to go on any forced duty
"and no one is to force him to live away from his home and do any kind of work"
he will be free to be at home
"he will be free to live at home"
Deuteronomy 24:6
mill
a tool for making flour by grinding grain in between two heavy discs of stone
upper millstone
the top disc of stone in a mill. To take a person's millstone was to take away how they earned money and produced food.
for that would be taking a person's life as a pledge
"because he would be taking from the man what the man needs to make food for his family"
Deuteronomy 24:7
If a man is found kidnapping
"If you find a man kidnapping". This refers to using force to take a person away from his home and imprison him.
any of his brothers from among the people of Israel
"any of his fellow Israelites"
that thief must die
"then other Israelites should kill that thief as a punishment for what he did"
you will remove the evil from among you
"you must remove from among the Israelites the person who does this evil thing" or "you must execute this evil person"
Deuteronomy 24:8
Be careful regarding any plague of leprosy
"Pay attention if you suffer from leprosy" or "Pay attention if you have leprosy"
every instruction given to you which the priests, the Levites, teach you
"all of the instructions that I have given you and that the priests, who are Levites, teach you to do"
teach you ... you will act
Moses here speaks to the Israelites as a group, so these instances of the word "you" are plural.
as I commanded them, so you will act
"you must make sure that you do exactly what I have commanded them"
commanded them
The word "them" refers to the priests, who are Levites.
Deuteronomy 24:9
Call to mind what Yahweh your God
Moses speaks to the Israelites here as if they were one man, so the words "your" and "call to mind" are singular.
you were coming out
Moses here speaks to the Israelites as a group, so the word "you" is plural.
Call to mind
"Remember"
as you were coming out of Egypt
"during the time when you were leaving Egypt"
Deuteronomy 24:10
General Information:
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the words "you" and "your" here are singular.
When you make your neighbor any kind of loan
"When you loan something to your neighbor"
to fetch his pledge
"to take his pledge"
his pledge
This refers to what he has promised that he would give you if he did not pay back the loan.
Deuteronomy 24:11
You will stand outside
"You should wait outside his house,"
Deuteronomy 24:12
you must not lie down with his pledge in your possession
"you must not keep his coat overnight" or "you must return his pledge before you lie down to sleep"
his pledge
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 24:10.
Deuteronomy 24:13
restore to him the pledge
"give him back what he has given you to show that he will pay back the loan"
so that he may lie down in his cloak and bless you
"so that he will have his coat to keep himself warm when he sleeps, and he will be grateful to you"
cloak
This was probably the "pledge" Moses was speaking of in Deuteronomy 24:10-12.
it will be righteousness for you before Yahweh your God
"Yahweh your God will approve of the way you handled this matter"
Deuteronomy 24:14
You must not oppress a hired servant
"You must not treat a hired servant poorly"
hired servant
a person who gets paid daily for his work
within your city gates
"in one of your cities"
Deuteronomy 24:15
Each day you must give him his wage
"You should give the man the money he earns every single day"
the sun must not go down on this unsettled matter
"you should pay the man on the same day he does the work"
for he is poor and is counting on it
"because he is poor and depends on his wages to buy his food for the next day"
he does not cry out against you to Yahweh
"he does not call out to Yahweh and ask him to punish you"
Deuteronomy 24:16
The parents must not be put to death for their children
"You must not execute the parents because of something bad that one of their children did"
neither must the children be put to death for their parents
"and you must not execute the children because of something bad that their parents did"
Everyone must be put to death for his own sin
"you should only execute a person because of something bad that he did himself"
Deuteronomy 24:17
You must not twist the justice that is due the foreigner or the fatherless
"You must not treat a foreigner or the fatherless unfairly"
fatherless
This refers to children whose parents have both died and do not have relatives to care for them.
nor take the widow's cloak as a pledge
"and do not take a widow's cloak as a pledge because she needs it"
Deuteronomy 24:19
When you reap your harvest in your field
"When you cut down the grain in your field"
an omer of grain
Some versions translate this as "a sheaf." This refers to stalks of grain, enough to carry and tie in a bundle.
it must be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, or for the widow
"you must leave the sheaf so a foreigner, an orphan, or a widow can take it"
in all the work of your hands
"in all the work that you do"
Deuteronomy 24:20
When you beat the olives off your olive tree
"When you shake the branches of your olive tree, causing the olives to fall to the ground so you can pick them up"
you must not go over the branches again
"do not pick every single olive from the tree"
it will be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, or for the widow
"the olives that stay on the branches are for foreigners, orphans, and widows to pick and take with them"
Deuteronomy 24:21
What is left over will be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow
"The grapes that you do not pick will be for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow to pick"
Deuteronomy 24:22
call to mind
"remember"
Chapter 25
1
If there is a dispute between men and they go to court, and the judges judge them, then they will acquit the righteous and condemn the wicked.
2
If the guilty man deserves to be beaten, then the judge will make him lie down and be beaten in his presence with the ordered number of blows, according to his wickedness.
3
The judge may give him forty blows, but he may not exceed that number; for if he should exceed that number and beat him with many more blows, then your fellow Israelite would be humiliated before your eyes.
4
You must not muzzle the ox when he threshes the grain.
5
If brothers live together and one of them dies, not having any son, then the wife of the dead man must not be married off to someone else outside the family. Instead, her husband's brother must go to her and take her to himself as a wife, and do the duty of a husband's brother to her.
6
This is so that the firstborn that she bears will succeed in the name of that man's dead brother, so that his name will not perish from Israel.
7
But if the man does not wish to take his brother's wife for himself, then his brother's wife must go up to the gate to the elders and say, 'My husband's brother refuses to raise up for his brother a name in Israel; he will not perform the duty of a husband's brother to me.'
8
Then the elders of his city must call him and speak to him. But suppose that he insists and says, 'I do not wish to take her.'
9
Then his brother's wife must come up to him in the presence of the elders, take off his sandal from his foot, and spit in his face. She must answer him and say, 'This is what is done to the man who does not build up his brother's house.'
10
His name will be called in Israel, 'The house of him whose sandal has been taken off.'
11
If men fight with each other, and the wife of one comes to rescue her husband out of the hand of him who struck him, and if she stretches out her hand and takes him by the private parts,
12
then you must cut off her hand; your eye must have no pity.
13
You must not have in your bag different weights, a large and a small.
14
You must not have in your house different measures, a large and a small.
15
A perfect and just weight you must have; a perfect and just measure you must have, so that your days may be long in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you.
16
For all who do such things, all that act unrighteously, are an abomination to Yahweh your God.
17
Call to mind what Amalek did to you on the road as you came out of Egypt,
18
how he met you on the road and attacked those of you at the rear, all who were feeble in your rear, when you were faint and weary; he did not honor God.
19
Therefore, when Yahweh your God has given you rest from all your enemies round about, in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you must not forget that you must blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
Deuteronomy 25:1
General Information:
This chapter continues to teach about justice in Israel.
Deuteronomy 25:2
If the guilty man deserves to be beaten
"If the judge orders them to beat the guilty man"
be beaten in his presence
"he will watch them beat him"
with the ordered number of blows, according to his wickedness
"the number of times he has ordered because of the bad deed he did"
Deuteronomy 25:3
The judge may give him forty blows
"The judge may say that they should beat the guilty person 40 times"
but he may not exceed that number
"but the judge may not order them to beat him more than 40 times"
for if he should exceed that number and beat him with many more blows
"because if the judge orders them to beat him many more than 40 times"
then your fellow Israelite would be humiliated before your eyes
"then the judge would humiliate your fellow Israelite in front of all of the people of Israel"
humiliated before your eyes
"humiliated, and you would all see it"
Deuteronomy 25:4
You must not muzzle the ox
"You must not put something over the mouth of an ox"
when he threshes the grain
while he separates the grain from the chaff by walking on it or dragging heavy wood over it.
Deuteronomy 25:5
If brothers live together
"If brothers live on the same property" or "If brothers live near each other."
then the wife of the dead man must not be married off to someone
"then the family of the dead man must not let the widow marry someone"
must go to her
"shall have sexual relations with her"
do the duty of a husband's brother to her
"do what the brother of a dead husband is supposed to do"
Deuteronomy 25:6
will succeed in the name of that man's dead brother
"will continue the family line of that man's dead brother"
so that his name will not perish from Israel
"so that his family line will not disappear from Israel"
Deuteronomy 25:7
must go up to the gate to the elders
"must go up to the city gate where the elders judge cases"
refuses to raise up for his brother a name
"refuses to give his brother a son"
he will not perform the duty of a husband's brother to me
"he will not do what a husband's brother is supposed to do and marry me"
Deuteronomy 25:8
I do not wish to take her
"I do not wish to marry her."
Deuteronomy 25:9
must come up to him in the presence of the elders
"must walk up close to him with the elders there watching"
who does not build up his brother's house
"who does not give his brother a son and continue his brother's family line"
Deuteronomy 25:10
His name will be called in Israel
"People in Israel will know his family as"
The house of him whose sandal has been taken off
"The house of him whose sandal his brother's widow took off his foot" or "The family of a man who did not marry the wife of his dead brother". Here removing the sandal symbolizes that the brother would not receive any of the property of his dead brother.
Deuteronomy 25:11
out of the hand of him who struck him
"so the one who struck him will not strike him again" or "from the man who hit him"
Deuteronomy 25:12
your eye must have no pity
"you should not feel sorry for her" or "you must not show her mercy"
Deuteronomy 25:13
You must not have in your bag different weights, a large and a small
"You must not cheat people by using a weight that is larger than you say it is when you buy things and by using a weight that is smaller than you say it is when you sell things"
weights
Weights were stones used on a balance to determine how much something weighs
Deuteronomy 25:15
General Information:
In the ancient Near East, people weighed gold and silver on a scale and used it as money. God was commanding people to use accurate weights for weighing the gold and silver. He did not want them to rob people by using inaccurate weights.
A perfect and just
"A correct and fair"
your days may be long
"you may live for a long time"
Deuteronomy 25:16
For all who do such things, all that act unrighteously
"because everyone who cheats people by using different sized weights and measures,"
Deuteronomy 25:17
Call to mind what Amalek did to you
"Remember what the Amalekites did to you"
as you came out
The word "you" here is plural.
Deuteronomy 25:18
how he met you on the road
"how they met you along the way"
attacked those of you at the rear
"attacked those of your people who were in the back of the line"
all who were feeble in your rear
"all the people who were weak in the back of the line"
faint and weary
"tired and exhausted"
he did not honor God
"he was not afraid of God's punishment" or "he did not respect God"
Deuteronomy 25:19
you must blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven
"you must kill all of the Amalekites so that nobody will remember them anymore."
Chapter 26
1
When you have come into the land that Yahweh your God is giving you as an inheritance, and when you possess it and live in it,
2
then you must take some of the first of all the produce of the land that you have brought in from the land that Yahweh your God is giving you. You must put it in a basket and go to the place where Yahweh your God will choose to make a dwelling for his name.
3
You must go to the priest who will be serving in those days and say to him, 'I acknowledge today to Yahweh your God that I have come to the land that Yahweh swore to our ancestors to give us.'
4
The priest must take the basket out of your hand and set it down before the altar of Yahweh your God.
5
You must say before Yahweh your God, 'My ancestor was a wandering Aramean. He went down into Egypt and stayed there, and his people were few in number. There he became a great, mighty, and populous nation.
6
The Egyptians treated us badly and afflicted us. They put hard labor on us.
7
We cried out to Yahweh, the God of our fathers, and he heard our voice and saw our affliction, our labor, and our oppression.
8
Yahweh brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, with great fearsomeness, with signs, and with wonders;
9
and he has brought us to this place and has given us this land, a land that flows with milk and honey.
10
Now look, I have brought the first of the produce of the land that you, Yahweh, have given me.' You must set it down before Yahweh your God and worship before him;
11
and you must rejoice in all the good that Yahweh your God has done for you, for your house—you, and the Levite, and the foreigner who is among you.
12
When you have finished giving all the tithe of your harvest in the third year, that is, the year of tithing, then you must give it to the Levite, to the foreigner, to the fatherless, and to the widow, so that they may eat within your city gates and be filled.
13
You must say before Yahweh your God, 'I have completely removed from my house the things that belong to Yahweh, and have given them to the Levite, to the foreigner, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all your commandments that you have given me. I have not transgressed any of your commandments, neither have I forgotten them.
14
I have not eaten any of it in my mourning, nor have I put it somewhere else when I was unclean, nor have I given any of it in honor of the dead. I have listened to the voice of Yahweh my God; I have obeyed everything you have commanded me to do.
15
Look down from the holy place where you live, from heaven, and bless your people Israel, and the land that you have given us, as you had sworn to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.'
16
Today Yahweh your God is commanding you to obey these statutes and decrees; you will therefore keep them and do them with all your heart and with all your soul.
17
You have declared today that Yahweh is your God, and that you will walk in his ways and keep his statutes, his commandments, and his decrees, and that you will listen to his voice.
18
Today Yahweh has declared that you are a people who are his own possession, as he had promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments,
19
and he will set you high above all the other nations that he has made, and you will receive praise, fame, and honor. You will be a people that is set apart to Yahweh your God, just as he said."
Deuteronomy 26:1
General Information:
This chapter recalls the great events of Israel's history when Yahweh brought them out of Egypt. Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the words "you" and "your" here are singular.
Deuteronomy 26:2
some of the first of all the produce
"some of the first fruits of the crops"
make a dwelling for his name
"have his people build the place where they will worship him". See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 14:23.
Deuteronomy 26:5
My ancestor was a wandering Aramean
This is the beginning of the statement that the Israelite male should make when bringing his basket. This refers to Jacob, who was the ancestor of all the Israelites. He lived for many years in Aram-Nahairam, a region located in Syria.
stayed there
"lived the rest of his life there"
There he became
The word "he" refers to "Jacob's descendants."
a great, mighty
"very great"
Deuteronomy 26:6
treated us badly and afflicted us
These two phrases emphasize that the Egyptians acted very harshly.
treated us
Here "us" refers to the people of Israel that were living in Egypt.
Deuteronomy 26:7
he heard our voice
"he heard our cries" or "he heard our prayers"
our affliction, our labor, and our oppression
"that the Egyptians were afflicting us, that we were doing very hard work, and that the Egyptians were oppressing us"
Deuteronomy 26:8
with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm
"by showing his mighty power". See how you translated these words in Deuteronomy 4:34.
with great fearsomeness
"with acts that terrified the people who saw them"
Deuteronomy 26:9
a land that flows with milk and honey
"a land where plenty of milk and honey flow" or "a land that is excellent for cattle and farming". See Deuteronomy 6:3.
Deuteronomy 26:10
General Information:
Moses continues telling the Israelites what they must say when they bring their first crops to Yahweh. He speaks to them as if they were one man, so the words "you" and "your" here are singular.
first of the produce
"first fruits of the harvest"
You must set it down
"You must set the basket down."
Deuteronomy 26:11
you must rejoice in all the good that Yahweh your God has done for you
"you must rejoice and be grateful for all the good things that Yahweh your God has done for you,"
Deuteronomy 26:12
in the third year
Every three years the people of Israel gave a tenth of the harvest to the poor.
fatherless
These are children whose parents have both died and do not have relatives to care for them.
widow
This means a woman whose husband has died and has no children to care for her now that she is old.
eat within your city gates and be filled
"so that those within your towns may have enough food to eat"
Deuteronomy 26:13
I have completely removed from
These are the first words of another statement that the Israelite was supposed to say.
neither have I forgotten them
This says that he has obeyed all of God's commandments.
Deuteronomy 26:14
General Information:
This continues what the Israelite must say to Yahweh when he gives his tithe to the poor.
I have not eaten any of it in my mourning
"I have not eaten any of the tithe while I was mourning"
when I was unclean
"when I was unclean according to the Law" or "when the law says I cannot touch it"
I have listened to the voice of Yahweh my God; I have obeyed everything you have commanded me to do
Both statements emphasize that the person has obeyed all of God's commands.
Deuteronomy 26:15
from the holy place where you live, from heaven
"from heaven, your holy dwelling place"
Deuteronomy 26:16
with all your heart and with all your soul
These two phrases are used together to mean "completely" or "earnestly." See Deuteronomy 4:29.
Deuteronomy 26:17
that you will walk in his ways and keep his statutes, his commandments, and his decrees, and that you will listen to his voice
"that you will completely obey everything Yahweh commands"
Deuteronomy 26:18
a people who are his own possession
"a people who belong to him"
Deuteronomy 26:19
he will set you high above
"he will make you more important than" or "he will make you greater than"
he will set you high above all the other nations that he has made, and you will receive praise, fame, and honor
"he will cause you to become greater than any other nation that he has established, and he will enable you to praise him and honor him" or "he will have people praise you more than they praise every other nation that he has made; people will say that you are better than any other nation, and they will honor you."
You will be a people that is set apart to Yahweh your God
"Yahweh your God will set you apart from other nations"
Chapter 27
1
Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people and said, "Keep all the commandments that I command you today.
2
On the day when you will pass over the Jordan to the land that Yahweh your God is giving you, you must set up some large stones and plaster them with plaster.
3
You must write on them all the words of this law when you have passed over, so that you may go into the land that Yahweh your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, promised you.
4
When you have passed over the Jordan, set up these stones that I am commanding you about today, on Mount Ebal, and plaster them with plaster.
5
There you must build an altar to Yahweh your God, an altar of stones; but you must raise no iron tool to work the stones.
6
You must build the altar of Yahweh your God of unworked stones; you must offer burnt offerings on it to Yahweh your God,
7
and you will sacrifice fellowship offerings and will eat there; you will rejoice before Yahweh your God.
8
You will write on the stones all the words of this law. Write them very plainly."
9
Moses and the priests, the Levites, spoke to all Israel and said, "Be silent and listen, Israel: Today you have become the people of Yahweh your God.
10
You must therefore obey the voice of Yahweh your God and obey his commandments and statutes that I am commanding you today."
11
Moses commanded the people the same day and said,
12
"These tribes must stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people after you have passed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.
13
These are the tribes that must stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
14
The Levites will answer and say to all the men of Israel in a loud voice:
15
'May the man be cursed who makes a a carved image or a cast metal figure, an abomination to Yahweh, the work of the hands of a craftsman, and who sets it up in secret.' Then all the people must answer and say, 'Amen.'
16
'May the man be cursed who dishonors his father or his mother.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.'
17
'May the man be cursed who removes his neighbor's landmark.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.'
18
'May the man be cursed who misleads the blind on the road.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.'
19
'May the man be cursed who uses force to take away the justice due to a foreigner, fatherless, or widow.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.'
20
'May the man be cursed who lies with his father's wife, because he has taken away his father's rights.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.'
21
'May the man be cursed who lies with any animal.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.'
22
'May the man be cursed who lies with his sister, the daughter of his father, or with the daughter of his mother.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.'
23
'May the man be cursed who lies with his mother-in-law.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.'
24
'May the man be cursed who kills his neighbor secretly.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.'
25
'May the man be cursed who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.'
26
'May the man be cursed who does not confirm the words of this law, that he will obey them.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.'
Deuteronomy 27:1
General Information:
"May the man be cursed"...This phrase is repeated several times in this chapter, serves as a warning to the Israelites when they will live in the Promised Land and is part of the covenant Yahweh made with Moses.
command you today
Moses is speaking to the Israelites as a group, so the word "you" is plural.
I command
Here "I" refers to Moses. The elders are there in agreement with Moses, but he is the only one speaking.
Deuteronomy 27:2
plaster them with plaster
"spread plaster on them" or "make them so you can write on them". Plaster is usually a mixture of lime, sand, and water that is spread on something. It dries to form a hard, smooth surface on which a person can write.
Deuteronomy 27:3
a land flowing with milk and honey
"a land where plenty of milk and honey flow" or "a land that is excellent for cattle and farming". See Deuteronomy 6:3.
Deuteronomy 27:4
you have passed ... set up ... I am commanding you
Moses is addressing the Israelites as a group, so the instances of "you" and the command "set up" are plural.
Mount Ebal
This is a mountain near Shechem. See Deuteronomy 11:29.
Deuteronomy 27:5
you must raise no iron tool to work the stones
"you will not shape the altar stones with iron tools"
Deuteronomy 27:6
unworked stones
stones in their natural shape that no one has shaped with metal tools
Deuteronomy 27:8
write on the stones
This refers to the stones they were to set up on Mount Ebal and cover with plaster.
Deuteronomy 27:10
obey the voice of Yahweh your God
"obey what Yahweh your God says"
I am commanding
The Levites are there in agreement with Moses, but he is the only one speaking.
Deuteronomy 27:12
These tribes
"The people from these tribes". This refers to the people from the tribes of Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.
Mount Gerizim
A small mountain north of Mount Ebal. See Deuteronomy 11:29.
Joseph
This combines the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, who were descendants of Joseph.
Deuteronomy 27:13
pronounce curses
"say in a loud voice how Yahweh will curse Israel"
Deuteronomy 27:15
May the man be cursed ... sets it up in secret
"May Yahweh curse the person ... sets it up in secret". This is the statement the Levites must shout to all the people of Israel.
the work of the hands of a craftsman
"something a man has made"
craftsman
a man who knows how to make things.
Deuteronomy 27:16
General Information:
Moses continues telling the Levites and the people what they must say.
May the man be cursed
"May Yahweh curse the man"
Deuteronomy 27:17
who removes his neighbor's landmark
"who takes land away from his neighbor by moving the markers on the borders of his land"
Deuteronomy 27:18
May the man be cursed
"May Yahweh curse the man"
Deuteronomy 27:19
uses force to take away the justice due to a foreigner ... widow
"treats a foreigner ... widow unfairly". See Deuteronomy 24:17.
fatherless
These are children whose parents have both died and do not have relatives to care for them.
widow
This means a woman whose husband has died and has no children to care for her in her old age.
Deuteronomy 27:20
May the man be cursed
"May Yahweh curse the man"
who lies with his father's wife
"who has sexual relations with his father's wife"
his father's wife
This does not refer to the man's mother, but another wife of his father.
he has taken away his father's rights
"he has taken away his father's legal rights". When a man marries a woman, only he has the legal right to sleep with her.
Deuteronomy 27:21
who lies with any animal
"who has sexual relations with any animal"
Deuteronomy 27:22
who lies with his sister
"who has sexual relations with his sister"
the daughter of his father, or with the daughter of his mother
This means a man cannot have sexual relations with his sister, even if she has a different mother or father.
Deuteronomy 27:23
who lies with his mother-in-law
"who has sexual relations with his mother-in-law"
Chapter 28
1
If you listen carefully to the voice of Yahweh your God so as to keep all his commandments that I am commanding you today, Yahweh your God will set you above all the other nations of the earth.
2
All these blessings will come on you and overtake you, if you listen to the voice of Yahweh your God.
3
Blessed will you be in the city and blessed will you be in the field.
4
Blessed will be the fruit of your womb, the fruit of your ground, and the fruit of your livestock, and the increase of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.
5
Blessed will be your basket and your kneading trough.
6
Blessed will you be when you come in, and blessed will you be when you go out.
7
Yahweh will cause your enemies who rise up against you to be struck down before you; they will come out against you one way but will flee before you seven ways.
8
Yahweh will command the blessing to come on you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to; he will bless you in the land that he is giving you.
9
Yahweh will establish you as a people that is set apart for himself, as he has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, and walk in his ways.
10
All the peoples of the earth will see that you are called by the name of Yahweh, and they will be afraid of you.
11
Yahweh will make you very prosperous in the fruit of your womb, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your ground in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you.
12
Yahweh will open to you his storehouse of the heavens to give the rain for your land at the right time, and to bless all the work of your hand; you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow.
13
Yahweh will make you the head, and not the tail; you will be only above, and you will never be beneath, if you listen to the commandments of Yahweh your God that I am commanding you today, so as to observe and to do them,
14
and if you do not turn away from any of the words that I am commanding you today, to the right hand or to the left, so as to go after other gods to serve them.
15
But if you do not listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, so as to keep all his commandments and his statutes that I am commanding you today, then all these curses will come on you and overtake you.
16
Cursed will you be in the city, and cursed will you be in the field.
17
Cursed will be your basket and your kneading trough.
18
Cursed will be the fruit of your womb, the fruit of your ground, the calves of your herds, and the lambs of your flocks.
19
Cursed will you be when you come in, and cursed will you be when you go out.
20
Yahweh will send on you curses, confusion, and rebukes in all that you put your hand to, until you are destroyed, and until you perish quickly because of the evil of your deeds by which you will have abandoned me.
21
Yahweh will make the plague cling to you until he destroys you from off the land that you are going in to possess.
22
Yahweh will attack you with infectious diseases, with fever, with inflammation, with drought, with sword, with scorching winds, and with mildew. These will pursue you until you perish.
23
Your skies that are over your head will be bronze, and the earth that is under you will be iron.
24
Yahweh will make the rain of your land into powder and dust; from the heavens will it come down on you, until you are destroyed.
25
Yahweh will cause you to be struck down before your enemies; you will go out one way against them but will flee before them seven ways. You will be tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms of the earth.
26
Your dead body will be food to all the birds of the heavens and to the wild animals of the earth; there will be no one to frighten them away.
27
Yahweh will attack you with the boils of Egypt and with ulcers, scurvy, and itch, from which you cannot be healed.
28
Yahweh will attack you with madness, with blindness, and with mental confusion.
29
You will grope about at noonday like the blind grope in the darkness, and you will not prosper in your ways; you will be always oppressed and robbed, and there will be no one to save you.
30
You will betroth a woman, but another man will seize her and rape her. You will build a house but not live in it; you will plant a vineyard but not enjoy its fruit.
31
Your ox will be killed before your eyes, but you will not eat its meat; your donkey will be forcibly taken away from before you and will not be restored to you. Your sheep will be given to your enemies, and you will have no one to deliver you.
32
Your sons and your daughters will be given to other peoples; your eyes will look for them the entire day, but will fail with longing for them. There will be no strength in your hand.
33
The produce of your land and of all your labors—a nation that you do not know will eat it up; you will always be oppressed and crushed,
34
so that you will become insane by what you have to see happen.
35
Yahweh will attack you in the knees and legs with severe boils from which you cannot be cured, from the bottom of your feet to the top of your head.
36
Yahweh will take you and the king whom you will place over yourself to a nation that you have not known, neither you nor your ancestors; there you will worship other gods of wood and stone.
37
You will become a source of horror, a proverb, and a byword, among all the peoples where Yahweh will lead you away.
38
You will take much seed out into the field, but will gather little seed in, for the locusts will consume it.
39
You will plant vineyards and cultivate them, but you will neither drink any of the wine, nor even gather in the grapes, for worms will eat them.
40
You will have olive trees within all your territory, but you will not anoint yourself with the oil, for your olive trees will drop their fruit.
41
You will have sons and daughters, but they will not remain yours, for they will go into captivity.
42
All your trees and the produce of your ground—the locusts will take them over.
43
The foreigner who is among you will rise up above you higher and higher; you yourself will come down lower and lower.
44
He will lend to you, but you will not lend to him; he will be the head, and you will be the tail.
45
All these curses will come on you and will pursue and overtake you until you are destroyed. This will happen because you did not listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, so as to keep his commandments and his regulations that he commanded you.
46
These curses will be on you as signs and wonders, and on your descendants forever.
47
Because you did not worship Yahweh your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart when you were in prosperity,
48
therefore will you serve the enemies that Yahweh will send against you; you will serve them in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in poverty. He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until he destroys you.
49
Yahweh will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle flies to its victim, a nation whose language you do not understand;
50
a nation with a fierce face that does not respect the aged and does not show favor to the young.
51
They will eat the young of your livestock and the produce of your land until you are destroyed. They will leave for you no grain, new wine, or oil, no calves of your herds or the lambs of your flock, until they have caused you to perish.
52
They will besiege you in all your city gates, until your high and fortified walls come down everywhere in your land, walls in which you had trusted. They will besiege you within all your city gates throughout all the land that Yahweh your God had given you.
53
You will eat the fruit of your own body, the flesh of your sons and of your daughters, whom Yahweh your God gave you, in the siege and in the distress with which your enemies will oppress you.
54
The man who is timid and very delicate among you—he will be envious of his brother and his own dear wife, and of whatever children he has left.
55
So he will not give to any of them the flesh of his own children that he is going to eat, because he will have nothing left for himself in the siege and in the distress with which your enemy will oppress you within all your city gates.
56
The tender and delicate woman among you, who would not venture to put the bottom of her foot on the ground for delicateness and tenderness—she will be envious of her own dear husband, of her son, and of her daughter,
57
and of her own newborn that comes out from between her legs, and of the children whom she will bear. She will eat them in private for lack of anything else, during the siege and in the distress with which your enemy will oppress you within your city gates.
58
If you do not keep all the words of this law that are written in this book, so as to honor this glorious and fearful name, Yahweh your God,
59
then Yahweh will make your plagues terrible, and those of your descendants; they will be great plagues, of long duration, and severe diseases, of long duration.
60
He will bring on you again all the diseases of Egypt that you were afraid of; they will cling to you.
61
Also every sickness and plague that is not written in the book of this law, those also Yahweh will bring on you until you are destroyed.
62
You will be left few in number, although you were like the stars of the heavens in number, because you did not listen to the voice of Yahweh your God.
63
As Yahweh once rejoiced over you in doing you good, and in multiplying you, so he will rejoice over you in making you perish and in destroying you. You will be plucked off the land that you are going into to possess.
64
Yahweh will scatter you among all peoples from the one end of the earth to the other end of the earth; there you will worship other gods that you have not known, neither you nor your ancestors, gods of wood and stone.
65
Among these nations will you find no ease, and there will be no rest for the bottoms of your feet; Yahweh will give you there a trembling heart, failing eyes, and a soul that mourns.
66
Your life will hang in doubt before you; night and day you will be afraid and will have no assurance of your life.
67
In the morning you will say, 'I wish it were evening!' and in the evening you will say, 'I wish it were morning!' because of the fear in your hearts and the things your eyes will have to see.
68
Yahweh will bring you into Egypt again by ships, by the route about which I had said to you, 'You will not see Egypt again.' There you will offer yourselves for sale to your enemies as male slaves and female slaves, but no one will purchase you."
Deuteronomy 28:1
General Information:
This chapter explains some of the blessings and warnings associated with Israel's obedience to the law of Moses. Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the words "you" and "your" here are singular.
to the voice of Yahweh your God
"to what Yahweh your God says"
so as to keep
"and obey"
set you above
"make you more important than" or "make you greater than"
Deuteronomy 28:2
All these blessings will come on you and overtake you
"Yahweh will bless you like this in ways that will completely surprise you, and it will be as if you cannot escape having him bless you"
Deuteronomy 28:3
Blessed will you be
"Yahweh will bless you"
in the city ... in the field
This means that Yahweh will bless them everywhere.
Deuteronomy 28:4
the fruit of your womb, the fruit of your ground, and the fruit of your livestock
These idioms for "your children, and your crops, and all your animals" refer to everything the Israelites valued.
the fruit of your livestock, and the increase of your herds and the lambs of your flocks
"all of your animals, along with the calves of the cattle and the lambs of the flocks"
Deuteronomy 28:5
your basket and your kneading trough
"all the food you grow and all the food you eat". A "kneading trough" was a bowl they used to make bread.
Deuteronomy 28:6
when you come in ... when you go out
This refers to all of life's activities everywhere they go.
Deuteronomy 28:7
cause your enemies who rise up against you to be struck down before you
"cause you to defeat the armies that attack you"
but will flee before you seven ways
"but they will run away from you in seven directions". The actual number could be more or less than seven.
Deuteronomy 28:8
Yahweh will command the blessing to come on you in your barns
"When Yahweh blesses you, you will be surprised by how much grain you have in your barns"
in all that you put your hand to
"in everything you do"
Deuteronomy 28:9
Yahweh will establish you as a people that is set apart for himself
"Yahweh will make you a holy people that belongs to him".
Deuteronomy 28:10
you are called by the name of Yahweh
"Yahweh has called you his own"
Deuteronomy 28:11
in the fruit of your womb, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your ground
"with children, animals, and crops"
Deuteronomy 28:12
his storehouse of the heavens
"the clouds"
at the right time
"when the crops need it"
all the work of your hand
"all the work that you do"
Deuteronomy 28:13
the head, and not the tail
This means the Israelites will always be the leaders over other nations and never the servants following behind them.
will be only above ... will never be beneath
The Israelites will rule over others but never have others rule them.
I am commanding you
Moses is speaking to all the Israelites, so the word "you" is plural.
Deuteronomy 28:14
if you do not turn away from any of the words that I am commanding you today, to the right hand or to the left, so as to go after other gods to serve them
"if you do not disobey what I am commanding you today by serving other gods"
Deuteronomy 28:15
But if
Here Moses starts describing the curses the people will receive if they disobey.
the voice of Yahweh your God
"what Yahweh your God is saying"
then all these curses will come on you and overtake you
"Yahweh will curse you like this in ways that will completely surprise you, and it will be as if you cannot escape having him curse you". See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 28:2.
Deuteronomy 28:16
Cursed will you be
"Yahweh will curse you"
Deuteronomy 28:17
your basket and your kneading trough
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 28:5.
Deuteronomy 28:18
the fruit of your womb, the fruit of your ground
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 28:4.
herds ... flocks
"cattle ... sheep"
Deuteronomy 28:20
curses, confusion, and rebukes
"disasters, fear, and frustration"
in all that you put your hand to
"in everything you do"
until you are destroyed
"until your enemies destroy you"
abandoned me
Here "me" refers to Yahweh.
Deuteronomy 28:21
cling to you
"remain on you,"
Deuteronomy 28:22
infectious diseases, with fever, with inflammation
"diseases and burning fevers that will make you weak."
with drought
"with lack of rain"
mildew
mold that grows on crops and causes them to rot
These will pursue you
"You will suffer from them"
Deuteronomy 28:23
skies ... will be bronze
"skies ... will give no rain"
the earth ... will be iron
"nothing will grow from the ground"
Deuteronomy 28:24
Yahweh will make the rain of your land into powder and dust
"instead of rain, Yahweh will send sandstorms"
until you are destroyed
"until it destroys you"
Deuteronomy 28:25
Yahweh will cause you to be struck down before your enemies
"Yahweh will cause your enemies to strike you down"
to be struck down before
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 28:7.
will flee before them seven ways
"you will flee in seven directions"
You will be tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms
"The peoples of the other nations will drive you from one nation to another"
Deuteronomy 28:27
the boils of Egypt
"the same skin disease with which I cursed the Egyptians"
boils ... ulcers, scurvy, and itch
These are different types of skin diseases.
from which you cannot be healed
"from which no one will be able to heal you"
Deuteronomy 28:29
You will grope about at noonday like the blind grope in the darkness
"You will be like blind people who grope in darkness even at noonday."
you will be always oppressed and robbed
"stronger people will always oppress and rob you"
Deuteronomy 28:31
Your ox will be killed before your eyes
"You will watch as someone kills your ox"
your donkey will be forcibly taken away from before you and will not be restored to you
"someone will take your donkey by force and will not give it back"
Your sheep will be given to your enemies
"I will give your sheep to your enemies" or "I will allow your enemies to take your sheep"
Deuteronomy 28:32
Your sons and your daughters will be given to other peoples
"I will give your sons and your daughters to other peoples" or "Your enemies will take your sons and daughters"
your eyes will look for them the entire day, but will fail with longing for them
"you will grow tired as you constantly watch for them and long to see them again"
There will be no strength in your hand
"You will be powerless to do anything about it"
Deuteronomy 28:33
a nation
"people from a nation"
you will always be oppressed and crushed
"they will always oppress and crush you"
Deuteronomy 28:34
you will become insane by what you have to see happen
"what you see will make you go crazy."
Deuteronomy 28:35
from which you cannot be cured
"that no one will be able to cure"
Deuteronomy 28:37
of horror, a proverb, and a byword, among all the peoples where Yahweh will lead you away
"of horror. The people, in the places where Yahweh will send you, will make up proverbs and bywords about you" or "of horror. Yahweh will send you to peoples who will laugh at you and ridicule you"
byword
a word or phrase that people use to shame others
Deuteronomy 28:38
but will gather little seed in
"but will harvest very little food"
Deuteronomy 28:40
but you will not anoint yourself with the oil
People would rub olive oil on themselves to make their skin healthy.
your olive trees will drop their fruit
"your olive trees will drop their fruit before the fruit is ripe"
Deuteronomy 28:43
The foreigner who is
"The foreigners who are"
rise up above you higher and higher; you yourself will come down lower and lower
This means foreigners will have more power, money, and honor than the Israelites.
Deuteronomy 28:44
He will ... to him
"They will ... to them"
he will be the head, and you will be the tail
See how you translated a similar phrase in Deuteronomy 28:13.
Deuteronomy 28:45
All these curses will come on you and will pursue and overtake you until you are destroyed
"Yahweh will curse you like this in ways that will completely surprise you, and it will be as if he is chasing you and you cannot escape having him curse you"
to the voice of Yahweh your God
"to what Yahweh your God said"
his commandments and his regulations
"all that Yahweh has commanded you to do."
Deuteronomy 28:47
joyfulness and gladness of heart
They emphasize that the people should have been very glad to worship Yahweh.
Deuteronomy 28:48
He will put a yoke of iron on your neck
This refers to Yahweh allowing the enemy to treat the Israelites cruelly and make them slaves.
Deuteronomy 28:49
from far away, from the ends of the earth
These two phrases emphasize that the enemy will come from a nation that is very far away from Israel.
from the ends of the earth
"from places that you know nothing about"
like an eagle flies to its victim
This means the enemy will come suddenly and the Israelites will not be able to stop them.
Deuteronomy 28:50
a nation with a fierce face that does not respect the aged and does not show favor
"a nation whose people have fierce expressions, who do not respect the aged and do not show favor"
Deuteronomy 28:51
until you are destroyed
"until they destroy you"
Deuteronomy 28:52
General Information:
Moses continues describing the army that will attack the Israelites if they do not obey Yahweh.
you in all your city gates
"your cities"
Deuteronomy 28:53
the fruit of your own body, the flesh of your sons and of your daughters
The people will be so hungry after the enemy army surrounds their city that they will eat their own children.
Deuteronomy 28:54
who is timid and very delicate among you—he
"who is timid and very delicate among you—even he." Moses is saying that not only those one would expect to eat their children, but even the last person one would expect to eat his own children will eat his children.
Deuteronomy 28:56
The tender and delicate woman among you ... tenderness—she
"The tender and delicate woman among you ... tenderness—even she." Moses is saying that not only those one would expect to eat their children, but even women of noble birth and normally very gentle, will eat their children.
who would not venture to put the bottom of her foot on the ground for delicateness and tenderness
Moses is emphasizing that this noble woman is so rich and lives in such luxury that she would not allow herself to get dirty.
for delicateness and tenderness
"because she is so delicate and tender"
Deuteronomy 28:58
that are written
"that I have written"
this glorious and fearful name, Yahweh your God
"Yahweh your God who is glorious and awesome"
Deuteronomy 28:59
Yahweh will make your plagues terrible, and those of your descendants
"Yahweh will send terrible plagues on you and your descendants;" or "Yahweh will make sure that you and your descendants suffer from terrible plagues"
Deuteronomy 28:60
He will bring on you again all the diseases of Egypt
"He will make sure that you again suffer from the diseases of Egypt"
they will cling to you
"the diseases will not stop, and no one will be able to heal you of them"
Deuteronomy 28:61
every sickness and plague that is not written
"even other sicknesses and plagues that I have not written"
until you are destroyed
"until he has destroyed you"
Deuteronomy 28:62
You will be left ... you were like ... you did not listen
Moses is speaking to the Israelites as a group, so all instances of "you" are plural.
you were like the stars of the heavens in number
This means that in the past there were many Israelites.
to the voice of Yahweh
"to what Yahweh says"
Deuteronomy 28:63
Yahweh once rejoiced over you ... multiplying you ... rejoice over you in making you perish and in destroying you. You will be plucked
Moses is speaking to the Israelites as a group, so all instances of "you" are plural.
Yahweh once rejoiced over you in doing you good, and in multiplying you
"Yahweh once enjoyed doing you good and causing you to become many"
he will rejoice over you in making you perish
"he will enjoy making you die"
You will be plucked off the land that you are going into to possess
"He will remove you from the land which you are entering to possess"
you are going
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the word "you" is singular.
Deuteronomy 28:64
from the one end of the earth to the other end of the earth
"throughout the earth" or "all over the earth"
Deuteronomy 28:65
there will be no rest for the bottoms of your feet
"you will have to continually wander because you have no permanent home where you can rest"
Yahweh will give you there a trembling heart, failing eyes, and a soul that mourns
"Yahweh will cause you to be afraid, without hope, and sad"
Deuteronomy 28:66
Your life will hang in doubt before you
"You will not know whether you will live or die"
Deuteronomy 28:67
because of the fear in your hearts
"because of the fear you are feeling"
the things your eyes will have to see
"the terrifying things I will force you to see"
Deuteronomy 28:68
I had said
Refers to Yahweh.
Chapter 29
1
These are the words that Yahweh commanded Moses to tell the people of Israel in the land of Moab, words that were added to the covenant that he had made with them at Horeb.
2
Moses called to all Israel and said to them, "You have seen everything that Yahweh did before your eyes in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, to all his servants, and to all his land—
3
the great sufferings that your eyes saw, the signs, and those great wonders.
4
But until today Yahweh has not given you a heart to know, eyes to see, or ears to hear.
5
I have led you for forty years in the wilderness; your clothes did not wear out on you, and your sandals did not wear out on your feet.
6
You did not eat any bread, and you did not drink any wine or other strong drink, so that you might know that I am Yahweh your God.
7
When you came to this place, Sihon, the king of Heshbon, and Og, the king of Bashan, came out against us to fight, and we struck them down.
8
We took their land and gave it as an inheritance to the Reubenites, to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh.
9
Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, so that you may prosper in everything that you do.
10
You stand today, all of you, before Yahweh your God; your chiefs, your tribes, your elders, and your officers—all the men of Israel,
11
your little ones, your wives, and the foreigner who is among you in your camp, from him who cuts your wood to him who draws your water.
12
You are here in order to enter into the covenant of Yahweh your God and into the oath that Yahweh your God is making with you today,
13
so that he may make you today into a people for himself, and that he may be God for you, as he spoke to you, and as he swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
14
For it is not only with you that I am making this covenant and this oath—
15
with everyone standing here with us today before Yahweh our God—but also with those who are not here with us today.
16
You know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the midst of the nations through which you passed.
17
You have seen their disgusting idols made of wood and stone, silver and gold, that were among them.
18
Make sure there is not among you any man, woman, clan, or tribe whose heart is turning away today from Yahweh our God, so as to go worship the gods of those nations. Make sure there is not among you any root that produces poison fruit and wormwood.
19
When that person hears the words of this curse, he will bless himself in his heart and say, 'I will have peace, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.' This would destroy the wet together with the dry.
20
Yahweh will not pardon him. Instead, the anger of Yahweh and his jealousy will smolder against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book will come on him, and Yahweh will blot out his name from under heaven.
21
Yahweh will set him apart for disaster out of all the tribes of Israel, in keeping with all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law.
22
The generation to come, your children who will rise up after you, and the foreigner who comes from a distant land, will speak when they see the plagues on this land and the diseases with which Yahweh has made it sick—
23
and when they see that the whole land has become sulfur and burning salt, where nothing is sown or bears fruit, where no vegetation grows, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboyim, that Yahweh destroyed in his anger and wrath—
24
they will say together with all the other nations, 'Why has Yahweh done this to this land? What does the heat of this great anger mean?'
25
Then people will say, 'It is because they abandoned the covenant of Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, that he made with them when he brought them out of the land of Egypt,
26
and because they went and served other gods and bowed down to them, gods that they had not known and that he had not given to them.
27
Therefore the anger of Yahweh has been kindled against this land, so as to bring on it all the curses that are written in this book.
28
Yahweh has uprooted them from their land in anger, in wrath, and in great fury, and has thrown them into another land, as today.'
29
The secret matters belong alone to Yahweh our God; but the things that are revealed belong forever to us and to our descendants, so that we may do all the words of this law.
Deuteronomy 29:1
These are the words that Yahweh commanded Moses to tell
This chapter is a retelling of the covenant Yahweh made with Moses, along with its blessings and cursing. Moses is speaking.
in the land of Moab
"while they were in the land of Moab". This is on the east side of the Jordan where the Israelites were staying before they entered the land of Canaan.
words that were added to the covenant ... at Horeb
These additions to the original covenant were given to make Yahweh's covenant apply better to the people once they were settled in their new land.
Deuteronomy 29:2
You have seen everything that Yahweh did before your eyes
"You have seen all that Yahweh did so that you would see and remember what he did"
your eyes
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the word "your" here is singular.
Deuteronomy 29:3
the great sufferings that your eyes saw
"you saw for yourselves that the people suffered terribly"
the signs, and those great wonders
"and all of the powerful things that Yahweh did"
Deuteronomy 29:4
Yahweh has not given you a heart to know, eyes to see, or ears to hear
This says that Yahweh has not enabled them to understand.
given you a heart to know
"enabled you to understand"
Deuteronomy 29:5
I have led you
Yahweh is speaking to the people of Israel.
Deuteronomy 29:6
other strong drink
These were alcoholic drinks made probably from fermented grains and not distilled liquors.
Deuteronomy 29:7
Sihon, the king of Heshbon, and Og, the king of Bashan
See how you translated these names in Deuteronomy 1:4.
came out against us
Here "us" refers to Moses and the people of Israel.
Deuteronomy 29:9
keep the words of this covenant and do them
"obey all the words of this covenant"
Deuteronomy 29:11
among you in your camp ... your wood ... your water
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the words "you" and "your" here are singular.
the foreigner who is among you in your camp, from him who cuts your wood to him who draws
"the foreigners who are among you in your camp, from those who cut your wood to those who get your water"
Deuteronomy 29:12
to enter into the covenant of Yahweh your God and into the oath that Yahweh your God is making with you today
"to agree to the covenant and to swear that you will obey all that Yahweh your God commands". (Covenant in Moab)
Deuteronomy 29:13
a people for himself
"a people group that belongs to him alone,"
Deuteronomy 29:14
I am making
"Yahweh is making"
Deuteronomy 29:15
standing here with us
Here "us" refers to Moses and the people of Israel.
those who are not here
"our future descendants, who are not here."
Deuteronomy 29:16
we lived
"we lived as slaves"
Deuteronomy 29:18
whose heart is turning away today from Yahweh our God
"who no longer obeys Yahweh our God"
any root that produces poison fruit and wormwood
"any person who worships idols and causes others to disobey Yahweh"
Deuteronomy 29:19
that person
The person described in verse 18.
bless himself in his heart
"congratulate himself"
though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart
"even though I still refuse to obey Yahweh"
This would destroy the wet together with the dry
"This would cause Yahweh to destroy both the righteous people and the wicked people in the land"
Deuteronomy 29:20
the anger of Yahweh and his jealousy will smolder
"Yahweh's jealous anger will grow like a fire"
the anger of Yahweh and his jealousy
Yahweh's jealous anger"
that are written
"that I have written"
all the curses that are written in this book will come on him
"Yahweh will curse him with all the curses written in this book in ways that will completely surprise him". See Deuteronomy 28:15.
Yahweh will blot out his name from under heaven
This means that God will completely destroy the person and his family. In the future people will not remember him. A similar phrase appears in Deuteronomy 7:24.
Deuteronomy 29:22
The generation to come, your children who will rise up after you
These words tell who "the generation to come" is.
Deuteronomy 29:23
when they see that the whole land has become sulfur and burning salt
"when they see that Yahweh has burned the land with sulfur and salt"
where nothing is sown or bears fruit
"where no one can sow seed and the crops do not bear fruit"
like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah
"as when Yahweh completely destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah"
Admah and Zeboyim
These are names of cities that Yahweh destroyed along with Sodom and Gomorrah.
Deuteronomy 29:24
they will say together with all the other nations ... mean?
"they will ask with all the other nations why Yahweh has done this to the land, and what the heat of this great anger means."
they will say together with all the other nations
"your descendants and the people of all the other nations will say"
What does the heat of this great anger mean?
"What does this terrible anger mean?"
Deuteronomy 29:25
It is because they abandoned the covenant of Yahweh, the God of their ancestors
"Yahweh has done this to the land because the Israelites did not follow the promises and the laws of his covenant". This is the answer to "Why has Yahweh done this to this land?".
Deuteronomy 29:26
served other gods and bowed down to them
"obeyed other gods and worshiped them,"
Deuteronomy 29:27
the anger of Yahweh has been kindled against this land
"Yahweh has became very angry with this land"
this land, so as to bring on it
"the people of this land, so as to bring on them"
that are written
"that I have written"
Deuteronomy 29:28
Yahweh has uprooted them from their land ... and has thrown them
"Yahweh has removed them from their land ... and has forced them to go"
in anger, in wrath, and in great fury
"in extremely great anger" or "because he was extremely angry"
Deuteronomy 29:29
The secret matters belong alone to Yahweh our God
"Some things Yahweh our God has not revealed, and only he knows them"
that are revealed
"that he has revealed"
we may do all the words of this law
"we may do everything that this law commands us to do"
Chapter 30
1
When all these things have come on you, the blessings and the curses that I have set before you, and when you call them to mind among all the other nations where Yahweh your God has banished you,
2
and when you return to Yahweh your God and obey his voice, following all that I am commanding you today—you and your children—with all your heart and with all your soul,
3
then Yahweh your God will reverse your captivity and have compassion on you; he will return and gather you from all the peoples where Yahweh your God has scattered you.
4
If any of your exiled people are in the farthest places under the heavens, from there Yahweh your God will gather you, and from there he will bring you.
5
Yahweh your God will bring you into the land that your forefathers possessed, and you will possess it again; he will do you good and will multiply you more than he did your forefathers.
6
Yahweh your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, so you will love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.
7
Yahweh your God will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, those who persecuted you.
8
You will return and obey the voice of Yahweh, and you will do all his commandments that I am commanding you today.
9
Yahweh your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your ground, for prosperity. For Yahweh will again delight in making you prosperous, as he rejoiced over your fathers.
10
He will do this if you will obey the voice of Yahweh your God, so as to keep his commandments and regulations that are written in this book of the law, if you turn to Yahweh your God with all your heart and all your soul.
11
For this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, neither is it too far for you to reach.
12
It is not in heaven, so that you should have to say, 'Who will go up for us to heaven and bring it down to us and make us able to hear it, so that we may do it?'
13
Neither is it beyond the sea, so that you should have to say, 'Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us and make us to hear it, so that we may do it?'
14
But the word is very near to you, in your mouth and your heart, so that you may do it.
15
See, today I have placed before you life and good, death and evil.
16
If you obey the decrees of Yahweh your God, in which I am commanding you today to love Yahweh your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, his regulations, and his statutes, you will live and multiply, and Yahweh your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess.
17
But if your heart turns away, and you do not listen and are drawn away and bow down to other gods and worship them,
18
then I declare to you today that you will surely perish; you will not prolong your days in the land that you are passing over the Jordan to go into and possess.
19
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life so that you may live, you and your descendants.
20
Do this so as to love Yahweh your God, to obey his voice, and to cling to him. For he is your life and the length of your days; do this so that you may live in the land that Yahweh swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
Deuteronomy 30:1
General Information:
Moses begins to give final instructions to Israel before his death and in anticipation of their entrance into the Promised Land. There were warnings and blessings associated with the people's obedience to the covenant Yahweh made with Moses.
When all these things have come on you
"When all these things happen to you". "these things" refer to the blessings and curses described in chapters 28-29.
that I have set before you
"that I have just now told you about"
call them to mind
"remember them"
among all the other nations
"while you are living in the other nations"
has banished you
"has forced you to go"
Deuteronomy 30:2
obey his voice
"obey what Yahweh says"
with all your heart and with all your soul
See Deuteronomy 4:29.
Deuteronomy 30:3
reverse your captivity
"free you from those who had captured you"
Deuteronomy 30:4
If any of your exiled people are in the farthest places
"Even those of your exiled people who are in the farthest places"
under the heavens
"under the sky" or "on the earth"
Deuteronomy 30:6
circumcise your heart
This means God will remove their sin and enable them to love and obey him.
Deuteronomy 30:7
will put all these curses on your enemies
"will cause your enemies to suffer from these curses"
Deuteronomy 30:9
the work of your hand
"in all the work you do"
in the fruit of your womb ... in the fruit of your livestock ... in the fruit of your ground
These three phrases are idioms for "in children ... in calves ... in crops." See Deuteronomy 28:4.
Deuteronomy 30:10
that are written
"that I have written"
Deuteronomy 30:11
neither is it too far for you to reach
"neither is it too difficult for you to understand what Yahweh requires you to do"
Deuteronomy 30:12
Who will go up for us to heaven and bring it down to us and make us able to hear it, so that we may do it?
"Someone must travel to heaven to learn God's commands and then return to tell us what they are so we can obey them."
Deuteronomy 30:13
Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us and make us to hear it, so that we may do it?
"Someone must travel across the sea to learn God's commands and then return and tell us what they are."
Deuteronomy 30:14
in your mouth and your heart
This means that the people already know God's commands and can tell them to others.
Deuteronomy 30:15
I have placed before you
"I have told you about"
life and good, death and evil
"what is good and will cause you to live, and what is evil and will cause you to die"
Deuteronomy 30:17
if your heart turns away ... and are drawn away and bow down to other gods and worship them
"if you stop being loyal to God ... and the people living in the land convince you to bow down and worship other gods"
Deuteronomy 30:18
to you today that you ... you will not prolong your days
Moses speaks to the Israelites as a group.
prolong your days
"be able to live a long time". See Deuteronomy 4:26.
Deuteronomy 30:19
I call heaven and earth to witness
Possible meanings are 1) Moses is calling on all those who live in heaven and earth to be witnesses to what he says, or 2) Moses is speaking to heaven and earth as if they are people, and he is calling them to be witnesses to what he says
to witness against you
"to be willing to say that you have done evil things"
Deuteronomy 30:20
to cling to him
"to rely on him"
For he is your life and the length of your days
"Yahweh is the only one who can enable you to live a long life"
the land that Yahweh swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them
"the land that Yahweh swore that he would give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob"
Chapter 31
1
Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel.
2
He said to them, "I am now one hundred twenty years old; I can no more go out and come in; Yahweh has said to me, 'You will not go over this Jordan.'
3
Yahweh your God, he will go over before you; he will destroy these nations from before you, and you will dispossess them. Joshua, he will go over before you, as Yahweh has spoken.
4
Yahweh will do to them as he did to Sihon and to Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, which he destroyed.
5
Yahweh will deliver them over to you, and you will do to them according to all that I commanded you.
6
Be strong and of good courage, fear not, and do not be afraid of them; for Yahweh your God, he it is who goes with you; he will not fail you nor abandon you."
7
Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and of good courage, for you will go with this people into the land that Yahweh has sworn to their ancestors to give them; you will cause them to inherit it.
8
Yahweh, he it is who goes before you; he will be with you; he will not fail you nor abandon you; do not be afraid, do not be discouraged."
9
Moses wrote this law and gave it out to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh; he also gave copies of it to all the elders of Israel.
10
Moses commanded them and said, "At the end of every seven years, at the time fixed for the cancellation of debts, during the Festival of Shelters,
11
when all Israel has come to appear before Yahweh your God in the place that he will choose for his sanctuary, you will read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
12
Assemble the people, the men, the women, and the little ones, and your foreigner who is within your city gates, so that they may hear and learn, and so that they may honor Yahweh your God and keep all the words of this law.
13
Do this so that their children, who have not known, may hear and learn to honor Yahweh your God, as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess."
14
Yahweh said to Moses, "Look, the day is coming when you must die; call Joshua and present yourselves in the tent of meeting, so that I may give him a command." Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves in the tent of meeting.
15
Yahweh appeared in the tent in a pillar of cloud; the pillar of cloud stood over the door of the tent.
16
Yahweh said to Moses, "Look, you will lie down with your fathers; this people will rise up and act like a prostitute going after the strange gods that are among them in the land where they are going. They will abandon me and break my covenant that I have made with them.
17
Then, on that day, my anger will be kindled against them and I will abandon them. I will hide my face from them and they will be devoured. Many disasters and troubles will find them so that they will say on that day, 'Have these disasters not come upon us because our God is not in our midst?'
18
I will surely hide my face from them on that day because of all the evil that they will have done, because they will have turned to other gods.
19
Now therefore write this song for yourselves and teach it to the people of Israel. Put it in their mouths, so that this song may be a witness for me against the people of Israel.
20
For when I will have brought them into the land that I swore to give to their ancestors, a land flowing with milk and honey, and when they have eaten and become satisfied and prosperous, then they will turn to other gods and they will serve them and they will despise me and they will break my covenant.
21
When many evils and troubles come upon this people, this song will testify before them as a witness (for it will not be forgotten from the mouths of their descendants). For I know the plans that they are forming today, even before I have brought them into the land that I swore to them."
22
So Moses wrote this song the same day and taught it to the people of Israel.
23
Yahweh gave Joshua son of Nun a command and said, "Be strong and of good courage; for you will bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to them, and I will be with you."
24
It happened that when Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book,
25
that he commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, and he said,
26
"Take this book of the law and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of Yahweh your God, so that it may be there as a witness against you.
27
For I know your rebellion and your stiff neck; look, while I am still alive with you even today, you have been rebellious against Yahweh; how much more after my death?
28
Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, so that I may speak these words in their ears and call heaven and earth to witness against them.
29
For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves and turn aside out of the path that I have commanded you; disaster will come on you in the following days. This will happen because you will do what is evil in the sight of Yahweh, so as to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands."
30
Moses recited in the ears of all the assembly of Israel the words of this song until they were finished.
Deuteronomy 31:1
General Information:
In the Ancient Near East, it was common for an important leader to give instructions to follow after his death. Moses begins his final words to the people of Israel, which will help make a smooth transition to Joshua's leadership.
Deuteronomy 31:2
I can no more go out and come in
"I am no longer able to go everywhere that you need to go, so I cannot be your leader any longer"
Deuteronomy 31:3
you will dispossess them
"you will take their land"
Joshua, he will go over before you, as Yahweh has spoken
"Joshua will lead you across the river, as Yahweh promised"
Deuteronomy 31:4
he did to Sihon and to Og, the kings of the Amorites
"he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their armies". See Deuteronomy 1:4.
Deuteronomy 31:6
fear not, and do not be afraid of them
"do not fear them at all"
he will not fail you nor abandon you
"he will always fulfill his promise to you and will always be with you"
Deuteronomy 31:7
in the sight of all Israel
"in the presence of all the Israelites"
you will cause them to inherit it
"you will help them take the land"
Deuteronomy 31:9
gave it out to the priests, the sons of Levi
"gave it out to the Levites, who are the priests,"
Deuteronomy 31:10
fixed for the cancellation of debts
"for canceling debts"
Festival of Shelters
"Feast of Tabernacles," "Festival of Booths," or "Feast of the Ingathering." During harvest, farmers would set up temporary shelters, taking place after the last harvest of the year. See Deuteronomy 16:13.
Deuteronomy 31:11
in their hearing
"so that they can hear it"
Deuteronomy 31:12
your foreigner who is within your city gates
"your foreigners who live in your cities"
keep all the words of this law
"carefully obey all the commands in this law"
Deuteronomy 31:14
Look, the
"Pay attention to what I am about to tell you, the"
Deuteronomy 31:15
a pillar of cloud
This was a thick cloud of smoke in the shape of an upright column;
Deuteronomy 31:16
you will lie down with your fathers
"you will die and join your ancestors who have died before you"
will rise up and act like a prostitute
"will start to be unfaithful to me". Being a prostitute refers to worshiping gods other than Yahweh.
Deuteronomy 31:17
my anger will be kindled against them
"I will kindle my anger against them"
I will hide my face from them
"I will not help them"
they will be devoured
"I will devour them" or "I will allow their enemies to devour them"
Many disasters and troubles will find them
"They will experience many disasters and troubles"
Have these disasters not come upon us ... midst?
"These disasters are destroying me ... midst."
our God is not in our midst
"God is no longer protecting us"
Deuteronomy 31:19
Put it in their mouths
"Make them memorize and sing it"
Deuteronomy 31:20
a land flowing with milk and honey
"a land where plenty of milk and honey flow" or "a land that is excellent for cattle and farming" See Deuteronomy 6:3.
Deuteronomy 31:21
When many evils and troubles come upon this people
"When this people experiences many evils and troubles"
it will not be forgotten from the mouths of their descendants
"their descendants will not forget to keep it in their mouths" or "their descendants will remember to keep it in their mouths"
the plans that they are forming
"what they plan to do"
the land that I swore to them
"the land that I promised I would give to them"
Deuteronomy 31:23
Be strong and of good courage
"Be strong and courageous." See Deuteronomy 31:5.
Deuteronomy 31:27
your stiff neck
See how you translated "stubborn" in Deuteronomy 9:6.
how much more after my death?
"you will be even more rebellious after I die."
Deuteronomy 31:28
so that I may speak these words in their ears
"so that I may speak the words of this song to them"
call heaven and earth to witness against them
Possible meanings are 1) Moses is calling on all those who live in heaven and earth to be witnesses. or 2) Moses is speaking to heaven and earth as if they are people, and he is calling them to be witnesses.
Deuteronomy 31:29
you will utterly corrupt yourselves
"you will do what is completely wrong." See Deuteronomy 4:16.
turn aside out of the path that I have commanded you
"stop following the instructions I have given to you." See Deuteronomy 9:12.
what is evil in the sight of Yahweh
"what is evil in Yahweh's judgment"
through the work of your hands
"because of what you have made"
Deuteronomy 31:30
Moses recited in the ears of all the assembly of Israel
"Moses recited to all the people of Israel"
recited
"sang" or "spoke"
the words of this song
"the words of the song that Yahweh taught him"
Chapter 32
1
Give ear, you heavens, and let me speak.
Let the earth listen to the words of my mouth.
2
Let my teaching drop down like the rain,
let my speech distill like the dew,
like the gentle rain on the tender grass,
and like the showers on the plants.
3
For I will proclaim the name of Yahweh,
and ascribe greatness to our God.
4
The Rock, his work is perfect;
for all his paths are just.
He is the faithful God, without iniquity.
He is just and upright.
5
They have acted corruptly against him.
They are not his children. It is their disgrace.
They are a perverted and crooked generation.
6
Do you reward Yahweh in this way,
you foolish and unwise people?
Is he not your Father, the one who has created you?
He made you and established you.
7
Call to mind the days of ancient times,
think about the years of generations past.
Ask your father and he will show you,
your elders and they will tell you.
8
When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance—
when he divided all of mankind,
he set the boundaries of the peoples
according to the number of the children of Israel.
9
For Yahweh's portion is his people;
Jacob is his apportioned inheritance.
10
He found him in a desert land,
and in the barren and howling wilderness;
he shielded him and cared for him,
he guarded him as the apple of his eye.
11
As an eagle that guards her nest
and flutters over her young,
Yahweh spread out his wings and took them,
and carried them on his pinions.
12
Yahweh alone led him;
no foreign god was with him.
13
He made him ride on high places of the land,
and he fed him the fruits of the field;
he nourished him with honey from the rock,
and oil from the flinty crag.
14
He ate butter from the herd and drank milk from the flock,
with fat of lambs,
rams of Bashan and goats,
with the finest of the wheat—
and you drank foaming wine made from the blood of grapes.
15
But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked—
you grew fat, you were too fat, and you had eaten your fill—
he abandoned the God who made him,
and he rejected the Rock of his salvation.
16
They made Yahweh jealous by their strange gods;
with their abominations they angered him.
17
They sacrificed to demons, which are not God—
gods they had not known,
gods that recently appeared,
gods your fathers did not fear.
18
You have deserted the Rock, who became your father,
and you forgot the God who gave you birth.
19
Yahweh saw this and he rejected them,
because his sons and his daughters provoked him so.
20
"I will hide my face from them," he said,
"and I will see what their end will be;
for they are a perverse generation,
children in whom is no faithfulness.
21
They have made me jealous by what is not god
and angered me by their worthless things.
I will make them envious by those who are not a people;
by a foolish nation I will make them angry.
22
For a fire is kindled by my anger
and is burning to the lowest Sheol;
it is devouring the earth and its produce;
it is setting on fire the foundations of the mountains.
23
I will heap disasters on them;
I will shoot all my arrows at them;
24
They will be wasted by hunger and devoured by burning heat
and bitter destruction;
I will send on them the teeth of wild animals,
with the poison of things that crawl in the dust.
25
Outside the sword will bereave,
and in the bedrooms terror will do so.
It will destroy both young man and virgin,
the nursing baby, and the man of gray hairs.
26
I said that I would scatter them far away,
that I would make the memory of them to cease from among mankind.
27
Were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy,
and that their enemies would judge mistakenly,
and that they would say, 'Our hand is exalted,'
I would have done all this.
28
For Israel is a nation devoid of counsel,
and there is no understanding in them.
29
Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this,
that they would consider their coming fate!
30
How could one chase a thousand,
and two put ten thousand to flight,
unless their Rock had sold them,
and Yahweh had given them up?
31
For our enemies' rock is not like our Rock,
just as even our enemies have concluded.
32
For their vine comes from the vine of Sodom,
and from the fields of Gomorrah;
their grapes are grapes of poison;
their clusters are bitter.
33
Their wine is the poison of serpents
and the cruel venom of asps.
34
Is not this plan secretly kept by me,
sealed up among my treasures?
35
Vengeance is mine to give, and recompense,
at the time when their foot slips;
for the day of disaster for them is near,
and the things that are to come on them will hurry to happen."
36
For Yahweh will give justice to his people,
and he will pity his servants.
He will see that their power is gone,
and no one remains, either slaves or free people.
37
Then he will say, "Where are their gods,
the rock in whom they took refuge,
38
the gods who ate the fat of their sacrifices
and drank the wine of their drink offerings?
Let them rise up and help you;
let them be your protection.
39
See now that I, even I, am God,
and that there is no god besides me;
I kill, and I make alive;
I wound, and I heal,
and there is no one who can save you from my might.
40
For I lift up my hand to heaven
and say, 'As I live forever, I will act.
41
When I sharpen my glittering sword,
and when my hand begins to bring justice,
I will render vengeance on my enemies,
and I will pay back those who hate me.
42
I will make my arrows drunk with blood,
and my sword will devour flesh
with the blood of the killed and the captives,
and from the heads of the leaders of the enemy.'"
43
Rejoice, you nations, with God's people,
for he will avenge the blood of his servants;
he will render vengeance on his enemies,
and he will make atonement for his land, for his people.
44
Moses came and recited all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Joshua son of Nun.
45
Then Moses finished reciting all these words to all Israel.
46
He said to them, "Fix your mind on all the words that I have witnessed to you today, so that you may command your children to keep them, all the words of this law.
47
For this is no trivial matter for you, because it is your life, and through this thing you will prolong your days in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess."
48
Yahweh spoke to Moses on that same day and said,
49
"Go up into this range of the mountains of Abarim, up Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, opposite Jericho. You will look at the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel as their possession.
50
You will die on the mountain that you go up, and you will be gathered to your people, as Aaron your fellow Israelite died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people.
51
This will happen because you were unfaithful to me among the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah in Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because you did not treat me with honor and respect among the people of Israel.
52
For you will see the land before you, but you will not go there, into the land that I am giving to the people of Israel."
Deuteronomy 32:1
General Information:
This chapter prophesies a time when Israel will be disobedient to Yahweh and he will have to punish them. This is meant to serve as a warning to the nation.
Give ear, you heavens ... Let the earth listen
Possible meanings are 1) Yahweh is speaking to the inhabitants of heaven and earth or 2) Yahweh is speaking to the heavens and earth as if they are persons.
Deuteronomy 32:2
Let my teaching drop down like the rain ... and like the showers on the plants
This means Yahweh wants the people to eagerly accept his helpful teaching.
distill
Use the word in your language for the process by which dew appears.
dew
water that forms on leaves and grass on cool mornings
tender grass
"new plants"
showers
heavy rain
Deuteronomy 32:3
proclaim the name of Yahweh
"tell how good Yahweh is"
ascribe greatness to our God
"make sure people know that our God is great"
Deuteronomy 32:4
The Rock
This a proper name that Moses gives to Yahweh, who, like a rock, is strong and able to protect his people.
his work
"everything he does"
all his paths are just
"he does everything in a just way"
Deuteronomy 32:5
acted corruptly against him
"opposed him by doing what is wrong." See Deuteronomy 4:16.
a perverted and crooked generation
"a completely wicked generation"
Deuteronomy 32:6
Do you reward Yahweh in this way ... people?
"You should give Yahweh proper praise ... people."
you foolish and unwise people
"you extremely foolish people"
your Father ... has created you ... made you and established you
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the words "you" and "your" here are singular.
Is he not your Father, the one who has created you?
"Yahweh is your Father and the one who created you."
Deuteronomy 32:7
Call to mind
"Remember"
days of ancient times ... years of generations past
Moses wants the people of Israel to focus on their history as a nation.
he will show you
"he will enable you to understand it"
Deuteronomy 32:8
gave the nations their inheritance
"put the nations in the places where they would live." See Deuteronomy 4:21.
according to the number of the children of Israel
God has arranged the nations according to the way they relate to Israel.
the number of the children of Israel
"the number of the angels of God" or "the number of the children of God."
Deuteronomy 32:9
For Yahweh's portion is his people; Jacob is his apportioned inheritance
"The descendants of Jacob are Yahweh's inheritance"
Deuteronomy 32:10
He found him ... shielded him and cared for him ... guarded him
"He found Jacob ... shielded him and cared for him ... guarded him".
howling wilderness
Here "howling" refers to the sound the wind makes as it blows through the empty land.
he guarded him as the apple of his eye
"he protected him as something very valuable and precious"
Deuteronomy 32:11
pinions
the outer edges of a bird's wings
Deuteronomy 32:12
led him ... with him
Moses again speaks of the Israelites as "Jacob". See Deuteronomy 32:9.
Deuteronomy 32:13
He made him ride on high places of the land
"Yahweh made them ride on high places of the land" or "Yahweh helped them take and occupy the land"
he fed him the fruits of the field
"he brought him to a land with plenty of crops he could eat"
nourished him with honey
"allowed him to suck honey". This is like a mother giving her breast to an infant.
Deuteronomy 32:14
He ate
"Our ancestors ate"
fat of lambs, rams of Bashan and goats
The people of Israel had many healthy herd animals.
Deuteronomy 32:15
Jeshurun
Moses speaks of the Israelites as if they were an animal whose owner named it Jeshurun.
and kicked
"and kicked his master" or "and rebelled"
the Rock of his salvation
This means Yahweh is strong like a rock and able to protect his people. See Deuteronomy 32:4.
Deuteronomy 32:16
They made Yahweh jealous
The Israelites made Yahweh jealous,
Deuteronomy 32:17
They sacrificed
"The people of Israel sacrificed"
gods that recently appeared
This means the Israelites recently learned about these gods.
your fathers
Moses is speaking to the Israelites as many people, so the word "your" is plural.
Deuteronomy 32:18
You have deserted ... your father ... you forgot ... gave you
Moses is speaking to the Israelites as if they were one man, so all instances of "you" and "your" are singular.
You have deserted the Rock
"You have left the protective care of Yahweh"
the Rock
See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 32:4.
who became your father ... who gave you birth
"who fathered you ... who gave life to you"
Deuteronomy 32:19
his sons and his daughters
This refers to the people of Israel whom Yahweh gave life to and made into a nation.
Deuteronomy 32:20
I will hide my face from them
"I will turn away from them" or "I will stop helping them"
I will see what their end will be
"I will see what happens to them"
Deuteronomy 32:21
They have made me jealous
Here "me" refers to Yahweh.
what is not god
"what are false gods"
worthless things
"worthless idols"
those who are not a people
"people who do not belong to one people group"
Deuteronomy 32:22
a fire is kindled by my anger and is burning ... it is devouring ... it is setting
"I start a fire because I am angry, and it burns ... it is devouring ... it is setting" or "when I am angry, I destroy my enemies like a fire, and I destroy everything on earth and in ... I devour ... I set"
to the lowest Sheol
"even to the world of the dead"
Deuteronomy 32:23
I will heap disasters on them
"I will make sure that many bad things happen to them"
I will shoot all my arrows at them
"I will do all I can do to kill them"
Deuteronomy 32:24
They will be wasted by hunger
"They will grow weak and die because they are hungry"
They will ... hunger and devoured by burning heat and bitter destruction
"They will ... hunger, and burning heat and terrible disasters will devour them" or "They will ... hunger, and they will die from burning heat and terrible disasters"
I will send on them the teeth of wild animals, with the poison of things that crawl in the dust
"I will send wild animals to bite them, and things that crawl in the dust to bite and poison them"
Deuteronomy 32:25
Outside the sword will bereave
"When the Israelites are outside, the enemy army will kill them"
terror will do so
"you will die because you are afraid"
young man and virgin, the nursing baby, and the man of gray hairs
These terms describing people of different ages are combined to mean that all kinds of people will die.
Deuteronomy 32:26
I said that I would ... away, that I would ... mankind.
"I said, 'I will ... away, and I will ... mankind.'
I would make the memory of them to cease from among mankind
"I would make all people forget about them"
Deuteronomy 32:27
Were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy
"I was afraid of the provocation of the enemy"
the provocation of the enemy
"that my enemy would provoke me" or "that my enemies would cause me to be angry"
judge mistakenly
"misunderstand"
Our hand is exalted
"We have defeated them because we are more powerful"
Deuteronomy 32:29
Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their coming fate
The people of Israel were not wise and did not understand that their disobedience would cause Yahweh to bring disaster on them.
their coming fate
"what is going to happen to them"
Deuteronomy 32:30
How could one chase a thousand ... Yahweh had given them up?
Moses uses a question to scold the people for not being wise enough to understand why their enemies are defeating them.
How could one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight
"How could 1 enemy soldier chase 1,000 of your men, and 2 enemy soldiers cause 10,000 of your men to run away"
unless their Rock had sold them
"unless Yahweh, their Rock, had handed them over"
Deuteronomy 32:31
our enemies' rock is not like our Rock
The enemies' idols and false gods are not powerful like Yahweh.
Rock, just as even our enemies have concluded
"Rock; not only do we say so, but our enemies say so also"
have concluded
have made a judgment after looking at the facts
Deuteronomy 32:32
For their vine comes from the vine of Sodom ... clusters are bitter
This means their enemies are wicked and will cause the Israelites to die if the Israelites start to act like these people.
their vine comes from the vine of Sodom, and from the fields of Gomorrah
"they do evil the same way the people who lived in Sodom and Gomorrah did"
their clusters
"their clusters of grapes"
Deuteronomy 32:33
Their wine is the poison of serpents and the cruel venom of asps
Moses continues comparing the enemies of the people of Israel to grapevines that produce poisonous fruit and wine.
asps
poisonous snakes
Deuteronomy 32:34
Is not this plan secretly kept by me, sealed up among my treasures?
"I know what I have planned to do to the Israelite people and to their enemies, and I have locked up those plans as someone would lock up his valuable possessions."
Deuteronomy 32:35
General Information:
This is the end of Moses's quotation of Yahweh's words that began in Deuteronomy 32:20.
Vengeance is mine to give, and recompense
"I will have vengeance and punish Israel's enemies"
their foot slips
"they are helpless"
the day of disaster for them
"the time for me to destroy them"
the things that are to come on them will hurry to happen
"I will punish them quickly"
Deuteronomy 32:36
For Yahweh will give justice to his people
"For Yahweh will do what is just for his people" or "For Yahweh will act justly towards his people"
he will pity his servants
"he will feel that he needs to help his servants"
Deuteronomy 32:38
the gods who ... drink offerings?
"Their gods ... the gods who ... drink offerings, have not come to help them.". This is the end of the question that begins in Deuteronomy 32:37.
Let them rise up and help you; let them be your protection
"These idols are not even able to get up and help or to protect you"
Deuteronomy 32:39
I, even I
"I, I myself" or "I, I alone." Yahweh repeats "I" to emphasize that only he is God.
Deuteronomy 32:40
I lift up my hand to heaven and say
"I lift up my hand to heaven and swear" or "I have taken an oath." Lifting up the hand is a sign of making an oath.
As I live forever
"As certainly as I live forever" or "I swear by my life which is never-ending."
Deuteronomy 32:41
When I sharpen my glittering sword
"When I am ready to judge my enemies"
when my hand begins to bring justice
"when I get ready to judge the wicked"
Deuteronomy 32:42
I will make my arrows drunk with blood, and my sword will devour flesh with the blood
These ideas refer to Yahweh killing his enemies in war.
from the heads of the leaders of the enemy
"from the long-haired heads of the enemy."
Deuteronomy 32:43
General Information:
This is the end of Moses's song.
Rejoice, you nations
Moses addresses the peoples of all the nations as if they were there listening.
for he will avenge the blood of his servants; he will render vengeance on his enemies
"for he will take revenge on his enemies, who killed his servants"
Deuteronomy 32:44
recited
"spoke" or "sang"
in the ears of the people
"to the people so they would be sure to hear it"
Deuteronomy 32:45
reciting
"speaking" or "singing"
Deuteronomy 32:46
He said to them
"Moses said to the people of Israel"
Fix your mind on
"Pay attention to" or "Think about"
I have witnessed to you
"I have testified to you," or "I have commanded you,"
your children
"your children and descendants"
Deuteronomy 32:47
this is
"this law is"
no trivial matter
"something very important"
because it is your life
"because you will live if you obey it"
prolong your days
"be able to live a long time". See Deuteronomy 4:26.
Deuteronomy 32:49
mountains of Abarim
This is the name of a mountain range in Moab.
Abarim, up Mount Nebo
"Abarim and climb up Mount Nebo"
Mount Nebo
This is the highest place in the Abarim Mountains.
opposite Jericho
"on the other side of the river from Jericho"
Deuteronomy 32:50
be gathered to your people
"join your ancestors who died before you"
Mount Hor
This is the name of a mountain on the border of Edom.
Deuteronomy 32:51
Meribah
This is the name of the place in the desert where Moses disobeyed God. See Numbers 20:12.
wilderness of Zin
This is the name of a wilderness on the southern border of Judah. See Numbers 27:14.
Chapter 33
1
This is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the people of Israel before his death.
2
He said:
Yahweh came from Sinai
and rose from Seir upon them.
He shined out from Mount Paran,
and he came with ten thousands of holy ones.
In his right hand were flashes of lightning.
3
Indeed, he loves the peoples;
all his holy people are in your hand,
and they bowed down at your feet;
they received your words.
4
Moses commanded us a law,
an inheritance for the assembly of Jacob.
5
Then there was a king in Jeshurun,
when the heads of the people had gathered,
all the tribes of Israel together.
6
Let Reuben live and not die,
but may his men be few.
7
This is the blessing for Judah. Moses said:
Listen, Yahweh, to the voice of Judah,
and bring him to his people again.
Fight for him;
be a help against his enemies.
8
About Levi, Moses said:
Your Thummim and your Urim belong to your faithful one,
the one whom you tested at Massah,
with whom you struggled at the waters of Meribah,
9
who said about his father and mother, "I have not seen them."
Neither did he acknowledge his brothers,
nor did he take account of his own children.
For he guarded your word
and kept your covenant.
10
He teaches Jacob your decrees
and Israel your law.
He will put incense before you
and whole burnt offerings on your altar.
11
Bless, Yahweh, his possessions,
and accept the work of his hands.
Shatter the loins of those who rise up against him,
and those of the people who hate him, so that they do not rise up again.
12
About Benjamin, Moses said:
The one loved by Yahweh lives in security beside him;
Yahweh shields him all the day long,
and he lives between Yahweh's arms.
13
About Joseph, Moses said:
May his land be blessed by Yahweh
with the precious things of heaven, with the dew,
and with the deep that lies beneath.
14
May his land be blessed with the precious things of the harvest of the sun,
with the precious things of the produce of the months,
15
with the finest things of the ancient mountains,
and with the precious things of the everlasting hills.
16
May his land be blessed with the precious things of the earth and its abundance,
and with the good will of him who was in the bush.
Let the blessing come on the head of Joseph,
and on the top of the head of him who was prince over his brothers.
17
The firstborn of an ox, majestic is he,
and his horns are the horns of a wild ox.
With them he will push the peoples,
all of them, to the ends of the earth.
These are the ten thousands of Ephraim;
these are the thousands of Manasseh.
18
About Zebulun, Moses said:
Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out,
and you, Issachar, in your tents.
19
They will call the peoples to the mountains.
There will they offer sacrifices of righteousness.
For they will suck the abundance of the seas,
and from the sand on the seashore.
20
About Gad, Moses said:
Blessed be he who enlarges Gad.
He will live there like a lioness,
and he will tear off an arm or a head.
21
He provided the best part for himself,
for there was the leader's portion of land reserved.
He came with the heads of the people.
He carried out the justice of Yahweh
and his decrees with Israel.
22
About Dan, Moses said:
Dan is a lion cub
that leaps out from Bashan.
23
About Naphtali, Moses said:
Naphtali, satisfied with favor,
and full of the blessing of Yahweh,
take possession of the land to the west and south.
24
About Asher, Moses said:
Blessed be Asher more than the other sons;
let him be acceptable to his brothers,
and let him dip his foot in olive oil.
25
May your city bars be iron and bronze;
as long as will be your days, so long will your security be.
26
There is no one like the God of Jeshurun,
who rides through the heavens to your help,
and in his majesty on the clouds.
27
The eternal God is a refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.
He thrust out the enemy from before you,
and he said, "Destroy!"
28
Israel dwelt in safety.
Jacob's spring was secure
in a land of grain and new wine;
indeed, let his heavens drop dew on him.
29
Your blessings are many, Israel!
Who is like you, a people saved by Yahweh,
the shield of your help,
and the sword of your majesty?
Your enemies will come trembling to you;
you will trample down their high places.
Deuteronomy 33:1
General Information:
Moses begins to bless the tribes of Israel. He gives a series of prophecies or instructions for each of the tribes of Israel and Israel in general.
Deuteronomy 33:2
Yahweh came from Sinai and rose from Seir upon them. He shined out from Mount Paran
"When Yahweh came from Sinai, he looked to them like the sun when it rises from Seir and shines out from Mount Paran"
upon them
"upon the people of Israel"
ten thousands of holy ones
"10,000 angels"
In his right hand were flashes of lightning
"In his right hand were flames of fire"
Deuteronomy 33:3
the peoples
"the people of Israel"
all his holy people are in your hand ... your feet ... your words
"all Yahweh's holy peole are in his hand ... his feet ... his words"
all his holy people are in your hand
"you protect all his holy people"
Deuteronomy 33:4
an inheritance
"a possession," or "a precious possession"
Deuteronomy 33:5
there was a king
"Yahweh became king"
Jeshurun
This is another name for Israel. Translate it as in Deuteronomy 32:15.
Deuteronomy 33:6
Let Reuben live
This begins Moses's blessings to the individual tribes of Israel.
but may his men be few
"even though his men are few."
Deuteronomy 33:7
to the voice of Judah
"when the people of Judah pray to you"
be a help
"help him to fight"
Deuteronomy 33:8
Your Thummim and your Urim
These were sacred stones the high priest carried on his breastplate and used at times to determine God's will. "Your" refers to Yahweh.
your faithful one, the one whom you tested ... with whom you struggled
Moses refers to the tribe of Levi as if it were one man.
your faithful one
"the one who seeks to please you."
Massah
"The name 'Massah' means 'testing.'" (See Deuteronomy 6:16)
Meribah
"The name 'Meribah' means 'argue' or 'quarrel.'" (See Deuteronomy 32:51)
Deuteronomy 33:9
who said about his father and mother
The word "who" refers to the Yahweh's "faithful one" of Deuteronomy 33:8. This is the tribe of Levi.
your word
"your commands"
guarded ... kept
These words often refer to "obeyed," but here they should be translated literally because they refer to a time when the Levites literally killed people who were rebelling against Yahweh.
Deuteronomy 33:10
your ... your ... you ... your
Moses is speaking to Yahweh, so all these words are singular.
Deuteronomy 33:11
accept
be pleased with
the work of his hands
"all the work that he does"
Shatter the loins of
"Take away the strength of" or "Utterly destroy"
rise up ... rise up
"rise up to fight ... cause any more trouble"
rise up against
"fight against"
Deuteronomy 33:12
The one loved by Yahweh lives
"The ones whom Yahweh loves live". Here Moses is referring to the tribe of Benjamin.
lives in security
"lives where no one can harm him"
he lives between Yahweh's arms
Possible meanings are 1) Yahweh protects the tribe of Benjamin with his power or 2) Yahweh lives in the hill region of the tribe of Benjamin. In both translations, it means Yahweh takes care of them.
Deuteronomy 33:13
About Joseph
This refers to the tribe of Ephraim and the tribe of Manasseh. Both tribes descended from Joseph.
May his land be blessed by Yahweh
"May Yahweh bless their land"
with the precious things of heaven, with the dew
"with the precious dew from the sky" or "with the precious rain from the sky"
dew
water that forms on leaves and grass on cool mornings. See Deuteronomy 32:2.
the deep that lies beneath
This refers to the water under the ground.
Deuteronomy 33:14
May his land be blessed
"May Yahweh bless his land". See Deuteronomy 33:13.
with the precious things of the harvest of the sun
"with the best crops that the sun causes to grow"
with the precious things of the produce of the months
"with the best crops that grow month to month"
Deuteronomy 33:15
finest things ... precious things
"the best fruits ... the precious fruits"
ancient mountains
"the mountains that existed long ago"
everlasting hills
"the hills that will exist forever"
Deuteronomy 33:16
May his land be blessed
"May Yahweh bless his land". (See Deuteronomy 33:13)
its abundance
"what it produces in large amounts"
him who was in the bush
"Yahweh, who spoke to Moses from the burning bush"
Let the blessing come on the head of Joseph
"May Yahweh bless Joseph as a father blesses his son"
Deuteronomy 33:17
The firstborn of an ox, majestic is he
"People will honor Joseph's descendants, who are many and powerful"
his horns are the horns of
"he is as strong as"
With them he will push
"He is so strong that he will push"
ten thousands of Ephraim ... the thousands of Manasseh
"the people of Ephraim, who number many times 10,000 ... the people of Manasseh, who number many times 1,000".
Deuteronomy 33:18
General Information:
He speaks to the tribes of Zebulun and Issachar as if they were one man, so "your" and "rejoice" here are singular.
Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, and you, Issachar, in your tents
The people of Zebulun traveled by sea and traded with other people. The people of Issachar preferred peaceful living and working the land and raising cattle.
Deuteronomy 33:19
There will they offer
"It is there that they will offer"
sacrifices of righteousness
"acceptable sacrifices" or "proper sacrifices"
For they will suck the abundance of the seas, and from the sand on the seashore
Possible meanings are 1) they will trade with people across the sea or 2) they were beginning to use sand in making pottery.
For they will suck the abundance of the seas
The Hebrew word "suck" refers to how a baby nurses at its mother's breast, meaning they will gain wealth from the sea.
Deuteronomy 33:20
Blessed be he who enlarges Gad
"May Yahweh bless Gad and give him much land to live in" or "People should say that Yahweh is good because he has given Gad much land to live in"
He will live there like a lioness, and he will tear off an arm or a head
This means the people of Gad are strong and secure, and they will defeat their enemies in war.
Deuteronomy 33:21
the leader's portion
This means a larger piece of land that a leader normally took.
He came with the heads of the people
"They met with all the leaders of the Israelites"
He carried out the justice of Yahweh and his decrees with Israel
"They obeyed all that Yahweh had commanded the Israelites"
Deuteronomy 33:22
Dan is a lion cub that leaps out from Bashan
The people of Dan are strong like a lion cub, and they attack their enemies who live in Bashan.
Deuteronomy 33:23
satisfied with favor
"who has all the good things he desires because Yahweh is pleased with him"
full of the blessing of Yahweh
"whom Yahweh has blessed so that he has all he needs"
the land to the west and south
This refers to the land around Lake Galilee.
Deuteronomy 33:24
dip his foot in olive oil
"have so much olive oil that he can afford to waste it".
Deuteronomy 33:25
May your city bars be iron and bronze
"May you be safe from attacks by your enemies"
Deuteronomy 33:26
Jeshurun
This is another name for Israel. Translate it as in Deuteronomy 32:15.
who rides through the heavens ... in his majesty on the clouds
"who rides through the heavens like a king rides through a battlefield ... on the clouds like a king on his chariot"
to your help
"to help you."
Deuteronomy 33:27
The eternal God is a refuge
"The eternal God will protect his people"
underneath are the everlasting arms
"he will support and take care of his people forever"
He thrust out ... he said
"He will thrust out ... he will say"
before you ... Destroy
Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the word "you" and the command "destroy" here are singular.
he said, "Destroy!"
"he will tell you to destroy them!"
Deuteronomy 33:28
Israel dwelt ... Jacob's spring was secure
"Israel will dwell ... Jacob's spring will be secure" or "May Israel dwell ... and may Jacob's spring be secure."
Jacob's spring
Jacob's home or Jacob's descendants.
let his heavens drop dew
"may much dew cover the land like rain" or "much dew will cover the land like rain."
Deuteronomy 33:29
Who is like you, a people saved by Yahweh ... majesty?
"There is no other people group like you, a people whom Yahweh has saved ... majesty."
the shield of your help
"the one who protects you and helps you"
the sword of your majesty
"the one who enables you to win battles and so have majesty"
you will trample down their high places
Possible meanings are 1) the Israelites will destroy the places where the other people worship false gods or 2) the Israelites will walk on the backs of their enemies when the Israelites defeat them.
Chapter 34
1
Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. There Yahweh showed him all the land of Gilead as far as Dan,
2
and all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, to the western sea,
3
and the Negev, and the plain of the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar.
4
Yahweh said to him, "This is the land that I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, 'I will give it to your descendants.' I have allowed you to look at it with your eyes, but you will not go over there."
5
So Moses the servant of Yahweh, died there in the land of Moab, as the word of Yahweh promised.
6
Yahweh buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth Peor, but no one knows where his grave is to this day.
7
Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died; his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.
8
The people of Israel mourned for Moses in the plains of Moab for thirty days, and then the days of mourning for Moses were finished.
9
Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. The people of Israel listened to him and did what Yahweh had commanded Moses.
10
There has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom Yahweh knew face to face.
11
There has never been any prophet like him in all the signs and wonders that Yahweh sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land.
12
There has never been any prophet like him in all the mighty, fearsome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.
Deuteronomy 34:1
General Information
This chapter may have been written by Joshua, since it records Moses' death. It officially ends the revelation of the law of Moses, and life in the Promised Land is about to begin again.
Mount Nebo
This is the highest point of Mount Pisgah. See Deuteronomy 32:49.
Pisgah
See Deuteronomy 3:17.
Deuteronomy 34:4
look at it with your eyes
"see it for yourself,"
Deuteronomy 34:6
Beth Peor
This was a town in Moab. (See Deuteronomy 3:29)
to this day
This refers to the time that this was written or edited.
Deuteronomy 34:7
his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated
This means his eyes and body were still strong and healthy.
Deuteronomy 34:9
son of Nun
See Deuteronomy 1:38.
Joshua ... was full of the spirit of wisdom
"Yahweh enabled Joshua ... to be very wise"
Moses had laid his hands on him
"Moses had laid his hands on him to set Joshua apart so Joshua would serve Yahweh"
Deuteronomy 34:10
Yahweh knew face to face
This means Yahweh and Moses had a very close relationship.
Deuteronomy 34:12
in all the mighty
"who did all the mighty,"
Joshua
Chapter 1
1
Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of Yahweh, that Yahweh spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' chief assistant, saying,
2
"Moses, my servant, is dead. Now therefore, arise, cross over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them—to the people of Israel.
3
I have given you every place where the sole of your foot will walk. I have given it to you, just as I promised to Moses.
4
From the wilderness and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea, where the sun goes down, will be your land.
5
No one will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not abandon you or leave you.
6
Be strong and courageous. You will cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their ancestors I would give to them.
7
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go.
8
This book of the law must not leave your mouth. You must meditate on it day and night so that you can be careful to do all that is written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go."
10
Then Joshua commanded the leaders of the people,
11
"Go through the camp and command the people, 'Prepare provisions for yourselves. In three days you will cross over this Jordan and go in and possess the land that Yahweh your God is giving you to possess.'"
12
To the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said,
13
"Call to mind the word that Moses the servant of Yahweh, commanded you when he said, 'Yahweh your God is giving you rest, and he is giving you this land.'
14
Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock will stay in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan. But your mighty warriors will go over with your brothers and help them
15
until Yahweh has given your brothers rest just as he has given it to you. Then they also will take possession of the land Yahweh your God gives them. Then you will return to your own land and possess it, the land that Moses the servant of Yahweh gave you beyond the Jordan, where the sun rises."
16
Then they answered Joshua, saying, "All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.
17
We will obey you just as we obeyed Moses. Only may Yahweh your God be with you, as he was with Moses.
18
Whoever rebels against your commands and disobeys the words you have commanded them will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous."
Joshua 1:1
Yahweh
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
Nun
Joshua's father
Joshua 1:2
cross over this Jordan
"travel from this side to the opposite side of the Jordan"
you and all this people
The word "you" here refers to Joshua.
Joshua 1:3
I have given you every place
"I will give to you every place you go in this land"
Joshua 1:4
your land
The word "your" refers to the tribes of Israel and not only Joshua.
Joshua 1:5
to stand before you
In verse 5 the words "you" and "your" refer to Joshua.
I will not abandon you or leave you
"I will certainly stay with you always"
Joshua 1:6
Be strong and courageous
Yahweh commands Joshua to overcome his fears with courage.
Joshua 1:7
Do not turn from it to the right or to the left
"Follow it exactly" or "Follow them exactly"
be successful
"achieve your goal" or "reach your goal"
Joshua 1:9
Be strong and courageous!
Yahweh is commanding Joshua.
Joshua 1:10
the people
"the people of Israel"
Joshua 1:11
In three days
"Two days from now" or "On the day after tomorrow"
cross over this Jordan
"travel to the other side of the Jordan River"
Joshua 1:12
Reubenites
These were the descendants of Reuben.
Gadites
These were the decendants of Gad.
Joshua 1:14
your little ones
"your little children"
beyond the Jordan
"east of the Jordan River"
Joshua 1:15
given your brothers rest
This refers to Israel defeating all their enemies residing in Canaan that they were to conquer.
you will ... possess it
This refers to living out their life on the land in peace.
beyond the Jordan, where the sun rises
This refers to the east side of the Jordan river.
Joshua 1:18
rebels against your commands ... disobeys the words you have commanded them
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize that any form of disobedience will be punished.
will be put to death
"we will put to death"
be strong and courageous
Israel and God considered both traits important for Joshua to pursue as their leader.
Chapter 2
1
Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two men out from Shittim as spies. He said, "Go, look over the land, especially Jericho." They went away and came to the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab, and they lodged there.
2
It was told to the king of Jericho, "Look, men of Israel have come here to spy on the land."
3
The king of Jericho sent word to Rahab and said, "Bring out the men who have come to you who entered your house, for they have come to spy on the whole land."
4
But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She replied, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.
5
They left when it was dusk, when it was time for the city gate to shut. I do not know where they went. You will probably catch them if you hurry after them."
6
But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax that she had laid out on the roof.
7
So the men pursued them on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan. The gate was shut as soon as the pursuers went out.
8
The men had not yet lain down for the night, when she came up to them on the roof.
9
She said, "I know that Yahweh has given you the land and that the fear of you has come upon us. All those who live in the land will melt away before you.
10
We have heard how Yahweh dried up the water of the Sea of Reeds for you when you came out of Egypt. We also heard what you did to the two kings of the Amorites on the other side of the Jordan—Sihon and Og—whom you completely destroyed.
11
As soon as we had heard it, our hearts melted and there was no courage left in anyone—for Yahweh your God, he is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
12
Now then, please swear to me by Yahweh that, just as I have been kind to you, you will also deal kindly with my father's house. Give me a sure sign
13
that you will spare the lives of my father, mother, brothers, sisters and all their families, and that you will deliver our souls from death."
14
The men said to her, "Our life for yours, even to death! If you do not speak about our business, then, when Yahweh gives us this land we will be merciful and faithful to you."
15
So she let them down out through the window using a rope. The house in which she lived was built into the wall of the city.
16
She said to them, "Go in the hills and hide or the pursuers will find you. Hide there for three days until the pursuers have returned. Then go on your way."
17
The men said to her, "We will be be free from the oath you made us swear to if you do not do this.
18
When we come into the land, you must tie this scarlet rope in the window through which you let us down, and you will gather into the house your father and mother, your brothers and all your father's household.
19
Whoever goes out of the doors of your house into the street, their blood will be upon their own heads and we will be guiltless. But if a hand is laid upon any who is with you in the house, his blood will be on our head.
20
But if you speak about our business, we will be free from the oath you made us swear."
21
Rahab replied, "May what you say be done." She sent them away and they left. Then she tied the scarlet rope in the window.
22
They left and went up into the hills and they stayed there three days until their pursuers returned. The pursuers searched all along the road and found nothing.
23
The two men returned and crossed over and came back to Joshua son of Nun, and they told him everything that had happened to them.
24
They said to Joshua, "Truly Yahweh has given this land to us. All the inhabitants of the land are melting away because of us."
Joshua 2:1
Nun
This is Joshua's father.
Shittim
This is the name of a place on the east side of the Jordan River. It means "Acacia Trees."
as spies
These men were to visit the land to gain information on how Israel should conquer the land.
Joshua 2:4
But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them
This happened before the king's messenger spoke to her.
the woman
This refers to Rahab, the prostitute.
Joshua 2:5
dusk
This is the time that day begins to change to the darkness of night.
Joshua 2:6
the roof
The roof was flat and strong, so people could walk around on it.
flax
a plant that is grown for its fibers, which is used in making cloth
Joshua 2:7
the men pursued them
The men pursued the spies because of what Rahab had told them in Joshua 2:5.
fords
places where a river or other body of water is shallow enough for people to get to the other side by walking through it
Joshua 2:8
not yet lain down
This refers to going to sleep for the night.
Joshua 2:9
I know that Yahweh has given you the land
The word "you" refers to the all the Israelite people.
fear of you has come upon us
"we have become afraid of you"
will melt away before you
"will be so afraid that they will not resist you"
Joshua 2:10
the Sea of Reeds
This is another name for the Red Sea.
Sihon ... Og
These are the names of the Amorite kings.
Joshua 2:11
our hearts melted and there was no courage left in anyone
These two phrases share similar meanings, combined for emphasis. The phrase "our hearts melted" compares the hearts of the fearful people of Jericho to ice melting and flowing away.
Joshua 2:12
please swear to me ... Give me a sure sign
These are similar statements of Rahab seeking assurance from the spies.
I have been kind to you
The word "you" refers to the two spies.
Joshua 2:13
spare the lives ... deliver our souls from death
a polite way of saying "do not to kill us"
Joshua 2:14
Our life for yours, even to death
"If we do not do what we promise, may Yahweh cause us to die"
Joshua 2:17
if you do not do this
This expresses a condition for the promise the spies had made to Rahab. The word, "this," refers to the things the men tell her to do in Joshua 2:18.
Joshua 2:19
Whoever goes out of the doors of your house
"If anyone goes out of the doors of your house"
their blood will be upon their own heads
"their death will be their own fault"
we will be guiltless
"we will be innocent"
if a hand is laid upon any
"if we cause injury to any"
Joshua 2:20
if you speak
"You" refers to Rahab.
Joshua 2:21
May what you say be done
Rahab agreed to their terms of the oath to protect her family.
Joshua 2:22
their pursuers returned
"their pursuers returned to the city of Jericho"
found nothing
This refers to the men not finding the spies.
Joshua 2:23
returned and crossed over and came back
These are similar expressions referring to returning to where the Israelite's are camped.
crossed over
"traveled from this side to the opposite side of the Jordan"
everything that had happened to them
"all that the men had experienced and seen."
Joshua 2:24
us
This word, "us," refers to Israel.
inhabitants of the land are melting away
The people of the land toward Israel are like a substance that melts in the presence of heat.
Chapter 3
1
Joshua got up early in the morning, and they set out from Shittim. They came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and they camped there before they crossed over.
2
After three days, the officers went through the middle of the camp;
3
they commanded the people, "When you see the ark of the covenant of Yahweh your God, and the priests from the Levites carrying it, you must leave this place and follow it.
4
There must be a distance between you and it of about two thousand cubits. Do not come close to it, so that you can see which way to go, since you have not gone this way before."
5
Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves tomorrow, for Yahweh will do wonders among you."
6
Then Joshua said to the priests, "Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass in front of the people." So they picked up the ark of the covenant and went in front of people.
7
Yahweh said to Joshua, "This day I will make you a great man in the eyes of all Israel. They will know that as I was with Moses, I will be with you.
8
You will command the priests who carry the ark of the covenant, 'When you have come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you must stand still in the Jordan River.'"
9
Then Joshua said to the people of Israel, "Come here, and listen to the words of Yahweh your God."
10
And Joshua said, "By this you will know that the living God is among you and will drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
11
Look! The ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth crosses over ahead of you into the Jordan.
12
Now choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man from each.
13
When the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of Yahweh, the Lord of all the earth, touch the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan will be cut off, and even the waters that flow down from upstream will stop flowing and they will stand in one heap."
14
So when the people set out from their tents to cross over the Jordan, the priests who carried the ark of the covenant went ahead of the people.
15
As soon as those who were carrying the ark had come to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who carried the chest were dipped in the edge of the water—now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of the harvest—
16
the waters that flowed down from upstream stood up in one heap. The water stopped flowing from a great distance. The waters stopped flowing from Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, all the way down to the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea. The people crossed over near Jericho.
17
The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh stood on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan until all the people of Israel crossed over on dry ground.
Joshua 3:1
got up
The phrase, "got up," means to "awaken."
Shittim
A place in the land of Moab, west of the Jordan River where the Israelites were camped before their entry into the promised land, Canaan.
Joshua 3:2
officers
These are people holding a position of command or authority.
Joshua 3:3
people
This is the nation of Israel.
Joshua 3:4
two thousand cubits
"2,000 cubits." The word "cubit" is a measurement equaling the distance from the elbow to the finger tips.
Joshua 3:5
Consecrate yourselves
This refers to a special preparation of being religiously clean before Yahweh.
Yahweh will do wonders
Yahweh will be doing miracles for all to see and experience.
Joshua 3:6
Take up the ark
This is referring to the levites picking up the ark for the purpose of carrying it from one location to another.
Joshua 3:7
I will make you a great man in the eyes of all Israel
"the people will see what I do and realize that I have made you a great man"
Joshua 3:8
edge of the waters of the Jordan
Joshua is to approach the bank or edge of the Jordan River.
Joshua 3:10
drive out from before you
Yahweh will force the other people living on the land to leave or be killed.
Joshua 3:11
crosses over
"will travel from this side to the opposite side"
Joshua 3:13
the soles of the feet
This refers to the bottom of their feet.
stand in one heap
The water will stay in one spot or place. It will not flow around the priests.
Joshua 3:15
edge of the water
This can refer to the surface of the water as well as the bank where the water flows to dry land.
now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of the harvest
This is background information and it emphasizes the scale of what Yahweh is doing.
Joshua 3:17
the Jordan
This refers to the Jordan River bed.
Chapter 4
1
When all the people crossed over the Jordan, Yahweh said to Joshua,
2
"Choose twelve men for yourselves from among the people, one man from each tribe.
3
Give them this command: 'Take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan where the priests are standing on the dry ground, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you will spend the night tonight.'"
4
Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had chosen from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe.
5
Joshua said to them, "Go over before the ark of Yahweh your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel.
6
This will be a sign in your midst for you when your children ask in days to come, 'What do these stones mean to you?'
7
Then you will say to them, 'The waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones will be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.'"
8
The people of Israel did just as Joshua commanded, and they picked up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, as Yahweh said to Joshua. They set the stones up according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel. They carried the stones with them, over to the place where they camped and they set them down there.
9
Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan River, in the place where the feet of the priests who carried the ark of the covenant stood. The memorial is there to this day.
10
The priests who carried the ark stood in the middle of the Jordan until everything that Yahweh commanded Joshua to tell the people was completed, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua. The people hurried and they crossed over.
11
When all the people had finished crossing over, the ark of Yahweh and the priests crossed over before the people.
12
The tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh passed before the people of Israel formed up as an army, just as Moses said to them.
13
About forty thousand men equipped for war passed before Yahweh, for battle on the plains of Jericho.
14
On that day Yahweh made Joshua great in the eyes of all Israel. They honored him—just as they honored Moses—all his days.
15
Then Yahweh spoke to Joshua,
16
"Command the priests who carry the ark of the testimony to come up out of the Jordan."
17
So, Joshua commanded the priests, "Come up out of the Jordan."
18
When the priests carrying the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came up out of the middle of the Jordan, and the soles of their feet were lifted up out on dry ground, then the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed its banks, just as they were four days before.
19
The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month. They camped in Gilgal, east of Jericho.
20
The twelve stones that they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal.
21
He said to the people of Israel, "When your descendants ask their fathers in times to come, 'What are these stones?'
22
tell your children, 'This is where Israel crossed over the Jordan on dry ground.'
23
Yahweh your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you, until you had crossed over, just as Yahweh your God did to the Sea of Reeds, which he dried up for us until we passed over,
24
so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of Yahweh is mighty, and that you will honor Yahweh your God forever."
Joshua 4:1
crossed over
"went across"
the Jordan
the Jordan River
Joshua 4:3
Give them this command: ' ... '
"Give them this command to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan where the priests are standing on the dry ground, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you will spend the night tonight"
Joshua 4:7
The waters of the Jordan were
"The Jordan River was"
the waters of the Jordan were cut off
The water flowing down the Jordan River stopped before the ark so everyone including the ark traveled on the dry river bed.
Joshua 4:9
Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan River
These were twelve additional stones, not the stones that the twelve men carried from the river bed.
The memorial is there to this day
This means the memorial was there to the day that the author was writing this book.
Joshua 4:10
the Jordan
This refers to the Jordan River.
the people
This refers to the nation of Israel.
crossed over
"traveled from one side to the opposite side"
Joshua 4:11
before the people
This refers to being in front of the people or in the sight of all the people. Everyone saw the ark being carried by the priests.
Joshua 4:12
The tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh passed before the people of Israel formed up as an army
These were the soldiers of the 3 tribes that were fulfilling their obligation to lead the Israelites into battle for settling on the East side of the Jordan River.
Joshua 4:14
just as they
The word "they" refers to the people of Israel.
Joshua 4:18
waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed its banks
The Jordan River was overflowing its banks and flooding the area before and after Israel passed through on dry land.
Joshua 4:19
came up out of the Jordan
This refers to when Israel crossed the Jordan River on dry ground.
on the tenth day of the first month
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. The tenth day is near the end of March on Western calendars.
Joshua 4:20
The twelve stones that they took out of the Jordan
Each tribe was to take one stone from the Jordan River so Joshua could build a memorial of the crossing event.
Joshua 4:22
tell your children
It was for Israel to teach their children of God's miracles so that they would honor Yahweh forever.
Joshua 4:24
the hand of Yahweh is mighty
"Yahweh is mighty"
Chapter 5
1
As soon as all the kings of the Amorites on the west side of the Jordan, and all the kings of the Canaanites, who were along the coast of the Great Sea, heard that Yahweh had dried up the waters of the Jordan until the people of Israel had crossed over, their hearts melted, and there was no longer any spirit in them because of the people of Israel.
2
At that time Yahweh said to Joshua, "Make flint knives and once more circumcise all the sons of Israel."
3
Then Joshua made himself flint knives and he circumcised all the sons of Israel at Gibeath Haaraloth.
4
This is the reason Joshua circumcised them: All the males who had come out of Egypt, including all the men of war, had died in the wilderness along the way, after they came out from Egypt.
5
Though all the males who came out of Egypt were circumcised, still, none of the boys born in the wilderness on the way out of Egypt had been circumcised.
6
For the people of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness until all the people, that is, all the men of war who had come out of Egypt, died, because they did not obey the voice of Yahweh. Yahweh swore to them that he would not let them see the land that he had sworn to their ancestors that he would give to us, a land flowing with milk and honey.
7
It was their children that Yahweh raised up in their place that Joshua circumcised, because they had not been circumcised on the way.
8
When they were all circumcised, they remained where they were in the camp until they healed.
9
Then Yahweh said to Joshua, "This day I have rolled away the disgrace of Egypt from you." So, the name of that place has been called Gilgal until this present day.
10
The people of Israel camped at Gilgal. They kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month, in the evening, on the plains of Jericho.
11
On the day after Passover, that same day, they ate some of the produce of the land, unleavened bread and roasted grain.
12
The manna stopped on the day after they ate the produce of the land. There was no longer manna for the people of Israel, but they ate the produce of the land of Canaan that year.
13
When Joshua was near Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing in front of him; he had drawn his sword and it was in his hand. Joshua went to him and said, "Are you for us or for our enemies?"
14
He said, "Neither. For I am the commander of the army of Yahweh. Now I have come." Then Joshua lay facedown on the ground to worship and said to him, "What does my master say to his servant?"
15
The commander of Yahweh's army said to Joshua, "Take off your sandals from your feet, because the place you are standing is holy." That is what Joshua did.
Joshua 5:1
their hearts melted
"they lost all their courage"
there was no longer any spirit in them
"they no longer had any will to fight"
Joshua 5:3
Joshua made himself flint knives ... he circumcised all the sons
"Joshua and the Israelites made themselves flint knives ... they circumcised all the males"
Gibeath Haaraloth
This is a place name which commemorates Israel rededicating themselves to Yahweh. It means "the hill of the foreskins."
Joshua 5:4
the men of war
the men who were old enough to be soldiers
Joshua 5:6
obey the voice of Yahweh
"obey the things that Yahweh commanded them"
a land flowing with milk and honey
"a land that is excellent for raising livestock and growing crops"
Joshua 5:9
This day I have rolled away the disgrace of Egypt from you
"This day I have removed the disgrace of Egypt from you" or "You were disgraced when you were slaves in Egypt. But, today I have caused you to no longer be disgraced"
Joshua 5:10
the fourteenth day of the month
"the fourteenth day of the first month"
Joshua 5:13
he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing
"he looked up and saw that a man was standing"
behold
The word "behold" alerts us to pay special attention to new information. Your language may have a way of doing this.
he had drawn his sword and it was in his hand
Here the words "he" and "his" refer to the man who was standing in front of Joshua.
Joshua 5:14
He said
The word "he" refers to the man Joshua saw.
Neither
"I am neither for you nor for your enemies"
Joshua lay facedown on the ground to worship
This was an act of worship.
Joshua 5:15
Take off your sandals from your feet
This was an act of reverence.
Chapter 6
1
Now all the entrances to Jericho were closed because of the army of Israel. No one went out and no one came in.
2
Yahweh said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hand, its king, and its mighty warriors.
3
You must march around the city, all the men of war going around the city one time. You must do this for six days.
4
Seven priests must carry seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. On the seventh day, you must march around the city seven times, and the priests must sound blasts on the trumpets.
5
Then they must sound a long blast with the ram's horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet all the people must shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat. The soldiers must attack, each one going straight ahead."
6
Then Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, "Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests carry seven trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark of Yahweh."
7
He said to the people, "Go over and march around the city, and the armed men will go ahead of the ark of Yahweh."
8
Just as Joshua had said to the people, the seven priests carried the seven trumpets of rams' horns before Yahweh. As they advanced, they gave a blast on the trumpets. The ark of the covenant of Yahweh followed after them.
9
Armed men walked before the priests, and they made a blast on their trumpets, but then the rear guard walked up behind the ark, and the priests blew their trumpets continually.
10
But Joshua commanded the people, saying, "Do not shout. No sound must leave your mouths until the day I tell you to shout. Only then you must shout."
11
So he caused the ark of Yahweh to go around the city one time that day. Then they entered their camp, and they stayed the night in the camp.
12
Then Joshua got up early in the morning, and the priests picked up the ark of Yahweh.
13
The seven priests, who were carrying the seven trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark of Yahweh, walked steadily and gave blasts on the trumpets. Armed soldiers were walking in front of them. But when the rear guard walked after the ark of Yahweh, then the trumpets gave out continual blasts.
14
They marched around the city one time the second day and returned to the camp. They did this for six days.
15
It was on the seventh day that they got up early, as dawn was breaking, and they marched around the city in the same way that was their pattern, this time for seven times. It was on this day that they marched around the city seven times.
16
It was on the seventh day, when the priests gave a blast with the trumpets, that Joshua commanded the people, "Shout! For Yahweh has given you the city.
17
The city and all that is in it will be set apart to Yahweh for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute will live—she and all the ones with her in her house—because she hid the messengers we sent.
18
But as for you, be on guard about taking the things set apart for destruction, so that after you mark them for destruction, you do not then take any of them. If you do this, you will make the camp of Israel something that must be destroyed and you will bring trouble on it.
19
All the silver, gold, and the things made of bronze and iron are set apart to Yahweh. They must go into the treasury of Yahweh."
20
So the people gave a great shout, and they blew on the trumpets. Now when the people heard the trumpet sound, they gave a great shout, the wall fell down flat, and every man charged straight in and captured the city.
21
They completely destroyed all that was in the city by the edge of the sword—man and woman, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys.
22
Then Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, "Go into the prostitute's house. Bring out the woman and all who are with her, as you swore to her."
23
So the young men who had been spies went in and brought Rahab out. They brought out her father, mother, brothers, and all the relatives that were with her. They brought them to a place outside the camp of Israel.
24
They burned the city and everything in it. Only the silver, gold, and the vessels of bronze and iron were put into the treasury of the house of Yahweh.
25
But Joshua allowed Rahab the prostitute, her father's household, and all that were with her to live. She lives in Israel to this day because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy on Jericho.
26
Then Joshua commanded them at that time with an oath, and he said, "Cursed is the man in Yahweh's sight who rebuilds this city, Jericho. At the cost of his firstborn son, he will lay the foundation, and at the cost of his youngest son, he will set up its gates."
27
So Yahweh was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land.
Joshua 6:2
I have delivered Jericho into your hand, its king, and its mighty warriors
Yahweh is telling Joshua that he will certainly do this by saying that he has already done it.
into your hand
"so that you can control it"
Joshua 6:3
You must do this for six days
"You must do this once each day for six days"
Joshua 6:4
Seven priests must carry seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark
The seven priests are to march in front of other priests who are carrying the ark and marching around the city.
Joshua 6:5
they must sound a long blast with the ram's horn ... of the trumpet
The word "they" refers to the seven priests. The "ram's horn" and "trumpet" refer to the trumpets of rams' horns that the priests were blowing in Joshua 6:4.
the wall of the city
"the outer wall of the city" or "the wall surrounding the city"
Joshua 6:6
Nun
This is Joshua's father.
Take up the ark of the covenant
"Pick up the ark of the covenant"
Joshua 6:8
before Yahweh
Possible meanings are 1) "in obedience to Yahweh" or 2) "in front of Yahweh's ark"
they gave a blast on the trumpets
"they sounded the trumpets loudly" or "the priests blew into the ram's horn trumpets"
The ark of the covenant of Yahweh followed after them
"The priests who were carrying the ark of the covenant of Yahweh followed after them"
Joshua 6:10
No sound must leave your mouths
"Do not yell or speak"
But Joshua commanded the people
"Joshua had commanded the people"
Joshua 6:13
gave blasts on the trumpets
"continually sounded the trumpets loudly" or "blew into the ram's horn trumpets continually"
Joshua 6:14
the second day
the next day
They did this
Israel marched around Jericho once every day.
Joshua 6:16
the people
This refers to the people of Israel.
gave a blast with the trumpets
"sounded the trumpets loudly" or "blew into the ram's horn trumpets"
Yahweh has given you
Joshua is saying that Yahweh will definitely give them the city by saying that he has already given it to them.
Joshua 6:17
The city and all that is in it will be set apart to Yahweh for destruction
"You must set apart to Yahweh the city and all that is in it for destruction" or "You must set apart to Yahweh the city and all that is in it by destroying it"
Joshua 6:18
be on guard about taking the things
"Be careful that you do not take the things"
you will bring trouble on it
"you will cause bad things to happen to it"
Joshua 6:19
the treasury of Yahweh
a collection of things set apart for the worship of Yahweh
Joshua 6:20
So the people ... on the trumpets
The writer is briefly saying that the people did what Joshua had commanded them in Joshua 6:16.
the people gave a great shout
"the people of Israel shouted"
blew on the trumpets
"blew into the ram's horn trumpets"
Joshua 6:24
They burned the city
The word "they" refers to the Israelite soldiers. It does not refer only to the two young men who brought Rahab and her family out of the city.
Joshua 6:25
She lives in Israel
"Her descendants live in Israel"
to this day
"now" or "even today." Rahab's descendants are still living in Israel as the original writer writes this story.
Joshua 6:26
Cursed is the man in Yahweh's sight who rebuilds
"May Yahweh curse the man who rebuilds"
At the cost of his firstborn son, he will lay the foundation
"If he lays the foundation, he will lose his firstborn son" or "If he lays the foundation, his firstborn son will die"
at the cost of his youngest son, he will set up its gates
"If he sets up its gates, he will lose his youngest son" or "If he sets up it gates, his youngest son will die"
Joshua 6:27
his fame spread throughout the land
"Joshua became famous throughout the land" or "people throughout the land learned about Joshua"
Chapter 7
1
But the people of Israel acted unfaithfully regarding the things that were set apart for destruction. Achan son of Karmi son of Zabdi son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some things that were set apart for destruction, and Yahweh's anger burned against the people of Israel.
2
Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which was near Beth Aven, east of Bethel. He said to them, "Go up and spy out the land." So the men went up and spied out Ai.
3
When they returned to Joshua, they said to him, "Do not send all the people up to Ai. Send only two or three thousand men to go up and attack Ai. Do not make all the people labor in battle, for they are few in number."
4
So only about three thousand men went up from the army, but these ran away from the men of Ai.
5
The men of Ai killed about thirty-six men as they pursued them from the city gate as far as to the stone quarries, and they killed them as they were going down a hill. The hearts of the people melted and became like water.
6
Then Joshua tore his garments. He and the elders of Israel put dust on their heads and lay facedown on the ground in front of the ark of Yahweh, remaining there until evening.
7
Then Joshua said, "Ah, Yahweh Lord, why have you brought this people across the Jordan at all? To give us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we made a different decision and we had stayed on the other side of the Jordan!
8
Lord, what can I say, after Israel has turned their backs before their enemies?
9
For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it. They will surround us and make the people of the earth forget our name. What will you do for your great name?"
10
Yahweh said to Joshua, "Get up! Why are you lying there on your face?
11
Israel has sinned. They have broken my covenant which I commanded them. They have stolen some of the things that were set apart. They have stolen and then also hidden their sin by putting what they have taken among their own belongings.
12
As a result, the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turned their backs from their enemies because they themselves have been set apart for destruction. I will not be with you any more unless you destroy the things that should have been destroyed, but are still among you.
13
Get up! Consecrate the people to me and say to them, 'Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow. For Yahweh, the God of Israel says, "There are things set apart to be destroyed that are still among you, Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove from among you all the things that were set apart to be destroyed."
14
In the morning, you must present yourselves by your tribes. The tribe that Yahweh selects will come near by their clans. The clan that Yahweh selects must come near by each household. The household that Yahweh selects must come near one by one.
15
It will happen that the one who is selected and who has those things that were set apart for destruction, he will be burned, he and all he has, because he has broken the covenant of Yahweh and because he has done a disgraceful thing in Israel.'"
16
So, Joshua got up early in the morning and brought Israel near, tribe by tribe, and the tribe of Judah was selected.
17
Joshua brought the clans of Judah near, and the clan of the Zerahites was selected. He brought near the clan of the Zerahites person by person, and Zabdi was selected.
18
He brought Zabdi's household near, person by person, and Achan son of Karmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, was selected.
19
Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to Yahweh, the God of Israel, and give praise to him. Please tell me what you have done. Do not hide it from me."
20
Achan answered Joshua, "Truly, I have sinned against Yahweh, the God of Israel. This is what I did:
21
When I saw among the plunder a beautiful coat from Babylon, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I desired them and took them. They are hidden in the ground in the middle of my tent, and the silver is under it."
22
Joshua sent messengers, who ran to the tent and there were the things. When they looked, they found them hidden in his own tent, and the silver under them.
23
They took the items from the middle of the tent and brought them to Joshua and to all the people of Israel. They poured them out before Yahweh.
24
Then Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan son of Zerah, and the silver, the coat, the bar of gold, his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys, sheep, and his tent and all that he had, and they brought them up to the Valley of Achor.
25
Then Joshua said, "Why have you troubled us? Yahweh will trouble you today." All Israel stoned him with stones. Then they stoned the rest with stones and burned them with fire.
26
They set up over him a great heap of stones that is here until this day. Yahweh turned away his burning anger. Therefore the name of the place has been called the Valley of Achor until this present day.
Joshua 7:1
the things that were set apart for destruction
"the things that God had said they must set apart to him by destroying them"
Achan ... Karmi ... Zabdi ... Zerah
These are names of men.
Yahweh's anger burned
"Yahweh's anger burned like a fire" or "Yahweh was very angry"
Joshua 7:3
all the people
This refers to the army of Israel.
they are few in number
The word "they" refers to the people of Ai.
Joshua 7:5
The hearts of the people melted
"The people were very afraid"
The hearts of the people
The phrase "the people" refers to the Israelite soldiers.
Joshua 7:6
tore his garments ... put dust on their heads and lay facedown on the ground in front of the ark of Yahweh
They did these things to show God how sad and distressed they were.
Joshua 7:7
why have you brought this people across the Jordan at all? To give us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us?
"you brought this people across the Jordan to give us into the hands of the Amorites so they would to destroy us."
If only we made a different decision
"I wish we had made a different decision"
Joshua 7:8
what can I say, after Israel has turned their backs before their enemies?
"I do not know what to say. Israel has run away from their enemies!"
Joshua 7:9
They will surround us and make the people of the earth forget our name
"They will surround us and kill us, and the people of the earth will forget about us"
for your great name
"And so what will you do so that people will know that you are great"
Joshua 7:10
Why are you lying there on your face?
"Stop lying there with your face in the dirt!"
Joshua 7:11
the things that were set apart
"the cursed things" or "those things which God has cursed"
They have stolen and then also hidden their sin
"They have stolen those things, and then they tried to keep people from knowing that they sinned"
Joshua 7:12
cannot stand before their enemies
"cannot fight successfully against their enemies" or "cannot defeat their enemies"
I will not be with you any more
"I will not help you any more"
Joshua 7:13
the people
This refers to the people of Israel.
You cannot stand against your enemies
"You cannot fight successfully against your enemies" or "You cannot defeat your enemies"
Joshua 7:14
you must present yourselves by your tribes
"each of your tribes must present themselves to Yahweh"
The tribe that Yahweh selects will come near by their clans
"From the tribe that Yahweh selects, each clan will come near"
The tribe that Yahweh selects
"The tribe that Yahweh selects by lot" or "The tribe that Yahweh selects when we toss lots"
The clan that Yahweh selects must come near by each household
"From the clan that Yahweh selects, each household must come near"
The household that Yahweh selects must come near one by one
"From the household that Yahweh selects, each person must come near"
Joshua 7:15
the one who is selected
"the one whom Yahweh selects"
he has broken the covenant of Yahweh
"he has disobeyed the covenant of Yahweh"
Joshua 7:16
brought Israel near, tribe by tribe
"brought each tribe of Israel near"
the tribe of Judah was selected
"Yahweh selected the tribe of Judah"
Joshua 7:17
He brought near the clan of the Zerahites person by person
"He brought near each person of the clan of the Zerahites" or "From the clan of the Zerahites, he brought near each man who was the leader of his household"
the clan of the Zerahites
The clan was named after the man named Zerah.
Zabdi
This is a man's name.
Joshua 7:19
give glory to Yahweh ... give praise to him
"tell the truth to Yahweh ... confess to him" or "tell the truth before Yahweh ... confess before him."
Do not hide it from me
"Do not try to prevent me from knowing what you have done"
Joshua 7:21
two hundred shekels
This is over two kilograms.
fifty shekels
This is over 500 grams.
They are hidden in the ground
"I hid them in the ground"
Joshua 7:22
they looked
"the men Joshua had sent looked"
Joshua 7:23
poured them out
Use the word in your language for pouring many small solid things out of a large bag onto the ground.
Joshua 7:24
the Valley of Achor
The name means "Valley of Trouble," but it is best to translate Achor the way it sounds.
Joshua 7:25
Why have you troubled us?
"You have troubled us"
Then they stoned the rest with stones and burned them with fire.
Possible meanings are 1) the Israelites burned Achan's family to death and then covered them with stones or 2) the Israelites stoned Achan's family to death and then burned the dead bodies or 3) that Achan and his possessions were stoned and then burned.
Joshua 7:26
Yahweh turned away his burning anger
"Yahweh stopped being angry"
until this present day
"even today" or "even now"
Chapter 8
1
Yahweh said to Joshua, "Do not fear; do not be discouraged. Take with you all the people of war. Go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.
2
You will do to Ai and her king as you have done to Jericho and her king, except that you will take the plunder and the livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city."
3
So Joshua got up and took all the men of war up to Ai. Then Joshua chose thirty thousand men—mighty warriors—and he sent them out at night.
4
He commanded them, "Look, you will lie in ambush against the city, behind it. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready.
5
I and all the men with me will approach the city, and when they come out to attack us, we will run away from them just as before.
6
They will come out after us until we have drawn them away from the city. They will say, 'They are running away from us as they did the last time.' So we will run away from them.
7
Then you come up out of your place of hiding, and you will capture the city. Yahweh your God will give it into your hand.
8
When you capture the city, you will set it on fire. You will do this when you obey the command given in the word of Yahweh. See, I have commanded you."
9
Joshua sent them out, and they went to the place of ambush, and they hid between Bethel and Ai to the west of Ai. But Joshua slept that night among the people.
10
Joshua got up early in the morning and got his soldiers ready, Joshua and the elders of Israel, and they attacked the people of Ai.
11
All the fighting men who were with him went up and approached the city. They came near the city and camped on the north side of Ai. Now there was a valley between them and Ai.
12
He took about five thousand men and set them in ambush on the west side of the city between Bethel and Ai.
13
They positioned all the soldiers, the main army on the north side of the city, and the rear guard on the west side of the city. Joshua spent that night in the valley.
14
It came about when the king of Ai saw it, he and his army got up early and rushed out to attack Israel at a certain place that was overlooking the Jordan River valley. He did not know that an ambush was waiting to attack from behind the city.
15
Joshua and all Israel let themselves be defeated before them, and they fled toward the wilderness.
16
All the people who were in the city were called together to go after them, and they went after Joshua and they were drawn away from the city.
17
There was not a man left in Ai and Bethel who had not gone out to pursue Israel. They abandoned the city and left it open as they pursued Israel.
18
Yahweh said to Joshua, "Point that spear in your hand toward Ai, for I will give Ai into your hand." Joshua held out the spear that was in his hand toward the city.
19
The soldiers hiding in ambush quickly rushed out of their place as he reached out with his hand. They ran and entered the city and captured it. They quickly set the city on fire.
20
The men of Ai turned and looked back. They saw the smoke from the city rising into the sky, and they could not escape this way or that. For the Israelite soldiers who had fled into the wilderness now turned back to face those who were pursuing them.
21
When Joshua and all Israel saw the ambush had captured the city with the smoke rising, they turned around and killed the men of Ai.
22
The others came out from the city against them, so that they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side and some on that side. Israel attacked the men of Ai; none remained of those who survived or escaped.
23
They kept the king of Ai, whom they captured alive, and they brought him to Joshua.
24
It came about when Israel had finished killing all the inhabitants of Ai in the field near the wilderness where they pursued them, and when all of them, to the very last one, had fallen by the edge of the sword, all Israel returned to Ai. They attacked it with the edge of the sword.
25
All those who fell that day, both men and women, were twelve thousand, all the people of Ai.
26
Joshua did not draw back his hand with which he had reached out while holding his spear, until he had completely destroyed all the people of Ai.
27
Israel took only the livestock and the plunder from the city for themselves, just as Yahweh had commanded Joshua.
28
Joshua burned Ai and turned it into a heap of ruins forever. It is a devastated place to this day.
29
He hanged the king of Ai on a tree until evening. When the sun was going down, Joshua gave the command and they took the king's body down from the tree and threw it in front of the city gate. There they set up a great heap of stones on top of it. That heap remains there to this day.
30
Then Joshua built an altar to Yahweh, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal,
31
just as Moses the servant of Yahweh had commanded the people of Israel, as it was written in the book of the law of Moses: "An altar from uncut stones, on which no one has wielded an iron tool." He offered on the altar burnt offerings to Yahweh, and they sacrificed peace offerings.
32
There, in the presence of the people of Israel, he wrote on the stones a copy of the law of Moses.
33
All Israel, their elders, officers, and their judges stood on both sides of the ark before the priests and Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh—the foreigner as well as the native born—half of them stood in front of Mount Gerizim and the other half stood in front of Mount Ebal. They blessed the people of Israel, just as Moses the servant of Yahweh had commanded them at first.
34
Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law, the blessings and the curses, just as they had been written in the book of the law.
35
There was not one word from all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read in front of the assembly of Israel, including the women, the little children, and the foreigners who lived among them.
Joshua 8:1
Do not fear; do not be discouraged
These two phrases mean basically the same thing. Yahweh combines them to emphasize that there is no reason to be afraid.
I have given into your hand the king of Ai ... and his land
"I have given you victory over the king of Ai and his people, and I have given you control over his city and his land"
Joshua 8:2
her king
"its king" or "their king"
Joshua 8:3
the men of war
"the army of Israel"
Joshua 8:7
will give it into your hand
Here "hand" symbolizes the control and power the people have over their enemies.
Joshua 8:9
Joshua sent them out
This phrase refers to Joshua sending the thirty thousand men who had been selected to ambush Ai to where they would set the ambush.
the place of ambush
"where they would hide until it was time to attack"
Joshua 8:12
five thousand men
This group seems to be a portion of the "thirty thousand men" (Joshua 8:9). This smaller group remained in the ambush while the other 25,000 men attacked the city.
Joshua 8:13
the main army
This refers to the largest group of fighting men, those not in the ambush group.
rear guard
those who were "set in ambush on the west side of the city"
Joshua 8:15
let themselves be defeated before them
"let the people of Ai think that the Israelites were defeated" or "let the people of Ai think that they had defeated the Israelites"
before them
the army of Ai
they fled
The army of Israel fled.
Joshua 8:16
they went after ... they were drawn away
These occurrences of "they" refer to the army of Ai.
to go after them
to go after the army of Isreal
All the people who were in the city were called together
"The city leaders called all the people in the city together"
Joshua 8:17
left it open
"left the city gates open"
Joshua 8:18
I will give Ai into your hand
"I will give you victory over Ai" or "I will cause you to capture Ai"
Joshua 8:24
when Israel had finished killing all the inhabitants ... when all of them ... had fallen by the edge of the sword
The writer uses both of these sentences, which mean almost the same thing, to strongly say that the Israelites had obeyed God's command to kill everyone in Ai.
had fallen by the edge of the sword
"had died in battle" or "had died when the army of Israel attacked them"
Joshua 8:28
a devastated place
a place where people once lived, but in which no one now lives
Joshua 8:29
to this day
"today" or "even now"
Joshua 8:30
Mount Ebal
a mountain in Canaan
Joshua 8:35
There was not one word from all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read
"Joshua read every word of all that Moses commanded"
Israel
This refers to the nation of Israel.
Chapter 9
1
Then all the kings who lived beyond the Jordan in the hill country, and in the lowlands along the shore of the Great Sea toward Lebanon—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and the Jebusites—
2
these gathered themselves together under one command, to wage war against Joshua and Israel.
3
When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai,
4
they acted with a cunning plan. They went as messengers. They took worn-out sacks and put them on their donkeys. They also took old wineskins that were worn, torn, and had been repaired.
5
They put old and patched sandals on their feet, and dressed in old, worn-out clothing. All the bread in their food supply was dry and moldy.
6
Then they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, "We have traveled from a very far country, so now make a covenant with us."
7
The men of Israel said to the Hivites, "Perhaps you live near us. How can we make a covenant with you?"
8
They said to Joshua, "We are your servants." Joshua said to them, "Who are you? Where did you come from?"
9
They said to him, "Your servants have come here from a land very far away, because of the fame of Yahweh your God. We have heard a report about him and about everything that he did in Egypt—
10
and everything that he did to the two kings of the Amorites on the other side of the Jordan—to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan who was at Ashtaroth.
11
Our elders and all the inhabitants of our country said to us, 'Take provisions in your hand for the journey. Go to meet them and say to them, "We are your servants. Make a treaty with us."
12
This is our bread, it was still warm when we took it from our houses on the day we set out to come to you. But now, see, it is dry and moldy.
13
These wineskins were new when we filled them, and look, now they are leaking. Our garments and our sandals are worn out from a very long journey.'"
14
So the Israelites took some of their provisions, but they did not consult with Yahweh for guidance.
15
Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live. The leaders of the people also swore a vow to them.
16
Three days after the Israelites made this covenant with them, they learned that they were their neighbors and that they lived nearby.
17
Then the people of Israel set out and came to their cities on the third day. Their cities were Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim.
18
The people of Israel did not attack them because their leaders had taken an oath about them before Yahweh, the God of Israel. The whole community was grumbling against their leaders.
19
But all the leaders said to all the people, "We have taken an oath concerning them by Yahweh, the God of Israel, and now we cannot harm them.
20
This is what we will do to them: To avoid any wrath that may come on us because of the oath we swore to them, we will let them live."
21
The leaders said to their people, "Let them live." So, the Gibeonites became cutters of wood and drawers of water for all the Israelites, just as the leaders said about them.
22
Joshua called for them and said, "Why did you deceive us when you said, 'We are very far from you', when you live right here among us?
23
Now, because of this, you are cursed and some of you will always be slaves, those who cut wood and draw water for the house of my God."
24
They answered Joshua and said, "Because it was told to your servants that Yahweh your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you—so we were very afraid for our lives because of you. That is why we did this thing.
25
Now, look, you hold us in your power. Whatever seems good and right for you to do to us, do it."
26
So Joshua did this for them: He delivered them out of the control of the people of Israel, so that the people of Israel did not kill them.
27
That day Joshua made the Gibeonites cutters of wood and drawers of water for the community, and for the altar of Yahweh, to this day, in the place that Yahweh chooses.
Joshua 9:1
the Jordan
a shortened name for the Jordan River
Joshua 9:2
under one command
"obeying the commands of one leader"
Joshua 9:4
cunning plan
a crafty scheme intended to trick Joshua and the Israelites
Joshua 9:5
dry and moldy
"dry and filled with fungus" or "stale and ruined"
Joshua 9:6
men of Israel
This refers to the entire nation of Israel.
Joshua 9:7
the Hivites
This is another name for the Gibeonites.
Perhaps you live near us. How can we make a covenant with you?
"If you do live near us, we cannot make a covenant with you."
Joshua 9:10
Sihon
This is the name of the defeated Amorite king.
Heshbon
This is the name of the royal city of the nation of Moab.
Og
This is the name of the defeated king of Bashan.
Ashtaroth
This is the name of a city known for worshiping the goddess of the same name.
Joshua 9:11
in your hand
This phrase means "take with you." Here the word "hand" represents the possession by the Gibeonites of the provisions.
meet them and say to them
The word "them" refers to the people of Israel.
Joshua 9:15
Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live. The leaders of the people also swore a vow to them.
These two sentences are saying that the same thing occurred. Joshua, the leader of the nation of Israel, promised not to kill the Gibeonites. The leaders of the nation of Israel, likewise, made the same covenant.
the people
Here this refers to the people of Israel.
Joshua 9:17
third day
This refers to number three in order.
Kephirah
This is one of the cities of the Gibeonites.
Beeroth
This is the name of a place.
Kiriath Jearim
This is the name of a place.
Joshua 9:18
The whole community was grumbling
"All of the Israelites were grumbling"
Joshua 9:19
the people
Here this phrase refers to the nation of Israel.
Joshua 9:21
the Gibeonites became cutters of wood and drawers of water
"the Gibeonites became woodcutters and water carriers"
Joshua 9:23
house of my God
Here this phrase refers to the dwelling place of Yahweh, the Tabernacle.
Joshua 9:25
Whatever seems good and right
"Whatever seems fair and just"
Joshua 9:26
for them
The word "them" here refers to the Gibeonites.
Joshua 9:27
to this day
"even up to now." This means that the people had continued to do these things even up to the day that the writer was living.
Chapter 10
1
Now when Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had captured Ai and had completely destroyed it (just as he had done to Jericho and its king), he also heard how the people of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were living among them.
2
The people of Jerusalem were very afraid because Gibeon was a large city, like one of the royal cities. It was larger than Ai, and all its men were mighty warriors.
3
So Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem sent a message to Hoham king of Hebron, to Piram king of Jarmuth, to Japhia king of Lachish, and to Debir king of Eglon:
4
"Come up to me and help me. Let us attack Gibeon because they have made peace with Joshua and with the people of Israel."
5
The five kings of the Amorites—the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon—came up, they and all of their armies. They encamped near Gibeon, and they attacked it.
6
The people of Gibeon sent a message to Joshua and to the army at Gilgal. They said, "Hurry! Do not withdraw your hands from your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us. Help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who live in the hill country have gathered together to attack us."
7
Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the men of war with him, and all the mighty warriors.
8
Yahweh said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them. I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to stop your attack."
9
Joshua came upon them suddenly, having marched all night from Gilgal.
10
Yahweh confused the enemy before Israel, and Israel killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon and pursued them on the road going up to Beth Horon, and they killed them on the road to Azekah and Makkedah.
11
As they ran away from Israel, down the hill from Beth Horon, Yahweh threw large stones down from heaven upon them all the way to Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than who were killed with the sword by the men of Israel.
12
Then Joshua spoke to Yahweh on the day Yahweh gave the men of Israel victory over the Amorites. This is what Joshua said to Yahweh before Israel,
"Sun, be still at Gibeon,
and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon."
13
The sun stood still,
and the moon stopped moving
until the nation took vengeance
on their enemies.
Is this not written in the Book of Jashar?
The sun stayed
in the middle of the sky;
it did not go down
for about a whole day.
14
There has been no other day like it before or after it, when Yahweh obeyed the voice of a human being. For Yahweh was waging war on behalf of Israel.
15
Joshua and all Israel with him returned to the camp at Gilgal.
16
Now the five kings had escaped and hidden themselves in the cave at Makkedah.
17
It was told to Joshua, "They have been found!—the five kings hidden in the cave at Makkedah!"
18
Joshua said, "Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave and place soldiers there to guard them.
19
Do not stay yourselves. Pursue your enemies and attack them from the rear. Do not permit them to enter into their cities, because Yahweh your God has given them into your hand."
20
Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished slaughtering them with a very great slaughter, until they were almost completely destroyed; only a few survivors who escaped reached the fortified cities.
21
Then the whole army returned in peace to Joshua at the camp at Makkedah. No one dared to say one word against any of the people of Israel.
22
Then Joshua said, "Open the mouth of the cave and out of the cave bring to me these five kings."
23
They did as he said. They brought to him these five kings from the cave—the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.
24
When they brought the kings to Joshua, he summoned every man of Israel. He said to the commanders of the soldiers who had gone into battle with him, "Put your feet on their necks." So they came up and put their feet on their necks.
25
Then Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Be strong and courageous. This is what Yahweh will do to all your enemies you are going to fight."
26
Then Joshua struck the kings. He hung them on five trees. They hung on the trees until evening.
27
When it was sunset, Joshua gave orders, and they took them down from the trees and threw them into the cave where they had hidden themselves. They put large stones over the mouth of the cave. Those stones remain there to this very day.
28
In this way, Joshua captured Makkedah on that day and killed everyone there with the sword, including its king. He completely destroyed everyone in it. He left no survivor in it. He did to the king of Makkedah just as he had done to the king of Jericho.
29
Joshua and all Israel passed on from Makkedah to Libnah. He went into battle against Libnah.
30
Yahweh also gave it into the hand of Israel—along with their king. Joshua struck it with the edge of the sword and every person in it. He left no survivor in it. He did to its king just as he had done to the king of Jericho.
31
Then Joshua and all Israel with him passed on from Libnah to Lachish. He camped by it and waged war against it.
32
Yahweh gave Lachish into the hand of Israel. Joshua captured it on the second day and struck it with the edge of the sword, and every person in it, just as he had done to Libnah.
33
Then Horam, king of Gezer, came up to help Lachish. Joshua attacked him and his army until there was not even one survivor left.
34
Then Joshua and all Israel passed on from Lachish to Eglon. They camped by it and waged war against it,
35
and captured it that same day. They struck it with the edge of the sword and they completely destroyed everyone in it, as Joshua had done to Lachish.
36
Then Joshua and all Israel passed on from Eglon to Hebron. They waged war against it.
37
They captured it and struck it with the edge of the sword, together with its king and its villages, and all the people in it. They left no survivors. Just as they had done to Eglon, they totally destroyed it and every person in it.
38
Then Joshua turned, and all the army of Israel with him, and they passed on to Debir and waged war against it.
39
They captured it, its king and all its nearby villages. They struck them with the edge of the sword and completely destroyed every person in it. They left no survivor. They did to Debir and its king as they had done to Libnah and its king and to Hebron.
40
Joshua conquered all the land, the hill country, the Negev, the lowlands, and the foothills. Of all their kings he left not one survivor. He completely destroyed everything that breathed, just as Yahweh, the God of Israel, had commanded.
41
Joshua struck them from Kadesh Barnea to Gaza, and all the country of Goshen to Gibeon.
42
Joshua captured all these kings and their land at one time because Yahweh, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.
43
Then Joshua, and all Israel with him, returned to the camp at Gilgal.
Joshua 10:1
Now
This word is used here to mark a pause in the story. Here the writer tells about a new person in the story, Adoni-Zedek.
Adoni-Zedek
This is the name of a man who is an important king.
Joshua 10:3
Jarmuth ... Lachish ... Eglon
These are the names of cities.
Hoham ... Piram ... Japhia ... Debir
These are the names of kings.
Joshua 10:4
Come up to me
"Travel to where I am." Jerusalem was higher in elevation than other cities in Canaan.
Joshua 10:5
Jarmuth ... Lachish ... Eglon
These are the names of cities.
They encamped near Gibeon
This means they set up their camp around their city. This was a way of weakening those in the city. It prevented people from escaping the city, and it prevented others from bringing food and water to them in the city.
Joshua 10:6
They said
The word "They" here refers to Gibeonites.
Do not withdraw your hands from your servants
"Please come and use your strength to protect us"
your hands
"your strength"
Joshua 10:8
I have given them into your hand
Here "hand" represents the people of Israel's strength and their ability to defeat their enemy. The word "them" refers to the attacking army.
Joshua 10:9
Joshua came
The entire army of Israel is referred to here by the name of their commander, Joshua.
Joshua 10:10
Yahweh confused the enemy before Israel
Here "Israel" refers to the entire army of Israel.
Beth Horon ... Azekah ... Makkedah
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 10:11
threw large stones down from heaven
"threw large hailstones from the sky"
Joshua 10:12
Sun, be still at Gibeon, and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon
Joshua is praying that Yahweh would make the progression of time stop on this day.
Sun ... moon
Joshua commands the sun and moon as if these were people.
Valley of Aijalon
This is the name of a place.
Joshua 10:13
the nation
This refers to the people of Israel.
Is this not written in the Book of Jashar?
"This is written in The Book of Jashar."
Joshua 10:16
Makkedah
This is the name of a city.
Joshua 10:17
It was told to Joshua
"Someone told Joshua"
Joshua 10:19
into your hand
The phrase "your hand" here means "your control."
Joshua 10:21
No one dared to say one word against
"No one dared to say anything against" or "No one dared to complain or protest against"
Joshua 10:22
Open the mouth of the cave
"Open the entrance of the cave"
Joshua 10:23
Jarmuth ... Lachish ... Eglon
These are the names of places.
Joshua 10:24
every man of Israel
Here the men of Israel represent only those who were soldiers.
Joshua 10:27
to this very day
"until the author wrote this story"
Joshua 10:28
He completely destroyed everyone in it. He left no survivor in it
The second sentence summarizes the first sentence to emphasize that Joshua left no person or animal alive.
Joshua 10:29
Libnah
This is the name of a city.
Joshua 10:32
into the hand of Israel
"Yahweh gave Lachish into the control of the nation of Israel"
Joshua 10:33
Horam
This is the name of a man who is an important king.
Gezer ... Lachish
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 10:34
Lachish ... Eglon
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 10:35
struck it with the edge of the sword ... completely destroyed everyone in it
These two phrases have similar meanings. Together they show the completeness of the destruction of Eglon.
Joshua 10:38
Debir
This is the name of a city.
Joshua 10:40
He completely destroyed everything that breathed
"He killed all the people and animals"
Joshua 10:42
Joshua captured all these kings and their land
This refers to the kings and lands that were listed beginning in Joshua 10:28.
Joshua captured
"Joshua and his soldiers captured"
at one time
This does not mean in one day. It means during one military campaign, which may have lasted many days or weeks.
Chapter 11
1
When Jabin, king of Hazor, heard this, he sent a message to Jobab, king of Madon, to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Akshaph.
2
He also sent the message to the kings who were in the northern hill country, in the Jordan River valley south of Kinnereth, in the lowlands, and in Naphoth Dor to the west.
3
He also sent a message to the Canaanites to the east and west, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites in the hill country, and the Hivites by Mount Hermon in the land of Mizpah.
4
All their armies came out with them, a great number of soldiers, in number like the sand on the seashore. They had a great number of horses and chariots.
5
All these kings met at the appointed time, and they camped at the waters of Merom to wage war with Israel.
6
Yahweh said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid in their presence, because tomorrow at this time I am giving them all to Israel as dead men. You will hamstring their horses, and you will burn their chariots."
7
Joshua and all the men of war came. They arrived suddenly at the waters of Merom, and attacked the enemy.
8
Yahweh gave the enemy into the hand of Israel, and they struck them and pursued them to Sidon, Misrephoth Maim, and to the Valley of Mizpah to the east. They struck them until not even one survivor of them was left.
9
Joshua did to them just as Yahweh told him. He hamstrung the horses and burned the chariots.
10
Joshua turned back at that time and captured Hazor. He struck its king with the sword. (Hazor had been head of all these kingdoms.)
11
They struck with the sword every living creature that was there, and he set them apart to be destroyed, so there was not any living creature left alive. Then he burned Hazor.
12
Joshua captured all the cities of these kings. He also captured all their kings and struck them with the edge of the sword. He completely destroyed them with the edge of the sword, just as Moses the servant of Yahweh had commanded.
13
Israel did not burn any of the cities built on mounds, except Hazor. It alone Joshua burned.
14
The army of Israel took all the plunder from these cities along with the livestock for themselves. They killed every human being with the edge of the sword until all were dead. They left alive no creature that breathed.
15
Just as Yahweh had commanded his servant Moses, in the same way, Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did it. He left nothing undone of all that Yahweh commanded Moses to do.
16
Joshua took all that land: the hill country, all the Negev, all the land of Goshen, the foothills, the Jordan River valley, the hill country of Israel and its lowlands.
17
From Mount Halak near Edom, and going north as far as Baal Gad in the valley near Lebanon below Mount Hermon, he captured all their kings and put them to death.
18
Joshua waged war for a long time with all the kings.
19
Not one city made peace with the army of Israel except the Hivites who lived in Gibeon. Israel captured all the rest of the cities in battle.
20
For it was Yahweh who hardened their hearts so they would wage war against Israel, so that they might be devoted to destruction without mercy, just as he had instructed Moses.
21
Then Joshua came at that time and he destroyed the Anakim. He did this in the hill country, at Hebron, Debir, Anab, and in all the hill country of Judah, and in all the hill country of Israel. Joshua completely destroyed them and their cities.
22
None of the Anakim were left in the land of Israel except at Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod.
23
So Joshua captured the whole land, just as Yahweh said to Moses. Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel, assigned to each of their tribes. Then the land had rest from the wars.
Joshua 11:1
Jabin ... Jobab
These are names of kings.
Hazor ... Madon ... Shimron ... Akshaph
These are the names of places.
Joshua 11:2
Kinnereth ... Naphoth Dor
These are the names of places.
Joshua 11:3
Mount Hermon
This is the name of a mountain.
Joshua 11:5
Merom
This is the name of a place.
Joshua 11:6
I am giving them all to Israel as dead men
"I will enable Israel to kill all of them in battle"
hamstring their horses
"cripple their horses by cutting their legs." This is a practice where the tendons in the backs of the legs are cut so that the horses cannot walk.
Joshua 11:8
Yahweh gave the enemy into the hand of Israel
"Yahweh enabled Israel to conquer the enemy"
struck them ... struck them
"attacked them ... attacked them"
Misrephoth Maim
This is the name of a place.
Joshua 11:10
He struck its king with the sword
"Joshua killed the king of Hazor with his sword"
Hazor had been head of all these kingdoms
Hazor had been the most important of all these kingdoms
Joshua 11:11
They struck with the sword every living creature that was there ... so there was not any living creature left alive
These two phrases share similar meanings and emphasize complete destruction.
he set them apart to be destroyed
"the army completely destroyed them"
Joshua 11:12
struck them with the edge of the sword
"killed them"
Joshua 11:13
Israel did not burn any of the cities built on mounds, except Hazor
"The only city built on a mound that Israel burned was Hazor"
cities built on mounds
"cities built on small hills"
Joshua 11:14
for themselves
This phrase refers to the army of Israel.
They killed every human being with the edge of the sword until all were dead. They left alive no creature that breathed.
These two phrases share similar meanings and emphasize complete destruction.
Joshua 11:15
He left nothing undone of all that Yahweh commanded Moses to do
"Joshua did everything that Yahweh commanded"
Joshua 11:17
Mount Halak ... Baal Gad
These are the names of places.
Joshua 11:19
Not one city made peace with the army of Israel except the Hivites who lived in Gibeon
"The only city that made peace with the army of Israel was the Hivites who lived in Gibeon" or "The only people who made peace with the army of Israel were the Hivites who lived in Gibeon"
Joshua 11:20
it was Yahweh who hardened their hearts
"it was Yahweh who caused them to act stubbornly"
Joshua 11:21
Anakim
These are the descendants of Anak.
Debir ... Anab
These are the names of places.
Joshua 11:22
None of the Anakim were left in the land of Israel except at Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod.
"The only Anakim left in the land of Israel were those in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod"
Joshua 11:23
Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel
"Joshua gave the land to the Israelites as a permanent possession"
the land had rest from the wars
"the people no longer fought wars in the land" or "there was peace in the land"
Chapter 12
1
Now these are the kings of the land, whom the men of Israel conquered. The people of Israel took possession of the land on the east side of the Jordan where the sun rises, from the Valley of the Arnon River to Mount Hermon, and all the Arabah to the east.
2
Sihon, king of the Amorites, lived in Heshbon. He ruled from Aroer, which is on the rim of the Arnon Gorge from the middle of the valley, and half of Gilead down to the Jabbok River on the border of the Ammonites.
3
Sihon also ruled over the Arabah to the Sea of Kinnereth, to the east, to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) eastward, all the way to Beth Jeshimoth and southward, toward the foot of the slopes of Mount Pisgah.
4
Og, king of Bashan, one of the remnant of the Rephaim, lived in Ashtaroth and Edrei.
5
He ruled over Mount Hermon, Salekah, and all Bashan, to the border of the Geshurites and the Maakathites, and half of Gilead, to the border of Sihon, king of Heshbon.
6
Moses the servant of Yahweh, and the people of Israel had defeated them, and Moses the servant of Yahweh, gave the land as a possession to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh.
7
These are the kings of the land whom Joshua and the people of Israel defeated on the west side of the Jordan, from Baal Gad in the valley near Lebanon to Mount Halak near Edom. Joshua gave land to the tribes of Israel for them to possess.
8
He gave them the hill country, the lowlands, the Arabah, the sides of the mountains, the wilderness, and the Negev—the land of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
9
The kings included the king of Jericho, the king of Ai which is beside Bethel,
10
the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron,
11
the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish,
12
the king of Eglon, the king of Gezer,
13
the king of Debir, the king of Geder,
14
the king of Hormah, the king of Arad,
15
the king of Libnah, the king of Adullam,
16
the king of Makkedah, the king of Bethel,
17
the king of Tappuah, the king of Hepher,
18
the king of Aphek, the king of Lasharon,
19
the king of Madon, the king of Hazor,
20
the king of Shimron Meron, the king of Akshaph,
21
the king of Taanach, the king of Megiddo,
22
the king of Kedesh, the king of Jokneam in Carmel,
23
the king of Dor in Naphoth Dor, the king of Goyim in Gilgal,
24
and the king of Tirzah. The number of kings was thirty-one in all.
Joshua 12:1
these are the kings
This refers to the list of kings that continues through verse 24.
the Arabah
These are the names of a region of land.
Joshua 12:2
Aroer
This is the name of a city.
Sihon ... Heshbon
See how you translated these words in Joshua 9:10.
Joshua 12:3
Sea of Kinnereth
This is a place.
Beth Jeshimoth ... Mount Pisgah
These are the names of places.
Joshua 12:4
Og, king of Bashan
See how you translated this man's name in Joshua 9:10.
the Rephaim
These are the names of people groups.
Ashtaroth ... Edrei
These are the names of places.
Joshua 12:5
Salekah
This is the name of a place.
Maakathites
This is the name of a people group.
Joshua 12:6
Reubenites
These are the descendants of Reuben.
Gadites
These are the descendants of Gad.
half tribe of Manasseh
They are called a half tribe because the other half of the tribe received an inheritance in the land of Canaan.
Joshua 12:7
Baal Gad ... Mount Halak
These are the names of places.
Joshua 12:10
Hebron
This is the name of a city.
Joshua 12:11
Jarmuth ... Lachish
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 12:12
Eglon ... Gezer
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 12:13
Debir ... Geder
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 12:14
Hormah ... Arad
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 12:15
Libnah ... Adullam
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 12:16
Makkedah
This is the name of a city.
Joshua 12:17
Tappuah ... Hepher
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 12:18
Aphek ... Lasharon
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 12:19
Madon ... Hazor
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 12:20
Shimron Meron ... Akshaph
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 12:21
Taanach ... Megiddo
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 12:22
Kedesh ... Jokneam
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 12:23
Dor ... Naphoth Dor ... Goyim
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 12:24
Tirzah
This is the name of a city.
Chapter 13
1
Now Joshua was very old when Yahweh said to him, "You are very old, but there is still very much land to capture.
2
This is the land that still remains: All the regions of the Philistines, and all those of the Geshurites,
3
from Shihor, which is east of Egypt, and northward to the border of Ekron, which is considered property of the Canaanites; the five rulers of the Philistines, those of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron; the territory of the Avvites
4
in the south; all the lands of the Canaanites, from Arah that belongs to the Sidonians, as far as Aphek which is on the border of the Amorites;
5
the land of Byblos,
all of Lebanon toward the east, from Baal Gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo Hamath.
6
Also, all the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon as far as Misrephoth Maim, including all the people of Sidon—I will drive them out before the army of Israel. Be sure to assign the land to Israel as an inheritance, as I commanded you.
7
Divide this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and to the half tribe of Manasseh."
8
With the other half of the tribe of Manasseh, the Reubenites and the Gadites had received their inheritance that Moses, the servant of Yahweh, gave them on the east side of the Jordan,
9
from Aroer, which is on the edge of the Arnon River gorge (including the city that is in the middle of the gorge), to all the plateau of Medeba as far as Dibon;
10
all the cities of Sihon, king of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon, to the border of the Ammonites;
11
Gilead, and the region of the Geshurites and Maakathites, all of Mount Hermon, all Bashan to Salekah;
12
all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and Edrei—these are what was left of the remnant of the Rephaim—Moses struck them and drove them out.
13
But the people of Israel did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maakathites, and so Geshur and Maakah live in the midst of Israel to this day.
14
To the tribe of Levi alone Moses gave no inheritance. The offerings of Yahweh, the God of Israel, made by fire, are their inheritance, as God said to Moses.
15
Moses gave an inheritance to the tribe of Reuben, clan by clan.
16
Their territory was from Aroer, on the edge of the Arnon River gorge, and the city that is in the middle of the valley, and all the plateau by Medeba.
17
Reuben also received Heshbon and all its cities that are in the plateau, Dibon, and Bamoth Baal, and Beth Baal Meon,
18
and Jahaz, and Kedemoth, and Mephaath,
19
and Kiriathaim, and Sibmah, and Zereth Shahar on the hill of the valley.
20
Reuben also received Beth Peor, the slopes of Pisgah, Beth Jeshimoth,
21
all the cities of the plateau, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses had defeated together with the leaders of Midian, Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba, the princes of Sihon, who had lived in the land.
22
The people of Israel also killed with the sword Balaam son of Beor, who practiced divination, among the rest of those they had killed.
23
The border of the tribe of Reuben is the Jordan River; this is their boundary. This was the inheritance of the tribe of Reuben, given to each of their clans, with their cities and villages.
24
This is what Moses gave to the tribe of Gad, clan by clan:
25
Their territory was Jazer, all the cities of Gilead and half the land of the Ammonites, to Aroer, which is east of Rabbah,
26
from Heshbon to Ramath Mizpah and Betonim, from Mahanaim to the territory of Debir.
27
In the valley, Moses gave them Beth Haram, Beth Nimrah, Sukkoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, with the Jordan as a border, to the lower end of the Sea of Kinnereth, eastward beyond the Jordan.
28
This is the inheritance of the tribe of Gad, clan by clan, with their cities and villages.
29
Moses gave an inheritance to the half tribe of Manasseh. It was assigned to the half tribe of the descendants of Manasseh, clan by clan.
30
Their territory was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair, which are in Bashan, sixty cities;
31
half of Gilead, and Ashtaroth and Edrei (the royal cities of Og in Bashan). These were assigned to the descendants of Makir son of Manasseh—half of the people of Makir, clan by clan.
32
This is the inheritance that Moses assigned to them on the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan east of Jericho.
33
Moses did not give an inheritance to the tribe of Levi. Yahweh, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, just as he said to them.
Joshua 13:2
This is the land that still remains
"This is the land that still remains for Israel to capture"
Joshua 13:3
Shihor
This is the name of a place.
which is considered property of the Canaanites
"which the Canaanites now consider their property"
Avvites
This is the name of a people group.
Joshua 13:4
Arah ... Aphek
These are the names of places.
Joshua 13:5
Baal Gad ... Mount Hermon
These are the names of places.
Joshua 13:6
Misrephoth Maim
this is the name of a place
land ... as an inheritance
The land that Israel will claim is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that they will receive as a permanent possession.
Joshua 13:9
Aroer ... Medeba ... Dibon
These are the names of places.
gorge
a place where the river is far below the land on the sides
plateau
flat land high above rivers
Joshua 13:10
Heshbon
This is the name of a city.
Joshua 13:11
Salekah
These are the names of places.
the region of the Geshurites and Maakathites
"the land where the Geshurites and Maakathites lived"
Joshua 13:12
Ashtaroth ... Edrei
These are the names of places.
Rephaim
This is the name of a people group.
Moses struck them
"Moses and the Israelites attacked them"
Joshua 13:13
Geshur and Maakah live in the midst of Israel
"those people live among Israel"
to this day
This refers to the period of time in which the author wrote this book.
Joshua 13:14
Moses gave no inheritance
The land that Moses assigned to the tribes of Israel is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession.
The offerings of Yahweh ... are their inheritance
"The offerings of Yahweh ... are what they will have for their provision"
made by fire
"that the priests burned with fire"
Joshua 13:17
Heshbon ... Dibon ... Bamoth Baal ... Beth Baal Meon
These are the names of places.
Joshua 13:18
Jahaz ... Kedemoth ... Mephaath
These are the names of places.
Joshua 13:19
Kiriathaim ... Sibmah ... Zereth Shahar
These are the names of places.
Joshua 13:20
Beth Peor ... Pisgah ... Beth Jeshimoth
These are the names of places.
Joshua 13:21
Heshbon
This is the name of a city.
Sihon ... Evi ... Rekem ... Zur ... Hur ... Reba
These are the names of people.
together with the leaders of Midian
"as he had defeated the leaders of Midian"
Joshua 13:23
this is their boundary
The Jordan River was the western border of the land that the tribe of Reuben received.
This was the inheritance of the tribe of Reuben
The land that Moses assigned to the tribe of Reuben is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that the tribe of Reuben received as a permanent possession.
given to each of their clans
"that Moses gave to each of their clans"
Joshua 13:26
Heshbon ... Ramath Mizpah ... Betonim ... Mahanaim ... Debir
These are the names of places.
Joshua 13:27
Beth Haram ... Beth Nimrah ... Sukkoth ... Zaphon ... Heshbon
These are the names of places.
Joshua 13:28
This is the inheritance of the tribe of Gad
The land that Moses assigned to the tribe of Gad is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that the tribe of Gad received as a permanent possession.
Joshua 13:29
Moses gave an inheritance to the half tribe of Manasseh
The land that Moses assigned to the half tribe of Manasseh is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that he gave to them as a permanent possession.
half tribe of Manasseh
Only half of the tribe received this land because the other half received land on the other side of the Jordan River.
Joshua 13:31
Ashtaroth ... Edrei
These are the names of places.
These were assigned
"Moses assigned these"
Makir
This is a man's name.
Joshua 13:32
This is the inheritance that Moses assigned to them
"This is the land that Moses assigned to them as an inheritance"
Joshua 13:33
Yahweh, the God of Israel, is their inheritance
"Yahweh, the God of Israel, is what they have"
Chapter 14
1
These are the areas of land that the people of Israel received as their inheritance in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders of the tribal clans of Israel allotted to them.
2
Their inheritance was selected by lot for the nine and one-half tribes, just as Yahweh had commanded by the hand of Moses.
3
For Moses had given the inheritance of the two and one-half tribes beyond the Jordan, but to the Levites he gave no inheritance.
4
The tribe of Joseph was actually two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. The Levites were given no portion of the inheritance in the land, but only certain cities to live in, with their pasturelands for livestock and for their own material resources.
5
The people of Israel did as Yahweh commanded Moses, so they assigned the land.
6
Then the tribe of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal. Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, said to him, "You know what Yahweh said to Moses the man of God concerning you and me at Kadesh Barnea.
7
I was forty years old when Moses the servant of Yahweh sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy on the land. I brought him a report again as it was in my heart to make.
8
But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear. But I completely followed Yahweh my God.
9
Moses swore on that day, saying, 'Surely the land on which your foot has walked will be an inheritance for you and for your children forever, because you have completely followed Yahweh my God.'
10
Now, look! Yahweh has kept me alive these forty-five years, just as he said—from the time when Yahweh spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. Now, look! I am this day eighty-five years old.
11
I am still as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me out. My strength is now as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming.
12
Now therefore give me this hill country, which Yahweh promised me on that day. For you heard on that day that the Anakim were there with great fortified cities. It may be that Yahweh will be with me and that I will drive them out, just as Yahweh said."
13
Then Joshua blessed him and gave Hebron as an inheritance to Caleb son of Jephunneh.
14
Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he completely followed Yahweh, the God of Israel.
15
Now the name of Hebron formerly was Kiriath Arba. (Arba had been the greatest man among the Anakim.) Then the land had rest from war.
Joshua 14:1
the areas of land that the people of Israel received as their inheritance
The land that the people of Israel acquired is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that they received as a permanent possession.
Joshua 14:2
Their inheritance was selected by lot
"Eleazar, Joshua, and the tribal leaders cast lots to determine the inheritance"
by the hand of Moses
"through Moses"
Joshua 14:4
The Levites were given no portion of the inheritance in the land
"And Moses did not give a portion of the inheritance to the Levites in the land"
portion
"part"
but only certain cities to live in
"but they were given only certain cities to live in" or "but he gave to them only certain cities to live in"
pasturelands
fields of grass for the livestock to eat
material resources
physical things they needed so they could provide for their families
Joshua 14:6
Jephunneh
This is a man's name.
Kenizzite
This is the name of a people group.
Joshua 14:7
I brought him a report again as it was in my heart to make
"I brought back to him an honest report"
Joshua 14:8
made the heart of the people melt with fear
"made the people very afraid"
I completely followed Yahweh
"I remained loyal to Yahweh"
Joshua 14:9
the land on which your foot has walked
"the land on which you have walked"
Joshua 14:10
look
"pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important"
while Israel walked in the wilderness
"while the people of Israel traveled in the wilderness"
Joshua 14:11
My strength is now as my strength was then
"I am still as strong now as I was then"
for going and coming
"for the things I do every day"
Joshua 14:12
hill country
Possible meanings are 1) many large hills or small mountains or 2) one mountain.
Anakim
This is the name of a people group.
Joshua 14:13
gave Hebron as an inheritance to Caleb
Hebron is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that Caleb received as a permanent possession.
Joshua 14:14
to this day
This refers to the period of time in which the author wrote this book.
he completely followed Yahweh
"he remained loyal to Yahweh"
Joshua 14:15
Kiriath Arba
This is the name of a place.
Then the land had rest from war
"Then the people no longer fought wars in the land"
Chapter 15
1
The assignment of land for the tribe of the people of Judah, clan by clan, extended south to the border of Edom, with the wilderness of Zin being the farthest point to the south.
2
Their border on the south ran from the end of the Salt Sea, from the bay that faces to the south.
3
Their boundary next went out to the south of the hill of Akrabbim and passed along to Zin, and went up south of Kadesh Barnea, along by Hezron, and up to Addar, where it turned about to Karka.
4
It passed along to Azmon, went by the brook of Egypt, and came to its end at the sea. This was their south boundary.
5
The eastern boundary was the Salt Sea, at the mouth of the Jordan. The border on the north ran from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan.
6
It went up to Beth Hoglah and passed along north of Beth Arabah. Then it went up to the Stone of Bohan the son of Reuben.
7
Then the border went up to Debir from the Valley of Achor, and so northward, turning toward Gilgal, which is opposite the hill of Adummim, which is on the south side of the valley. Then the border passed along to the springs of En Shemesh and went to En Rogel.
8
Then the border went up the Valley of Ben Hinnom to the south side of the Jebusite city (that is, Jerusalem). Then it went up to the top of the hill that lies over the Valley of Hinnom, on the west, which is at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim.
9
Then the border extended from the top of the hills to the spring of Nephtoah, and went out from there to the cities of Mount Ephron. Then the border bends around to Baalah (the same as Kiriath Jearim).
10
Then the border circled around west of Baalah to Mount Seir, and passed along to the side of Mount Jearim on the north (the same as Kesalon), went down to Beth Shemesh, and crossed over to Timnah.
11
The border went out beside the northern hill of Ekron, and then it bent around to Shikkeron and passed along to Mount Baalah, and from there it went to Jabneel. The border ended at the sea.
12
The western boundary was the Great Sea and its coastline. This is the border around the tribe of Judah, clan by clan.
13
In keeping with the commandment of Yahweh to Joshua, Joshua gave Caleb son of Jephunneh an assignment of land among the tribe of Judah, Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron (Arba was the father of Anak).
14
Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai, descendants of Anak.
15
He went up from there against the inhabitants of Debir (the name of Debir was formerly Kiriath Sepher).
16
Caleb said, "The man who attacks Kiriath Sepher and captures it, to him I will give Aksah my daughter as a wife."
17
When Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's brother, captured it, Caleb gave him Aksah his daughter as a wife.
18
Soon after that, Aksah came to Othniel and urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb said to her, "What do you want?"
19
Aksah replied, "Do me a special favor, since you have given me the land of the Negev: Also give me some springs of water." Then Caleb gave her the upper springs and lower springs.
20
This was the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, clan by clan.
21
The cities belonging to the tribe of Judah in the extreme south, toward the border of Edom, were Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur,
22
Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah,
23
Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan,
24
Ziph, Telem, Bealoth.
25
Hazor Hadattah, Kerioth Hezron (this was also known as Hazor),
26
Amam, Shema, Moladah,
27
Hazar Gaddah, Heshmon, Beth Pelet,
28
Hazar Shual, Beersheba, Biziothiah.
29
Baalah, Iyim, Ezem,
30
Eltolad, Kesil, Hormah,
31
Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah,
32
Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon. These were twenty-nine cities in all, including their villages.
33
In the lowlands there were Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah,
34
Zanoah, En Gannim, Tappuah, Enam,
35
Jarmuth, Adullam, Sokoh, Azekah,
36
Shaaraim, Adithaim, and Gederah (that is, Gederothaim). These were fourteen cities in number, including their villages.
37
Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal Gad,
38
Dilean, Mizpah, Joktheel,
39
Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon.
40
Kabbon, Lahmas, Kitlish,
41
Gederoth, Beth Dagon, Naamah, Makkedah. These were sixteen cities in number, including their villages.
42
Libnah, Ether, Ashan,
43
Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib,
44
Keilah, Akzib, Mareshah. These were nine cities, including their villages.
45
Ekron, with its surrounding towns and villages;
46
from Ekron to the Great Sea, all the settlements that were near Ashdod, including their villages.
47
Ashdod, its surrounding towns, including their villages; Gaza, its surrounding towns including their villages; to the brook of Egypt, and to the Great Sea with its coastline.
48
In the hill country, Shamir, Jattir, Sokoh,
49
Dannah, Kiriath Sannah (that is, Debir),
50
Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim,
51
Goshen, Holon, and Giloh. These were eleven cities, including their villages.
52
Arab, Dumah, Eshan,
53
Janim, Beth Tappuah, Aphekah,
54
Humtah, Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron), and Zior. These were nine cities, including their villages.
55
Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah,
56
Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah,
57
Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah. These were ten cities, including their villages.
58
Halhul, Beth Zur, Gedor,
59
Maarath, Beth Anoth, and Eltekon. These were six cities, including their villages.
60
Kiriath Baal (that is, Kiriath Jearim), and Rabbah. These were two cities, including their villages.
61
In the wilderness, there were Beth Arabah, Middin, Sekakah,
62
Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En Gedi. These were six cities, including their villages.
63
But as for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the tribe of Judah could not drive them out, so the Jebusites live there with the tribe of Judah to this day.
Joshua 15:1
Zin
This is the name of the wilderness area.
Joshua 15:2
from the end of the Salt Sea, from the bay that faces to the south
"from the bay that faces south at the end of the Salt Sea." These two phrases refer to the same location. The second phrase clarifies the point at which the southern border begins.
from the bay that faces to the south
"from the bay that extends to the south" or "from the southern bay"
bay
smaller part of the sea that extends into the land
Joshua 15:3
Their boundary
"The border of the land belonging to the tribe of Judah"
Akrabbim ... Zin ... Hezron ... Addar ... Karka
These are the names of places.
Joshua 15:4
Azmon
This is the name of a city.
brook of Egypt
a small river of water at the southwestern edge of the land, near Egypt
Joshua 15:5
at the mouth of the Jordan
The point at which the river empties into the sea is spoken of as if it were the mouth of the river.
border ... ran
"border ... was"
Joshua 15:6
Beth Hoglah ... Beth Arabah
These are the names of places.
the Stone of Bohan
This was likely a large stone that someone set up as a landmark and named after the man, Bohan.
Joshua 15:7
Debir ... the Valley of Achor ... the hill of Adummim ... En Shemesh ... En Rogel
These are the names of places.
Joshua 15:8
the Valley of Ben Hinnom ... the Valley of Rephaim
These are the names of places.
Joshua 15:9
Nephtoah ... Mount Ephron ... Baalah ... Kiriath Jearim
These are the names of places.
Joshua 15:10
Baalah ... Mount Seir ... Mount Jearim ... Kesalon ... Beth Shemesh ... Timnah
These are the names of places.
Joshua 15:11
Shikkeron ... Mount Baalah ... Jabneel
These are the names of places.
Joshua 15:12
General Information:
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Joshua 15:13
Kiriath Arba
These are the names of places.
Arba ... Anak
These are the names of men.
Joshua 15:14
the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai, descendants of Anak
These names represent clans of people who were descendants of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai. The words "sons" and "descendants" in this context mean the same thing. Alternate translation: "the three clans, Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, who were descendants of Anak"
Anak ... Sheshai ... Ahiman ... Talmai
These are the names of men.
Joshua 15:15
He went up from there against
"He went up from there to fight against"
Debir ... Kiriath Sepher
These are the names of places.
Joshua 15:16
Kiriath Sepher
This is the name of a place.
Aksah
This is a woman's name.
Joshua 15:17
Othniel ... Kenaz
These are men's names.
Joshua 15:18
Aksah came to Othniel
"when Aksah became Othniel's wife"
urged him to ask her father for a field
"she urged him, saying, 'Ask my father to give me a field.'"
Joshua 15:19
the upper springs and lower springs
The words "upper" and "lower" likely refer to the geographical altitude of the water springs.
Joshua 15:20
This was the inheritance of the tribe of Judah
"This was the land that the tribe of Judah received as an inheritance"
Joshua 15:46
settlements
villages
Joshua 15:47
brook of Egypt
a small river of water at the southwestern edge of the land near Egypt
Joshua 15:63
to this day
This refers to the period of time in which the author wrote this book.
Chapter 16
1
The assignment of land for the tribe of Joseph extended from the Jordan at Jericho, east of the springs of Jericho, into the wilderness, going up from Jericho through the hill country of Bethel.
2
Then it went from Bethel to Luz and passed along to Ataroth, the territory of the Arkites.
3
Then it went down westward to the territory of the Japhletites, as far as the territory of Lower Beth Horon, and then on to Gezer; it ended at the sea.
4
It was in this way that the tribes of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim received their inheritance.
5
The territory of the tribe of Ephraim, clan by clan: The border of their inheritance on the east went from Ataroth Addar as far as Upper Beth Horon,
6
and from there it continued to the sea. From Mikmethath on the north it turned eastward toward Taanath Shiloh and passed beyond it on the east to Janoah.
7
Then it went down from Janoah to Ataroth and to Naarah, and then reached Jericho, ending at the Jordan.
8
From Tappuah the border went westward to the brook of Kanah and ended at the sea. This was the inheritance of the tribe of Ephraim, clan by clan,
9
together with the cities that were chosen for the tribe of Ephraim within the inheritance of the tribe of Manasseh—all the cities, including their villages.
10
They did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so that the Canaanites live within Ephraim to this day, but these people were made to do forced labor.
Joshua 16:1
the tribe of Joseph
"the tribe of Ephraim and the other half of the tribe of Manasseh"
Joshua 16:2
Luz ... Ataroth
These are the names of places.
Arkites
This is the name of a people group.
Joshua 16:3
Japhletites
This is the name of a people group.
Lower Beth Horon ... Gezer
These are the names of places.
Joshua 16:4
the tribes of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim
"the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim, the sons of Joseph"
received their inheritance
"received this land as their inheritance"
Joshua 16:5
The territory of the tribe of Ephraim, clan by clan
"The territory ... that Joshua assigned to their clans"
Ataroth Addar ... Upper Beth Horon
These are the names of places.
Joshua 16:6
Mikmethath ... Taanath Shiloh ... Janoah
These are the names of places.
Joshua 16:7
Janoah ... Naarah
These are the names of places.
Joshua 16:8
Tappuah ... Kanah
These are the names of places.
This was the inheritance of the tribe of Ephraim
This was the land that the tribe of Ephraim received as an inheritance"
clan by clan
"which Joshua assigned to their clans"
Joshua 16:9
the cities that were chosen
"the cities that Joshua had chosen"
Joshua 16:10
to this day
This refers to the period of time in which the author wrote this book.
these people were made to do forced labor
"the Israelites forced these people to work as slaves"
Chapter 17
1
This was the assignment of land for the tribe of Manasseh (who was the firstborn of Joseph)—that is, for Makir, who was Manasseh's firstborn and who himself was the father of Gilead. Makir's descendants were assigned the land of Gilead and Bashan, because Makir had been a man of war.
2
Land was assigned to the rest of the tribe of Manasseh, given to their clans—Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida. These were the male descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph, presented by their clans.
3
Now Zelophehad son of Hepher son of Gilead son of Makir son of Manasseh had no sons, but only daughters. The names of his daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah.
4
They approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders, and they said, "Yahweh commanded Moses to give to us an inheritance along with our brothers." So, following the commandment of Yahweh, he gave those women an inheritance among the brothers of their father.
5
Ten parcels of land were assigned to Manasseh in Gilead and Bashan, which is on the other side of the Jordan,
6
because the daughters of Manasseh received an inheritance along with his sons. The land of Gilead was assigned to the rest of the descendants of Manasseh.
7
The territory of Manasseh reached from Asher to Mikmethath, which is east of Shechem. Then the border went southward to those living near the spring of Tappuah.
8
(The land of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh, but the town of Tappuah on the border of Manasseh belonged to the people of Ephraim.)
9
The border went down to the brook of Kanah. These cities south of the brook among the towns of Manasseh belonged to Ephraim. The border of Manasseh was on the north side of the brook, and it ended at the sea.
10
The land to the south belonged to Ephraim, and the land to the north was Manasseh's; the sea was the border. On the north side Asher can be reached, and to the east, Issachar.
11
Also in Issachar and in Asher, Manasseh possessed Beth Shan and its villages, Ibleam and its villages, the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, the inhabitants of Endor and its villages, the inhabitants of Taanach and its villages, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages (and the third city is Napheth).
12
Yet the tribe of Manasseh could not take possession of those cities, for the Canaanites continued to live in this land.
13
When the people of Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not completely drive them out.
14
Then the descendants of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, "Why have you given us only one assignment of land and one portion for an inheritance, since we are a people great in number, and all along Yahweh has blessed us?"
15
Joshua said to them, "If you are a people great in number, go up by yourselves to the forest and there clear the ground for yourselves in the land of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim. Do this, since the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you."
16
The descendants of Joseph said, "The hill country is not enough for us. But all the Canaanites who live in the valley have chariots of iron, both those who are in Beth Shan and its villages, and those who are in the Valley of Jezreel."
17
Then Joshua said to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh, "You are a people great in number, and you have great power. You must not have only one piece of land assigned to you.
18
The hill country will also be yours. Though it is a forest, you will clear it and take possession of it to its farthest borders. You will drive out the Canaanites, even though they have chariots of iron, and even though they are strong."
Joshua 17:1
firstborn and who himself was
"firstborn; he was also"
Makir
These are men's names.
Joshua 17:2
Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida
These are men's names.
Land was assigned ... given to their clans
"Joshua assigned land ... and gave them to their clans"
Joshua 17:3
Zelophehad ... Hepher
These are men's names.
Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah
These are women's names.
Joshua 17:4
Eleazar
This is the name of a man.
to give to us an inheritance
"to give to us some land as an inheritance"
he gave those women an inheritance
Possible meanings are 1) "Joshua gave those women an inheritance" or 2) "Eleazar gave those women an inheritance."
Joshua 17:5
Ten parcels of land were assigned
"Joshua assigned ten parcels of land"
Ten parcels
"Ten portions"
Joshua 17:6
received an inheritance
"received land as an inheritance"
The land of Gilead was assigned
"Joshua assigned the land of Gilead"
Joshua 17:7
Mikmethath ... Tappuah
These are the names of places.
Joshua 17:9
The border
"The border of Manasseh's land"
brook
a very small river
Kanah
name of a brook
Joshua 17:10
On the north side Asher can be reached
"Asher was on the north side" or "One can travel north to reach Asher"
to the east, Issachar
"to the east, Issachar can be reached" or "to the east, one can reach Issachar"
Joshua 17:11
Beth Shan ... Ibleam ... Dor ... Endor ... Taanach ... Megiddo ... Napheth
These are the names of places.
Joshua 17:14
the descendants of Joseph
This refers to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.
Why have you given us only one ... Yahweh has blessed us?
"You should have given us more than one ... Yahweh has blessed us."
one assignment of land and one portion for an inheritance
"one assignment of land as our inheritance"
people great in number
"many people"
Joshua 17:15
If you are a people great in number
"Since you are a people great in number"
Rephaim
This is the name of a people group.
Joshua 17:16
Beth Shan ... Jezreel
These are the names of places.
Joshua 17:17
the house of Joseph
"the descendants of Joseph"
Joshua 17:18
you will clear it
"you will clear the forest of trees" or "you will cut down its trees"
Chapter 18
1
Then the whole assembly of the people of Israel met together at Shiloh. They set up the tent of meeting there and they conquered the land before them.
2
There were still seven tribes among the people of Israel whose inheritance had not been assigned.
3
Joshua said to the people of Israel, "How long will you put off going into the land that Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, has given you?
4
Appoint for yourselves three men from each tribe, and I will send them out. They will set out and survey the land up and down. They will write out a description of it with a view to their inheritances, and then they will come back to me.
5
They will divide it into seven sections. Judah will remain in their territory on the south, and the house of Joseph will continue in their territory in the north.
6
You will describe the land in seven sections and bring the description here to me. I will cast lots for you here before Yahweh our God.
7
The Levites have no portion among you, for the priesthood of Yahweh is their inheritance. Gad, Reuben, and the half tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance, beyond the Jordan. This is the inheritance that Moses the servant of Yahweh gave them."
8
So the men got up and went. Joshua commanded those who went to write the description of the land, saying, "Go up and down in the land and write a description of it and return to me. I will cast lots for you here before Yahweh at Shiloh."
9
The men left and walked up and down in the land and wrote a description of it in a scroll by its cities in seven sections, listing the cities in each section. Then they returned to Joshua in the camp at Shiloh.
10
Then Joshua cast lots for them at Shiloh before Yahweh. It was there that Joshua assigned the land to the people of Israel, and to each was given his portion of the land.
11
The assignment of land for the tribe of Benjamin came up clan by clan. The territory of their assigned land was located between the descendants of Judah and the descendants of Joseph.
12
On the north side, their border began at the Jordan. The border went up to the ridge north of Jericho, and then up through the hill country westward. There it reached the wilderness of Beth Aven.
13
From there the border passed along south in the direction of Luz (the same place as Bethel). Then the border went down to Ataroth Addar, by the mountain that lies south of Beth Horon.
14
The boundary then went in another direction: On the western side it turned toward the south, heading toward the mountain across from Beth Horon. This boundary ended at Kiriath Baal (that is, Kiriath Jearim), a city that belonged to the tribe of Judah. This formed the border on the western side.
15
The south side began just outside of Kiriath Jearim. The border went from there to Ephron, to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah.
16
The boundary then went down to the border of the mountain which was opposite the Valley of Ben Hinnom, which was at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim. It then went down to the Valley of Hinnom, south of the slope of the Jebusites, and continued down to En Rogel.
17
It turned northward, going in the direction of En Shemesh, and from there it went out to Geliloth, which was opposite the ascent of Adummim. Then it went down to the Stone of Bohan the son of Reuben.
18
It passed on to the north of the shoulder of Beth Arabah and down to the Arabah.
19
The border passed on to the north shoulder of Beth Hoglah. The border ended at the north bay of the Salt Sea, at the southern end of the Jordan. This was the boundary on the south.
20
The Jordan formed its border on the eastern side. This was the inheritance of the tribe of Benjamin, and it was given clan by clan, border after border, all around.
21
Now the cities of the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, were Jericho, Beth Hoglah, Emek Keziz,
22
Beth Arabah, Zemaraim, Bethel,
23
Avvim, Parah, Ophrah,
24
Kephar Ammoni, Ophni, and Geba. There were twelve cities, including their villages.
25
There were also the cities of Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth,
26
Mizpah, Kephirah, Mozah,
27
Rekem, Irpeel, Taralah,
28
Zelah, Haeleph, Jebus (the same as Jerusalem), Gibeah, and Kiriath. There were fourteen cities, including their villages. This was the inheritance of Benjamin for their clans.
Joshua 18:2
whose inheritance had not been assigned
"to whom Joshua had not assigned land as an inheritance"
Joshua 18:3
How long will you put off ... has given you?
"For long enough, you have put off ... has given you."
Joshua 18:4
the land up and down
"the land in every direction" or "throughout the land"
write out a description of it with a view to their inheritances
This means that they will describe the portions of land that each tribe would like to receive for an inheritance.
their inheritances
The land that they are to survey is spoken of as if it were an inheritance that each of the tribes would receive as a permanent possession.
Joshua 18:5
They will divide it
"They will divide the land"
Judah will remain
"The tribe of Judah will remain"
the house of Joseph
"the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh"
Joshua 18:7
no portion
"no portion of land"
have received their inheritance
"have received land as their inheritance"
Joshua 18:10
to each was given his portion of the land
"to each tribe Joshua gave their portion in the land"
Joshua 18:11
between the descendants of Judah and the descendants of Joseph
"between the land that belonged to the descendants of Judah and the land that belonged to the descendants of Joseph"
Joshua 18:12
Beth Aven
This is the name of a place.
Joshua 18:13
Luz ... Ataroth Addar ... Beth Horon
These are the names of places.
Joshua 18:14
The boundary
This refers to the same thing as "the border" in verse 13.
Kiriath Baal ... Kiriath Jearim
These are the names of places.
Joshua 18:15
Kiriath Jearim ... Ephron ... Nephtoah
These are the names of places.
Joshua 18:16
Ben Hinnom ... Rephaim ... Hinnom ... En Rogel
These are the names of places.
Joshua 18:17
En Shemesh ... Geliloth ... Adummim
These are the names of places.
the Stone of Bohan
This was likely a large stone that someone set up as a landmark and named after the man, Bohan.
Joshua 18:18
the shoulder of Beth Arabah
"the slope of Beth Arabah"
Beth Arabah
This is the name of a city.
Joshua 18:19
the north shoulder of Beth Hoglah
"the north slope of Beth Hoglah"
Beth Hoglah
This is the name of a place.
Joshua 18:20
This was the inheritance of the tribe of Benjamin
"This was the land that the tribe of Benjamin received as an inheritance"
it was given clan by clan
"Joshua gave it to each of their clans"
Joshua 18:24
their villages
"the villages around them"
Joshua 18:28
This was the inheritance of Benjamin
"This was the land and the cities that the tribe of Benjamin received as an inheritance"
Chapter 19
1
The second casting of lots fell to Simeon, clan by clan. Their inheritance was in the middle of the inheritance that belonged to the tribe of Judah.
2
They had for their inheritance Beersheba, Sheba, Moladah,
3
Hazar Shual, Balah, Ezem,
4
Eltolad, Bethul, and Hormah.
5
Simeon also had Ziklag, Beth Markaboth, Hazar Susah,
6
Beth Lebaoth, and Sharuhen. These were thirteen cities, including their villages.
7
Simeon also had Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan. These were four cities, including their villages.
8
These were together, including the villages around these cities as far as Baalath Beer (the same as Ramah in the Negev). This was the inheritance of the tribe of Simeon, clan by clan.
9
The inheritance of the tribe of Simeon formed part of the territory of the tribe of Judah. Because the portion of land assigned to the tribe of Judah was too large for them, the tribe of Simeon received their inheritance out of the middle of their portion.
10
The third casting of lots fell to the tribe of Zebulun, clan by clan. The border of their inheritance began at Sarid.
11
Their border went up westward toward Maralah and touched Dabbesheth; then it extended to the brook that was opposite Jokneam.
12
From Sarid the border turned eastward toward the sunrise and went to the border of Kisloth Tabor. From there it went to Daberath and then up to Japhia.
13
From there it passed on eastward to Gath Hepher, and then to Eth Kazin; next it went to Rimmon and turned toward Neah.
14
The border made a turn to the north to Hannathon and ended at the Valley of Iphtah El.
15
This region included the cities of Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem. There were twelve cities, including their villages.
16
This was the inheritance of the tribe of Zebulun, clan by clan, including these cities, including their villages.
17
The fourth casting of lots fell to Issachar, clan by clan.
18
Their territory included Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem,
19
Hapharaim, Shion, and Anaharath.
20
It also included Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez,
21
Remeth, En Gannim, En Haddah, and Beth Pazzez.
22
Their border also touched Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth Shemesh, and ended at the Jordan. There were sixteen cities, including their villages.
23
This was the inheritance of the tribe of Issachar, according to their clans—the cities, including their villages.
24
The fifth casting of lots fell to the tribe of Asher, clan by clan.
25
Their territory included Helkath, Hali, Beten, Akshaph,
26
Allammelek, Amad, and Mishall. On the west the boundary extended to Carmel and Shihor Libnath.
27
Then it turned eastward to Beth Dagon and went as far as Zebulun, and then to the Valley of Iphtah El, northward to Beth Emek and Neiel. Then it continued on to Kabul toward the north.
28
It then went on to Abdon, Rehob, Hammon, and Kanah, as far as Greater Sidon.
29
The border turned back to Ramah, and then to the fortified city of Tyre. Then the border turned to Hosah and ended at the sea, in the region of Akzib,
30
Ummah, Aphek, and Rehob. There were twenty-two cities, including their villages.
31
This was the inheritance of the tribe of Asher, clan by clan—the cities, including their villages.
32
The sixth casting of lots fell to the tribe of Naphtali, clan by clan.
33
Their border ran from Heleph, from the oak at Zaanannim, on to Adami Nekeb and Jabneel, as far as Lakkum; it ended at the Jordan.
34
The border turned westward to Aznoth Tabor and went on to Hukkok; it touched Zebulun on the south, and reached to Asher on the west and Judah on the east at the Jordan River.
35
The fortified cities were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Kinnereth,
36
Adamah, Ramah, Hazor,
37
Kedesh, Edrei, and En Hazor.
38
There were also Iron, Migdal El, Horem, Beth Anath, and Beth Shemesh. There were nineteen cities, including their villages.
39
This was the inheritance of the tribe of Naphtali, clan by clan—the cities, including their villages.
40
The seventh casting of lots fell to the tribe of Dan, clan by clan.
41
The territory of its inheritance included Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir Shemesh,
42
Shaalabbin, Aijalon, and Ithlah.
43
It also included Elon, Timnah, Ekron,
44
Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath,
45
Jehud, Bene Berak, Gath Rimmon,
46
Me Jarkon, and Rakkon along with the territory across from Joppa.
47
When the territory of the tribe of Dan was lost to them, Dan attacked Leshem and took it. They struck it with the sword, took possession of it, and settled in it. They called Leshem Dan, after the name of their ancestor Dan.
48
This was the inheritance of the tribe of Dan, clan by clan—the cities, including their villages.
49
When they finished the allocation of the land as an inheritance, the people of Israel gave an inheritance among themselves to Joshua son of Nun.
50
By the command of Yahweh they gave him the city for which he asked, Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim. He rebuilt the city and lived there.
51
These are the inheritances that Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders of the tribal clans of Israel assigned by lot at Shiloh, before Yahweh, at the entrance of the tent of meeting. So they finished assigning the land.
Joshua 19:1
The second casting of lots fell to Simeon
"The second time Joshua cast lots, the lot indicated the tribe of Simeon"
The second
number two in a list
clan by clan
"and Joshua assigned the land to each of their clans"
Their inheritance was in the middle of the inheritance that belonged to the tribe of Judah
"The land that they received as an inheritance was in the middle of the land that the tribe of Judah received as an inheritance"
Joshua 19:2
They had for their inheritance
"They had the following cities for their inheritance"
Joshua 19:5
Ziklag
See how you translated the name of this city in Joshua 15:31.
Joshua 19:8
This was the inheritance of the tribe of Simeon
"This was the land and the cities that the tribe of Simeon received as an inheritance"
Joshua 19:9
the portion of land assigned to the tribe of Judah
"the portion of land which Joshua assigned to the tribe of Judah"
the middle of their portion
"the middle of Judah's portion of land"
Joshua 19:10
The third casting of lots
See how you translated this phrase in Joshua 19:1.
The third
number three in a list
Sarid
This is the name of a city.
Joshua 19:11
Maralah ... Dabbesheth ... Jokneam
These are the names of places.
opposite Jokneam
"across from Jokneam"
Joshua 19:12
Sarid ... Kisloth Tabor ... Daberath ... Japhia
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 19:13
Gath Hepher ... Eth Kazin ... Rimmon ... Neah
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 19:14
Hannathon ... Iphtah El
These are names of places.
Joshua 19:15
Kattath ... Nahalal ... Shimron ... Idalah ... Bethlehem
These are names of places.
Bethlehem
This is not the same "Bethlehem" that is south of Jerusalem in Judah.
Joshua 19:16
This was the inheritance of the tribe of Zebulun
"This was the land and the cities that the tribe of Zebulun received as an inheritance"
Joshua 19:17
The fourth casting of lots
See how you translated this phrase in Joshua 19:1.
The fourth
number four in a list
Joshua 19:18
Chesulloth ... Shunem
These are names of cities.
Joshua 19:19
Hapharaim ... Shion ... Anaharath
These are names of cities.
Joshua 19:20
Rabbith ... Kishion ... Ebez
These are names of cities.
Joshua 19:21
Remeth ... En Gannim ... En Haddah ... Beth Pazzez
These are names of cities.
Joshua 19:22
Tabor
This is the name of a mountain.
Shahazumah
This is the name of a city.
Joshua 19:23
This was the inheritance of the tribe of Issachar
"This was the land and the cities that the tribe of Issachar received as an inheritance"
Joshua 19:24
The fifth
number five in a list
Joshua 19:25
Helkath, Hali, Beten, Akshaph
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 19:26
Allammelek, Amad, and Mishall ... Shihor Libnath
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 19:27
Beth Dagon ... Valley of Iphtah El ... Beth Emek ... Neiel ... Kabul
These are the names of places.
Joshua 19:28
Abdon ... Rehob ... Hammon ... Kanah
These are the names of places.
Joshua 19:29
Hosah ... Akzib
These are the names of places.
Joshua 19:30
Ummah ... Aphek ... Rehob
These are the names of places.
Joshua 19:31
This was the inheritance of the tribe of Asher
"This was the land and the cities that the tribe of Asher received as an inheritance"
Joshua 19:32
The sixth
number six in a list
Joshua 19:33
Heleph ... Zaanannim ... Adami Nekeb ... Jabneel ... Lakkum
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 19:34
Aznoth Tabor ... Hukkok
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 19:35
Ziddim ... Zer ... Hammath ... Rakkath ... Kinnereth
These are the names of cities.
Hammath
This is not the same location as "Hamath," but is located on the west shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Joshua 19:36
Adamah ... Ramah ... Hazor
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 19:37
Kedesh ... Edrei ... En Hazor
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 19:38
Iron ... Migdal El ... Horem ... Beth Anath
These are names of cities.
Joshua 19:39
This was the inheritance of the tribe of Naphtali
"This was the land and the cities that the tribe of Naphtali received as an inheritance"
Joshua 19:40
The seventh
number seven in a list
Joshua 19:41
The territory of its inheritance
"The territory of land that the tribe of Dan received as an inheritance"
Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir Shemesh
These are the names of places.
Joshua 19:42
Shaalabbin, Aijalon, and Ithlah
These are the names of places.
Joshua 19:43
Elon, Timnah, Ekron
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 19:44
Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 19:45
Jehud, Bene Berak, Gath Rimmon
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 19:46
Me Jarkon ... Rakkon
These are the names of cities.
across from Joppa
"opposite Joppa" or "beside Joppa"
Joshua 19:47
Leshem
This is the name of a city.
Joshua 19:48
This was the inheritance of the tribe of Dan
"This was the land and the cities that the tribe of Dan received as an inheritance"
Joshua 19:49
gave an inheritance among themselves to Joshua son of Nun
"gave a city within their own land as an inheritance to Joshua son of Nun"
Joshua 19:50
Timnath Serah
This is the name of a city.
Joshua 19:51
These are the inheritances ... assigned
"These are the portions of land and the cities ... assigned as inheritances"
Chapter 20
1
Then Yahweh said to Joshua,
2
"Speak to the people of Israel, saying, 'Appoint the cities of refuge of which I spoke to you by the hand of Moses.
3
Do this so that one who kills a person by accident or unknowingly can go there. These cities will be a place of refuge from the avenger of blood.
4
He will run to one of those cities and will stand at the entrance of the city gate, and explain his case to the elders of that city. Then they will take him into the city and give him a place for him to live among them.
5
If the avenger of blood pursues him there, then the people of the city must not hand the one who killed him over to the authorities. They must not do this because he killed his neighbor by accident, and he had no hatred toward him in the past.
6
He must stay in that city until he has stood before the assembly for judgment, until the death of the one who was serving as high priest in those days. Then the one who had accidentally killed the person may return to his own town and his own home, to the town from which he fled.'"
7
So the Israelites selected Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath Arba (the same as Hebron) in the hill country of Judah.
8
Beyond the Jordan east of Jericho, they selected Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau from the tribe of Reuben; Ramoth Gilead, from the tribe of Gad; and Golan in Bashan, from the tribe of Manasseh.
9
These were the cities selected for all the people of Israel and for the foreigners sojourning among them, so that anyone who killed a person unintentionally could run to them for safety. This person would not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until the accused person would first stand before the assembly.
Joshua 20:2
by the hand of Moses
"through the things that Moses wrote"
Joshua 20:3
kills a person by accident
This happens when a person accidentally kills another person, without intending to do so.
the avenger of blood
This was a relative of the person who had been killed. His job was to kill the person who had killed his relative.
blood
"death"
Joshua 20:4
He will run
Here the word "he" refers to the person who unintentionally killed someone.
explain his case to the elders of that city
"convince the elders of that city that he had not intentionally killed the person.
Then they will take him
The word "they" refers to the elders and "him" refers to the person who unintentionally killed someone.
live among them
This refers to the city as a whole, not to the elders only.
Joshua 20:6
stood before the assembly
This is a phrase that describes standing to seek justice from a court of the assembly of his fellow citizens.
Joshua 20:8
the Jordan
This is a short name for the Jordan River.
Joshua 20:9
would not die by the hand of the avenger
"would not be killed by the avenger"
the avenger of blood
This was a relative of the person who had been killed. His job was to kill the person who had killed his relative.
Chapter 21
1
Then the tribal leaders of the Levites came to Eleazar the priest, to Joshua son of Nun, and to the leaders of the families of their ancestors within the people of Israel.
2
They said to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, "Yahweh commanded you by the hand of Moses to give to us cities to live in, with the pasturelands for our livestock."
3
So by the command of Yahweh, the people of Israel gave out of their inheritance the following cities, including their pasturelands, to the Levites.
4
The casting of lots for the clans of the Kohathites gave this result: The priests—the descendants of Aaron who were from the Levites—received thirteen cities given from the tribe of Judah, from the tribe of Simeon, and from the tribe of Benjamin.
5
The rest of Kohath’s descendants received by lot ten cities from the clans of the tribes of Ephraim, Dan, and from the half tribe of Manasseh.
6
Then the people descended from Gershon were given, by the casting of lots, thirteen cities from the clans of the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the half tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.
7
The people who were descendants of Merari, clan by clan, received twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.
8
So the people of Israel gave, by casting lots, these cities (including their pasturelands) to the Levites, just as Yahweh had commanded by the hand of Moses.
9
From the tribes of Judah and Simeon, they assigned land to the following cities, here listed by name.
10
These cities were given to the descendants of Aaron, who were among the clans of the Kohathites, who in turn were from the tribe of Levi. For the first casting of lots had fallen to them.
11
The Israelites gave them Kiriath Arba (Arba had been the father of Anak), the same place as Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, with the pasturelands around it.
12
But the fields of the city, including their villages, were already given to Caleb son of Jephunneh, as his possession.
13
To the descendants of Aaron the priest they gave Hebron with its pasturelands—which was a city of refuge for anyone who killed another unintentionally—and Libnah with its pasturelands,
14
Jattir with its pasturelands, and Eshtemoa with its pasturelands.
15
They also gave Holon with its pasturelands, Debir with its pasturelands,
16
Ain with its pasturelands, Juttah with its pasturelands, and Beth Shemesh with its pasturelands. There were nine cities that were given from these two tribes.
17
From the tribe of Benjamin were given Gibeon with its pasturelands, Geba with its pasturelands,
18
Anathoth with its pasturelands, and Almon with its pasturelands—four cities.
19
The cities given to the priests, the descendants of Aaron, were thirteen cities in all, including their pasturelands.
20
As for the rest of the Kohathites who belong to the Kohathite clans of the Levites—they had cities given to them from the tribe of Ephraim by the casting of lots.
21
To them were given Shechem with its pasturelands in the hill country of Ephraim—a city of refuge for anyone who killed a person unintentionally—Gezer with its pasturelands,
22
Kibzaim with its pasturelands, and Beth Horon with its pasturelands—four cities in all.
23
From the tribe of Dan, the clan of Kohath was given Eltekeh with its pasturelands, Gibbethon with its pasturelands,
24
Aijalon with its pasturelands, and Gath Rimmon with its pasturelands—four cities in all.
25
From the half tribe of Manasseh, the clan of Kohath was given Taanach with its pasturelands and Gath Rimmon with its pasturelands—two cities.
26
There were ten cities in all for the rest of the clans of the Kohathites, including their pasturelands.
27
From the half tribe of Manasseh, to clans of Gershon, these were other Levite clans, and they gave Golan in Bashan with its pasturelands—a city of refuge for anyone who killed another unintentionally, along with Be Eshterah with its pasturelands—two cities in all.
28
To the clans of Gershon they also gave Kishion from the tribe of Issachar, along with its pasturelands, Daberath with its pasturelands,
29
Jarmuth with its pasturelands, and En Gannim with its pasturelands—four cities.
30
From the tribe of Asher, they gave Mishal with its pasturelands, Abdon with its pasturelands,
31
Helkath with its pasturelands, and Rehob with its pasturelands—four cities in all.
32
From the tribe of Naphtali, they gave the clans of Gershon Kedesh in Galilee with its pasturelands—a city of refuge for anyone who killed another unintentionally; Hammoth Dor with its pasturelands, and Kartan with its pasturelands—three cities in all.
33
There were thirteen cities in all, out of the clans of Gershon, including their pasturelands.
34
To the rest of the Levites—the clans of Merari—were given out of the tribe of Zebulun: Jokneam with its pasturelands, Kartah with its pasturelands,
35
Dimnah with its pasturelands, and Nahalal with its pasturelands—four cities in all.
36
To the clans of Merari were given from the tribe of Reuben: Bezer with its pasturelands, Jahaz with its pasturelands,
37
Kedemoth with its pasturelands, and Mephaath with its pasturelands—four cities.
38
Out of the tribe of Gad they were given Ramoth in Gilead with its pasturelands—a city of refuge for anyone who killed another unintentionally—and Mahanaim with its pasturelands.
39
The clans of Merari were also given Heshbon with its pasturelands, and Jazer with its pasturelands. These were four cities in all.
40
All these were the cities of the several clans of Merari, who were from the tribe of Levi—twelve cities in all were given to them by the casting of lots.
41
The cities of the Levites taken from the middle of the land possessed by the people of Israel were forty-eight cities, including their pasturelands.
42
These cities each had its surrounding pasturelands. It was this way with all these cities.
43
So Yahweh gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their ancestors. The Israelites took possession of it and settled there.
44
Then Yahweh gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies could defeat them. Yahweh gave all their enemies into their hand.
45
Not one thing among all the good promises that Yahweh had spoken to the house of Israel failed to come true. All of them came to be.
Joshua 21:1
Eleazar ... Nun
These are names of men.
Joshua 21:2
They said to them
"The Levites said to them"
Yahweh commanded you by the hand of Moses
"Yahweh told Moses to command you"
Joshua 21:3
following cities
This refers to the cities to be listed in the next verses.
Joshua 21:4
casting of lots
A random method of choosing to remove the choice from the leader's will, often done with the idea that God will decide the outcome. See how you translated this in Joshua 19:1.
Kohathites
This priests in this group were descendants of Levi's son Kohath. A portion of them were also descendants of Aaron, Kohath's grandson.
Joshua 21:5
half tribe
Half the tribe because the other half received their inheritance before crossing the Jordan River.
Joshua 21:6
Gershon
Gershon was one of the sons of Levi.
casting of lots
A random method of choosing to remove the choice from the leader's will, often done with the idea that God will decide the outcome. See how you translated this in Joshua 19:1.
Joshua 21:7
Merari
Merari was one of the sons of Levi.
Joshua 21:8
Yahweh had commanded by the hand of Moses
"Yahweh had told Moses to command"
Joshua 21:11
Arba had been the father of Anak
This is background information about the name of the man who founded the city of Kiriath Arba.
Anak
This is the name of a man.
hill country
An area of land with natural elevations, smaller than mountains.
pasturelands
An area covered with grass or plants suitable for the grazing of livestock or cattle.
Joshua 21:12
fields of the city
Areas of open land, usually, planted with crops, belonging to and surrounding the city.
villages
Small communities, usually smaller than a town.
Joshua 21:13
Libnah
This is the name of a city.
Joshua 21:14
Jattir ... Eshtemoa
These are all names of cities.
Joshua 21:15
Holon ... Debir
These are all names of cities.
Joshua 21:16
Ain ... Juttah
These are all names of cities.
Joshua 21:17
From the tribe of Benjamin were given Gibeon
"The tribe of Benjamin gave Gibeon"
Geba
This is the name of a city.
Joshua 21:18
Anathoth ... Almon
These are names of cities.
Joshua 21:20
the Kohathite clans
The priests in this group were descendants of Levi's son Kohath. A portion of them were also descendants of Aaron, Kohath's grandson.
they had cities given to them
"they received cities"
Joshua 21:21
Gezer
This is the name of a city.
Joshua 21:22
Kibzaim ... Beth Horon
names of cities.
Joshua 21:23
From the tribe of Dan, the clan of Kohath was given Eltekeh
"The tribe of Dan gave to the clan of Kohath Eltekeh"
Joshua 21:24
Aijalon ... Gath Rimmon
These are names of cities.
Joshua 21:25
From the half tribe of Manasseh, the clan of Kohath was given Taanach
"The half tribe of Manasseh gave to the clan of Kohath Taanach"
Taanach ... Gath Rimmon
These are names of cities.
Joshua 21:27
From the half tribe of Manasseh, to clans of Gershon, these were other Levite clans, and they gave Golan
"The half tribe of Manasseh, other Levite clans, received from the half tribe of Manasseh Golan"
Golan ... Be Eshterah
names of cities
killed another unintentionally
This refers to a death resulting from an action not intended to harm a person.
Joshua 21:28
To the clans of Gershon they also gave Kishion
"The clans of Gershon also received Kishion"
Kishion ... Daberath
names of cities.
Joshua 21:29
Jarmuth ... En Gannim
names of cities.
Joshua 21:30
From the tribe of Asher, they gave Mishal
"They received from the tribe of Asher Mishal"
Mishal ... Abdon
names of cities
Joshua 21:31
Helkath ... Rehob
names of cities
Joshua 21:32
From the tribe of Naphtali, they gave the clans of Gershon Kedesh
"The clans of Gershon received from the tribe of Naphtali Kedesh"
Gershon
This is the name of a person.
Hammoth Dor ... Kartan
These are names of cities.
Joshua 21:34
To the rest of the Levites—the clans of Merari—were given out of the tribe of Zebulun: Jokneam
The rest of the Levites—the clans of Merari—received from the tribe of Zebulun Jokneam"
Merari
This is a man's name.
Jokneam ... Kartah
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 21:35
Dimnah ... Nahalal
names of cities
Joshua 21:36
To the clans of Merari were given from the tribe of Reuben: Bezer
"The clans of Merari received from the tribe of Reuben Bezer"
Bezer ... Jahaz
names of cities
Joshua 21:37
Kedemoth ... Mephaath
names of cities
Joshua 21:38
Out of the tribe of Gad they were given Ramoth
"They received from the tribe of Gad Ramoth"
Ramoth ... Mahanaim
These are the names of cities.
Joshua 21:39
Heshbon ... Jazer
These are names of cities.
Joshua 21:41
The cities of the Levites taken from the middle of the land
"The Levites received their cities from the middle of the land"
Joshua 21:43
he swore
"he gave an oath"
Joshua 21:44
Not one of their enemies could defeat them
"They defeated every one of their enemies"
gave all their enemies into their hand
"gave them power to defeat all their enemies"
Joshua 21:45
Not one thing among all the good promises that Yahweh had spoken to the house of Israel failed to come true
"Every one of the good promises that Yahweh had spoken to the house of Israel came true"
Chapter 22
1
At that time Joshua called the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh.
2
He said to them, "You have done everything that Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded you. You have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you.
3
You have not deserted your brothers these many days, down to this present day, and you have fulfilled the duties required by the commandments of Yahweh your God.
4
Now Yahweh your God has given rest to your brothers, just as he promised them. Therefore turn and go to your tents in the land you possess, which Moses the servant of Yahweh gave you on the other side of the Jordan.
5
Just be very careful to observe the commandments and the law that Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded you, to love Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, to keep his commandments, and to cling to him and worship him with all your heart and with all your soul."
6
So Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went back to their tents.
7
Now to one-half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given an inheritance in Bashan, but to the other half Joshua gave an inheritance beside their brothers in the land west of the Jordan. Joshua sent them away to their tents; he blessed them
8
and said to them, "Return to your tents with much money, and with very much livestock, and with silver and gold, and with bronze and iron, and with very many garments. Divide the plunder from your enemies with your brothers."
9
So the descendants of Reuben, the descendants of Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh returned home, leaving the people of Israel at Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan. They left to go to the region of Gilead, to their own land, which they themselves possessed, in obedience to the commandment of Yahweh, by the hand of Moses.
10
When they came to the Jordan that is in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh built an altar beside the Jordan, a very large and prominent altar.
11
The people of Israel heard about this and said, "Look! The people of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar at the front of the land of Canaan, at Geliloth, in the region near the Jordan, on the side that belongs to the people of Israel."
12
When the people of Israel heard of it, the whole assembly of the people of Israel gathered together at Shiloh to go up to make war against them.
13
Then the people of Israel sent messengers to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, in the land of Gilead. They also sent Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest,
14
and with him ten leaders, one from each of the tribal families of Israel, and every one of them was the head of a family among the clan of Israel.
15
They came to the people of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, in the land of Gilead, and they spoke to them:
16
"The whole assembly of Yahweh says this, 'What is this unfaithfulness that you have committed against the God of Israel, by turning this day from following Yahweh by building yourself an altar this day in rebellion against Yahweh?
17
Was the iniquity of Peor not enough for us? Yet we have not even now cleansed ourselves from it. There was a plague on the assembly of Yahweh for that sin.
18
Must you also turn away from following Yahweh at this present day? If you also rebel against Yahweh today, tomorrow he will be angry with the whole assembly of Israel.
19
If the land that you possess is defiled, then you should pass over into the land where Yahweh's tabernacle stands and take for yourselves a possession among us. Only do not rebel against Yahweh, nor rebel against us by building an altar for yourselves other than the altar of Yahweh our God.
20
Did not Achan son of Zerah, act faithlessly in the matter of those things that had been reserved for God? Did not wrath fall on the entire community of Israel? That man did not perish alone for his iniquity.'"
21
Then the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh replied in answer to the heads of the clans of Israel:
22
"The Mighty One, God, Yahweh! The Mighty One, God, Yahweh!—He knows, and let Israel itself know! If it was in rebellion or in unfaithfulness against Yahweh, do not deliver us on this day
23
for having built an altar to turn ourselves away from following Yahweh. If we built that altar in order to offer on it burnt offerings, grain offerings, or sacrifices of peace offerings, then let Yahweh make us pay for it.
24
No! We did it for fear that in time to come your children might say to our children, 'What have you to do with Yahweh, the God of Israel?
25
For Yahweh has made the Jordan a border between us and you. You people of Reuben and people of Gad, you have nothing to do with Yahweh.' So your children might make our children cease to worship Yahweh.
26
So we said, 'Let us now build an altar, not for burnt offerings nor for any sacrifices,
27
but to be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we will perform the service of Yahweh before him, with our burnt offerings and with our sacrifices and with our peace offerings, so that your children will never say to our children in time to come, "You have no share in Yahweh."'
28
So we said, 'If this should be said to us or to our descendants in time to come, we would say, "Look! This is a copy of the altar of Yahweh, which our ancestors made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices, but as a witness between us and you."
29
May it be far from us that we should rebel against Yahweh, and today turn away from following him by building an altar for burnt offerings, for grain offerings, or for sacrifices, other than the altar of Yahweh our God that is before his tabernacle.'"
30
When Phinehas the priest and the leaders of the people, that is, the heads of the clans of Israel who were with him, heard the words that the people of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh said, that it was good in their eyes.
31
Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest said to the people of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, "Today we know that Yahweh is among us, because you have not committed this act of faithlessness against him. Now you have rescued the people of Israel out of the hand of Yahweh."
32
Then Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, and the leaders returned from the Reubenites and the Gadites, out of the land of Gilead, back to the land of Canaan, to the people of Israel, and brought back word to them.
33
Their report was good in the eyes of the people of Israel. The people of Israel blessed God and spoke no more about making war against the Reubenites and the Gadites, in order to destroy the land where they had settled.
34
The Reubenites and the Gadites named the altar "Witness," for they said, "It is a witness between us that Yahweh is God."
Joshua 22:1
Reubenites
people of the tribe of Reuben
Gadites
people of the tribe of Gad
Joshua 22:2
obeyed my voice
"obeyed everything I said"
Joshua 22:3
You have not deserted your brothers
"You have remained with your brothers"
Joshua 22:5
to walk in all his ways
"to obey everything he says"
with all your heart and with all your soul
"with all you think and feel" or "with your entire being"
Joshua 22:7
the Jordan
This was a short name for the Jordan River.
Joshua 22:8
iron
a strong, hard, magnetic metal
plunder
The winning army would take everything of value from the people they conquered.
Joshua 22:9
the commandment of Yahweh, by the hand of Moses
"the commandment that Yahweh told Moses to give to you"
Joshua 22:10
the Jordan
This was a short name for the Jordan River.
Joshua 22:11
at the front of the land of Canaan
"at the entrance to the land of Canaan"
Geliloth
This is the name of a city.
Joshua 22:12
war
a state of armed conflict between two nations or people groups
Joshua 22:13
Eleazar
name of man
Joshua 22:16
The whole assembly of Yahweh says this
"All the other Israelites are asking"
Joshua 22:17
Was the iniquity of Peor not enough for us?
"Certainly the iniquity of Peor was enough for us!" or "We sinned so badly at Peor that we certainly do not want to sin more."
the iniquity of Peor
"the iniquity we committed at Peor" or "the guilt of the sin that we committed at Peor"
Peor
This is name of a place. Translate the same way as in Joshua 13:20.
we have not even now cleansed ourselves from it
"we are still dealing with the guilt of that sin"
Joshua 22:18
Must you also turn away from following Yahweh at this present day?
"You must not turn away from following Yahweh today!"
Joshua 22:20
Did not Achan son of Zerah, act faithlessly in the matter of those things that had been reserved for God? Did not wrath fall on the entire community of Israel?
"Achan son of Zerah sinned by taking things that had been reserved for God. And because of that God punished all the people of Israel!"
Joshua 22:22
If it was in rebellion or in unfaithfulness against Yahweh
"If we built this altar in rebellion or unfaithfulness against Yahweh" or "If we rebelled and broke faith with Yahweh when we built this altar"
do not deliver us on this day
"do not rescue us today" or "do not save us today." The three tribes say this to prove to the rest of Israel that they did not build the altar in rebellion or breach of faith. If they had rebelled and broken faith, they would not have dared to say "do not deliver us on this day."
Joshua 22:23
let Yahweh make us pay for it
The three tribes say this to prove to the rest of Israel that they did not build the altar in order to offering any kind of offerings on it. If they had built the altar to do those things, they would not have dared to say "let Yahweh make us pay for it."
Joshua 22:24
What have you to do with Yahweh, the God of Israel?
"You have nothing to do with Yahweh, the God of Israel!"
Joshua 22:25
For Yahweh has made the Jordan ... nothing to do with Yahweh
This is the continuation of the accusation that the three tribes fear the children of the other tribes might make sometime in the future.
the Jordan
This is a short name for the Jordan River.
So your children might make our children cease to worship Yahweh
The three tribes were afraid that the others might make their children stop worshiping Yahweh.
Joshua 22:27
to be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us
"to remind us and you, and our descendants and your descendants"
that we will perform the service of Yahweh before him
"that we will perform the service of Yahweh in his tabernacle"
no share
"no portion" or "no inheritance"
Joshua 22:28
This is a copy of the altar of Yahweh, which our ancestors made ... as a witness between us and you
The is what the descendants of the three tribes would say to the other tribes.
as a witness between us and you
"as a reminder for us and you." The three tribes wanted people to see the copy of the altar and remember that the three tribes belong to Israel and worship God at the real altar in the tabernacle.
Joshua 22:29
May it be far from us that we should rebel
"We would certainly not rebel"
turn away from following him
"stop following him"
Joshua 22:30
heard the words
"heard the message"
was good in their eyes
Here "in their eyes" means "in their opinion."
Joshua 22:31
committed this act of faithlessness against him
"broken your promise to him"
you have rescued the people of Israel out of the hand of Yahweh
"you have kept Yahweh from punishing us"
Joshua 22:33
Their report was good in the eyes of the people
"The people accepted the report of the leaders"
destroy the land
"destroy everything in the land"
Joshua 22:34
for they said
This refers to the Reubenites and Gadites.
It is a witness between us
The altar is spoken of as if it were a witness that could testify for the three tribes.
Chapter 23
1
After many days, when Yahweh had given rest to Israel from all their enemies that were around them, and Joshua was old and well advanced in years,
2
Joshua called for all Israel—for their elders, for their leaders, for their judges, and for their officials—and he said to them, "I am old and well advanced in years.
3
You have seen everything that Yahweh your God has done to all these nations for your sake, for it is Yahweh your God who has fought for you.
4
Look! I have assigned to you the nations that remain to be conquered as an inheritance for your tribes, along with all the nations I have already destroyed, from the Jordan to the Great Sea in the west.
5
Yahweh your God will drive them out. He will push them out from you. He will seize their land, and you will take possession of their land, just as Yahweh your God promised to you.
6
So be very strong, so that you keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left,
7
so you may not mix with these nations that remain among you or mention the names of their gods, swear by them, worship them, or bow down to them.
8
Instead, you must cling to Yahweh your God just as you have done to this day.
9
For Yahweh has driven out before you large, strong nations. As for you, no one has been able to stand before you to this present day.
10
Any single man of your number will make a thousand run away, for Yahweh your God, is the one who fights for you, just as he promised you.
11
Pay particular attention, so that you love Yahweh your God.
12
But if you turn back and cling to the survivors of these nations who remain among you, or if you intermarry with them, or if you come together with them and they with you,
13
then know for certain that Yahweh your God will no longer drive these nations out from among you. Instead, they will become a snare and a trap for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land that Yahweh your God has given you.
14
Now I am going the way of all the earth, and you know with all your hearts and souls that not one word has failed to come true of all the good things that Yahweh your God promised about you. All these things have come about for you. Not one of them has failed.
15
But just as every word Yahweh your God promised you has been fulfilled, so Yahweh will bring on you all the evil things until he has destroyed you from this good land that Yahweh your God has given you.
16
He will do this if you break the covenant of Yahweh your God, which he commanded you to keep. If you go and worship other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of Yahweh will be kindled against you, and you will quickly perish from the good land that he has given you."
Joshua 23:2
old and well advanced in years
This can be translated as "very old."
Joshua 23:4
the Jordan
This is a short name for the Jordan River.
in the west
This indicates the direction of the setting sun.
Joshua 23:6
turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left
Disobeying the commands of the law of Moses is spoken of as turning to the right or to the left away from a path.
Joshua 23:7
you may not mix
Possible meanings are 1) having close friendship with them or 2) intermarrying with them.
mention
to speak of
their gods
This refers to the gods of the remaining nations.
Joshua 23:8
cling to Yahweh
"continue to believe in Yahweh"
to this day
"until the present time"
Joshua 23:9
to stand before you
Here "stand" represents holding ground in a battle. The word "you" refers to the entire nation of Israel.
Joshua 23:10
single
only one
Joshua 23:12
cling to the survivors of these nations
"accept the beliefs of the survivors of these nations"
Joshua 23:13
a snare and a trap
The words "snare" and "trap" mean basically the same thing. Together they speak of the other nations as if they were a deadly trap that will cause trouble for Israel.
whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes
These phrases speak of the troubles these nations will cause Israel as if they were as painful as whips and thorns.
Joshua 23:14
I am going the way of all the earth
"I am going to die"
know with all your hearts and souls
Here the words "hearts" and "souls" have similar meanings. Together they emphasize deep personal knowledge.
not one word has failed to come true
These words emphasize that Yahweh has fulfilled all his promises. "every word has come true"
Joshua 23:16
He will do this
This refers to the punishment threatened in the previous verse.
worship other gods and bow down to them
These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The second describes how the people "worship other gods."
the anger of Yahweh will be kindled against you
"Yahweh will begin to be angry with you"
Chapter 24
1
Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and called for the elders of Israel, for their leaders, for their judges, and for their officers, and they presented themselves before God.
2
Joshua said to all the people, "This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, 'Your ancestors long ago lived beyond the Euphrates River—Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor—and they worshiped other gods.
3
But I took your father Abraham from beyond the Euphrates and led him into the land of Canaan and gave him many descendants through his son Isaac.
4
Then to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. I gave Esau the hill country of Seir to possess, but Jacob and his children went down to Egypt.
5
I sent Moses and Aaron, and I afflicted the Egyptians with plagues. After that, I brought you out.
6
I brought your ancestors out of Egypt, and you came to the sea. The Egyptians pursued them with chariots and horsemen as far as the Sea of Reeds.
7
When your ancestors called out to Yahweh, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians. He brought the sea to come over them and cover them. You saw what I did in Egypt. Then you lived in the wilderness for a long time.
8
I brought you to the land of the Amorites, who lived on the other side of the Jordan. They fought with you, and I gave them into your hand. You took possession of their land, and I destroyed them before you.
9
Then Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, got up and attacked Israel. He sent and called for Balaam son of Beor, to curse you.
10
But I did not listen to Balaam. Indeed, he blessed you. So I rescued you out of his hand.
11
You went over the Jordan and came to Jericho. The leaders of Jericho fought against you, along with the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. I gave you victory over them and put them under your control.
12
I sent the hornet before you, which drove them and the two kings of the Amorites out before you. It did not happen by your sword or by your bow.
13
I gave you land on which you had not worked and cities that you had not built, and now you live in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant.'
14
Now fear Yahweh and worship him with all integrity and faithfulness; get rid of the gods that your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and worship Yahweh.
15
If it seems wrong in your eyes for you to worship Yahweh, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live. But as for me and my house, we will worship Yahweh."
16
The people answered and said, "We would never abandon Yahweh to serve other gods,
17
for it is Yahweh our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight, and who preserved us in all the way that we went, and among all the nations through whom we passed.
18
Then Yahweh drove out before us all the peoples, including the Amorites who lived in the land. So we too will worship Yahweh, for he is our God."
19
But Joshua said to the people, "You cannot serve Yahweh, for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions and sins.
20
If you abandon Yahweh and worship foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm. He will consume you, after he has done good to you."
21
But the people said to Joshua, "No, we will worship Yahweh."
22
Then Joshua said to the people, "You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen for yourselves Yahweh, to worship him." They said, "We are witnesses."
23
"Now put away the foreign gods that are with you, and turn your heart to Yahweh, the God of Israel."
24
The people said to Joshua, "We will worship Yahweh our God. We will listen to his voice."
25
Joshua made a covenant with the people that day. He put in place decrees and laws at Shechem.
26
Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the law of God. He took a large stone and set it up there beneath the oak tree that was beside Yahweh's sanctuary.
27
Joshua said to all the people, "Look, this stone will be a testimony against us. It has heard all the words Yahweh said to us. So it will be a witness against you, should you ever deny your God."
28
So Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance.
29
After these things Joshua son of Nun, the servant of Yahweh, died, being 110 years old.
30
They buried him within the border of his own inheritance, at Timnath Serah, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.
31
Israel worshiped Yahweh all of Joshua's days, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, those who had experienced the deeds that Yahweh had done for Israel.
32
The bones of Joseph, which the people of Israel brought up out of Egypt—they buried them at Shechem, in the piece of land that Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. He bought it for one hundred pieces of silver, and it became an inheritance for the descendants of Joseph.
33
Eleazar son of Aaron also died. They buried him at Gibeah, the city of Phinehas his son, which had been given to him. It was in the hill country of Ephraim.
Joshua 24:1
Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel
"Joshua asked all the tribes of Israel to meet with him"
presented themselves before
"came and stood in front of" or "came before"
Joshua 24:2
long ago
"many years ago"
Terah ... Nahor
These are the names of men.
Joshua 24:4
Seir
This is the name of a place.
went down
"traveled"
Joshua 24:5
brought you out
The word "you" is plural and refers to the entire nation of Israel.
Joshua 24:7
the sea
This refers to the Sea of Reeds.
in the wilderness
an uninhabited area, a desert
Joshua 24:8
you
The word "you" is plural throughout this speech and refers to the entire nation of Israel.
the Jordan
This is a short name for the Jordan River.
gave them into your hand
"enabled you to conquer them"
Joshua 24:9
Balak ... Zippor
men's names
Joshua 24:10
rescued you out of his hand
"enabled you to overcome him"
Joshua 24:12
the hornet
A small fast flying stinging insect that lives in colonies. Here, many "hornets" are spoken of as only one.
Joshua 24:15
If it seems wrong in your eyes
"If you do not want"
my house
"my family"
Joshua 24:17
us and our ancestors ... we
The people speak as if they were present with their ancestors, and interchange the words "us" and "we" with "our ancestors."
house of slavery
"place where we were slaves"
nations through whom we passed
"nations that we passed through"
Joshua 24:19
people
This refers to the Israelites.
he is a jealous God
God wants his people to worship only him.
Joshua 24:20
He will consume you
"He will destroy you as with fire"
Joshua 24:21
people
This refers to the Israelites.
Joshua 24:23
turn your heart to Yahweh
"turn yourselves to Yahweh" or "decide to obey Yahweh"
Joshua 24:24
We will listen to his voice
"We will obey everything he tells us to do"
Joshua 24:25
He put in place decrees and laws
"He established decrees and laws" or "He gave them laws and decrees to obey"
Joshua 24:26
the Book of the law of God
This appears to be a continuation of the writings of Moses.
set it up there
"placed it there"
Joshua 24:27
people
This refers to the Israelites.
this stone will be a testimony ... It has heard all the words
The stone that Joshua set up is spoken of as if it were a person who heard what was spoken and would be able to testify about what was said.
should you ever
"if you ever"
Joshua 24:29
110 years old
"one hundred and ten years old"
Joshua 24:30
Timnath Serah ... Mount Gaash
names of places
Joshua 24:31
all of Joshua's days
This refers to Joshua's entire life.
outlived Joshua
"lived longer than Joshua"
Joshua 24:32
The bones of Joseph ... they buried them at Shechem,
"The people of Israel brought the bones of Joseph up out of Egypt and buried them at Shechem"
Joshua 24:33
Eleazar
This is a man's name.
Gibeah
This is the name of a place.
Judges
Chapter 1
1
After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel asked Yahweh, saying, "Who first will attack the Canaanites for us, to fight against them?"
2
Yahweh said, "Judah will attack. See, I have given them control of this land."
3
The men of Judah said to men of Simeon, their brothers, "Come up with us into our territory that was assigned to us that together we may fight against the Canaanites. We in turn will go with you to the territory that was assigned to you." So the tribe of Simeon went with them.
4
The men of Judah attacked, and Yahweh gave them victory over the Canaanites and the Perizzites. They killed ten thousand of them at Bezek.
5
They found Adoni-Bezek at Bezek, and they fought against him and defeated the Canaanites and the Perizzites.
6
But Adoni-Bezek fled, and they pursued him and caught him, and they cut off his thumbs and his big toes.
7
Adoni-Bezek said, "Seventy kings, who had their thumbs and their big toes cut off, picked up food from under my table. As I have done, even so God has done to me." They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.
8
The men of Judah fought against the city of Jerusalem and took it. They attacked it with the edge of the sword and they set the city on fire.
9
After that, the men of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites who lived in the hill country, in the Negev, and the lowlands.
10
Judah advanced against the Canaanites who lived in Hebron (the name of Hebron was previously Kiriath Arba), and they defeated Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.
11
From there the men of Judah advanced against the inhabitants of Debir (the name of Debir was previously Kiriath Sepher).
12
Caleb said, "Whoever attacks Kiriath Sepher and takes it, I will give him Aksah, my daughter, to be his wife."
13
Othniel, son of Kenaz (Caleb's younger brother) captured Debir, so Caleb gave him Aksah, his daughter, to be his wife.
14
Soon Aksah came to Othniel, and she urged him to ask her father to give her a field. As she was getting off her donkey, Caleb asked her, "What can I do for you?"
15
She said to him, "Give me a blessing. Since you have given me the land of the Negev, also give me springs of water." So Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.
16
The descendants of Moses' father-in-law the Kenite went up from the City of Palms with the people of Judah, into the wilderness of Judah, which is in the Negev, to live with the people of Judah near Arad.
17
The men of Judah went with the men of Simeon their brothers and they attacked the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath and they completely destroyed it. The name of the city was called Hormah.
18
The people of Judah also captured Gaza and the land around it, Ashkelon and the land around it, and Ekron and the land around it.
19
Yahweh was with the people of Judah and they took possession of the hill country, but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the plains because they had iron chariots.
20
Hebron was given to Caleb (like Moses had said), and he drove out from there the three sons of Anak.
21
But the people of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites who inhabited Jerusalem. So the Jebusites have lived with the people of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day.
22
The house of Joseph prepared to attack Bethel, and Yahweh was with them.
23
They sent out men to spy on Bethel (the city that was formerly named Luz).
24
The spies saw a man coming out of the city, and they said to him, "Show us, please, how to get into the city, and we will be kind to you."
25
He showed them a way into the city, and so they attacked the city with the edge of the sword, but they let the man and all his family get away.
26
Then the man went to the land of the Hittites and built a city and called it Luz, which is its name to this day.
27
The people of Manasseh did not drive out the people living in the cities of Beth Shan and its villages, or Taanach and its villages, or those who lived in Dor and its villages, or those who lived in Ibleam and its villages, or those who lived in Megiddo and its villages, because the Canaanites were determined to live in that land.
28
When Israel became strong, they forced the Canaanites to serve them with hard labor, but they never drove them out completely.
29
Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites continued to live in Gezer among them.
30
Zebulun did not drive out the people living in Kitron, or the people living in Nahalol, and so the Canaanites continued to live among them, but Zebulun forced the Canaanites to serve them with hard labor.
31
Asher did not drive out the people living in Akko, or the people living in Sidon, or those living in Ahlab, Akzib, Helbah, Aphek, or Rehob.
32
So the tribe of Asher lived among the Canaanites (those who lived in the land), because they did not drive them out.
33
The tribe of Naphtali did not drive out those who were living in Beth Shemesh, or those living in Beth Anath. So the tribe of Naphtali lived among the Canaanites (the people who were living in that land). However, the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh and Beth Anath were forced into hard labor for Naphthali.
34
The Amorites forced the tribe of Dan out into the hill country, not allowing them to come down to the plain.
35
So the Amorites lived at Mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim, but the military might of the house of Joseph conquered them, and they were forced to serve them with hard labor.
36
The border of the Amorites ran from the hill of Akrabbim at Sela up into the hill country.
Judges 1:1
Connecting Statement:
The book of Judges continues the story about Joshua, creating a seamless transition from the book of Joshua.
Yahweh
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
will attack the Canaanites for us
The word "us" refers to the people of Israel, but not to Yahweh.
Judges 1:2
Judah will attack
"The men of Judah must attack first".
See
"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
this land
"the land of the Canaanites"
Judges 1:3
their brothers
"their fellow Israelites" or "their relatives"
Come up with us
"Come with us". The people of the tribes of Judah and Simeon were camped in the valley of the Jordan River. The land given to Judah was in the hills above the valley.
that was assigned to us ... that was assigned to you
"that Yahweh assigned to us ... that Yahweh assigned to you"
We in turn will go with you
"In the same way, we will go with you"
Judges 1:4
The men of Judah attacked
It is implied that the men of Simeon attacked with the men of Judah.
of them
"soldiers of the Canaanites and Perizzites" or "enemies"
Bezek
This is an area in the mountains of Canaan.
Judges 1:5
they fought against him
"they fought against him and his army". Here "him" refers to Adoni-Bezek and his army of the Canaanites and the Perizzites.
Judges 1:6
pursued him
"chased him,"
Judges 1:7
who had their thumbs and their big toes cut off
"whose thumbs and big toes I told my men to cut off" or "whose thumbs and big toes we cut off"
picked up food from under my table
"ate scraps of food from under my table". Forcing these kings to eat this way shows all the ways that he humiliated them.
Judges 1:8
the city of Jerusalem and took it
"the people who lived in Jerusalem and defeated them"
They attacked it
"They attacked the people of the city"
with the edge of the sword
"with their swords"
Judges 1:9
the men of Judah went down to fight
"the men of Judah went to fight"
in the Negev
"in the southern Judean wilderness"
lowlands
hills at the base of a mountain or mountain range
Judges 1:10
Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai
"Sheshai, Ahiman, Talmai, and their armies"
Judges 1:11
the name of Debir was previously Kiriath Sepher
"which used to be called Kiriath Sepher"
was previously
"was at an earlier time"
Judges 1:12
Whoever attacks Kiriath Sepher and takes it
"Whoever attacks and defeats the people of Kiriath Sepher and takes their city"
Aksah
This is the name of Caleb's daughter.
Judges 1:13
Othniel, son of Kenaz
These are names of men.
Judges 1:14
she urged him
"Aksah urged Othniel,"
Judges 1:15
Give me a blessing
"Do this for me"
Since you have given me the land of the Negev
"Since you have given me in marriage to live in the Negev"
Since you have given me the land
She is now asking for springs of water in addition to that field.
Judges 1:16
of Moses' father-in-law
"of the father of Moses' wife"
father-in-law the Kenite went up
"father-in-law, who was one of the Ken people, went up"
went up from the City of Palms ... into the wilderness
"left the City of Palms ... and went into the wilderness". This is another name for the city of Jericho.
Arad
This is the name of a city in Canaan.
Judges 1:17
the men of Simeon their brothers
Here "brothers" means relatives who were in another tribe of Israel.
Zephath
This is the name of a city in Canaan.
The name of the city was called Hormah
After the Israelites destroyed Zephath, they changed its name to "Hormah", which means "complete destruction."
Judges 1:19
Yahweh was with the people of Judah
Here "was with" means that Yahweh helped the people of Judah.
plains
a very large area of level, treeless ground
Judges 1:20
Hebron was given to Caleb (like Moses had said)
"Moses had given Hebron to Caleb"
three sons of Anak
"three sons of Anak and their people". They were famous for being very tall.
Judges 1:21
to this day
"until now." This refers to when the book of Judges was written.
Judges 1:22
The house of Joseph
"The descendants of Manasseh and Ephraim"
to attack Bethel
Here "Bethel" represents the people who live in Bethel.
Judges 1:23
spy
to get information secretly
Judges 1:25
they attacked the city
"they attacked the people of the city"
get away
"escape"
Judges 1:26
Luz
This new town in the land of the Hittites was named after the town of Luz, near Bethel, that the man had left.
Judges 1:27
Beth Shan ... Taanach ... Dor ... Ibleam ... Megiddo
These are names of cities.
because the Canaanites were determined to live in that land
"because the Canaanites firmly decided not to leave that land"
Judges 1:28
When Israel became strong
"When the people of Israel became stronger"
they forced the Canaanites to serve them with hard labor
"they forced the Canaanites to do hard work for them"
Judges 1:29
Ephraim did not
Here "Ephraim" means the men or the soldiers of the tribe of Ephraim.
Gezer
The name of one of the cities in the Ephraim area.
Judges 1:30
Zebulun did not drive out
Here "Zebulun" represents the men or the soldiers of the tribe of Zebulun.
Kitron ... Nahalol
These are names of cities in the land of Canaan.
Judges 1:31
Asher did not drive
Here "Asher" represents the men or the soldiers of the tribe of Asher.
Akko ... Sidon ... Ahlab, Akzib, Helbah, Aphek ... Rehob
These are names of cities in the land of Canaan.
Judges 1:33
Beth Shemesh ... Beth Anath
These are names of cities.
the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh and Beth Anath were forced into hard labor for Naphthali
"the people of Naphtali forced the people of Beth Shemesh and Beth Anath to work for them as slaves"
Judges 1:34
not allowing them to come down
"stopping them from coming down"
Judges 1:35
Mount Heres
Where the city of Aijalon was built.
Aijalon ... Shaalbim
These are names of cities.
the military might of the house of Joseph conquered them
"the tribes of people who descended from Joseph were able to conquer them because of their powerful army"
Judges 1:36
the hill of Akrabbim
This was a pass southwest of the Dead Sea. It is also called the "Scorpion Pass."
Sela
This is the name of a city.
Chapter 2
1
The angel of Yahweh went up from Gilgal to Bokim, and said, "I brought you up from Egypt, and have brought you to the land I swore to give to your fathers. I said, 'I will never break my covenant with you.
2
You must make no covenant with those who live in this land. You must break down their altars.' But you have not listened to my voice. What is this that you have done?
3
So now I say, 'I will not drive the Canaanites out before you, but they will become thorns in your sides, and their gods will become a trap for you.'"
4
When the angel of Yahweh spoke these words to all the people of Israel, the people shouted and wept.
5
They called the name of that place Bokim. There they offered sacrifices to Yahweh.
6
Now when Joshua had sent the people on their way, the people of Israel went, each to his own property, to take ownership of the land.
7
The people served Yahweh during the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him, those who had seen all of Yahweh's great deeds he had done for Israel.
8
Joshua son of Nun the servant of Yahweh, died at the age of 110 years old.
9
They buried him within the border of his property in Timnath Heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.
10
All that generation was also gathered to their fathers. Another generation grew up after them who did not know Yahweh or the deeds he had done for Israel.
11
The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and they served the Baals.
12
They broke away from Yahweh, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, the very gods of the peoples who were around them, and they bowed down to them. They provoked Yahweh to anger because
13
they broke away from Yahweh and worshiped Baal and the Ashtoreths.
14
The anger of Yahweh burned against Israel, and he gave them to the raiders who stole their possessions from them. He sold them as slaves who were held by the strength of their enemies around them, so they could no longer defend themselves against their enemies.
15
Wherever Israel went out to fight, Yahweh's hand was against them to defeat them, just as he had sworn to them and they were in terrible distress.
16
Then Yahweh raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who were stealing their possessions.
17
Yet they would not listen to their judges. They were unfaithful to Yahweh and gave themselves like prostitutes to other gods and worshiped them. They soon turned aside from the way their fathers had lived—those who had obeyed the commandments of Yahweh—but they themselves did not do so.
18
When Yahweh raised up judges for them, Yahweh helped the judges and delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days the judge lived. Yahweh had pity on them as they groaned because of those who oppressed them and afflicted them.
19
But when the judge died, they would turn away and do things that were even more corrupt than their fathers had done. They would go after other gods to serve them and worship them. They refused to give up any of their evil deeds or their stubborn ways.
20
The anger of Yahweh burned against Israel; he said, "Because this nation has broken the terms of my covenant that I had set in place for their fathers—because they have not listened to my voice—
21
I will not, from now on, drive out from before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died.
22
I will do this so that I may test Israel, whether or not they will keep the way of Yahweh and walk in it, as their fathers kept it."
23
That is why Yahweh left those nations and did not drive them out quickly and give them into the hand of Joshua.
Judges 2:1
angel of Yahweh
"angel who represents Yahweh" or "messenger who serves Yahweh" or it may refer to Yahweh himself, who looked like an angel as he talked to a person.
went up from Gilgal to Bokim
"left Gilgal and went to Bokim"
Bokim
"Bokim" means "crying."
and said
"and said to the people of Israel"
brought you up from Egypt
"led you from Egypt"
break my covenant with you
"fail to do what I said I would do for you"
Judges 2:2
you have not listened to my voice
"you have not obeyed my commands"
What is this that you have done?
"You have done a terrible thing."
Judges 2:3
So now I say, 'I will not ... trap for you.'
"So now I tell you that I will not ... trap for you.'"
become thorns in your sides
"cause you trouble"
thorns
sharp pieces of wood up to 7 centimeters long that stick out from some plants
Judges 2:4
shouted and wept
"cried many tears."
Judges 2:6
Now when Joshua
Here the narrator explains how the generations of Israelites after Joshua sinned and worshiped false gods so that Yahweh punished them, but then he would send judges to rescue them. This summary ends in 2:23.
when Joshua ... of the land
The events of 1:1-2:5 happened after Joshua died, which is written at the end of the book of Joshua.
to his own property
"to the place Yahweh had given him"
Judges 2:7
during the lifetime
"during the life"
the elders
The men who helped lead Israel, participating in matters of social justice and maintaining the law of Moses.
outlived him
"lived longer than he did"
Judges 2:8
Joshua son of Nun ... died at the age of 110 years old
This begins with the words "Now when Joshua" in verse 6 ends.
Nun
This is the name of a man.
Judges 2:9
Timnath Heres
This is the name of an area of land.
Mount Gaash
This is the name of a mountain.
Judges 2:10
All that generation was also gathered to their fathers
This means that as the people of that generation died, their souls went to the same place as their ancestors who died before them.
grew up
"became older"
who did not know Yahweh
Here "did not know" means they had not experienced Yahweh or his power the way the previous generation had.
Judges 2:11
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considered to be evil"
Baals
This is the plural of Baal, which is used for various other gods that were often worshiped along with Baal.
Judges 2:12
They broke away from Yahweh
The Israelites no longer obeying Yahweh.
They went after other gods
The Israelites starting to worship false gods.
bowed down to them
This is an act of worship and giving honor to someone.
They provoked Yahweh to anger
"They caused Yahweh to become angry"
Judges 2:13
Ashtoreths
This is the plural of Ashtoroth, who was worshiped as a goddess in many different forms.
Judges 2:14
The anger of Yahweh burned against Israel
"Yahweh became very angry with the people of Israel"
he gave them to the raiders who stole their possessions from them
"he let raiders steal their possessions"
He sold them as slaves who were held by the strength of their enemies around them, so they could no longer defend themselves against their enemies
"He allowed their enemies to conquer them and take them as slaves, and they could no longer resist their powerful enemies"
Judges 2:15
Yahweh's hand was against them to defeat them
"Yahweh helped their enemies defeat them"
they were in terrible distress
"they were suffering terribly"
Judges 2:16
Then Yahweh raised up judges
Yahweh appointing persons to be judges.
out of the hand of those
"from the power of the enemies"
Judges 2:17
they would not listen to their judges
"they would not obey their judges"
gave themselves like prostitutes to other gods and worshiped them
"betrayed him by worshiping false gods"
their fathers
"their ancestors"
Judges 2:18
judges for them ... delivered them
The word "them" refers to the Israelites.
all the days the judge lived
"as long as the judge lived"
pity
to have compassion for someone or something
as they groaned
"as they suffered"
Judges 2:19
they would turn away
The people no longer obeying Yahweh.
They would go after other gods to serve them and worship them
"They would serve and worship other gods"
They refused to give up any of their evil deeds or their stubborn ways
"They continued doing evil things and being stubborn"
Judges 2:20
this nation has broken
"the Israelites have broken"
Judges 2:21
any of the nations
Here "nations" represents the people groups that lived in Canaan before the Israelites.
Judges 2:22
they will keep the way of Yahweh and walk in it
A person obeying Yahweh is spoken of as if they were walking in his way
Judges 2:23
did not drive them out quickly and give them into the hand of Joshua
"he did not let Joshua quickly conquer them and drive them out"
into the hand of Joshua
"into the power of Joshua and his army"
Chapter 3
1
Now Yahweh left these nations to test Israel, namely everyone in Israel who had not experienced any of the wars fought in Canaan.
2
(He did this to teach warfare to the new generation of the people of Israel who had not known it before.)
3
These are the nations: the five rulers of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived in the Lebanon mountains, from Mount Baal Hermon to Lebo Hamath.
4
These nations were left as a means by which Yahweh would test Israel, to confirm whether they would obey the commands he gave their ancestors through Moses.
5
So the people of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
6
Their daughters they took to be their wives, and their own daughters they gave to their sons, and they served their gods.
7
The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and forgot Yahweh their God. They worshiped the Baals and the Asherahs.
8
Therefore, the anger of Yahweh was set on fire against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim. The people of Israel served Cushan-Rishathaim for eight years.
9
When the people of Israel called out to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up someone who would come to help the people of Israel, and who would rescue them: Othniel son of Kenaz (Caleb's younger brother).
10
Yahweh's Spirit empowered him, and he judged Israel and he went out to war. Yahweh gave him victory over Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram. The hand of Othniel defeated Cushan-Rishathaim.
11
The land had peace for forty years. Then Othniel son of Kenaz died.
12
After that, the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and Yahweh gave strength to Eglon king of Moab to overpower Israel.
13
Eglon joined with the Ammonites and the Amalekites and they went and defeated Israel, and they took possession of the City of Palms.
14
The people of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab for eighteen years.
15
When the people of Israel called out to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up a deliverer for them, Ehud son of Gera, a Benjamite, a left-handed man. The people of Israel sent him, with their tribute payment, to Eglon king of Moab.
16
Ehud made himself a sword that had two edges, one cubit in length; he bound it to his right thigh under his clothing.
17
He gave the tribute payment to King Eglon of Moab. (Now Eglon was a very fat man.)
18
After Ehud had presented the tribute payment, he left with those who had carried it in.
19
As for Ehud himself, however, when he reached the place where the carved images were made near Gilgal, he turned and went back, and he said, "I have a secret message for you, my king." Eglon said, "Silence!" So all those serving him left the room.
20
Ehud came to him. The king was sitting by himself, alone in the coolness of the upper room. Ehud said, "I have a message from God for you." The king got up out of his seat.
21
Ehud reached with his left hand and took the sword from his right thigh, and he stabbed it into the king's body.
22
The hilt of the sword also went into him following the blade. The tip of the sword came out of his back and the fat closed over it, for Ehud did not pull the sword out of his belly.
23
Then Ehud went out on the porch and closed the doors of the upper room behind him and locked them.
24
After Ehud had gone, the king's servants came; they saw that the doors of the upper room were locked, so they thought, "Surely he is relieving himself in the coolness of the upper room."
25
They were growing more concerned until they felt they were neglecting their duty when the king still did not open the doors to the upper room. So they took the key and opened them, and there lay their master, fallen to the floor, dead.
26
While the servants were waiting, wondering what they should do, Ehud escaped and passed beyond the place where there were carved images of idols, and so he escaped to Seirah.
27
When he arrived, he blew a ram's horn in the hill country of Ephraim. Then the people of Israel went down with him from the hills, and he was leading them.
28
He said to them, "Follow me, for Yahweh is about to defeat your enemies, the Moabites." They followed him and they captured the fords of the Jordan across from the Moabites, and they did not allow anyone to cross the river.
29
At that time they killed about ten thousand men of Moab, and all were strong and capable men. Not one escaped.
30
So that day Moab was subdued by the strength of Israel, and the land had rest for eighty years.
31
After Ehud the next judge was Shamgar son of Anath who killed 600 men of the Philistines with a stick used to goad oxen. He also delivered Israel from danger.
Judges 3:1
these nations
This refers to the people groups that the narrator will list in 3:3.
who had not experienced any of the wars fought in Canaan
"who had not fought in any of the wars in Canaan."
Judges 3:2
He did this to teach warfare to the new generation of the people of Israel who had not known it before
"Yahweh left nations among the people of Israel to teach the young men who had not fought in battle before how to fight"
Judges 3:3
the five rulers
"the five kings and their people"
Mount Baal Hermon
This is the highest mountain in Israel.
Lebo Hamath
This is the name of route between two mountains at the northern boundary of Canaan.
Judges 3:4
These nations were left
"Yahweh left these nations in Canaan"
as a means
"as a way"
whether they would ... gave their ancestors
The words "they" and "their" refer to the people of Israel.
the commands he gave
"the commands Yahweh gave"
Judges 3:5
General Information:
Israel worshiped idols and false gods. Because of this, Yahweh allowed Aram and Moab to rule over them. In the period of Judges, when Israel sinned, they were often placed under the rule of a foreign power.
Judges 3:7
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considered to be evil"
forgot Yahweh their God
"they stopped obeying."
Judges 3:8
the anger of Yahweh was set on fire
"Yahweh became very angry"
sold them into the hand of Cushan-Rishathaim
"allowed Cushan-Rishathaim and his army to defeat them"
Aram Naharaim
This is the name of a country.
Judges 3:9
Yahweh raised up someone
Yahweh appoints someone to do a special work for him.
Othniel ... Kenaz
See how you translated these men's names in Judges 1:13.
Judges 3:10
empowered him
This means that Yahweh helped Othniel to develop the qualities he needed to be a great leader.
he judged Israel
Here "judged" means he led the people of Israel.
he went out to war
"Othniel and the Israelite soldiers went to fight against the army of Cushan-Rishathaim"
Yahweh gave him victory over Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram
"Yahweh helped the Israelite army defeat the army of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram”
Judges 3:11
The land had peace
"The people lived peacefully"
Judges 3:12
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considered to be evil". See Judges 2:11.
Yahweh gave strength to Eglon king of Moab
"Yahweh made Eglon king of Moab strong"
to Eglon king of Moab to overpower Israel
"to Eglon king of Moab and his soldiers as they defeated the army of Israel"
Judges 3:13
the City of Palms
This is another name for the city of Jericho.
Judges 3:15
called out to Yahweh
Here this means to shout or speak loudly to someone far away or to ask someone for help, especially God.
raised up a deliverer
Yahweh appointing a deliverer to do a special service for him is spoken of as if he raised or lifted up the person.
Ehud ... Gera
These are names of men.
Judges 3:16
one cubit
"46 centimeters" or "about one half meter"
thigh
the part of the leg between the knee and the hip
Judges 3:19
when he reached the place where the carved images were made near Gilgal
"when he arrived at the place near Gilgal where people made carved images"
Judges 3:20
in the coolness of the upper room
This is a room above the lower level that was used for rest and to remain cool during the hot part of the day.
The king got up out of his seat
Standing up was a sign of honoring God will listening to his message.
Judges 3:22
The tip of the sword came out of his back
"The sharp end of the sword came out of his back,"
Judges 3:24
Surely he is relieving himself
This speaks about a person having a bowel movement (defecating) or urinating.
Judges 3:25
until they felt they were neglecting their duty
They waited until they became worried that something was wrong.
took the key and opened them
"took the key and opened the doors"
Judges 3:26
While the servants were waiting ... Ehud escaped
"Meanwhile, as the servants were still waiting outside of the upper room ... Ehud escaped"
Seirah
This is the name of a city.
Judges 3:27
When he arrived
"When he arrived in Seirah"
Blew a trumpet
When Ehud "blew a trumpet," he was calling all of the men to come help him fight.
Judges 3:28
for Yahweh is about to defeat your enemies
This is spoken of as if Yahweh were a warrior who would fight and defeat their enemies.
captured the fords
"gained control of the fords". The areas of a river where it is shallow and easy to walk across to the other side
did not allow anyone to cross
"did not let anyone cross"
Judges 3:29
ten thousand men
"10,000 men"
capable men
"men able to fight well"
Judges 3:30
Moab was subdued by the strength of Israel
"the Israelite army defeated the Moabites"
the land had rest
"the Israelites lived peacefully"
Judges 3:31
judge
God appointed judges to lead and rescue the people of Israel in times of trouble after they entered the Promised Land.
Shamgar son of Anath
The names of a men.
a stick used to goad oxen
"a stick used to urge oxen to move"
He also delivered Israel from danger
"He also delivered the people of Israel from their enemies"
Chapter 4
1
After Ehud died, the people of Israel once again did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh.
2
Yahweh sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was named Sisera, and he lived in Harosheth Haggoyim.
3
The people of Israel called out to Yahweh for help, because Sisera had nine hundred iron chariots and he oppressed the people of Israel with force for twenty years.
4
Now Deborah, a prophetess (the wife of Lappidoth), was a leading judge in Israel at that time.
5
She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came to her to settle their disputes.
6
She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali. She said to him, "Yahweh, the God of Israel, commands you, 'Go to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men from Naphtali and Zebulun.
7
I will draw out Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, to meet you by the Kishon River, with his chariots and his army, and I will give you victory over him.'"
8
Barak said to her, "If you go with me, I will go, but if you do not go with me, I will not go."
9
She said, "I will certainly go with you. However, the road on which you are going will not lead to your honor, for Yahweh will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman." Then Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh.
10
Barak called for the men of Zebulun and Naphtali to come together at Kedesh. Ten thousand men followed him, and Deborah went along with him.
11
Now Heber (the Kenite) had separated himself from the Kenites—they were the descendants of Hobab (Moses' father-in-law)—and he pitched his tent by the oak in Zaanannim near Kedesh.
12
When they told Sisera that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor,
13
Sisera called out all his chariots, nine hundred iron chariots, and all the soldiers who were with him, from Harosheth Haggoyim to the Kishon River.
14
Deborah said to Barak, "Go! For this is the day in which Yahweh has given you victory over Sisera. Is not Yahweh leading you?" So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him.
15
Yahweh confused Sisera and all his chariots and all his army with the edge of the sword. And Sisera got down from his chariot and ran away on foot.
16
But Barak pursued the chariots and the army to Harosheth Haggoyim, and the whole army of Sisera was killed by the edge of the sword, and not a man survived.
17
But Sisera ran away on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the clan of Heber the Kenite.
18
Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, "Turn aside, my master; turn aside to me and do not be afraid." So he turned aside to her and came into her tent, and she covered him with a blanket.
19
He said to her, "Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty." She opened a leather bag of milk and gave him drink, and then she covered him up again.
20
He said to her, "Stand at the opening of the tent. If someone comes and asks you, 'Is anyone here?', say 'No'."
21
Then Jael (the wife of Heber) took a tent peg and a hammer in her hand and went in secretly to him, for he was in a deep sleep, and she hammered the tent peg into the side of his head until it went down into the ground, and he died.
22
As Barak was pursuing Sisera, Jael want out to meet him and said to him, "Come, I will show you the man you are looking for." So he went in with her, and there lay Sisera dead, with the tent peg in the side of his head.
23
So on that day God subdued Jabin, the king of Canaan, before the people of Israel.
24
The might of the people of Israel grew stronger and stronger against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they destroyed him.
Judges 4:1
Ehud
See how you translated this man's name in Judges 3:15.
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considered to be evil"
Judges 4:2
Yahweh sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan
"Yahweh allowed them to be defeated by the power of Jabin king of Canaan"
Jabin ... Sisera
These are the names of men
Hazor ... Harosheth Haggoyim
These are the names of cities or places
Judges 4:3
nine hundred iron chariots
"900 iron chariots"
Judges 4:4
Now
Here the narrator tells background information about Deborah.
Deborah
This is the name of a woman
Lappidoth
This is the name of a man
Judges 4:5
palm of Deborah
This tree was named after Deborah
Judges 4:6
Barak ... Abinoam
These are the names of men. Barak's leadership...it was very unusual for a woman to be a military leader and if a woman won the battle for him, it would have brought Barak shame, indicating that Deborah was very well respected.
Mount Tabor
This is the name of a mountain.
Judges 4:7
I will draw out
Here "I" refers to God.
draw out Sisera
"draw out Sisera and his army from a safe location"
Kishon
This is the name of a river.
Judges 4:9
the road on which you are going will not lead to your honor
"no one will honor you for what you do"
for Yahweh will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman
"for Yahweh will cause a woman to defeat Sisera"
Judges 4:11
Now
Here the narrator tells background information about Heber the Kenite.
Heber ... Hobab
These are the names of men.
Kenite
See Judges 1:16.
Moses' father-in-law
"the father of Moses' wife"
Zaanannim
This is the name of a city.
Judges 4:12
When they told Sisera
"When someone told Sisera"
Judges 4:13
Sisera called out all his chariots
Here "chariots" represents the soldiers who drove the chariots.
Judges 4:14
Yahweh has given you victory
"Yahweh will give you victory"
Is not Yahweh leading you?
"Remember, Yahweh is leading you."
Judges 4:15
Yahweh confused Sisera and all his chariots and all his army
"Yahweh made Sisera and all his chariots and all his army unable to think clearly"
all his chariots
"all the men driving chariots"
Judges 4:16
Barak pursued
"Barak and his soldiers chased"
the whole army of Sisera was killed by the edge of the sword
"Barak and his soldiers killed Sisera's whole army with their swords"
Judges 4:17
ran away on foot
This means he was walking.
Jael
This is the name of a woman.
Judges 4:18
Turn aside
"Come here"
blanket
a large covering for the body to sleep under for warmth, made of wool or animal skins
Judges 4:19
He said to her
"Sisera said to Jael,"
Judges 4:21
tent peg
a pointed piece of wood or metal, like a large nail, that is hammered into the ground to hold down a tent.
hammer
a heavy tool made of wood used to hit a tent peg into the ground
a deep sleep
This refers to a person in a deep sleep who cannot easily wake up.
Judges 4:22
Barak was pursuing
"Barak was chasing,"
Judges 4:23
God subdued Jabin, the king of Canaan, before the people of Israel
This is spoken of as is God himself defeated Jabin as the people of Israel watched.
Judges 4:24
The might
"The military power"
they destroyed him
"they destroyed Jabin and his army"
Chapter 5
1
On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song:
2
"When the leaders take the lead in Israel,
when the people volunteer—
praise Yahweh!
3
Listen, you kings! Pay attention, you rulers!
I, I will sing to Yahweh;
I will sing praises to Yahweh,
the God of Israel.
4
Yahweh, when you went out from Seir,
when you marched from Edom,
the earth shook, and the skies also trembled;
also the clouds poured down water.
5
The mountains quaked before the face of Yahweh;
even Mount Sinai quaked before the face of Yahweh,
the God of Israel.
6
In the days of Shamgar (son of Anath),
in the days of Jael,
the main roads were abandoned,
and those who walked only used the winding paths.
7
There were few rural people in Israel,
until I, Deborah, arose—
arose as a mother in Israel!
8
When they chose new gods,
there was fighting at the city gates
and yet there were no shields or spears seen
among forty thousand in Israel.
9
My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel,
along with the people who gladly volunteered—
we bless Yahweh for them!
10
Think about this—you who ride on white donkeys
sitting on rugs for saddles,
and you who walk along the road.
11
Hear the voices of those who sing
at the watering places.
There they tell again of Yahweh's righteous deeds,
and the righteous actions of his warriors in Israel.
Then the people of Yahweh went down to the city gates.
12
Awake, awake, Deborah!
Awake, awake, sing a song!
Get up, Barak,
and capture your prisoners, you son of Abinoam.
13
Then the survivors came down to the nobles;
the people of Yahweh came down to me with the warriors.
14
They came from Ephraim, whose root is in Amalek;
the people of Benjamin followed you.
From Makir commanders came down,
and from Zebulun those who carry an officer's staff.
15
My princes in Issachar were with Deborah;
and Issachar was with Barak
rushing after him into the valley under his command.
Among the clans of Reuben
there were great searchings of heart.
16
Why did you sit between the fireplaces,
listening to the shepherds playing their pipes for their flocks?
As for the clans of Reuben
there were great searchings of heart.
17
Gilead stayed on the other side of the Jordan;
and Dan, why did he wander about on ships?
Asher remained on the coast
and lived close to his harbors.
18
Zebulun was a people who despised their lives to the point of death,
and Naphtali, also, on the field of battle.
19
The kings came, they fought;
the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach
by the waters of Megiddo.
But they took away no silver as plunder.
20
From heaven the stars fought,
from their paths across the heavens they fought against Sisera.
21
The Kishon River swept them away,
that old river, the Kishon River.
March on my soul, be strong!
22
Then came the sound of horses' hooves—
galloping, the galloping of his mighty ones.
23
'Curse Meroz!' says the angel of Yahweh.
'Surely curse its inhabitants!—
because they did not come to help Yahweh—
to help Yahweh in the battle against the mighty warriors.'
24
Jael is blessed more than all other women,
Jael (the wife of Heber the Kenite),
she is more blessed than all the women who live in tents.
25
The man asked for water, and she gave him milk;
she brought him butter in a dish fit for princes.
26
She put her hand to the tent peg,
and her right hand to the laborer's hammer;
with the hammer she struck Sisera, she crushed his head.
She smashed his skull into pieces when she pierced him through the side of his head.
27
He collapsed between her feet, he fell and he lay there.
Between her feet he fell limp.
The place he collapsed is where he was violently killed.
28
Out of a window she looked—
the mother of Sisera looked through the lattice and she called out in sadness,
'Why has it taken his chariot so long to come?
Why have the hoofbeats of the horses that pull his chariots been delayed?'
29
Her wisest princesses replied,
and she gave herself the same answer:
30
'Have they not found and divided up the plunder—
a womb, two wombs for every man;
the plunder of dyed fabric for Sisera,
the plunder of dyed fabric embroidered,
two pieces of dyed fabric embroidered for the necks of those who plunder?'
31
So may all your enemies perish, Yahweh!
But your friends be like the sun when it rises in its might."
Then the land had peace for forty years.
Judges 5:1
On that day
"On the day the Israelites defeated the army of King Jabin". The account of Deborah and Barak continues in this chapter.
Judges 5:2
When the leaders take the lead ... the people volunteer
"When the leaders took the lead ... the people volunteered."
when the people volunteer
"when the men gladly agree to fight in battle"
praise Yahweh
This command is to the people of Israel and so is plural.
Judges 5:3
Listen, you kings! Pay attention, you rulers
Deborah and Barak speak to the kings and rulers as if they were there listening to the song.
you kings ... you rulers
This refers to kings and rulers in general, not to specific kings or rulers.
Judges 5:4
when you went out from Seir, when you marched from Edom
This refers to the time when the Israelites left Edom to start conquering the people in Canaan.
Seir
Seir is a mountain on the border of the land of Israel and Edom.
the earth shook, and the skies also trembled; also the clouds poured down water
These phrases emphasize Yahweh's power by describing it as causing earthquakes and storms or the people of Canaan being terrified as the Israelites were about to attack them.
Judges 5:5
The mountains quaked
"The mountains trembled in fear"
before the face of Yahweh
"in the presence of Yahweh"
even Mount Sinai quaked
"long ago, even Mount Sinai quaked"
Judges 5:6
In the days of
"During the lifetime of"
Shamgar ... Anath ... Jael
These are the names of people.
son of Anath
Shamgar's father is mentioned to help identify Shamgar and when he lived.
the main roads were abandoned
"people stopped using the main roads; because they were afraid of Israel's enemies"
Judges 5:7
I, Deborah, arose—arose as a mother in Israel
"I, Deborah, began to lead—I took care of the Israelites as a mother takes care of her children"
Judges 5:8
they chose new gods
"the people of Israel worshiped new gods"
there was fighting at the city gates
"enemies attacked the people within the Israelite cities"
there were no shields or spears seen among forty thousand in Israel
"few weapons for battle remained in Israel"
Judges 5:9
My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel
"I appreciate the commanders of Israel"
Judges 5:10
you who ride on white donkeys ... you who walk along the road
"you rich people who ride on white donkeys ... you poor people who walk along the road"
sitting on rugs for saddles
These rugs were probably used as saddles, to make the rider more comfortable.
Judges 5:11
Hear the voices of those
"Listen to those"
Judges 5:12
Awake, awake
The people of Israel or Deborah who is speaking to herself or the poet who wrote the song.
Judges 5:13
to me with the warriors
The word "me" refers to Deborah
Judges 5:14
from Ephraim, whose root is in Amalek
"from Ephraim, that land where the descendants of Amalek once lived"
followed you
"followed them"
Makir
This is the place where the descendants of Makir live. He was the son of Manasseh and the grandson of Joseph.
from Zebulun those who carry an officer's staff
"military leaders from Zebulun"
Judges 5:15
My princes in Issachar were with Deborah
"My princes in Issachar were with me"
Issachar was with Barak
"the tribe of Issachar was with Barak"
rushing after him into the valley under his command
"obeying his command and rushing after him into the valley"
there were great searchings of heart
"there was a lot of discussing about what they should do"
Judges 5:16
Why did you sit between the fireplaces, listening to the shepherds playing their pipes for their flocks?
"You should have helped us fight, instead of staying at home and listening to the shepherds playing their pipes"
the fireplaces
"the sheep pens."
Judges 5:17
Gilead stayed
"The men of Gilead stayed"
the other side of the Jordan
This refers to the east side of the Jordan.
Dan, why did he wander about on ships?
"the men of Dan should not have remained on their ships!" or "the people of the tribe of Dan did not help us in the battle. Instead they were wandering around on the sea in ships!". They sailed to make money through trade and fishing.
Asher remained on the coast and lived close to his harbors
"The people of the tribe of Asher also failed to help us, they just remained on the coast near their harbors"
Judges 5:18
Naphtali, also
"Naphtali was a tribe who would also risk their lives to the point of death"
Judges 5:19
The kings came, they fought ... the kings of Canaan fought
"The kings and their armies came and fought ... the kings of Canaan and their armies fought"
they fought ... fought
"they fought us ... fought us"
Taanach ... Megiddo
Translate the names of these places as you did in Judges 1:27.
no silver as plunder
"no silver or other treasures as plunder". Plunder is things taken by force, usually in battle or by thieves
Judges 5:20
From heaven the stars fought, from their paths across the heavens they fought against Sisera
This may refer to Yahweh using natural elements, specifically rain storms, to defeat Sisera.
against Sisera
"Sisera and his army". See Judges 4:2.
Judges 5:21
The Kishon River swept them away
"The Kishon River flooded and swept away Sisera's soldiers". God caused rain and flooding to bog down Jaban's chariots making them vulnerable to soldiers on foot.
March on my soul, be strong
"I tell myself to march on and to be strong"
Judges 5:22
Then came the sound of horses' hooves—galloping, the galloping of his mighty ones
"Then I heard the sound of horses running away. Sisera's mighty horses were running away"
Judges 5:23
Curse Meroz
"Curse the people of Meroz"
Judges 5:24
Jael and Heber
See how you translated these names in Judges 4:11 and 18.
Kenite
Translate the name of this people group as you did in Judges 1:16.
Judges 5:25
brought him butter
"brought him yogurt" or "brought him curds"
a dish fit for princes
This phrase means the dish was of the best quality because princes were given the best things.
Judges 5:26
She put her hand to the tent peg
"Jael grabbed the tent peg with her left hand"
tent peg
See how you translated this in Judges 4:21.
her right hand to the laborer's hammer
"she grabbed a hammer with her right hand"
hammer
See how you translated this in Judges 4:21.
Judges 5:27
limp
without strength or movement
he was violently killed
"she killed him"
Judges 5:28
the lattice
This is a frame in the window made of crossed wood.
Why has it taken his chariot so long to come? Why have the hoofbeats of the horses that pull his chariots been delayed?
"Why is it taking Sisera so long to arrive home"
taken his chariot ... Why have the hoofbeats of the horses that pull his chariots
"taken Sisera ... Why has he"
Judges 5:29
wisest princesses
"wisest ladies"
she gave herself the same answer
"she said to herself the same thing"
Judges 5:30
Have they not found and divided up the plunder—a womb ... plunder?
"They must have so much plunder that it is taking a long time to divide it. They have ... plunder."
a womb, two wombs for every man ... of those who plunder?
"There must be a womb, two wombs for every man ... of those who plunder."
dyed fabric
"colored cloth"
embroidered
having designs made of colored threads
for the necks of those who plunder
"for the soldiers who plunder to wear"
Judges 5:31
like the sun when it rises in its might
The people of Israel wish to be like the sun because no nation's army is powerful enough to stop the sunrise.
the land had peace
"and the people of Israel lived peacefully"
Chapter 6
1
The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and he gave them into the hand of Midian for seven years.
2
The power of Midian oppressed Israel. Because of Midian, the people of Israel made shelters for themselves from the dens in the hills, the caves, and the strongholds.
3
It happened that any time the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people from the east would attack the Israelites.
4
They would set up their camp on the land and destroy the crops, all the way to Gaza. They would leave no food in Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys.
5
Whenever they and their livestock and tents came up, they would come as a swarm of locusts, and it was impossible to count either the people or their camels. They invaded the land in order to destroy it.
6
Midian weakened the people of Israel so severely that the people of Israel called out to Yahweh.
7
When the people of Israel called out to Yahweh because of Midian,
8
Yahweh sent a prophet to the people of Israel. The prophet said to them, "This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says: 'I brought you up from Egypt; I brought you out of the house of slavery.
9
I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians, and from the hand of all who were oppressing you. I drove them out before you, and I gave you their land.
10
I said to you, "I am Yahweh your God; I commanded you not to worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living." But you have not obeyed my voice.'"
11
Now the angel of Yahweh came and sat under the oak in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash (the Abiezrite), while Gideon, Joash's son, was threshing wheat in the winepress—to hide it from the Midianites.
12
The angel of Yahweh appeared to him and said to him, "Yahweh is with you, you strong warrior!"
13
Gideon said to him, "Oh, my master, if Yahweh is with us, why then has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers told us about, when they said, 'Did not Yahweh bring us up from Egypt?' But now Yahweh has abandoned us and gave us into the hand of Midian."
14
Yahweh looked at him and said, "Go in the strength you already have. Deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?"
15
Gideon said to him, "Please, Lord, how can I deliver Israel? See, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least important in my father's house."
16
Yahweh said to him, "I will be with you, and you will defeat the entire Midianite army as one man."
17
Gideon said to him, "If you are pleased with me, then give me a sign that it is you who is speaking to me.
18
Please, do not leave here, until I come to you and bring out my gift and set it before you." Yahweh said, "I will wait until you return."
19
Gideon went and prepared a young goat and from an ephah of flour he made unleavened bread. He put the meat in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot and brought them to him under the oak tree, and presented them.
20
The angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and the unleavened bread and put them on this rock, and pour out the broth over them." That is what Gideon did.
21
Then the angel of Yahweh reached out with the end of the staff in his hand. With it he touched the flesh and the unleavened bread; a fire went up out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. Then the angel of Yahweh went away and Gideon could no longer see him.
22
Gideon understood that this was the angel of Yahweh. Gideon said, "Ah, Lord Yahweh! For I have seen the angel of Yahweh face to face!"
23
Yahweh said to him, "Peace to you! Do not be afraid, you will not die."
24
So Gideon built an altar there to Yahweh. He called it, "Yahweh is Peace." To this day it still stands at Ophrah of the clan of Abiezer.
25
That night Yahweh said to him, "Take your father's bull, and a second bull that is seven years old, and tear down the altar of Baal that belongs to your father, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it.
26
Build an altar to Yahweh your God on the top of this place of refuge, and construct it the correct way. Offer the second bull as a burnt offering, using the wood from the Asherah that you cut down."
27
So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as Yahweh had told him. But because he was too afraid of his father's household and the men of the town to do it during the day, he did it at night.
28
In the morning when the men of the town got up, the altar of Baal was broken down, and the Asherah that was beside it was cut down, and the second bull had been offered on the altar that had been built.
29
The men of the city said to one another, "Who has done this?" When they talked with others and searched for answers, they said, "Gideon son of Joash has done this thing."
30
Then the men of the town said to Joash, "Bring out your son so that he may be put to death, because he broke down the altar of Baal, and because he cut down the Asherah beside it."
31
Joash said to all who opposed him, "Will you plead the case for Baal? Will you save him? Whoever pleads the case for him, let him be put to death while it is still morning. If Baal is a god, let him defend himself when someone breaks his altar down."
32
Therefore on that day they called Gideon "Jerub-Baal," because he said, "Let Baal defend himself against him," because Gideon broke down Baal's altar.
33
Now all the Midianites, the Amalekites, and the people of the east gathered together. They crossed over the Jordan and camped in the Valley of Jezreel.
34
But the Spirit of Yahweh clothed Gideon. Gideon blew a trumpet, calling out the clan of Abiezer, so they might follow him.
35
He sent messengers all throughout Manasseh, and they too, were called out to follow him. He also sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they went up to meet him.
36
Gideon said to God, "If you intend to use me to save Israel, as you have said—
37
Look, I am putting a woolen fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece, and it is dry on all the ground, then I will know that you will use me to save Israel, as you said."
38
This is what happened—Gideon rose early the next morning, he pressed the fleece together, and wrung out the dew from the fleece, enough to fill a bowl with water.
39
Then Gideon said to God, "Do not be angry with me, I will speak one more time. Please allow me one more test using the fleece. This time make the fleece dry, and let there be dew on all the ground around it."
40
God did what he asked for that night. The fleece was dry, and there was dew on all the ground around it.
Judges 6:1
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considered to be evil". This chapter begins a section about Gideon.
the hand of Midian
"the control of the people of Midian"
Judges 6:2
The power of Midian oppressed Israel
"The people of Midian were more powerful than the people of Israel and they oppressed them".
dens
places in the rocky cliffs that would provide shelter
Judges 6:4
They would set up their camp
"The army would set up their tents,"
Judges 6:5
Whenever they and their livestock and tents came up
"Whenever the Midianites brought their livestock and tents to the land of Israel"
they would come as a swarm of locusts
The Midianites are compared to a swarm of locusts because they came in with a great number of people and their livestock ate everything that grew.
Judges 6:6
Midian weakened
Here "Midian" represents the people of Midian.
called out to Yahweh
"prayed to Yahweh for help"
Judges 6:7
called out to Yahweh
"prayed to Yahweh for help"
because of Midian
"because of the Midianites"
Judges 6:8
I brought you up from Egypt
"I led you out of Egypt"
the house of slavery
"the place where you were slaves"
Judges 6:9
from the hand
"hand" represents power or control.
Judges 6:10
obeyed my voice
"obeyed my command" or "obeyed me"
Judges 6:11
Ophrah
This is the name of a town.
Abiezrite
This is a people group named after their ancestor Abiezer.
was threshing wheat in the winepress
Gideon was beating the wheat against the floor to separate the wheat grain from the rest of the wheat plant.
Judges 6:12
appeared to him
"went to him,"
Judges 6:13
my master
Gideon does not realize he is speaking to Yahweh in the form of an angel or a man.
Where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers told us about, when they said, 'Did not Yahweh bring us up from Egypt?'
"We have not seen any wonderful deeds like the ones our fathers told us about when Yahweh brought them up from Egypt."
gave us into the hand of Midian
"allowed the Midianites to defeat us"
of Midian
"of the Midianites"
Judges 6:14
Yahweh looked at him
"Yahweh looked at Gideon"
Have I not sent you?
"I, Yahweh, am sending you!"
Judges 6:15
Please, Lord
Gideon now calls the person "Lord" instead of "my master" as in Judges 6:13.
how can I deliver Israel?
"I cannot possibly rescue the Israelites!"
See, my clan
"Look at my clan and me and you will see that it"
in Manasseh
"in the tribe of Manasseh"
in my father's house
"in my father's family" or "in my family"
Judges 6:16
I will be with you
"be with you" means Yahweh will help and bless Gideon.
as one man
"as easily as if you were fighting only one man"
Judges 6:18
set it before you
"place it in front of you."
Judges 6:19
from an ephah of flour
"with 22 liters of flour"
broth
water that has had food, such as meat, cooked in it
them to him
"them to the angel of God"
Judges 6:20
angel of God
"God, who was in the form of an angel" or "God"
Judges 6:21
angel of Yahweh
See how you translated this in Judges 6:11.
went away
"disappeared"
Judges 6:22
Ah, Lord Yahweh!
The word "Ah" here shows that Gideon was very frightened.
seen the angel of Yahweh face to face
"really seen the angel of Yahweh"
Judges 6:23
Yahweh said to him
Apparently Yahweh spoke to Gideon from heaven.
Judges 6:24
To this day
This means to the time when the book of Judges was written.
Judges 6:25
that is beside it
"that is beside the altar of Baal"
Judges 6:26
on the top of this place of refuge
The city of Ophrah was on top of a hill.
construct it the correct way
"place the stones in an orderly manner" or "and build it properly"
Judges 6:28
got up
"got up out of bed" or "woke up"
the altar of Baal was broken down, and the Asherah that was beside it was cut down, and the second bull had been offered on the altar that had been built
"they noticed that someone had broken down the altar of Baal, cut down the Asherah that was beside it, and built an altar and sacrificed the second bull on it"
Judges 6:30
he may be put to death
"we may kill him as punishment"
Judges 6:31
Will you plead the case for Baal?
"You should not have to defend Baal."
plead the case
"make a defense" or "give an excuse"
Will you save him?
"You should not have to save Baal."
Judges 6:32
Jerub-Baal
This is another name for Gideon. It means "let Baal defend himself."
because he said
"because Joash said"
Judges 6:33
gathered together
"gathered together as an army"
Judges 6:34
clothed Gideon
"came over Gideon" or "took control of Gideon" or the Spirit covered himself with Gideon and so acted through him.
so they might follow him
"so they might follow him to battle"
Judges 6:35
and they too, were called out to follow him
"calling them out to follow him"
to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali
"to the tribes of Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali"
Judges 6:37
woolen fleece
the woolly coat of a sheep
dew
water that forms on plants during the night
then I will know that you will
"this will be a sign from you, and then I will know that you will"
Judges 6:38
Gideon rose
"Gideon got out of bed"
wrung
twist and squeeze something to remove water.
Chapter 7
1
Then Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) rose up early, and all the people who were with him, and they encamped beside the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was to their north in the valley near the hill of Moreh.
2
Yahweh said to Gideon, "There are too many soldiers for me to give you victory over the Midianites, so that Israel may not boast over me, saying, 'Our own power has saved us.'
3
Now therefore, proclaim in the ears of the people and say, 'Whoever is afraid, whoever trembles, let him return and depart from Mount Gilead.'" So twenty-two thousand people went away, and ten thousand remained.
4
Yahweh said to Gideon, "The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will make their number smaller for you there. If I say to you, 'This one will go with you,' he will go with you; but if I say, 'This one will not go with you,' he will not go."
5
So Gideon brought the people down to the water, and Yahweh said to him, "Separate everyone who laps up the water, as a dog laps, from those who kneel down to drink."
6
Three hundred men lapped. The rest of the men kneeled down to drink water.
7
Yahweh said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men who lapped, I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites. Let every other man go back to his own place."
8
So those who were chosen took their supplies and their trumpets. Gideon sent away all the men of Israel, every man to his tent, but he kept the three hundred men. Now the Midian camp was down below him in the valley.
9
That same night Yahweh said to him, "Get up! Attack the camp, for I am going to give you victory over it.
10
But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant,
11
and listen to what they are saying, and your courage will be strengthened to attack the camp." So Gideon went with Purah his servant, down to the guard posts of the camp.
12
The Midianites, the Amalekites, and all the people of the east settled along in the valley, as thick as a cloud of locusts. Their camels were more than could be counted; they were more in number than the grains of the sand on the seashore.
13
When Gideon arrived there, a man was telling a dream to his companion. The man said, "Look! I had a dream, and I saw a round loaf of barley bread tumbling into the camp of Midian. It came to the tent, and hit it so hard that it fell down and turned it upside down, so that it lay flat."
14
The other man said, "This is nothing other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel. God has given him victory over Midian and all their army."
15
When Gideon heard the retelling of the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down in worship. He went back to the camp of Israel and said, "Get up! Yahweh has given you victory over the Midian army."
16
He divided the three hundred men into three groups, and he gave them all rams' horns and empty jars, with torches inside each jar.
17
He said to them, "Look at me and do what I do. Watch! When I come to the edge of the camp, you must do what I do.
18
When I blow the ram's horn, I and all who are with me, then blow your ram's horns also on every side of the entire camp and shout, 'For Yahweh and for Gideon!'"
19
So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the edge of the camp, right at the beginning of the middle watch. Just as the Midianites were changing guard, they blew the rams' horns and broke the jars that were in their hands.
20
The three companies blew the rams' horns and broke the jars. They held the torches in their left hands and the rams' horns in their right hands to blow them. They shouted out, "The sword of Yahweh and of Gideon."
21
Every man stood in his place around the camp and all the Midianite army ran. They shouted and ran away.
22
When they blew the three hundred rams' horns, Yahweh set every Midianite man's sword against his comrades and against all their army. The army fled as far as Beth Shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, near Tabbath.
23
The men of Israel from Naphtali, Asher, and all Manasseh were called out, and they went after Midian.
24
Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill country of Ephraim, saying, "Go down against Midian and take control of the Jordan River, as far as Beth Barah, to stop them." So all the men of Ephraim were summoned and took control of the waters, as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan River.
25
They captured the two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and they killed Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. They went after the Midianites, and they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was on the other side of the Jordan.
Judges 7:1
Jerub-Baal
This is another name for Gideon. See Judges 6:32. The account of Gideon continues in this chapter.
they encamped
"they set up their camp"
spring of Harod ... hill of Moreh
These are the names of places.
The camp of Midian was to their north
"The Midianite army set up their camp to the north of the Israelite army"
Judges 7:2
for me to give you victory over the Midianites
"for me to allow you to defeat the Midianites". By lowering the number of fighting soldiers, it emphasizes that the victory is achieved through God's power.
Our own power has saved us
"We have saved ourselves without God's help"
Judges 7:3
proclaim in the ears of the people
"proclaim to the people"
Whoever is afraid, whoever trembles
Both of these phrases have the same meaning. "shakes with fear"
let him return
"let him return to his home"
Mount Gilead
This is the name of a mountain in the region of Gilead.
ten thousand remained
"10,000 people remained" or "10,000 men remained"
Judges 7:4
I will make their number smaller for you there
"there, I will show you who to send home so the army will have less men"
Judges 7:5
Gideon brought
"took"
laps
to drink by licking with the tongue
Judges 7:7
I will rescue you and give you victory
Here "you" is plural and refers to Gideon and the Israelites.
Judges 7:8
So those who were chosen
"So those whom Yahweh chose"
took their supplies and their trumpets
Here "their" refers to the Israelite soldiers who were leaving the army.
Now
Here the narrator starts to tell a new part of the story.
Judges 7:9
Attack the camp, for I am going to give you victory over it
"Attack the Midianites at their camp, for I am going to help you defeat them" or "Attack the Midianites at their camp, for I am going to cause you to be victorious over them"
Judges 7:10
afraid to go down
"afraid to go down to attack"
Purah
This is the name of a man.
Judges 7:11
your courage will be strengthened
"what you hear will be encourage you"
guard posts
places around the edge of an area where soldiers stand to watch for an enemy army
Judges 7:12
as thick as a cloud of locusts
Here "cloud" means a swarm.
Their camels were more ... in number than the grains of the sand on the seashore
The author emphasizes that there were very many camels.
Their camels were more than could be counted
"Their camels were more than anyone could count"
Judges 7:14
This is nothing other than the sword of Gideon
"The loaf of barley bread in your dream must be the army of Gideon"
God has given him victory over Midian
"God will certainly help the Israelites defeat the Midianites"
Judges 7:18
For Yahweh and for Gideon!
"We fight for Yahweh and for Gideon!"
Judges 7:19
right at the beginning of the middle watch
The beginning of the middle watch would be around 10 o'clock at night.
Judges 7:20
The sword of Yahweh and of Gideon
"We fight for Yahweh and for Gideon"
Judges 7:22
Yahweh set every Midianite man's sword against his comrades
"Yahweh caused every Midianite man to fight against his fellow soldiers"
Beth Shittah ... Zererah ... Abel Meholah ... Tabbath
These are the names of towns and cities.
Judges 7:23
The men of Israel from Naphtali, Asher, and all Manasseh were called out
"Gideon called out the Israelites from the tribes of Naphtali, Asher, and all Mannasseh"
Judges 7:24
Beth Barah
This is the name of a town.
took control of the waters, as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan River
"took control of the area of the Jordan River as far south as Beth Barah"
Judges 7:25
at the rock of Oreb ... at the winepress of Zeeb
The places were given these names after the Israelites killed Oreb and Zeeb there.
Oreb ... Zeeb
These are names of men.
Chapter 8
1
The men of Ephraim said to Gideon, "What is this you have done to us? You did not call us when you went to fight against Midian." Then they had a violent argument with him.
2
He said to them, "What have I done now compared to you? Are not the gleanings of Ephraim's grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer?
3
God has given you victory over the princes of Midian—Oreb and Zeeb! What have I accomplished compared to you?" Their anger toward him died down when he said this.
4
Gideon came to the Jordan and crossed over it, he and the three hundred men who were with him. They were exhausted, yet they still kept up the pursuit.
5
He said to the men of Sukkoth, "Please give loaves of bread to the people who follow me, for they are exhausted, and I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian."
6
Then the officials of Sukkoth said, "Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand? Why should we give bread to your army?"
7
Gideon said, "When Yahweh has given us victory over Zebah and Zalmunna, I will thresh your skin with desert thorns and briers."
8
He went up from there to Peniel and spoke to the people there in the same way, but the men of Peniel answered him just as the men of Sukkoth had answered.
9
He spoke also to the men of Peniel and said, "When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower."
10
Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their army, about fifteen thousand men, all who remained out of the entire army of the people of the East, for there had fallen 120,000 men who drew the sword.
11
Gideon went up the road taken by tent dwellers, past Nobah and Jogbehah. He defeated the enemy army, because they were not expecting an attack.
12
Zebah and Zalmunna fled, and as Gideon pursued them, he captured the two kings of Midian—Zebah and Zalmunna—and set their whole army into a panic.
13
Gideon, son of Joash, returned from the battle going through the pass of Heres.
14
He caught a young man of Sukkoth and questioned him. The young man wrote down the names of seventy-seven officials and elders of Sukkoth.
15
Gideon came to the men of Sukkoth and said, "Look at Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you mocked me and said, 'Have you already conquered Zebah and Zalmunna? We do not know that we should give bread to your army.'"
16
Gideon took the elders of the city, and he punished the men of Sukkoth with the desert thorns and briers.
17
Then he broke down the tower of Peniel and killed the men of that city.
18
Then Gideon said to Zebah and Zalmunna, "What kind of men did you kill at Tabor?" They answered, "As you are, so were they. Every one of them looked like the son of a king."
19
Gideon said, "They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As Yahweh lives, if you had saved them alive, I would not kill you."
20
He said to Jether (his firstborn), "Get up and kill them!" But the young man did not draw his sword for he was afraid, because he was still a young boy.
21
Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, "Get up yourself and kill us! For as the man is, so is his strength." Gideon rose and killed Zebah and Zalmunna. He also took off the crescent-shaped ornaments that were on their camels' necks.
22
Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, "Rule over us—you, your son, and your grandson—because you have saved us out of the hand of Midian."
23
Gideon said to them, "I will not rule over you, neither will my son rule over you. Yahweh will rule over you."
24
Gideon said to them, "Let me make a request of you, that every one of you give me the earrings from his plunder."(The Midianites had golden earrings because they were Ishmaelites.)
25
They answered, "We are glad to give them to you." They spread out a cloak and every man threw on it the earrings from his plunder.
26
The weight of the golden earrings that he requested was 1,700 shekels of gold. This plunder was in addition to the crescent ornaments, the pendants, the purple clothing that was worn by the kings of Midian, and in addition to the chains that had been around their camels' necks.
27
Gideon made an ephod out of the earrings and put it in his city, in Ophrah, and all Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there. It became a trap for Gideon and for those in his house.
28
So Midian was subdued before the people of Israel and they did not raise their heads up again. So the land had peace for forty years in the days of Gideon.
29
Jerub-Baal, son of Joash, went and lived in his own house.
30
Gideon had seventy sons who were his descendants, for he had many wives.
31
His concubine, who was in Shechem, also bore him a son, and Gideon gave him the name Abimelek.
32
Gideon, son of Joash, died at a good old age and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father, at Ophrah of the clan of Abiezer.
33
It came about, as soon as Gideon was dead, the people of Israel turned again and prostituted themselves by worshiping the Baals. They made Baal-Berith their god.
34
The people of Israel did not remember to honor Yahweh, their God, who had rescued them from the hand of all their enemies on every side.
35
They did not keep their promises to the house of Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon), in return for all the good he had done in Israel.
Judges 8:1
What is this you have done to us?
"You have not treated us fairly."
against Midian
Here "Midian" represents the Midianite army.
they had a violent argument with him
they argued angrily with him"
Judges 8:2
What have I done now compared to you?
"I have done very little compared with what you have done!"
Are not the gleanings of Ephraim's grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer?
"Certainly the grapes you people of Ephraim gleaned are better than what we the descendants of Abiezer gathered from the whole harvest!"
Are not the gleanings of Ephraim's grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer?
"What you people of Ephraim did at the end of the battle is more important than what we descendants of Abiezer did at the beginning."
Abiezer
This is the name of one of Gideon's ancestors. Gideon used his name to refer to Abiezer's descendants and their land.
Judges 8:3
Oreb and Zeeb
See how you translated these names in Judges 7:25.
What have I accomplished compared to you?
"What you have done is more important than what I have done."
died down
"became less"
Judges 8:4
kept up the pursuit
"continued to chase their enemies"
Judges 8:5
Zebah and Zalmunna
These are the names of men.
Judges 8:6
Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand?
"You have not captured Zebah and Zalmunna yet."
Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna
Here "hands" refer to the whole body and represents power or control.
Why should we give bread to your army?
"We see no reason to give bread to your army.". The men of Sukkoth feared the Midianites more than Gideon, which is why they refused to help him. By allying themselves with the Midianites, they aligned themselves against Yahweh and Gideon treated them like he treated the Midianites.
Judges 8:7
I will thresh your skin with desert thorns and briers
"I will make whips out of desert thorns and briers and use them to beat you and cut you"
thorns and briers
sharp, pointed pieces on vines or tree limbs that stick out and can cut people and animals
Judges 8:8
He went up from there
"They left there" or "Gideon and his 300 men left there"
Peniel
The name of a place.
spoke to the people there in the same way
"asked for food there in the same way"
Judges 8:9
When I come again in peace
"After I have completely defeated the Midian army"
I will break down this tower
"My men and I will break down this tower"
Judges 8:10
Now
Here the narrator starts to tell a new part of the story.
Karkor
This is the name of a city.
had fallen
"had been killed" or "had died in battle"
men who drew the sword
"swordsmen" or "men who fought with swords"
Judges 8:11
Gideon went up
"Gideon and his soldiers went up"
He defeated
"Gideon and his soldiers defeated"
Nobah and Jogbehah
These are names of towns.
Judges 8:12
panic
extreme fear or worry that makes someone unable to think or act normally
Judges 8:13
the pass of Heres
This is the name of a road that passes between two mountains.
Judges 8:14
questioned him
"he asked him to identify all the names of the leaders in the town"
Judges 8:15
Have you already conquered Zebah and Zalmunna?
"You have not yet conquered Zebah and Zalmunna."
Judges 8:16
Gideon took ... he punished
"Gideon and his soldiers took ... they punished"
Judges 8:17
he broke
"Gideon and his soldiers broke"
Judges 8:18
Tabor
Translate the name of this city as you did in Judges 4:6.
As you are, so were they
"They were just like you"
Judges 8:19
As Yahweh lives
"I promise you that"
Judges 8:20
Jether
This is the name of Gideon's son.
Judges 8:21
For as the man is, so is his strength
"It is a job for a man to do"
crescent
This is a curved shape with two points.
ornaments
decorations
Judges 8:22
out of the hand of Midian
"from the power of the Midianites" or "from Midian"
Judges 8:23
General Information:
Gideon said to them, "I will not rule over you, neither will my son rule over you. Yahweh will rule over you." Although the book of Deuteronomy anticipates a king in Israel, it was sinful for Israel to desire to have a king. Gideon did though take a share of everyone's plunder as a king would have done through taxes. This may serve as a warning to Israel about their desire to have a king.
Judges 8:24
Gideon said to them
"Gideon said to the men of Israel"
earrings
jewelry worn on the ear
plunder
things stolen by force or taken off of people killed in war
The Midianites had golden earrings because they were Ishmaelites
Here the narrator tells background information about the Midianites.
Judges 8:25
cloak
clothing made from a large piece of fabric and worn over the shoulders as a coat.
Judges 8:26
1,700 shekels of gold
"18.7 kilograms of gold" or "about 20 kilograms of gold"
pendants
pieces of jewelry that hang at the end of the chains or cords of necklaces
that was worn by the kings of Midian
"that the kings of Midian wore"
Judges 8:27
Gideon made an ephod out of the earrings
"Gideon used the gold from the earrings to make an ephod"
Ophrah
Translate the name of this city as you did in Judges 6:11.
all Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there
"the Israelites sinned against Yahweh by worshiping the ephod there"
all Israel
"very many people in Israel worshiped the garment"
It became a trap for Gideon and for those in his house
"Gideon and his family sinned by worshiping it"
Judges 8:28
So Midian was subdued before the people of Israel
"So Yahweh subdued the Midianites before the people of Israel" or "So Yahweh helped the Israelites defeat the Midianites"
they did not raise their heads up again
"they did not attack Israel again"
So the land had peace
"So the Israelites lived peacefully"
in the days of Gideon
"during the life of Gideon"
Judges 8:29
Jerub-Baal
This is another name for Gideon. See Judges 6:32.
Judges 8:32
a good old age
"when he was very old"
was buried
"they buried him"
Judges 8:33
It came about
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story.
turned again
"they stopped worshiping Yahwheh"
prostituted themselves by worshiping the Baals
"they sinned against Yahweh by worshiping the Baals"
Baal-Berith
This is the name of a false god.
Judges 8:34
from the hand of all their enemies
"from the power of all their enemies"
on every side
"who surrounded them"
Judges 8:35
the house of Jerub-Baal
"the family of Jerub-Baal"
Chapter 9
1
Abimelek son of Jerub-Baal went to his mother's relatives at Shechem and he said to them and to the whole clan of his mother's family,
2
"Please say this, so that all the leaders in Shechem may hear, 'Which is better for you, that all seventy sons of Jerub-Baal rule over you, or that just one rule over you?' Remember that I am your bone and your flesh."
3
His mother's relatives spoke for him to the leaders of Shechem, and they agreed to follow Abimelek, for they said, "He is our brother."
4
They gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-Berith, and Abimelek used the silver to hire worthless and reckless men, who traveled with him.
5
Abimelek went to his father's house at Ophrah, and upon one stone he murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerub-Baal. Only Jotham was left, the youngest son of Jerub-Baal, for he hid himself.
6
All the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo came together and they went and made Abimelek king, beside the oak near the pillar which is in Shechem.
7
When Jotham was told about this, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim. He shouted and said to them, "Listen to me, you leaders of Shechem, so that God may listen to you.
8
The trees once went out to anoint a king over them. For they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us.'
9
But the olive tree said to them, 'Should I give up my abundance, by which gods and men are honored, to sway over the other trees?'
10
The trees said to the fig tree, 'Come and reign over us.'
11
But the fig tree said to them, 'Should I give up my sweetness and my good fruit, just so I could return and sway over the other trees?'
12
The trees said to the vine, 'Come and reign over us.'
13
The vine said to them, 'Should I give up my new wine, which makes gods and mankind glad, and return and sway over the other trees?'
14
Then said all the trees to the thornbush, 'Come and reign over us.'
15
The thornbush said to the trees, 'If you truly want to anoint me as king over you, then come and find refuge under my shade. If not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and let it burn up the cedars of Lebanon.'
16
Now therefore, if you have acted in truth and honesty, when you made Abimelek king, and if you have done well concerning Jerub-Baal and his house, and if you have punished him as he deserves—
17
and to think that my father fought for you, risked his life, and rescued you out of the hand of Midian—
18
but today you have risen up against my father's house and have killed his sons, seventy persons, upon one stone. Then you have made Abimelek, the son of his female servant, king over the leaders of Shechem, because he is your relative.
19
If you acted with faithfulness and integrity with Jerub-Baal and his house, then you should rejoice in Abimelek, and let him also rejoice in you.
20
But if not, let fire come out from Abimelek and burn up the men of Shechem and Beth Millo. Let fire come out from the men of Shechem and Beth Millo, to burn up Abimelek."
21
Jotham fled and ran away, and he went to Beer. He lived there because it was far away from Abimelek, his brother.
22
Abimelek ruled over Israel for three years.
23
God sent an evil spirit between Abimelek and the leaders of Shechem. The leaders of Shechem betrayed the trust they had with Abimelek.
24
God did this so the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerub-Baal might be avenged and their blood be laid on Abimelek their brother, and the men of Shechem would be held responsible because they helped him murder his brothers.
25
So the leaders of Shechem positioned men to lie in wait on the hilltops that they might ambush him, and they robbed all who passed by them along that road. This was reported to Abimelek.
26
Gaal son of Ebed came with his relatives and they went over to Shechem. The leaders of Shechem had confidence in him.
27
They went out into the field and gathered grapes from the vineyards, and they trampled on them. They held a festival in the house of their god, where they ate and drank, and they cursed Abimelek.
28
Gaal son of Ebed, said, "Who is Abimelek, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerub-Baal? Is Zebul not his overseer? Serve the men of Hamor, Shechem's father! Why should we serve Abimelek?
29
I wish that this people were under my command! Then would I remove Abimelek. I would say to Abimelek, 'Call out all your army.'"
30
When Zebul, the official of the city, heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed his anger was kindled.
31
He sent messengers to Abimelek in order to deceive, saying, "See, Gaal son of Ebed and his relatives are coming to Shechem, and they are stirring up the city against you.
32
Now, get up during the night, you and the soldiers with you, and prepare an ambush in the fields.
33
Then in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, rise early and make a raid on the city. When he and the people with him come out against you, do whatever you can to them."
34
So Abimelek got up during the night, he and all the men who were with him, and they set an ambush against Shechem—dividing into four units.
35
Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the city gate. Abimelek and the men who were with him came out of their hiding place.
36
When Gaal saw the men, he said to Zebul, "See, men are coming down from the hilltops!" Zebul said to him, "You are seeing the shadows on the hills like they are men."
37
Gaal spoke again and said, "Look, men are coming down in the middle of the land, and one unit is coming by way of the oak of the diviners."
38
Then Zebul said to him, "Where are your proud words now, you who said, 'Who is Abimelek that we should serve him?' Are these not the men you despised? Go out now and fight against them."
39
Gaal went out and he was leading the men of Shechem, and he fought Abimelek.
40
Abimelek chased him, and Gaal fled before him. Many fell with deadly wounds before the entrance to the city gate.
41
Abimelek stayed in Arumah. Zebul forced Gaal and his relatives out of Shechem.
42
On the next day the people of Shechem went out into the field, and this was reported to Abimelek.
43
He took his people, divided them into three units, and they set an ambush in the fields. He looked and saw the people coming out from the city and he attacked and killed them.
44
Abimelek and the units that were with him attacked and blocked the entrance to the city gate. The other two units attacked all who were in the field and killed them.
45
Abimelek fought against the city all that day. He captured the city, and killed the people who were in it. He broke down the city walls and sowed it with salt.
46
When all the leaders of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the stronghold of the house of El-Berith.
47
Abimelek was told that all the leaders had gathered together at the tower of Shechem.
48
Abimelek went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the men who were with him. Abimelek took an ax and cut off branches. He put it on his shoulder and ordered the men with him, "What you have seen me do, hurry and do as I have done."
49
So every one cut off branches and followed Abimelek. They piled them against the wall of the tower, and they set the stronghold on fire, so that all the people of the tower of Shechem also died, about a thousand men and women.
50
Then Abimelek went to Thebez, and he encamped against Thebez and captured it.
51
But there was a strong tower in the city, and all the men and women and all the leaders of the city fled to it and shut themselves in. Then they went up to the roof of the tower.
52
Abimelek came to the tower and fought against it, and he came up near to the door of the tower to burn it.
53
But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelek's head and it crushed his skull.
54
Then he called urgently to the young man who was his armor-bearer, and said to him, "Draw your sword and kill me, so no one will say about me, 'A woman killed him.'" So his young man pierced him through, and he died.
55
When the men of Israel saw that Abimelek was dead, they went home.
56
So God avenged the evil of Abimelek that he did to his father by killing his seventy brothers.
57
God made all the evil of the men of Shechem turn back on their own heads and on them came the curse of Jotham son of Jerub-Baal.
Judges 9:1
Jerub-Baal
This is another name for Gideon. See how you translated this in Judges 6:32. This chapter contains a parable about trees, instructing Israel about their sinful desire to have a king.
Judges 9:2
Please say this, so that all the leaders in Shechem may hear, 'Which is better for you, that all seventy sons of Jerub-Baal rule over you, or that just one rule over you?'
"Please ask the leaders of Shechem if they would rather have all seventy sons of Jerub-Baal rule over them, or if they would rather have just one of his sons rule over them."
I am your bone and your flesh
"I am a member of your family"
Judges 9:3
His mother's relatives spoke for him to the leaders
The relatives of the mother of Abimelek spoke to the leaders, suggesting that they make Abimelek their king.
they agreed to follow Abimelek
"they agreed to let Abimelek be their leader"
Judges 9:4
the house
Here "house" represents a temple.
seventy pieces of silver
"almost one kilo of silver". This means seventy shekels of silver. A shekel weighs 11 grams.
Baal-Berith
This is the name of a false god. See how you translated it in Judges 8:33.
worthless and reckless
"violent and foolish"
Judges 9:5
Ophrah
Translate the name of this city as you did in Judges 6:11.
Jerub-Baal
This is another name for Gideon. See Judges 6:32.
Judges 9:6
Beth Millo
This is the name of a place.
Judges 9:7
General Information:
Jotham begins telling a parable in which the trees represent the Israelites.
When Jotham was told about this
"When Jotham heard that Abimelech had murdered his brothers"
Judges 9:8
to anoint a king over them
"to appoint a king to rule over all of them"
Reign over us
"Be our king"
Judges 9:9
Should I give up my abundance ... over the other trees?
"I will not give up my abundance ... over the other trees."
abundance
"oil"
by which gods and men are honored
"by which people honor both gods and other men"
sway over
"rule over"
Judges 9:11
Should I give up my sweetness ... over the other trees?
"I will not give up my sweetness ... over the other trees."
my sweetness and my good fruit
"my good sweet fruit"
Judges 9:12
The trees said to the vine
In this parable, Jotham describes the trees and the vine as doing things that humans do.
Judges 9:13
Should I give up my new wine ... over the other trees?
"I will not give up my new wine ... over the other trees."
Judges 9:14
thornbush
This bush has many sharp spikes along its branches.
Judges 9:15
to anoint me as king over you
"to appoint me as your king"
fire come out of the thornbush and let it burn up the cedars of Lebanon
This means to let the thornbush burn so that it will burn the cedars.
then let fire come out of the thornbush
"then may fire come out from me, the thornbush"
Judges 9:16
his house
Here "house" represents Gideon's family.
Judges 9:17
General Information:
Jotham makes the application to the situation at that time and place.
to think that my father fought for you ... out of the hand of Midian
Here Jotham is expressing that he cannot believe how badly the people of Shechem have treated Gideon and his family even after Gideon fought to save the people of Shechem.
out of the hand of Midian
"from the power of the Midianites" or "from the Midianites"
Judges 9:18
you have risen up against
"you have rebelled against"
my father's house
"my father's family"
his female servant
Here "his" refers to Gideon.
Judges 9:19
If you acted with faithfulness and integrity with Jerub-Baal and his house
"If you treated Jerub-Baal and his family with faithfulness and sincerity"
Judges 9:20
But if not
"But if you did not act with honesty and integrity with Jerub Baal and his house"
let fire come out from Abimelek and burn up the men of Shechem
Jotham is speaking a curse. He speaks of Abimelek destroying the people of Shechem as if he would burn them with fire. Gideon's son, Abimelech, killed all of his brothers except Jotham in order to become king of Shechem. Jotham cursed Abimelech for having murdered Gideon's other sons.
Judges 9:21
Beer
This is the name of a city.
Judges 9:23
God sent an evil spirit between Abimelek and the leaders of Shechem
God applied the curse Jotham made by sending an evil spirit to cause trouble and animosity between Abimelek and the leaders of Shechem.
Judges 9:24
God did this so the violence done ... helped him murder his brothers
"God did this to avenge the seventy sons whom Abimelech their brother murdered and the men of Shechem helped murder"
Judges 9:25
positioned men to lie in wait on the hilltops that they might ambush him
"sent men to hide on the hilltops and wait to attack Abimelek"
This was reported to Abimelek
"Someone told Abimelek about the men waiting to attack him"
Judges 9:26
Gaal ... Ebed
These are names of men.
had confidence in him
"trusted him"
Judges 9:27
They went out into the field
Here "They" refers to Gaal and his relatives and the men of Shechem.
they trampled on them
They did this to squeeze out the grape juice to make wine with it.
trampled
"crushed" or "stomped"
in the house
Here "house" represents a temple.
Judges 9:28
Who is Abimelek, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him?
"We should not serve Abimelek, that is, Shechem!"
Is he not the son of Jerub-Baal? Is Zebul not his overseer?
"He is just the son of Jerub-Baal, and Zebul is just his overseer."
overseer
Zebul oversaw Abimelek's slaves, servants, and laborers.
Zebul
This is the name of a man.
Serve the men of Hamor, Shechem's father
Gaal means the people of Shechem should serve those who descended from Hamor; that is, those who are truly Canaanites, and not serve someone whose father was an Israelite.
Judges 9:29
I wish that this people were under my command
"I wish that I ruled the people of Shechem."
Judges 9:30
heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed
"heard what Gaal son of Ebed said"
his anger was kindled
"he became very angry"
the city
Here "city" represents the people of the city.
Judges 9:31
in order to deceive
"secretly"
they are stirring up the city against you
"they are persuading the people of the city to rebel against you"
Judges 9:32
an ambush
"to hide and attack them suddenly"
Judges 9:33
do whatever you can to them
They can do what they want to destroy the followers of Gaal.
Judges 9:34
all the men who were with him
"all the men accompanying Abimelech" or "all the men fighting for Abimelech"
dividing into four units
"separating into 4 groups"
Judges 9:36
You are seeing the shadows on the hills like they are men
"That is not people, it is only shadows on the hills"
Judges 9:37
one unit
"1 group" or "1 troop"
Judges 9:38
Where are your proud words now, you
"You are not speaking proudly now, you"
you who said, 'Who is Abimelek that we should serve him?'
"you who said that we should not serve Abimelek."
Are these not the men you despised?
"Here are the men that you strongly disliked"
Judges 9:40
Many fell with deadly wounds
"And many men died of wounds"
Judges 9:41
Arumah
This is the name of a city.
Judges 9:42
this was reported to Abimelek
"someone reported this to Abimelek"
Judges 9:43
divided them into three units
"separated them into 3 groups"
they set an ambush in the fields
"they hid in the fields to attack the people by surprise"
he attacked
"they attacked"
Judges 9:44
the units
"the groups of soldiers"
Judges 9:45
Abimelek fought ... He broke down
"Abimelek and his soldiers fought ... They broke down"
against the city
"against the people of Shechem"
broke down
"demolished"
sowed it with salt
"spread salt over the land"
Judges 9:46
the house
Here this represents a temple.
El-Berith
The word "El" means "god." This is the same false god as "Baal-Berith" in Judges 8:33.
Judges 9:47
Abimelek was told
"Someone told Abimelek"
Judges 9:49
piled
This means to stack the branches into a large heap.
Judges 9:50
encamped against Thebez
"camped outside the city of Thebez"
Judges 9:52
fought against it
"attacked it,"
Judges 9:53
upper millstone
An upper millstone was the top one that was rolled on the lower one to crush the grain in between them.
Judges 9:54
armor-bearer
The man who carried the weapons of Abimelech.
pierced him through
The young man put the sword right through the body of Abimelech.
Judges 9:57
made all the evil of the men of Shechem turn back on their own heads
"punished the men of Shechem for all the evil they had done"
on them came the curse of Jotham son of Jerub-Baal
"the curse of Jotham son of Jerub-Baal happened to them"
Chapter 10
1
After Abimelek, Tola son of Puah son of Dodo, a man from Issachar who lived in Shamir, in the hill country of Ephraim, arose to deliver Israel.
2
He judged Israel twenty-three years. He died and was buried in Shamir.
3
He was followed by Jair the Gileadite. He judged Israel twenty-two years.
4
He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havvoth Jair to this day, which are in the land of Gilead.
5
Jair died and was buried in Kamon.
6
The people of Israel added to the evil they had done in the sight of Yahweh and worshiped the Baals, the Ashtoreths, the gods of Aram, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the people of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines. They abandoned Yahweh and no longer worshiped him.
7
Yahweh burned with anger toward Israel, and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the Ammonites.
8
They crushed and oppressed the people of Israel that year, and for eighteen years they oppressed all the people of Israel who were beyond the Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.
9
Then the Ammonites crossed over the Jordan to fight against Judah, against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim, so that Israel was greatly distressed.
10
Then the people of Israel called out to Yahweh, saying, "We have sinned against you, because we abandoned our God and worshiped the Baals."
11
Yahweh said to the people of Israel, "Did I not deliver you from the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines,
12
and also from the Sidonians? The Amalekites and the Maonites oppressed you; you called out to me, and I delivered you from their power.
13
Yet you abandoned me again and worshiped other gods. Therefore, I will not keep adding to the times I deliver you.
14
Go and call out to the gods that you have worshiped. Let them rescue you when you have trouble."
15
The people of Israel said to Yahweh, "We have sinned. Do to us whatever seems good to you. Only please, rescue us this day."
16
They got rid of the foreign gods among them and they worshiped Yahweh. Then Yahweh could bear Israel's misery no longer.
17
Then the Ammonites were summoned and set up camp in Gilead. The people of Israel came together and set up their camp at Mizpah.
18
The leaders of the people of Gilead said one to another, "Who is the man who will begin to fight the Ammonites? He will become the leader over all those who are living in Gilead."
Judges 10:1
Tola ... Puah ... Dodo
These are names of men.
Shamir
This is the name of a place.
arose to deliver Israel
"became the leader to deliver the people of Israel". This chapter begins the account of Jephthah (Judges 10-12).
Judges 10:2
He judged Israel
Here "judged" means he led the people of Israel. In Judges, Israel's actions are connected to their obedience to Yahweh. When Israel does evil, they are oppressed.
was buried
"they buried him"
Judges 10:3
He was followed by Jair the Gileadite
"Jair the Gileadite was leader after Tola"
Jair
This is the name of a man who was from the tribe of Gilead.
Judges 10:4
Havvoth Jair
This is the name of a region, which is named after a man.
to this day
This means to the time when the book of Judges was being written.
Judges 10:5
was buried
"they buried him"
Kamon
This is the name of a place.
Judges 10:6
added to the evil they had done in the sight of Yahweh
"continued doing what Yahweh said was evil"
in the sight of Yahweh
"according to Yahweh"
Ashtoreths
This is the plural of Ashtoroth, who was worshiped as a goddess in many different forms. See Judges 2:13
They abandoned Yahweh and no longer worshiped him
"They completely stopped worshiping Yahweh"
They abandoned Yahweh
No longer obeying and worshiping Yahweh.
Judges 10:7
Yahweh burned with anger toward Israel
"Yahweh was very angry at Israel"
he sold them into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the Ammonites
Yahweh allowing the Philistines and the Ammonites to defeat the Israelites.
Judges 10:8
crushed and oppressed
"terribly oppressed"
who were beyond the Jordan
This means on the east side of the Jordan River.
which is in Gilead
"this region is also called Gilead"
Judges 10:9
Judah ... Benjamin
"the people of the tribe of Judah ... the people of the tribe of Benjamin"
house of Ephraim
"the people of the tribe of Ephraim"
so that Israel was greatly distressed
"so that the people of Israel suffered much"
Judges 10:10
the people of Israel called out to Yahweh
The people of Israel desperately asked Yahweh for help.
abandoned our God
"abandoned you, our God". The people no longer obeyed and worshiped Yahweh.
Judges 10:12
and also from the Sidonians?
"I am the one who delivered you ... and also from the Sidonians."
Maonites
These are the people from the clan or family of Maon.
from their power
"from them"
Judges 10:13
I will not keep adding to the times I deliver you
"I will not keep on delivering you again and again" or "You can be sure that I will stop delivering you"
Judges 10:16
foreign gods among them
"foreign gods whose images they possessed"
Yahweh could bear Israel's misery no longer
"And Yahweh did not want the people of Israel to suffer any longer"
Judges 10:17
the Ammonites were summoned and set
"the leaders of the Ammonites called them to come to fight, so they set" or "the Ammonites gathered together."
Judges 10:18
Who is the man who will begin to fight the Ammonites?
"Who will begin to lead our army to fight against the Ammonites?"
Chapter 11
1
Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior, but he was the son of a prostitute. Gilead was his father.
2
Gilead's wife also gave birth to his other sons. When his wife's sons grew up, they forced Jephthah to leave the house and said to him, "You are not going to inherit anything from our father's household. You are the son of another woman."
3
So Jephthah fled from his brothers and lived in the land of Tob, and worthless men gathered around Jephthah and they traveled with him.
4
Some days later, the people of Ammon made war against Israel.
5
When the people of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to bring Jephthah back from the land of Tob.
6
They said to Jephthah, "Come and be our leader that we may fight with the people of Ammon."
7
Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, "You hated me and forced me to leave my father's house. Why do you come to me now when you are in trouble?"
8
The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "That is why we are turning to you now; come with us and fight with the people of Ammon, and you will become the leader over all who live in Gilead."
9
Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, "If you bring me home again to fight against the people of Ammon, and if Yahweh gives us victory over them, I will be your leader."
10
The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "May Yahweh be witness between us if we do not do as we say!"
11
So Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him leader and commander over them. When he was before Yahweh in Mizpah, Jephthah repeated all the promises he made.
12
Then Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the people of Ammon, saying, "What is this conflict between us? Why have you come with force to take our land?"
13
The king of the people of Ammon answered to the messengers of Jephthah, "Because when Israel came up out of Egypt, they seized my land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, over to the Jordan. Now give back those lands in peace."
14
Again Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the people of Ammon,
15
and he said, "This is what Jephthah says: Israel did not take the land of Moab and the land of the people of Ammon,
16
but they came up from Egypt, and Israel went through the wilderness to the Sea of Reeds and on to Kadesh.
17
When Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, 'Please let us pass through your land,' the king of Edom would not listen. They also sent messengers to the king of Moab, but he refused. So Israel stayed at Kadesh.
18
Then they went through the wilderness and turned away from the land of Edom and the land of Moab, and they went along the east side of the land of Moab and they camped on the other side of the Arnon. But they did not go into the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was Moab's border.
19
Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon; Israel said to him, 'Please, let us pass through your land to the place that is ours.'
20
But Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory. So Sihon gathered all his army together and camped at Jahaz, and there he fought against Israel.
21
Then Yahweh, the God of Israel, gave Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel and they defeated them. So Israel took all the land of the Amorites who lived in that country.
22
They took over everything within the territory of the Amorites, from the Arnon to the Jabbok, and from the wilderness to the Jordan.
23
So then Yahweh, the God of Israel, has driven out the Amorites before his people Israel, and should you now take possession of their land?
24
Will you not take over the land that Chemosh, your god, gives you? So whatever land Yahweh our God has given us, we will take over.
25
Now are you really better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he dare to have an argument with Israel? Did he ever wage war against them?
26
While Israel lived for three hundred years in Heshbon and its villages, and in Aroer and its villages, and in all the cities that are along the banks of the Arnon—why then did you not take them back during that time?
27
I have not done you wrong, but you are doing me wrong by attacking me. Yahweh, the judge, will decide today between the people of Israel and the people of Ammon."
28
But the king of the people of Ammon rejected the warning Jephthah sent him.
29
Then the Spirit of Yahweh came on Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, and passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead he passed through to the people of Ammon.
30
Jephthah made a vow to Yahweh and said, "If you give me victory over the people of Ammon,
31
then whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the people of Ammon will belong to Yahweh, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering."
32
So Jephthah passed through to the people of Ammon to fight against them, and Yahweh gave him victory.
33
He attacked them and caused a great slaughter from Aroer as far as Minnith—twenty cities—and to Abel Keramim. So the people of Ammon were subdued before the people of Israel.
34
Jephthah came to his home at Mizpah, and there his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and with dancing. She was his only child, and besides her he had neither son nor daughter.
35
As soon as he saw her, he tore his clothes and said, "Oh! My daughter! You have crushed me with sorrow, and you have become one who troubles me! For I have opened my mouth to Yahweh, and I cannot turn back on my promise."
36
She said to him, "My father, you have made a vow to Yahweh, do to me everything you promised, because Yahweh has taken vengeance for you against your enemies, the Ammonites."
37
She said to her father, "Let this promise be kept for me. Leave me alone for two months, that I may leave and go down to the hills and grieve over my virginity, I and my companions."
38
He said, "Go." He sent her away for two months. She left him, she and her companions, and they grieved her virginity in the hills.
39
At the end of two months she returned to her father, who did with her according to the promise of the vow he had made. Now she had never known a man, and it became a custom in Israel
40
that the daughters of Israel every year, for four days, would retell the story of the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite.
Judges 11:1
Gileadite
This is someone who is from the region of Gilead. It is a coincidence that his father's name is also Gilead. See Judges 10:3. Jephthah was half Israelite and half Canaanite by birth. While all of the judges were called by Yahweh, it is the leaders who called Jephthah to help them. Yahweh still used Jephthah to help them.
Judges 11:2
When his wife's sons grew up
"When the sons of Gilead's wife became adults,"
Judges 11:3
the land of Tob
Tob is the name of a region.
they traveled with him
"they followed him" or "they went everywhere together"
Judges 11:4
Some days later
"Some time later"
made war against Israel
"attacked the people of Israel"
Judges 11:6
that we may fight with
"so that we can fight against,"
Judges 11:7
my father's house
"my family"
Judges 11:8
That is why we are turning to you now
"We are turning to you now because we are in trouble"
fight with the people of Ammon
"fight against the people of Ammon"
Judges 11:11
leader and commander
"commander"
When he was before Yahweh in Mizpah, Jephthah repeated all the promises he made
"When Jephthah was in Mizpah he repeated all of these promises as a vow before Yahweh"
all the promises he made
This refers to the promises he made to the leaders of Gilead about becoming their leader.
Judges 11:12
What is this conflict between us
Jephthah is asking the king why they are angry with Israel.
Why have you come with force to take our land
"Why have your soldiers come to seize our land"
come with force to take
"come to forcefully take"
Judges 11:13
Arnon ... Jabbok
These are the names of two rivers.
over to the Jordan
"on the other side of the Jordan River"
in peace
"peacefully"
Judges 11:15
he said
"Jephthah told the messengers to say" or "they said"
Judges 11:16
they came up from Egypt
"they left Egypt"
Judges 11:17
When Israel sent messengers
"When the leaders of Israel sent messengers"
pass through
"go through" or "cross"
would not listen
"refused" or "denied their request"
They also sent messengers to the king of Moab
"They also send messengers to the king of Moab with the same request"
but he refused
"but he also refused and would not let them pass through the land of Moab"
Judges 11:19
Israel sent messengers to Sihon
"When the leaders of Israel sent messengers"
Judges 11:20
Jahaz
This is the name of a city.
But Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory
"But Sihon did not trust the people of Israel to pass through his territory peacefully"
there he fought
"there his army fought"
Judges 11:21
gave Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel
"gave Israel power over Sihon and all his people"
Judges 11:23
should you now take possession of their land?
"therefore, you should not take possession of their land."
Judges 11:24
Will you not take over the land that Chemosh, your god, gives you?
"You should only take control of the land that Chemosh, your god, gives you.”
Judges 11:25
Now are you really better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab?
"You are not better than Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab."
Balak ... Zippor
These are the names of men.
Did he dare to have an argument with Israel?
"Yet he did not dare to have an argument with Israel."
Did he ever wage war against them?
"Nor did he ever wage war against them."
Judges 11:26
why then did you not take them back during that time?
"you should have taken them back during that time." or "now it is too late; you should have taken them back long ago."
Judges 11:27
I have not done you wrong, but you are doing me wrong by attacking me
"The Israelites have not done wrong to your people, but your people are doing us wrong by attacking us"
done you wrong ... doing me wrong
"treated you wrongly ... treating me wrongly" or "treated you unfairly ... treating me unfairly"
Judges 11:29
the Spirit of Yahweh came on Jephthah
"the Spirit of Yahweh took control of Jephthah"
he passed through Gilead and Manasseh ... from Mizpah of Gilead
"he gathered men for his army as he passed through Gilead and Manasseh ... from Mizpah of Gilead"
Judges 11:31
I will offer it up
"I will offer it to you"
Judges 11:32
So Jephthah passed through ... Yahweh gave him victory
"So Jephthah and his army passed through ... Yahweh gave them victory"
Judges 11:33
Minnith ... Abel Keramim
These are the names of cities.
Judges 11:34
tambourines
Musical instruments with heads like drums that can be hit or shaken.
Judges 11:35
he tore his clothes
"he tore his clothes from grief"
You have crushed me with sorrow
"You have caused me great sorrow" or "You have filled me with sorrow"
you have become one who troubles me
"you have caused me great distress"
I cannot turn back on my promise
"I must do what I have promised" or "I cannot break my promise"
Judges 11:36
has taken vengeance for you against your enemies, the Ammonites
"has taken vengeance for you against your enemies, the Ammonites, by defeating them"
Judges 11:37
Let this promise be kept for me
"Keep this promise for me" or "Keep this promise concerning me"
grieve over my virginity
"weep because I am a virgin"
Judges 11:39
had never known a man
"had never had sexual relations with a man"
Judges 11:40
the Gileadite
See how you translated this in Judges 10:3.
Chapter 12
1
A call went out to the men of Ephraim; they passed through Zaphon and said to Jephthah, "Why did you pass through to fight against the people of Ammon and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house down over you."
2
Jephthah said to them, "I and my people were in a great conflict with the people of Ammon. When I called you, you did not rescue me from them.
3
When I saw that you did not rescue me, I put my life in my own hand and passed through against the people of Ammon, and Yahweh gave me victory. Why have you come to fight against me today?"
4
Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead and he fought against Ephraim. The men of Gilead attacked the men of Ephraim because they said, "You Gileadites are fugitives in Ephraim—in Ephraim and Manasseh."
5
The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan leading to Ephraim. When any of the survivors of Ephraim said, "Let me go over the river," the men of Gilead would say to him, "Are you an Ephraimite?" If he said, "No,"
6
then they would say to him, "Say: Shibboleth," and if he said "Sibboleth" (for he could not pronounce the word correctly), the Gileadites would seize him and kill him at the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand Ephraimites were killed at that time.
7
Jephthah served as a judge over Israel for six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.
8
After him, Ibzan of Bethlehem served as a judge over Israel.
9
He had thirty sons. He gave away thirty daughters in marriage and he brought from the outside thirty daughters of other men for his sons. He judged Israel for seven years.
10
Ibzan died and was buried at Bethlehem.
11
After him Elon the Zebulunite served as judge over Israel. He judged Israel for ten years.
12
Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.
13
After him, Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite served as a judge over Israel.
14
He had forty sons and thirty grandsons. They rode on seventy donkeys, and he judged Israel for eight years.
15
Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite died and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim in the hill country of the Amalekites.
Judges 12:1
A call went out to the men of Ephraim
"The men of Ephraim were called together" or "The men ... of Ephraim called together their soldiers"
Zaphon
This is the name of a city.
passed through ... pass through
"traveled through ... travel" or "journeyed through ... journey"
We will burn your house down over you
"We will burn your house down with you still in it"
Judges 12:3
you did not rescue me
"You should only take over the land that Chemosh, your god, gives you.”
I put my life in my own hand
"We risked our lives, relying on our own strength"
Yahweh gave me victory
"Yahweh gave us victory over them"
Why have you come to fight against me
"Why have you come to fight against us"
passed through against the people of Ammon
"fought against the people of Ammon as we passed through their region"
Judges 12:4
he fought against Ephraim
"they fought against Ephraim"
You Gileadites are fugitives
"You Gileadites do not really belong here. You are just people who came here to live"
Gileadites
people from Gilead
in Ephraim—in Ephraim and Manasseh
"in the regions of Ephraim and Manasseh" or "in the land of Ephraim and Manasseh."
Judges 12:5
to Ephraim
"to the land of Ephraim"
The Gileadites captured
"The Gileadites controlled" or "The Gileadites occupied"
fords
These are places where you can cross the river on foot because the water is shallow.
Judges 12:6
Shibboleth ... Sibboleth
These words have no meaning. Copy these words into your language, and make sure that the letters "Sh" and "S" are translated differently. The translator should transliterate it by substituting letters that have the same sounds.
pronounce the word
"make the sound of the word"
Judges 12:7
Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried
"Jephthah the Gileadite died and they buried him"
Judges 12:8
Ibzan of Bethlehem
This is the name of a man from Bethlehem.
Judges 12:9
He gave away thirty daughters in marriage
"He had thirty daughters and arranged a marriage for each of them"
he brought from the outside thirty daughters of other men for his sons
"he arranged for thirty daughters of other men from outside of his clan to marry his sons"
Judges 12:10
was buried at Bethlehem
"they buried him in Bethlehem"
Judges 12:11
Elon
This is the name of a man.
Zebulunite
someone from the tribe of Zebulun
Judges 12:12
was buried in Aijalon
"they buried him in Aijalon". Translate the name of this place as you did in Judges 1:35
Judges 12:13
Abdon ... Hillel
These are the names of men.
Pirathon
This is the name of a city.
Judges 12:14
They rode on seventy donkeys
"They owned 70 donkeys"
Judges 12:15
Pirathonite ... Pirathon
Pirathon is the name of a place, someone who is from that place is called a Pirathonite.
Chapter 13
1
The people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and he gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.
2
There was a man from Zorah, of the clan of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. His wife was barren and so she had not given birth.
3
The angel of Yahweh appeared to the woman and said to her, "See now, you have been barren, and you have not given birth, but you will conceive and you will give birth to a son.
4
Now be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, and do not eat anything unclean.
5
Look, you will become pregnant and give birth to a son. No razor will be used upon his head, for the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he will begin to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines."
6
Then the woman came and told her husband, "A man of God came to me, and his appearance was like that of an angel of God, very terrible. I did not ask him where he came from, and he did not tell me his name.
7
He said to me, 'Look! You will become pregnant, and you will give birth to a son. So then drink no wine or strong drink, and do not eat any food that the law declares to be unclean, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the time he is in your womb until the day of his death.'"
8
Then Manoah prayed to Yahweh and said, "Oh, Lord, please let the man of God you sent come again to us so that he may teach us what we are to do for the child who soon will be born."
9
God listened to the voice of Manoah, and the angel of God came to the woman again when she was sitting in the field. But Manoah her husband was not with her.
10
So the woman ran quickly and told her husband, "Look! The man has appeared to me—the one who came to me the other day!"
11
Manoah got up and followed his wife. When he came to the man, he said, "Are you the man who spoke with my wife?" The man said, "I am."
12
So Manoah said, "Now may your words come true. What will be the rules for the child, and what will be his work?"
13
The angel of Yahweh said to Manoah, "She must carefully do everything that I said to her.
14
She may not eat anything that comes from the vines, and do not let her drink wine or strong drink or eat anything unclean. She must obey everything I have commanded her to do."
15
Manoah said to the angel of Yahweh, "Please stay for a while, to give us time to prepare a young goat for you."
16
The angel of Yahweh said to Manoah, "Even if I stay, I will not eat your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to Yahweh." (Manoah did not know that he was the angel of Yahweh.)
17
Manoah said to the angel of Yahweh, "What is your name, so we may honor you when your words come true?"
18
The angel of Yahweh said to him, "Why do you ask my name? It is wonderful!"
19
So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering and offered them on the rock to Yahweh. He did something marvelous while Manoah and his wife were watching.
20
When the flame went up from the altar toward the sky, the angel of Yahweh went up in the flame of the altar. Manoah and his wife saw this and lay facedown on the ground.
21
The angel of Yahweh did not appear again to Manoah or his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of Yahweh.
22
Manoah said to his wife, "We are sure to die, because we have seen God!"
23
But his wife said to him, "If Yahweh wanted to kill us, he would not have received the burnt offering and the grain offering we gave him. He would not have shown us all these things, nor at this time would he have let us hear such things."
24
Later the woman gave birth to a son, and called his name Samson. The boy grew up and Yahweh blessed him.
25
Yahweh's Spirit began to stir him in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
Judges 13:1
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considered to be evil"
he gave them into the hand of the Philistines
"he allowed the Philistines to defeat them" or "he allowed them to be oppressed by the Philistines"
Judges 13:2
Zorah
This was the name of a town in Israel. It was in the region of Judah near the border of Dan.
Danites
people from the tribe of Dan
Judges 13:3
See now, you
"Listen carefully: you"
give birth to a son
"have a baby boy"
Judges 13:4
anything unclean
Something that Yahweh has stated is unfit to eat is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
Judges 13:5
No razor will be used upon his head
"No one should ever cut his hair". The angel of the Lord prophesied about Samson and gave instructions to Samson's mother, who was to offer up her son under a Nazarite vow. This was a special type of vow, dedicating Samson to Yahweh. Part of this vow prohibited the cutting of the person's hair.
razor
a sharp knife used to cut hair close to the skin
a Nazirite to God
"a Nazirite devoted to God" or "devoted to God as a Nazirite"
from the womb
"from before he is born"
the hand of the Philistines
"the control of the Philistines"
Judges 13:6
A man of God
"A man that God sent"
his appearance was like that of an angel of God, very terrible
"I was very afraid of him because he looked like an angel of God"
Judges 13:7
a Nazirite to God
"a Nazirite devoted to God"
from the time he is in your womb until the day of his death
"all his life"
Judges 13:9
came to the woman
"came to Manoah's wife"
Judges 13:10
The man
"the man of God"
Judges 13:12
your words
"what you have said."
Judges 13:14
anything that comes from the vines
"anything that grows on a vine"
Judges 13:15
prepare a young goat for you
"cook a young goat for you to eat"
Judges 13:17
your words come true
"what you have said comes true?"
Judges 13:18
Why do you ask my name?
"You should not ask me what my name is."
It is wonderful
"It is too wonderful for you to understand"
Judges 13:19
with the grain offering
"with the grain offering required with it"
on the rock
"on the altar." The altar Manoah sacrificed the offering on was a rock.
He did something
"The angel did something"
Judges 13:20
the angel of Yahweh went up in the flame of the altar
"the angel of Yahweh went back up into heaven through the flames on the altar"
lay facedown on the ground
"lay with their faces to the ground." This is a sign of respect and honor, but it also shows fear of Yahweh.
Judges 13:21
that he was the angel of Yahweh
The word "he" refers to the man they had seen.
Judges 13:22
We are sure to die, because we have seen God
"God will cause us to die because we have seen him"
Judges 13:23
He would not have shown us all these things, nor at this time would he have let us hear such things
"He would not have told us what he wanted us to do"
Judges 13:24
the woman
"Manoah's wife"
grew up
"matured"
Judges 13:25
Yahweh's Spirit began to stir him
"Yahweh's Spirit began to cause him to act" or "Yahweh's Spirit began to control him"
Mahaneh Dan ... Eshtaol
Mahaneh Dan is the name of a temporary camp that the tribe of Dan lived in. Eshtaol is the name of a town.
Chapter 14
1
Samson went down to Timnah, and there he saw a woman, one of the daughters of the Philistines.
2
When he returned, he told his father and mother, "I saw a woman in Timnah, one of the daughters of the Philistines. Now get her for me to be my wife."
3
His father and mother said to him, "Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people? Are you going to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?" Samson said to his father, "Get her for me, for when I look at her, she pleases me."
4
But his father and his mother did not know that this matter came from Yahweh, for he desired to create a conflict with the Philistines (for at that time the Philistines were ruling Israel).
5
Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and his mother, and they came to the vineyards of Timnah. And, look, there one of the young lions came up and was roaring at him.
6
Yahweh's Spirit suddenly came on him, and he tore the lion apart as easily as he would have torn apart a small goat, and he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done.
7
He went and spoke with the woman, and when he looked at her, she pleased Samson.
8
A few days later when he returned to marry her, he turned aside to look for the carcass of the lion. And, look, there was a swarm of bees and honey in what was left of the lion's body.
9
He scraped up the honey in his hands and went on, eating as he went. When he came to his father and his mother, he gave some to them, and they ate. But he did not tell them he had taken the honey out of what was left of the lion's body.
10
Samson's father went down to where the woman was, and Samson gave a feast there, for this was the custom of the young men.
11
As soon as her relatives saw him, they brought him thirty of their friends to be with him.
12
Samson said to them, "Let me now tell you a riddle. If one of you can find it out and tell me the answer during the seven days of the feast, I will give out thirty linen robes and thirty sets of clothes.
13
But if you cannot tell me the answer, then you will give me thirty linen robes and thirty sets of clothes." They said to him, "Tell us your riddle, so we may hear it."
14
He said to them,
"Out of the eater was something to eat;
out of the strong was something sweet."
But his guests could not find the answer in three days.
15
On the fourth day they said to Samson's wife, "Trick your husband so that he may tell us the answer to the riddle, or we will burn up you and your father's house. Did you invite us here in order to make us poor?"
16
Samson's wife started to weep in front of him; she said, "All you do is hate me! You do not love me. You have told a riddle to some of my people, but you have not told me the answer." Samson said to her, "Look here, if I have not told my father or my mother, should I tell you?"
17
She cried during the seven days that their feast lasted. On the seventh day he told her the answer because she pressured him very much. She told the answer to the relatives of her people.
18
Before the sun went down on the seventh day the men of the city said to him,
"What is sweeter than honey?
What is stronger than a lion?"
Samson said to them,
"If you had not plowed with my heifer,
you would not have found the answer to my riddle."
19
Then Yahweh's Spirit suddenly came on Samson with power. Samson went down to Ashkelon and killed thirty of their men. He took their plunder, and he gave their clothes to those who had explained the riddle. Burning with anger, he went up to his father's house.
20
Samson's wife was given to his best friend.
Judges 14:1
Samson went down to Timnah
The phrase "went down" is used because Timnah is lower in elevation and is the name of a city in the Sorek Valley.
one of the daughters of the Philistines
"one of the unmarried women among the Philistine people" or "a Philistine girl"
Judges 14:2
Now get her for me to be my wife
"Now arrange for her to become my wife" or "Make the arrangements for me to marry her"
Judges 14:3
Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people?
"Surely there are unmarried women among your people whom you could marry.". It was considered sinful for a man of Israel to marry anyone from a different people group. She caused Samson many problems.
Are you going to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?
"You really should not marry a Philistine woman because the Philistine people do not worship Yahweh."
Get her for me
"Now arrange for her to be my wife"
she pleases me
"I am pleased by how beautiful she is"
Judges 14:4
for he desired to create a conflict
"he" refers to Yahweh.
Judges 14:5
And, look, there one of the young lions came up
"Suddenly, a young lion came near him"
was roaring at him
"threatened him."
Judges 14:6
Yahweh's Spirit suddenly came on him
"Yahweh's Spirit made him very strong"
had nothing in his hand
"did not have a weapon"
Judges 14:8
he turned aside
"he left the path"
carcass
dead body
And, look, there was a swarm of bees
"He found a swarm of bees"
swarm
large group of insects
Judges 14:9
scraped up
"gathered up,"
Judges 14:10
Samson's father went down to where the woman was
"Samson's father went to where the woman lived"
the custom of the young men
"the custom of young men who were getting married"
Judges 14:12
riddle
a game in which the players must discover the answer to a difficult question
can find it out
"can figure out its meaning"
linen
a type of cloth
Judges 14:13
But if you cannot tell me
"you" is plural and refers to the guests at the feast.
Judges 14:14
General Information:
The riddle it is supposed to be hard to understand; do not translate it so that people will immediately know what it means.
Out of the eater was something to eat
"Out of the eater came something to eat"
out of the strong was something sweet
"out of the strong thing came something sweet"
his guests
"the men at his feast"
could not find the answer
"could not figure out the answer"
Judges 14:15
Trick
mislead or fool someone into doing something they would not want to do
your father's house
"the house your father and his family live in"
will burn up
If a person is "burnt up," it means that person is burned to death.
Did you invite us here in order to make us poor?
"You have brought us here to make us poor!"
to make us poor
"to make us poor by forcing us to buy him new clothes"
Judges 14:16
All you do is hate me! You do not love me
"You do not really love me at all"
Look here
"Listen to me" or "Pay attention to what I am about to say"
if I have not told my father or my mother, should I tell you?
"I have not even told my father or mother. I will not tell you." or "you should not demand that I tell you, since I have not even told my parents, and they are closer to me than you are."
Judges 14:17
during the seven days that their feast lasted
"during the seven days of their feast"
she pressured him very much
"she kept urging him to tell her"
Judges 14:18
the men of the city
"the young men"
What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion?
"Honey is sweet and a lion is strong.". This is the answer to the riddle.
If you had not plowed with my heifer
"If you had not used my wife"
plowed
To plow is to use an animal to pull a blade through soil to prepare the soil for seeds.
Judges 14:19
came on Samson with power
"made Samson very powerful"
their men
"the men who lived there"
plunder
things taken by force, usually after a fight or battle
their clothes
"the sets of clothing that he had taken"
Burning with anger
"Very angry"
Judges 14:20
Samson's wife was given to his best friend
"his wife's father gave her to his best friend"
best friend
"closest friend"
Chapter 15
1
After some days, during the time of wheat harvest, Samson took a young goat and went to visit his wife. He said to himself, "I will go to my wife's room." But her father would not allow him to go in.
2
Her father said, "I really thought you hated her, so I gave her to your friend. Her younger sister is more beautiful than she is, is she not? Take her instead."
3
Samson said to them, "This time I will be innocent in regard to the Philistines when I hurt them."
4
Samson went and caught three hundred foxes and he tied together each pair, tail to tail. Then he took torches and tied them in the middle of each pair of tails.
5
When he had set the torches on fire, he let the foxes go into the standing grain of the Philistines, and they set fire to both the stacked grain and the grain standing in the field, along with the vineyards and the olive orchards.
6
The Philistines asked, "Who did this?" They were told, "Samson, the Timnite's son-in-law, did this because the Timnite took Samson's wife and gave her to his friend." Then the Philistines went and burned up her and her father.
7
Samson said to them, "If this is what you do, I will get my revenge against you, and after that is done, I will stop."
8
Then he cut them to pieces, hip and thigh, with a great slaughter. Then he went down and lived in a cave in the cliff of Etam.
9
Then the Philistines came up and encamped in Judah and spread out in Lehi.
10
The men of Judah said, "Why have you come up against us?" They said, "We have come up so we may capture Samson, and do to him as he has done to us."
11
Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cave in the cliff of Etam, and they said to Samson, "Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What is this you have done to us?" Samson said to them, "They did to me, and so I have done to them."
12
They said to Samson, "We have come down to tie you up and give you into the hands of the Philistines." Samson said to them, "Swear to me that you will not kill me yourselves."
13
They said to him, "No, we will only tie you with ropes and hand you over to them. We promise we will not kill you." Then they tied him up with two new ropes and brought him up from the rock.
14
When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting as they met him. Then Yahweh's Spirit came on him with power. The ropes on his arms became like burnt flax, and they fell off his hands.
15
Samson found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, and he picked it up and killed a thousand men with it.
16
Samson said,
"With the jawbone of a donkey, heaps upon heaps,
with the jawbone of a donkey I have killed a thousand men."
17
When Samson finished speaking, he threw away the jawbone, and he called the place Ramath Lehi.
18
Samson was very thirsty and called on Yahweh and said, "You have given this great victory to your servant. But now will I die of thirst and fall into the hands of those who are uncircumcised?"
19
God split open the hollow place that is at Lehi and water came out. When he drank, his strength returned and he revived. So he called the name of that place En Hakkore, and it is at Lehi to this day.
20
Samson judged Israel in the days of the Philistines for twenty years.
Judges 15:1
He said to himself
"He thought to himself"
I will go to my wife's room
"I will go to my wife's room, so we may sleep together"
would not allow him to go in
"would not permit him to go into her room"
Judges 15:2
so I gave her to your friend
"so I gave her to be married to your friend"
is she not?
"I hope you agree."
Take her instead
"Take her to be your wife instead"
Judges 15:3
I will be innocent in regard to the Philistines when I hurt them
"I will be innocent if I hurt the Philistines because they have wronged me"
Judges 15:4
tail to tail
"by their tails"
torches
A torch is often used to light other things or to be carried for light.
Judges 15:5
stacked grain
the stalks of grain collected in piles after it has been harvested
orchards
An orchard is a place where fruit trees are grown.
Judges 15:6
the Timnite's son-in-law
The husband of a man's daughter.
Timnite
This is a person from Timnah.
took Samson's wife and gave her to his friend
"took Samson's wife and allowed her to marry Samson's friend"
Judges 15:7
said to them
"said to the Philistines,"
If this is what you do
"Because you have done this,"
Judges 15:8
he cut them to pieces, hip and thigh
"He cut their bodies to pieces"
he went down
"he went"
Etam
This is the name of the rocky hill country near Jerusalem.
Judges 15:9
the Philistines came up ... in Judah
The phrase "came up" is used here because Judah is higher in elevation than Philistia.
encamped in Judah
"prepared to make war against Judah"
Lehi
This is the name of a town in Judah.
Judges 15:10
have you come up against
"have you come up to attack"
We have come up
"We are attacking you."
do to him as he has done to us
"kill him like he killed many of our people"
Judges 15:11
Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What is this you have done to us?
"You know that the Philistines are rulers over us but you act like they are not. What you have done has caused us great harm."
They did to me, and so I have done to them
"They killed my wife, so I killed them"
Judges 15:12
the hands of the Philistines
"the Philistine's control"
Judges 15:13
hand you over to them
"give you to the Philistines"
up from the rock
"away from the cave in the large rock"
Judges 15:14
When he came
"When they came"
came on him with power
"made Samson very strong". This means God gave Samson extraordinary strength. Samson's power is the power of Yahweh himself and he enacted the judgment of God on the Philistines.
The ropes on his arms became like burnt flax
"He snapped the ropes on his arms as easily as if they had been stalks of burned flax"
flax
fibers from the flax plant used for making threads and cloth
Judges 15:15
a fresh jawbone
This means that the donkey had died very recently and its bones had not yet begun to decay.
Judges 15:16
heaps upon heaps
"I have made heaps of dead bodies"
Judges 15:17
Ramath Lehi
"Jawbone Hill". This is the name of a place.
Judges 15:18
was very thirsty
"needed water to drink"
But now will I die of thirst and fall into ... uncircumcised?
"But now I will die of thirst and my body will fall into ... uncircumcised."
fall into the hands of those who are uncircumcised
"be captured by those godless Philistines"
Judges 15:19
split open the hollow place
"opened a hole in the ground"
his strength returned and he revived
"he became strong again" or "he was revived"
En Hakkore
"spring of him who prayed.". This is the name of a place.
it is at Lehi to this day
"the spring can still be found at Lehi, even today"
Judges 15:20
in the days of the Philistines
"during the time the Philistines controlled Israel"
Chapter 16
1
Samson went to Gaza and saw a prostitute there, and he went to her.
2
The Gazites were told, "Samson has come here." The Gazites surrounded the place and in secret, they waited for him all night at the city gate. They kept silent all night. They had said, "Let us wait until daylight, and then let us kill him."
3
Samson lay in bed until midnight. At midnight he got up and he took hold of the city gate and its two posts. He pulled them up out of the ground, bar and all, put them on his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of the hill, in front of Hebron.
4
After this, Samson came to love a woman who lived in the Valley of Sorek. Her name was Delilah.
5
The rulers of the Philistines came up to her, and said to her, "Trick Samson to see where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him in order to humiliate him. Do this, and each one of us will give you 1,100 pieces of silver."
6
Then Delilah said to Samson, "Please, tell me how is it that you are so strong, and how could anyone bind you, so you might be controlled?"
7
Samson said to her, "If they tie me with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, then I will become weak and be like any other man."
8
Then the rulers of the Philistines brought up to Delilah seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied Samson up with them.
9
Now she had men hiding in secret, staying in her inner room. She said to him, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" But he broke the bowstrings like a thread of yarn when it touches the fire. So the secret of his strength was not discovered.
10
Then Delilah said to Samson, "This is how you have deceived me and told me lies. Please, tell me how you can be overpowered."
11
He said to her, "If they tie me up with new ropes which have never been used for work, I will become weak and like any other man."
12
So Delilah took new ropes and tied him up with them, and said to him, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" The men lying in wait were in the inner room. But Samson tore off the ropes from his arms like they were a piece of thread.
13
Delilah said to Samson, "Until now you have deceived me and told me lies. Tell me how you may be overpowered." Samson said to her, "If you weave seven locks of my hair into a fabric on a loom, and then nail that to the loom, I will be like any other man."
14
While he slept, Delilah wove seven locks of his hair into the fabric on the loom and nailed it to the loom, and she said to him, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" He woke from his sleep and he pulled out the fabric and the pin from the loom.
15
She said to him, "How can you say, 'I love you,' when you do not share your secrets with me? You have mocked me these three times and have not told me how you have such great strength."
16
Every day she pressed him hard with her words, and she pressured him so much that he wished he would die.
17
So Samson told her everything and said to her, "I have never had a razor cut the hair on my head, for I have been a Nazirite for God from my mother's womb. If my head is shaved, then my strength will leave me, and I will become weak and be like every other man."
18
When Delilah saw that he had told her the truth about everything, she sent and called for the rulers of the Philistines, saying, "Come up again, for he has told me everything." Then the rulers of the Philistines went up to her, bringing the silver in their hands.
19
She had him fall asleep in her lap. She called for a man to shave off the seven locks of his head, and she began to subdue him, for his strength had left him.
20
She said, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" He woke up out of his sleep and said, "I will get out like the other times and shake myself free." But he did not know that Yahweh had left him.
21
The Philistines captured him and put out his eyes. They brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles. He turned the millstone at the prison house.
22
But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.
23
The rulers of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god, and to rejoice. They said, "Our god has conquered Samson, our enemy, and put him in our hands."
24
When the people saw him, they praised their god, for they said, "Our god has conquered our enemy and given him to us—the destroyer of our country, who killed many of us."
25
When they were celebrating, they said, "Call for Samson, that he may make us laugh." They called for Samson out of the prison and he made them laugh. They made him stand between the pillars.
26
Samson said to the boy who held his hand, "Permit me to touch the pillars on which the building rests, so that I can lean against them."
27
Now the house was full of men and women. All the rulers of the Philistines were there. There were on the roof about three thousand men and women, who were looking on while Samson was entertaining them.
28
Samson called to Yahweh and said, "Lord Yahweh, call me to mind! Please strengthen me only this once, God, so that I may have revenge in one blow on the Philistines for taking my two eyes."
29
Samson held on to the two middle pillars on which the building rested, and he leaned against them, one pillar with his right hand, and the other with his left.
30
Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" He stretched out with his strength and the building fell on the rulers and on all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed when he died were more than those he killed during his life.
31
Then his brothers and all the house of his father came down. They took him, brought him back and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burial place of Manoah, his father. Samson had judged Israel for twenty years.
Judges 16:1
he went to her
"he had sexual relations with her"
Judges 16:2
The Gazites were told
"Someone told the people of Gaza"
The Gazites surrounded the place ... they waited for him all night at the city gate
Some Gazites surrounded the place where Samson was staying and others waited at the city gate.
They kept silent all night
"They did not make any noise all night"
Judges 16:3
its two posts
These posts were probably made from tree trunks and buried deep in the ground. The doors were attached to these posts.
bar and all
The bar was probably a heavy rod of iron, the doors were probably made of heavy wooden beams or iron bars.
shoulders
the part of the human body where the arms and the neck attach to the body
Hebron
This is the name of a city.
Judges 16:4
Valley of Sorek
This is the name of a valley near Samson's home.
Judges 16:5
to see
"to understand"
where his great strength lies
"what causes him to be very strong"
by what means we may overpower him
"how we might overpower him""
Judges 16:6
bind you, so you might be controlled
"bind you to control you" or "bind you to restrain you".
Judges 16:7
that have not been dried
"that have not yet dried" or "that are not dry yet". Bowstrings were often made from the tendons of an animal.
Judges 16:8
she tied Samson up with them
"Delilah tied Samson up with the fresh bowstrings"
Judges 16:9
The Philistines are upon you
"The Philistines are here to capture you". The author tells background information about the Philistine men.
he broke the bowstrings like a thread of yarn when it touches the fire
"he broke the bowstrings as easily as if he were breaking burned yarn"
Judges 16:10
This is how you have deceived me and told me lies.
"You have greatly deceived me!"
you can be overpowered
"people can overpower you"
Judges 16:12
The Philistines are upon you
"The Philistines are here to capture you"
lying in wait
"waiting to attack him"
like they were a piece of thread
"as easily as if they were only a piece of thread"
Judges 16:13
you have deceived me and told me lies
"you have greatly deceived me"
you may be overpowered
"people can overpower you"
weave
crossing pieces of material together; making fabric, so they hold each other in place
locks of my hair
small bunches of hair
loom
a machine used for combining many threads of material into a cloth
then nail that to the loom
"then nail the fabric to the loom"
I will be like any other man
"I will be as weak as any other man"
Judges 16:14
he pulled out the fabric and the pin from the loom
"pulled away his hair, taking with it the pin of the loom and the fabric in the loom"
the pin
This is the wooden nail or peg used to fasten the fabric to the loom.
Judges 16:15
How can you say, 'I love you,' when you do not share your secrets with me?
"When you say 'I love you,' you are lying because you do not share your secrets with me."
Judges 16:16
pressed him hard ... pressured him
"tried hard to persuade him ... kept trying to persuade him"
with her words
"by what she said to him"
that he wished he would die
"that he was completely miserable" or "that he was very unhappy"
Judges 16:17
told her everything
"told her the source of his strength" or "told her the truth". Samson mistakenly thought that he was the source of his strength. He did not realize that Yahweh had left him and without Yahweh, he had no strength. This was not Samson's only mistake. His foreign wife created most of his problems.
a Nazirite for God
"a Nazirite devoted to God" or "devoted to God as a Nazirite". See Judges 13:5.
from my mother's womb
"my entire life"
If my head is shaved
"If someone shaves my head"
shaved
to have had the hair cut close to the skin with a razor
my strength will leave me
"I will not be strong any more"
Judges 16:18
Delilah saw
"Delilah realized" or "Delilah learned"
the truth about everything
"the truth about why he is strong"
Come up again
Delilah's home is likely at a higher elevation.
bringing the silver in their hands
"bringing the silver that they had promised to give her"
Judges 16:19
She had him fall asleep
"She caused him to fall asleep"
in her lap
"with his head on her lap"
the seven locks of his head
"the seven locks of hair on his head"
subdue him
"control him"
his strength had left him
"his strength was gone"
Judges 16:20
woke up
"awakened"
get out
"escape"
But he did not know that Yahweh had left him
"But he did not know that Yahweh had left him and that he would not be strong enough to defeat the Philistines"
Judges 16:21
put out his eyes
"removed his eyes"
down to Gaza
They brought Samson to Gaza which is lower in elevation than his home.
bound him with bronze shackles
"chained him with bronze shackles" or "tied him up using bronze shackles"
shackles
locks on the end of chains that hold a prisoner at his feet or hands, or both
turned the millstone
"pulled the millstone around in a circle"
millstone
A large animal usually pulls the millstone around in a circle to crush grain. The Philistines humiliate Samson here.
Judges 16:22
after it had been shaved
"after the Philistines had shaved it"
Judges 16:23
Dagon
a major false god of the Philistines
has conquered
"has defeated"
put him in our hands
"put him under our control"
Judges 16:24
the destroyer of our country
"the man who has destroyed our country"
who killed many of us
"who killed many of our people"
Judges 16:25
Call for Samson ... They called for Samson
"Call for them to bring out Samson ... They brought Samson"
Judges 16:26
the boy
"the young man"
Permit me to touch the pillars on which the building rests
"Allow me to touch the pillars which hold up the building"
Judges 16:27
looking on
"watching"
while Samson was entertaining them
It is unclear what Samson did to entertain them. It seems the Philistines were making him do humiliating things.
Judges 16:28
called to Yahweh
"prayed to Yahweh"
call me to mind
"remember me"
only this once
"one more time"
in one blow on the Philistines
"with one strike against the Philistine"
Judges 16:29
on which the building rested
"which held up the building,"
Judges 16:30
He stretched out with his strength
"He used his strength to push down the pillars" or "He used his strength to push over the pillars"
the dead
"the dead people"
were more
"were a greater amount"
Judges 16:31
all the house of his father
"all of his father's family"
Zorah ... Eshtaol
See how you translated the names of these places in Judges 13:2 and 25.
in the burial place of Manoah, his father
"where his father, Manoah, is buried". See how you translated this man's name in Judges 13:2.
Samson had judged Israel for twenty years
"Samson had judged Israel for twenty years before he died". This same sentence is also in Judges 15:20. It is repeated here to remind readers of how long he judged Israel.
Chapter 17
1
There was a man in the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Micah.
2
He said to his mother, "The 1,100 pieces of silver that were taken from you, about which you spoke a curse, and which I heard—look here! I have the silver with me. I stole it." His mother said, "May Yahweh bless you, my son!"
3
He restored the 1,100 pieces of silver to his mother and his mother said, "I set apart this silver to Yahweh, for my son to make a carved image and a cast metal figure. So now, I restore it to you."
4
When he restored the money to his mother, his mother took two hundred pieces of silver and gave them to a metal worker who made them into a carved image and a cast metal figure, and they were placed in the house of Micah.
5
The man Micah had a house of idols and he made an ephod and household gods, and he hired one of his sons to become his priest.
6
In those days there was no king in Israel, and everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
7
Now there was a young man of Bethlehem in Judah, of the clan of Judah, who was a Levite. He stayed there to fulfill his duties.
8
The man left Bethlehem in Judah to go and find a place to live. As he journeyed, he came to Micah's house in the hill country of Ephraim.
9
Micah said to him, "Where do you come from?" The man said to him, "I am a Levite of Bethlehem in Judah, and I am traveling to find a place where I might live."
10
Micah said to him, "Stay with me, and be to me a father and a priest. I will give you ten pieces of silver a year, a suit of clothes, and your food." So the Levite went into his house.
11
The Levite was content to live with the man, and the young man became to Micah like one of his sons.
12
Micah set apart the Levite for sacred duties, and the young man became his priest, and was in Micah's house.
13
Then Micah said, "Now I know that Yahweh will do good for me, because this Levite has become my priest."
Judges 17:1
Micah
This is the name of a man. This man did not write the book of Micah.
Judges 17:2
that were taken from you
"which someone stole from you"
I stole it
"I was the one who took it"
Judges 17:3
set apart
"dedicate"
cast metal
metal that has been melted and poured into a mold to form a special shape
I restore it to you
"I give it back to you"
Judges 17:4
they were placed in the house of Micah
"Micah placed them in his house". "they" refers to the metal figures.
Judges 17:5
a house of idols
"a house for worshiping idols"
Judges 17:6
everyone did what was right in his own eyes
"each person did what he decided was right"
Judges 17:7
of Bethlehem
"from Bethlehem"
of the clan of Judah
"who was living among the tribe of Judah"
He stayed there to fulfill his duties
"He lived and worked there"
Judges 17:8
find a place to live
"find a different place to live."
Judges 17:9
where I might live
"where I might live and have a job"
Judges 17:10
a father and a priest
"an advisor and a priest"
So the Levite went into his house
"So the Levite accepted his offer and went into his house"
Judges 17:11
the young man became to Micah like one of his sons
"the young man became close to Micah and was like one of his sons"
Judges 17:12
Micah set apart the Levite
"Micah dedicated the Levite"
was in Micah's house
"lived in Micah's house"
Chapter 18
1
In those days there was no king in Israel. The tribe of the descendants of Dan was looking for a territory to live in, for up to that day they had not received any inheritance from among the tribes of Israel.
2
The people of Dan sent five men from the whole number of their tribe, men who were experienced warriors from Zorah and from Eshtaol, to scout the land on foot, and to look it over. They said to them, "Go and look over the land." They came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and they spent the night there.
3
When they were near Micah's house, they recognized the speech of the young Levite. So they stopped and asked him, "Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?"
4
He said to them, "This is what Micah has done for me: He has hired me to become his priest."
5
They said to him, "Please seek the advice of God, so we may know whether the journey we are going on will be successful."
6
The priest said to them, "Go in peace. Yahweh will lead you in the way you should go."
7
Then the five men left and came to Laish, and they saw that the people were living in safety, in the same way the Sidonians lived, undisturbed and secure. There was no one who conquered them or who oppressed them in any way in the land. They lived far away from the Sidonians and had no dealings with anyone.
8
They returned to their tribe in Zorah and Eshtaol. Their relatives asked them, "What is your report?"
9
They said, "Come! Let us attack them! We have seen the land and it is very good. Are you doing nothing? Do not be slow to attack and conquer the land.
10
When you go, you will come to a secure people, and the land is wide! God has given it to you—a place that does not lack anything in the land."
11
Six hundred men of the tribe of Dan, armed with weapons of war, set out from Zorah and Eshtaol.
12
They went up and camped at Kiriath Jearim, in Judah. This is why people called that place Mahaneh Dan to this day; it is west of Kiriath Jearim.
13
They went away from there to the hill country of Ephraim and came to the house of Micah.
14
Then the five men who had gone to scout the country of Laish said to their relatives, "Do you know that in these houses there are an ephod, household gods, a carved image, and a cast metal figure? Decide now what you will do."
15
So they turned in there and came to the house of the young man, the Levite, at the house of Micah, and they greeted him.
16
Now the six hundred Danites, armed with weapons of war, stood at the entrance of the gate.
17
The five men who had gone to scout out the land went there and they took the carved figure, the ephod, the household gods, and the cast metal figure, while the priest stood by the opening of the gate with the six hundred men armed with weapons of war.
18
When these went into Micah's house and took the carved image, the ephod, the household gods, and the cast metal figure, the priest said to them, "What are you doing?"
19
They said to him, "Be quiet! Put your hand on your mouth and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be priest for the house of one man, or to be priest for a tribe and a clan in Israel?"
20
The priest's heart was glad. He took the ephod, the household gods, and the carved figure, and went along with the people.
21
So they turned and went away, putting the little children, their livestock and their valuable possessions in front of them.
22
When they were a good distance from the house of Micah, the men who were in the houses near Micah's house were called together, and they caught up with the Danites.
23
They shouted to the Danites, and they turned and said to Micah, "Why have you been called together?"
24
He said, "You stole the gods that I made, you have taken my priest, and you are leaving. What else do I have left? How can you ask me, 'What is bothering you?'"
25
The people of Dan said to him, "You should not let us hear you say anything, or some very angry men will attack you, and you and your family will be killed."
26
Then the people of Dan went their way. When Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his house.
27
The people of Dan took what Micah had made, as well as his priest, and they came to Laish, to a people who were undisturbed and secure and they struck them with the edge of the sword and burned the city.
28
There was no one to rescue them because it was a long way from Sidon, and they had no dealings with anyone. It was in the valley that is near Beth Rehob. The Danites rebuilt the city and lived there.
29
They named the city Dan, the name of Dan their ancestor, who was one of Israel's sons. But the name of the city used to be Laish.
30
The people of Dan set up the carved figure for themselves. Jonathan son of Gershom, son of Moses, he and his sons were priests for the tribe of the Danites until the day of the land's captivity.
31
So they worshiped Micah's carved figure that he made as long as the house of God was at Shiloh.
Judges 18:1
In those days ... from among the tribes of Israel
The tribe of Dan lacked faith in Yahweh and had yet to conquer its inheritance. In this chapter, they begin to conquer their land, but they also started to worship an idol. Their conquering of the land is much different than the other tribes' victories.
not received any inheritance from
"not received a land inheritance from"
Judges 18:2
from the whole number of their tribe
"from among all of the men in their tribe"
experienced warriors
"experienced fighters"
Zorah and from Eshtaol
See Judges 13:2 and 25.
to scout the land on foot
"to scout the land by walking through it"
Micah
See how you translated this man's name in Judges 17:1.
Judges 18:3
they recognized the speech of the young Levite
"they heard the young Levite talking, and they recognized his voice"
Judges 18:7
Laish
This is the name of a city.
There was no one who conquered
"There were no enemies living in their land who had conquered them"
had no dealings with anyone
"had no contact with any outsiders." This means they lived secluded from other people.
Judges 18:9
Are you doing nothing?
"You should be acting now!"
Do not be slow to attack
"Hurry! Attack"
Judges 18:10
a secure people
"people who are not afraid that anyone will attack them"
the land is wide
"the land is large."
that does not lack anything in the land
"where we will have everything there that we need"
that does not lack anything
"that has everything"
Judges 18:12
Kiriath Jearim
This is the name of a town.
Mahaneh Dan
Translate the name of this place as you did in Judges 13:25.
to this day
"and that is still its name". This refers to the time when Judges was written.
Judges 18:14
in these houses there are an ephod, ... metal figure? Decide ... will do
"these houses contain an ephod, ... metal figure. (They were suggesting that the men steal these things.) Decide ... will do". The implied information may be given in a parenthetical phrase.
in these houses there are
"in one of these house there is"
Judges 18:15
they turned in there
"they turned,"
they greeted him
The word "him" refers to the Levite.
Judges 18:19
Is it better for you to be priest for the house of one man ... a clan in Israel?
"It is better for you to be priest for a tribe and a clan in Israel than for just the house of one man."
Judges 18:20
The priest's heart was glad
"The priest was glad"
Judges 18:21
putting the little children, their livestock and their valuable possessions in front of them
"putting the little children, their livestock and their possessions in front of them to protect them"
they turned
"the Danites turned around"
Judges 18:22
a good distance
"some distance."
the men who were in the houses near Micah's house were called together
"he called together the men who were in the houses near his house"
they caught up with the Danites
"running after the Danites, they caught up with them"
Judges 18:23
Why have you been called together?
"You should not have called your men together to chase us."
been called together
"called these men together"
Judges 18:24
the gods that I made
"the gods which I had made for me" or "the gods which a craftsman made for me"
What else do I have left?
"I have nothing left."
How can you ask me, 'What is bothering you?'
"You know that I am greatly distressed!'"
Judges 18:25
let us hear you say anything
"let us find out that you have said anything"
hear you say anything
"hear you say anything about this matter"
you and your family will be killed
"kill you and your family"
Judges 18:26
went their way
"continued on their journey"
they were too strong for him
"they were too strong for him and his men to fight"
Judges 18:27
what Micah had made
"the things that had been made for Micah"
with the edge of the sword
"with their swords."
Judges 18:28
Beth Rehob
This is a name of a town.
Judges 18:30
Jonathan son of Gershom, son of Moses
"The young Levite's name was Jonathan the son of Gershom, son of Moses"
until the day of the land's captivity
"until the day that their enemies conquered their land"
Chapter 19
1
In those days, when there was no king in Israel, there was a man, a Levite, living for a while in the most remote area of the hill country of Ephraim. He took for himself a woman, a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah.
2
But his concubine acted like a prostitute against him; she left him and went back to her father's house in Bethlehem of Judah. She stayed there for four months.
3
Then her husband got up and went after her in order to persuade her to come back. His servant was with him, and a yoke of donkeys. She brought him into her father's house. When the girl's father saw him, he was glad to meet him.
4
His father-in-law, the girl's father, persuaded him to stay for three days. They ate and drank, and they spent the night there.
5
On the fourth day they got up early and he prepared to go, but the girl's father said to his son-in-law, "Strengthen yourself with a bit of bread, then you may go."
6
So the two of them sat down to eat and drink together. Then the girl's father said, "Please be willing to spend the night and have a good time."
7
When the Levite got up to leave, the father of the young woman urged him to stay, so he changed his plan and spent the night there again.
8
On the fifth day he woke up early to leave, but the girl's father said, "Strengthen yourself, and wait until the afternoon." So the two of them had a meal.
9
When the Levite and his concubine and his servant rose up to depart, his father-in-law, the girl's father said to him, "See now, the day is advancing toward evening. Please stay another night, and have a good time. You can get up early tomorrow and go back home."
10
But the Levite was not willing to spend the night. He got up and left. He went toward Jebus (that is Jerusalem). He had a pair of saddled donkeys—and his concubine was with him.
11
When they were near Jebus, the day was nearly over, and the servant said to his master, "Come, let us turn aside to the city of the Jebusites and spend the night in it."
12
His master said to him, "We will not turn aside into a city of foreigners who do not belong to the people of Israel. We will go on to Gibeah."
13
The Levite said to his young man, "Come, let us go to one of those other places, and spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah."
14
So they went on, and the sun set as they came near to Gibeah, in the territory of Benjamin.
15
They turned aside there to spend the night in Gibeah. They went and sat down in the city square, but no one took them into his house for the night.
16
But then an old man was coming from his work in the field that evening. He was from the hill country of Ephraim, and he was staying for a while in Gibeah. But the men living in that place were Benjamites.
17
He raised his eyes and saw the traveler in the city square. The old man said, "Where are you going? Where are you coming from?"
18
The Levite said to him, "We are on our way from Bethlehem in Judah to the most remote part of the hill country of Ephraim, which is where I come from. I went to Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to the house of Yahweh, but there is no one who will take me into his house.
19
We have straw and feed for our donkeys, and there is bread and wine for me and your female servant here, and for this young man with your servants. We lack nothing."
20
The old man greeted them, "Peace be with you! I will take care of all your needs. Only do not spend the night in the square."
21
So the man brought the Levite into his house and gave feed to the donkeys. They washed their feet and ate and drank.
22
While they were making their hearts glad, some men of the city, worthless men, surrounded the house, beating on the door. They spoke to the old man, the master of the house, saying, "Bring out the man who came into your house, so we can know him."
23
The man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, "No, my brothers, please do not do this evil thing! Since this man is a guest in my house, do not do this act of disgraceful folly!
24
See, my virgin daughter and his concubine are here. Let me bring them out now. Violate them and do with them whatever you like. But do not do such an act of disgraceful folly to this man!"
25
But the men would not listen to him, so the man seized his concubine and brought her out to them. They raped her and abused her all throughout the night, and at dawn they let her go.
26
At dawn the woman came and she fell down at the door of the man's house where her master was, and she lay there until it was light.
27
Her master rose up in the morning and opened the doors of the house and went out to go on his way. He could see his concubine lying there at the door, with her hands on the threshold.
28
The Levite said to her, "Get up. Let us go." But there was no answer. He put her on the donkey, and the man set out for home.
29
When the Levite came to his house, he took a knife, and he took hold of his concubine, and cut her up, limb by limb, into twelve pieces, and sent the pieces everywhere throughout Israel.
30
All who saw this said, "Such a thing has never been done or seen from the day the people of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt to this present day. Think about it! Give us advice! Tell us what to do!"
Judges 19:1
In those days
This phrase introduces the beginning of another event in the story.
remote
far from where most people live
Judges 19:2
acted like a prostitute against him
"began to have sexual relations with other men"
Judges 19:3
His servant was with him, and a yoke of donkeys
"He took with him his servant and two donkeys."
Judges 19:4
His father-in-law, the girl's father, persuaded
"The girl's father persuaded"
persuaded him to stay
"spoke to him so he decided to stay."
Judges 19:5
he prepared
the Levite prepared,
Strengthen yourself with a bit of bread
"Eat some food so you will be strong enough to travel"
Judges 19:6
Please be willing to spend the night
"Please stay another night,"
Judges 19:8
Strengthen yourself, and wait until the afternoon
"Eat some food so you will be strong enough to travel, and wait until afternoon to leave"
Judges 19:9
See now, the day
"Please listen carefully: the day"
the day is advancing toward evening
"the day is almost over" or "it is almost evening"
Judges 19:10
that is Jerusalem
"which was later called Jerusalem."
Judges 19:11
Come, let us
"I suggest that we"
turn aside to
"stop at"
Judges 19:15
the city square
the marketplace where people gathered during the day
took them into his house
"invited them to stay in their house for that night"
Judges 19:16
Benjamites
A Benjamite was a descendant of Benjamin. See Judges 3:15.
Judges 19:17
He raised his eyes
"He looked up"
Judges 19:18
who will take me into his house
"who has invited me to stay in his house"
will take me
"will take us"
Judges 19:19
there is bread and wine
"we have plenty of bread and wine"
me and your female servant here, and for this young man with your servants
"me, my concubine, and my servant"
We lack nothing
"We have everything we need"
Judges 19:21
brought the Levite into his house
"invited the Levite and his servants to stay in his house"
Judges 19:22
they were making their hearts glad
"they were enjoying themselves"
some men of ... surrounded the house
Some men stood on all sides of the house.
so we can know him
"know him" means "have sexual relations with him." The men probably were not trying to be polite.
Judges 19:23
act of disgraceful folly
a senseless, disgraceful act!
Judges 19:25
the men would not listen to him
"the men would not accept his offer". People from a village of the tribe of Benjamin raped a visitor's wife to death. This was very evil and the people of Israel considered mistreatment of a guest one of the worst crimes.
the man seized his concubine
"the Levite seized his concubine"
at dawn
"when the sun was coming up"
Judges 19:26
it was light
"the sun was fully risen"
Judges 19:28
But there was no answer
"But she did not answer because she was dead"
Judges 19:29
limb by limb
"section by section." The author uses this graphic description of how the Levite cut up her body into specific pieces. If there is not a similar phrase in your language, this description may be left out of the translation.
sent the pieces everywhere throughout Israel
"sent each piece to a different place throughout Israel". He sent the pieces to twelve different areas of Israel.
Chapter 20
1
Then all the people of Israel—from Dan to Beersheba, including the land of Gilead also—came out, and the congregation assembled together as one man before Yahweh at Mizpah.
2
The leaders of all the people, of all the tribes of Israel, took their places in the assembly of the people of God—400,000 footmen ready to fight with the sword.
3
Now the people of Benjamin heard that the people of Israel had gone up to Mizpah. The people of Israel said, "Tell us how this wicked thing happened."
4
The Levite, the husband of the woman who had been murdered, answered, "I came to Gibeah in the territory that belongs to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to spend the night.
5
During the night, the leaders of Gibeah attacked me, surrounding the house, intending to kill me. They raped my concubine, and she died.
6
I took my concubine and cut her body into pieces, and sent them into each region of Israel's inheritance, because they have committed wickedness and an act of disgraceful folly in Israel.
7
Now, all you people of Israel, give your advice and counsel here."
8
All the people arose together as one man, and they said, "None of us will go to his tent, and none of us will return to his house!
9
But now this is what we must do to Gibeah: We will attack it as the lot directs us.
10
We will take ten men of a hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and one hundred of a thousand, and one thousand of ten thousand, to get provisions for these people, so that when they come to Gibeah in Benjamin, they may punish them for the act of disgraceful folly they committed in Israel."
11
So all the men of Israel assembled against the city, united as one man.
12
The tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, "What is this wickedness that was done among you?
13
Therefore, give us those wicked men of Gibeah, so we may put them to death, and so we will completely remove this evil from Israel." But the Benjamites would not listen to the voice of their brothers, the people of Israel.
14
Then the sons of Benjamin came together out of the cities to Gibeah to get ready to fight against the sons of Israel.
15
The people of Benjamin brought together from their cities to fight on that day twenty-six thousand soldiers who were trained to fight with the sword. In addition, there were seven hundred of their chosen men from the inhabitants of Gibeah.
16
Among all these soldiers were seven hundred chosen men who were left-handed. Each of them could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.
17
The people of Israel, not counting the number from Benjamin, numbered 400,000 men, who were trained to fight with the sword. All of these were men of war.
18
The people of Israel arose, went up to Bethel, and asked for advice from God. They asked, "Who first will attack the people of Benjamin for us?" Yahweh said, "Judah will attack first."
19
The sons of Israel got up in the morning and they moved their camp near Gibeah.
20
The men of Israel went out to fight against Benjamin. They set up their battle positions against them at Gibeah.
21
The people of Benjamin came out of Gibeah, and they killed twenty-two thousand men from among Israel on that day.
22
But the men of Israel strengthened themselves and they formed the battle line in the same place where they had taken positions on the first day.
23
Then the people of Israel went up and they wept before Yahweh until evening, and they sought direction from Yahweh. They said, "Should we go again to fight against our brothers, the people of Benjamin?" Yahweh said, "Attack them!"
24
So the people of Israel went against the soldiers of Benjamin the second day.
25
On the second day, Benjamin went out against them from Gibeah and they killed eighteen thousand men from the people of Israel. All were men who trained to fight with the sword.
26
Then all the people of Israel, all the people, went up to Bethel and wept, and there they sat before Yahweh and they fasted that day until the evening and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before Yahweh.
27
The people of Israel asked Yahweh—for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
28
and Phinehas, son of Eleazar son of Aaron, was serving before the ark in those days—"Should we go out to battle once more against the people of Benjamin, our brothers, or stop?" Yahweh said, "Attack, for tomorrow I will help you defeat them."
29
So Israel set men in secret places around Gibeah.
30
The people of Israel fought against the people of Benjamin for the third day, and they formed their battle lines against Gibeah as they had done before.
31
The people of Benjamin went and fought against the people, and they were drawn away from the city. They began to kill some of the people. There were about thirty men of Israel who died in the fields and on the roads. One of the roads went up to Bethel, and the other went to Gibeah.
32
Then the people of Benjamin said, "They are defeated and they are running away from us, just as at first." But the people Israel said, "Let us run back and draw them away from the city to the roads."
33
All the men of Israel rose up out of their places and formed themselves into lines for battle at Baal Tamar. Then the people of Israel who had been hiding in secret places ran out from their places from Maareh Gibeah.
34
Ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel came out against Gibeah, and the fighting was fierce, but the Benjamites did not know that disaster was close to them.
35
Yahweh defeated Benjamin before Israel. On that day, the people of Israel destroyed 25,100 men of Benjamin. All these who died were those who had been trained to fight with the sword.
36
So the people of Benjamin saw they were defeated. The men of Israel had given ground to Benjamin, because they were trusting in the men they had placed in hidden positions outside Gibeah.
37
Then the men who were hiding got up and hurried, and they rushed into Gibeah, and they struck all the city with the edge of the sword.
38
The arranged signal between the men of Israel and the men hiding in secret would be that a great cloud of smoke would rise up out of the city.
39
When the signal was sent the men of Israel would turn from the battle. Now Benjamin began to attack and they killed about thirty men of Israel, and they said, "It is sure that they are defeated before us, as in the first battle."
40
But when a pillar of smoke began to rise up out of the city, the Benjamites turned and saw the smoke rising to the sky from the whole city.
41
Then the men of Israel turned against them. The men of Benjamin were terrified, for they saw that disaster had come on them.
42
So they ran away from the men of Israel, escaping on the way to the wilderness. But the fighting overtook them. The men of Israel came out of the cities and destroyed them where they stood.
43
They surrounded the Benjamites, chased them and trampled them down at Nohah, all the way to the east side of Gibeah.
44
From the tribe of Benjamin, eighteen thousand people died, all of them men who were distinguished in battle.
45
They turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon. The Israelites killed five thousand more of them along the roads. They kept going after them, following them closely all the way to Gidom, and there they killed two thousand more.
46
All the soldiers of Benjamin who fell that day were twenty-five thousand—men who were trained to fight with the sword; all of them were distinguished in battle.
47
But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness, toward the rock of Rimmon. For four months they stayed at the rock of Rimmon.
48
And the men of Israel turned back against the descendants of Benjamin and struck down with the edge of the sword the entire city, the animals and everything that they found. They also burned down every town in their path.
Judges 20:1
as one man
"as if they were a single man"
from Dan to Beersheba
"from all the eleven tribes"
Judges 20:2
God—400,000 footmen
"God, and also 400,000 regular soldiers came"
ready to fight
"capable of going to war."
Judges 20:3
had gone up to Mizpah
Mizpah was located high in the mountains.
Judges 20:4
to spend the night
"to stay for a night."
Judges 20:6
wickedness and an act of disgraceful folly
"outrageous wickedness"
act of disgraceful folly
a senseless, disgraceful act. See Judges 19:23.
Judges 20:7
give your advice and counsel here
"decide what we need to do about this"
Judges 20:8
as one
"as if they were a single man"
None of us will go to his tent ... none of us will return to his house
"We will all stay here"
Judges 20:9
as the lot directs
This involved tossing or rolling small marked stones to determine what God wants.
Judges 20:10
provisions
food and other things the people need
Judges 20:11
assembled against the city
"came together to attack the city,"
Judges 20:13
put them to death
"kill them"
the voice of their brothers
"what their brother said"
Judges 20:16
could sling a stone at a hair and not miss
"could throw a stone at something as small as a hair and hit it"
Judges 20:18
asked for advice from God
"asked God what to do."
Judges 20:19
moved their camp near Gibeah
Instead of meaning that they set up their camp near Gibeah, it could mean that the army went out and stood across from Gibeah ready to fight.
Judges 20:22
strengthened themselves
Here "strengthened" means they encouraged each other.
they formed the battle line
"they got ready to fight the next day"
Judges 20:23
they sought direction from Yahweh
The priest may have cast lots to determine God's will, but the method is not stated.
Judges 20:26
before Yahweh
"in Yahweh's presence," or "to Yahweh"
Judges 20:27
for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days
This is background information inserted to help understand how the people asked Yahweh for an answer.
was there in those days
"was at Bethel in those days"
Judges 20:28
and Phinehas ... was serving before the ark in those days
This is background information.
was serving before the ark
"was serving as priest before the ark"
Attack
"Attack the army of Benjamin"
Judges 20:29
Israel set men
"the Israelites"
secret places
"in ambush"
Judges 20:31
fought against the people
"fought against the people of Israel"
they were drawn away from the city
"the people of Israel drew them away from the city"
They began to kill some of the people
"The people of Benjamin began to kill some of the men of Israel"
Judges 20:32
just as at first
"just as before." or "just like the first two times."
Judges 20:33
Baal Tamar
This is the name of a city.
Maareh Gibeah
"fields of Gibeah" or "west of Gibeah". This is the name of a place.
Judges 20:34
chosen men
"well-trained soldier"
disaster was close to them
"they would soon be completely defeated"
Judges 20:35
men of Benjamin
"soldiers of Benjamin"
Judges 20:36
The men of Israel had given ground to Benjamin, because they were trusting in the men ... outside Gibeah
From here until the end of verse 41 is background information, explaining how the ambush defeated the Benjamites.
had given ground to Benjamin
"had allowed Benjamin to move forward"
Judges 20:39
would turn from the battle
"would retreat from the fight"
they are defeated before us
"we have defeated them"
Judges 20:41
disaster
great harm, trouble, misery
come on them
"happened to them"
Judges 20:42
But the fighting overtook them
"But the soldiers of Israel caught up to them" or "But they were not able to escape the fighting"
Judges 20:43
Nohah
This is the name of a place.
trampled them down
"they completely destroyed them"
Judges 20:44
were distinguished in battle
"had fought bravely in the battle"
Judges 20:45
They turned and fled
"The remaining Benjamites turned and fled"
Gidom
This is the name of a place.
Judges 20:48
turned back against the descendants of Benjamin
These people of Benjamin are not the soldiers who fled, but the ones who were still in the city.
the entire city
"everyone who was in the city"
in their path
"along the way"
Chapter 21
1
Now the men of Israel had sworn at Mizpah, "None of us will give his daughter to marry a Benjamite."
2
Then the people went to Bethel and sat there before God until the evening, and with loud voices they wept bitterly.
3
They called out, "Why, Yahweh, God of Israel, has this happened to Israel, that one of our tribes should be missing today?"
4
The next day the people got up early and built an altar there and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.
5
The people of Israel said, "Which of all the tribes of Israel did not come up in the assembly to Yahweh?" For they had made an important oath concerning anyone who did not come up to Yahweh at Mizpah. They said, "He would certainly be put to death."
6
The people of Israel had compassion for their brother Benjamin. They said, "Today one tribe has been cut off from Israel.
7
Who will provide wives for those who are left, since we have made an oath to Yahweh that we will not let any of them marry our daughters?"
8
They said, "Which of the tribes of Israel did not come up to Yahweh at Mizpah?" It was found that no one had come to the assembly from Jabesh Gilead.
9
For when the people were set out in an orderly manner, behold, none of the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead were there.
10
The assembly sent twelve thousand of their bravest men with instructions to go and strike the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead with the edge of the sword, including the women and children.
11
"Do this: Every male and every woman who has known a man by lying with him you will devote to destruction."
12
The men found among those living in Jabesh Gilead four hundred young virgins who had not known a man by lying with him, and they took them to the camp at Shiloh in Canaan.
13
The entire assembly sent a message and told the people of Benjamin who were at the rock of Rimmon that they were offering them peace.
14
The Benjamites returned at that time and they were given the women of Jabesh Gilead who had been kept alive, but there were not enough women for all of them.
15
The people had compassion on Benjamin, because Yahweh had made a division between the tribes of Israel.
16
Then the elders of the assembly said, "How will we arrange wives for the Benjamites who are left, since the women of Benjamin have been killed?"
17
They said, "There must be an inheritance for the escaped remnant of Benjamin, so that a tribe is not destroyed from Israel.
18
We cannot give them wives from our daughters, for the people of Israel had sworn, saying, 'Cursed be anyone who gives a wife to Benjamin.'"
19
So they said, "You know there is a feast for Yahweh every year at Shiloh (which is north of Bethel, east of the road that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and south of Lebonah)."
20
They instructed the men of Benjamin, saying, "Go and hide in secret and wait in the vineyards.
21
Watch for the time when the girls from Shiloh come out to dance, then rush out of the vineyards and each one of you should grab a wife from the girls of Shiloh, then go back to the land of Benjamin.
22
When their fathers or their brothers come to protest to us, we will say to them, 'Show us favor! Let them remain because we did not get wives for each man during the war. You are innocent, since you did not give your daughters to them.'"
23
The people of Benjamin did so. They took the number of wives that they needed from the girls who were dancing and they carried them off to be their wives. They went and returned to the place of their inheritance. They rebuilt the towns and lived in them.
24
Then the people of Israel left that place and went home, each one to his own tribe and clan, and each one to his own inheritance.
25
In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
Judges 21:1
Now the men of Israel had sworn ... marry a Benjamite."
This background information is about the promise that the Israelites made before the battle with the Benjamites.
Benjamite
This is the name of the descendants of Benjamin. See Judges 3:15.
Judges 21:2
General Information:
At the end of Judges, there is much sin and immorality. The people are doing wrong and fixing their wrongs by doing more evil things. This period of Judges is typified by this final account and summarized by the statement, "everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”. (see verse 25)
Judges 21:3
Why, Yahweh, God of Israel, has this happened to Israel, that one of our tribes should be missing today?
"Oh Yahweh, we are so sad that one of the tribes of Israel has been completely destroyed."
Judges 21:5
The people of Israel said, "Which of all the tribes of Israel did not come up in the assembly to Yahweh?"
The people are referring back to the assembly of the Israelites at Mizpah before they attacked the Benjamites.
He would certainly be put to death
"We will certainly kill that person"
Judges 21:6
their brother Benjamin
"the surviving Benjamites"
one tribe has been cut off from Israel
"one tribe has been removed"
Judges 21:7
Who will provide wives for those who are left, since we have made an oath to Yahweh that we will not let any of them marry our daughters?
The Israelites wanted to provide wives, but their promise at Mizpah prevented them from doing that.
Judges 21:8
Jabesh Gilead
This is the name of a city.
Judges 21:9
people were set out in an orderly manner
"people that were assembled at Mizpah were accounted for"
none of the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead were there
"none of the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead had been present at Mizpah"
Judges 21:10
strike the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead with the edge of the sword, including the women and children
The next verse will add an exception to this general instruction.
strike ... with the edge of the sword
"kill ... with their swords"
Judges 21:12
who had not known a man by lying with him
"who had not had sexual relations with a man"
Judges 21:13
they were offering them peace
"they wanted to stop fighting with them"
Judges 21:14
there were not enough women for all of them
There were six hundred Benjamite men, and only four hundred women from Jabesh Gilead.
Judges 21:15
made a division between the tribes of Israel
"had caused the tribes of Israel not to be unified."
Judges 21:16
Benjamites
This refers to the descendants of Benjamin. See Judges 3:15.
the women of Benjamin have been killed
"we killed all the Benjamite women"
Judges 21:17
There must be an inheritance ... is not destroyed from Israel
The Israelites had already given wives to four hundred of the Benjamites, so the tribe would not be completely destroyed.
Judges 21:18
a wife to Benjamin
"a wife to the men of Benjamin"
Judges 21:19
which is north of Bethel, east of the road that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and south of Lebonah
This is background information to explain where the city of Shiloh is located.
Lebonah
This is the name of a city.
Judges 21:21
each one of you should grab a wife ... go back to the land of Benjamin
"each one of you should seize one of the girls of Shiloh, taking her back with you to the land of Benjamin to become your wife"
Judges 21:22
Show us favor
"Act kindly toward us"
because we did not get wives for each man during the war
"because we did not get wives for each of them during the war with Jabesh Gilead"
You are innocent ... not give your daughters to them
The men of Shiloh did not voluntarily give their daughters to the Benjamites, so they didn't break their promise.
Judges 21:25
there was no king in Israel
"Israel did not yet have a king"
what was right in his own eyes
"what he considered to be right"
1 Samuel
Chapter 1
1
There was a certain man of Ramathaim of the Zuphites, of the hill country of Ephraim; his name was Elkanah son of Jeroham son of Elihu son of Tohu son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
2
He had two wives; the name of the first was Hannah, and the name of the second was Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.
3
This man went from his city year after year to worship and to sacrifice to Yahweh of hosts in Shiloh. The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, priests to Yahweh, were there.
4
When the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice each year, he always gave portions of the meat to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters.
5
But to Hannah he always gave a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although Yahweh had closed her womb.
6
Her rival provoked her severely in order to irritate her, because Yahweh had closed her womb.
7
So year after year, when she went up to the house of Yahweh with her family, her rival always provoked her. Therefore she used to weep and eat nothing.
8
Elkanah her husband always said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?"
9
On one of these occasions, Hannah rose up after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting upon his seat by the doorway to the temple of Yahweh.
10
She was deeply distressed; she prayed to Yahweh and wept bitterly.
11
She made a vow and said, "Yahweh of hosts, if you will look on the affliction of your servant and call me to mind, and do not forget your servant, but give your servant a son, then I will give him to Yahweh all the days of his life, and no razor will ever touch his head."
12
As she continued praying before Yahweh, Eli watched her mouth.
13
Hannah spoke in her heart. Her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.
14
Eli said to her, "How long will you be drunk? Get rid of your wine."
15
Hannah answered, "No, my master, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before Yahweh.
16
Do not consider your servant to be a worthless woman; I have been speaking out of the abundance of my great concern and provocation."
17
Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace; may the God of Israel grant the request that you have asked him for."
18
She said, "Let your servant find favor in your eyes." Then the woman went her way and ate; her face was no longer sad.
19
They rose early in the morning and worshiped before Yahweh, and then they returned again to their house in Ramah. Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and Yahweh remembered her.
20
When the time came, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She called his name Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked for him from Yahweh."
21
Once again, Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to Yahweh the yearly sacrifice and pay his vow.
22
But Hannah did not go; she had said to her husband, "I will not go until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, so that he may appear before Yahweh and live there forever."
23
Elkanah her husband said to her, "Do what seems good to you. Wait until you have weaned him; only, may Yahweh confirm his word." So the woman stayed and nursed her son until she weaned him.
24
When she had weaned him, she took him with her, along with a three-year-old bull,
one ephah of meal, and a bottle of wine, and brought him to the house of Yahweh in Shiloh. Now the child was still young.
25
They killed the bull, and they brought the child to Eli.
26
She said, "Oh, my master! As you live, my master, I am the woman who stood here next to you praying to Yahweh.
27
For this child I prayed and Yahweh has given me my petition which I asked of him.
28
I have given him to Yahweh, as long as he lives he is lent to Yahweh." Then he worshiped Yahweh there.
1 Samuel 1:1
General Information
This chapter introduces Samuel. It is the beginning of the section in 1 Samuel 1-7 which tells about Samuel, the religious leader of Israel.
Ramathaim
The name of a small village possibly located eight kilometers northwest of Jerusalem.
the Zuphites
The name of a people group that descended from Zuph.
Elkanah ... Jeroham ... Elihu ... Tohu ... Zuph
These are the names of men.
1 Samuel 1:2
Peninnah
This is the name of a woman. Two wives was a common practice but it was against the law of Moses. The men of Israel would have sinned if they married more than one woman. This type of marriage creates problems because of jealousy.
1 Samuel 1:3
This man
"This man" refers to Elkanah.
Yahweh
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
Eli, Hophni and Phinehas
These are the names of men.
1 Samuel 1:5
closed her womb
"prevented her from becoming pregnant"
1 Samuel 1:6
Her rival provoked her severely
The other wife would grieve and shame Hannah.
1 Samuel 1:7
her rival
This is Peninnah, the other wife of Elkanah. Peninnah was trying to get Elkanah to love her best.
1 Samuel 1:8
Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?
"Hannah, you should not weep. You should eat, and your heart should be glad because I am better to you than ten sons!" or "You have little reason for sadness. I favor you and that should be enough."
than ten sons
"than any son could be"
1 Samuel 1:9
Hannah rose up after
"Hannah rose up and went to the house of Yahweh to pray after"
Now Eli the priest
The author tells about a new person in the story. This person is the priest Eli.
the temple of Yahweh
The "temple" was actually a tent, but it was where the people worshiped, so it is best to translate as "temple" here.
1 Samuel 1:10
She was deeply distressed
Hannah was deeply troubled or grieved because of not having any children and being ridiculed by Peninnah.
1 Samuel 1:11
the affliction of your servant
"how I am suffering because I cannot become pregnant"
call me to mind
A special plea to God to take action on Hannah's behalf. He knows what is happening; he has not forgotten.
1 Samuel 1:12
Eli watched her
Eli was the chief priest, so he was in the tabernacle of God and in charge of it.
1 Samuel 1:15
I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit
"I am a woman who is deeply sad"
pouring out my soul before Yahweh
"telling Yahweh my deepest emotions."
1 Samuel 1:16
Do not consider your servant to be
"Do not consider me, your servant, to be"
I have been speaking out of the abundance of my great concern and provocation
"I have been speaking because I am very sad, and my rival has greatly provoked me". She is sad and annoyed.
1 Samuel 1:18
Let your servant find
"Let me, your servant, find"
find favor in your eyes
"evaluated me and approve"
ate; her face was
"ate. She was" or "ate. People could see that she was"
1 Samuel 1:19
Elkanah knew Hannah
"Elkanah had sexual relations with Hannah"
1 Samuel 1:20
Hannah conceived
"Hannah became pregnant,"
1 Samuel 1:21
his house
"his family"
1 Samuel 1:22
is weaned
stops drinking milk and starts eating only solid food
he may appear before Yahweh and live there forever
Hannah had promised God that she would allow Samuel to live and work with Eli the priest in the temple
1 Samuel 1:23
nursed her son
"gave her son milk."
1 Samuel 1:24
ephah
An ephah is about 22 liters of dry material. Wine was kept in animal skins.
1 Samuel 1:26
Oh, my master! As you live, my master
"Sir, what I am going to tell you is certainly true". This is a type of oath meaning "I promise you I am telling the truth.”
1 Samuel 1:27
has given me my petition which I asked of him
"has agreed to do what I solemnly requested that he do"
1 Samuel 1:28
he is lent to Yahweh
"I am loaning him to Yahweh"
he worshiped Yahweh
"Elkanah and his family"
Chapter 2
1
Hannah prayed and said,
"My heart rejoices in Yahweh.
My horn is exalted in Yahweh.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation.
2
There is no one holy like Yahweh,
for there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God.
3
Boast no more so very proudly;
let no arrogance come out of your mouth.
For Yahweh is a God of knowledge;
by him acts are weighed.
4
The bows of the mighty men are broken,
but those who stumble are girded with strength.
5
Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread;
those who were hungry have stopped being hungry.
Even the barren one gives birth to seven,
but the woman who has many children becomes weak.
6
Yahweh kills and brings to life.
He brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7
Yahweh makes some people poor and some rich.
He humbles, but he also lifts up.
8
He raises up the poor out of the dust.
He lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
and inherit the seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are Yahweh's
and he has set the world upon them.
9
He will guard the feet of his faithful people,
but the wicked will be put to silence in darkness,
for no one will prevail by strength.
10
Those who oppose Yahweh will be broken to pieces;
he will thunder against them from heaven.
Yahweh will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king
and exalt the horn of his anointed."
11
Then Elkanah went to Ramah, to his house. The child served Yahweh in the presence of Eli the priest.
12
Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know Yahweh.
13
The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand, while the meat was boiling.
14
He would stick it into the pan, or kettle, or cauldron, or pot. All that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. They did this in Shiloh with all of Israel that came there.
15
Worse, before they burned the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man who was sacrificing, "Give meat to roast for the priest; for he will not accept boiled meat from you, but only raw."
16
If the man said to him, "They must burn the fat first, and then take as much as you want." Then he would say, "No, you will give it me now; if not, I will take it by force."
17
The sin of these young men was very great before Yahweh, for they despised Yahweh's offering.
18
But Samuel served Yahweh as a child clothed with a linen ephod.
19
His mother would make him a little robe and bring it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
20
Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, "May Yahweh give you more children by this woman because of the request she made of Yahweh." Then they would return to their own home.
21
Yahweh again helped Hannah, and again she conceived. She bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the child Samuel grew before Yahweh.
22
Now Eli was very old; he heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they were lying with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
23
He said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil actions from all these people.
24
No, my sons; for it is not a good report that I hear. You make Yahweh's people disobey.
25
If one man sins against another, God will judge him; but if a man sins against Yahweh, who will speak for him?" But they would not listen to the voice of their father, because Yahweh intended to kill them.
26
The child Samuel grew up, and increased in favor with Yahweh and also with men.
27
Now a man of God came to Eli and said to him, "Yahweh says, 'Did I not reveal myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt in bondage to the house of Pharaoh?
28
I chose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, and to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me. I gave to the house of your father all the offerings of the people of Israel made with fire.
29
Why, then, do you scorn my sacrifices and offerings, which I commanded in the place where I live? Why do you honor your sons above me by making yourselves fat with the best of every offering of my people Israel?'
30
Therefore, Yahweh, the God of Israel, declares, 'I promised that your house and the house of your father should walk before me forever.' But now Yahweh declares, 'Far be it from me to do this, for I will honor those who honor me, but those who despise me will be lightly esteemed.
31
See, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father's house, so that there will no longer be any old man in your house.
32
You will see distress in the place where I live. Although good will be given to Israel, there will no longer be any old man in your house.
33
Any one of you that I do not cut off from my altar, I will cause your eyes to fail, and I will cause grief in your heart, then all the increase of your house will die while men.
34
This will be the sign for you that will come on your two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: They will both die on the same day.
35
I will raise up for myself a faithful priest who will do what is in my heart and in my soul. I will build him a sure house; and he will walk before my anointed king forever.
36
Everyone who is left in your house will come and bow down to him, asking for a piece of silver and a loaf of bread, and will say, "Please assign me to one of the priests' positions so I can eat a piece of bread."'"
1 Samuel 2:1
General Information:
This song is about how God protects the weak and strengthens them. He humbles the rich, provides for the poor, and defeats his enemies.
My heart rejoices
"I rejoice"
in Yahweh
"because of who Yahweh is" or "because Yahweh is so great"
My horn is exalted
"I am now strong"
1 Samuel 2:2
there is no rock like our God
This is another way of saying that God is strong and faithful.
rock
This is large enough to hide behind or to stand on and so be high above one's enemies.
1 Samuel 2:3
no arrogance
"no arrogant words"
by him acts are weighed
"he weighs people's acts" or "he understands why people act as they do"
1 Samuel 2:4
The bows of the mighty men are broken
"Mighty bowmen are kept from acting"
The bows of the mighty men are broken
"Yahweh breaks the bows of the mighty men" or "Yahweh can make even the strongest of people weak"
those who stumble are girded with strength
"he will make those who stumble strong"
are girded
They have put something around their waist to prepare for work.
1 Samuel 2:5
gives birth to seven
"gives birth to seven children"
1 Samuel 2:6
Yahweh kills ... brings to life ... brings down ... raises up
Yahweh is in control of everything.
1 Samuel 2:8
out of the dust ... from the ash heap
The lowest position in society.
the needy
people who do not have the things that they need
1 Samuel 2:9
guard the feet of his faithful people
"keep his faithful people from making foolish decisions" or "enable his faithful people to make wise decisions"
the wicked will be put to silence in darkness
"Yahweh will put the wicked to silence in darkness"
the wicked will be put to silence
"Yahweh will make them silent"
by strength
"because he is strong"
1 Samuel 2:10
Those who oppose Yahweh will be broken
"Yahweh will break those who oppose him"
broken to pieces
"defeated."
the ends of the earth
"the whole earth"
exalt the horn of his anointed
"he will make the leader he has chosen stronger than his enemies"
his anointed
"the one he has chosen"
1 Samuel 2:12
General Information:
When people would offer sacrifices, they would first burn the animal's fat and then boil the meat and eat it.
did not know Yahweh
"did not listen to Yahweh" or "did not obey Yahweh". Eli had two sons, who were ungodly priests that continually sinned and did not honor God. Eli corrected them but they did not listen. A prophet warned Eli that God would stop his family from being priests and his sons would both die on the same day. At the same time, Samuel was growing up and serving God.
1 Samuel 2:13
custom
An action that people regularly do.
1 Samuel 2:14
into the pan, or kettle, or cauldron, or pot
"into whatever the people were cooking the meat in"
pan
a small metal container for boiling and cooking
kettle or cauldron
a large, heavy metal container for boiling and cooking
pot
a clay container for cooking
1 Samuel 2:15
Worse, before
"They even did something worse than that. Before"
they burned
"the man who was sacrificing took his sacrifice to the priests and the priests burned"
Give meat to roast for the priest
"Give me some meat so I can give it to the priest so he can roast it"
roast
cook over a fire
boiled
cooked in water
1 Samuel 2:17
despised Yahweh's offering
They did not like and paid no attention to Yahweh's instructions regarding what people would offer to him.
1 Samuel 2:20
because of the request she made of Yahweh
Hannah had asked Yahweh for a baby, promising him that she would give the baby to serve in the temple.
1 Samuel 2:21
before Yahweh
Yahweh could see him and Samuel could learn about Yahweh.
1 Samuel 2:22
they were lying with the women
"they were having sexual relations with the women"
1 Samuel 2:23
Why do you do such things?
"It is terrible that you do such things!"
1 Samuel 2:25
who will speak for him?
"there is certainly no one who can speak for him."
speak for him
"ask Yahweh to have mercy on him"
the voice of their father
"what their father said"
1 Samuel 2:27
man of God
"a man who hears and tells words from God"
Did I not reveal myself ... house of Pharaoh?
"You should know that I revealed myself ... house of Pharaoh."
the house of your father
"the family of Aaron"
1 Samuel 2:28
to go up to my altar, and to burn incense
This refers to making an offering to Yahweh.
to wear an ephod before me
"to do what I had commanded the priests to do"
1 Samuel 2:29
Why, then, do you scorn my sacrifices ... live?
"You should not scorn my sacrifices ... where I live."
the place where I live
"the place where my people bring offerings to me"
making yourselves fat with the best of every offering
The best part of the offering was to be burned up as an offering to Yahweh, but the priests were eating it.
1 Samuel 2:30
should walk before me
"live in obedience to me."
Far be it from me to do this
"I will certainly not allow your family to serve me forever"
those who despise me will be lightly esteemed
"I will lightly esteem those who despise me"
1 Samuel 2:31
See
"Listen carefully to what I am about to say" or "What I am about to say is very important"
I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father's house
"I will kill you and all strong, young male descendants in your family"
be any old man
"be any men who grow old"
1 Samuel 2:33
cause your eyes to fail
"cause you to lose your eyesight" or "cause you to go blind"
all the increase of your house
"all the children born into your family"
while men
while they are the strongest they can be
1 Samuel 2:35
I will raise up ... a faithful priest
"I will cause a man to become priest"
for myself
"to serve me"
what is in my heart and in my soul
"what I want him to do and what I tell him to do"
I will build him a sure house
"I will ensure that he always has a descendant who serves as high priest"
1 Samuel 2:36
him
the faithful priest whom God will raise up
so I can eat a piece of bread
"so I can have something to eat"
Chapter 3
1
The child Samuel served Yahweh under Eli. Yahweh's word was rare in those days; there was no frequent prophetic vision.
2
At that time, Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see well, was lying down in his own bed.
3
The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of Yahweh, where the ark of God was.
4
Yahweh called to Samuel, who said, "Here I am."
5
Samuel ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Eli said, "I did not call you; lie down again." So Samuel went and lay down.
6
Yahweh called again, "Samuel." Again Samuel rose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Eli answered, "I did not call you, my son; lie down again."
7
Now Samuel did not yet have any experience of Yahweh, nor had any message from Yahweh ever been revealed to him.
8
Yahweh called Samuel again the third time. Again Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli realized that Yahweh had called the boy.
9
Then Eli said to Samuel, "Go and lie down again; if he calls you again, you must say, 'Speak, Yahweh, for your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his own place once more.
10
Yahweh came and stood; he called as at the other times, "Samuel, Samuel." Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
11
Yahweh said to Samuel, "See, I am about to do something in Israel at which the ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.
12
On that day I will carry out against Eli everything I have said about his house, from beginning to end.
13
I have told him that I am about to judge his house once for all for the iniquity that he knew about, because his sons brought a curse upon themselves and he did not stop them.
14
Because of this I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of his house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering."
15
Samuel lay down until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of Yahweh. But Samuel was afraid to tell Eli about the vision.
16
Then Eli called Samuel and said, "Samuel, my son." Samuel said, "Here I am."
17
He said, "What was the word he spoke to you? Please do not hide it from me. May God do so to you, and even more, if you hide anything from me of all the words that he spoke to you."
18
Samuel told him everything; he hid nothing from him. Eli said, "It is Yahweh. Let him do what seems good to him."
19
Samuel grew up, and Yahweh was with him, and he let none of his prophetic words fall to the ground.
20
All Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was appointed to be a prophet of Yahweh.
21
Yahweh appeared again in Shiloh, for he revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by his word.
1 Samuel 3:1
Yahweh's word was rare
"Yahweh did not often speak to people;"
1 Samuel 3:3
The lamp of God
This is the seven-candle lampstand in the holy place of the tabernacle that burned every day and night until it was empty.
the temple of Yahweh
See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 1:9.
1 Samuel 3:6
my son
Eli speaks as if he were Samuel's father to show the need to listen to Eli. God spoke at night to Samuel when he was a small boy, telling him that he would punish Eli's family. People came from all over Israel to find out what God had to say.
1 Samuel 3:7
nor had any message from Yahweh ever been revealed to him
"nor had Yahweh ever revealed any message to him"
1 Samuel 3:9
your servant is
"I am". Eli tells Samuel to speak to Yahweh as if Samuel were another person.
1 Samuel 3:10
Yahweh came and stood
Yahweh actually appeared and stood before Samuel or Yahweh made his presence known to Samuel.
1 Samuel 3:11
at which the ears of everyone who hears it will tingle
"that will shock everyone who hears it"
tingle
Someone is gently poking with small, sharp objects or someone has slapped that body part with their hand.
1 Samuel 3:12
from beginning to end
"absolutely everything"
1 Samuel 3:13
brought a curse upon themselves
"did those things which Yahweh had said he would punish those who did them."
1 Samuel 3:14
the iniquity of his house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering
"there is no sacrifice or offering that anyone can offer that will atone for the iniquity of his house"
the iniquity of his house
"the iniquity that the people in his family have committed"
1 Samuel 3:15
the house of Yahweh
The "house" was actually a tent, but it would be best to translate "house".
1 Samuel 3:16
my son
See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 1:6.
1 Samuel 3:17
the word he spoke
"the message Yahweh gave"
May God do so to you, and even more
"May God punish you the same way he said he will punish me, and even more"
1 Samuel 3:19
he let none of his prophetic words fall to the ground
"he made all the things he prophesied happen"
1 Samuel 3:20
All Israel
"All the people in Israel"
from Dan to Beersheba
"from Dan in the very north to Beersheba in the very south"
Samuel was appointed
"Yahweh had appointed"
Chapter 4
1
The word of Samuel came to all of Israel.
Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines. They set up camp at Ebenezer, and the Philistines set up camp at Aphek.
2
The Philistines lined up for battle against Israel. When the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the field of battle.
3
When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said, "Why has Yahweh defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of Yahweh here from Shiloh, that it may be here with us, that it might keep us safe from the hands of our enemies."
4
So the people sent men to Shiloh; from there they carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh of hosts, who sits above the cherubim. The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
5
When the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came into the camp, all of the people of Israel gave a great shout of joy, and the earth resounded.
6
When the Philistines heard the noise of the joyful shouting, they said, "What does this loud joyful shouting in the camp of the Hebrews mean?" Then they realized that the ark of Yahweh had come into the camp.
7
The Philistines were afraid; they said, "A god has come into the camp." They said, "Woe to us! Nothing like this has happened before!
8
Woe to us! Who will protect us from the strength of these mighty gods? These are the gods who attacked the Egyptians with many different kinds of plagues in the wilderness.
9
Take courage, and be men, you Philistines, or you will become slaves to the Hebrews, as they have been slaves to you. Be men, and fight."
10
The Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated. Every man fled to his tent, and the slaughter was very great; for thirty thousand footmen from Israel fell.
11
The ark of God was taken, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
12
A man of Benjamin ran from the battle line and came to Shiloh the same day, arriving with his clothes torn and earth on his head.
13
When he arrived, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road watching because his heart trembled with concern for the ark of God. When the man entered the city and told the news, the whole city cried out.
14
When Eli heard the noise of the outcry, he said, "What is the meaning of this uproar?" The man quickly came and told Eli.
15
Now Eli was ninety-eight years old; his eyes did not focus, and he could not see.
16
The man said to Eli, "I am the one who came from the battle line. I fled from the battle today." Eli said, "How did it go, my son?"
17
The man who brought the news answered and said, "Israel fled from the Philistines. Also, there has been a great slaughter among the people. Also, your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been taken."
18
When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate. His neck was broken, and he died, because he was old and heavy. He had judged Israel for forty years.
19
Now his daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and about to give birth. When she heard the news that the ark of God was captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she knelt down and gave birth, but her labor pains overwhelmed her.
20
About the time of her death the women attending to her said, "Do not be afraid, for you have given birth to a son." But she did not answer or take what they said to heart.
21
She called the child Ichabod, saying, "The glory has gone away from Israel!" for the ark of God had been captured, and because of her father-in-law and her husband.
22
She said, "The glory has gone away from Israel, because the ark of God has been captured."
1 Samuel 4:1
Ebenezer ... Aphek
These are the names of places. This chapter begins a new section on the Ark and the Philistines. It recounts two battles between Israel and the Philistines. In both battles, Israel was badly defeated and, in the second, the Ark was captured.
1 Samuel 4:2
Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed
"the Philistines defeated the Israelites and killed"
1 Samuel 4:3
the people
the soldiers who had been fighting the battle
Why has Yahweh defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring ... enemies
The elders wrongly thought they knew how to make sure it did not happen again, by bringing the ark with them.
1 Samuel 4:4
who sits above the cherubim
"who sits on his throne above the cherubim on the ark of the covenant"
Phinehas
This Phinehas is not the same as the grandson of Aaron in Exodus and Numbers.
1 Samuel 4:5
When the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came into the camp
"The people, along with Hophni and Phinehas, picked up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh and carried it into the camp. When the people carried the ark into the camp"
1 Samuel 4:6
the ark of Yahweh had come into the camp
"the people had carried the ark of Yahweh into the camp."
1 Samuel 4:7
they said ... They said
"they said to themselves ... They said to each other"
A god has come
Because 4:8 speaks of "gods," some translations read, "Gods have come," that is, "It is gods who have come."
1 Samuel 4:8
Who will protect us from the strength of these mighty gods?
"There is no one who can protect us from these mighty gods."
these mighty gods ... the gods who attacked
Because the word "god" (or "God") in 4:7 is singular, many translations read "this mighty god ... the god who attacked,".
1 Samuel 4:9
be men
"be strong and fight"
1 Samuel 4:10
Israel was defeated
"they defeated the army of Israel"
his tent
"his home." The Israelites were living in houses in those days.
1 Samuel 4:11
The ark of God was taken
"The Philistines also took the ark of God". When Eli's sons took the Ark into the next battle and the Philistines won the battle, they killed Eli's two sons and captured the Ark. When Eli heard the Ark was captured, he fell over, broke his neck, and died. Hearing this news, his daughter-in-law named her baby "the glory has departed.”
1 Samuel 4:12
clothes torn and earth on his head
A way to express deep mourning in Israelite culture.
1 Samuel 4:13
his heart trembled with concern
This means he was very fearful or terribly concerned about something.
the whole city
"all the people in the city."
1 Samuel 4:14
The man
"The man of Benjamin,"
1 Samuel 4:16
my son
Eli speaks as if he were the man's father to show the man that he is not angry but that the man needs to answer him.
1 Samuel 4:17
Also, there has been ... people. Also, your two sons
"I will now tell you something worse ... I will now tell you something worse" or "Not only has there been ... people, but your two sons"
the ark of God has been taken
"the Philistines have taken the ark of God"
1 Samuel 4:18
When he mentioned
"When the man of Benjamin spoke of"
His neck was broken
"He broke his neck when he fell"
1 Samuel 4:19
the ark of God was captured
"the Philistines had captured the ark of God"
1 Samuel 4:20
take what they said to heart
"pay any attention to what they said."
1 Samuel 4:21
She called
"she named"
Ichabod
The name is actually a phrase that means "no glory."
for the ark of God had been captured
"for the Philistines had captured the ark of God"
1 Samuel 4:22
the ark of God has been captured
"because the Philistines have captured the ark of God"
Chapter 5
1
Now the Philistines had captured the ark of God, and they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.
2
The Philistines took the ark of God, brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it up beside Dagon.
3
When the people of Ashdod got up early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen facedown on the ground before the ark of Yahweh. So they took Dagon and set him up in his place again.
4
But when they got up early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen facedown on the ground before the ark of Yahweh. The head of Dagon and both of his hands were lying cut off on the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon remained.
5
This is why, even today, the priests of Dagon and anyone who comes into Dagon's house does not step on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod.
6
Yahweh's hand was heavy upon the people of Ashdod. He destroyed them and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territories.
7
When the men of Ashdod realized what was happening, they said, "The ark of the God of Israel must not stay with us, because his hand is hard against us and against Dagon our god."
8
So they sent for and gathered together all of the rulers of the Philistines; they said to them, "What should we do with the ark of the God of Israel?" They answered, "Let the ark of the God of Israel be brought around to Gath." So they carried the ark of the God of Israel there.
9
But after they brought it around, Yahweh's hand was against the city, causing a very great tumult. He afflicted the men of the city, both small and great; and tumors broke out on them.
10
So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. But as soon as the ark of God came into Ekron, the Ekronites cried out, saying, "They have brought to us the ark of the God of Israel to kill us and our people."
11
So they sent for and gathered together all of the rulers of the Philistines; they said to them, "Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its own place, so that it does not kill us and our people." For there was a deathly tumult throughout the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.
12
The men who did not die were afflicted with the tumors, and the cry of the city went up to the heavens.
1 Samuel 5:1
ark of God
This is the same as the "ark of the covenant of Yahweh" in 1 Samuel 4:3.
1 Samuel 5:2
house of Dagon
The temple of Dagon, the god of the Philistines.
1 Samuel 5:3
behold, Dagon
"they were very surprised to see that Dagon"
Dagon had fallen facedown on the ground
The Philistines placed Dagon in their idol temple, but it fell down because Yahweh had caused the staute to fall on it's face during the night. They repeated this for a second night with the same result. The people got sick with bubonic plague. They took it to Gath next (verse eight) and the people of Gath began dying of the plague. They took the Ark to Ekron (verse 10) and the people did not want it there. Finally they sent it back to Israel.
1 Samuel 5:4
The head of Dagon and both of his hands were lying cut off
It was as if Yahweh were a soldier who had defeated his enemy and cut off the enemy's head and hands.
on the threshold
"on the threshold of the doorway of the entrance to the temple"
1 Samuel 5:5
even today
Here "today" means up to the day when the author was writing this book.
the threshold of Dagon
"the threshold of the doorway of the temple of Dagon"
1 Samuel 5:6
Yahweh's hand was heavy upon
"Yahweh severely judged"
tumors
Possible meanings are 1) painful swelling under the skin or 2) hemorrhoids.
both Ashdod and its territories
"both the people of Ashdod and the people in the land surrounding Ashdod"
1 Samuel 5:7
the men of Ashdod realized
"the men of Ashdod understood"
1 Samuel 5:9
Yahweh's hand was against
"Yahweh punished"
both small and great
"from the poorest and weakest men to the richest and most powerful men"
1 Samuel 5:10
cried out
"cried out in fear"
1 Samuel 5:11
the ark of the God of Israel
This is the same as the "ark of the covenant of Yahweh" in 1 Samuel 4:3.
there was a deathly tumult throughout the city
"people all over the city were afraid that they were going to die"
the hand of God was very heavy there
"Yahweh was punishing the people there very severely"
1 Samuel 5:12
The men who did not die
This implies that many men actually died.
the cry of the city went up to the heavens
"the people of the city cried out to their gods"
Chapter 6
1
Now the ark of Yahweh was in the country of the Philistines for seven months.
2
Then the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners; they said to them, "What should we do with the ark of Yahweh? Tell us how we should send it back to its own country."
3
The priests and diviners said, "If you send back the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it without a gift; by all means send him a guilt offering. Then you will be healed, and you will know why his hand has not been lifted off of you until now."
4
Then they said, "What should the guilt offering be that we are returning to him?" They replied, "Five golden tumors and five golden mice, five being the number that is the same as the number of the rulers of the Philistines. For the same plague afflicted you and your rulers.
5
So you must make models of your tumors, and models of your mice that are ruining the land, and give glory to the God of Israel. Perhaps he will lift his hand from you, from your gods, and from your land.
6
Why should you harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? That was when the God of Israel dealt severely with them; did not the Egyptians send away the people, and they left?
7
Now then, prepare a new cart with two nursing cows that have never been yoked. Tie the cows to the cart, but take their calves home, away from them.
8
Take the ark of Yahweh and place it on the cart, and put the figures of gold, which you are returning to him as a guilt offering, in a box beside it. Send it off and let it go its way,
9
but watch. If it goes up the road to its own land toward Beth Shemesh, then it is Yahweh who has caused us this great harm. But if not, then we will know that it is not his hand that afflicted us; it happened to us by chance."
10
The men did as they were told; they took two nursing cows, tied them to the cart, and confined their calves at home.
11
They put the ark of Yahweh on the cart, together with a box containing the golden mice and the castings of their tumors.
12
The cows went straight in the direction of Beth Shemesh. They went along one highway, lowing as they went, and they did not turn aside either to the right or to the left. The rulers of the Philistines followed after them to the border of Beth Shemesh.
13
Now the people of Beth Shemesh were harvesting their wheat in the valley. When they lifted up their eyes and saw the ark, they rejoiced.
14
The cart came into the field of Joshua from the town of Beth Shemesh and stopped there. A great stone was there, and they split the wood from the cart, and offered the cows as a burnt offering to Yahweh.
15
The Levites took down the ark of Yahweh and the box that was with it, where the golden figures were, and put them on the great stone. The men of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices the same day to Yahweh.
16
When the five rulers of the Philistines saw this, they returned that day to Ekron.
17
These are the golden tumors which the Philistines returned for a guilt offering to Yahweh—one for Ashdod, one for Gaza, one for Ashkelon, one for Gath, and one for Ekron.
18
The golden mice were the same in number as the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five rulers, both fortified cities and country villages. The great stone, beside which they set down the ark of Yahweh, remains a witness to this day in the field of Joshua the Bethshemite.
19
Yahweh attacked some of the men of Beth Shemesh because they had looked into the ark of Yahweh. He killed 50,070 men. The people mourned, because Yahweh had given the people a great blow.
20
The men of Beth Shemesh said, "Who is able to stand before Yahweh, this holy God? To whom will the ark go up from us?"
21
They sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath Jearim, saying, "The Philistines have brought back the ark of Yahweh; come down and take it back with you."
1 Samuel 6:1
General Information:
This chapter ends the story of the Ark among the Philistines. The Philistine leaders asked their priests what they should do with the Ark and they said to send it off with an offering. They put the Ark on a cart drawn by cows and it went straight toward Israel. When some people peeked into the Ark, God killed them. The people sent the Ark to Kiriath Jearim.
1 Samuel 6:2
the priests and the diviners
The pagan priests and diviners who worshiped Dagon.
Tell us how we should send it
The Philistines wanted to know how to get rid of the ark without angering Yahweh any further.
1 Samuel 6:3
the God of Israel
See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 5:7.
by all means send him a guilt offering
"you must send a guilt offering"
you
The pronoun "you" is plural, referring to all of the Philistines.
why his hand has not been lifted off of you
"why he has not relieved your suffering"
1 Samuel 6:4
tumors
See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 5:6.
mice
more than one mouse
1 Samuel 6:5
models
A model is something that looks like a real thing.
lift his hand from you, from your gods, and from your land
"stop punishing you, your gods and your land"
1 Samuel 6:6
Why should you harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts?
"Do not be stubborn like the Egyptians and Pharaoh were!"
harden your hearts
"refuse to obey God"
did not the Egyptians send away the people, and they left?
"remember that the Egyptians sent the Israelites out of Egypt."
1 Samuel 6:7
two nursing cows
"two cows that have calves that are still drinking milk."
1 Samuel 6:8
Send it off and let it go its way
Normally the cows would head back home to their calves.
1 Samuel 6:9
If it goes ... toward Beth Shemesh, then it is Yahweh
It is unlikely the cows would choose to wander to Beth Shemesh when their calves are in the Philistine area.
1 Samuel 6:11
castings of their tumors
"models of their tumors"
1 Samuel 6:12
lowing as they went
Lowing is the noise cows make with their voices.
they did not turn aside either to the right or to the left
"they stayed on the highway" or "they went straight ahead"
1 Samuel 6:13
people of Beth Shemesh
These were Israelites.
lifted up their eyes
"looked up"
1 Samuel 6:14
A great stone was there
They used this stone as an altar when they offered the cows as sacrifices.
1 Samuel 6:15
The Levites took down the ark of Yahweh
This happened before they chopped the cart into firewood to use in offering the cows to Yahweh.
The Levites took down the ark
According to the law of Moses, only the Levites were permitted to handle the ark.
the box that was with it, where the golden figures were
"the box containing the gold models of the rats and the tumors"
1 Samuel 6:18
fortified cities
These are cities with high walls around them to protect the people inside from attack by their enemies.
The great stone ... remains a witness
"The great stone ... is still there, and people remember what happened on it"
Joshua
This is a man's name.
the Bethshemite
"from Beth Shemesh"
to this day
to the time at which the writer wrote the book
1 Samuel 6:19
they had looked into the ark
The ark was so holy that no one was permitted to look inside it. Only the priests were allowed to even see the ark.
1 Samuel 6:20
Who is able to stand before Yahweh, this holy God?
"There is no one who can resist Yahweh because he is so holy!" or "Is there a priest among us who serves this holy God, Yahweh, and is able to handle this ark?"
To whom will the ark go up from us?
"Where can we send this ark so that Yahweh will not punish us again?"
1 Samuel 6:21
Kiriath Jearim
This was a town in Israel.
Chapter 7
1
The men of Kiriath Jearim came, took the ark of Yahweh, and brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill. They set apart his son Eleazar to keep the ark of Yahweh.
2
From the day the ark remained in Kiriath Jearim, a long time passed, twenty years. All the house of Israel lamented and wished to turn to Yahweh.
3
Samuel said to the entire house of Israel, "If you return to Yahweh with your whole heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, turn your hearts to Yahweh, and worship him only, then he will rescue you from the hand of the Philistines."
4
Then the people of Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and worshiped Yahweh only.
5
Then Samuel said, "Bring together all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to Yahweh for you."
6
They gathered at Mizpah, drew water and poured it out before Yahweh. They fasted that day and said, "We have sinned against Yahweh." It was there that Samuel decided disputes for the people of Israel and led the people.
7
Now when the Philistines heard the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines attacked Israel. When the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines.
8
Then the people of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not stop calling out to Yahweh our God for us, so he will save us from the hand of the Philistines."
9
Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to Yahweh. Then Samuel cried out to Yahweh for Israel, and Yahweh answered him.
10
As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines approached to attack Israel. But Yahweh thundered with a loud sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were routed before Israel.
11
The men of Israel went from Mizpah, and they pursued the Philistines and killed them as far as below Beth Kar.
12
Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far Yahweh has helped us."
13
So the Philistines were subdued and they did not enter the border of Israel. The hand of Yahweh was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.
14
The towns that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath; Israel brought back their territory from the Philistines. Then there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
15
Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
16
Each year he went on a circuit to Bethel, to Gilgal, and to Mizpah. He decided disputes for Israel in all these places.
17
Then he would return to Ramah, because his house was there; and there also he decided disputes for Israel. He also built an altar there to Yahweh.
1 Samuel 7:1
Kiriath Jearim
This is the name of a place.
Abinadab ... Eleazar
These are the names of men.
1 Samuel 7:3
the entire house of Israel
"all of the Israelite people"
return to Yahweh with your whole heart
"become completely devoted to worshiping and obeying Yahweh only". Samuel told the people to get rid of all their idols and worship Yahweh alone and the people were obedient. When the Philistines heard the Israelites were all gathered together, the Philistines attacked, but God defeated them. There was a time of peace during which Samuel settled disputes between the people as the judges had done before.
1 Samuel 7:5
all Israel
"all the Israelites."
1 Samuel 7:6
drew water and poured it out before Yahweh
Possible meanings are 1) the people denied themselves water as part of fasting or 2) they got water out of a stream or well and poured it on the ground as an outward sign of being sorry for their sin.
1 Samuel 7:7
the rulers of the Philistines attacked Israel
"the Philistine rulers led their army and attacked Israel"
1 Samuel 7:8
save us from the hand of the Philistines
"save us from the Philistine army" or "keep the Philistine army from harming us"
1 Samuel 7:9
nursing lamb
a lamb that is still drinking its mother's milk.
cried out
"cried out for help"
Yahweh answered him
"Yahweh did what Samuel asked him to do"
1 Samuel 7:10
threw them into confusion
"made them unable to think clearly"
they were routed before Israel
"Yahweh routed them before Israel"
routed
To rout people is to defeat them before they can cause any harm.
1 Samuel 7:11
Beth Kar
This is the name of a place.
1 Samuel 7:12
took a stone and set it
The Israelites and other peoples would place a large stone as a reminder of God's help.
Mizpah ... Shen
These are the names of places.
1 Samuel 7:13
the Philistines were subdued
"Yahweh subdued the Philistines" or "Yahweh kept the Philistines from causing harm"
they did not enter the border of Israel
The Philistines did not enter Israel's border to attack them.
The hand of Yahweh was against the Philistines
"Yahweh used his power against the Philistines"
1 Samuel 7:14
The towns ... from Israel were restored to Israel
"Yahweh restored to the land of Israel the towns ... from Israel"
1 Samuel 7:16
went on a circuit
traveled from place to place in a rough circle.
He decided disputes
Disputes are arguments or disagreements between two or more people.
Chapter 8
1
When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges over Israel.
2
The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second son was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.
3
His sons did not walk in his ways, but chased after dishonest gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.
4
Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.
5
They said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations."
6
But it displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." So Samuel prayed to Yahweh.
7
Yahweh said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in everything they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.
8
The same deeds they have done since the day I brought them out of Egypt—abandoning me and serving other gods—they are now doing also to you.
9
Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know by what ordinances the king will reign over them."
10
So Samuel told all the words of Yahweh to the people who were asking for a king.
11
He said, "These will be the ordinances of the king who will reign over you. He will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen, and to run before his chariots.
12
He will appoint for himself captains of thousands and captains of fifties. He will make some plow his ground, some reap his harvest, and some make his weapons of war and the equipment for his chariots.
13
He will also take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers.
14
He will take the very best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive orchards, and give them to his servants.
15
He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give to his officers and his servants.
16
He will take your male servants and your female servants and the best of your cattle
and your donkeys; he will put them all to work for him.
17
He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you will be his slaves.
18
Then on that day you will cry out because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves; but Yahweh will not answer you on that day."
19
But the people refused to listen to Samuel; they said, "No! There must be a king over us
20
so that we might be like all the other nations, and so that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles."
21
When Samuel heard all the words of the people he repeated them in the ears of Yahweh.
22
Yahweh said to Samuel, "Obey their voice and cause a king to reign over them." So Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Every man must go to his own city."
1 Samuel 8:1
General Information:
The section including chapters 8-16 begins a new part of the story. When Samuel was old, he appointed his sons to be judges. They were corrupt and took bribes, so the people came and asked Samuel to appoint a king for them. Samuel asked God, who gave them a king, but warned them what a king would be like. Despite Samuel's warning that a king would oppress them, the people still wanted one. This was sinful because they were rejecting God as their king.
1 Samuel 8:3
chased after dishonest gain
"they worked hard to gain money by being dishonest"
perverted justice
"judged in favor of those who did evil"
1 Samuel 8:5
do not walk in your ways
"do not do the things you do" or "do not do what is just the way you do"
Appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations
"Appoint for us a king like the kings of all the nations so that he can judge us". They wrongly believed that a king, and his sons after him, would rule justly.
1 Samuel 8:6
But it displeased Samuel ... Give us a king to judge us
The people did not just want him to remove his corrupt sons and to appoint honest judges, but they wanted a king.
1 Samuel 8:7
Obey the voice of the people
"Do what the people say"
but they have rejected me
Yahweh knew that the people were rejecting Yahweh as their king.
1 Samuel 8:8
I brought them out of Egypt
This refers to Yahweh freeing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt many years ago.
1 Samuel 8:9
warn them solemnly
"be very serious as you warn them"
by what ordinances the king will reign over them
"how the king who reigns over them will treat them." or "what the king who rules over them will require them to do."
1 Samuel 8:11
These will be the ordinances of the king who will reign over you
"This is how the king who will reign over you will act"
appoint them to his chariots
"have them drive chariots in battle"
be his horsemen
They will ride horses into battle.
1 Samuel 8:13
to be perfumers
"to make good-smelling oils to put on his body"
1 Samuel 8:14
olive orchards
"fields of olive trees,"
1 Samuel 8:15
a tenth ... of your vineyards
They will have to divide the wine into ten equal parts and give one of those parts to the king's officers and servants.
officers
These are the leaders of the king's army.
1 Samuel 8:17
you will be his slaves
"you will feel as if you are his slaves"
1 Samuel 8:18
you will cry out
The people will ask Yahweh to rescue them from the king or the people will ask the king to stop treating them so badly.
1 Samuel 8:21
he repeated them in the ears of Yahweh
"he repeated them to Yahweh"
1 Samuel 8:22
Obey their voice
"Obey the people"
cause a king to reign over them
"make someone king over them."
go to his own city
"go home"
Chapter 9
1
There was a man from Benjamin, a man of great wealth. His name was Kish son of Abiel son of Zeror son of Bekorath son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite.
2
He had a son named Saul, a handsome young man. There was no man among the people of Israel who was a more handsome person than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.
3
Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. So Kish said to Saul his son, "Take one of the servants with you; arise and go search for the donkeys."
4
So Saul passed through the hill country of Ephraim and went through the land of Shalisha, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them.
5
When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, "Come, let us go back, or my father may stop caring for the donkeys and become anxious about us."
6
But the servant said to him, "See now, there is a man of God in this city. He is a man who is held in honor; everything that he says comes true. Let us go there; maybe he can tell us which way we should go on our journey."
7
Then Saul said to his servant, "But if we go, what can we bring the man? For the bread in our sack is gone, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?"
8
The servant answered Saul and said, "Here, I have with me one-fourth of a shekel of silver that I will give to the man of God, to tell us which way we should go."
9
(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to seek the knowledge of God's will, he said, "Come, let us go to the seer." For today's prophet was formerly called a seer.)
10
Then Saul said to his servant, "Well said. Come, let us go." So they went to the city where the man of God was.
11
As they went up the hill to the city, they found young women coming out to draw water; Saul and his servant said to them, "Is the seer here?"
12
They answered, and said, "He is; see, he is just ahead of you. Hurry up, for he is coming to the city today, because the people are sacrificing today at the high place.
13
As soon as you enter the city you will find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not eat until he comes, because he will bless the sacrifice; afterwards those who are invited will eat. Now go up, for you will find him immediately."
14
So they went up to the city. As they were entering the city, they saw Samuel coming out toward them, to go up to the high place.
15
Now the day before Saul came, Yahweh had revealed to Samuel:
16
"Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you will anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He will save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked on my people with pity because their cry for help has come to me."
17
When Samuel saw Saul, Yahweh told him, "Here is the man I told you about! He is the one who will rule over my people."
18
Then Saul came close to Samuel in the gate and said, "Tell me where is the house of the seer?"
19
Samuel answered Saul and said, "I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for today you will eat with me. In the morning I will let you go, and I will tell you everything that is on your mind.
20
As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not worry about them, for they have been found. Then on whom are all the desires of Israel set? Is it not on you and all your father's house?"
21
Saul answered and said, "Am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest of the tribes of Israel? Is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this manner?"
22
So Samuel took Saul and his servant, brought them into the hall, and seated them at the head place of those who had been invited, who were about thirty people.
23
Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion which I gave to you, of which I said to you, 'Put it aside.'"
24
So the cook took up the thigh and what was on it and set it before Saul. Then Samuel said, "See what has been kept is set before you. Eat it, because it has been kept for you until the appointed time, from the time when I said, 'I have invited the people.'" So Saul ate with Samuel that day.
25
When they had come down from the high place into the city, Samuel spoke with Saul on the rooftop.
26
Then at the break of dawn, Samuel called to Saul on the rooftop and said, "Get up, so I can send you on your way." So Saul got up, and both he and Samuel went out into the street.
27
As they were going to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul, "Tell the servant to go ahead of us"—and he went ahead—"but you must stay here awhile, that I may announce the message of God to you."
1 Samuel 9:1
a man of great wealth
He was a nobleman or he was a mighty and brave man.
Kish ... Abiel ... Zeror ... Bekorath ... Aphiah
These are names of the men of Saul's family line.
Benjamite
A Benjamite is someone who belongs to the tribe of Benjamin.
1 Samuel 9:2
From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people
The other people in Israel did not even come up to his shoulders.
1 Samuel 9:3
arise and go
"stop what you are doing and go". When the donkeys of Saul's father strayed away, Saul went looking for them but he could not find them. He asked Samuel to ask God where they were and Samuel said the donkeys had been found. He invited Saul as the guest of honor to a feast and gave him a place to sleep for the night.
1 Samuel 9:4
the hill country of Ephraim ... the land of Shalisha ... the land of Shaalim ... the land of the Benjamites
These are all areas in Israel.
did not find them ... they were not there ... did not find them
The words "them" and "they" all refer to the donkeys.
1 Samuel 9:5
land of Zuph
This is an area in Israel just north of Jerusalem.
1 Samuel 9:6
man of God
"a man who hears and tells words from God"
which way we should go on our journey
"which way we should go to find the donkeys"
1 Samuel 9:7
what can we bring the man?
Giving a gift is a sign of respect for the man of God.
1 Samuel 9:8
one-fourth of a shekel
"1/4 of a shekel." A shekel is a type of money used in the Old Testament.
1 Samuel 9:9
Formerly in Israel ... seer
This is cultural information added by the Hebrew author.
For today's prophet was formerly called a seer
"Seer is the old name for what we call a prophet today"
1 Samuel 9:12
the people are sacrificing today
These are likely the first-fruit sacrifices, not the sin sacrifices, which must be held at the tabernacle.
1 Samuel 9:14
to go up to the high place
A place designated as holy to make sacrifices and offerings to Yahweh, maybe outside the city wall.
1 Samuel 9:16
you will anoint him to be prince
The term prince is used here instead of king. He is the man whom God has chosen to be king of Israel.
the land of Benjamin
"the land where people from the tribe of Benjamin live"
from the hand of the Philistines
"from the control of the Philistines"
For I have looked on my people with pity
"My people are suffering and I want to help them"
1 Samuel 9:17
Yahweh told him
"Yahweh told Samuel,"
1 Samuel 9:18
the seer
"the prophet of Yahweh?"
1 Samuel 9:20
Then on whom are all the desires of Israel set? Is it not on you and all your father's house?
"You should know that it is on you that all the desires of Israel are set. They are set on you and your father's family."
1 Samuel 9:21
Am I not a Benjamite ... of Israel? Is not my clan ... Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this manner?
"I am from the tribe of Benjamin, the least important of all tribes. And my clan is the least important clan in our tribe. I do not understand why you are saying that the Israelite people want me and my family to do something important."
1 Samuel 9:22
the hall
The writer assumes that the reader knows there was a large building in which people would eat together.
head place
This is the seat of honor.
1 Samuel 9:24
what was on it
Possible meanings are 1) the other food that Saul was to eat along with the meat or 2) other parts of the bull.
Then Samuel said
"Then the cook said". It is possible that the cook is speaking to Saul.
1 Samuel 9:25
on the rooftop
This is a normal place for family and guests to eat, visit, and sleep. It tends to be cooler in the evening and at night.
1 Samuel 9:26
Samuel called to Saul on the rooftop and said
"while Saul was sleeping on the rooftop, Samuel called to him and said"
1 Samuel 9:27
ahead of us"—and he went ahead—"but you must stay
"ahead of us, and when he has gone ahead, you must stay"
that I may announce the message of God to you
"so that I can tell you God's message for you"
Chapter 10
1
Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul's head, and kissed him. He said, "Has not Yahweh anointed you to be a ruler over his inheritance?
2
When you leave me today, you will find two men near Rachel's tomb, in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah. They will say to you, 'The donkeys that you were looking for have been found. Now your father has stopped caring about the donkeys and is anxious about you, saying, "What should I do about my son?"'
3
Then you will go on further from there, and you will come to the oak of Tabor. Three men going to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine.
4
They will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you will take from their hands.
5
After that, you will come to the hill of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is. When you arrive at the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with a lute, a tambourine, a flute, and a harp before them; they will be prophesying.
6
The Spirit of Yahweh will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them, and you will be changed into a different man.
7
Now, when these signs come to you, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.
8
Go down before me to Gilgal. Then I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you must do."
9
When Saul turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. Then all these signs came to pass that day.
10
When they came to the hill, a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him so that he prophesied with them.
11
When everyone who knew him before saw him prophesying with the prophets, the people said to each other, "What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul one of the prophets now?"
12
A man who was from that same place answered, "Then who is their father?" Because of this, it became a saying, "Is Saul also one of the prophets?"
13
When he finished prophesying, he came to the high place.
14
Then Saul's uncle said to him and his servant, "Where did you go?" He replied, "To search for the donkeys. When we saw that we could not find them, we went to Samuel."
15
Saul's uncle said, "Please tell me what Samuel said to you."
16
Saul replied to his uncle, "He told us plainly that the donkeys had been found." But he did not tell him about the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel had spoken.
17
Now Samuel called the people together before Yahweh at Mizpah.
18
He said to the people of Israel, "This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel says: 'I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians, and from the hand of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.'
19
But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all of your calamities and your distresses; and you have said to him, 'Set a king over us.' Now present yourselves before Yahweh by your tribes and by your clans."
20
So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen.
21
Then he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by their clans; and the clan of the Matrites was chosen; and Saul son of Kish was chosen. But when they went looking for him, he could not be found.
22
Then the people wanted to ask God more questions, "Is there still another man to come?" Yahweh answered, "He has hidden himself among the baggage."
23
Then they ran and retrieved Saul from there. When he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward.
24
Then Samuel said to the people, "Do you see the man whom Yahweh has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people!" All the people shouted, "Long live the king!"
25
Then Samuel told the people the customs and rules of kingship, wrote them down in a book, and placed it before Yahweh. Samuel then sent all the people away, each man to his own house.
26
Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went some strong men, whose hearts God had touched.
27
But some worthless men said, "How can this man save us?" These people despised Saul and did not bring him any gifts. But Saul kept silent.
1 Samuel 10:1
took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul's head
In Israelite culture, when a prophet poured oil on someone's head, that person received a blessing from Yahweh.
flask
a small container made from baked clay
Has not Yahweh anointed you to be a ruler over his inheritance?
"Yahweh has certainly anointed you to be a ruler over his inheritance." This is the first chapter about King Saul.
1 Samuel 10:2
Zelzah
This is the name of a place.
What should I do about my son?
Saul's father is now concerned about Saul and wants to find him.
1 Samuel 10:3
Tabor
This is the name of a place.
1 Samuel 10:4
take from their hands
"take from them" or "accept"
1 Samuel 10:5
General Information
Samuel told Saul that God had chosen him to be king, and on the way home he would meet some prophets. Saul would then begin prophesying and God would give him the Holy Spirit to help him to know what to do. Samuel told everyone to come to Mizpah where he announced that God had chosen Saul to be their king.
tambourine
This is a musical instrument with a head like a drum that can be hit and shaken.
1 Samuel 10:6
The Spirit of Yahweh will rush upon you
The phrase "rush upon" means that Yahweh's Spirit will make Saul prophesy and act like a different person.
1 Samuel 10:7
do whatever your hand finds to do
"do whatever you think is right to do"
1 Samuel 10:9
God gave him another heart
God enabled Samuel to think differently from the way he had thought before.
1 Samuel 10:10
the Spirit of God rushed upon him
"the Spirit of Yahweh took complete control of him"
1 Samuel 10:11
What has happened to the son of Kish?
"Kish is not an important person, so it cannot be true that Saul has become a prophet!"
1 Samuel 10:12
Then who is their father?
"It does not matter who the parents of these other prophets are. What matters is that, amazingly, Saul is speaking messages from God."
Because of this, it became a saying, "Is Saul also one of the prophets?"
"And that is why, when people cannot believe some report, they think about what happened to Saul and say, 'Is Saul really one of the prophets?'" This became a proverb among the Israelites, that expresses surprise.
1 Samuel 10:14
Then Saul's uncle said to him
"Then the brother of Saul's father said to Saul,"
1 Samuel 10:16
he did not tell him about the matter of the kingdom
"Saul did not tell his uncle that God had appointed him to be the king of Israel."
1 Samuel 10:18
I brought up Israel out of Egypt
"I brought the people of Israel out of Egypt"
the hand of the Egyptians ... the hand of all the kingdoms
"the power of the Egyptians ... the power of all the kingdoms"
1 Samuel 10:19
today
Samuel is speaking of the time since Israel had begun to reject God.
Set a king over us
"Give us a king to rule us"
present yourselves before Yahweh by your tribes and by your clans
"gather together by tribes and clans and come to stand before Yahweh"
1 Samuel 10:20
the tribe of Benjamin was chosen
"Yahweh chose the tribe of Benjamin"
1 Samuel 10:21
the clan of the Matrites was chosen ... Saul son of Kish was chosen
"Yahweh chose the clan of the Matrites ... Yahweh chose Saul son of Kish"
1 Samuel 10:23
he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward
See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 9:2.
1 Samuel 10:25
the customs and rules of kingship
"the customs and rules that a king would be required to follow"
1 Samuel 10:26
whose hearts God had touched
"who wanted to go with Saul because God had changed their thinking"
1 Samuel 10:27
How can this man save us?
"This man has no power to save us!"
despised
strongly disliked or hated
Chapter 11
1
Then Nahash the Ammonite went and besieged Jabesh Gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you."
2
Nahash the Ammonite replied, "On this condition will I make a treaty with you, that I gouge out all of your right eyes, and in this way bring disgrace on all Israel."
3
Then the elders of Jabesh replied to him, "Leave us alone for seven days, so that we may send messengers to all the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will surrender to you."
4
The messengers came to Gibeah, where Saul lived, and told the people what had happened. All the people wept loudly.
5
Now Saul was following the oxen out of the field. Saul said, "What is wrong with the people that they are weeping?" They told Saul what the men of Jabesh had said.
6
When Saul heard what they said, the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he was very angry.
7
He took a yoke of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel with the messengers. He said, "Whoever does not come out after Saul and after Samuel, this is what will be done to his oxen." Then the terror of Yahweh fell on the people, and they came out together as one man.
8
When he mustered them at Bezek, the people of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
9
They said to the messengers that came, "You will tell the men of Jabesh Gilead, 'Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, deliverance will be yours.'" So the messengers went and told the men of Jabesh, and they were glad.
10
Then the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you can do to us whatever seems good to you."
11
The next day Saul put the people in three groups. They came into the middle of the camp during the morning watch, and they attacked and defeated the Ammonites until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.
12
Then the people said to Samuel, "Who was it who said, 'Will Saul reign over us?' Bring the men, so we can put them to death."
13
But Saul said, "No one must be put to death this day, because today Yahweh has brought about deliverance in Israel."
14
Then Samuel said to the people, "Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingship there."
15
So all the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king before Yahweh in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before Yahweh, and Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
1 Samuel 11:1
Nahash
This is a man from Ammon, a descendent of Lot, Abraham's nephew.
Jabesh Gilead
This is the name of a place. Nahash, king of the Ammonites, and his army surrounded Jabesh Gilead. When the city's leaders asked for peace terms, Nahash demanded the right to poke out one eye of every man in order to show Israel their weakness. When Saul heard this, he called for all of Israel to help save this city. Israel was victorious and everyone wanted Saul as their king. Israel was not a truly unified country, even though it is often spoken of as one country.
1 Samuel 11:2
I gouge out
"I cut out" or "I pluck out"
bring disgrace on
"bring shame on" or "bring a bad reputation to,"
1 Samuel 11:4
Gibeah
This is the name of a place.
1 Samuel 11:6
the Spirit of God rushed upon him
See how you translated a similar phrase in 1 Samuel 10:6.
1 Samuel 11:7
does not come out after
Saul was calling all the men of Israel to come fight against Nahash and the Ammonites.
Then the terror of Yahweh fell on the people
Yahweh enabled people to fearfully respect Saul as their king. The men rallied together with Saul at Bezek.
1 Samuel 11:8
Bezek
This is the name of a town near Jabesh Gilead.
1 Samuel 11:9
They said to the messengers
"They" refers to Samuel and Saul.
by the time the sun is hot
"before the hottest part of the day"
1 Samuel 11:11
the morning watch
This was before dawn when most people were still asleep.
1 Samuel 11:15
made Saul king before Yahweh
"made Saul king while Yahweh watched,"
There they sacrificed peace offerings before Yahweh
Part of Samuel's service is to offer sacrifices even though he is not from the line of Aaron or Levi.
Chapter 12
1
Samuel said to all Israel, "I have listened to everything you said to me, and I have set a king to reign over you.
2
Now, here is the king walking before you; and I am old and gray; and, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth until today.
3
Here I am; testify against me before Yahweh and before his anointed one. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with? Testify against me, and I will restore it to you."
4
They said, "You have not defrauded us, oppressed us, or stolen anything from any man's hand."
5
He said to them, "Yahweh is witness against you, and his anointed one is witness today, that you have found nothing in my hand." They replied, "Yahweh is witness."
6
Samuel said to the people, "It is Yahweh who appointed Moses and Aaron, and who brought your fathers up from the land of Egypt.
7
Now then, present yourself, so that I may plead with you before Yahweh about all of the righteous deeds of Yahweh, which he did for you and your fathers.
8
When Jacob came to Egypt, and your ancestors cried out to Yahweh, then Yahweh sent Moses and Aaron, who led your ancestors out of Egypt and they settled in this place.
9
But they forgot Yahweh their God; he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the armies of Hazor, into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; these all fought against your ancestors.
10
They cried out to Yahweh and said, 'We have sinned, because we have abandoned Yahweh and have served the Baals and the Ashtoreths. But now rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and we will serve you.'
11
So Yahweh sent Jerub-Baal, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel, and gave you victory over your enemies all around you, so that you lived in security.
12
When you saw that Nahash the king of the people of Ammon came against you, you said to me, 'No, a king must rule over us'—even though Yahweh your God was your king.
13
Now here is the king whom you have chosen, whom you have asked for and whom Yahweh has now appointed as king over you.
14
If you fear Yahweh, serve him, obey his voice, and not rebel against the command of Yahweh, then both you and the king who reigns over you will be followers of Yahweh your God.
15
If you do not obey the voice of Yahweh, but rebel against the commands of Yahweh, then Yahweh's hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors.
16
Even now present yourself and see this great thing which Yahweh will do before your eyes.
17
Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call upon Yahweh, that he may send thunder and rain. Then you will know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of Yahweh, in asking for yourselves a king."
18
So Samuel called to Yahweh; and that same day Yahweh sent thunder and rain. Then all the people greatly feared Yahweh and Samuel.
19
Then all the people said to Samuel, "Pray for your servants to Yahweh your God, so that we do not die. For we have added to all our sins this evil in asking for a king for ourselves."
20
Samuel replied, "Do not be afraid. You have done all this evil, but do not turn away from Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart.
21
Do not turn away after empty things that cannot profit or rescue you, because they are useless.
22
For the sake of his great name, Yahweh will not reject his people, because it has pleased Yahweh to make you a people for himself.
23
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh by ceasing to pray for you. I will teach you the way that is good and right.
24
Only fear Yahweh and serve him in truth with all your heart. Consider the great things he has done for you.
25
But if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be destroyed."
1 Samuel 12:1
General Information:
This chapter serves as a type of farewell address, which was a way for leaders to give instructions to their followers before they leave or die. Samuel first established his holiness before calling on the people to repent of their desire to have a king.
1 Samuel 12:2
the king walking before you ... I have walked before you
"the king's life was seen ... My life was seen"
1 Samuel 12:3
Here I am; testify against me before Yahweh and before his anointed one
"I stand in front of you now. I ask you to speak in front of Yahweh and his anointed king if I have done you any wrong"
Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken?
"I have never stolen a prized animal from anyone."
Whom have I defrauded?
"I have never cheated or bribed any man."
Testify against me, and I will restore it to you
"If I have done any of these evil things, speak now, and I will pay back what I owe. I will make right any wrong"
1 Samuel 12:4
from any man's hand
This is a polite way of saying he has not stolen, nor has he given or taken bribes.
1 Samuel 12:7
all of the righteous deeds of Yahweh
Samuel is calling their attention to the history of Yahweh's dealing with Israel, which has been filled with goodness and purpose. This gives the readers evidence to trust in Yahweh in their current situation.
1 Samuel 12:8
Jacob ... Moses ... Aaron
These are names of men.
1 Samuel 12:9
into the hand of Sisera ... Philistines ... king of Moab
"into the power of Sisera ... Philistines ... king of Moab"
Sisera
This is the name of a man.
Hazor
This is the name of a place.
he sold them
This is an expression for God giving them over to their enemies to be their slaves.
1 Samuel 12:10
They cried out to Yahweh
"They" refers to the nation of Israel.
have served the Baals and the Ashtoreths
"have worshiped false gods and goddesses"
the hand of our enemies
"the power or control of our enemies"
1 Samuel 12:11
Jerub-Baal
This is sometimes translated as Jerubbaal. This is a name of godly honor and strength to fight the false god.
Yahweh sent ... and gave you victory
Samuel is telling the story of what God did after the people's confession of sin and plea for help.
Jerub-Baal, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel
These are the names of some judges that God raised up. Samuel included himself in this list.
1 Samuel 12:13
whom you have chosen, whom you have asked for
These two phrases emphasize that this is the king whom the people wanted.
1 Samuel 12:14
fear ... serve ... obey ... not rebel
These words are used to emphasize how important this is.
1 Samuel 12:15
Yahweh's hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors
"Yahweh will punish you, just as he punished your ancestors"
1 Samuel 12:16
before your eyes
"out in the open where all of the nation of Israel may see"
1 Samuel 12:17
Is it not the wheat harvest today?
"It is harvest time and does not usually rain at this time"
he may send thunder and rain
Samuel is asking Yahweh to punish Israel by sending a rainstorm during the harvest which will ruin the grain.
1 Samuel 12:19
so that we do not die
The nation of Israel had seen Yahweh destroy the nations that had oppressed them. They were concerned that they had become "dedicated for destruction" like those nations.
1 Samuel 12:20
Do not be afraid
"Do not be afraid that God will be angry and destroy you because of this sin"
1 Samuel 12:21
turn away after empty things
"pursue worship of false gods,"
1 Samuel 12:22
For the sake of his great name
"So that people will continue to honor and respect Yahweh"
1 Samuel 12:23
far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh by ceasing to pray for you
The people are filled with fear because of the rain and thunder that Yahweh sent when Samuel prayed. Some people may believe Samuel would use his prayers to harm them.
Chapter 13
1
Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign; when he had reigned forty years over Israel,
2
he chose three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with him in Mikmash and in the hill country of Bethel, while a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the soldiers he sent home, each man to his tent.
3
Jonathan defeated the garrison of the Philistines that was at Geba and the Philistines heard of it. Then Saul blew the ram's horn throughout all the land, saying, "Let the Hebrews hear."
4
All Israel heard that Saul had defeated the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel had become a rotten smell to the Philistines. Then the soldiers were summoned together to join Saul at Gilgal.
5
The Philistines gathered together to fight against Israel, with three thousand chariots, six thousand men to drive the chariots, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They came up and encamped at Mikmash, east of Beth Aven.
6
When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble—for the people were distressed, the people hid in caves, in the underbrush, in rocks, in wells, and in pits.
7
Some of the Hebrews went over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. But Saul was still at Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
8
He waited seven days, the time Samuel had set. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from Saul.
9
Saul said, "Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings." Then he offered the burnt offering.
10
As soon as he finished offering the burnt offering Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet him and to greet him.
11
Then Samuel said, "What have you done?" Saul replied, "When I saw that the people were leaving me, and that you did not come within the set time, and that the Philistines had assembled at Mikmash,
12
I said, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of Yahweh.' So I forced myself to offer the burnt offering."
13
Then Samuel said to Saul, "You have acted foolishly. You have not kept the command of Yahweh your God that he commanded you. For then Yahweh would have established your rule over Israel forever.
14
But now your rule will not continue. Yahweh has sought out a man after his own heart, and Yahweh has appointed him to be prince over his people, because you have not obeyed what he commanded you."
15
Then Samuel arose and went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin.
Then Saul numbered the people who were present with him, about six hundred men.
16
Saul, his son Jonathan, and the people who were present with them, stayed in Geba of Benjamin. But the Philistines camped at Mikmash.
17
Raiders came from the camp of the Philistines in three groups. One group turned toward Ophrah, to the land of Shual.
18
Another group turned toward Beth Horon, and another group turned toward the border that overlooks the Valley of Zeboyim toward the wilderness.
19
No blacksmith could be found throughout all of Israel, because the Philistines said, "Otherwise the Hebrews would make swords or spears for themselves."
20
But all the men of Israel used to go down to the Philistines, each to sharpen his plow points, his mattock, his ax, and his sickle.
21
The charge was two-thirds of a shekel for the plow points, and the mattocks, and one-third of a shekel for sharpening axes and for straightening the goads.
22
So on the day of battle, there were no swords or spears found in the hands of any of the soldiers who were with Saul and Jonathan; only Saul and his son Jonathan had them.
23
The garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Mikmash.
1 Samuel 13:1
General Information:
This chapter is the beginning of a story about Jonathan's victory over the Philistines.
Saul was thirty years old ... over Israel
The text of this verse is uncertain, so modern versions have many different translations.
1 Samuel 13:2
Mikmash
This is the name of a city.
Gibeah of Benjamin
Gibeah is a town.
The rest of the soldiers he sent home
"He sent the rest of the soldiers home". Saul sent most of his army home before Jonathan attacked and defeated a Philistine garrison. This attack made the Philistines very angry, and they brought a huge army into Israel and camped at the top of a hill. Most of Saul's army ran away in fear and hid. Many details give the impression that Israel was unprepared for battle.
1 Samuel 13:3
garrison of the Philistines
"military base of the Philistines"
Geba
The name of the town that the Philistine garrison was stationed in.
1 Samuel 13:4
All Israel heard that Saul had defeated
Saul was taking responsibility for Jonathan's actions or Saul was taking credit for Jonathan's actions.
Israel had become a rotten smell to the Philistines
"the Philistines hated the Israelites"
the soldiers were summoned together to join Saul at Gilgal
"Saul called the soldiers together to join him at Gilgal"
1 Samuel 13:5
troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore
This is an exaggeration that means a group of soldiers so large that it was difficult to count them.
Mikmash
This is the name of a place.
Beth Aven
This is the name of a place.
1 Samuel 13:6
the people
This phrase refers to the nation of Israel.
the people were distressed
"the people worried greatly"
1 Samuel 13:8
the time Samuel had set
"according to the time Samuel had told them he would come"
the people were scattering from Saul
"the people had started to leave Saul"
1 Samuel 13:9
Then he offered the burnt offering
Only the line of Aaron was permitted to perform this sacrifice to God.
1 Samuel 13:11
What have you done
Samuel was giving a rebuke to Saul, who sought to defend his actions even though they were wrong.
1 Samuel 13:13
the command of Yahweh your God that he commanded you
"the command of Yahweh your God that he gave you."
You have not kept the command of Yahweh
Saul was to wait for Samuel to come and sacrifice the burnt offering to God. He was not to perform it himself.
established your rule
"set up your rule" or "authorized your rule"
1 Samuel 13:14
your rule will not continue
"your rule will end soon"
a man after his own heart
"a man who is the kind of person he wants" or "a man who will obey him"
1 Samuel 13:15
Samuel arose and went up
"Samuel left and went up."
went up from Gilgal
Gilgal is a city.
Gibeah of Benjamin
Gibeah is a town.
1 Samuel 13:17
Raiders came
Raiders are normally military people who attack enemy villages for their food and other supplies.
Ophrah, to the land of Shual
These are the names of places.
1 Samuel 13:18
Beth Horon ... Valley of Zeboyim
These are the names of places.
1 Samuel 13:19
No blacksmith could be found
"No one could find a blacksmith"
blacksmith
This refers to someone who made or sharpened metal tools and weapons.
1 Samuel 13:20
sharpen his plow points
The words "plow points" refer to the point of a metal tool used for digging up the ground for planting crops.
mattock ... ax ... sickle
These are common garden tools.
mattock
A "mattock" is a broad-bladed axe.
sickle
a curved blade for cutting grasses and grain stalks
1 Samuel 13:21
two-thirds of a shekel
The shekel is divided into 3 parts, 2 of 3 parts are given. "2/3 of a shekel"
straightening the goads
"taking out the bend and making the ox goad straight again so it could be used"
1 Samuel 13:22
there were no swords or spears
This explains in part why Saul's army was afraid. They did not have any weapons to fight.
Chapter 14
1
One day, Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man who was his armor bearer, "Come, let us go over to the Philistines' garrison on the other side." But he did not tell his father.
2
Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree that is in Migron. About six hundred men were with him,
3
including Ahijah son of Ahitub (Ichabod's brother) son of Phinehas son of Eli, the priest of Yahweh at Shiloh, who wore an ephod. The people did not know that Jonathan was gone.
4
On each side of the pass through which Jonathan wanted to go in order to get to the Philistines' garrison, there was a rocky cliff on one side and another rocky cliff on the other side. One rocky cliff was named Bozez and the other rocky cliff was named Seneh.
5
One rocky cliff stood on the north in front of Mikmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.
6
Jonathan said to his young armor bearer, "Come, let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised fellows. It may be that Yahweh will work on our behalf, for nothing can stop Yahweh from saving by many or by few people."
7
His armor bearer replied, "Do everything that is in your heart. Go ahead, see, I am with you, to obey all your commands."
8
Then Jonathan said, "We will cross over to the men, and we will show ourselves to them.
9
If they say to us, 'Wait there until we come over to you'—then we will stay in our place and will not cross over to them.
10
But if they reply, 'Come over to us,' then we will cross over; because Yahweh has given them into our hand. This will be the sign to us."
11
So both of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. The Philistines said, "Look, Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves."
12
Then the men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armor bearer, and said, "Come up to us, and we will show you something." Jonathan said to his armor bearer, "Follow after me, because Yahweh has given them into the hand of Israel."
13
Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armor bearer followed behind him. The Philistines were put to death before Jonathan, and his armor bearer put some to death behind him.
14
That first attack that Jonathan and his armor bearer made, killed about twenty men within an area of half an acre.
15
There was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among the people. Even the garrison and the raiders panicked. The earth quaked, and there was a great panic.
16
Then Saul's watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; the crowd of Philistine soldiers was dispersing, and they were going here and there.
17
Then Saul said to the people that were with him, "Count and see who is missing from us." When they had counted, Jonathan and his armor bearer were missing.
18
Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring the ark of God here," for at that time it was with the people of Israel.
19
While Saul was talking to the priest, the commotion in the camp of the Philistines was continuing and increasing. Then Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand."
20
Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into battle. Every Philistine's sword was against his fellow countrymen, and there was very great tumult.
21
Now those Hebrews who previously had been with the Philistines, and who had gone with them into the camp, even they joined with Israel who were with Saul and Jonathan.
22
When all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hills near Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, even they chased after them in battle.
23
So Yahweh saved Israel that day, and the battle passed beyond Beth Aven.
24
That day the men of Israel were distressed because Saul had put the people under an oath and said, "Cursed be the man that eats any food until evening and I am avenged on my enemies." So none of the troops tasted food.
25
Then all the people entered the forest and there was honey upon the ground.
26
When the people entered into the forest, the honey flowed, but no one put his hand to his mouth for the people feared the curse.
27
But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with an oath. He reached out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.
28
Then one of the people, answered, "Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, by saying, 'Cursed be the man that eats food on this day,' even though the people are weak from hunger."
29
Then Jonathan said, "My father has made trouble for the land. See how my eyes have become brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.
30
How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the plunder from their enemies that they found? Because now the slaughter has not been great among the Philistines."
31
They attacked the Philistines that day from Mikmash to Aijalon. The people were very weary.
32
The people rushed greedily on the plunder and took sheep, cattle and calves, and killed them on the ground. The people ate them with the blood.
33
Then they told Saul, "Look, the people are sinning against Yahweh by eating with the blood." Saul said, "You have acted unfaithfully. Now, roll a big stone here to me."
34
Saul said, "Go out among the people, and tell them, 'Let every man bring his cattle and his sheep, and slaughter them here and eat them. Do not sin against Yahweh by eating meat with the blood.'" So each of the people brought his own ox with him that night and killed it there.
35
Saul built an altar to Yahweh, which was the first altar that he built to Yahweh.
36
Then Saul said, "Let us pursue the Philistines by night and plunder them until the morning light; let us not leave one of them alive." They replied, "Do whatever seems good to you." But the priest said, "Let us approach God here."
37
Saul asked God, "Should I pursue the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?" But God did not answer him that day.
38
Then Saul said, "Come here, all you leaders of the people; learn and see how this sin has happened today.
39
For, as Yahweh lives, who saves Israel, even if it is in Jonathan my son, he will surely die." But none of the men among all the people answered him.
40
Then he said to all Israel, "You must stand on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other." The people said to Saul, "Do what seems good to you."
41
Saul said, "Yahweh, God of Israel! If this sin has been committed by me or by my son Jonathan, then, Yahweh, God of Israel, give the Urim. But if this sin has been committed by your people Israel, give the Thummim."
Then Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, but the army was exonerated.
42
Then Saul said, "Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son." Then Jonathan was taken by lot.
43
Then Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." Jonathan told him, "I tasted a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand. Here I am; I will die."
44
Saul said, "God do so and more also to me, if you do not die, Jonathan."
45
Then the people said to Saul, "Should Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great salvation for Israel? Far from it! As Yahweh lives, not one hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he has worked with God today." So the people ransomed Jonathan so that he did not die.
46
Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.
47
When Saul had taken the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side. He fought against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them.
48
He acted with great courage and defeated the Amalekites. He rescued Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them.
49
The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malki-Shua. The names of his two daughters were Merab, the firstborn, and Michal, the younger.
50
The name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam; she was the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the captain of his army was Abner son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
51
Kish was Saul's father; and Ner, the father of Abner, was the son of Abiel.
52
There was hard fighting against the Philistines all the days of Saul. When Saul saw any mighty man, or any valiant man, he attached him to himself.
1 Samuel 14:1
General Information:
Jonathan begins his second raid on the Philistines' army, completing the story of his victory.
the young man who was his armor bearer
A teenage boy who is responsible for caring for his master's weapons of war. Jonathan took his armor bearer to where the Philistines were. They started killing the Philistines, and suddenly the Philistines began fighting each other or running away. The rest of Israel, who had hidden, came and chased the Philistines. Even though Israel had a king, God was still in control of the nation of Israel.
Philistines' garrison
This is an outpost staffed by the Philistine army.
1 Samuel 14:2
Gibeah
This is the name of a hill north of Jerusalem.
under the pomegranate tree
a tree whose fruit is thick skinned, round, red and has many seeds to eat
that is in Migron
"Migron" is the name of a place north of Jerusalem.
1 Samuel 14:3
son of Ahitub (Ichabod's brother)
"Ahitub" and "Ichabod" are names of men.
Phinehas son of Eli
Phinehas was one of the priests. See 1 Samuel 1:3.
1 Samuel 14:4
One rocky cliff was named Bozez
The cliff was well-known and given the name "Bozez."
1 Samuel 14:5
Mikmash ... Geba
towns north of Jerusalem
1 Samuel 14:6
uncircumcised fellows
a derogatory term that the people of Israel often used to refer to Gentiles. Here it is used to mean the Philistines.
work on our behalf
"help us"
nothing can stop Yahweh from saving
"Yahweh can win the battle"
by many or by few people
"by any number of people"
1 Samuel 14:7
everything that is in your heart
"everything that you desire to do"
1 Samuel 14:9
will not cross over to them
"will not go over to the other side of the valley where the Philistines are,"
1 Samuel 14:10
has given them into our hand
"will enable us to defeat them"
This will be the sign to us
"This will confirm that the Lord will be with us"
1 Samuel 14:11
revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines
"allowed the Philistine soldiers to see them"
coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves
The Philistines implied that the Hebrews had been hiding in holes in the ground like animals.
1 Samuel 14:12
we will show you something
"we will teach you a lesson."
has given them into the hand of Israel
"will enable Israel to defeat them"
1 Samuel 14:13
Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet
"So Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and his feet because it was very steep"
The Philistines were put to death before Jonathan
"Jonathan killed the Philistines"
his armor bearer put some to death behind him
"Jonathan's armor bearer followed him and also killed Philistine soldiers"
1 Samuel 14:14
half an acre
An acre of land was the area that a farmer could plow in a day.
1 Samuel 14:15
There was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among the people
"The Philistine soldiers in the camp and in the field, and all the people with them, panicked"
The earth quaked
"God caused the ground to shake"
1 Samuel 14:16
Gibeah
This was the town where Saul was born.
was dispersing ... going here and there
These two phrases emphasize that the soldiers were running away in every direction.
1 Samuel 14:18
Bring the ark of God here
A few versions have "ephod" here instead of "ark of God."
1 Samuel 14:19
commotion
great noise and confusion
Withdraw your hand
"Do not bring the sacred chest at this time"
1 Samuel 14:20
the people who were with him
the remnant of the Israelite army that remained with Saul
Every Philistine's sword was against his fellow countrymen
"The Philistine soldiers were striking each other with their swords"
1 Samuel 14:22
the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hills
"the Israelite soldiers who were afraid and had hidden themselves in the hills"
1 Samuel 14:23
Beth Aven
This is a place in Israel. See 1 Samuel 13:5.
1 Samuel 14:24
So none of the troops tasted food
It was understood that no refreshment was permitted under Saul's oath.
1 Samuel 14:25
the people entered the forest
The Philistine soldiers fled through the forests and the Israelite soldiers followed them.
1 Samuel 14:26
the honey flowed
"there was a lot of honey everywhere"
no one put his hand to his mouth
"no one ate any"
1 Samuel 14:27
bound the people with an oath
"commanded that the people obey his oath"
He raised his hand to his mouth
"He ate some honey"
his eyes brightened
"he regained his strength"
1 Samuel 14:29
for the land
"for Israel"
1 Samuel 14:30
How much better if the people ... that they found?
"It would have been much better if the people had eaten freely today of the plunder that they took from their enemies."
plunder
This word refers to the things the people had taken from the battle with their enemy.
Because now the slaughter has not been great
Because the troops were not able to eat during the battle, they were not able to kill as many of the Philistines.
1 Samuel 14:31
Mikmash
This is the name of a town. See 1 Samuel 13:2.
Aijalon
a place in Zebulun in Israel
The people
This refers to the Israelites.
1 Samuel 14:32
ate them with the blood
"ate them without draining the blood first as required by the law"
1 Samuel 14:33
by eating with the blood
"by eating meat without draining the blood first as required by the law"
You have acted unfaithfully
Saul is accusing his whole army of acting unfaithfully though this is a generalization.
Now, roll a big stone here to me
The stone would hold the animals up and make it easier to drain the blood from them.
1 Samuel 14:34
slaughter them here and eat them
This would allow Saul to observe if the blood was properly drained.
1 Samuel 14:35
Saul built an altar to Yahweh
It is unclear if Saul built this altar with the large stone.
1 Samuel 14:36
let us not leave one of them alive
"let us kill every one of them"
Do whatever seems good to you
Saul had the support of his army to continue the fight.
Let us approach God here
"Let us ask God what we should do"
1 Samuel 14:37
give them into the hand of Israel
"enable us to defeat them"
But God did not answer him that day
This implies that God was not willing to help Saul.
1 Samuel 14:38
learn and see how this sin has happened
"find who sinned"
1 Samuel 14:39
even if it is in Jonathan my son, he will surely die
"Even if Jonathan my son is the guilty one, he will surely die"
But none of the men among all the people answered him
"His men knew who was guilty, but none of them said anything to Saul"
1 Samuel 14:40
Then he said to all Israel
"Then he said to the Israelite soldiers who were there"
1 Samuel 14:41
give the Thummim
"Show us by means of the Thummim". This is a borrowed word from the original language. The Israelites at that time used special stones called the Urim and the Thummim to receive direction from God.
Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, but the army was exonerated
"The lots indicated that either Jonathan or Saul was guilty, but the army was not guilty"
1 Samuel 14:42
Then Jonathan was taken by lot
"Then the lot indicated that Jonathan was guilty"
1 Samuel 14:43
Tell me what you have done
"Tell me how you have sinned"
I will die
"I am willing to die"
1 Samuel 14:44
God do so and more also to me, if you do not die, Jonathan
"May God kill me if I do not kill you, Jonathan"
1 Samuel 14:45
Should Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great salvation for Israel? Far from it!
"Jonathan has just won this great victory for Israel. He should surely not die."
As Yahweh lives
The people were expressing their certainty that they would not let anything happen to Jonathan.
not one hair of his head will fall to the ground
"we will protect him from any harm"
1 Samuel 14:47
Israel
"the Israelites"
Moab
"the Moabites"
Edom
"the Edomites"
Wherever he turned
"Wherever he sent his army"
1 Samuel 14:48
out of the hands
"out of the control"
1 Samuel 14:49
Ishvi ... Malki-Shua
These are names of men.
Merab ... Michal
These are names of women.
1 Samuel 14:50
Ahinoam
This is the name of a woman.
Ahimaaz ... Abner ... Ner
These are names of men.
1 Samuel 14:51
Kish ... Ner ... Abner ... Abiel
These are names of men.
1 Samuel 14:52
all the days of Saul
"all of Saul's life"
he attached him to himself
"he forced him to join his army."
Chapter 15
1
Samuel said to Saul, "Yahweh sent me to anoint you king over his people Israel. Now listen to the words of Yahweh.
2
This is what Yahweh of hosts says, 'I have noted what Amalek did to Israel in opposing them on the way, when they came up from Egypt.
3
Now go and attack Amalek and completely destroy all that they have. Do not spare them, but put to death both man and woman, child and infant, cattle and sheep, camel and donkey.'"
4
Saul summoned the people and numbered them at the city of Telaim—two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.
5
Then Saul came to the city of Amalek and waited in the valley.
6
Then Saul said to the Kenites, "Go, depart, come out from among the Amalekites, so I do not destroy you along with them. For you showed kindness to all the people of Israel, when they came from Egypt." So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.
7
Then Saul attacked the Amalekites, from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt.
8
Then he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive; he completely destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
9
But Saul and the people spared Agag, as well as the best of the sheep and cattle, fattened calves and the lambs. Everything that was good, they did not destroy. But they completely destroyed anything that was despised and worthless.
10
Then the word of Yahweh came to Samuel, saying,
11
"I regret that I have set Saul to reign as king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments." Samuel was angry; he cried out to Yahweh all night.
12
Samuel got up early to meet Saul in the morning. Samuel was told, "Saul came to Carmel and he set up a monument to himself, then turned and proceeded on down to Gilgal."
13
Then Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, "Blessed are you by Yahweh! I have fulfilled the command of Yahweh."
14
Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the cattle that I hear?"
15
Saul replied, "They have brought them from the Amalekites. For the people spared the best of the sheep and cattle, to sacrifice to Yahweh your God. The rest we have completely destroyed."
16
Then Samuel said to Saul, "Wait, and I will tell you what Yahweh has said to me tonight." Saul said to him, "Speak!"
17
Samuel said, "Though you are little in your own sight, were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel? Then Yahweh anointed you king over Israel,
18
and Yahweh sent you on your way and said, 'Go and completely destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are destroyed.'
19
Why did you not obey the voice of Yahweh? Why did you rush to the plunder and do what was evil in the sight of Yahweh?"
20
Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have indeed obeyed the voice of Yahweh, and have gone on the way that Yahweh sent me. I have captured Agag, the king of Amalek, and have completely destroyed the Amalekites.
21
But the people took some of the booty—sheep and cattle, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to Yahweh your God in Gilgal."
22
Samuel replied, "Has Yahweh as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Yahweh? Obedience is better than sacrifice, and to listen is better than the fat of rams.
23
For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and stubbornness is like wickedness and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of Yahweh, he has also rejected you from being king."
24
Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned; for I have broken Yahweh's commandment and your words, because I was afraid of the people and obeyed their voice.
25
Now, please pardon my sin, and return with me so that I may worship Yahweh."
26
Samuel said to Saul, "I will not go back with you; for you have rejected the word of Yahweh, and Yahweh has rejected you from being king over Israel."
27
As Samuel turned to leave, Saul took hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore.
28
Samuel said to him, "Yahweh has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to a neighbor of yours, one who is better than you.
29
Also, the Strength of Israel will not lie nor change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind."
30
Then Saul said, "I have sinned. But please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel. Turn again with me, that I may worship Yahweh your God."
31
So Samuel turned again after Saul, and Saul worshiped Yahweh.
32
Then Samuel said, "Bring Agag the king of the Amalekites here to me." Agag came to him confined with chains and said, "Surely death is bitter."
33
Samuel replied, "As your sword has made women childless, so must your mother be childless among women." Then Samuel chopped Agag to pieces before Yahweh at Gilgal.
34
Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went up to his house at Gibeah of Saul.
35
Samuel did not see Saul until the day of his death, for he mourned for Saul. Yahweh regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.
1 Samuel 15:1
the words of Yahweh
"the message of Yahweh". This is the end of the section on Saul and Samuel (Chapters 8-15).
1 Samuel 15:3
completely destroy all that they have ... put to death both man and woman, child and infant, cattle and sheep, camel and donkey
The second phrase gives specific details about what they are to destroy completely.
Do not spare them
"Do not allow any of them to live"
1 Samuel 15:4
the people
"the army"
numbered them
"counted them"
1 Samuel 15:6
Kenites
a nomad people group that had always been friendly to the nation of Israel.
1 Samuel 15:7
Havilah ... Shur
These are the names of places.
1 Samuel 15:8
he took Agag
"Saul and his army took Agag" or "Saul and his army captured Agag"
he completely destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword
"they killed all of the people with their swords"
1 Samuel 15:9
Saul ... spared Agag
Samuel told Saul that God wanted him to completely destroy the Amalekite people and animals. Saul fought the Amalekites and killed all the people except the king. He destroyed the animals that were not very good but saved the best animals. Saul told Samuel he had obeyed God's command and had saved them for a sacrifice to God. Because Saul had disobeyed, God had chosen someone else to become king.
as well as the best of the sheep
Saul disobeyed God by keeping the best of the livestock.
1 Samuel 15:10
the word of Yahweh came to Samuel, saying,
"Yahweh spoke this message to Samuel:"
1 Samuel 15:11
I regret
"I am sorry"
he has turned back from following me
"he has stopped following me"
has not performed my commandments
"has not obeyed what I commanded him to do."
Samuel was angry
Samuel was angry with Saul for his disobedience or Samuel was disturbed.
1 Samuel 15:12
Samuel was told
"Someone told Samuel,"
he set up a monument to himself
Saul was full of pride.
down to Gilgal
Gilgal was lower in elevation than Carmel.
1 Samuel 15:13
I have fulfilled the command of Yahweh
It is not clear if Saul understood that he had not fully obeyed God's command.
1 Samuel 15:14
bleating of sheep ... lowing of the cattle
These are the sounds that these animals make.
in my ears ... that I hear
"in my ears" refers to hearing.
1 Samuel 15:15
They have brought ... the people spared
"they" and "the people" both represent Saul's army. Saul is blaming the people rather than himself.
to sacrifice to Yahweh your God
Saul is arguing that animals for sacrifice were an exception to Yahweh's command to destroy everything.
Yahweh your God
Saul here does not describe Samuel's God as his own God.
1 Samuel 15:17
in your own sight
"in your own opinion"
were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel?
"Yahweh made you the ruler of the tribes of Israel!"
1 Samuel 15:19
Why did you not obey the voice of Yahweh?
"You should have obeyed the voice of Yahweh!"
the voice of Yahweh
"the things that Yahweh commanded"
Why did you rush to the plunder and do what was evil in the sight of Yahweh?
"You should not have rushed to the plunder and done what was evil in the sight of Yahweh!"
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh
"what Yahweh considers to be evil"
1 Samuel 15:20
I have indeed obeyed the voice of Yahweh
It is unclear if Saul thought this was true, or if he was simply making excuses for his sin.
the voice of Yahweh
"the things that Yahweh commanded"
Agag
This is the name of the king of the Amalekites.
1 Samuel 15:21
But the people took
This appears to be shifting the blame to the people.
things devoted to destruction
"animals that Yahweh commanded them to destroy"
Gilgal
This is the name of a place.
1 Samuel 15:22
Has Yahweh as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Yahweh?
"Yahweh does not delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying his voice!"
the voice of Yahweh
"the things that Yahweh commanded"
Obedience is better than sacrifice
God wanted Saul's complete obedience in the destruction of the Amalekites. Nothing in the land was fit for sacrifice.
better than the fat of rams
"better than to sacrifice the fat of rams as a burnt offering"
1 Samuel 15:23
rebellion is like the sin of divination
"to rebel is as sinful as practicing divination"
stubbornness is like wickedness and idolatry
"being stubborn is as bad as doing wicked things and practicing idolatry"
the word of Yahweh
"Yahweh's message"
rejected you from being king
"decided that you will no longer be king"
1 Samuel 15:24
I have broken Yahweh's commandment
"I have disobeyed what Yahweh commanded"
because I was afraid of the people
"because I was afraid of the soldiers". This is the reason Saul gives for not obeying God.
obeyed their voice
"did what they asked"
1 Samuel 15:25
return with me
Saul and Samuel were apparently talking in private.
1 Samuel 15:26
for you have rejected the word of Yahweh
Samuel made it clear that Saul understood that he was disobeying God.
rejected the word of Yahweh
"refused to obey Yahweh's command"
1 Samuel 15:27
Saul took hold of the hem of his robe
"Saul tried to stop him by grabbing the edge of Samuel's robe"
the hem of his robe
"the edge of his robe"
1 Samuel 15:28
Yahweh has torn the kingdom of Israel
"Just as you tore my robe, Yahweh has torn the kingdom of Israel"
has given it to a neighbor of yours, one who is better than you
God had already decided who would be the next king after Saul.
1 Samuel 15:29
the Strength of Israel
"Yahweh, who is the strength of Israel"
will not lie nor change his mind
"will always tell the truth and do what he says"
his mind
"what he has decided to do"
he is not a man, that he should change his mind
"he is God, and will do what he says he will do"
1 Samuel 15:30
But please honor me now before the elders
Saul may have been more interested in being honored by the people than in actually worshiping God.
before the elders of my people and before Israel
"before the people of Israel and the elders who lead them"
Turn again with me
"Come back with me" or "Return with me"
1 Samuel 15:31
So Samuel turned again after Saul
"So Samuel finally agreed to do that, and they went together back to where the people were"
1 Samuel 15:32
Agag came to him confined with chains and said, "Surely death is bitter."
"Agag came to him confidently, thinking to himself, 'Surely I am no longer in danger of dying.'"
Agag came to him confined with chains and said
"They brought Agag to him bound by chains and Agag said"
1 Samuel 15:33
As your sword has made women childless, so must your mother be childless among women
"Since you have killed people, you will also be killed"
made women childless, so must your mother be childless
"killed the sons of other women, so shall I kill your mother's son"
Then Samuel chopped Agag to pieces
"Then Samuel cut Agag into pieces with his sword"
1 Samuel 15:34
Ramah ... Gibeah
These are the names of places.
went up to his house at Gibeah
Gibeah was higher in elevation than Gilgal where Saul and Samuel had been talking.
1 Samuel 15:35
Samuel did not see Saul until the day of his death
"Samuel did not see Saul again for as long as he lived,"
Chapter 16
1
Yahweh said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I will send you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected for myself a king among his sons."
2
Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me." Yahweh said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to Yahweh.'
3
Call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you will do. You will anoint for me the one whom I tell you."
4
Samuel did as Yahweh said and went to Bethlehem. The elders of the city were trembling as they came to meet him and said, "Are you coming in peace?"
5
He said, "In peace; I have come to sacrifice to Yahweh. Prepare to set yourselves apart and come with me to the sacrifice." Then he set apart Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6
When they came, he looked at Eliab and said to himself that Yahweh's anointed was certainly standing before him.
7
But Yahweh said to Samuel, "Do not look at his outward appearance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him. For Yahweh does not see as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks on the heart."
8
Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. Then Samuel said, "Neither has Yahweh chosen this one."
9
Jesse then made Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Neither has Yahweh chosen this one."
10
Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Yahweh has not chosen any of these."
11
Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Are these all the boys?" He replied, "There remains yet the youngest, but he is tending the sheep." Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and get him; for we will not sit down until he comes here."
12
Jesse sent and brought him in. Now this son was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. Yahweh said, "Arise, anoint him; for he is the one."
13
Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the middle of his brothers. The Spirit of Yahweh rushed on David from that day forward. Then Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.
14
Now the Spirit of Yahweh left Saul, and a harmful spirit from Yahweh tormented him instead.
15
Saul's servants said to him, "See now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you.
16
Let our master now command your servants who are before you to search for a man who is a skillful player on the harp. Then when the harmful spirit from God is on you, he will play it and you will be well."
17
Saul said to his servants, "Find me a man that can play well and bring him to me."
18
Then one of the young men answered, and said, "I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a strong, courageous man, a man of war, one prudent in speech, a handsome man; and Yahweh is with him."
19
So Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep."
20
Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a container of wine, and a young goat, and sent them with his son David to Saul.
21
Then David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor bearer.
22
Saul sent to Jesse, saying, "Let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my eyes."
23
Whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the harp and played it. So Saul would be refreshed and well, and the harmful spirit would depart from him.
1 Samuel 16:1
General Information
Chapter 16 establishes God's choice of David to be the next king. David receives the Holy Spirit to empower and guide him as the king, while the Holy Spirit leaves Saul because of his disobedience. Humans judge others by what they look like, but God judges people by their true inner character. God rejected David's older brothers in favor of David, who truly loved and obeyed him.
How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel?
"Stop mourning that I rejected Saul from being king over Israel."
Fill your horn with oil
The term "horn" was sometimes used to refer to a "flask" that was used for anointing a king.
1 Samuel 16:2
How can I go?
"I cannot go!" or "I am afraid to go."
Take a heifer with you and say
"Take a heifer with you to Bethlehem and say to the people there"
say, 'I have come to sacrifice to Yahweh.'
"say to the people there that you have come to sacrifice to Yahweh."
1 Samuel 16:4
The elders of the city were trembling as they came to meet him
It seems the elders were trembling because they were worried that Samuel came to rebuke them.
1 Samuel 16:5
In peace
"Yes, I have come in peace"
to set ... apart
To get a person ready for Yahweh's purposes by making sure they are ritually clean according to the law of Moses.
1 Samuel 16:6
When they came
Here "they" refers to Jesse and his sons.
he looked at Eliab
Here "he" refers to Samuel.
Eliab
This is the name of Jesse's oldest son.
standing before him
Here "him" refers to Yahweh.
1 Samuel 16:7
Yahweh does not see as man sees
Here "see" means to evaluate something.
For Yahweh does not see ... Yahweh looks
"For I, Yahweh, do not see ... I, Yahweh, look"
on the heart
Here "heart" represents a person's inner being.
1 Samuel 16:8
Abinadab
This is the name of one of Jesse's sons.
made him pass before Samuel
"told him to go to Samuel"
1 Samuel 16:9
Jesse then made Shammah pass by
"Jesse then made Shammah pass before Samuel"
Shammah
This is the name of one of Jesse's sons.
1 Samuel 16:11
There remains yet the youngest
"There is still my youngest son"
we will not sit down
"we will not sit down to eat"
1 Samuel 16:12
this son was ruddy
The word "ruddy" means David was healthy looking.
1 Samuel 16:13
Samuel rose up and went
It is implied that he rose up after they sat down to eat.
The Spirit of Yahweh rushed on David
The phrase "rushed on" means Yahweh's Spirit influenced David. In this case it means he enabled David to fulfill whatever Yahweh wanted him to do. See 1 Samuel 10:6.
1 Samuel 16:14
harmful spirit
This may refer to either a "spirit that causes trouble" or an "evil spirit."
1 Samuel 16:15
See now, a harmful spirit
"Please listen carefully: a harmful spirit". See 1 Samuel 9:6.
1 Samuel 16:16
Let our master now command
"We ask that you, our master, command"
command your servants who are before you to search
"command us, your servants who attend to you, to search"
is on you
"troubles you"
1 Samuel 16:18
a strong, courageous man
"a great warrior" or "a very brave man."
one prudent in speech
"one wise in speech"
Yahweh is with him
Here "with him" means Yahweh helps and blesses David.
1 Samuel 16:21
David came to Saul
"went."
entered his service
"began to serve him"
he became his armor bearer
"David became Saul's armor bearer"
1 Samuel 16:22
Let David stand before me
"Let David stay in my service"
he has found favor in my eyes
"he has found favor in my judgment" or "I am pleased with him"
1 Samuel 16:23
was upon Saul
"troubled Saul"
Saul would be refreshed and well
"the music would refresh Saul and make him well"
Chapter 17
1
Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. They were gathered at Sokoh, which belongs to Judah. They had encamped between Sokoh and Azekah, in Ephes Dammim.
2
Saul and the men of Israel gathered and encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines.
3
The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side with a valley between them.
4
A strong man came out of the Philistines' camp, a man named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.
5
He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was clothed in scale armor of bronze that weighed five thousand shekels.
6
He had bronze armor on his legs and a javelin of bronze between his shoulders.
7
The staff of his spear was large, with a loop of cord for throwing it like the cord on a weaver's beam. His spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. His shield bearer went before him.
8
He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me.
9
If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then will we be your servants. But if I defeat him and kill him, then you will be our servants and serve us."
10
Again the Philistine said, "I defy the ranks of Israel today. Give me a man so we may fight together."
11
When Saul and all Israel heard what the Philistine said, they were discouraged and greatly afraid.
12
Now David was the son of the Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, whose name was Jesse. He had eight sons. Jesse was an old man in the days of Saul, very old among men.
13
The three oldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle. The names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, second to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.
14
David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul.
15
Now David went back and forth between Saul's army and his father's sheep at Bethlehem, in order to feed them.
16
For forty days the Philistine strong man came near morning and evening to present himself for battle.
17
Then Jesse said to his son David, "Take to your brothers an ephah of this roasted grain and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp for your brothers.
18
Also bring these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand. Look to the well-being of your brothers, and bring back some evidence that they are doing well.
19
Your brothers are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting the Philistines."
20
David got up early in the morning and left the flock in the care of a shepherd. He took the supplies and left, as Jesse commanded him. He came to the camp as the army was going out to the battlefield shouting the war cry.
21
Then Israel and the Philistines lined up for battle, army against army.
22
David left his belongings with the keeper of supplies, ran to the army, and greeted his brothers.
23
As he talked with them, the strong man, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came out of the ranks of the Philistines and said the same words as before, and David heard them.
24
When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were very afraid.
25
The men of Israel said, "Have you seen this man who has come up? He has come to defy Israel. The king will give great riches to the man who kills him, and he will give his daughter to him in marriage, and will make his father's house free from taxation in Israel."
26
David said to the men who stood by him, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?"
27
Then the people repeated what they had been saying and told him, "So it will be done for the man who kills him."
28
Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, "Why did you come down here? With whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride, and the mischief in your heart; for you have come down here so that you might see the battle."
29
David said, "What have I done now? Was it not just a question?"
30
He turned away from him toward another, and spoke in the same way. The people answered the same thing as before.
31
When the words that David said were heard, soldiers repeated them to Saul, and he sent for David.
32
Then David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of that Philistine; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine."
33
Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are only a youth, and he a man of war from his youth."
34
But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to shepherd his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock,
35
I chased after him and attacked him, and rescued it out of his mouth. When he rose up against me, I caught him by his beard, struck him, and put him to death.
36
Your servant has killed both a lion and a bear. This uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God."
37
David said, "Yahweh rescued me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear. He will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine." Then Saul said to David, "Go, and may Yahweh be with you."
38
Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze upon his head, and he clothed him with a coat of chainmail.
39
David strapped his sword on his armor. But he was not able to walk, because he had not trained with them. Then David said to Saul, "I cannot go out to fight with these, for I have not trained with them." So David put them off.
40
He took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones out of the brook; he put them in his shepherd's pouch. His sling was in his hand as he approached the Philistine.
41
The Philistine came and approached David, with his shield bearer in front of him.
42
When the Philistine looked around and saw David, he despised him, for he was only a boy, and ruddy, with a handsome appearance.
43
Then the Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?," and the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44
The Philistine said to David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the heavens and to the wild animals of the field."
45
David replied to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin. But I come to you in the name of Yahweh of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
46
Today Yahweh will give me victory over you, and I will kill you and remove your head from your body. Today I will give the dead bodies of the Philistine army to the birds of the heavens and to the wild beasts of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel,
47
and that all this gathering may know that Yahweh does not save with sword or spear. For the battle is Yahweh's, and he will give you into our hand."
48
When the Philistine rose and approached David, then David ran quickly toward the enemy army to meet him.
49
David put his hand in his bag, took a stone from it, slung it, and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank into the Philistine's forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.
50
David defeated the Philistine with a sling and with a stone. He hit the Philistine and put him to death. There was no sword in David's hand.
51
Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword, drew it out of the sheath, killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their mighty man was dead, they fled.
52
Then the men of Israel and of Judah rose with a shout, and chased after the Philistines as far as the valley and the gates of Ekron. The dead Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim, all the way to Gath and Ekron.
53
The people of Israel returned from hotly pursuing the Philistines, and they plundered their camp.
54
David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent.
55
When Saul saw David go out against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the captain of the army, "Abner, whose son is this youth?" Abner said, "As you live, king, I do not know."
56
The king said, "Ask those who might know, whose son the boy is."
57
When David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.
58
Saul said to him, "Whose son are you, young man?" David answered, "I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite."
1 Samuel 17:1
General Information:
This chapter introduces David as a soldier, a skill that will be important for the rest of his life. Armed only with a sling, David defeats Goliath who is well-armed and physically strong but who did not believe in Yahweh. Trust in God is more powerful than physical might or military training and equipment.
1 Samuel 17:2
the Valley of Elah
This is the name of a place.
1 Samuel 17:4
six cubits and a span
"about 3 meters". A cubit is equal to about 46 centimeters. A span is equal to about 23 centimeters.
1 Samuel 17:5
clothed in scale armor of bronze
"he protected himself by wearing a coat of chainmail"
five thousand shekels
"about 55 kilograms". A shekel is a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams.
1 Samuel 17:6
a javelin of bronze
A small spear that is meant to be thrown.
1 Samuel 17:7
staff of his spear
"the handle of his spear"
loop of cord
"rope rolled up into a circle"
His spear's head
"The point of his spear"
six hundred shekels of iron
"about 7 kilograms"
1 Samuel 17:8
Why have you come out to draw up for battle?
"You are fools if you think you can fight in battle against us!"
Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul?
"I am a great Philistine, and you are merely servants of Saul."
1 Samuel 17:10
I defy the ranks of Israel
"I defy the army of Israel."
1 Samuel 17:11
all Israel
This refers to the Israelite soldiers who were there.
they were discouraged and greatly afraid
These words emphasize the intensity of their fear.
1 Samuel 17:12
He had eight sons
"He" refers to Jesse.
Jesse was an old man ... very old among men
The two phrases are combined for emphasis.
1 Samuel 17:13
second to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah
"Abinadab the second born, and Shammah the third born."
1 Samuel 17:14
The three oldest
"The three oldest sons of Jesse"
1 Samuel 17:16
to present himself for battle
"to show that he was ready to fight"
1 Samuel 17:17
ephah
An ephah is equal to about 22 liters.
1 Samuel 17:18
the captain of their thousand
"the captain of your brothers' unit of 1,000 soldiers"
Look to the well-being of your brothers
"Check and find out how your brothers are doing"
1 Samuel 17:19
all the men of Israel
"all the soldiers of Israel"
1 Samuel 17:23
Goliath by name
"whose name was Goliath,"
came out of the ranks of the Philistines
"stepped forward from the Philistines' battle line"
1 Samuel 17:25
Have you seen this man who has come up?
"Look at this man who has come up!"
The king
"Our king"
his daughter
The king's daughter.
to him ... his father's house
The words "him" and "his" refer to the man who kills Goliath.
will make his father's house free from taxation in Israel
"will no longer require his family to pay taxes"
1 Samuel 17:26
takes away the disgrace from Israel
"stops him from disgracing Israel"
Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?
"This uncircumcised Philistine certainly has no power that he should defy the armies of the living God!"
this uncircumcised Philistine
This is an insult and indicates that Goliath does not belong to the living God. The people of Israel often used the term "uncircumcised" to refer to Gentiles. Here it is used to describe the Philistines.
1 Samuel 17:28
Eliab's anger was kindled against David
"Eliab became angry with David"
Why did you come down here?
"You had no good reason to come here"
With whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness?
"You simply had the responsibility of watching over a few sheep in the wilderness. You could not even carry out that simple responsibility!"
your pride, and the mischief in your heart
These two phrases are combined for emphasis.
1 Samuel 17:29
What have I done now? Was it not just a question?
"I have done nothing wrong. I was only asking a question!"
1 Samuel 17:30
He turned away from him
"He" refers to David and "him" refers to Eliab.
1 Samuel 17:31
When the words that David said were heard
"When the soldiers heard what David said"
1 Samuel 17:32
Let no man's heart fail
"Do not let anyone be terrified" or "Do not let anyone lose their confidence"
your servant will go
"I, your servant, will go"
1 Samuel 17:34
Your servant used to shepherd his father's sheep
"I, your servant, used to keep my father's sheep"
used to shepherd his father's sheep
"used to take care of his father's sheep"
1 Samuel 17:35
chased after him and attacked him
Here "him" refers to the lion or bear.
rescued it out of his mouth
Here "it" refers to the lamb.
he rose up against me
"it attacked me"
caught him by his beard
The "beard" refers to the lion's mane or the hair on the bear's face.
1 Samuel 17:36
will be like one of them
David is saying that he will be able to kill the Philistine just as he was able to kill the lion and bear.
1 Samuel 17:37
from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear
"from the attack of the lion and from the attack of the bear"
the hand of this Philistine
"the power of this Philistine"
1 Samuel 17:38
coat of chainmail
a flexible piece of body armor covered with protective scales or small plates.
1 Samuel 17:39
his sword on his armor
"Saul's sword on the armor."
1 Samuel 17:40
his staff in his hand
"his" refers to David.
His sling was in his hand
A sling is a weapon for throwing stones.
1 Samuel 17:41
with his shield bearer in front of him
"and his shield bearer walked in front of him."
1 Samuel 17:42
he despised him
"he hated him,"
and ruddy
"and healthy looking"
1 Samuel 17:43
Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?
"You insult me by coming at me with mere sticks as if I were just a dog!"
1 Samuel 17:44
I will give your flesh to the birds of the heavens and to the wild animals of the field
"I will kill you, and the birds of the heavens and the wild animals of the field will eat your body"
birds of the heavens
"birds of the sky"
1 Samuel 17:45
in the name of Yahweh
"with the power of Yahweh" or "with the authority of Yahweh"
whom you have defied
"whom you have provoked" or "whom you have insulted"
1 Samuel 17:46
I will give the dead bodies ... to the birds ... and to the wild beasts of the earth
"We Israelites will kill the Philistine army, and the birds of the heavens and the wild beasts of the earth will eat them"
all the earth may know
"all the people of the earth may know"
1 Samuel 17:47
Yahweh does not save with sword or spear
"Yahweh can save his people without anyone's sword or spear"
sword or spear
"the weapons people use"
the battle is Yahweh's
"the victory belongs to Yahweh"
he will give you into our hand
"he will help us defeat you"
1 Samuel 17:50
David defeated ... He hit ... put him to death ... There was no sword in David's hand
Verse 50 is a summary of David's amazing victory over Goliath.
1 Samuel 17:51
took his sword
"took the Philistine's sword."
1 Samuel 17:52
The dead Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim
"And they killed the Philistines as they chased them, and the bodies of the dead Philistines were on the ground along the way to Shaaraim"
1 Samuel 17:53
they plundered their camp
"the Israelites plundered the Philistines' camp."
1 Samuel 17:54
he put his armor in his tent
"he put Goliath's armor in his own tent."
1 Samuel 17:55
When Saul saw David
"When Saul had seen David". This (17:55-56) happened before David killed Goliath.
go out against the Philistine
"go to fight against the Philistine"
whose son is this youth
"who is this youth's father"
As you live
This was a way of swearing that what he was about to say was true.
1 Samuel 17:56
whose son the boy is
"who the boy's father is."
1 Samuel 17:57
in his hand
"his" refers to David.
1 Samuel 17:58
Whose son are you
"Who is your father"
I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite
"My father is your servant Jesse, the Bethlehemite"
your servant Jesse
"your servant" to show that David's father was faithful to King Saul.
Chapter 18
1
When he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
2
Saul took David into his service that day; he did not let him return to his father's house.
3
Then Jonathan and David made a covenant of friendship because Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
4
Jonathan took off the robe that he was wearing and gave it to David with his armor, as well as his sword, bow, and belt.
5
David went out wherever Saul sent him, and he succeeded. Saul set him over the men of war. This was pleasing in the eyes of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants.
6
As they came home from defeating the Philistines, the women came from all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments.
7
The women sang one to another as they played. They sang:
"Saul has killed his thousands,
and David his ten thousands."
8
Saul was very angry, and this song displeased him. He said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but they have ascribed only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingship?"
9
Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on.
10
The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul and he prophesied within the house. So David played his instrument, as he did each day. Saul had a spear in his hand.
11
Saul threw the spear, for he thought, "I will pin David to the wall." But David escaped from Saul's presence twice in this way.
12
Saul was afraid of David, because Yahweh was with him, but was no longer with Saul.
13
So Saul removed him from his presence and appointed him a commander of a thousand. In this way David went out and came in before the people.
14
David was prospering in all his ways, for Yahweh was with him.
15
When Saul saw that he prospered, he stood in awe of him.
16
But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.
17
Then Saul said to David, "Here is my oldest daughter Merab. I will give her to you as a wife. Only be courageous for me and fight Yahweh's battles." For Saul thought, "Let not my hand be on him, but let the hand of the Philistines be on him."
18
David said to Saul, "Who am I, and who are my relatives, or my father's clan in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?"
19
But at the time when Merab, Saul's daughter, should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as a wife.
20
But Michal, Saul's daughter, loved David. They told Saul, and this pleased him.
21
Then Saul thought, "I will give her to him, so that she can be a trap for him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him." So Saul said to David a second time, "You will be my son-in-law."
22
Saul commanded his servants, "Speak with David in private, and say, 'See, the king takes pleasure in you, and all his servants love you. Now then, become the king's son-in-law.'"
23
So Saul's servants spoke these words to David. Then David said, "Is it a small matter to you to be the king's son-in-law, since I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?"
24
The servants of Saul reported to him the words which David spoke.
25
Then Saul said, "Say this to David, 'The king does not desire any price for the bride except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged from the king's enemies.'" Now Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.
26
When his servants told David these words, it pleased David to be the king's son-in-law.
27
Before those days had expired, David went with his men and killed two hundred Philistines. David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, so that he might be the king's son-in-law. So Saul gave him Michal his daughter as his wife.
28
When Saul saw, and he knew that Yahweh was with David, and that Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him,
29
Saul was even more afraid of David. Saul was continually David's enemy.
30
Then the princes of the Philistines came out for battle, and as often as they came out, David behaved more prudently than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly regarded.
1 Samuel 18:1
General Information
This is the first chapter of a section explaining why Saul wants to kill David. David is successful in battling the Philistines, and Saul is happy until the women give David more attention than they give him. He fears that David will replace him as king. This is potentially confusing because the author has already established that David will be the next king. It is probably that Saul feared David would kill him in order to be the next king sooner, or that he did not really believe David would be the next king.
the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David
"Jonathan committed himself to David". Some scholars believe Jonathan loved David as a man loves his wife. There is no reason to translate this as if Jonathan were a homosexual. Instead, treat this as a brotherly type of love.
Jonathan loved him as his own soul
"Jonathan loved David as he loved his own life"
1 Samuel 18:3
Jonathan loved him as his own soul
"Jonathan loved David as he loved his own life". Here "loved" refers to the love between friends, not romantic love.
1 Samuel 18:5
he succeeded
"he prospered"
This was pleasing in the eyes of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants
"This pleased all the people and Saul's servants"
1 Samuel 18:6
from all the cities of Israel
"from many of the cities throughout Israel"
with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments
"joyfully playing tambourines and other musical instruments"
with tambourines
A "tambourine" is a small handheld drum.
1 Samuel 18:7
his thousands ... his ten thousands
"thousands of enemy soldiers ... ten thousand enemy soldiers"
David his ten thousands
"David has killed his ten thousands"
1 Samuel 18:8
They have ascribed
"They have credited"
What more can he have but the kingship?
"The only thing left for him to have is the kingship."
1 Samuel 18:10
a harmful spirit from God
"a spirit that causes trouble". (See 1 Samuel 16:15)
a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul
The harmful spirit influenced Saul, causing him to be troubled and act crazy. See 1 Samuel 10:6.
he prophesied
"a spirit caused him to speak."
1 Samuel 18:12
Yahweh was with him
"Yahweh was with David,"
1 Samuel 18:13
So Saul removed him from his presence
"So Saul removed David from his presence"
a commander of a thousand
"a commander of 1,000 soldiers". See 1 Samuel 17:18.
David went out and came in before the people
"David led his soldiers into battle and led them home from battle"
1 Samuel 18:15
he stood in awe of him
"he feared David"
1 Samuel 18:16
all Israel and Judah loved David
"all the people in Israel and Judah loved David"
went out and came in before them
"led his soldiers into battle and led them home from battle"
1 Samuel 18:17
Let not my hand be on him, but let the hand of the Philistines be on him
"I will not be the one to kill him; I will let the Philistines kill him"
1 Samuel 18:18
Who am I, and who are my relatives, or my father's clan in Israel ... to the king?
"I am nobody and neither my relatives nor my father's family are important enough in Israel ... to the king."
son-in-law to the king
"husband of the king's daughter"
1 Samuel 18:19
when Merab, Saul's daughter, should have been given to David
"when Saul should have given his daughter Merab to David"
she was given to Adriel
"Saul gave her to Adriel"
1 Samuel 18:20
Michal ... loved David
Here "loved" means she had romantic feelings for David.
They told Saul
"they" refers to people who found out about Michal's feelings, not to David and Michal.
1 Samuel 18:21
that the hand of the Philistines may be against him
"so that the Philistines may kill him". Harming someone is spoken of as if it were placing one's hand on that person. Here, Saul is referring to killing David. See 1 Samuel 18:17.
You will be my son-in-law
"You will be the husband of my daughter"
1 Samuel 18:22
all his servants love you
"all of his servants admire you."
Now then
"For these reasons you should"
1 Samuel 18:23
Is it a small matter to you to be the king's son-in-law, since I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?
"It is a great matter to be the king's son-in-law, and I am too poor and unimportant for that."
1 Samuel 18:25
The king does not desire any price for the bride except a hundred foreskins
"The king does not desire any price for the bride; he desires only that you bring to him a hundred foreskins"
foreskins
The foreskin is a fold of skin on a man's private part that is removed during circumcision.
to be avenged from the king's enemies
"to get revenge on the king's enemies"
to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines
"to have the Philistines kill David"
1 Samuel 18:27
they gave them in full number to the king
"David and his men gave all of them to the king"
1 Samuel 18:28
Saul saw, and he knew
"Saul recognized"
Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him
Here "loved" means she had romantic feelings for David.
1 Samuel 18:30
behaved more prudently
"had more success."
so that his name was highly regarded
"so that people greatly respected David"
Chapter 19
1
Saul said to Jonathan his son and to all his servants that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul's son, took great pleasure in David.
2
So Jonathan told David, "Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore be on your guard in the morning and hide yourself in a secret place.
3
I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak with my father about you. If I learn anything, I will tell you."
4
Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, "Do not let the king sin against his servant David. For he has not sinned against you, and his deeds have brought you good.
5
For he took his life in his hand and killed the Philistine. Yahweh brought about great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced. Why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?"
6
Saul listened to Jonathan. Saul swore, "As Yahweh lives, he will not be put to death."
7
Then Jonathan called David, and Jonathan told him all these things. Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before.
8
There was war again, and David went out and fought with the Philistines and defeated them with a great slaughter. They fled before him.
9
A harmful spirit from Yahweh came on Saul as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand, and as David was playing his instrument.
10
Saul tried to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he slipped away from Saul's presence, so that Saul drove the spear into the wall. David fled and escaped that night.
11
Saul sent messengers to David's house to watch him that he might kill him in the morning. Michal, David's wife, told him, "If you do not save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed."
12
So Michal let David down through the window. He went and fled, and escaped.
13
Michal took a household idol and laid it in the bed. Then she put a pillow of goats' hair at its head, and covered it with the clothes.
14
When Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, "He is sick."
15
Then Saul sent the messengers to see David; he said, "Bring him up to me in the bed, so that I may kill him."
16
When the messengers came in, behold, the household idol was in the bed along with the pillow of goats' hair at its head.
17
Saul said to Michal, "Why have you deceived me and let my enemy go, so that he has escaped?" Michal answered Saul, "He said to me, 'Let me go. Why should I kill you?'"
18
Now David fled and escaped, and went to Samuel in Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went and stayed in Naioth.
19
It was told to Saul, saying, "See, David is at Naioth in Ramah."
20
Then Saul sent messengers to capture David. When they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as head over them, the Spirit of God came on the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.
21
When Saul was told this, he sent other messengers, and they also prophesied. So Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they also prophesied.
22
Then he also went to Ramah and came to the deep well that is in Seku. He asked, "Where are Samuel and David?" Someone said, "See, they are at Naioth in Ramah."
23
Saul went to Naioth in Ramah. Then the Spirit of God came upon him, and as he went he prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah.
24
He stripped off his clothes and also prophesied before Samuel. He lay naked all that day and all that night. This is why they ask, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"
1 Samuel 19:1
General Information
Jonathan persuades Saul not to kill David, but Saul again becomes jealous and orders his servants to bring David to him to be killed. God uses Michal to save David, who flees to Samuel and they begin prophesying. When Saul sends servants to capture David, they begin prophesying. This causes Saul to go himself and he begins to prophesy.
to all his servants
Here "his" refers to Saul.
took great pleasure in David
Jonathan greatly enjoyed being with David.
1 Samuel 19:4
Do not let the king sin against his servant
"Do not sin against your servant"
1 Samuel 19:5
he took his life in his hand
"he risked his life"
Yahweh brought about great salvation
"Yahweh gave us a great victory"
Why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?
"You should not sin against innocent blood and kill David without cause."
sin against innocent blood
"commit the sin of murder"
1 Samuel 19:6
he will not be put to death
"I will not put him to death" or "I will not kill him"
1 Samuel 19:7
he was in his presence
David was in Saul's presence,
1 Samuel 19:9
A harmful spirit from Yahweh
"a spirit that causes trouble". See 1 Samuel 16:14.
1 Samuel 19:10
pin David to the wall with the spear
throw his spear so it would go through David and into the wall,
1 Samuel 19:11
he might kill him
"Saul might kill David"
Michal ... told him
Michal told David
If you do not save your life
"If you do not escape"
you will be killed
"someone will kill you"
1 Samuel 19:12
General Information:
Michal uses a household idol to make David's bed look like he is sleeping in it.
1 Samuel 19:13
she put a pillow of goats' hair at its head, and covered it with the clothes
Possible meanings are 1) the head of the idol was lying on the goat's hair pillow and Michal dressed the idol in David's clothes or 2) Michal used David's clothes as a blanket and made the "pillow" of goat's hair look like David's hair.
1 Samuel 19:14
take David
"take David back to Saul"
she said
Here "she" refers to Michal.
1 Samuel 19:15
Bring him up to me in the bed
"If he really is too sick to come to me, bring me the bed with him in it"
1 Samuel 19:16
behold
The word "behold" here shows that the messengers were surprised by what they saw.
1 Samuel 19:17
Why have you deceived me and let my enemy go, so that he has escaped?
"You should not have deceived me and let my enemy go, so that he has escaped."
Let me go. Why should I kill you?
"I will kill you if you do not help me to escape."
1 Samuel 19:19
It was told to Saul
"Someone told Saul"
See
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
1 Samuel 19:20
standing as head over them
"acting as their leader"
1 Samuel 19:21
When Saul was told this
"When someone told Saul this"
1 Samuel 19:22
Ramah ... Seku ... Naioth
These are place names.
1 Samuel 19:24
This is why they ask, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"
"That is the reason that when people see someone doing something that is very unexpected, they say, 'Is Saul also a prophet?'"
they ask
The question became a proverb among the people.
Chapter 20
1
Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah and came and said to Jonathan, "What have I done? What is my iniquity? What is my sin before your father, that he seeks to take my life?"
2
Jonathan said to David, "Far from it; you will not die. My father does nothing either great or small without telling it to me. Why should my father hide this thing from me? It is not so."
3
Yet David vowed again and said, "Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes. He has said, 'Do not let Jonathan know this, or he will be grieved.' But as truly as Yahweh lives, and as you live, there is but a step between me and death."
4
Then Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you say, I will do for you."
5
David said to Jonathan, "Tomorrow is the new moon, and I ought to sit down to eat with the king. But let me go, so that I may hide myself in the field until the third day at evening.
6
If your father misses me at all, then say, 'David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city, because it is the yearly sacrifice there for all the clan.'
7
If he says, 'It is well,' your servant will have peace. But if he is very angry, then know that he has decided on evil.
8
Therefore deal kindly with your servant. For you have brought your servant into a covenant of Yahweh with you. But if there is iniquity in me, kill me yourself; for why then should you bring me to your father?"
9
Jonathan said, "Far be it from you! If I learned my father decided harm to come upon you, would I not tell you?"
10
Then David said to Jonathan, "Who will tell me if by chance your father should answer you roughly?"
11
Jonathan said to David, "Come, let us go out into the field." So they both went out into the field.
12
Jonathan said to David, "May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be witness. When I have questioned my father around this time tomorrow, or the third day, see, if there is good will toward David, will I not then send to you and make it known to you?
13
If it pleases my father to do you harm, may Yahweh do to Jonathan and more also if I do not make it known to you and send you away, so that you may go in peace. May Yahweh be with you, as he has been with my father.
14
If I am still alive, will you not show me the covenant faithfulness of Yahweh, that I may not die?
15
Do not cut off your covenant faithfulness from my house forever—not even when Yahweh cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth."
16
So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David and said, "May Yahweh require an accounting from the hand of the enemies of David."
17
Jonathan made David vow again because of the love that he had for him, because he loved him as he loved his own soul.
18
Then Jonathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new moon. You will be missed because your seat will be empty.
19
When you have stayed three days, go down quickly and come to the place where you hid yourself when this matter began, and stay by the stone Ezel.
20
I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I were shooting at a target.
21
Then I will send my young man and say to him, 'Go find the arrows.' If I say to the young boy, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you; get them," then come; for there will be safety for you and not harm, as Yahweh lives.
22
"But if I say to the young man, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you,' then go your way, for Yahweh has sent you away.
23
As for the agreement of which you and I have spoken, see, Yahweh is between you and me forever.'"
24
So David hid himself in the field. When the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food.
25
The king sat on his seat, as usual, on the seat by the wall. Jonathan stood up, and Abner sat by Saul's side. But David's place was empty.
26
Yet Saul did not say anything that day, because he thought, "Something has happened to him. He is not clean; surely he is not clean."
27
But on the second day, the day after the new moon, David's place was empty. Saul said to Jonathan his son, "Why has the son of Jesse not come to the meal either yesterday or today?"
28
Jonathan answered Saul, "David earnestly asked permission from me to go to Bethlehem.
29
He said, 'Please let me go. For our family has a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has ordered me to be there. Now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go and see my brothers.' For this reason he has not come to the king's table."
30
Then Saul's anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, "You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother's nakedness?
31
For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now then, send and bring him to me, for he must surely die."
32
Jonathan answered Saul his father, "For what reason should he be put to death? What has he done?"
33
Then Saul threw his spear at him to kill him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death.
34
Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger and ate no food the second day of the month, for he was grieved over David, because his father had dishonored him.
35
In the morning, Jonathan went out into the field to the appointment with David, and a young man was with him.
36
He said to his young man, "Run and find the arrows that I shoot." As the young man ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.
37
When the young man came to the place where the arrow that Jonathan shot had landed, Jonathan called after the young man, and said, "Is not the arrow beyond you?"
38
Then Jonathan called after the young man, "Hurry, be quick, do not stay!" So Jonathan's young man gathered up the arrows and came to his master.
39
But the young man did not know anything. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter.
40
Jonathan gave his weapons to his young man and said to him, "Go, take them to the city."
41
As soon as the young man was gone, David stood up from behind the mound, lay facedown on the ground, and bowed himself three times. They kissed one another and wept together, with David weeping the more.
42
Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, because we have both sworn in the name of Yahweh and said, 'May Yahweh be between you and me, and between my descendants and your descendants, forever.'" Then David stood up and left, and Jonathan returned to the city.
1 Samuel 20:1
General Information
David tells Jonathan that Saul is still trying to kill David. Jonathan promises to find out if this is true. When David misses dinner two consecutive days, Saul asks about him. Jonathan says that David went home for an annual sacrifice. Saul gets angry at Jonathan, telling him he will never be king unless they kill David. Saul throws his spear at Jonathan. Jonathan warns David to run away, but first they both promise to always be friends.
What have I done? What is my iniquity? What is my sin before your father, that he seeks to take my life?
"I have done nothing wrong. I have not committed any iniquity. I have not sinned against your father. He has no reason to kill me."
1 Samuel 20:2
Far from it
"This is certainly not true"
nothing either great or small
"nothing at all"
Why should my father hide this thing from me?
"My father has no reason to hide this thing from me!"
It is not so
"It is not true"
1 Samuel 20:3
I have found favor in your eyes
"I have pleased you" or "you consider me favorably"
he will be grieved
"this will grieve him"
there is but a step between me and death
"I am very close to death"
1 Samuel 20:4
General Information:
David proposes a test to Jonathan against King Saul.
1 Samuel 20:5
Tomorrow is the new moon
On the first of every month the people would celebrate and offer sacrifices to God.
until the third day at evening
"until the evening of the day after tomorrow."
1 Samuel 20:6
asked leave of me
"asked me if I would allow him to leave"
1 Samuel 20:7
he says ... he is ... he has decided
The word "he" refers to Saul.
your servant will have peace
"I, your servant, will have peace"
1 Samuel 20:8
with your servant ... have brought your servant
"with me, your servant ... have brought me, your servant" or "with me ... have brought me"
you have brought your servant into a covenant of Yahweh with you
"Yahweh heard you when you made a solemn agreement with me that you and I will always be good friends"
for why then should you bring me to your father?
"then there would be no reason for you to bring me to your father"
1 Samuel 20:9
Far be it from you!
"This will never happen to you!"
would I not tell you?
"I would certainly tell you."
1 Samuel 20:12
see
"listen" or "pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
if there is good will
"if my father wants to do good things for you"
will I not then send to you and make it known to you?
"then I will certainly send to you and make it known to you"
1 Samuel 20:13
may Yahweh do to Jonathan and more also
"may Yahweh do to me whatever harm my father intends to do to you, and even more than that"
1 Samuel 20:14
will you not show me the covenant faithfulness of Yahweh, that I may not die?
"please show me the covenant faithfulness of Yahweh, that I may not die"
show me the covenant faithfulness of Yahweh
"be faithful to me as Yahweh is faithful"
1 Samuel 20:16
house of David
"David's family"
May Yahweh require an accounting from the hand of the enemies of David
"May Yahweh use David's enemies to punish David if he breaks this promise" or "May Yahweh destroy the enemies of David."
1 Samuel 20:18
You will be missed
"My father will miss you"
1 Samuel 20:19
the stone Ezel
"the stone that people call Ezel"
1 Samuel 20:20
to the side of it
The stone by which David was to hide.
1 Samuel 20:21
my young man ... the young boy
These refer to the same person.
then come
"then you, David, come"
1 Samuel 20:23
see, Yahweh
"we know that Yahweh" or "pay attention because this is important: Yahweh."
Yahweh is between you and me
"Yahweh is a witness between you and me" or "Yahweh will be watching how we treat each other"
1 Samuel 20:25
Jonathan stood up
"Jonathan sat across from him."
1 Samuel 20:26
He is not clean; surely he is not clean
According to the law of Moses, a person who is ceremonially unclean is not to participate in the feast until the priest declares that he is clean. Saul repeats this phrase as if trying to convince himself.
1 Samuel 20:28
asked permission from me to go
"asked me to allow him to go."
1 Samuel 20:29
if I have found favor in your eyes
"I have pleased you" or "you consider me favorably"
the king's table
"your table"
1 Samuel 20:30
Saul's anger burned against Jonathan
"Saul became very angry with Jonathan"
You son of a perverse, rebellious woman!
"You stupid son of a prostitute" or "You stupid traitor"
Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse ... mother's nakedness?
"I know that you have chosen the son of Jesse ... mother's nakedness."
to the shame of your mother's nakedness
"to the shame of your mother who gave birth to you"
1 Samuel 20:31
neither you nor your kingdom will be established
"you will not become king and will not establish your kingdom"
1 Samuel 20:32
For what reason should he be put to death? What has he done?
"You have no good reason to kill him. He has done nothing wrong."
1 Samuel 20:34
the second day of the month
"the second day of the new moon festival"
he was grieved over David
"he was grieving over David"
had dishonored him
Here "him" refers to David.
1 Samuel 20:35
a young man was with him
"him" refers to Jonathan.
1 Samuel 20:36
he shot an arrow beyond him
"Jonathan shot an arrow beyond the young man."
1 Samuel 20:37
Is not the arrow beyond you?
"You should know that the arrow is beyond you." or "The arrow is far beyond you."
1 Samuel 20:38
called after the young man, "Hurry
"called out to the young man, who was running away from him, 'Hurry,"
1 Samuel 20:41
the mound
It seems that David had hidden behind a pile of earth or stones.
lay facedown on the ground, and bowed himself three times.
David bowed before Jonathan, who was still the King's son. Also, this was the last time they met together.
1 Samuel 20:42
May Yahweh be between you and me
"Yahweh is a witness between you and me" or "Yahweh will be watching how we treat each other"
Chapter 21
1
Then David came to Nob to see Ahimelek the priest. Ahimelek came to meet David trembling and said to him, "Why are you alone and have no one with you?"
2
David said to Ahimelek the priest, "The king has sent me on a mission and has said to me, 'Let no one know anything about the business I am sending you, and what I have commanded you.' I have directed the young men to a certain place.
3
Now then what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever is here."
4
The priest answered David and said, "There is no ordinary bread on hand, but there is holy bread—if the young men have kept themselves from women."
5
David answered the priest, "Surely women have been kept from us for the past three days, as usual when I set out. The things belonging to the young men have been set apart even on ordinary missions. How much more today will what they have be set apart!"
6
So the priest gave him the bread that was set apart. For there was no bread there except the bread of the presence, which was removed from before Yahweh, in order to put hot bread in its place on the day it was taken away.
7
Now one of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before Yahweh. His name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul's shepherds.
8
David said to Ahimelek, "Now is there not here on hand any spear or sword? For I brought neither my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business was urgent."
9
The priest said, "The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want to take that, take it, for there is no other weapon here." David said, "There is no other sword like that one; give it to me."
10
David arose and fled that day from Saul and went to Achish, the king of Gath.
11
Achish's servants said to him, "Is not this David, the king of the land? Did they not sing to one another about him in dances,
'Saul has killed his thousands,
and David his ten thousands?'"
12
David took these words to heart and was very afraid of Achish, the king of Gath.
13
He changed his behavior before them and pretended to be insane in their hands; he made marks on the doors of the gate and let his saliva run down his beard.
14
Then Achish said to his servants, "Look, you see the man is mad. Why have you brought him to me?
15
Do I lack madmen, so that you have brought this fellow to behave like one in my presence? Will this fellow really come into my house?"
1 Samuel 21:1
Nob
This is the name of a place.
Ahimelek
This is a man's name.
trembling
shaking in fear
1 Samuel 21:2
on a mission
"to do work for him". David visits the chief priest and lies to him about being on a special mission for the king. He asks for food, weapons, and prayer. The chief priest gives him some sacred bread and Goliath's sword and prays for him.
I have directed the young men to a certain place
"I have told the young men to go to another place, and I will meet them there later"
1 Samuel 21:3
what do you have on hand?
"What food do you have that you can give me?"
1 Samuel 21:4
ordinary bread
bread that the priests have not used in worship
if the young men have kept themselves from women
"Your men may eat it if they have not slept with women recently"
1 Samuel 21:5
women have been kept from us
"we have kept ourselves from women"
when I set out
"when I begin a journey"
The things belonging to the young men have been set apart
"The young men have set what belongs to them apart"
How much more today will what they have be set apart
"It is especially true today that they will set apart what they have"
1 Samuel 21:6
there was no bread there except the bread of the presence
"the only bread that was there was the bread of the presence"
the bread that was set apart
"the bread that the priests had set apart"
which was removed from before Yahweh, in order to put
"which the priests had removed from before Yahweh so that they could put"
1 Samuel 21:7
detained before Yahweh
"for some work before Yahweh" or "because Yahweh had detained him there"
Doeg ... shepherds
"Doeg ... herdsmen, and he saw what Ahimelech did". You may need to say clearly that Doeg saw what David did.
Doeg the Edomite
This is the name of a man from the land of Edom.
1 Samuel 21:8
Now is there not here on hand any spear or sword?
"Do you have a spear or sword that you can give me?"
weapons
a general name for such things as swords, knives, bows and arrows, and spears
1 Samuel 21:9
Valley of Elah
This is the name of a place in Israel.
1 Samuel 21:11
Is not this David, the king of the land?
"You know that this is David, who is as dangerous as the king of the land". David flees to Gath. The advisers to the king tell him that David is almost the king of Israel. David becomes afraid and pretends to be insane.
Did they not sing to one another about him in dances, 'Saul ... thousands?'
"You know that when the people of the land were dancing, they sang to each other about him, 'Saul ... thousands.'"
1 Samuel 21:12
David took these words to heart
"David thought seriously about what the servants said"
1 Samuel 21:13
in their hands
"in their presence"
1 Samuel 21:14
Why have you brought him to me?
"You should have known not to bring him to me."
1 Samuel 21:15
Do I lack madmen, so that you have brought this fellow to behave like one in my presence?
"There are enough madmen here who waste my time. You should not have brought this fellow to behave like one in my presence."
Will this fellow really come into my house?
"Do not allow this fellow to enter my house."
Chapter 22
1
So David left there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him.
2
Everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented—they all gathered to him. David became captain over them. There were about four hundred men with him.
3
Then David went from there to Mizpah in Moab. He said to the king of Moab, "Please let my father and my mother go out with you until I know what God will do for me."
4
He left them with the king of Moab. His father and mother stayed with him the whole time that David was in his stronghold.
5
Then the prophet Gad said to David, "Do not stay in your stronghold. Leave and go into the land of Judah." So David left there and went into the forest of Hereth.
6
Saul heard that David had been discovered, along with the men who were with him. Now Saul was sitting in Gibeah under the tamarisk tree on a hill, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing around him.
7
Saul said to his servants who stood around him, "Listen now, people of Benjamin! Will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards? Will he make you all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds,
8
in exchange for all of you plotting against me? None of you informs me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is sorry for me. None of you informs me that my son has incited my servant David against me. Today he hides and waits for me so he may attack me."
9
Then Doeg the Edomite, who stood by the servants of Saul, answered, "I saw the son of Jesse come to Nob, to Ahimelek son of Ahitub.
10
He prayed to Yahweh that he might help him, and he gave him provisions and the sword of Goliath the Philistine."
11
Then the king sent someone to summon the priest Ahimelek son of Ahitub and all his father's house, the priests who were in Nob. All of them came to the king.
12
Saul said, "Listen now, son of Ahitub." He answered, "Here I am, my master."
13
Saul said to him, "Why have you plotted against me, you and the son of Jesse, in that you have given him bread, and a sword, and have prayed to God that he might help him, so that he might rise up against me, to hide in secret, as he does today?"
14
Then Ahimelek answered the king and said, "Who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king's son-in-law and is over your bodyguard, and is honored in your house?
15
Is today the first time I have prayed to God to help him? Far be it from me! Do not let the king impute anything to his servant or to all the house of my father. For your servant knows nothing of this whole matter."
16
The king replied, "You will surely die, Ahimelek, you and all your father's house."
17
The king said to the guard that stood around him, "Turn and kill the priests of Yahweh. Because their hand also is with David, and because they knew that he fled, but did not reveal it to me." But the servants of the king would not put out their hand to kill the priests of Yahweh.
18
Then the king said to Doeg, "Turn and kill the priests." So Doeg the Edomite turned and attacked the priests; he killed eighty-five persons who wore a linen ephod that day.
19
He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, both men and women, children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep, he put to the sword.
20
But one of the sons of Ahimelek son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David.
21
Abiathar told David that Saul had killed Yahweh's priests.
22
David said to Abiathar, "I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I am responsible for every death in your father's family!
23
Stay with me and do not be afraid. For the one who seeks your life seeks mine as well. You will be safe with me."
1 Samuel 22:1
Adullam
This is the name of a town near the city of Gath. There are two stories in this chapter: David gathering a group of followers and Saul having all the priests and their families killed.
heard it
heard that David had gone to hide in the cave.
1 Samuel 22:2
Everyone who was in distress ... everyone who was discontented
"Many people who were distressed ... many people who were unhappy"
captain
military officer who leads soldiers
1 Samuel 22:3
Then David went from there
"Then David went from the cave at Adullam"
Mizpah
This is the name of a city.
go out with you
"come to stay with you," or "stay with you,"
1 Samuel 22:5
go into the land of Judah
"go to your home land of Judah". David hides in the wilderness, and people in trouble come to him. Soon he has a force of 500 men. The prophet then tells him to leave the wilderness.
Hereth
This is the name of a city.
1 Samuel 22:6
David had been discovered, along with the men who were with him
"someone had discovered where David and all the men who were with him were hiding"
the tamarisk tree
"a large shade tree"
1 Samuel 22:7
Will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards?
"The son of Jesse will not give you fields or vineyards."
Will the son of Jesse give
"When David becomes king, will he give"
Will he make you all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds
"He will not make you captains of thousands and captains of hundreds"
Will he make you all captains
"When he becomes king, will he make you all captains"
captains of thousands and captains of hundreds
"captains of 1,000 soldiers and captains of 100 soldiers". See 1 Samuel 17:18.
1 Samuel 22:9
Doeg the Edomite
This is the name of a man. See 1 Samuel 21:7.
Nob ... Ahimelek
This is a place name and the name of a man. See 1 Samuel 21:1.
Ahitub
This is the name of a man.
1 Samuel 22:10
He prayed to Yahweh that he might help him, and he gave him
Ahitub prayed to Yahweh that Yahweh might help David, and Ahitub gave David.
1 Samuel 22:13
in that you have given
"by giving,"
rise up
"rebel" or "fight"
1 Samuel 22:14
Who among all your servants is so faithful as David ... house?
"None of your servants is as faithful as David ... house."
bodyguard
a person or group of people who protect someone
is honored in your house
"whom your family honors"
1 Samuel 22:15
Is today the first time I have prayed to God to help him?
"This is not the first time I have prayed to God to help David."
Far be it from me!
"Absolutely not!"
Do not let the king impute anything to his servant or to all the house of my father. For your servant knows nothing
"Please, King Saul, do not consider me, your servant, or anyone in the house of my father to be guilty. For I know nothing"
to all the house of my father
"to all my father's family"
1 Samuel 22:16
your father's house
"your father's family"
1 Samuel 22:17
the guard that stood around him
"the soldiers standing nearby to protect him"
Turn and kill
"Go and kill"
their hand also is with David
"they also help David"
would not put out their hand to kill
"did not do anything to kill" or "refused to kill"
1 Samuel 22:18
Doeg the Edomite turned and attacked ... he killed
"Doeg the Edomite and his men turned and attacked ... they killed"
Doeg the Edomite
This is the name of a man. See 1 Samuel 21:7. Doeg tells Saul that Ahimelech the priest gave David food and a sword and prayed for him. Saul accuses the priests of encouraging David to rebel, which is a serious accusation because the priests are God's representatives and are rebelling against God's king if true. Saul has the priests and all their families killed except those who escape to David.
1 Samuel 22:19
He also put to the sword ... he put to the sword
"They also killed with the sword ... they killed with the sword"
Nob
"the people in the city of Nob"
1 Samuel 22:20
Abiathar
This is a man's name.
Chapter 23
1
They told David, "Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors."
2
So David prayed to Yahweh for help and asked him, "Should I go and attack these Philistines?" Yahweh said to David, "Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah."
3
David's men said to him, "See, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?"
4
Then David prayed to Yahweh for help yet again. Yahweh answered him, "Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will give you victory over the Philistines."
5
David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines. He led away their cattle and struck them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
6
When Abiathar son of Ahimelek had fled to David at Keilah, he came down with an ephod in his hand.
7
Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah. Saul said, "God has given him into my hand. For he is shut in because he has entered a city that has gates and bars."
8
Saul summoned all his forces for battle, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
9
David knew that Saul was plotting harm against him. He said to Abiathar the priest, "Bring the ephod here."
10
Then David said, "Yahweh, the God of Israel, your servant has indeed heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.
11
Will the men of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? Yahweh, the God of Israel, I beg you, please tell your servant." Yahweh said, "He will come down."
12
Then David said, "Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?" Yahweh said, "They will surrender you."
13
Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, got up and went away from Keilah, and they went from place to place. It was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, and he stopped the pursuit.
14
David stayed in the strongholds in the wilderness, in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. Saul looked for him every day, but God did not give him into his hand.
15
David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life; now David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh.
16
Then Jonathan, Saul's son, got up and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God.
17
He said to him, "Do not be afraid. For the hand of Saul my father will not find you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be next to you. Saul my father also knows this."
18
They made a covenant before Yahweh. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home.
19
Then Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, "Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hakilah, which is south of Jeshimon?
20
Now come down, king! According to your desire, come down! Our part will be to surrender him into the king's hand."
21
Saul said, "May you be blessed by Yahweh. For you have had compassion on me.
22
Go, make even more sure. Learn and find out where his hiding place is and who has seen him there. It is told to me that he is very crafty.
23
So look, and learn all of the places where he hides himself. Come back to me with sure information, and then I will return with you. If he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah."
24
Then they rose up and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah to the south of Jeshimon.
25
Saul and his men went to seek him. But David was told of it, so he went down to a rocky hill and lived in the wilderness of Maon. When Saul heard it, he chased David in the wilderness of Maon.
26
Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men were going on the other side of the mountain. David hurried to get away from Saul. As Saul and his men were surrounding David and his men to take them,
27
a messenger came to Saul and said, "Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid against the land."
28
So Saul returned from pursuing David and went against the Philistines. Therefore that place was called Sela Hammahlekoth.
29
David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En Gedi.
1 Samuel 23:1
fighting against Keilah
"fighting against the people of Keilah". David rescues the town of Keilah from the Philistines who are stealing the harvest. Saul goes to Keilah to capture David, but David flees to the wilderness near Ziph. When David goes deeper into the wilderness, Saul follows but he has to leave to fight the Philistines who have invaded the land. Saul's pursuit of David shows that Saul cares more about killing his enemies than pleasing God.
threshing
separating the grain or seeds, generally from a cereal plant or wheat by some mechanical means
1 Samuel 23:3
How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?
"We will be even more fearful if we go to Keilah to fight the armies of the Philistines."
1 Samuel 23:5
went ... fought ... led ... struck ... saved
These words are all singular, though David's men helped him do all these things.
1 Samuel 23:6
Ahimelek
This is the name of a man. See 1 Samuel 21:1.
1 Samuel 23:7
Saul was told
"Someone told Saul"
1 Samuel 23:8
summoned
Saul probably told his officials to gather the soldiers. He did not call with a loud voice to get them to come.
all his forces
"all his soldiers"
1 Samuel 23:10
David said
"David prayed"
your servant has indeed heard
"I have indeed heard"
destroy the city
make the city so no one could live in it and kill all the people who live there
1 Samuel 23:11
as your servant has heard ... tell your servant
"as I have heard ... tell me"
surrender me into his hand
"give me over to Saul"
1 Samuel 23:12
David said
"David prayed"
surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul
"give me and my men over to Saul"
1 Samuel 23:13
had escaped
"had run away from"
1 Samuel 23:14
wilderness of Ziph
This is the name of a deserted area near the city of Ziph.
did not give him into his hand
"did not allow Saul to have power over David" or "did not allow Saul to capture David"
1 Samuel 23:15
seek his life
"try to kill him"
Horesh
This is the name of city near Ziph.
1 Samuel 23:16
strengthened his hand in God
"encouraged him to trust in God"
1 Samuel 23:17
For the hand of Saul my father will not find you
"For Saul my father will not find you"
1 Samuel 23:19
Ziphites
This is the name of the people group from Ziph.
Is not David hiding among us in ... Jeshimon?
"David is hiding among us in ... Jeshimon!"
the hill of Hakilah
This is in the wilderness of Judah.
Jeshimon
"the Judean Wilderness" or "the wasteland.". This is a desert area near the Dead Sea.
1 Samuel 23:20
surrender him into the king's hand
"give David to you so you can do whatever you desire with him"
1 Samuel 23:21
May you be blessed by Yahweh
"I hope that Yahweh blesses you"
you have had compassion on me
"you have been kind to me"
1 Samuel 23:22
Learn and find out
"Know for sure"
who has seen him
"who saw him"
It is told to me
"People tell me"
1 Samuel 23:23
among all the thousands of Judah
"among all the clans of Judah"
1 Samuel 23:24
Then they rose up
They stopped what they had been doing. The reader should not believe that they were sitting or lying.
Then they
"Then the Ziphites"
the wilderness of Maon
This is a deserted area around the city of Maon in southern Judah.
1 Samuel 23:25
David was told of it
"Someone told David that they were coming"
1 Samuel 23:27
Hurry and come
"Come quickly"
1 Samuel 23:28
pursuing David
"chasing David, trying to catch him"
Sela Hammahlekoth
"Rock of Escape." This was a memorial or marker of David's escape from Saul.
Chapter 24
1
When Saul returned from chasing the Philistines, he was told, "David is in the wilderness of En Gedi."
2
Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to seek David and his men on the Rocks of the Wild Goats.
3
He came to sheep pens on the way, where there was a cave. Saul went inside to cover his feet. Now David and his men were sitting far back in the cave.
4
David's men said to him, "This is the day of which Yahweh spoke when he said to you, 'I will give your enemy into your hand, for you to do with him as you wish.'" Then David arose and quietly crept forward and cut off the corner of Saul's robe.
5
Afterward David's heart afflicted him because he had cut a corner off Saul's robe.
6
He said to his men, "May Yahweh forbid that I should do this thing to my master, Yahweh's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is Yahweh's anointed."
7
So David rebuked his men with these words, and did not permit them to attack Saul. Saul stood up, left the cave, and went on his way.
8
Afterward, David also stood up, left the cave, and called out after Saul: "My master the king." When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the ground and showed him respect.
9
David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the men who say, 'See, David is seeking your harm?'
10
Today your eyes have seen how Yahweh put you into my hand when we were in the cave. Some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, 'I will not put out my hand against my master; for he is Yahweh's anointed.'
11
See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no evil or treason in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, even though you hunt my life to take it.
12
May Yahweh judge between you and me, and may Yahweh avenge me against you, but my hand must not be against you.
13
As the proverb of the ancients says, 'Out of the wicked comes wickedness.' But my hand will not be against you.
14
After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea!
15
May Yahweh be judge and give judgment between you and me, and see to it, and plead my cause and permit me to escape from your hand."
16
When David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" Saul lifted up his voice and wept.
17
He said to David, "You are more righteous than I am. For you have repaid me good, where I have repaid you evil.
18
You have declared today how you have done good to me, for you did not kill me when Yahweh had put me at your mercy.
19
For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go safely? May Yahweh reward you with good for what you have done to me today.
20
Now, I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.
21
Swear to me by Yahweh that you will not cut off my descendants after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house."
22
So David made an oath to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
1 Samuel 24:1
he was told
"someone told him". Even though Saul tries again and again to kill David, David does not avenge himself on Saul because God had chosen Saul as king. This is meant to contrast with Saul's treatment of David, the future king. Saul represents the king the people wanted, a selfish man. David is the king God wanted, a godly man.
wilderness of En Gedi
En Gedi is a place in Israel west of the Dead Sea where there is water with dry land all around it.
1 Samuel 24:2
chosen men
men whom he had chosen because of their superior military abilities
1 Samuel 24:3
sheep pens
"sheep corrals"
cover his feet
"relieve himself" or "defecate"
cave
generally a natural hole, often with an opening in the side of a hill or cliff
1 Samuel 24:4
David arose and quietly crept
"David took action; he quietly crept"
crept
approached slowly, carefully or quietly
1 Samuel 24:5
David's heart afflicted him
"David was sad because he had done something wrong"
1 Samuel 24:6
Yahweh's anointed
"the one whom Yahweh has chosen to lead his people"
to put out my hand against him
"to harm him in any way"
1 Samuel 24:9
Why do you listen to the men who say, 'See, David is seeking your harm?
"You should not listen to the men who say, 'See, David is seeking to harm you."
1 Samuel 24:10
your eyes have seen
"you have seen with your own eyes"
put you into my hand
"put you where I could kill you or allow you to live"
1 Samuel 24:11
my father
Saul was not David's real father. David calls him "father" to show that he respects Saul.
there is no evil or treason in my hand
"I have done no evil deed against you, nor have I rebelled against you"
1 Samuel 24:12
my hand must not be against you
"I will not harm you in any way"
1 Samuel 24:13
ancients
"people who lived long ago"
1 Samuel 24:14
After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue?
"Let me tell you who the king of Israel has come out after. Let me tell you who it is that you are pursuing."
After a dead dog
"You are pursuing a person who is as powerless as a dead dog"
After a flea
"You are pursuing a person who is as unimportant as a flea"
1 Samuel 24:15
see to it, and plead my cause
"do what is right, and plead my cause" or "see that my cause is right and fight for me."
from your hand
"so that you have no power over me"
1 Samuel 24:16
my son David
Saul speaks as if David were his son to show David that he loves him.
lifted up his voice and wept
"wept loudly"
1 Samuel 24:18
you have done good to me
Saul acknowledges that David did show that he supported King Saul and was loyal to him.
for you did not kill me when Yahweh had put me at your mercy
Saul acknowledges that David chose to show mercy and demonstrated his loyalty to King Saul as Yahweh's anointed.
1 Samuel 24:19
For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go safely?
"For if a man finds his enemy, he will not let him go safely."
For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go safely?
Saul learns that even though David will be king, he will not take the throne by force, but will wait for Yahweh.
1 Samuel 24:20
the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand
"the kingdom of Israel will prosper as you rule the Israelite people" or "you will have complete rule over the kingdom of Israel"
in your hand
The word "hand" represents power or control.
1 Samuel 24:21
you will not cut off my descendants after me
"you will not kill my sons and their families." It was common for a new king who was not from the previous family line to kill off all the children to prevent any of them from challenging him for the throne.
you will not destroy my name out of my father's house
"you will not destroy my family and descendants"
1 Samuel 24:22
David and his men
"David and his army,"
Chapter 25
1
Now Samuel died. All Israel gathered together and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah. Then David rose and went down to the wilderness of Paran.
2
There was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel. The man was very wealthy. He had three thousand sheep and one thousand goats. He was shearing his sheep in Carmel.
3
The man's name was Nabal, and the name of his wife was Abigail. The woman was intelligent and beautiful in appearance. But the man was harsh and evil in his dealings. He was a descendant of the house of Caleb.
4
David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep.
5
So David sent ten young men. David said to the young men, "Go up to Carmel, go to Nabal, and greet him in my name.
6
You will say to him, 'Live in prosperity. Peace to you and peace to your house, and peace be to all that you have.
7
I hear that you have shearers. Your shepherds have been with us, and we did them no harm, and they missed nothing the whole time they were in Carmel.
8
Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Now let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we have come on a festive day. Please give whatever you have on hand to your servants and to your son David.'"
9
When David's young men arrived, they said all of this to Nabal in David's name and then waited.
10
Nabal answered David's servants, "Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters.
11
Should I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men who come from I do not know where?"
12
So David's young men turned away and came back, and told him everything that was said.
13
David said to his men, "Every man strap on his sword." So every man strapped on his sword. David also strapped on his sword. About four hundred men followed after David, and two hundred stayed by the baggage.
14
But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife; he said, "David sent messengers out of the wilderness to greet our master, and he screamed at them.
15
Yet the men were very good to us. We were not harmed and did not miss anything as long as we went with them when we were in the fields.
16
They were a wall to us both day and night, all the while we were with them tending the sheep.
17
Therefore know this and consider what you will do, for evil is plotted against our master, and against his whole house. He is such a worthless fellow that one cannot reason with him."
18
Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves, two bottles of wine, five sheep already prepared, five measures of parched grain, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys.
19
She said to her young men, "Go on before me, and I will come after you." But she did not tell her husband Nabal.
20
As she rode on her donkey and came down by the cover of the mountain, David and his men came down toward her, and she met them.
21
Now David had said, "Surely in vain have I guarded all that this man has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belonged to him, and he has returned me evil for good.
22
May God do so to the enemies of David, and more also, if by the morning I leave so much as one male of all who belong to him."
23
When Abigail saw David, she hurried and got down from her donkey and lay before David facedown and bowed herself to the ground.
24
She lay at his feet and said, "On me alone, my master, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak to you, and listen to the words of your servant.
25
Let not my master regard this worthless fellow, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him. But I your servant did not see the young men of my master, whom you sent.
26
Now then, my master, as Yahweh lives, and as you live, since Yahweh has restrained you from bloodshed, and from avenging yourself with your own hand, now let your enemies, and those who seek to do evil to my master, be like Nabal.
27
Now let this present that your servant has brought to my master be given to the young men who follow my master.
28
Please forgive the trespass of your servant, for Yahweh will certainly make my master a sure house, because my master is fighting the battles of Yahweh; and evil will not be found in you so long as you live.
29
Though men rise up to pursue you to take your life, yet the life of my master will be bound in the bundle of the living by Yahweh your God; and he will sling away the lives of your enemies, as from the pocket of a sling.
30
Yahweh will have done for my master everything he promised you, and has appointed you leader over Israel.
31
This will not cause grief or a troubled heart to my master—that you have poured out innocent blood, or because my master attempted to rescue himself. For when Yahweh will do good for my master, remember your servant."
32
David said to Abigail, "May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be blessed, he who sent you to meet me today.
33
Your wisdom is blessed and you are blessed, because you have kept me today from bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand!
34
For in truth, as Yahweh, the God of Israel, lives, he who has kept me from hurting you, unless you had hurried to come meet me, there would certainly have not been left to Nabal so much as one male baby by the morning light."
35
So David received from her hand what she had brought him; he said to her, "Go up in peace to your house; see, I have listened to your voice and have accepted you."
36
Abigail went back to Nabal; behold, he was holding a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk. So she told him nothing at all until the morning light.
37
It came about in the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, that his wife told him these things; his heart died within him, and he became like a stone.
38
It came about ten days later that Yahweh attacked Nabal so that he died.
39
When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, "May Yahweh be blessed, who has avenged the scorn I have received from the hand of Nabal and has kept back his servant from doing wrong. He has turned Nabal's evil action back on his own head." Then David sent and spoke to Abigail, to take her to himself as wife.
40
When David's servants had come to Abigail at Carmel, they spoke to her and said, "David has sent us to you to take you to him as his wife."
41
She arose, bowed herself with her face to the ground, and said, "See, your female servant is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my master."
42
Abigail hurried and arose, and rode on a donkey with five servant girls of hers who followed her; and she followed David's messengers and became his wife.
43
Now David had also taken Ahinoam of Jezreel as a wife; both of them became his wives.
44
Also, Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Paltiel son of Laish, who was of Gallim.
1 Samuel 25:1
All Israel gathered together and mourned for him
A large number of the people of Israel were probably there, but some were probably unable to attend.
gathered together
"met together"
buried him in his house at Ramah
in his home town of Ramah or on his family's land in Ramah or in his house in Ramah.
David rose and went down
"David and his men moved on and they went down"
1 Samuel 25:2
There was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel. The man was very wealthy.
"There was a very wealthy man in Maon whose possessions were in Carmel."
Maon
This is the name of a town.
Carmel
This is the name of a town. This is different from Mount Carmel.
shearing his sheep
"shaving the wool off his sheep"
1 Samuel 25:3
The man's name was Nabal, and the name of his wife was Abigail. The woman was intelligent and beautiful in appearance. But the man was harsh and evil in his dealings. He was a descendant of the house of Caleb.
"Now the man was a descendant of the house of Caleb. His name was Nabal, and the name of his wife was Abigail. She was intelligent and beautiful in appearance. But the man was harsh and evil in his dealings."
Nabal
This is the name of a man.
Abigail
This is the name of a woman.
He was a descendant of the house of Caleb
"He was a descendant of the family of Caleb"
1 Samuel 25:5
greet him in my name
"greet him as I would greet him if I were there."
1 Samuel 25:6
Live in prosperity
"I desire that you possess many good things as long as you live"
Peace to you and peace to your house, and peace be to all that you have
"I desire that peace may come to you, your household and your possessions"
1 Samuel 25:7
you have shearers
"your shearers have sheep to shear." David wants Nabal to understand that his sheep were well because David's men helped guard them.
we did them no harm, and they missed nothing
"we kept them and all their property from harm"
1 Samuel 25:8
let my young men find favor in your eyes
"may you be pleased with my young men"
to your servants
David was expressing respect toward Nabal by calling his men Nabal's servants.
your son David
David spoke as if he were Nabal's son to show that he respected Nabal, who was an older man.
1 Samuel 25:9
David's young men
"David's army"
said all of this to Nabal in David's name
"told Nabal that this message had come from David,"
1 Samuel 25:10
Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse?
"This David, son of Jesse you speak of—I do not know him." or "I do not know who this David is, so I will not do as he says. I do not know who Jesse is, so I do not care what happens to his son."
breaking away from
"running away from"
1 Samuel 25:11
my bread
"bread" is an idiom for any kind of food.
men who come from I do not know where
"men when I do not know where they have come from"
1 Samuel 25:12
that was said
"that Nabal had said"
1 Samuel 25:13
said to his men
"said to his army". When David decides to kill all of the men in Nabal's household, Abigail convinces David to leave the revenge to God.
"Every man strap on his sword." So every man strapped on his sword. David also strapped on his sword
"'Every man, prepare for war.' And every man prepared for war. David also prepared for war"
stayed by the baggage
They remained at their base camp to prevent other raiders from stealing their possessions.
1 Samuel 25:14
But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife
"One of Nabal's servants found out what David and his men were planning to do, so he went to Nabal's wife Abigail"
1 Samuel 25:15
We were not harmed
"We were safe"
did not miss anything as long as we went with them
"we did not lose anything when we were with them." David's men kept animals and people from stealing.
1 Samuel 25:16
They were a wall
David's men were like a wall around a city that protects the people in the city from their enemies.
1 Samuel 25:17
evil is plotted against our master
"someone is plotting to do evil things to you"
1 Samuel 25:18
loaves
"loaves of bread"
already prepared
"that someone had already cooked"
parched grain
"grain that someone had cooked"
clusters of raisins
"cakes of raisins"
1 Samuel 25:20
by the cover of the mountain
Possible meanings are 1) into a low, narrow stream bed or 2) to where the men were hiding.
1 Samuel 25:21
Now David had said, "Surely ... for good.
David said these things before he said, "Every man strap on his sword" in 1 Samuel 25:13.
nothing was missed of all that belonged to him
"he still has everything that was his"
1 Samuel 25:22
May God do so to the enemies of David ... belong to him
David said these things before he said, "Every man strap on his sword" in 1 Samuel 25:13.
May God do so to the enemies of David
"May God do so to David."
all who belong
"all the people who belong to him"
1 Samuel 25:23
lay before David facedown and bowed herself to the ground
Abigail was being humble and showing that she would obey David because he was a powerful leader.
1 Samuel 25:24
listen to
"hear"
my master ... your servant ... words of your servant
"David ... me ... my words." Abigail speaks of herself and David as if they are two other people.
1 Samuel 25:25
Let not my master regard ... I your servant ... the young men of my master
"Do not regard ... I ... your young men"
But I ... did not see ... whom you sent
"But if I ... had seen ... whom you sent, I would have given them food"
1 Samuel 25:26
my master ... my master
"David ... you"
bloodshed
murder
avenging yourself with your own hand
"taking vengeance yourself instead of letting Yahweh do it"
let your enemies ... be like Nabal
"I hope that Yahweh will punish your enemies ... as he will punish Nabal"
1 Samuel 25:27
let this present that your servant has brought to my master be given to the young men
"please let my master give this present, which your servant has brought to my master, to the young men"
this present
"these gifts." The "present" was actually many different things.
your servant has ... my master ... my master
"I have ... you ... you"
1 Samuel 25:28
the trespass of your servant ... my master ... my master is
"my trespass ... you ... you are"
Yahweh will certainly make my master a sure house
"Yahweh will ensure that my master always has a descendant who serves as king"
fighting the battles of Yahweh
"fighting against Yahweh's enemies"
evil will not be found in you
"you will never do anything evil"
1 Samuel 25:29
pursue
chase and try to catch
the life of my master will be bound in the bundle of the living by Yahweh your God
"Yahweh your God will keep you alive with those who are alive"
the life of my master
"your life"
he will sling away the lives of your enemies, as from the pocket of a sling
"he will kill your enemies as easily as a man slings a stone a long distance"
a sling
a piece of animal skin with long cords in which a person can put a stone and throw it a long distance
1 Samuel 25:30
my master
"you"
1 Samuel 25:31
This will not cause grief or a troubled heart to my master—that you have poured out innocent blood, or because my master attempted to rescue himself
"Your action will not cause you the grief or the troubled heart that pouring out blood needlessly or trying to avenge yourself would cause you.”
This will not cause grief or a troubled heart to my master
"Your action will not give you sorrow or guilty feelings" or "You will not do something that causes you to regret what you did and to feel guilty"
that you have poured out innocent blood
"that you have killed innocent people"
my master ... my master ... himself ... my master ... your servant
"you ... you ... yourself ... you ... me"
when Yahweh will do good for my master
That is, when Yahweh actually makes him king after Saul's reign is over.
1 Samuel 25:32
General Information:
David accepts Abigail's counsel and gifts.
May Yahweh ... be blessed, he who
"I praise Yahweh ... who"
1 Samuel 25:33
Your wisdom is blessed and you are blessed, because
"I thank Yahweh because he has blessed you by making you wise and because"
bloodshed
"murder". The same word appears in 1 Samuel 25:26.
with my own hand
"by my own actions"
1 Samuel 25:34
there would certainly have not been left to Nabal so much as one male baby
"I would not have left to Nabal even one male baby"
1 Samuel 25:35
received from her hand
"accepted all the gifts that she had brought"
have listened to your voice
"have listened to what you have told me"
1 Samuel 25:36
morning light
dawn.
Nabal's heart was merry within him
Nabal was very happy.
1 Samuel 25:37
the wine had gone out of Nabal
Nabal was no longer drunk and so was no longer feeling happy.
his heart died within him
Nabal was unable to move because he was no longer physically healthy, probably because he had suffered a stroke.
1 Samuel 25:39
May Yahweh be blessed
"I praise Yahweh"
has avenged the scorn I have received from the hand of Nabal
"has defended me after Nabal insulted me"
has kept back his servant from doing wrong
"has kept me from doing evil deeds"
has turned Nabal's evil action back on his own head
"has done to Nabal what Nabal planned to do to me"
on his own head
"on him"
sent and spoke to Abigail, to take her to himself as wife
"sent men to speak to Abigail and tell her that David wanted to take her to be his wife"
1 Samuel 25:41
She arose, bowed herself
The reader should understand that she was probably already standing and "arose" refers to deciding to bow down.
See, your female servant is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my master
"See, I will serve you, the servants of my master David, by washing your feet"
1 Samuel 25:42
hurried and arose, and rode
"quickly did what she needed to do to prepare for the journey, and then she rode"
five servant girls of hers who followed her
Abigail was riding a donkey, but the servant girls were walking.
1 Samuel 25:43
Now David had also taken Ahinoam
This event took place before David married Abigail.
Ahinoam
This is the name of a woman.
1 Samuel 25:44
Saul had given Michal
This event took place before David married Abigail.
Michal
This is the name of a woman.
Paltiel ... Laish
These are names of men.
Gallim
This is a town north of Jerusalem.
Chapter 26
1
The Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, "Is not David hiding in the hill of Hakilah, which is before Jeshimon?"
2
Then Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
3
Saul camped on the hill of Hakilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the road. But David was staying in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul was coming after him into the wilderness.
4
So David sent out spies and learned that Saul had indeed come.
5
David arose and went to the place where Saul had camped; he saw the place where Saul lay, and Abner son of Ner, the general of his army; Saul lay in the camp, and the people were camped around him, all asleep.
6
Then David said to Ahimelek the Hittite, and to Abishai son of Zeruiah, the brother of Joab, "Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?" Abishai said, "I! I will go down with you."
7
So David and Abishai went to the army by night. Saul was there sleeping inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground beside his head. Abner and his soldiers lay around him.
8
Then Abishai said to David, "Today God has put your enemy into your hand. Now please let me pin him to the ground with the spear with just one blow. I will not strike him a second time."
9
David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him; for who can extend his hand against Yahweh's anointed one and be guiltless?"
10
David said, "As Yahweh lives, Yahweh will kill him, or his day will come to die, or he will go into battle and perish.
11
May Yahweh forbid that I should extend my hand against his anointed one; but now, I beg you, take the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let us go."
12
So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul's head, and they got away. No one saw them or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from Yahweh had fallen on them.
13
Then David went over to the other side and stood on the top of the mountain far off; a great distance was between them.
14
David shouted out to the people and to Abner son of Ner; he said, "Do you not answer, Abner?" Then Abner answered and said, "Who are you who is shouting to the king?"
15
David said to Abner, "Are not you a courageous man? Who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not kept watch over your master the king? For someone came in to destroy the king your master.
16
This thing you have done is not good. As Yahweh lives, you deserve to die because you have not kept watch over your master, Yahweh's anointed one. Now see where the king's spear is and the jar of water that was near his head!"
17
Saul recognized David's voice and said, "Is that your voice, my son David?" David said, "It is my voice, my master, king."
18
He said, "Why does my master pursue his servant? What have I done? What evil is in my hand?
19
Now therefore, I beg you, let my master the king listen to the words of his servant. If it is Yahweh who has stirred you up against me, may he be pleased with an offering; but if it is human beings, may they be cursed in the sight of Yahweh, for they have today driven me out, that I should not cling to the inheritance of Yahweh; they have said to me, 'Go worship other gods.'
20
Now therefore, do not let my blood fall to the earth away from Yahweh's presence; for the king of Israel has come out to search for the one flea as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains."
21
Then Saul said, "I have sinned. Return, David, my son; for I will harm you no more, because my life was precious in your eyes today. See, I have played the fool and have made a very bad mistake."
22
David answered and said, "See, your spear is here, king! Let one of the young men come over and get it and bring it to you.
23
May Yahweh pay each man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; because Yahweh put you into my hand today, but I would not strike his anointed.
24
See, as your life was precious in my eyes today, so may my life be much valued in the eyes of Yahweh, and may he rescue me out of all trouble."
25
Then Saul said to David, "May you be blessed, David my son! You will certainly do great things and you will succeed in them." So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.
1 Samuel 26:1
Is not David hiding ... Jeshimon?
"David is hiding ... Jeshimon!"
before Jeshimon
"from which we can see Jeshimon"
Jeshimon
"the Judean Wilderness". This is a desert area near the Dead Sea. See 1 Samuel 23:19.
1 Samuel 26:2
Then Saul arose and went
"Then Saul took action and he went"
chosen men
men whom he had chosen because of their superior military abilities
1 Samuel 26:3
before Jeshimon
"from which they could see Jeshimon"
1 Samuel 26:5
David arose and went
"David took action and he went"
Abner ... Ner
These are the names of men.
1 Samuel 26:6
Ahimelek ... Abishai
These are the names of men.
Zeruiah
This is the name of woman.
go down ... to
David and his men were probably on higher ground than Saul.
I! I will go down
"I want to be the one who goes down"
1 Samuel 26:8
God has put your enemy into your hand
"God has given you complete control over your enemy". David has another opportunity to kill Saul but he refuses to kill the one God had chosen as king. This contrasts with Saul, who tried to find David and kill him.
pin him to the ground with the spear
"kill with a spear"
I will not strike him a second time
"I will kill him the first time I strike him"
1 Samuel 26:9
who can extend his hand against Yahweh's anointed one and be guiltless?
"No one can strike Yahweh's anointed one and be without guilt."
1 Samuel 26:10
As Yahweh lives
"as certainly as Yahweh lives," or "as surely as Yahweh lives,"
his day will come to die
"he will die a natural death"
1 Samuel 26:11
extend my hand against
"do anything to harm"
let us go
David includes Abishai, so the word "us" is inclusive.
1 Samuel 26:14
Do you not answer, Abner?
"Answer me, Abner!"
David shouted
"David spoke as loudly as he could"
1 Samuel 26:15
Are not you a courageous man?
"You are a very brave man."
Who is like you in Israel?
"You are the greatest soldier in Israel."
Why then have you not kept watch over your master the king?
"Therefore you should have kept watch over your master the king!"
1 Samuel 26:17
my son
Saul wants David to trust and respect him as David would trust and respect his own father.
1 Samuel 26:18
Why does my master pursue his servant?
"My master has no reason to pursue his servant."
What have I done?
"You know that I have done nothing to harm you."
What evil is in my hand?
"What have I done wrong?"
1 Samuel 26:19
you, let my master the king listen to the words of his servant
"you my king, listen to my words"
stirred you up against me
"caused you to be angry with me"
may he be pleased with an offering
"I will give him an offering and hope he will accept it so he will no longer cause you to be angry with me"
for they have today driven me out, that I should not cling to the inheritance of Yahweh; they have said to me, 'Go worship other gods.'
"for they have today driven me out. It is as if they want me to stop clinging to the inheritance of Yahweh. It is as if they have said to me, 'Go worship other gods.'"
that I should not cling to the inheritance of Yahweh
"so that I will no longer trust that Yahweh will give me what he has promised me"
1 Samuel 26:20
the king of Israel has
"you have"
do not let my blood fall to the earth
"do not kill me."
the one flea
"this single flea"
1 Samuel 26:21
Return
"Return to serve me in my palace" or "Return to your home."
my life was precious in your eyes today
"today you have considered my life to be very valuable"
played the fool
"been very foolish"
1 Samuel 26:23
Yahweh put you into my hand today
"Yahweh placed me where I could easily have killed you"
pay each man
"give what is proper to each man"
his anointed
"the one he has chosen to be king"
1 Samuel 26:24
so may my life be much valued in the eyes of Yahweh
"so may Yahweh consider my life very valuable as well"
1 Samuel 26:25
May you be blessed
"May Yahweh bless you"
Chapter 27
1
David said in his heart, "I will now perish one day by Saul's hand; there is nothing better for me than to escape into the land of the Philistines; Saul will give up looking for me any more within all the borders of Israel; in this way I will escape out of his hand."
2
David arose and passed over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish son of Maok, the king of Gath.
3
David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, each man with his own household, and David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelite woman, and Abigail the Carmelite woman, Nabal's wife.
4
Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, so he looked for him no longer.
5
David said to Achish, "If I have found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may live there. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?"
6
So that day Achish gave him Ziklag; that is why Ziklag belongs to the kings of Judah to this very day.
7
The number of days that David lived in the land of the Philistines was a full year and four months.
8
David and his men attacked various places, making raids on the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites; for those nations were the inhabitants of the land, as you go to Shur, as far as the land of Egypt. They had been living there in the land from ancient times.
9
David attacked the land and saved neither man nor woman alive. He took away the sheep and cattle, the donkeys, the camels, and the clothing. Then he returned and went back to Achish.
10
Achish would say, "Against whom have you made a raid today?" David would answer, "Against the south of Judah," or "Against the south of the Jerahmeelites," or "Against the south of the Kenites."
11
David would keep neither man nor woman alive to bring them to Gath, saying, "So that they cannot say about us, 'David did such and such.'" This was what he did all the while he was living in the country of the Philistines.
12
Achish believed David, saying, "He has made his people Israel utterly abhor him; he will therefore be my servant forever."
1 Samuel 27:1
David said in his heart
"David thought to himself". This begins a section about David living with the Philistines.
escape out of his hand
"escape from him". David moves to the Philistine city of Gath. This is a type of exile David creates for himself, caused by his lack of trust in God. This is the same reason his descendants would come to be exiled.
1 Samuel 27:2
David arose and passed over
"David took action; he passed over"
passed over
"passed over the border between Israel and Philistia"
Achish son of Maok
These are the names of men. See 1 Samuel 21:10.
1 Samuel 27:3
Ahinoam
This is the name of a woman. See 1 Samuel 14:50.
Abigail
This is the name of a woman. See 1 Samuel 25:3.
Nabal
This is the name of a man. See 1 Samuel 25:3.
1 Samuel 27:4
Saul was told
"Someone told Saul"
1 Samuel 27:5
If I have found favor in your eyes
"If I have pleased you" or "If you consider me favorably"
let them give me a place
"please give me a place."
one of the cities in the country
"one of the towns outside the city"
Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?
"I am not important enough to live here with you in the royal city."
your servant
David speaks as if he were another person to show that he respected Achish.
1 Samuel 27:6
Ziklag
This is the name of a city in the southwest part of Judah.
1 Samuel 27:8
making raids on
attacking and taking property many times
Girzites
A people group who apparently lived somewhere between Philistia and Egypt.
as you go to Shur
"on the way most people travel to Shur". A region on the northeast border of Egypt.
1 Samuel 27:10
Achish
the king of Gath, which is one of five Philistine city-states.
Jerahmeelites
a clan from the tribe of Judah
Kenites
a people group who lived in the land of Midian
Chapter 28
1
It came about in those days that the Philistines gathered their armies together for battle to fight with Israel. Achish said to David, "Know for certain that you will go out with me in the army, you and your men."
2
David said to Achish, "That being the case, you will know what your servant can do." Achish said to David, "Then I will make you my bodyguard all your days."
3
Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had lamented him and buried him in Ramah, in his own city. Also, Saul had banned sorcerers and spiritists from the land.
4
Then the Philistines gathered themselves together and came and camped at Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they camped at Gilboa.
5
When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled very much.
6
Saul prayed to Yahweh for help, but Yahweh did not answer him—neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
7
Then Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who is a sorceress, so that I may go to her and seek her advice." His servants said to him, "See, there is a woman in Endor who is a sorceress."
8
So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothing and went, he and two men with him. They went to the woman by night. He said, "Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me the one I name."
9
The woman said to him, "See, you know what Saul has done, how he has banned sorcerers and spiritists from the land. So why are you setting a trap for my life, to make me die?"
10
Saul swore to her by Yahweh and said, "As Yahweh lives, no punishment will happen to you for this thing."
11
Then the woman said, "Whom should I bring up to you?" Saul said, "Bring up Samuel for me."
12
When the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice and spoke to Saul, saying, "Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul."
13
The king said to her, "Do not be afraid. What do you see?" The woman said to Saul, "I see a god coming up out of the earth."
14
He said to her, "What does he look like?" She said, "An old man is coming up; he is clothed with a robe." Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and showed him respect.
15
Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me and brought me up?" Saul answered, "I am very distressed, for the Philistines are waging war against me, and God has left me and does not answer me any more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I will do."
16
Samuel said, "What then do you ask me, since Yahweh has left you, and he has become your enemy?
17
Yahweh has done to you what he said he would. Yahweh has torn the kingdom out of your hand and he has given it to someone else—to David.
18
Because you did not obey the voice of Yahweh and did not carry out his fierce wrath on Amalek, he has therefore done this today to you.
19
Yahweh will give Israel along with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. Yahweh will also give the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines."
20
Then Saul immediately fell his full length on the ground and was very afraid because of the words of Samuel. There was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all that day, neither that whole night.
21
The woman came to Saul and saw that he was very troubled, She said to him, "See, your woman servant has listened to your voice; I have put my life in my hand and have listened to the words that you said to me.
22
Now therefore, I beg you, listen also to the voice of your woman servant, and let me set a little food in front of you. Eat so that you may gain strength for when you go on your way."
23
But Saul refused and said, "I will not eat." But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him, and he listened to their voice. So he rose from the ground and sat on the bed.
24
The woman had a fatted calf in the house; she hurried and killed it; she took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread with it.
25
She brought it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they got up and left that night.
1 Samuel 28:1
to fight with Israel
"to fight against Israel."
1 Samuel 28:2
That being the case, you will know ... "Then I will make
"Very well, I will go with you so that you will know ... Very well, I will make"
you will know what your servant can do
David probably wanted Achish to think that David would kill many Israelites, but this could also mean that David was planning to kill Philistines instead. Try to translate so that the reader can see both of these possible meanings.
make you
The word "you" refers to David and so is singular.
bodyguard
a person who protects another person
1 Samuel 28:3
Now Samuel ... spiritists
The writer provides background information to prepare the reader for the events that follow.
banned ... from the land
"expelled ... from Israel"
sorcerers and spiritists
"those who talked with the dead and those who talked with spirits." If your language has one word for those who talk with the dead and one word for those who talk with spirits, you should use those words here.
1 Samuel 28:4
gathered all Israel together
"gathered all his armies in Israel together"
Shunem ... Gilboa
These are names of places.
1 Samuel 28:5
he was afraid, and his heart trembled very much
"he was terrified"
1 Samuel 28:6
Urim
The high priest carried the sacred lots called Urim and Thummin in his breastplate, next to his heart.
1 Samuel 28:7
Endor
This is the name of a place. Talking to the dead was against the law of Moses. God or the Holy Spirit left Saul because of his sin and would not help him.
1 Samuel 28:8
Saul disguised himself ... and went ... to the woman by night
Saul disguised himself because the way was through land that the Philistines were living in. He traveled all day and reached the woman after the sun had gone down.
Divine for me by a spirit
Saul was requesting that the woman call on the familiar spirit she used to contact the dead and have that spirit call up the spirit of the dead person Saul would name.
1 Samuel 28:9
sorcerers and spiritists
"those who talked with the dead and those who talked with spirits." See 1 Samuel 28:3.
my life
"me"
1 Samuel 28:13
a god
"a judge". See 1 Samuel 7:15.
1 Samuel 28:17
torn the kingdom out of your hand
"made another person king in your place"
1 Samuel 28:19
Yahweh will give Israel along with you into the hand of the Philistines
"Yahweh will allow the Philistines to do whatever they want to do to you and the people of Israel"
will be with me
"will be dead"
Yahweh will also give the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines
"Yahweh will allow the Philistines to do whatever they want to do to the army of Israel"
1 Samuel 28:20
he had eaten no food all that day, neither that whole night
Saul had not eaten during the night before he traveled from Gilboa to Endor , nor during the day as he journeyed, nor during the night on which he visited the woman.
1 Samuel 28:21
I have put my life in my hand and have listened
"Someone could kill me because I listened"
1 Samuel 28:22
the voice of your woman servant
"my voice"
1 Samuel 28:23
Saul refused
"Saul would not do what they asked,"
compelled him
"forced him,"
1 Samuel 28:24
fatted calf
a calf that has been grown and fed for a special feast
she ... kneaded it
She mixed flour and oil, working and rolling the mixture thoroughly with her hands.
Chapter 29
1
Now the Philistines gathered together all their army at Aphek, and Israel camped by the spring that is in Jezreel.
2
The princes of the Philistines passed on by hundreds and by thousands; David and his men passed on in the rear guard with Achish.
3
Then the princes of the Philistines said, "What are these Hebrews doing here?" Achish said to the other princes of the Philistines, "Is not this David, the servant of Saul, the king of Israel, who has been with me these days, or rather these years, and I have found no fault with him since he came away to me to this day?"
4
But the princes of the Philistines were angry with him and said, "Send the man back, that he may return to the place you assigned him. He will not go down with us into battle, for he will become our adversary during the fighting. For how else could he make himself acceptable to his master than by taking the heads of our own men?
5
Is this not David of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying,
'Saul has killed his thousands,
and David his ten thousands'?"
6
Then Achish called David and said to him, "As Yahweh lives, you have been good, and your going out and your coming in with me in the army is good in my view; for I have found nothing wrong with you since the day of your coming to me to this very day. Nevertheless, the princes are not favorable to you.
7
So now return and go in peace, so that you do not displease the princes of the Philistines."
8
David said to Achish, "But what have I done? What have you found in your servant as long as I have been before you to this day, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my master the king?"
9
Achish answered and said to David, "I know that you are as blameless in my sight as an angel of God; nevertheless, the princes of the Philistines have said, 'He must not go up with us to the battle.'
10
So now rise up early in the morning with the servants of your master who have come with you; as soon as you are up early in the morning and have light, go away."
11
So David rose up early, he and his men, to leave in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. But the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
1 Samuel 29:2
passed on by hundreds and by thousands
"divided their men into groups; some groups had one hundred soldiers and some groups had one thousand soldiers"
David and his men passed on in the rear guard with Achish
The groups of hundreds and thousands passed on first, then Achish and his helpers, and then David.
1 Samuel 29:3
What are these Hebrews doing here?
"You should not have allowed these Hebrews, our enemies, to be here with us."
Is not this David ... these years, and I have found ... this day?
"You should know that this is David ... these years. I have found ... this day."
1 Samuel 29:4
He will not go down with us into battle
"Do not let his army join with our army against our enemies"
For how else could he make himself acceptable to his master than by taking the heads of our own men?
"The best way for David to make peace with his master would be by killing our soldiers!"
1 Samuel 29:5
Is this not David of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, 'Saul ... ten thousands'?
"You should not trust David—he is the one of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, 'Saul ... ten thousands'!"
1 Samuel 29:6
your going out and your coming in with me in the army is good
"It is good that you go everywhere with me and my army"
1 Samuel 29:8
my master the king
"you, my master and king". It is unclear whether David wanted to go into battle with the Philistines. He would have been fighting against Saul, but he also would have been fighting against Israel's soldiers.
1 Samuel 29:9
nevertheless, the princes
"however, the princes"
1 Samuel 29:10
your master
Achish is speaking of Saul.
Chapter 30
1
It came about, when David and his men had come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had made a raid upon the Negev and on Ziklag. They attacked Ziklag, burned it,
2
and captured the women and everyone who was in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off as they went on their way.
3
When David and his men came to the city, it was burned, and their wives, their sons, and their daughters were taken captive.
4
Then David and the people that were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more power to weep.
5
David's two wives were taken captive, Ahinoam the Jezreelite woman, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
6
David was greatly distressed, for the people were talking about stoning him, for all the people were bitter in spirit, each man for his sons and daughters; but David strengthened himself in Yahweh, his God.
7
David said to Abiathar son of Ahimelek, the priest, "I beg you, bring the ephod here for me." Abiathar brought the ephod to David.
8
David prayed to Yahweh for direction, saying, "If I pursue after this troop, will I overtake them?" Yahweh answered him, "Pursue, for you will certainly overtake them, and you will surely recover everything."
9
So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him; they came to the brook Besor, where those who were left behind stayed.
10
But David kept pursuing, he and four hundred men; for two hundred had stayed behind, who were so weak that they could not go over the brook Besor.
11
They found an Egyptian in a field and brought him to David; they gave him bread, and he ate; they gave him water to drink;
12
and they gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. When he had eaten, he gained strength again, for he had eaten no bread nor drunk any water for three days and three nights.
13
David said to him, "To whom do you belong? Where do you come from?" He said, "I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; my master left me because three days ago I fell sick.
14
We made a raid on the Negev of the Kerethites, and what belongs to Judah, and the Negev of Caleb, and we burned Ziklag."
15
David said to him, "Will you bring me down to this raiding party?" The Egyptian said, "Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or betray me up into the hands of my master, and I will bring you down to this raiding party."
16
When the Egyptian had brought David down, the raiders were spread out over all the ground, eating and drinking and celebrating because of all the booty they had taken out of the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah.
17
David attacked them from the twilight to the evening of the next day. Not a man escaped except for four hundred young men, who rode on camels and fled.
18
David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken; and David rescued his two wives.
19
Nothing was missing, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither booty, nor anything that the raiders had taken for themselves. David brought back everything.
20
David took all the flocks and the herds, which the men drove ahead of the other livestock. They said, "This is David's booty."
21
David came to the two hundred men who had been too weak to follow him, the ones the others had made to stay at the brook Besor. These men went ahead to meet David and the people who were with him. When David came to these people, he greeted them.
22
Then all the wicked men and worthless fellows among those who had gone with David said, "Because these men did not go with us, we will not give them any of the booty that we have recovered. However, each man may lead away his wife and children and go."
23
Then David said, "You must not act like this, my brothers, with what Yahweh has given to us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the marauding band that came against us.
24
Who will listen to you in this matter? For as the share is for anyone who goes into battle, so also will the share be for anyone who waits by the baggage; they will share and share alike."
25
It has been so from that day to this day, for David made it a statute and a decree for Israel.
26
When David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the booty to the elders of Judah, to his friends, saying, "See, here is a present for you from the booty from Yahweh's enemies."
27
He also sent some to the elders who were in Bethel, and to those who were in Ramoth of the South, and to those who were in Jattir,
28
and to those who were in Aroer, and to those who were in Siphmoth, and to those who were in Eshtemoa.
29
He also sent some to the elders who were in Rakal, and to those who were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to those who were in the cities of the Kenites,
30
and to those who were in Hormah, and to those who were in Bor Ashan, and to those who were in Athak,
31
and to those who were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men habitually went.
1 Samuel 30:1
Ziklag
Ziklag is a city in the southern part of Judah where David and his men kept their families.
1 Samuel 30:2
they
the Amalekites
both small and great
"both unimportant people and important people"
1 Samuel 30:3
it was burned, and their wives ... daughters were taken captive
"they saw that someone had burned it and taken their wives ... captive"
1 Samuel 30:5
Ahinoam the Jezreelite woman
"Ahinoam from Jezreel"
Nabal the Carmelite
"Nabal the man from Carmel"
Ahinoam ... Abigail
women's names.
1 Samuel 30:6
all the people were bitter in spirit
"all the people were ready to rebel against David"
David strengthened himself in Yahweh, his God
"David took courage because he knew Yahweh his God would help him"
1 Samuel 30:8
David prayed to Yahweh for direction
"David prayed that Yahweh would tell David what David should do"
1 Samuel 30:10
kept pursuing
"kept chasing them, trying to catch them"
who were so weak
They were tired from their own raids and now in pursuit of the Amalekites.
1 Samuel 30:11
an Egyptian in a field
He was left there to die from the raiding party.
1 Samuel 30:13
David said to him
David questioned the Egyptian slave.
1 Samuel 30:15
raiding party
a group of armed warriors who attack people or places unexpectedly
you will not ... betray me up into the hands of my master
"you will not ... violate the trust I have in you by allowing my master to control me again"
1 Samuel 30:17
twilight
the time just after the sun goes down until the sky is dark
Not a man escaped except for four hundred young men
"The only ones who escaped were four hundred young men"
1 Samuel 30:18
recovered ... rescued
"got back ... got back." Your language may have a word for a person getting his own property back from the person who stole it that is different from the word for a person getting his wife back from those who have captured her.
rescued his two wives
"saved his two wives from danger"
1 Samuel 30:19
Nothing was missing
"None of the items the Amalekites had stolen were lost"
neither small nor great
See how you translated similar words in 1 Samuel 30:2.
booty
goods that the Amelekites had stolen.
1 Samuel 30:21
the brook Besor
a small stream or creek named Besor.
greeted them
spoke to them in a friendly way
1 Samuel 30:22
we have recovered
"we have gotten back"
1 Samuel 30:24
Who will listen to you in this matter?
"No one will listen to you in this matter."
as the share is for anyone who goes
"as what belongs to anyone who goes"
will share and share alike
"will make sure that all receive the same amount"
anyone who waits by the baggage
the people who supported the warriors by managing and guarding their supplies
baggage
belongings that the soldiers left behind when they went into battle
1 Samuel 30:26
Ziklag
This is the name of a town.
1 Samuel 30:27
Bethel ... Jattir
These are names of towns.
1 Samuel 30:28
Aroer ... Siphmoth ... Eshtemoa
These are names of towns.
1 Samuel 30:29
Rakal
This is the name of a town.
Jerahmeelites ... Kenites
These are the names of people groups.
1 Samuel 30:30
Hormah ... Bor Ashan ... Athak
These are names of towns.
Chapter 31
1
Now the Philistines fought against Israel. The men of Israel fled from before the Philistines and fell down dead on Mount Gilboa.
2
The Philistines closely pursued Saul and his sons. The Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malki-Shua, his sons.
3
The battle went heavily against Saul, and the archers overtook him. He was in severe pain because of them.
4
Then Saul said to his armor bearer, "Draw your sword and thrust me through with it. Otherwise, these uncircumcised will come and abuse me." But his armor bearer would not, for he was very afraid. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.
5
When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell on his sword in the same way and died with him.
6
So Saul died, his three sons, and his armor bearer—these men all died together that same day.
7
When the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley, and those beyond the Jordan, saw that the men of Israel had fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled, and the Philistines came and lived in them.
8
It came about on the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.
9
They cut off his head and stripped off his armor, and sent messengers into the land of the Philistines throughout to carry the news to their idols' temples and to the people.
10
They put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths, and they fastened his body to the city wall of Beth Shan.
11
When the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard of what the Philistines had done to Saul,
12
all the fighting men arose and went all night and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth Shan. They went to Jabesh and burned them there.
13
Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted for seven days.
1 Samuel 31:1
Now the Philistines fought against Israel
The writer has finished telling the story of David that began in 1 Samuel 30:1, and now he tells about the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines. This battle starts in 1 Samuel 29:11.
against Israel
"against the people of Israel". This is the end of the section on Saul, but the book continues in 2 Samuel 1.
Mount Gilboa
This is the name of a mountain.
1 Samuel 31:2
closely pursued Saul and his sons
"chased Saul and three of his sons".
Abinadab, and Malki-Shua
These are names of men.
1 Samuel 31:3
The battle went heavily against Saul
"Saul's army began to lose the battle"
1 Samuel 31:4
armor bearer
The armor bearer carried the large shield and other weapons. He protected the commanding officer during a battle.
these uncircumcised
"these men who have not been circumcised"
would not
"would not do what Saul had told him to do"
took his own sword and fell on it
"killed himself with his own sword". Saul receives his punishment from God.
1 Samuel 31:8
strip the dead
take the armor and weapons off the dead Israelites' bodies
Mount Gilboa
A mountain range overlooking the Valley of Jezreel in northern Israel, south of Nazareth.
1 Samuel 31:9
to carry the news to their idols' temples and to the people
"to speak the news inside the temples and to the people"
1 Samuel 31:10
Ashtoreths
ancient false goddesses and idols, also called "Asherah" or "Astarte"
fastened
attached, probably with a large spike or nail
Beth Shan
the name of a city
1 Samuel 31:11
Jabesh
This is the name of a town. See 1 Samuel 11:1.
what the Philistines had done to Saul
"how the Philistines had dishonored Saul"
1 Samuel 31:13
a tamarisk tree
"a large shade tree". See 1 Samuel 22:6.
2 Samuel
Chapter 1
1
After the death of Saul, David returned from attacking the Amalekites and remained in Ziklag for two days.
2
On the third day, a man came from Saul's camp with his clothes torn and with dirt on his head. When he came to David he fell to the ground and bowed down.
3
David said to him, "Where did you come from?" He answered, "I escaped from the camp of Israel."
4
David said to him, "Please tell me how things went." He answered, "The people fled from the battle. Many have fallen and many are dead. Saul and Jonathan his son are also dead."
5
David said to the young man, "How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?"
6
The young man replied, "By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there Saul was leaning on his spear, and chariots and riders were about to catch up with him.
7
Saul turned around and saw me and called out to me. I answered, 'Here I am.'
8
He said to me, 'Who are you?' I answered him, 'I am an Amalekite.'
9
He said to me, 'Please stand over me and kill me, for great suffering has taken hold of me, but life is still in me.'
10
So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that he would not live after he had fallen. Then I took the crown that was on his head and the band that was on his arm, and brought them here to you, my master."
11
Then David tore his clothes, and all the men with him did the same.
12
They mourned, wept, and fasted until evening for Saul, for Jonathan his son, for the people of Yahweh, and for the house of Israel because they had fallen by the sword.
13
David said to the young man, "Where are you from?" He answered, "I am the son of a foreigner in the land, an Amalekite."
14
David said to him, "Why were you not afraid to destroy Yahweh's anointed king with your own hand?"
15
David called one of the young men and said, "Go and kill him." So that man went and struck him down, and the Amalekite died.
16
Then David said to the dead Amalekite, "Your blood is on your head because your own mouth has testified against you and said, 'I have killed Yahweh's anointed king.'"
17
Then David sang this lament about Saul and Jonathan his son.
18
He commanded the people to teach this Song of the Bow to the sons of Judah, which has been written in the Book of Jashar.
19
"Your glory, Israel, is dead, killed on your high places!
How the mighty have fallen!
20
Do not tell it in Gath,
do not proclaim it in the streets of Ashkelon,
so that the daughters of the Philistines may not rejoice,
so that the daughters of the uncircumcised may not celebrate.
21
Mountains of Gilboa,
let there not be dew or rain on you,
nor fields giving grain for offerings,
for there the shield of the mighty was defiled.
The shield of Saul is no longer anointed with oil.
22
From the blood of those who have been killed,
from the bodies of the mighty,
the bow of Jonathan did not turn back,
and the sword of Saul did not return empty.
23
Saul and Jonathan were loved and gracious in life,
and in their death they were not separated.
They were swifter than eagles,
they were stronger than lions.
24
You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
who clothed you in scarlet as well as jewels,
and who put ornaments of gold on your clothing.
25
How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle!
Jonathan is killed on your high places.
26
I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan.
You were very dear to me.
Your love to me was wonderful,
exceeding the love of women.
27
How the mighty have fallen,
and the weapons of war perished!"
2 Samuel 1:1
Ziklag
This is the name of a city in the southern part of Judah.
2 Samuel 1:2
On the third day
"After three days"
with his clothes torn and with dirt on his head
In this culture, tearing one's own clothes and putting dirt on one's head was an act of mourning.
he fell to the ground and bowed down
This was an act of showing submission to David, who was now the king of Israel.
2 Samuel 1:4
Many have fallen and many are dead
Possible meanings are 1) "Many were wounded and many were killed" or 2) "Many were wounded and killed."
2 Samuel 1:6
By chance I happened to be
This statement emphasizes that the man did not plan to meet Saul.
Saul was leaning on his spear
Possible meanings are 1) Saul was weak and using the spear to support himself or 2) Saul was attempting to kill himself by falling on his own spear.
2 Samuel 1:8
I am an Amalekite
These are the same people David just finished attacking in 2 Samuel 1:1.
2 Samuel 1:9
great suffering has taken hold of me
"I am suffering terribly"
life is still in me
"I am still alive"
2 Samuel 1:10
he would not live after he had fallen
"he would die anyway"
2 Samuel 1:11
David tore his clothes ... the men with him did the same
David and his men tore their clothes as a sign of mourning for the death of King Saul.
2 Samuel 1:12
for the people of Yahweh, and for the house of Israel
"for the Israelite soldiers"
Yahweh
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
they had fallen by the sword
"they had died in battle" or "enemies had killed them in battle"
2 Samuel 1:13
Where are you from?
The man had already stated that he is an Amalekite in 2 Samuel 1:8. David apparently asks the man to confirm this because of the serious judgment that David was going to pronounce on the man.
2 Samuel 1:14
Why were you not afraid to destroy Yahweh's anointed king with your own hand?
"You should have feared Yahweh and not killed his anointed king with your own hand!"
Yahweh's anointed king
This refers to Saul.
with your own hand
"yourself" or "personally"
2 Samuel 1:15
struck him down
"killed him."
2 Samuel 1:16
Your blood is on your head
"You are responsible for your own death" or "You have caused your own death"
your own mouth has testified against you
"you have testified against yourself"
2 Samuel 1:18
Song of the Bow
This was the title of the song.
the Book of Jashar
"the Book of the Upright"
2 Samuel 1:19
Your glory, Israel, is dead
"Your glory" refers to Saul.
the mighty
The phrase "the mighty" refers to both Saul and Jonathan.
have fallen
The word "fallen" here means "died."
2 Samuel 1:20
Gath ... Ashkelon
Gath and Ashkelon are two of the Philistines' major cities. The Philistines killed Saul and Jonathan.
the daughters of the uncircumcised
This phrase refers to people who do not follow Yahweh, such as the Philistines.
2 Samuel 1:21
Mountains of Gilboa
David speaks directly to the "Mountains of Gilboa" as if they were listening to his song.
let there not be dew or rain on you
David curses the ground where King Saul died in the battle. This was out of reverence for Saul, who was God's anointed king.
the shield of the mighty was defiled
The "mighty" here refers to Saul. The shield was defiled because it fell on the ground, and because the king's blood was shed on it.
The shield of Saul is no longer anointed with oil
"No one will care for Saul's shield anymore"
2 Samuel 1:22
From the blood of those who have been killed, from the bodies of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, and the sword of Saul did not return empty
Saul and Jonathan are shown here to have been fierce and valiant warriors.
the sword of Saul did not return empty
Saul's sword is spoken of as if it were a living thing that could return on its own. Rather than return empty, it was carrying the blood of Saul's enemies that it killed.
2 Samuel 1:23
in their death they were not separated
"even in death they were together"
2 Samuel 1:25
How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle
"The mighty men have died in battle"
Jonathan is killed
"Jonathan has died in battle" or "The enemy has killed Jonathan"
on your high places
David continues to address this part of the song to the mountains of Gilboa as he started in 2 Samuel 1:21.
2 Samuel 1:26
my brother Jonathan
Here "brother" is used in the sense of a very close friend.
Your love to me was wonderful, exceeding the love of women
Here "love" is used in the sense of friendship and loyalty. Jonathan's loyalty to David was even greater than the loyalty a woman has for her husband and children.
Chapter 2
1
After this David asked Yahweh and said, "Should I go up to one of the cities of Judah?" Yahweh replied to him, "Go up." David said, "To which city should I go?" Yahweh replied, "To Hebron."
2
So David went up with his two wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel, and Abigail from Carmel, the widow of Nabal.
3
David brought the men who were with him, who each brought his family, to the cities of Hebron, where they began to live.
4
Then men from Judah came and anointed David king over the house of Judah.
They told David, "The men of Jabesh Gilead have buried Saul."
5
So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead and said to them, "You are blessed by Yahweh, since you have shown this loyalty to your master Saul and have buried him.
6
Now may Yahweh show you steadfast love and faithfulness. I also will show you this goodness because you have done this thing.
7
Now then, let your hands be strong; be courageous for Saul your master is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them."
8
But Abner son of Ner, commander of Saul's army, took Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him to Mahanaim.
9
He made Ish-Bosheth king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and over all Israel.
10
Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
11
The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
12
Abner son of Ner, and the servants of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
13
Joab son of Zeruiah and the servants of David went out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. There they sat down, one group on one side of the pool and the other on the other side.
14
Abner said to Joab, "Let the young men arise and compete before us." Then Joab said, "Let them arise."
15
Then the young men got up and gathered together, twelve for Benjamin and Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, and twelve from servants of David.
16
Each man seized his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into the side of his opponent, and they fell down together. Therefore that place was called "Helkath Hazzurim," or "Field of Swords," which is in Gibeon.
17
The battle was very severe that day and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated before the servants of David.
18
The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was swift in his feet like a wild gazelle.
19
Asahel closely pursued Abner and followed him without turning away in any direction.
20
Abner looked behind him and said, "Is that you Asahel?" He answered, "It is I."
21
Abner said to him, "Turn aside to your right or to your left, and seize one of the young men and take his armor." But Asahel would not turn aside.
22
So Abner said again to Asahel, "Stop pursuing me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I hold up my face to Joab, your brother?"
23
But Asahel refused to turn aside, and so Abner stabbed him in the body with the blunt end of his spear, so that the spear came out the other side. Asahel fell down and died there. So it came about that anyone who arrived at the place where Asahel fell down and died, he stopped and stood still.
24
But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. When the sun was going down, they came to the hill of Ammah, which is near Giah by the road to the wilderness of Gibeon.
25
The men of Benjamin gathered themselves together behind Abner and stood on the top of the hill.
26
Then Abner called to Joab and said, "Must the sword devour forever? Do you not know it will be bitter in the end? How long will it be before you tell your men to stop pursuing their brothers?"
27
Joab replied, "Just as God lives, if you had not said that, my soldiers would have pursued their brothers until the morning!"
28
So Joab blew the ram's horn, and all his men stopped and did not pursue Israel anymore, nor did they fight anymore.
29
Abner and his men traveled all that night through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, marched all the next morning, and then reached Mahanaim.
30
Joab returned from pursuing Abner. He assembled all his people, from whom were missing Asahel and nineteen of David's servants.
31
But the servants of David had slaughtered from Benjamin and of Abner's men 360 men who died.
32
Then they took up Asahel and buried him in the tomb of his father, which was in Bethlehem. Joab and his men traveled all night, and the day dawned on them at Hebron.
2 Samuel 2:1
After this
"After David mourned the deaths of Saul and Jonathan in battle"
go up to one of the cities of Judah
"travel to one of the cities of Judah"
2 Samuel 2:2
David went up with his two wives
"David traveled to Hebron with his two wives"
2 Samuel 2:4
anointed David king
In this symbolic act, they poured oil on David's head to show that he was selected to be the king.
the house of Judah
"the tribe of Judah"
Jabesh Gilead
This is the name of a town in the region of Gilead.
2 Samuel 2:6
Now may Yahweh show you steadfast love and faithfulness
"Now may Yahweh show you that he loves you without ceasing and is faithful"
this thing
They buried Saul.
2 Samuel 2:7
let your hands be strong
"be strong"
2 Samuel 2:8
Ner ... Ish-Bosheth
These are the names of men.
Mahanaim
This is the name of a place.
2 Samuel 2:9
Gilead ... Jezreel
These are the names of places.
2 Samuel 2:10
the house of Judah followed David
"the tribe of Judah obeyed David as their king"
house of Judah
Here "house" is used to mean "tribe."
2 Samuel 2:12
Abner ... Ner ... Ish-Bosheth ... Saul
These are the names of men.
2 Samuel 2:13
Zeruiah
This is the name of a man.
2 Samuel 2:16
they fell down together
"they both died"
Helkath Hazzurim
This is a name given to remind people what happened there.
2 Samuel 2:17
The battle was very severe that day
"Then the others started to fight also. It was a very fierce battle that day"
2 Samuel 2:18
Zeruiah ... Joab ... Abishai ... Asahel
These are the names of men.
Asahel was swift in his feet like a wild gazelle
"Asahel could run very fast"
wild gazelle
This small, four-legged animal, with two long horns on its head, runs very fast.
2 Samuel 2:19
Abner
This is the name of a man.
followed him without turning away in any direction
"followed him wherever he went"
2 Samuel 2:21
Turn aside to your right or to your left ... turn aside
"Stop chasing me ... stop chasing Abner"
seize one of the young men and take his armor
"fight with another soldier and take his equipment as plunder"
2 Samuel 2:22
Why should I strike you to the ground?
"I do not wish to kill you"
How then could I hold up my face to Joab, your brother?
"I would be too ashamed to look at your brother, Joab"
2 Samuel 2:23
turn aside
This means to "halt" or "stop chasing."
the blunt end of his spear
This refers to the handle, which is not sharp or designed to pierce anything.
2 Samuel 2:24
hill of Ammah ... Giah
These are the names of places.
2 Samuel 2:26
Abner called
"Abner shouted" or "Abner yelled"
Must the sword devour forever?
"We do not need to keep using our swords to fight and kill each other."
Do you not know it will be bitter in the end?
"You know very well that there will be a terrible result if this continues!"
How long will it be before you tell your men to stop pursuing their brothers?
"Stop this now so that Israelites will not have to kill each other!"
2 Samuel 2:27
Just as God lives
"With God as my witness" or "God will affirm that I mean what I say"
if you had not said that ... pursued their brothers until the morning
Joab spoke about what did not happen to show how good it was that Abner said what he said. Because Abner said what he said, Joab would tell his soldiers to stop chasing their brothers.
2 Samuel 2:28
blew the ram's horn
Trumpets were used to signal orders to the armies across great distances.
did not pursue Israel
"did not continue to chase the Israelite soldiers"
2 Samuel 2:29
Arabah ... Mahanaim
These are the names of places.
2 Samuel 2:30
his people
"his men" or "his fighting men"
David's servants
"David's soldiers." These men served David as soldiers.
2 Samuel 2:31
from Benjamin
This phrase means "from the tribe of Benjamin."
2 Samuel 2:32
took up Asahel
"carried Asahel's body with them"
the day dawned on them at Hebron
"they arrived at Hebron by dawn the next morning"
Chapter 3
1
Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. David grew stronger and stronger, but the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.
2
Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam from Jezreel.
3
His second son, Kileab, was born to Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel. The third, Absalom, was son of Maakah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur.
4
David's fourth son, Adonijah, was the son of Haggith. His fifth son was Shephatiah son of Abital,
5
and the sixth, Ithream, was the son of David's wife Eglah. These sons were born to David in Hebron.
6
It came about during the war between the house of Saul and the house of David that Abner made himself strong in the house of Saul.
7
Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, "Why have you gone to my father's concubine?"
8
Then Abner was very angry at the words of Ish-Bosheth and said, "Am I a dog's head that belongs to Judah? Today I am showing faithfulness to the house of Saul, your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, by not delivering you into the hand of David. But now you accuse me of iniquity concerning this woman?
9
May God do so to me, Abner, and more also, if I do not do for David as Yahweh has sworn to him,
10
to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba."
11
Ish-Bosheth could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.
12
Then Abner sent messengers to David to speak for him saying, "Whose land is this? Make a covenant with me, and you will see that my hand is with you, to bring all Israel to you."
13
David answered, "Good, I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require from you is that you cannot see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see me."
14
Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth, Saul's son, saying, "Give me my wife Michal, to whom I betrothed to myself at the price of one hundred Philistine foreskins."
15
So Ish-Bosheth sent for Michal and took her from her husband, Paltiel son of Laish.
16
Her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Return home now." So he returned.
17
Abner spoke with the elders of Israel saying, "In the past you were trying to have David be king over you.
18
Now do it. For Yahweh has spoken of David saying, 'By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.'"
19
Abner also spoke personally to the people of Benjamin. Then Abner went also to speak with David in Hebron to explain everything that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin desired to accomplish.
20
When Abner and twenty of his men arrived in Hebron to see David, David had a feast prepared for them.
21
Abner explained to David, "I will arise and gather all Israel to you, my master the king, so that they may make a covenant with you, so that you may reign over all that you desire." So David sent Abner away, and Abner left in peace.
22
Then the servants of David and Joab came from a raid and brought much plunder with them. But Abner was not with David in Hebron. David had sent him away, and Abner had left in peace.
23
When Joab and all the army with him arrived, they told Joab, "Abner son of Ner came to the king, and the king has sent him away, and Abner left in peace."
24
Then Joab came to the king and said, "What have you done? Look, Abner came to you! Why have you sent him away, and he is gone?
25
Do you not know that Abner son of Ner came to deceive you and to discover your plans and learn everything you are doing?"
26
When Joab left David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah, but David did not know this.
27
When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the middle of the gate to speak with him quietly. There Joab stabbed him in the stomach and so that Abner died. In this way, Joab avenged the blood of Asahel his brother.
28
When David heard about this he said, "I and my kingdom are innocent before Yahweh forever regarding the blood of Abner son of Ner.
29
May his blood fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father's house! May Joab's house never be without someone who has a running sore or leprosy or who is lame and must walk with a staff or who is killed by the sword or does not have enough food."
30
So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in battle.
31
David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, "Tear your clothes, gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner's body." Now King David walked behind the body in the funeral procession.
32
They buried Abner in Hebron. The king wept and cried loudly at the tomb of Abner, and all the people also wept.
33
The king lamented for Abner and sang,
"Should Abner die as a fool dies?
34
Your hands were not bound.
Your feet were not shackled.
As a man falls before the sons of injustice, so you have fallen."
Once more all the people wept over him.
35
All the people came to make David eat while it was still day, but David swore, "May God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun goes down."
36
All the people took notice of David's grief, and it pleased them, as whatever the king did pleased them.
37
So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not the king's desire to kill Abner son of Ner.
38
The king said to his servants, "Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?
39
Now I am weak today, though I am an anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too severe for me. May Yahweh repay the evildoer by punishing him for his wickedness, as he deserves."
2 Samuel 3:1
Now
This word is used here to mark a stop in the main story. Here Samuel gives information about the war between David and the supporters of Saul.
house
Here "house" is used to mean "supporters."
grew stronger and stronger
This metaphor means the number of people supporting David increased.
grew weaker and weaker
This metaphor means the number of people supporting Saul's family decreased.
2 Samuel 3:2
Sons were born to David
"David's wives gave birth to six sons"
Ahinoam
This is the name of a woman, a wife of David.
2 Samuel 3:3
second son ... third
These two sons were born after the "firstborn" (verse 2). This is the numerical order of David's sons.
Abigail ... Maakah
These are women's names. They are the wives of David.
Kileab ... Nabal ... Talmai
These are men's names.
2 Samuel 3:4
fourth son ... fifth son
This is the numerical order of David's sons.
Adonijah ... Shephatiah
These are the names of David's sons.
Haggith ... Abital
These are names of David's wives.
2 Samuel 3:5
the sixth
This is the numerical order of David's sons.
Ithream
This is the name of one of David's sons.
Eglah
This is the name of one of David's wives.
2 Samuel 3:6
house of Saul
This refers to Saul's family and supporters who assumed control of his estate after he died.
house of David
This refers to the supporters of David.
Abner made himself strong in the house of Saul
"Abner gained more power over the family and supporters of Saul"
2 Samuel 3:7
Rizpah ... Aiah
These are names of women.
Ish-Bosheth
This is a male name, a son of Saul.
Why have you gone to my father's concubine?
"You did not have the right to go to father's concubine!"
gone to
"had sexual relations with"
2 Samuel 3:8
Am I a dog's head that belongs to Judah?
"Am I a traitor for Judah?" or "I am not a traitor working for David!" )
into the hand of David
"to be defeated by David"
But now you accuse me of iniquity concerning this woman?
"You should not think that I have slept with this woman!"
2 Samuel 3:9
May God do so to me ... and more also, if I do not
"I am asking God to punish me if I do not"
2 Samuel 3:10
throne of David
This phrase refers to the authority of David as king.
2 Samuel 3:12
Whose land is this?
"This land rightfully belongs to you!"
my hand is with you
"I will assist you"
2 Samuel 3:13
you cannot see my face unless you first bring Michal
"you cannot see me unless you bring Michal to me first"
Michal
This is the name of a daughter of Saul. She was David's first wife.
2 Samuel 3:14
one hundred Philistine foreskins
This represents the number of men David killed so that Saul would allow him to marry Michal. These men are represented here by their "foreskins." The "foreskin" is the fold of skin that covers the male reproductive organ.
2 Samuel 3:15
took her from her husband
Paltiel was Michal's second husband. Saul gave her to him after David fled from Saul.
Paltiel ... Laish
These are the names of men.
2 Samuel 3:16
Bahurim
This is the name of a village.
2 Samuel 3:18
Now do it
"So now make David your king"
By the hand of my servant David
"I will empower my servant David and"
the hand of the Philistines
"the power of the Philistines"
the hand of all their enemies
"the power of all of their enemies"
2 Samuel 3:19
the people of Benjamin ... the whole house of Benjamin
Both of these statements refer to the descendants of Benjamin, who were one of the tribes of Israel.
2 Samuel 3:20
twenty of his men
The number of men who came with Abner.
2 Samuel 3:21
all Israel
This phrase means "all of the nation of Israel."
So David sent Abner away
They parted as friends. David was not angry with Abner.
2 Samuel 3:22
servants of David
"David's soldiers." These men served David as soldiers.
plunder
These are items taken from the enemy.
Abner was not with David in Hebron
Abner had already left to return home.
2 Samuel 3:23
they told Joab
"someone told Joab"
Ner
This is a man's name. He is the grandfather of Saul.
2 Samuel 3:24
What have you done?
"You should not have done this!"
Why have you sent him away, and he is gone?
"Abner was here and you let him leave!"
2 Samuel 3:25
Do you not know ... everything you are doing?
"Surely you know ... everything you are doing."
2 Samuel 3:26
well of Sirah
"Sirah" is the name of a place where the well was located.
2 Samuel 3:27
the blood of Asahel
"the death of Asahel"
Asahel
This is the name of a male person.
2 Samuel 3:28
the blood of Abner
"the death of Abner" or "the murder of Abner"
Ner
This is the name of a man.
2 Samuel 3:29
fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father's house
"always cause suffering for Joab and for all his father's house"
all his father's house
"all the descendants of Joab's father"
May Joab's house never be without someone
"May Joab's house always have someone"
is killed by the sword
"dies violently"
does not have enough food
"is hungry"
2 Samuel 3:30
Abishai ... Asahel
These are the names of men.
2 Samuel 3:31
Tear your clothes, gird yourselves with sackcloth
These were symbolic actions to demonstrate their grief and sadness.
2 Samuel 3:32
The king wept and cried loudly
The words "wept" and "cried loudly" mean basically the same thing and emphasize how much David mourned for Abner.
2 Samuel 3:33
Should Abner die as a fool dies?
"Abner should not have died in disgrace!"
2 Samuel 3:34
Your hands were not bound. Your feet were not shackled
"You were in no way a criminal in prison" or "You were completely innocent of doing wrong"
the sons of injustice
"wicked men"
2 Samuel 3:35
All the people came
"Many people came"
May God do so to me, and more also, if
"I am asking God to punish me if"
2 Samuel 3:38
Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?
"It is certainly true that a great prince has died today in Israel!"
2 Samuel 3:39
Zeruiah
This is the name of a man.
are too severe
"are too much like animals" or "are too violent"
Chapter 4
1
When Ish-Bosheth, Saul's son, heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became weak, and all Israel was troubled.
2
Now Saul's son had two men who were captains of groups of soldiers. The name of one was Baanah and the other Rekab, sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, who was from the people of Benjamin (for Beeroth is also considered part of Benjamin,
3
and the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have been living there until this very time).
4
Now Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up to flee, but in her hurry, Jonathan's son fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.
5
So the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rekab and Baanah, traveled during the heat of the day to the house of Ish-Bosheth, as he was resting at noon.
6
The woman guarding the door had fallen asleep while sifting wheat, and Rekab and Baanah walked in quietly and passed her.
7
So after they entered the house, they attacked him and killed him as he was lying on his bed in his room. Then they cut off his head and carried it away, traveling on the road all night to the Arabah.
8
They brought the head of Ish-Bosheth to David at Hebron, and they said to the king, "Look, this is the head of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life. Today Yahweh has avenged our master the king against Saul and his descendants."
9
David answered Rekab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite; he said to them, "As Yahweh lives, who delivered my life from every trouble,
10
when someone told me, 'Look, Saul is dead,' thinking he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him at Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news.
11
How much more, when wicked men have killed an innocent person in his own house on his bed, should I not now require his blood from your hand and completely remove you from the earth?"
12
Then David gave orders to the young men, and they killed them and cut off their hands and feet and hung them up beside the pool at Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-Bosheth and buried it in the grave of Abner in Hebron.
2 Samuel 4:1
Ish-Bosheth
This is the name of a man.
his hands became weak
"Ishbosheth became weak" or "Ishbosheth lost all strength"
2 Samuel 4:2
Now Saul's son had two men
This introduces the men Baanah and Rechab into the story.
for Beeroth is also considered part of Benjamin
Here the author begins to provide background information about Beeroth for the reader. The area of Beeroth was part of the land that belonged to the tribe of Benjamin.
Beeroth
This is the name of a place.
2 Samuel 4:3
Gittaim
This is the name of a place.
2 Samuel 4:4
crippled in his feet
This phrase means "unable to walk."
five years old
This was the age of Jonathan's son at the time of his father's death.
the news about Saul and Jonathan
This refers to the news about their death.
nurse
This is a woman or girl who is hired to care for young children.
became lame
This explains how Mephibosheth was injured so he was unable to walk.
Mephibosheth
This is the name of Jonathan's young son, the grandson of Saul.
2 Samuel 4:5
the heat of the day
the middle of the day, the part of the day when it is the hottest
2 Samuel 4:6
sifting wheat
"cleaning chaff from wheat"
2 Samuel 4:8
sought your life
"was trying to kill you."
2 Samuel 4:9
As Yahweh lives
"I swear on the life of Yahweh"
who delivered my life
"who rescued me"
2 Samuel 4:11
How much more ... should I not now require his blood from your hand and completely remove you from the earth?
"You are even more guilty! It is my duty to require his blood from your hand and to remove you from the earth."
2 Samuel 4:12
cut off their hands and feet and hung them up
These were symbolic actions to show contempt for the men.
they took the head of Ish-Bosheth and buried it in the grave
"they honored Ish-Bosheth by burying his head in the grave"
Chapter 5
1
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "Look, we are your flesh and bone.
2
In the recent past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led the Israelite army. Yahweh said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become ruler over Israel.'"
3
So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them before Yahweh. They anointed David king over Israel.
4
David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
5
In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.
6
The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land. They said to David, "You will not come here except to be turned away by the blind and the lame. David cannot come here."
7
Nevertheless, David captured the stronghold of Zion, which now is the city of David.
8
At that time David said, "Those who attack the Jebusites will have to go through the water shaft to reach the 'lame and the blind' who are David's enemies." That is why people say, "The 'blind and the lame' must not enter the palace."
9
So David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. He fortified around it, from the terrace toward the inside.
10
David became very powerful because Yahweh, the God of hosts, was with him.
11
Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, carpenters, and masons. They built a house for David.
12
David knew that Yahweh had established him as king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
13
After David left Hebron and came to Jerusalem, he took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.
14
These were the names of the children who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
15
Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,
16
Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
17
Now when the Philistines heard that David had been anointed as king over Israel, they all went out looking for him. But David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.
18
Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
19
Then David asked for help from Yahweh. He said, "Should I attack the Philistines? Will you give victory over them?" Yahweh said to David, "Attack, for I will certainly give you victory over the Philistines."
20
So David attacked at Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He commented, "Yahweh has burst through my enemies before me like a bursting flood of water." So he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.
21
The Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.
22
Then the Philistines came up again and spread out once more in the Valley of Rephaim.
23
So David sought help from Yahweh again, and Yahweh said to him, "You must not attack their front, but rather circle around behind them and come on them through the balsam woods.
24
When you hear the sound of marching in the wind blowing through the balsam treetops, then attack with force. Do this because Yahweh will have gone out before you to attack the army of the Philistines."
25
So David did as Yahweh had commanded him. He killed Philistines from Geba all the way to Gezer.
2 Samuel 5:1
we are your flesh and bone
"we are of the same family"
2 Samuel 5:2
You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become ruler over Israel
These two clauses mean basically the same thing and emphasize that Yahweh had chosen David to be king.
You will shepherd my people Israel
"You will care for my people Israel" or "You will rule over my people Israel"
2 Samuel 5:3
They anointed David king over Israel
To "anoint" is a symbolic act to show that they recognized that God had chosen David as king.
2 Samuel 5:6
You will not come here except to be turned away by the blind and the lame
"If you come here, even the blind and the lame will be able to turn you away"
the blind and the lame
"those people who cannot see and those who cannot walk"
2 Samuel 5:8
David said, "Those who attack the Jebusites
"David said to his soldiers, 'Those who want to get rid of the Jebus people"
The 'blind and the lame'
These words could be either 1) a literal reference to people who are truly lame and blind or 2) it speaks about the Jebusites inside the city of Jerusalem as if they were all weak and handicapped.
2 Samuel 5:11
Hiram
This is the name of a man.
carpenters
those who work with wood
masons
those who work with stone or brick
2 Samuel 5:13
more sons and daughters were born to him
"he had more sons and daughters" or "they bore him more sons and daughters"
2 Samuel 5:14
Shammua ... Shobab ... Nathan ... Solomon
These are the names of David's sons.
who were born to him
"that his wives bore for him" or "he had"
2 Samuel 5:15
Ibhar ... Elishua ... Nepheg ... Japhia
These are the names of David's sons.
2 Samuel 5:16
Elishama ... Eliada ... Eliphelet
These are the names of David's sons.
2 Samuel 5:17
David had been anointed as king over Israel
"Israel had anointed David as king"
they all went out looking for him
"the Philistine army went looking for him"
2 Samuel 5:18
Valley of Rephaim
This is the name of a place.
2 Samuel 5:20
Baal Perazim
This is the name of a place.
Yahweh has burst through my enemies before me like a bursting flood of water
"Yahweh has overwhelmed my enemies like a flood overwhelms the land"
2 Samuel 5:22
the Philistines came up again
They "came up" because the Philistines lived at a lower elevation than David's stronghold.
Valley of Rephaim
This is the name of a place.
2 Samuel 5:23
balsam woods
"Balsam" here is a type of tree, and the "woods" describe many balsam trees growing together.
2 Samuel 5:24
When you hear the sound of marching in the wind blowing through the balsam treetops
"When the wind blowing through the tops of the balsam trees sounds like men marching"
2 Samuel 5:25
Geba ... Gezer
These are the names of places.
Chapter 6
1
Now David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
2
David arose and went with all his men who were with him from Baalah in Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of Yahweh of hosts, who sits enthroned over the cherubim.
3
They set the ark of God on a new cart. They brought it out of Abinadab's house, which was on a hill. Uzzah and Ahio, his sons, were guiding the new cart.
4
They brought the cart out of Abinadab's house on the hill with the ark of God on it. Ahio was walking in front of the ark.
5
Then David and all the house of Israel began to play before Yahweh, celebrating with instruments made of fir wood, harps, lyres, tambourines, rattles, and cymbals.
6
When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out with his hand to grab the ark of God, and he took hold of it.
7
Then the anger of Yahweh burned against Uzzah. God attacked him there for his sin. Uzzah died there by the ark of God.
8
David was angry because Yahweh had attacked Uzzah, and he called the name of that place Perez Uzzah. That place is called Perez Uzza to this day.
9
David was afraid of Yahweh that day. He said, "How can the ark of Yahweh come to me?"
10
So David was not willing to take the ark of Yahweh with him into the city of David. Instead, he put it aside in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.
11
The ark of Yahweh remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months. So Yahweh blessed him and all his household.
12
Now King David was told, "Yahweh has blessed Obed-Edom's house and everything that belongs to him because of the ark of God." So David went and brought up the ark of God from Obed-Edom's house to the city of David with joy.
13
When those who were carrying the ark of Yahweh had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.
14
David danced before Yahweh with all his might; he was wearing only a linen ephod.
15
So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of Yahweh with shouting and the sound of rams' horns.
16
Now as the ark of Yahweh came into the city of David, Michal, daughter of Saul, looked out the window. She saw King David leaping and dancing before Yahweh. Then she despised him in her heart.
17
They brought in the ark of Yahweh and put it in its place, in the middle of the tent that David had set up for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before Yahweh.
18
When David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and the fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh of hosts.
19
Then he distributed among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people left; each one returned to his own house.
20
Then David returned to bless his family. Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet David and said, "How honored the king of Israel was today, who undressed himself today before the eyes of the slave girls among his servants, like one of the crude fellows who shamelessly undresses himself!"
21
David responded to Michal, "I did that before Yahweh, who chose me above your father and above all his family, who appointed me leader over the people of Yahweh, over Israel. Before Yahweh I will be joyful!
22
I will be even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you have spoken about, I will be honored."
23
So Michal, the daughter of Saul, had no children to the day of her death.
2 Samuel 6:1
all the chosen men of Israel
This represents the army of the nation of Israel.
2 Samuel 6:2
from Baalah in Judah to bring up from there the ark of God
"from Baalah in Judah to take to Jerusalem the ark of God"
to bring up from there the ark of God
Jerusalem was higher than almost any other place in Israel, so it was normal for Israelites to speak of going up to Jerusalem and going down from it.
which is called by the name of Yahweh of hosts
Yahweh's name was written on the ark.
who sits enthroned over the cherubim
"who sits on his throne above the cherubim on the ark of the covenant"
2 Samuel 6:3
Abinadab ... Uzzah ... Ahio
These are names of men.
2 Samuel 6:5
all the house of Israel
"all the other Israelites with him"
tambourines
A tambourine is a musical instrument like the head of a drum with pieces of metal around the side that sound when the instrument is shaken or hit.
rattles
musical instruments with many small, hard objects inside a hard shell, making rhythmic noise when shaken
cymbals
two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound
2 Samuel 6:6
Nakon
This is the name of a man.
2 Samuel 6:7
anger of Yahweh burned
Here the "anger of Yahweh" is spoken of as if it were fire.
for his sin
It was a sin for Uzzah to touch the ark because Yahweh had commanded that no one should touch the ark.
2 Samuel 6:8
Perez Uzzah
This is the name of a place. Translator may add a footnote that says, "The name 'Perez Uzzah' means 'the punishment of Uzzah.'"
to this day
This means to the time when this was being written, not to the present time in the twenty-first century.
2 Samuel 6:9
How can the ark of Yahweh come to me?
"I am too afraid to bring the ark of Yahweh with me to Jerusalem."
2 Samuel 6:10
Obed-Edom the Gittite
This is the name of a man.
2 Samuel 6:11
blessed him
Here "him" refers to Obed-Edom the Gittite.
2 Samuel 6:12
King David was told
"people told King David"
Obed-Edom's house
"Obed-Edom and his family"
2 Samuel 6:14
David danced before Yahweh with all his might
Dancing here is a form of joyfully worshiping Yahweh.
linen
a cloth made from fibers of the flax plant
2 Samuel 6:16
Michal
Michal was the daughter of King Saul and also David's first wife.
she despised him in her heart
"she looked at him with disdain" or "she sneered at him"
before Yahweh
"to Yahweh"
2 Samuel 6:18
he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh of hosts
To bless "in the name of Yahweh of hosts" means to bless with Yahweh's power and authority or as his representative.
2 Samuel 6:19
cake of raisins
a baked sweet bread made with dried grapes
2 Samuel 6:20
How honored the king of Israel was today
This is an ironic statement. Michal means the opposite of what she said, and she does not believe David acted honorably. Michal speaks disrespectfully to King David about his dancing attire and behavior.
before the eyes of the slave girls
"in front of the slave girls"
crude fellows
Michal is comparing David to vulgar and foolish men.
2 Samuel 6:21
who chose me above your father
Here "your" refers to Michal.
over the people of Yahweh, over Israel
Here "the people of Yahweh" and "Israel" mean the same thing.
2 Samuel 6:22
I will be humiliated in my own eyes
"I will consider myself humiliated" or "I will consider myself a fool"
But by these slave girls you have spoken about, I will be honored
"But the slave girls of whom you have spoken will honor me"
2 Samuel 6:23
had no children to the day of her death
"was never able to bear any children"
Chapter 7
1
It happened that after the king had settled in his house, and after Yahweh had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies,
2
the king said to Nathan the prophet, "Look, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God is staying in the middle of a tent."
3
Then Nathan said to the king, "Go, do what is in your heart, for Yahweh is with you."
4
But that same night the word of Yahweh came to Nathan, saying:
5
"Go and tell David my servant, 'This is what Yahweh says: Will you build me a house in which to live?
6
For I have not lived in a house from the day that I brought up the people of Israel out of Egypt until this present day. Rather, I have been moving about in a tent, a tabernacle.
7
In all places where I have moved among all the people of Israel, did I ever say anything to anyone from the tribes of Israel whom I appointed to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"'
8
"Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what Yahweh of hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, so that you would be ruler over my people Israel.
9
I have been with you wherever you went. I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the great ones of the earth.
10
I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them there, so that they may live in their own place and be troubled no more. No longer will wicked people oppress them, as they did before,
11
as they were doing from the days that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Now I will give you rest from all your enemies.
"Moreover, Yahweh declares to you that Yahweh will make you a house.
12
When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up a descendant after you, one who will come out from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
13
He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
14
I will be a father to him, and he will be my son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the whipping of the sons of men.
15
But my covenant faithfulness will not leave him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you.
16
Your house and kingdom will be confirmed forever before you. Your throne will be established forever.'"
17
Nathan spoke to David and reported to him all these words, and he told him about the entire vision.
18
Then David the king went in and sat before Yahweh and said, "Who am I, Lord Yahweh, and what is my family that you have brought me to this point?
19
Now this was a small thing in your sight, Lord Yahweh. You have even spoken about your servant's family for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, Lord Yahweh!
20
"What more can I, David, say to you? You have known your servant, Lord Yahweh.
21
For your word's sake, and to fulfill your own purpose, you have done this great thing and revealed it to your servant.
22
"Therefore you are great, Lord Yahweh, for there is no one like you, and there is no God besides you, as we have heard with our own ears.
23
What nation is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom you, God, went and rescued for yourself? You did this so that they would become a people for yourself, to make a name for yourself, and to do great and fearful deeds for your land. You drove out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you rescued from Egypt.
24
You established Israel as your own people forever, and you, Yahweh, became their God.
25
"So now, Yahweh God, may the promise that you made concerning your servant and his family be established forever. Do as you have spoken.
26
May your name be forever great, so the people will say, 'Yahweh of hosts is the God of Israel,' while the house of me, David, your servant is established before you.
27
"For you, Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house. That is why I, your servant, have found courage to pray to you.
28
Now, Lord Yahweh, you are God, and your words are trustworthy, and you have made this good promise to your servant.
29
Now then, let it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, Lord Yahweh, have said these things, and with your blessing your servant's house will be blessed forever."
2 Samuel 7:1
It happened
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
given him rest from all his surrounding enemies
"caused the enemy people groups to stop attacking Israel"
2 Samuel 7:2
I am living in a house of cedar
"I am living in a strong, permanent house"
the ark of God is staying in the middle of a tent
"the ark of God is staying in a temporary place"
2 Samuel 7:3
do what is in your heart
"do what you think you should"
for Yahweh is with you
Here "with you" means God is helping and blessing David.
2 Samuel 7:4
the word of Yahweh came to Nathan, saying:
"Yahweh gave a message to Nathan. He said," or "Yahweh spoke this message to Nathan:"
2 Samuel 7:5
Will you build me a house in which to live?
"You will not build a house for me"
build me a house
Here the word "house" means a temple. Later Yahweh will say that he will build a house for David, but there the word "house" means a family. If your language has a word that can express both ideas, use it here.
2 Samuel 7:7
did I ever say anything to anyone from the tribes of Israel whom I appointed to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"
"did I ever ask any of Israel's leaders whom I appointed to shepherd my people Israel why they had not built me a house of cedar?" or "I never asked any of Israel's leaders whom I appointed to shepherd my people Israel why they had not built me a house of cedar." or "I never said anything to any of Israel's leaders whom I appointed to shepherd my people Israel. I never said, 'Why have you not built me a house of cedar.'" or "I never said anything to any of Israel's leaders whom I appointed to shepherd my people Israel. I never said, 'You should have built me a house of cedar.'"
anyone from the tribes of Israel whom I appointed to shepherd my people Israel
The referent of "whom I appointed" is "anyone," not "tribes." Of those from the tribes of Israel whom he had appointed to shepherd, he had told none to build him a house.
Why have you not built me a house of cedar?
"You should have built me a house of cedar."
2 Samuel 7:8
tell my servant David, 'This is what Yahweh of hosts says: I took you ... so that you would be ruler over my people Israel.
"tell my servant David that I took him ... so that he would be ruler over my people Israel"
2 Samuel 7:9
I have been with you wherever you went. I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the great ones of the earth
"I have been with him wherever he went. I have cut off all his enemies from before him. Now I will make his name great, like the name of the great ones of the earth"
make your name great
Here "name" represents a person's reputation.
2 Samuel 7:10
I will appoint a place
"I will choose a place"
will plant them there
Yahweh causing the people to live in the land permanently and securely is spoken of as if he would plant them in the land.
be troubled no more
"no one will ever trouble them"
2 Samuel 7:11
from the days
"from the time"
I commanded judges
After the people of Israel entered the land of Canaan and before they had kings to rule them, God appointed leaders called "judges" to lead them in times of trouble.
to be over my people Israel
"to rule my people Israel"
Now I will give you rest from all your enemies ... Yahweh declares to you that Yahweh will make you a house
"Now I will give him rest from all his enemies ... Yahweh declares to him that Yahweh will make him a house"
I will give you rest from all your enemies
"I will make all your enemies stop attacking you"
Yahweh will make you a house
Here "house" refers to David's ancestors continuing on as the rulers of Israel. In 2 Samuel 7:4 Yahweh asked David if he would be the one to build a house for Yahweh. There "house" represented a temple. If your language has a word that can express both ideas, use it here and in 7:4.
2 Samuel 7:12
When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers
These two phrases have similar meanings and are combined for emphasis. They both are polite ways to refer to death and dying.
I will raise up a descendant after you
Yahweh appointing David's descendant is spoken of as if Yahweh would raise or lift him up.
one who will come out from your body
This is an idiom that means the person will be David's descendant.
I will establish his kingdom
"I will make him to be a very powerful king"
2 Samuel 7:13
a house for my name
"a permanent dwelling for me"
I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever
"I will make his rule over Israel to last forever"
2 Samuel 7:14
I will be a father to him, and he will be my son
The prophecy in 7:12-14 refers to Solomon, David's son. But, aspects of the prophecy will be fulfilled by Jesus. So, here it is best to translate the words "father" and "son" with your normal words for a biological father and son.
2 Samuel 7:15
But my covenant faithfulness will not leave him, as I took it from Saul
"I will never stop faithfully loving him as I stopped loving Saul"
from before you
"from before David. David's house ... before him."
2 Samuel 7:16
"David's house ... before him. His throne"
Your house and kingdom will be confirmed forever before you. Your throne will be established forever.
These two sentences have similar meanings and emphasize that David's dynasty will last forever.
Your house and kingdom will be confirmed forever before you
"You will live to see me establish your family and their rule over the people of Israel forever"
Your throne will be established forever
"I will cause your descendants to rule over Israel forever"
2 Samuel 7:17
all these words
"all these things." This refers to what Yahweh had said.
he told him about the entire vision
"he told him about everything Yahweh revealed to him"
2 Samuel 7:18
Who am I, Lord Yahweh, and what is my family that you have brought me to this point?
"My family and I are not worthy of this honor, Lord Yahweh."
2 Samuel 7:19
in your sight
"in your judgment"
your servant's family
"my family"
for a great while to come
"and what will happen to them in the future"
your servant
"me"
2 Samuel 7:20
What more can I, David, say to you?
"There is nothing more I can say to you."
2 Samuel 7:21
For your word's sake
"Because of what you promised to do"
to fulfill your own purpose
"to accomplish what you planned to do"
to your servant
"to me"
2 Samuel 7:22
as we have heard with our own ears
"as we ourselves have heard"
as we have heard
Here "we" refers to David and the nation of Israel.
2 Samuel 7:23
What nation is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom you, God, went and rescued for yourself?
"There is no nation like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom you, God, went and rescued for yourself."
to make a name for yourself
"to make all people know who you are"
for your land
"for your people"
You drove out nations
Here "nations" represents the people groups that were living in Canaan.
2 Samuel 7:25
So now
Here "now" does not mean "at this moment," but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.
may the promise that you made concerning your servant and his family be established forever
"may you do what you promised to me and my family, and may your promise never change"
your servant and his family
"me and my family"
2 Samuel 7:26
May your name be forever great
Here "name" represents Yahweh's reputation.
the house of me, David, your servant
"my family"
is established before you
"is secure because of you" or "continues because of you"
2 Samuel 7:27
to your servant that you will build him a house
"to me that you will build me a house"
house
Here "house" represents David's family.
2 Samuel 7:28
your words are trustworthy
"I trust what you say"
2 Samuel 7:29
with your blessing your servant's house will be blessed forever
"you will continue to bless my family forever"
your servant's house
"my house" or "my family"
Chapter 8
1
After this it came about that David defeated the Philistines and subdued them. So David took Metheg Ammah from the control of the Philistines.
2
Then he defeated Moab and measured their men with a line by making them lie down on the ground. He measured off two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. So the Moabites became servants to David and began to pay him tribute.
3
David then defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, the king of Zobah, as Hadadezer was traveling to recover his rule by the Euphrates River.
4
David captured from him 1,700 chariots and twenty thousand footmen. David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved enough of them for a hundred chariots.
5
When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed twenty-two thousand Aramean men.
6
Then David put garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became servants to him and brought him tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.
7
David took the golden shields that were on Hadadezer's servants and brought them to Jerusalem.
8
From Tebah and Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took very much bronze.
9
When Tou, king of Hamath, heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer,
10
Tou sent Hadoram his son to King David to greet him and to bless him, because David had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, and because Hadadezer had waged war against Tou. Hadoram brought with himself objects of silver, gold, and bronze.
11
King David dedicated these objects to Yahweh, together with the silver and gold that he had dedicated, which came from all the nations that he had conquered—
12
from Aram, Moab, the people of Ammon, the Philistines, and Amalek, along with all of the plundered goods of Hadadezer son of Rehob, the king of Zobah.
13
David's name was well known when he returned from conquering the Arameans in the Valley of Salt, with their eighteen thousand men.
14
He placed garrisons throughout all of Edom, and all the Edomites became servants to him. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.
15
David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and righteousness to all his people.
16
Joab son of Zeruiah was the commander of the army, and Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder.
17
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelek son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah was scribe.
18
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of the Kerethites and Pelethites, and David's sons were the priests.
2 Samuel 8:1
David defeated
"David and his soldiers attacked"
2 Samuel 8:2
Then he defeated
"Then they defeated"
measured their men with a line ... He measured off two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive
Here the "line" is a "rope." David had the soldiers lie down on the ground to be measured and sorted into three groups. The men in two groups were killed, and in the third, they were allowed to live.
2 Samuel 8:3
David then defeated Hadadezer
"David and his army then defeated the army of Hadadezer"
Hadadezer ... Rehob
These are the names of men.
Zobah
This is the name of a region in Aram.
to recover his rule
"to regain control over a region" or "to recapture a region"
2 Samuel 8:4
David hamstrung
This is a practice where the tendons in the backs of the legs are cut so that the horses cannot run.
reserved enough
"set aside enough" or "saved enough"
2 Samuel 8:5
David killed
"David and his soldiers killed"
2 Samuel 8:6
put garrisons in Aram
"ordered large groups of his soldiers to remain in Aram"
2 Samuel 8:7
David took
"David's soldiers took"
2 Samuel 8:8
King David took
"King David's soldiers took"
Tebah and Berothai
These are the names of places.
2 Samuel 8:9
Tou
These are the names of men.
Hamath
This is the name of a place.
David had defeated
"David's army had defeated"
2 Samuel 8:10
Tou ... Hadoram
These are the names of men.
2 Samuel 8:12
and Amalek
"and the Amalekites"
the plundered goods
These are the valuable items that soldiers take from the people they defeated.
2 Samuel 8:13
David's name was well known
"David was very famous"
Valley of Salt
This is the name of a place. Its exact location is unknown.
2 Samuel 8:16
Joab ... Zeruiah
See how you translated these names in 2 Samuel 2:13.
Ahilud was recorder
"Ahilud was the herald"
2 Samuel 8:17
Ahitub ... Ahimelek ... Seraiah
These are names of men.
2 Samuel 8:18
Benaiah ... Jehoiada
These are names of men.
Kerethites ... Pelethites
These are names of people-groups. These people were David's bodyguards.
the priests
They were probably officials who advised David on matters to do with the kingdom and not involved in temple worship.
Chapter 9
1
David said, "Is there anyone left in Saul's family to whom I may show kindness for Jonathan's sake?"
2
There was in Saul's family a servant whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. The king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" He replied, "Yes. I am your servant."
3
So the king said, "Is there not anyone left of Saul's family to whom I may show the kindness of God?" Ziba replied to the king, "Jonathan still has a son, who is lame in his feet."
4
The king said to him, "Where is he?" Ziba replied to the king, "Look, he is in the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar."
5
Then King David sent and had him brought out of the house of Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar.
6
So Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul, came to David and bowed down his face to the floor in honor of David. David said, "Mephibosheth." He answered, "See, I am your servant!"
7
David said to him, "Do not be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather, and you will always eat at my table."
8
Mephibosheth bowed and said, "What is your servant, that you should look with favor on such a dead dog as I am?"
9
Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, "All that belonged to Saul and his family I have given to your master's grandson.
10
You, your sons, and your servants must till the land for him and you must harvest the crops so that your master's grandson will have food to eat. For Mephibosheth, your master's grandson, must always eat at my table." Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
11
Then Ziba said to the king, "Your servant will do all that my master the king commands his servant." The king added, "As for Mephibosheth he will eat at my table, as one of the king's sons."
12
Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mika. All who lived in the house of Ziba were servants of Mephibosheth.
13
So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, and he always ate at the king's table, though he was lame in both his feet.
2 Samuel 9:1
for Jonathan's sake
"because of my love for Jonathan"
Jonathan's sake
Jonathan was Saul's son and David's best friend.
2 Samuel 9:2
Ziba
This is the name of a man.
I am your servant
Ziba calls himself "your servant" to show great respect to David.
2 Samuel 9:3
I may show the kindness of God
"I may be kind as I promised God I would be"
who is lame in his feet
"who is unable to walk"
2 Samuel 9:4
Makir ... Ammiel
These are names of men.
Lo Debar
This is the name of a place.
2 Samuel 9:6
Mephibosheth
See how you translated this in 2 Samuel 4:4.
2 Samuel 9:7
for Jonathan your father's sake
"because I loved your father, Jonathan"
you will always eat at my table
"you will always eat with me"
2 Samuel 9:8
What is your servant, that you should look with favor on such a dead dog as I am?
"I am like a dead dog. I do not deserve for you to be kind to me."
2 Samuel 9:10
must always eat at my table
"must always eat with me"
2 Samuel 9:11
Your servant will do all that my master the king commands his servant
"I, your servant will do all that you, my king, command me to do"
2 Samuel 9:12
Mika
This is the name of the son of Mephibosheth.
All who lived in the house of Ziba
"All of Ziba's family"
2 Samuel 9:13
he always ate at the king's table
"he always ate with the king at his table"
Chapter 10
1
It came about later that the king of the people of Ammon died, and that Hanun his son became king in his place.
2
David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me." So David sent his servants to comfort Hanun concerning his father. His servants entered the land of the people of Ammon.
3
But the leaders of the people of Ammon said to Hanun their master, "Do you really think that David is honoring your father because he has sent men to comfort you? Has not David sent his servants to you to look at the city, to spy it out, in order to overthrow it?"
4
So Hanun took David's servants, shaved off half their beards, cut off their garments up to their buttocks, and sent them away.
5
When they explained this to David, he sent to meet with them, for the men were deeply ashamed. The king said, "Stay at Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return."
6
When the people of Ammon saw that they had become a stench to David, the people of Ammon sent messengers and hired the Arameans of Beth Rehob and Zobah, twenty thousand foot soldiers, and the king of Maakah with a thousand men, and the men of Tob with twelve thousand men.
7
When David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of soldiers.
8
The Ammonites came out and formed a line of battle at the entrance to their city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and of Rehob, and the men of Tob and Maakah, stood by themselves in the open fields.
9
When Joab saw the battle lines facing him both in front and behind, he chose some of Israel's best fighters and arranged them against the Arameans.
10
The rest of his people he put into the hand of Abishai his brother, and he set them out in position to fight against the army of Ammon.
11
Joab said, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you, Abishai, must rescue me. But if the army of Ammon is too strong for you, then I will come and rescue you.
12
Be strong, and let us show ourselves to be strong for our people and for the cities of our God, for Yahweh will do what is good for his purpose."
13
So Joab and the soldiers of his army advanced to the battle against the Arameans, who were forced to flee before the army of Israel.
14
When the army of Ammon saw that the Arameans had fled, they also fled from Abishai and went back into the city. Then Joab returned from the people of Ammon and went back to Jerusalem.
15
When the Arameans saw that they were being defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together again.
16
Then Hadarezer sent for Aramean troops from beyond the Euphrates River. They came to Helam, and Shobak, the commander of Hadarezer's army, went before them.
17
When David was told this, he gathered all Israel together, crossed the Jordan, and arrived at Helam. The Arameans arranged themselves in battle lines against David and fought him.
18
The Arameans fled from Israel, and David killed seven hundred of their men in chariots and forty thousand horsemen. Shobak the commander of their army was wounded and died there.
19
When all the kings who were servants of Hadarezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and became their subjects. So the Arameans were afraid to help the people of Ammon anymore.
2 Samuel 10:2
Hanun ... Nahash
These are the names of men.
2 Samuel 10:3
Do you really think that ... you?
"You are wrong to think that ... you!"
to spy
to secretly learn information about someone else
Has not David ... overthrow it?
"You need to know that David ... overthrow it."
in order to overthrow it
"in order to conquer us"
the city
Here "the city" refers to Rabbah, the capital city of the Ammonites.
2 Samuel 10:4
shaved off half their beards
This act was meant as an insult to humiliate the men.
2 Samuel 10:5
were deeply ashamed
Here "deeply" means "very."
then return
It is understood that they should return to Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 10:6
they had become a stench to David
"they had become offensive like a bad smell to David"
Beth Rehob ... Zobah ... Maakah ... Tob
These are the names of places.
2 Samuel 10:8
to their city gate
Here "the city" refers to Rabbah, the capital city of the Ammonites.
2 Samuel 10:10
The rest of his people he put into the hand of Abishai his brother
"He put Abishai his brother in charge of the rest of the army"
2 Samuel 10:11
for me, then you, Abishai, must rescue me
"for us, then you, Abishai, and your army must rescue us"
2 Samuel 10:14
from Abishai
"from Abishai and his soldiers"
into the city
Here "the city" refers to Rabbah, the capital city of the Ammonites.
went back to Jerusalem
"returned to Jerusalem"
2 Samuel 10:15
When the Arameans saw that they were being defeated by Israel
"when the Arameans realized that the Israelites were defeating them"
2 Samuel 10:16
Hadarezer ... Shobak
These are the names of men.
from beyond the Euphrates River
This means the east side of the Euphrates River.
They came to Helam
Here "came to" can be translated as "went to" or "gathered at"
Helam
This is the name of a place.
2 Samuel 10:17
When David was told this
"When David heard about this"
gathered all Israel together
"assembled all the army of Israel together"
against David and fought him
"against David and his soldiers and fought them"
2 Samuel 10:18
David killed
"David and his soldiers killed"
Shobak the commander of their army was wounded and died there
"The Israelites wounded Shobak the commander of the Aramean army, and he died there"
2 Samuel 10:19
saw that they were defeated by Israel
"realized that the Israelites had defeated them"
Chapter 11
1
It came about in the spring of the year, at the time when kings normally go to war, that David sent out Joab, his servants, and all the army of Israel. They destroyed the army of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed in Jerusalem.
2
So it came about one evening that David got up from his bed and walked on the roof of his palace. From there he happened to see a woman who was bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to look at.
3
So David sent and he asked people who would know about the woman. Someone said, "Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, and is she not the wife of Uriah the Hittite?"
4
David sent messengers and took her; she came to him, and he lay with her (for she had just purified herself from her uncleanness). Then she returned to her house.
5
The woman conceived, and she sent and told David; she said, "I am pregnant."
6
Then David sent to Joab saying, "Send me Uriah the Hittite." So Joab sent Uriah to David.
7
When Uriah arrived, David asked him how Joab was, how the army was doing, and how the war was going.
8
David said to Uriah, "Go down to your house and wash your feet." So Uriah left the king's palace, and the king sent a gift for Uriah after he left.
9
But Uriah lay down at the door of the king's palace with all the servants of his master, and he did not go down to his house.
10
When they told David, "Uriah did not go down to his house," David said to Uriah, "Have you not come from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house?"
11
Uriah answered David, "The ark, and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my master Joab and my master's servants are camped in an open field. How then can I go into my house to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? As sure as you are alive, I will not do this."
12
So David said to Uriah, "Stay here today also, and tomorrow I will let you leave." So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day and the next day.
13
When David called him, he ate and drank before him, and David made him drunk. At evening Uriah went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his master; he did not go down to his house.
14
So in the morning David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
15
David wrote in the letter saying, "Set Uriah at the very front of the most severe battle, and then withdraw from him, that he may be hit and die."
16
So as Joab watched the siege upon the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew the strongest enemy soldiers would be fighting.
17
When the men of the city went out and fought against Joab's army, some of the servants of David fell, and Uriah the Hittite was also killed there.
18
When Joab sent word to David about everything concerning the war,
19
he commanded the messenger, saying, "When you have finished telling all the things concerning the war to the king,
20
it may happen that the king will become angry, and he will say to you, 'Why did you go so near to the city to fight? Did you not know that they would shoot from the wall?
21
Who killed Abimelek son of Jerub-Besheth? Did not a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?' Then you must answer, 'Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.'"
22
So the messenger left and went to David and told him everything that Joab had sent him to say.
23
Then the messenger said to David, "The enemy were stronger than we were at first; they came out to us into the field, but we drove them back to the entrance of the gate.
24
Then their shooters shot at your soldiers from off the wall, and some of the king's servants were killed, and your servant Uriah the Hittite was killed too."
25
Then David said to the messenger, "Say this to Joab, 'Do not let this displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Make your battle even stronger against the city, and overthrow it,' and encourage him."
26
So when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she lamented deeply for her husband.
27
When her sorrow passed, David sent and took her home to his palace, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But what David had done displeased Yahweh.
2 Samuel 11:1
at the time
"at the time of year"
David sent out Joab, his servants, and all the army of Israel
"David sent Joab, his servants, and all the army of Israel to war"
the army of Ammon
"the Ammonite army"
Rabbah
This is the name of a city.
2 Samuel 11:2
So it came about
"So it happened" or "So it came to pass." The author uses this phrase to introduce the next event in the story.
a woman who was bathing
"a woman who was bathing in the courtyard of her house"
2 Samuel 11:3
So David sent
"So David sent a messenger"
he asked people who would know about the woman
"the messenger asked the people who knew her about who she was"
Is not this Bathsheba ... and is she not the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
"This is Bathsheba ... and she is the wife of Uriah the Hittite."
2 Samuel 11:4
took her
"they brought her to him"
she came to him
"she came into the place where he was"
he lay with her
This is a polite way of saying that he had sexual relations with her. You may need to use a different euphemism in your language.
uncleanness
The Israelites considered a woman unclean when she was bleeding from her womb, and she needed to wash herself after the bleeding stopped. The bath she was taking in 1 Samuel 11:2 may have been this ritual bath.
2 Samuel 11:5
she sent and told David; she said, "I am pregnant."
"she sent a messenger to David, and the messenger told David that she was pregnant"
2 Samuel 11:6
Then David sent
"Then David sent a messenger"
2 Samuel 11:7
how Joab was, how the army was doing, and how the war was going
"if Joab was well, if other soldiers were well, and how the war was progressing"
2 Samuel 11:8
Go down to your house
"Go to your house"
wash your feet
"rest for the night"
the king sent a gift for Uriah
"the king sent someone to take a gift to Uriah"
2 Samuel 11:9
his master
The word "his" refers to Uriah and the word "master" refers to David.
2 Samuel 11:10
Have you not come from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house?
"After coming from such a long journey, you should have gone down to your house."
2 Samuel 11:11
Israel and Judah
"the armies of Israel and Judah"
How then can I go into my house ... with my wife?
"It would be wrong for me to go into my house ... with my wife while the other soldiers in my army are in danger."
As sure as you are alive, I will not do this
"I solemnly promise that I will not do this"
2 Samuel 11:13
he ate and drank before him
"Uriah ate and drank with David"
2 Samuel 11:14
sent it by the hand of Uriah
"sent Uriah himself to deliver it to him"
2 Samuel 11:15
very front of the most severe battle
"very front of the battle line where the fighting is the worst"
withdraw from him
"command the soldiers to back away from him"
he may be hit and die
"he may be wounded and die"
2 Samuel 11:16
the siege upon the city
"his army surround and attack the city"
2 Samuel 11:17
some of the servants of David fell
"David's servants were killed" or "they killed some of David's servants"
and Uriah the Hittite was also killed there
"including Uriah the Hittite" or "and the men of the city also killed Uriah the Hittite"
2 Samuel 11:18
Joab sent word to David
"Joab sent a messenger to David to give a report"
2 Samuel 11:20
Why did you go so near ... from the wall?
"You should not have gone so near to the city to fight. You should have known that they would shoot from the wall."
shoot from the wall
"shoot arrows at you from the top of the city wall"
2 Samuel 11:21
Who killed Abimelek son of Jerub-Besheth?
"Remember how Abimelek son of Jerub-Besheth was killed!"
Abimelek son of Jerub-Besheth
This is the name of a man. His father is also know by the name Gideon.
Did not a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez?
"Remember he died at Thebez when a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the top of the wall."
millstone
a heavy stone that would roll, used to crush grain for making bread
from the wall
"from the top of the city wall"
Thebez
This is the name of a city.
Why did you go so near the wall?
"You should not have gone so near the wall!"
2 Samuel 11:23
the gate
"the city gate"
2 Samuel 11:24
their shooters shot
"their shooters shot arrows"
some of the king's servants were killed
"they killed some of the king's servants"
king's servants
"king's soldiers." These men served David as soldiers.
your servant Uriah the Hittite was killed
"they killed your servant Uriah the Hittite"
2 Samuel 11:25
for the sword devours one as well as another
"for one man can be killed by a sword the same as another man" or "for any man can die in battle"
Make your battle even stronger
"Fight even stronger"
2 Samuel 11:26
she lamented deeply
"she lamented very much" or "she lamented greatly"
2 Samuel 11:27
sorrow
a deep feeling of sadness caused by suffering, disappointment or misfortune
David sent and took her home
"David sent a messenger to her to bring her home"
displeased Yahweh
"saddened Yahweh" or "angered Yahweh"
Chapter 12
1
Then Yahweh sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said, "There were once two men in a city. One man was rich and the other poor.
2
The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle,
3
but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and fed and raised. It grew up together with him and with his children. The lamb even ate with him and drank from his own cup, and it lay in his bosom and was like a daughter to him.
4
One day a visitor came to the rich man, but the rich man was unwilling to take one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for him. Instead, he took the poor man's ewe lamb and cooked it for his visitor."
5
David was hot with anger against the rich man, and he raged to Nathan, "As Yahweh lives, the man who has done this deserves to be put to death.
6
He must pay back the lamb four times over because he did such a thing, and because he had no pity on the poor man."
7
Then Nathan said to David, "You are that man! Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you out of the hand of Saul.
8
I gave you your master's house, and your master's wives into your arms. I also gave you the house of Israel and Judah. But if that had been too little, I would have given you many other things in addition.
9
So why have you despised the commands of Yahweh, so as to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your own wife. You killed him with the sword of the army of Ammon.
10
So now the sword will never leave your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite as your wife.'
11
Yahweh says, 'Look, I will raise up disaster against you out of your own house. Before your own eyes, I will take your wives and give them to your neighbor, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight.
12
For you committed your sin secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, in the sunlight.'"
13
Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against Yahweh." Nathan replied to David, "Yahweh also has passed over your sin. You will not be killed.
14
However, because by this act you have despised Yahweh, the child who is born to you will surely die."
15
Then Nathan left and went home.
Yahweh attacked the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and he was very sick.
16
David then implored God for the boy. David fasted and went inside and lay all night on the floor.
17
The elders of his house arose and stood beside him, to raise him up from the floor, but he would not get up, and he would not eat with them.
18
It came about on the seventh day that the child died. David's servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, "Look, while the child was still alive we spoke to him, and he did not listen to our voice. What might he do to himself if we tell him that the boy is dead?!"
19
But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David realized that the child was dead. He said to his servants, "Is the child dead?" They answered, "He is dead."
20
Then David arose from the floor and washed himself, anointed himself, and changed his clothes. He went to the tabernacle of Yahweh and worshiped there, and then he came back to his own palace. When he asked for it, they set food before him, and he ate.
21
Then his servants said to him, "Why have you done this? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when the child died, you got up and ate."
22
David answered, "While the child was still alive I fasted and wept. I said, 'Who knows whether or not Yahweh will be gracious to me, that the child may live?'
23
But now he is dead, so why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me."
24
David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went to her and lay with her. Later she gave birth to a son, and the child was named Solomon. Yahweh loved him
25
and he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah, because Yahweh loved him.
26
Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites, and he captured the royal city.
27
So Joab sent messengers to David and said, "I have fought against Rabbah, and I have taken the city's water supply.
28
Now therefore gather the rest of the army together and camp against the city and take it, because if I take the city, it will be named after me."
29
So David gathered all the army together and went to Rabbah; he fought against the city and captured it.
30
David took the crown from their king's head—it weighed a talent of gold, and there was a precious stone in it. The crown was placed on David's own head. Then he brought out the plunder of the city in large quantities.
31
He brought out the people who were in the city and forced them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes; he also made them work at brick kilns. David required all the cities of the people of Ammon to do this labor. Then David and all the army returned to Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 12:3
the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb ... raised
"the only thing the poor man had was one little ewe lamb ... raised" or "the poor man had a little ewe lamb ... raised, and which he loved more than anything else he owned"
ewe lamb
a female lamb
was like a daughter to him
"he loved it as much as if it were one of his daughters"
2 Samuel 12:4
for his visitor
"for his visitor to eat"
2 Samuel 12:5
David was hot with anger against
"David became furious with" or "David became very angry with"
he raged to Nathan
This means that David spoke angrily to Nathan.
As Yahweh lives
"I declare, as surely as Yahweh lives"
to be put to death
"to be killed" or "to die"
2 Samuel 12:6
He must pay back the lamb four times over
The amount the rich man was required to pay back to the poor man was to be four times what the little lamb cost. "He must pay the poor man four times the price of the lamb"
pity
to feel sadness and love for someone who is suffering or hurt or not loved
2 Samuel 12:7
out of the hand of Saul
"out of Saul's control" or "from Saul's control"
2 Samuel 12:8
your master's wives into your arms
"your master's wives as your own"
I also gave you the house of Israel and Judah
"I also gave you authority as king over the people of Israel and Judah"
if that had been too little
"if I had not given you enough"
2 Samuel 12:9
So why have you despised ... Yahweh, so as to do what is evil in his sight?
"You should not have despised ... Yahweh and should not have done what is evil in his sight!"
what is evil in his sight
"what he considers to be evil" or "what is evil in Yahweh's judgement"
You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword
"You have arranged for Uriah the Hittite to die in battle"
You killed him with the sword of the army of Ammon
"You arranged for him to die in battle against the army of Ammon"
2 Samuel 12:10
the sword will never leave your house
"some of your descendants will always die in battle"
2 Samuel 12:11
out of your own house
"from among your own family"
Before your own eyes
"While you are watching"
he will lie with your wives
"he will have sexual relations with your wives"
in broad daylight
"openly" or "and everyone will see what is happening"
2 Samuel 12:12
before all Israel
"before all the people of Israel" or "and all the people of Israel will know about it"
2 Samuel 12:13
passed over
"forgiven"
You will not be killed
"You will not die" or "you will not die because of this sin"
2 Samuel 12:14
despised
to strongly dislike or hate someone or something
the child who is born to you
"your child who will be born"
2 Samuel 12:15
Yahweh attacked the child that ... and he was very sick
"Yahweh afflicted the child that ... and he was very sick" or "Yahweh caused the baby that ... to become very sick"
the child that Uriah's wife bore to David
"David's child, who Uriah's wife gave birth to"
2 Samuel 12:16
implored
to beg or pray with strong desire
went inside
"went inside his room"
2 Samuel 12:17
to raise him up from the floor
"and urged him to get up from the floor"
2 Samuel 12:18
It came about
"It happened"
he did not listen to our voice
"he did not listen to us"
the seventh day
"the seventh day after he was born"
Look
This is used to get people's attention. Alternate translation: "Listen"
What might he do to himself if we tell him that the boy is dead?!
"We are afraid that he may harm himself if we tell him that the boy is dead!"
2 Samuel 12:19
were whispering together
"were speaking very quietly to each other"
David realized
"David understood"
2 Samuel 12:20
David arose
"David got up"
2 Samuel 12:22
Who knows whether or not Yahweh will be gracious to me, that the child may live?
"No one knows whether or not Yahweh will be gracious to me so that the child may live."
2 Samuel 12:23
But now he is dead, so why should I fast?
"Now that he is dead it would be of no use to fast any longer."
Can I bring him back again?
"I cannot bring him back to life."
I will go to him
"When I die I will go to where he is"
2 Samuel 12:25
he sent word through Nathan the prophet
"he sent Nathan to tell him"
Jedidiah
This is another name for David's son Solomon, which Yahweh chose for him.
2 Samuel 12:26
Joab fought ... he captured
"Joab and his soldiers fought ... they captured"
Rabbah
"the people of Rabbah"
2 Samuel 12:27
So Joab sent messengers to David and said
"So Joab sent messengers to David to say to him"
have taken the city's water supply
"have taken control of the city's water supply"
I have fought ... I have taken
"My soldiers and I have fought ... my soldier and I have taken"
2 Samuel 12:28
if I take
"if my soldiers and I take"
camp against
"besiege" or "surround"
take it ... take the city
"take control of it ... take control of the city"
it will be named
"people will name it"
2 Samuel 12:29
he fought
"David and his soldiers fought"
2 Samuel 12:30
a talent
"about 33 kilograms"
a precious stone
a rare gemstone such as a diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, or opal
The crown was placed on David's own head
"They placed the crown on David's own head"
he brought out
"they brought out"
plunder
valuable things taken from a defeated enemy
large quantities
"large amounts"
2 Samuel 12:31
He brought out the people
"David commanded his soldiers to bring out the people"
saws, iron picks, and axes
These are tools to cut wood or break up the ground.
brick kilns
ovens where bricks are dried and hardened
all the cities of the people of Ammon
"all the people of the cites of Ammon"
Chapter 13
1
It came about after this that David's son Absalom had a beautiful sister whose name was Tamar, and David's son Amnon loved her.
2
Amnon was so frustrated that he became sick because of his sister Tamar. She was a virgin, and it seemed impossible to Amnon to do anything to her.
3
But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab son of Shimeah, David's brother. Jonadab was a very shrewd man.
4
Jonadab said to Amnon, "Why, son of the king, are you depressed every morning? Will you not tell me?" So Amnon answered him, "I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister."
5
Then Jonadab said to him, "Lie down on your bed and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, ask him, 'Would you please send my sister Tamar to give me something to eat and cook it before me, so that I may see it and eat it from her hand?'"
6
So Amnon lay down and pretended to be sick. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, "Please send my sister Tamar to make some food for my sickness in front of me so that I may eat from her hand."
7
Then David sent word to Tamar at his palace, saying, "Go now to your brother Amnon's house and prepare food for him."
8
So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house where he was lying down. She took dough and kneaded it and formed bread in his sight, and then she baked it.
9
She took the pan and gave the bread to him, but he refused to eat. Then Amnon said to the others present, "Send everyone out, away from me." So everyone went out from him.
10
So Amnon said to Tamar, "Bring the food into my room that I may eat from your hand." So Tamar took the bread that she had made, and brought it into the room of Amnon her brother.
11
When she had brought the food to him, he took hold of her and said to her, "Come, lie with me, my sister."
12
She answered him, "No, my brother, do not force me, for nothing like this should be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing!
13
How could I be rid of my shame? What about you? You would be like one of the fools in Israel! Now, please speak to the king, for he would not keep me from you."
14
However Amnon would not listen to her, and he was stronger than she was, and he overpowered her, and he lay with her.
15
Then Amnon hated Tamar with extreme hatred. The hatred with which he hated her was even greater than the love with which he had loved her. Amnon said to her, "Get up and go."
16
But she responded to him, "No! Because this great evil of making me leave is even worse than what you did to me!" But Amnon did not listen to her.
17
Instead, he called his personal servant and said, "Take this woman away from me, and bolt the door after her."
18
Then his servant brought her out and bolted the door after her. Tamar was wearing a beautifully decorated garment because the king's daughters who were virgins dressed in such robes.
19
Tamar put ashes on her head and tore her beautifully decorated garment. She put her hands on her head and walked away, crying aloud as she went.
20
Absalom her brother said to her, "Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now keep quiet, my sister. He is your brother. Do not take this thing to heart." So Tamar remained alone in her brother Absalom's house.
21
But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.
22
Absalom said nothing to Amnon, for Absalom hated him for what he had done to her and how he had disgraced his sister Tamar.
23
It came about after two full years that Absalom had sheep shearers working at Baal Hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons to visit there.
24
Absalom went to the king and said, "See now, your servant has sheep shearers. Please, may the king and his servants go with me, your servant."
25
The king answered Absalom, "No, my son, all of us should not go because we would be a burden to you." Absalom begged the king, but he would not go, but he gave him his blessing.
26
Then Absalom said, "If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us." So the king said to him, "Why should Amnon go with you?"
27
Absalom pressed David, and so he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.
28
Absalom commanded his servants saying, "Listen closely. When Amnon begins to be affected by the wine, and when I say to you, 'Attack Amnon,' then put him to death. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and brave."
29
So Absalom's servants did to Amnon as he had commanded them. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man mounted his mule and fled.
30
So it came about, while they were on the road, that the news came to David saying, "Absalom has killed all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left."
31
Then the king arose and tore his clothes, and lay on the floor; all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.
32
Jonadab son of Shimeah, David's brother, answered and said, "Let not my master believe that they have killed all the young men who are the king's sons, for Amnon only is dead. Absalom has planned this from the day that Amnon violated his sister Tamar.
33
So therefore let not my master the king take this report to heart, so as to believe that all the king's sons are dead, for Amnon only is dead."
34
Absalom fled away. A servant keeping watch raised his eyes and saw many people coming on the road on the hillside west of him.
35
Then Jonadab said to the king, "Look, the king's sons are coming. It is just as your servant said."
36
So it came about when he finished speaking, the king's sons arrived and raised their voices and wept. The king and all his servants also wept bitterly.
37
But Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day.
38
So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, where he was for three years.
39
The mind of King David longed to go out to see Absalom, for he was comforted concerning Amnon and his death.
2 Samuel 13:1
It came about after this
"It happened after this." This phrase is used to introduce a new event to the story.
2 Samuel 13:2
Amnon was so frustrated that he became sick because of his sister Tamar
"Amnon was so frustrated with desire for his sister Tamar that he felt sick"
2 Samuel 13:3
Jonadab son of Shimeah, David's brother
These are the names of men. Shimeah was David's brother.
shrewd
crafty or deceptive
2 Samuel 13:4
depressed
in an emotional state of extreme unhappiness
Will you not tell me?
"Will you not tell me why you are depressed?" or "Please, tell me why you are depressed."
2 Samuel 13:5
eat it from her hand
"have her serve it to me herself"
2 Samuel 13:6
I may eat from her hand
"she may serve it to me to eat"
pretended to be sick
This means he gave a false appearance of being ill.
for my sickness in front of me
"in front of me because I am sick"
2 Samuel 13:7
David sent word
"David sent a messenger"
2 Samuel 13:8
dough
a thick mixture of flour and liquid used for baking
kneaded
used her hands to mix the dough
in his sight
"in front of him" or "in his presence"
2 Samuel 13:9
So everyone went out from him
"So everyone left him"
2 Samuel 13:10
that I may eat from your hand
"and serve it to me"
2 Samuel 13:11
lie with me
"have sexual relations with me"
2 Samuel 13:12
do not force me
"do not force me to have sexual relations with you"
2 Samuel 13:13
How could I be rid of my shame?
"If you do this, I would have to endure shame everywhere I go"
2 Samuel 13:15
The hatred with which he hated her was even greater than the love with which he had loved her
"He hated her even more than he had loved her"
2 Samuel 13:16
Because this great evil of making me leave is even worse
"It would be very evil to make me leave! It would be even worse"
2 Samuel 13:17
bolt the door after her
"lock the door so that she cannot come back in"
2 Samuel 13:19
put ashes on her head and tore her beautifully decorated garment. She put her hands on her head
"put ashes on her head and tore her beautifully decorated garment to show that she was very sad. Then to show her grief, she put her hands on her head"
2 Samuel 13:20
Has Amnon your brother been with you?
"Has Amnon your brother slept with you?"
keep quiet
"do not tell anyone about this"
Do not take this thing to heart
"Do not worry about what has happened"
So Tamar remained alone
This means that she did not marry.
2 Samuel 13:22
said nothing
"did not speak"
2 Samuel 13:23
shearers
These are people who cut the wool from sheep.
Baal Hazor
This is the name of a place.
2 Samuel 13:24
See now, your servant
The phrase "See now" indicates that what follows is a polite request for the hearer to pay attention. "Please listen carefully: your servant"
your servant
Absalom is calling himself "your servant" to show respect.
has sheep shearers
It was customary for people in Israel to have a party after they had sheared their sheep.
may the king
Although he is talking to his father the king, he calls him "the king" instead of "you" to show respect for him.
2 Samuel 13:26
please let my brother Amnon go with us
The oldest son could often represent his father in Israelite culture. Amnon was David's oldest son.
Why should Amnon go with you?
David knew that Amnon was not Absalom's friend.
2 Samuel 13:27
Absalom pressed David
"Absalom begged David for Amnon to come"
all the king's sons
"the rest of the king's sons"
2 Samuel 13:28
Do not be afraid
"Do not be afraid that you will be blamed for killing the king's son"
Have I not commanded you?
"I have commanded you to do this." or "I will be the one guilty for killing him because I have commanded you to do this."
not commanded you
"not commanded you to kill him"
2 Samuel 13:29
every man
This refers to the king's sons who left the celebration.
2 Samuel 13:30
on the road
"travelling along the road"
that the news came to David saying
"that someone came and reported the news to David saying"
2 Samuel 13:31
Then the king arose
"Then the king stood up"
tore his clothes, and lay on the floor
"tore his clothes, and threw himself on the floor grieving"
with their clothes torn
"and tore their clothes, mourning with the king"
2 Samuel 13:32
Let not my master believe
"My master, do not believe"
my master
Jonadab calls David "my master" to show respect.
Amnon violated his sister
This is a polite way of saying that Amnon raped his sister.
2 Samuel 13:33
let not my master the king
"my master the king, do not"
take this report to heart
"worry about this report"
2 Samuel 13:34
keeping watch
"who was guarding" or "who was guarding at the city wall"
raised his eyes
"looked up"
2 Samuel 13:36
raised their voices
"cried out"
2 Samuel 13:37
Talmai ... Ammihud
These are the names of men.
for his son
"for his son Amnon"
2 Samuel 13:39
The mind of King David longed
"King David longed"
for he was comforted concerning Amnon and his death
"because he was no longer grieving about Amnon being dead." This refers to three years after Absalom fled to Geshur.
Chapter 14
1
Now Joab son of Zeruiah knew that the king's heart went out to Absalom.
2
So Joab sent word to Tekoa and had a wise woman brought to him. He said to her, "Please pretend you are a mourner and put on mourning clothes. Please do not anoint yourself with oil, but be like a woman who has mourned a long time for the dead.
3
Then go to the king and speak to him about what I will describe." So Joab told her the words she was to say to the king.
4
When the woman from Tekoa spoke to the king, she lay facedown on the ground and said, "Help me, king."
5
The king said to her, "What is wrong?" She answered, "The truth is that I am a widow, and my husband is dead.
6
I, your servant, had two sons, and they fought with each other in the field, and there was no one to separate them. One struck the other and killed him.
7
Now the whole clan has risen against your servant, and they say, 'Give into our hand the man who struck his brother, so that we may put him to death, to pay for the life of his brother whom he killed.' So they would also destroy the heir. Thus they will put out the burning coal that I have left, and they will leave for my husband neither name nor descendant on the surface of the earth."
8
So the king said to the woman, "Go to your house, and I will command something to be done for you."
9
The woman of Tekoa replied to the king, "My master, king, may the guilt be on me and on my father's family. The king and his throne are guiltless."
10
The king replied, "Whoever says anything to you, bring him to me, and he will not touch you anymore."
11
Then she said, "Please, may the king call to mind Yahweh your God, so that the avenger of blood will not destroy anyone further, so that they will not destroy my son." The king replied, "As Yahweh lives, not one hair of your son will fall to the ground."
12
Then the woman said, "Please let your servant speak a further word to my master the king." He said, "Speak on."
13
So the woman said, "Why then have you devised such a thing against the people of God? For in saying this thing, the king is like someone who is guilty, because the king has not brought back home again his banished son.
14
For we all must die, and we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God will not take away life. Rather, he devises a way for those who were driven away not to remain outcast.
15
Now then, seeing that I have come to speak this thing to my master the king, it is because the people have made me afraid. So your servant said to herself, 'I will now speak to the king. It may be that the king will perform the request of his servant.
16
Perhaps the king will listen to me and deliver his servant from the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together, out of the inheritance God gave us.'
17
Then your servant prayed, 'Yahweh, please let the word of my master the king give me relief, for as an angel of God, so is my master the king in telling good from evil.' May Yahweh your God be with you."
18
Then the king answered and said to the woman, "Please do not hide from me anything that I will ask you." The woman replied, "Let my master the king now speak."
19
The king said, "Is not the hand of Joab with you in all this?" The woman answered and said, "As you live, my master the king, no one can escape to the right hand or to the left from anything that my master the king has spoken. It was your servant Joab who commanded me and told me to say these things that your servant has spoken.
20
Your servant Joab has done this to change the course of what is happening. My master is wise, like the wisdom of an angel of God, and he knows everything that is happening in the land."
21
So the king said to Joab, "See now, I will do this thing. Go then, and bring the young man Absalom back."
22
So Joab lay facedown on the ground in honor and gratitude to the king. Joab said, "Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your eyes, my master, king, in that the king has performed the request of his servant."
23
So Joab arose, went to Geshur, and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem.
24
The king said, "He may return to his own house, but he may not see my face." So Absalom returned to his own house, but did not see the king's face.
25
Now in all Israel there was no one praised for his handsomeness more than Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head there was no blemish in him.
26
When he cut the hair of his head at the end of every year, because it was heavy on him, he weighed his hair; it would weigh about two hundred shekels, which is measured by the weight of the king's standard.
27
To Absalom were born three sons and one daughter, whose name was Tamar. She was a beautiful woman.
28
Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, without seeing the king's face.
29
Then Absalom sent word for Joab to send him to the king, but Joab would not come to him. So Absalom sent word a second time, but Joab still did not come.
30
So Absalom said to his servants, "See, Joab's field is near mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire." So Absalom's servants set the field on fire.
31
Then Joab arose and came to Absalom at his house, and said to him, "Why have your servants set my field on fire?"
32
Absalom answered Joab, "Look, I sent word to you saying, 'Come here so I may send you to the king to say, "Why did I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to still be there. Now therefore let me see the king's face, and if I am guilty, let him kill me."'"
33
So Joab went to the king and told him. When the king called for Absalom, he came to the king and bowed low to the ground before the king, and the king kissed Absalom.
2 Samuel 14:1
Zeruiah
See how you translated this man's name in 2 Samuel 2:13.
2 Samuel 14:2
sent word to Tekoa and had a wise woman brought
"sent someone with a message to Tokoa and had him bring a wise woman back"
Tekoa
This is the name of a place.
the dead
"someone who has died"
2 Samuel 14:4
she lay facedown on the ground
"she showed her respect to the king by lying facedown on the ground"
2 Samuel 14:6
One struck the other
"One of my sons hit the other son with something"
2 Samuel 14:7
the whole clan
"my entire family"
your servant
To show respect for the king the woman refers to herself as "your servant."
put him to death
"kill him"
they would also destroy the heir
"if they did this, they would be destroying our family's heir"
Thus they will put out the burning coal that I have left
"In this way they will kill the only child I have left"
neither name nor descendant
"no son to preserve our family's name"
on the surface of the earth
"on the earth." This descriptive phrase emphasizes that the family line would not continue on earth after the husband died. "The surface of the earth" refers to the ground on which people walk.
2 Samuel 14:8
I will command something to be done for you
"I will take care of this matter for you"
2 Samuel 14:9
may the guilt be on me and on my father's family
"if anyone blames you for helping our family, may my family be considered guilty instead"
The king and his throne
"The king and his descendants" or "The king and his family"
are guiltless
"will be innocent regarding the matter"
2 Samuel 14:10
says anything to you
"threatens you" or "speaks threats to you"
he will not touch you anymore
"I will make sure he does not threaten you again"
2 Samuel 14:11
Please, may the king call to mind Yahweh your God
"Please promise in the name of Yahweh your God"
the avenger of blood
"the man who wants to avenge my son's brother's death"
destroy anyone further
"cause anyone else to die." This is in addition to the brother who already died.
that they will not destroy my son
"that they will not kill my son" or "that they will not execute my son"
As Yahweh lives
"I promise you, as surely as Yahweh lives" or "In Yahweh's name I promise"
not one hair of your son will fall to the ground
"your son will be completely safe"
2 Samuel 14:12
speak a further word to
"talk about something else to." The woman is requesting to speak to the king about another topic.
Speak on
"You may speak to me"
2 Samuel 14:13
Why then have you devised such a thing against the people of God?
"What you have just said proved that you did wrong."
the king is like someone who is guilty
"the king has declared himself guilty"
his banished son
"his son whom he banished"
2 Samuel 14:14
For we all must die, and we are like water spilled on the ground ... up again
"We all must die, and after we die we cannot be brought back to life again"
not to remain outcast
"to be allowed to return"
2 Samuel 14:15
it is because the people have made me afraid
"I have come because the people have made me afraid"
2 Samuel 14:16
from the hand of the man
"out of the control of the man"
2 Samuel 14:17
the word of my master the king
"the message of my master the king"
for as an angel of God, so is my master ... from evil
"for the king is like an angel of God because they both know how to tell good from evil"
2 Samuel 14:18
Please do not hide from me anything that I will ask you
"Please tell me the truth about everything I ask you"
2 Samuel 14:19
Is not the hand of Joab with you in all this
"Has not Joab influenced you in all this" or "Did Joab send you here to speak these things"
As you live
"As surely as you are alive." Here the woman compares the certainty of what David has said to the certainty that he is alive, to emphasize how true his statement is.
no one can escape to the right hand ... the king has spoken
"no one can keep you from knowing the truth"
to the right hand or to the left
"anywhere at all" or "anywhere"
2 Samuel 14:20
is wise, like the wisdom of an angel of God
"you are very wise, like an angel of God"
2 Samuel 14:21
So the king said to Joab
"Then the king summoned Joab and said to him"
See now, I
The phrase "See now" indicates that what follows is a polite request for the hearer to pay attention. "Please listen carefully:
this thing
"what you want me to do"
2 Samuel 14:22
Joab lay facedown on the ground
Joab did this to honor the king and show his gratitude.
your servant
To show respect for the king Joab refers to himself as "your servant."
I have found favor in your eyes
"you are pleased with me" or "you have approved of me"
in that the king
"because the king"
the king has performed the request of his servant
"you have done what I asked you to do"
2 Samuel 14:24
but he may not see my face ... the king's face
"but he may not see me ... the king"
2 Samuel 14:25
there was no one praised for his handsomeness more than Absalom
"people praised Absalom for his handsomeness more than they praised anyone else"
handsomeness
good and pleasing appearance, especially of the face
From the sole of his foot to the top of his head there was no blemish in him
"There were no blemishes on any part of his body"
2 Samuel 14:26
two hundred shekels
"two and a half kilograms"
the weight of the king's standard
The king had weights that determined the standard weight of the shekel and other weights and measurements.
2 Samuel 14:27
To Absalom were born three sons and one daughter
"Absalom had three sons and one daughter"
2 Samuel 14:28
the king's face
"the king"
2 Samuel 14:29
Absalom sent word for Joab
"Absalom sent a messenger to Joab asking him"
to send him to the king
"to come to him and to intercede for him so that he could see the king"
So Absalom sent word a second time
"So Absalom sent a messenger to Joab again with the same request"
2 Samuel 14:32
I sent word
"I sent a messenger"
to the king to say
"to say to the king on my behalf" or "to ask the king for me"
2 Samuel 14:33
bowed low to the ground before the king
"bowed low to the ground to honor the king"
the king kissed Absalom
This implies that the king forgave and restored Absalom. The full meaning of this can be made clear.
Chapter 15
1
It came about after this that Absalom prepared a chariot and horses for himself, with fifty men to run before him.
2
Absalom would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. When any man had a dispute to come to the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, "From what city have you come?" Then the man would answer, "Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel."
3
So Absalom would say to him, "Look, your case is good and in the right, but there is no one empowered by the king to hear your case."
4
Absalom would add, "I wish that I were made judge in the land, so that every man who had any dispute or cause might come to me, and I would bring him justice!"
5
So it came about that when any man came to Absalom to honor him, Absalom would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him.
6
Absalom acted in this way to all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7
It came about at the end of four years that Absalom said to the king, "Please let me go and pay a vow that I have made to Yahweh in Hebron.
8
For your servant made a vow while I was living at Geshur in Aram, saying,' If Yahweh will indeed bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will worship Yahweh.'"
9
So the king said to him, "Go in peace." So Absalom arose and went to Hebron.
10
But then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "As soon as you hear the sound of the ram's horn, then you must say, 'Absalom is king in Hebron.'"
11
With Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem, who were invited. They went in their innocence, not knowing anything that Absalom had planned.
12
While Absalom offered sacrfices, he sent for Ahithophel from his hometown of Giloh. He was David's counselor. Absalom's conspiracy was strong, for the people following Absalom were constantly increasing.
13
A messenger came to David saying, "The hearts of the men of Israel are following after Absalom."
14
So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise and let us flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom. Prepare to leave immediately, or he will quickly overtake us, and he will bring down disaster on us and attack the city with the edge of the sword."
15
The king's servants said to the king, "Look, your servants are ready to do whatever our master the king decides."
16
The king left and all his family after him, but the king left ten women, who were concubines, to keep the palace.
17
After the king went out and all the people after him, they stopped at the last house.
18
All his servants marched with him, and before him went all the Kerethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites—six hundred men who had followed him from Gath marched with the king.
19
Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why will you come with us? Return and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner and an exile. Return to your own place.
20
Since you just left yesterday, why should I make you wander all over with us? I do not even know where I am going. So return and take your fellow countrymen with you, and may steadfast love and faithfulness go with you."
21
But Ittai answered the king and said, "As Yahweh lives, and as my master the king lives, surely in whatever place where my master the king goes, there also will your servant go, whether that means living or dying."
22
So David said to Ittai, "Go ahead and continue with us." So Ittai the Gittite marched with the king, along with all his men and all the families who were with him.
23
All the country wept with a loud voice as all the people passed by over the Kidron Valley, and as the king also himself crossed over. All the people traveled on the road toward the wilderness.
24
Even Zadok with all the Levites, carrying the ark of the covenant of God, were present. They set the ark of God down, and then Abiathar joined them. They waited until all the people had passed by out of the city.
25
The king said to Zadok, "Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of Yahweh, he will bring me back here and show me again the ark and the place where he lives.
26
But if he says, 'I am not pleased with you,' look, here am I, let him do to me whatever seems good to him."
27
The king also said to Zadok the priest, "Are you not a seer? Return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan son of Abiathar.
28
See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me."
29
So Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back into Jerusalem, and they stayed there.
30
But David ascended barefoot and weeping up the Mount of Olives, and he had his head covered. Every man of the people who were with him covered his head, and they went up weeping as they walked.
31
Someone told David saying, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." So David prayed, "O Yahweh, please turn Ahithophel's advice into foolishness."
32
It came about that when David arrived at the top of the road, where God used to be worshiped, Hushai the Arkite came to meet him with his coat torn and earth on his head.
33
David said to him, "If you travel with me, then you will be a burden to me.
34
But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, 'I will be your servant, king, as I have been your father's servant in time past, so will I now be your servant,' then you will confuse Ahithophel's advice for me.
35
Will you not have the priests Zadok and Abiathar with you? So whatever you hear in the king's palace, you must tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
36
See that they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son. You must send to me by their hand everything that you hear."
37
So Hushai, David's friend, came into the city as Absalom arrived and entered into Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 15:1
It came about
This phrase is used to introduce the next event in the story.
with fifty men to run before him
"with fifty men to run before him to honor him"
2 Samuel 15:2
Your servant
When a man would respond to Absalom's question he would refer to himself as "your servant" to honor Absalom.
2 Samuel 15:3
So Absalom would say to him
"Absalom would ask him what his problem was, and the man would then explain to Absalom why he sought justice. Absalom would then say to him"
to hear your case
"to judge your case" or "to oversee your case"
2 Samuel 15:5
put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him
"greet him as a friend by embracing him and kissing him"
2 Samuel 15:6
who came to the king for judgment
"who came to the king for him to judge over their disputes"
So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel
"In this way, Absalom convinced the men of Israel to be loyal to him"
2 Samuel 15:7
at the end of four years that Absalom
"fours years after Absalom had returned to Jerusalem, he"
and pay a vow that I have made to Yahweh in Hebron
"to Hebron and there fulfill a vow that I have made to Yahweh"
2 Samuel 15:8
For your servant
Here Absalom refers to himself this way to honor the king.
2 Samuel 15:9
So Absalom arose
"So Absalom left"
2 Samuel 15:10
throughout all the tribes of Israel
"throughout the land of the tribes of Israel"
the sound of the ram's horn
"a ram's horn being blown"
2 Samuel 15:11
who were invited
"who he had invited"
went in their innocence
"went innocently"
2 Samuel 15:12
he sent for Ahithophel
"he sent a messenger to go get Ahithophel who was"
Ahithophel
This is the name of a man.
Giloh
This is the name of a place.
2 Samuel 15:13
The hearts of the men of Israel are following after
"The men of Israel are loyal to" or "The men of Israel are following after"
2 Samuel 15:14
escape from Absalom ... he will quickly ... and he will bring
"escape from Absalom and his men ... he and his men will quickly ... and they will bring"
attack the city with the edge of the sword
"will attack the people of our city and kill them with their swords"
bring down disaster
This means to cause disaster to happen.
2 Samuel 15:16
to keep the palace
"to care for the palace"
2 Samuel 15:17
at the last house
"at the last house as they were leaving the city"
2 Samuel 15:18
his servants
"his soldiers." These men served David as soldiers.
2 Samuel 15:19
Ittai
This is the name of a man.
Why will you come with us?
"You do not need to go with us."
2 Samuel 15:20
why should I make you wander all over with us?
"I do not want to cause you to wander around with us."
Since you just left yesterday
"Since you have lived here only a short time"
may steadfast love and faithfulness go with you
"may Yahweh love you without ceasing and be faithful to you")
2 Samuel 15:21
As Yahweh lives, and as my master the king lives
"I solemnly promise that as surely as Yahweh and the king live"
your servant
Ittai refers to himself this way to honor the king.
whether that means living or dying
"even if I get killed supporting you"
2 Samuel 15:23
All the country wept with a loud voice
"All the people along the road wept" or "Many of the people wept"
Kidron Valley
This is the name of a place near Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 15:25
I find favor in the eyes of Yahweh
"Yahweh is pleased with me"
where he lives
"where it is kept"
2 Samuel 15:27
Ahimaaz
This is the name of a man.
Are you not a seer?
"You will be able to find out what is happening."
2 Samuel 15:28
See
"Listen"
until word comes from you
"until you send a messenger to me to inform me"
to inform me
"to tell me what is happening in Jerusalem"
2 Samuel 15:30
barefoot
wearing no shoes or sandals
his head covered
"his head covered in mourning"
2 Samuel 15:31
conspirators
people who join together against someone else
please turn Ahithophel's advice into foolishness
"please let whatever advice Ahithophel gives be foolishness and unsuccessful"
2 Samuel 15:32
at the top of the road
"at the top of the hill"
where God used to be worshiped
"where people once worshiped God"
Hushai
This is the name of a man.
Arkite
This is the name of a people group.
with his coat torn and earth on his head
"He had torn his clothes and put dirt on his head to show that he was very sad"
2 Samuel 15:34
you will confuse Ahithophel's advice for me
"you can serve me by opposing Ahithophel's advice"
2 Samuel 15:35
Will you not have the priests Zadok and Abiathar with you?
"Zadok and Abiathar the priests will be there to help you."
whatever you hear
This is a generalization. It means all of the important and insightful things that he hears, not every single word he hears.
2 Samuel 15:36
Ahimaaz ... Jonathan
These are the names of men.
by their hand
"their sons to tell me"
Chapter 16
1
When David had gone a short distance over the summit of the hill, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a couple of saddled donkeys; on them were two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, and one hundred bunches of figs, and a skin of wine.
2
The king said to Ziba, "Why did you bring these things?" Ziba replied, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and fig cakes are for your young men to eat, and the wine is for anyone who is faint in the wilderness to drink."
3
The king said, "Then where is your master's grandson?" Ziba replied to the king, "Look, he has stayed behind in Jerusalem, for he said, 'Today the house of Israel will restore my father's kingdom to me.'"
4
Then the king said to Ziba, "Look, all that belonged to Mephibosheth now belongs to you." Ziba answered, "I bow in humility to you, my master, king. Let me find favor in your eyes."
5
When King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the clan of Saul came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out.
6
He threw stones at David and at all of the king's servants, in spite of the people and mighty men who were on the king's right and left.
7
Shimei called out in cursing, "Go away, get out of here, you man of blood, you worthless man!
8
Yahweh has repaid all of you for the blood you shed within the family of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. Yahweh has given the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. You have come to ruin because you are a man of blood."
9
Then Abishai son of Zeruiah, said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my master the king? Please let me go over and take off his head."
10
But the king said, "What have I to do with you, sons of Zeruiah? Perhaps he is cursing me because Yahweh has said to him, 'Curse David.' Who then could say to him, 'Why are you cursing the king?'"
11
So David said to Abishai and to all his servants, "Look, my son, who was born from my body, wants to take my life. How much more may this Benjamite now desire my ruin? Leave him alone and let him curse, for Yahweh has commanded him to do it.
12
Perhaps Yahweh will look at the misery unleashed on me, and repay me with good for his cursing me today."
13
So David and his men traveled on the road, while Shimei went beside him up on the hillside, cursing and throwing dust and stones at him as he went.
14
Then the king and all the people who were with him became weary, and he rested when they stopped for the night.
15
As for Absalom and all the people of the men of Israel who were with him, they came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him.
16
It came about when Hushai the Arkite, David's friend, had come to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"
17
Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with him?"
18
Hushai said to Absalom, "No! The one whom Yahweh and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, that is the man to whom I will belong, and I will stay with him.
19
Also, what man should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father's presence, I will serve in your presence."
20
Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give us your advice about what we should do."
21
Ahithophel answered Absalom, "Go to your father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the palace, and all Israel will hear that you have become a stench to your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong."
22
So they spread for Absalom a tent on the top of the palace, and Absalom went to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.
23
Now the advice of Ahithophel that he gave in those days was as if a man heard from the mouth of God himself. That was how all of Ahithophel's advice was viewed by both David and Absalom.
2 Samuel 16:1
Ziba
This is a man's name.
loaves of bread
"cakes of bread"
clusters of raisins ... bunches of figs
These phrases refer to raisins or figs pressed together.
raisins
dried grapes
a skin of wine
"a wineskin full of wine"
2 Samuel 16:2
faint
tired and weak
2 Samuel 16:3
your master's grandson
"Mephibosheth, your master's grandson"
grandson
the son of one's son or daughter
Look
"Listen"
house of Israel
"the people of Israel"
will restore my father's kingdom to me
"will allow me to rule the kingdom that my grandfather ruled"
2 Samuel 16:4
I bow in humility to you
"I will humbly serve you"
Let me find favor in your eyes
"I want you to be pleased with me" or "I desire you for to be pleased with me"
2 Samuel 16:5
Shimei ... Gera
These are the names of men.
2 Samuel 16:6
the king's servants
"the king's officials"
in spite of the
"even though there were"
people and mighty men
"soldiers and bodyguards"
2 Samuel 16:7
man of blood
"murderer"
2 Samuel 16:8
Yahweh has repaid
"Yahweh has punished"
for the blood you shed within the family of Saul
"for killing many of Saul's family"
in whose place you have reigned
"in whose place you have reigned as king"
into the hand of Absalom
"into the control of Absalom"
2 Samuel 16:9
Why should this dead dog curse my master the king?
"This worthless man must not speak to the king this way."
2 Samuel 16:10
What have I to do with you, sons of Zeruiah?
"I do not want to know what you think!"
Perhaps he is cursing me because
"He may be cursing me because"
Who then could say to him, 'Why are you cursing the king?
"No one then can ask him, 'Why are you cursing the king?'"
2 Samuel 16:11
wants to take my life
"wants to kill me"
How much more may this Benjamite now desire my ruin?
"Of course this Benjamite desires me to be killed!" or "I am not surprised this Benjamite desires to kill me!"
Leave him alone and let him curse
"Do not stop him from cursing me"
2 Samuel 16:12
will look at
"will consider"
the misery unleashed on me
Here David speaks of misery as if it were a dangerous animal that the Benjamite unleashed on him.
2 Samuel 16:13
Shimei went beside him up on the hillside
Shimei was walking parallel to David and his men, though Shimei was up higher on the hillside.
2 Samuel 16:17
loyalty
a strong feeling of support and love
Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with him?
"You have been a loyal friend to David; you should have gone with him."
2 Samuel 16:18
The one whom ... that is the man ... with him
"you are the one whom ... you are the man ... with you"
2 Samuel 16:19
what man should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son?
"I should serve only David's son, so I will serve in his presence." or "I should serve you, for you are David's son."
2 Samuel 16:21
Go to your father's concubines
"Have sexual relations with your father's concubines" or "Lie with your father's concubines"
to keep the palace
"to take care of the palace"
become a stench to your father
"become offensive to your father" or "greatly insulted father"
Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong
"The news of this will strengthen the loyalty of all who follow you"
2 Samuel 16:22
they spread
"they set up"
in the sight of all Israel
"where the Israelites could see him go into the tent"
2 Samuel 16:23
Now the advice of Ahithophel ... was as if a man heard
"Now people trusted the advice of Ahithophel in those days in the same way they would have trusted it if had come"
as if a man heard from the mouth of God himself
"as if God had said it with his own mouth" or "as if a man heard it spoken by God himself"
all of Ahithophel's advice was viewed by both David and Absalom
"both David and Absalom viewed all of Ahithophel's advice"
was viewed
"was thought of"
Chapter 17
1
Then Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Now let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight.
2
I will come on him while he is weary and weak and will surprise him with fear. The people who are with him will flee, and I will attack only the king.
3
I will bring back all the people to you, like a bride coming to her husband, and all the people will be at peace under you."
4
What Ahithophel said pleased Absalom and all the elders of Israel.
5
Then Absalom said, "Now call Hushai the Arkite, too, and let us hear what he says."
6
When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom explained to him what Ahithophel had said and then asked Hushai, "Should we do what Ahithophel has said? If not, tell us what you advise."
7
So Hushai said to Absalom, "The advice that Ahithophel has given this time is not good."
8
Hushai added, "You know your father and his men are strong warriors, and that they are bitter, and they are like a bear robbed of her cubs in a field. Your father is a man of war; he will not sleep with the army tonight.
9
Look, right now he is probably hidden in some pit or in some other place. It will happen that when some of your men have been killed at the beginning of an attack, that whoever hears it will say, 'A slaughter has taken place among the soldiers who follow Absalom.'
10
Then even the bravest soldiers, whose hearts are like the heart of a lion, will be afraid because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and that the men who are with him are very strong.
11
So I advise you that all Israel should be gathered together to you, from Dan to Beersheba, as numerous as the sands that are by the sea, and that you go to battle in person.
12
Then we will come on him wherever he may be found, and we will cover him as the dew falls on the ground. We will not leave even one of his men, or him himself, alive.
13
If he retreats into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city and we will drag it into the river, until there is no longer even a small stone found there."
14
Then Absalom and the men of Israel said, "Hushai the Arkite's advice is better than Ahithophel's." Yahweh had ordained the rejection of Ahithophel's good advice in order to bring destruction on Absalom.
15
Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, "Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel in such and such a way, but I have advised something else.
16
Now then, go quickly and report to David; say to him, 'Do not camp tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means cross over, or the king will be swallowed up along with all the people who are with him.'"
17
Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at the spring of Rogel. A female servant used to go and inform them what they needed to know, for they could not risk being seen going into the city. When the message came, then they were to go and tell King David.
18
But a young man saw them this time and told Absalom. So Jonathan and Ahimaaz went away quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim, who had a well in his courtyard, into which they descended.
19
The man's wife took the covering for the well and spread it over the well's opening, and tossed grain over it, so no one knew Jonathan and Ahimaaz were in the well.
20
Absalom's servants came to the woman of the house and said, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" The woman told them, "They have crossed over the river." So after they had looked around and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.
21
It came about after they had left that Jonathan and Ahimaaz came up out of the well. They went to report to King David; they said to him, "Get up and cross quickly over the water because Ahithophel has given such and such advice about you."
22
Then David arose and all the people who were with him, and they crossed over the Jordan. By morning daylight not one of them had failed to cross over the Jordan.
23
When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and went to his house in his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in the tomb of his father.
24
Then David came to Mahanaim. As for Absalom, he crossed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
25
Absalom had set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Jether the Ishmaelite
, who went to Abigail, who was the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah, the mother of Joab.
26
Then Israel and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.
27
It came about when David had come to Mahanaim, that Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim,
28
brought sleeping mats and blankets, bowls and pots, and wheat, barley flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils,
29
honey, butter, sheep, and milk curds from the herd, so that David and the people with him could eat. These men had said, "The people are hungry, weary, and thirsty in the wilderness."
2 Samuel 17:1
arise and
"begin to"
2 Samuel 17:2
come on
"come to"
will surprise him with fear
"will surprise him and make him afraid"
I will attack only the king
"I will kill only the king"
2 Samuel 17:3
like a bride coming to her husband
"and they will come happily, like a bride is happy when she comes to her husband" or "and they will come happily"
under you
"under your authority"
2 Samuel 17:8
they are like a bear robbed of her cubs
"they are angry, like a mother bear whose cubs have been take from her" or "they are very angry"
a bear
a large furry animal that walks on four legs and has sharp claws and teeth
is a man of war
"has fought in many battles"
2 Samuel 17:9
pit
a deep hole in the ground
or in some other place
"or hidden in some other place"
when some of your men have been killed
"when his soldiers kill some of your men"
A slaughter has taken place among the soldiers who follow Absalom
"Many of the soldiers who follow Absalom have been slaughtered" or "The enemy soldiers have killed many of the soldiers who follow Absalom"
2 Samuel 17:10
whose hearts are like the heart of a lion
"who are as brave as lions" or "who are very brave"
2 Samuel 17:11
that all Israel should be gathered together to you
"that you should gather together all of the Israelite soldiers"
from Dan to Beersheba
"from the whole nation of Israel"
as numerous as the sands that are by the sea
"so many that they can barely be counted"
that you go to battle in person
"then lead them yourself into battle"
2 Samuel 17:12
come on him
This means to purposefully go to where he is and then to attack.
we will cover him as the dew falls on the ground
"we will overwhelm and completely defeat David's army"
dew
the fog or misty cloud of water that can fall onto the ground during the night, covering the ground and leaving it wet in the morning
We will not leave even one of his men ... alive
"We will kill every one of his men"
him himself
"David himself"
2 Samuel 17:13
then all Israel
"then all of our soldiers"
will bring ropes to that city and we will drag it into the river
"will destroy the city and drag the stones to the river with ropes"
until there is no longer even a small stone found there
"until the city is completely destroyed"
2 Samuel 17:14
the rejection of Ahithophel's good advice
"for the men of Israel to reject Ahithophel's good advice"
to bring destruction on Absalom
"to cause a disaster to happen to Absalom"
2 Samuel 17:15
Zadok ... Abiathar
See how you translated these men's names in [2 Samuel 15:24]
in such and such a way
This phrase, meaning "like this," refers to what Ahithophel advised Absalom earlier beginning in 2 Samuel 17:1.
2 Samuel 17:16
the fords of the wilderness
A ford is a shallow part of a river where people can walk across. The word "wilderness" here probably refers to the Arabah, the land along both sides of the Jordan River.
by all means
"be sure to" or "make sure that you"
the king will be swallowed up
"the king will be killed"
2 Samuel 17:17
When the message came
"When she brought them a message"
spring of Rogel
This is the name of a place.
2 Samuel 17:18
So Jonathan and Ahimaaz went away
"Jonathan and Ahimaaz found out what the young man had done, so they went away"
Bahurim
This is the name of a small town.
they descended
"they lowered themselves and hid"
2 Samuel 17:20
Absalom's servants
These were probably soldiers, not house servants.
the woman of the house
"the man's wife"
2 Samuel 17:21
It came about
"It happened." This phrase marks the next event in the story.
cross quickly over the water
"cross quickly over the river"
has given such and such advice
"has advised that Absalom send him with an army to attack you now"
2 Samuel 17:22
By morning daylight not one of them had failed to cross over the Jordan
"By morning daylight every one of them had crossed over the Jordan"
2 Samuel 17:23
Ahithophel saw
"Ahithophel knew" or "Ahithophel realized"
his advice had not been followed
"Absalom had not followed his advice"
saddled his donkey
placed a blanket or small leather seat on the donkey so he could sit on it
set his house in order
"prepared for his death"
So
"And this is how"
was buried
"they buried him"
2 Samuel 17:25
Amasa ... Joab ... Jether ... Nahash
These are the names of men.
Ishmaelite
This word means that the person is descended from Ishmael. Some versions say "Israelite" here. See the footnote. You may want to choose the word that is used in the majority language Bible in your area.
who went to Abigail
"who had sexual relations with Abigail" or "who lay with Abigail"
Abigail ... Zeruiah
These are the names of women.
2 Samuel 17:27
Mahanaim ... Rabbah ... Lo Debar ... Rogelim
These are the names of cities or places.
Shobi ... Nahash ... Makir ... Ammiel ... Barzillai
These are the names of men.
Ammonites ... Gileadite
These are the names of people groups.
2 Samuel 17:28
sleeping mats and blankets
A mat is something soft to sleep on, and a blanket is a cloth covering for warmth.
flour
crushed grain made into powder and used to make bread
roasted
cooked with dry heat
beans
seeds that are cooked and eaten
lentils
a kind of seed that is cooked and eaten
2 Samuel 17:29
curds
milk that has soured and become solid
thirsty
in need of water or some other drink
Chapter 18
1
David counted the soldiers who were with him and appointed captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.
2
Then David sent out the army, one-third under the command of Joab, another third under the command of Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and still another third under the command of Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the army, "I will certainly go out with you myself, too."
3
But the men said, "You must not go to battle, for if we flee away they will not care about us, or if half of us die they will not care. But you are worth ten thousand of us! Therefore it is better that you be ready to help us from the city."
4
So the king answered them, "I will do whatever seems best to you." The king stood by the city gate while all the army went out by hundreds and by thousands.
5
The king commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai saying, "Deal gently for my sake with the young man, with Absalom." All the people heard that the king had given the captains this command about Absalom.
6
So the army went out into the countryside against Israel; the battle spread into the forest of Ephraim.
7
The army of Israel was defeated there before the servants of David; there was a great slaughter there that day of twenty thousand men.
8
The battle spread throughout the whole countryside, and more men were consumed by the forest than by the sword.
9
Absalom happened to meet some of David's servants. Absalom was riding his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak tree, and his head was caught up in the tree branches. He was left dangling between the ground and the sky while the mule he was riding kept going.
10
Someone saw this and told Joab, "Look, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!"
11
Joab said to the man who told him about Absalom, "Look! You saw him! Why did you not strike him down to the ground? I would have given you ten silver shekels and a belt."
12
The man replied to Joab, "Even if I received a thousand silver shekels, still I would not have reached out my hand against the king's son, because we all heard the king command you, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, 'No one must touch the young man Absalom.'
13
If I had risked my life by a falsehood (and there is nothing hidden from the king), you would have abandoned me."
14
Then Joab said, "I will not wait for you." So Joab took three javelins in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was still alive and hanging from the oak.
15
Then ten young men who carried Joab's armor surrounded Absalom, attacked him, and killed him.
16
Then Joab blew the ram's horn, and the army returned from pursuing Israel, for Joab held back the army.
17
They took Absalom and threw him into a large pit in the forest; they buried his body under a very large pile of stones, while all Israel fled, every man to his own tent.
18
Now Absalom, while still alive, had built for himself a large stone pillar in the King's Valley, for he said, "I have no son to carry along the memory of my name." He named the pillar after his own name, so it is called Absalom's Monument to this very day.
19
Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, "Let me now run to the king with the good news, how Yahweh has rescued him from the hand of his enemies."
20
Joab answered him, "You will not be the bearer of news today; you must do it another day. Today you will bear no news because the king's son is dead."
21
Then Joab said to a Cushite, "Go, tell the king what you have seen." The Cushite bowed down to Joab, and ran.
22
Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said again to Joab, "Regardless of what may happen, please let me also run and follow the Cushite." Joab replied, "Why do you want to run, my son, seeing that you will have no reward for the news?"
23
"Whatever happens," said Ahimaaz, "I will run." So Joab answered him, "Run." Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite.
24
Now David was sitting between the inner and outer gates. The watchman had gone up to the roof of the gate to the wall and raised his eyes. As he looked, he saw a man approaching, running alone.
25
The watchman shouted out and told the king. Then the king said, "If he is alone, there is news in his mouth." The runner came closer and neared the city.
26
Then the watchman noticed another man running, and the watchman called to the gatekeeper; he said, "Look, there is another man running alone." The king said, "He is also bringing news."
27
So the watchman said, "I think the running of the man in front is like the running of Ahimaaz son of Zadok." The king said, "He is a good man and is coming with good news."
28
Then Ahimaaz called out and said to the king, "All is well." He bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground and said, "Blessed be Yahweh your God! He has delivered the men who lifted up their hand against my master the king."
29
So the king replied, "Is it well with the young man Absalom?" Ahimaaz answered, "When Joab sent me, the king's servant, to you, king, I saw a great disturbance, but I did not know what it was."
30
Then the king said, "Turn aside and stand here." So Ahimaaz turned aside, and stood still.
31
Immediately then the Cushite arrived and said, "There is good news for my master the king, for Yahweh has avenged you today from all who rose up against you."
32
Then the king said to the Cushite, "Is it well with the young man Absalom?" The Cushite answered, "The enemies of my master the king, and all who rise up against you to do harm to you, should be as that young man is."
33
Then the king was deeply unnerved, and he went up to the room over the gate and wept. As he went he grieved, "My son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! I wish I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!"
2 Samuel 18:1
David counted the soldiers who were with him and appointed
"David commanded for the soldiers who were with him to be counted and he appointed" or "David arranged the soldiers who were with him and appointed"
captains of thousands and captains of hundreds
"captains of large military divisions and captains of smaller military divisions"
captains
A captain is a person who is in authority over a group of soldiers.
2 Samuel 18:2
one-third ... another third
"one-third of the army ... another third of the army." A "third" is one part out of three equal parts.
Gittite
This refers to a person from Gath, which is a Philistine city.
I will certainly go out with you myself, too
"I myself will go with you to battle" or "I personally will go with you into battle"
2 Samuel 18:3
half of us
The word "half" refers to one out of two equal parts.
you are worth ten thousand of us
"they would rather kill you than to kill 10,000 of us" or "killing you is worth more to them than killing a great number of us"
that you be ready to help us from the city
"that you stay here in the city and send help to us"
2 Samuel 18:5
Deal gently for my sake with the young man, with Absalom
"For my sake, do not harm the young man, Absalom." The phrase "Deal gently" means to be kind to someone and not to harm them.
my sake
"my well-being" or "my account"
2 Samuel 18:6
went out into the countryside against Israel
"went out into the countryside and fought against Israel"
against Israel
"against the Israelite soldiers"
2 Samuel 18:7
The army of Israel was defeated there before the servants of David
"There the servants of David defeated the army of Israel"
servants of David
"David's soldiers." These men served David as soldiers.
a great slaughter
an event where many people are brutally killed
2 Samuel 18:8
more men were consumed by the forest than by the sword
"dangerous things in the forest killed more men than David's soldiers killed with their swords"
2 Samuel 18:9
Absalom happened to meet some of David's servants
"During the battle, Absalom happened to meet some of David's servants"
his head was caught up in the tree branches
"his hair was caught in the tree branches"
dangling
hanging or swinging loosely
between the ground and the sky
"in the air"
2 Samuel 18:10
Look
"Listen"
2 Samuel 18:11
Why did you not strike him down to the ground?
"You should have struck him down to the ground!" or "You should have killed him immediately!"
ten silver shekels
"ten silver coins" or "110 grams of silver"
belt
This is a special belt that shows people that someone is a great soldier and should be honored.
2 Samuel 18:12
a thousand silver shekels
"1,000 silver coins" or "11 kilograms of silver"
would not have reached out my hand against the king's son
"would not have attacked the king's son"
No one must touch
"No none must harm" or "Do not harm"
2 Samuel 18:13
a falsehood
"doing something that is wrong" or "by disobeying the king"
there is nothing hidden from the king
"there is nothing that the king does not know" or "the king hears about everything that happens"
2 Samuel 18:14
I will not wait for you
"I will not waste anymore time talking to you"
heart of Absalom
"chest"
2 Samuel 18:15
armor
"armor and weapons"
2 Samuel 18:16
Then Joab blew the ram's horn, and the army returned from pursuing Israel, for Joab held back the army
"Then Joab blew the ram's horn to call back the army, and the army returned from pursuing Israel"
returned from pursuing Israel
"returned from pursuing the Israelite army"
2 Samuel 18:17
They took Absalom and threw him
"They took Absalom's body and threw it"
they buried his body under a very large pile of stones
"they covered his body with a huge pile of stones"
while all Israel fled
"while all the Israelite soldiers ran away"
his own tent
"his own home." The Israelites were living in houses at this time.
2 Samuel 18:18
the King's Valley
This is the name of a place.
to carry along the memory of my name
Absalom uses the phrase "my name" to refer to himself and his family line. Alternate translation: "to carry on my family name, by which people would remember me"
so it is called Absalom's Monument to this very day
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "so people called it Absalom's Monument from that day on"
to this very day
This refers to the present time when this book of the Bible was written.
2 Samuel 18:19
run to the king with the good news
"run to tell the king the good news"
the hand of his enemies
"the control of his enemies"
2 Samuel 18:20
the bearer of news
"the one who tells the news"
you will bear no news
"you will not tell the news to the king"
2 Samuel 18:21
tell the king what you have seen
Joab is telling him to go and tell the king about the news of the battle.
2 Samuel 18:24
raised his eyes
"looked out beyond the city"
2 Samuel 18:25
there is news in his mouth
"he has news to tell us"
2 Samuel 18:28
He bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground
"He bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground to honor the king"
Blessed be Yahweh
"Praise Yahweh." Here "bless" means to praise.
the men who lifted up their hand against my master the king
"the men who opposed and fought against my master the king"
2 Samuel 18:29
a great disturbance
This means that people were acting as though things were not right.
2 Samuel 18:31
rose up against
"opposed"
2 Samuel 18:32
The enemies of my master the king, ... should be as that young man is
"I would like all your enemies ... to die the way that young man died"
2 Samuel 18:33
was deeply unnerved
"was very unhappy" or "was trembling with grief"
Chapter 19
1
Joab was told, "Look, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom."
2
So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the army, for the army heard it said that day, "The king is mourning for his son."
3
The soldiers had to sneak quietly into the city that day, like people who are ashamed sneak away when they run from battle.
4
The king covered his face and cried in a loud voice, "My son Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son!"
5
Then Joab entered into the house to the king and said to him, "You have shamed the faces of all your servants today, who have saved your life today, and the lives of your sons and of your daughters, and the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines,
6
because you love those who hate you, and you hate those who love you. For today you have shown that commanders and servants are nothing to you. Today I believe that if Absalom had lived, and we all had died, then that would have pleased you.
7
Now therefore get up and go out and speak kindly to your servants, for I swear by Yahweh, if you do not go, not one man will remain with you tonight. That would be worse for you than all the disasters that have ever happened to you from your youth until now."
8
So the king got up and sat in the city gate, and all the people were told, "Look, the king is sitting in the gate," and all the people came before the king.
So Israel fled, every man to his tent.
9
All the people were arguing with each other throughout all the tribes of Israel saying, "The king rescued us out of the hand of our enemies, and he saved us out of the hand of the Philistines, but now he has run out of the land because of Absalom.
10
Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?"
11
King David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests saying, "Speak to the elders of Judah saying, 'Why are you the last to bring the king back to his palace, since the talk of all Israel favors the king, to bring him back to his palace?
12
You are my brothers, my flesh and bone. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?'
13
Then say to Amasa, 'Are you not my flesh and my bone? God do so to me, and more also, if you are not captain of my army from now on in the place of Joab.'"
14
So he won the hearts of all the men of Judah as one man. They sent to the king saying, "Return, you and all your servants."
15
So the king returned and came to the Jordan. Now the men of Judah came to Gilgal to go to meet the king and then to bring the king across the Jordan.
16
Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite, who was from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David.
17
There were one thousand men from Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of Saul, and his fifteen sons and twenty servants with him. They crossed through the Jordan in the presence of the king.
18
They crossed to bring over the king's family and to do whatever he thought good. Shimei son of Gera bowed down before the king just before he began to cross the Jordan.
19
Shimei said to the king, "Do not, my master, find me guilty or call to mind the wrong your servant did the day my master the king left Jerusalem. Please, may the king not take it to heart.
20
For your servant knows that I have sinned. See, that is why I have come today as the first from all the family of Joseph to come down to meet my master the king."
21
But Abishai son of Zeruiah answered and said, "Should not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed Yahweh's anointed?"
22
Then David said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should today be adversaries to me? Will any man be put to death today in Israel? For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?"
23
So the king said to Shimei, "You will not die." So the king promised him with an oath.
24
Then Mephibosheth son of Saul came down to meet the king. He had not dressed his feet, or trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he came home in peace.
25
So when he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, "Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?"
26
He answered, "My master the king, my servant deceived me, for I said, 'I will saddle a donkey so I may ride on it and go with the king, because your servant is lame.'
27
My servant Ziba has slandered me, your servant, to my master the king. But my master the king is like an angel of God. Therefore, do what is good in your eyes.
28
For all my father's house were dead men before my master the king, but you set your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right therefore have I that I should still cry any more to the king?"
29
Then the king said to him, "Why explain anything further? I have decided that you and Ziba will divide the fields."
30
So Mephibosheth replied to the king, "Yes, let him take it all, since my master the king has come safely to his own home."
31
Then Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim to cross over the Jordan with the king, and he accompanied the king over the Jordan.
32
Now Barzillai was a very old man, eighty years old. He had furnished the king with provisions while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man.
33
The king said to Barzillai, "Come over with me, and I will provide for you to stay with me in Jerusalem."
34
Barzillai replied to the king, "How many days are left in the years of my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?
35
I am eighty years old. Can I distinguish between good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be a burden to my master the king?
36
Your servant would like to just go over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king repay me with such a reward?
37
Please let your servant return back home, so I may die in my own city by the grave of my father and my mother. But see, here is your servant Kimham. Let him cross over with my master the king, and do for him what seems good to you."
38
The king answered, "Kimham will go over with me, and I will do for him what seems good to you, and whatever you desire from me, I do that for you."
39
Then all the people crossed the Jordan, and the king crossed over, and the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him. Then Barzillai returned to his own home.
40
So the king crossed over to Gilgal, and Kimham crossed over with him. All the army of Judah brought the king over, and also half the army of Israel.
41
Soon all the men of Israel began to come to the king and say to the king, "Why have our brothers, the men of Judah, stolen you away and brought the king and his family over the Jordan, and all David's men with him?"
42
So the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, "It is because the king is more closely related to us. Why then are you angry about this? Have we eaten anything that the king had to pay for? Has he given us any gifts?"
43
The men of Israel answered the men of Judah, "We have ten tribes related to the king, so we have even more right to David than you. Why then did you despise us? Was not our proposal to bring back our king the first to be heard?" But the words of the men of Judah were even more severe than the words of the men of Israel.
2 Samuel 19:1
Look, the king is weeping
"Listen, the king is weeping"
2 Samuel 19:2
So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the army
"So instead of celebrating victory that day, the whole army mourned"
2 Samuel 19:3
like people who are ashamed sneak away when they run from battle
"in the same way that people who had run away from battle would sneak away because they were ashamed"
2 Samuel 19:4
The king covered his face
"The king showed his grief by covering his face"
2 Samuel 19:5
You have shamed the faces of all your servants today
"You have caused all your soldiers to hide their faces in shame today" or "You have caused all of your servants to be ashamed today"
2 Samuel 19:6
nothing to you
"are worth very little to you"
if Absalom had lived, and we all had died, then that would have pleased you
Joab imagined how David would have felt if Absalom had lived and if all the men who had fought to help David had died. He said this because he was angry that David was still mourning for Absalom.
2 Samuel 19:7
I swear by Yahweh
"I swear, as surely as Yahweh is alive"
if you do not go, not one man will remain with you
"only if you go will any of your men remain with you" or "if you do not go, all of your men will leave you"
not one man will remain with you
"not one man will remain loyal to you"
2 Samuel 19:8
all the people were told
"many of the men who were there heard others saying"
Look, the king is sitting
"Listen, the king is sitting"
So Israel fled
"And every Israelite soldier fled" or "And all of the Israelite soldiers fled"
his tent
"his home." The Israelites were living in houses in those days.
2 Samuel 19:9
out of the hand of our enemies
"from under the control of our enemies" or "from our enemies' control"
out of the hand of the Philistines
"from under the control of the Philistines" or "from the Philistines' control"
out of the land because of Absalom
"out of the country fleeing from Absalom"
2 Samuel 19:10
why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?
"we should be talking about bringing the king back."
the king
This refers to David.
2 Samuel 19:11
sent to Zadok and to Abiathar
"sent a messenger to Zadok and to Abiathar"
Why are you the last to bring the king back ... to bring him back to his palace?
"You should have been the first to favor the king and bring him back to the palace, not the people of the nation of Israel."
since the talk of all Israel favors the king, to bring
"since all Israel speaks favorably about the king and desires to bring" or "since what the people of Israel are saying is in the king's favor, to bring"
to bring the king back to his palace
"to restore the king's authority as king"
2 Samuel 19:12
You are my brothers, my flesh and bone
"You are my brothers, and we have the same flesh and bone" or "You are my brothers, my close relatives"
Why then are you the last to bring back the king?
"You should have been the first, not the last, to bring back the king."
2 Samuel 19:13
my flesh and my bone
"my relative"
God do so to me
"May God kill me"
2 Samuel 19:14
he won the hearts
"he won the loyalty"
as one man
"and they were united together" or "they were united in their loyalty to the king"
They sent to the king
"They sent a messenger to the king"
2 Samuel 19:16
Gera
This is the name of a man.
2 Samuel 19:17
in the presence of the king
"at the place where the king was"
2 Samuel 19:19
call to mind
"remember"
your servant
Here Shimei refers to himself this way to humble himself before the king and honor the king.
not take it to heart
"not be bothered by it" or "forget about it"
2 Samuel 19:21
Should not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed Yahweh's anointed?
"Shimei should be put to death because he cursed Yahweh's anointed."
Yahweh's anointed
"the man that Yahweh has anointed as king"
2 Samuel 19:22
What have I to do with you ... that you should today be adversaries to me?
"We have nothing in common with you, you sons of Zeruiah! You have no good reason to become my adversaries today."
Will any man be put to death today in Israel? For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?
"No person will be executed today in the nation of Israel, because today I am the one who is king over all of Israel."
Will any man be put to death
"Will any man be killed" or "Will I order any man to die"
For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?
Possible meanings of this rhetorical question are 1) "I know that I am still king of Israel." or 2) "Today I am the one who is king over Israel!"
2 Samuel 19:24
He had not dressed his feet
"He had not cared for his feet." Mephibosheth's feet were crippled. This phrase means that he had not taken proper care of his feet.
2 Samuel 19:25
Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?
"Why did you not go with me when I left Jerusalem, Mephibosheth?"
2 Samuel 19:27
my master the king is like an angel of God
"my master the king is as wise as an angel of God"
do what is good in your eyes
"do what you believe to be the right thing to do"
2 Samuel 19:28
all my father's house were dead men before my master the king
"all my father's house deserved for my master the king to order them to be executed"
my father's house
"my father's relatives"
What right therefore have I that I should still cry any more to the king?
"Therefore, I have no right to ask the king to do anything else for me."
2 Samuel 19:29
Why explain anything further?
"You do not need to explain this any further." or "You certainly do not need to say any more."
2 Samuel 19:31
the Jordan
the Jordan River
2 Samuel 19:32
had furnished the king with provisions
"had provided what the king needed"
2 Samuel 19:34
How many days are left in the years of my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?
"I am certainly not going to live many more years. There is no good reason for me to go up with the king to Jerusalem."
2 Samuel 19:35
Can I distinguish between good and bad?
"I cannot distinguish between what is desirable and what is not."
Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink?
"I cannot enjoy the taste of what I eat and drink."
Can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women?
"I cannot hear well the voices of singing men and singing women."
Why then should your servant be a burden to my master the king?
"Your servant should not go with you and be a burden to you."
2 Samuel 19:36
Why should the king repay me with such a reward?
"I do not know why the king would repay me with such a great reward"
2 Samuel 19:37
Kimham
This is the name of a man.
by the grave of my father and my mother
"where my father's and my mother's graves are" or "where my father and my mother are buried"
Let him cross over
"Let him cross over the Jordan"
2 Samuel 19:38
Kimham will go over with me
"Kimham will cross the river with me"
2 Samuel 19:40
crossed over to Gilgal
"crossed over the river to Gilgal"
All the army of Judah brought the king over, and also half the army of Israel
"All the army of Judah and half the army of Israel escorted the king over"
2 Samuel 19:41
Why have our brothers, the men of Judah ... and all David's men with him?
"It is not right that our brothers, the men of Judah, who did not support you as king, had the privilege of bringing you and your family back across the Jordan River."
stolen you away
"taken you away from us"
2 Samuel 19:42
Why then are you angry about this?
"But you have no reason to be upset about this."
Have we eaten anything that the king had to pay for? Has he given us any gifts?
"The king has never paid for our food, and he has never given us any gifts."
2 Samuel 19:43
we have even more right to David than you
"we have more right to serve the king and to be with the king than you do"
Why then did you despise us?
"You should not have despised us!"
Was not our proposal to bring back our king the first to be heard?
"We were the first to suggest that we bring back the king!"
the words of the men of Judah were even more severe than the words of the men of Israel
"the men of Judah spoke even more severely than the men of Israel did"
Chapter 20
1
There also happened to be at the same place a worthless man whose name was Sheba son of Bikri, a Benjamite. He blew the ram's horn and said, "We have no part in David, neither have we any inheritance in the son of Jesse. Let every man go back to his tent, Israel!"
2
So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bikri. But the men of Judah followed closely their king, from the Jordan all the way to Jerusalem.
3
When David came to his palace at Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines whom he had left to keep the palace, and he put them in a house under guard. He provided for their needs, but he did not go to them any longer. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living as if they were widows.
4
Then the king said to Amasa, "Call the men of Judah together within three days; you must be here, too."
5
So Amasa went to call Judah, but he was delayed beyond the time that the king had appointed for him.
6
So David said to Abishai, "Now Sheba son of Bikri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your master's servants and pursue after him, or he will find fortified cities and escape out of our sight."
7
Then Joab's men went out after him, along with the Kerethites and the Pelethites and all the mighty warriors. They left Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bikri.
8
When they were at the great stone which is at Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was wearing the battle armor that he had put on, which included a belt around his waist with a sheathed sword fastened to it. As he walked forward, the sword fell out.
9
So Joab said to Amasa, "Is it well with you, my cousin?" Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.
10
Amasa did not notice the dagger that was in Joab's left hand. Joab stabbed Amasa in the stomach and his bowels spilled out to the ground. Joab did not strike him again, and Amasa died.
So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba son of Bikri.
11
Then one of Joab's young men stood by Amasa, and the man said, "He who favors Joab, and he who is for David, let him follow Joab."
12
Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road. When the man saw that all the people stood still, he carried Amasa off of the road and into a field. He threw a garment over him because he saw that everyone who came by him stood still.
13
After Amasa was taken off the road, all the men followed on after Joab in pursuit of Sheba son of Bikri.
14
Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel Beth Maakah, and through all the land of the Bikrites, who gathered together and also pursued Sheba.
15
They caught up with him and besieged him in Abel Beth Maakah. They built up a siege ramp against the city against the wall. All the army who were with Joab were wreaking destruction to break down the wall.
16
Then a wise woman cried out of the city, "Listen, please listen, Joab! Come near me so I may speak with you."
17
So Joab came near to her, and the woman said, "Are you Joab?" He answered, "I am." Then she said to him, "Listen to the words of your servant." He answered, "I am listening."
18
Then she spoke, "They used to say in old times, 'Surely seek advice at Abel,' and that advice would end the matter.
19
We are a city that is one of the most peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the inheritance of Yahweh?"
20
So Joab answered and said, "Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.
21
That is not true. But a man from the hill country of Ephraim, named Sheba son of Bikri, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Give up him alone, and I will withdraw from the city." The woman said to Joab, "His head will be thrown to you over the wall."
22
Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. They cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri, and threw it out to Joab. Then he blew the ram's horn and Joab's men left the city, every man to his tent. Then Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
23
Now Joab was over all the army of Israel, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and over the Pelethites.
24
Adoniram was over the men who did forced labor, and Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder.
25
Sheva was scribe and Zadok and Abiathar were priests.
26
Ira the Jairite was David's priest.
2 Samuel 20:1
to be at the same place
This refers to the town of Gilgal.
Sheba ... Bikri
These are names of men.
We have no part in David, neither have we any inheritance in the son of Jesse
"The inheritance of David and his father's family does not belong to us" or "We are not a part of David and his father's family"
his tent
"his home."
2 Samuel 20:3
to keep the palace
"to take care of the palace"
in a house under guard
"in a house and put a guard there"
he did not go to them
"he did not have sexual relations with them"
they were shut up
"they were shut inside the house"
widows
These are women whose husbands have died.
2 Samuel 20:6
do us more harm
"hurt us more"
your master's servants
"my soldiers." These men served David as soldiers.
pursue after
"chase after"
he will find fortified cities
"he and his men will hide in fortified cities" or "he and his men will take refuge in fortified cities"
out of our sight
"from us"
2 Samuel 20:7
Kerethites ... Pelethites
These are the names of people groups who helped to protect King David. See how you translated this man's name in 2 Samuel 8:18.
2 Samuel 20:8
When they were
"When Joab and the men of Judah were"
belt
a strip of leather or other material used to hold clothing or weapons in place
sheathed sword
This means the sword was in its protective covering.
the sword fell out
"he allowed the sword to fall on the ground so Amasa would think he was unarmed"
2 Samuel 20:9
my cousin
Amasa was the son of the sister of Joab's mother.
took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him
This was a common way for men to greet one another.
2 Samuel 20:10
dagger
a short sword that is easy to hide and was often used for close-in fighting and assassinations
bowels spilled
"intestines spilled"
2 Samuel 20:11
he who is for David
"he who supports David" or "he who is loyal to David"
2 Samuel 20:12
Amasa lay wallowing in his blood
"Amasa lay dead in his blood"
all the people stood still ... came by him stood still
"all the people stood still staring at the dead body ... came by him stood still, staring at his dead body"
he carried Amasa
"he carried Amasa's body"
2 Samuel 20:13
After Amasa was taken off the road
"After the man took Amasa off the road"
in pursuit of
"pursuing"
2 Samuel 20:14
Sheba passed through
"Sheba and his army" or "Sheba and his men"
Abel Beth Maakah
The names Both Abel and Beth Maakah refer to the same place and may be combined. It is a city near the tribe of Dan.
of the Bikrites
This is the name of a people group.
2 Samuel 20:15
They caught up with him
"Joab and the soldiers caught up with him"
against the city against the wall
"against the city wall"
were wreaking destruction to break down the wall
"were doing all they could to break down the wall."
2 Samuel 20:16
Listen, please listen
The repetition of "Listen" strengthens the woman's plea.
2 Samuel 20:17
Listen to the words of your servant
The woman refers to herself as "your servant." This is a polite way to speak to someone with greater authority.
2 Samuel 20:18
that advice would end the matter
"that advice would solve the problem"
2 Samuel 20:19
most peaceful and faithful in Israel
"most peaceful and faithful cities in Israel"
city that is a mother in Israel
"city that everyone in Israel respects like they would their mother" or "city that is very important and that Israel respects"
Why do you want to swallow up the inheritance of Yahweh?
"You should not destroy the city that is Yahweh's inheritance!"
2 Samuel 20:20
Far be it, far be it from me, that I should
"Truly, truly, I would never"
that I should swallow up or destroy
"that I should swallow up or destroy your city" or "that I should swallow up or destroy the inheritance of Yahweh"
2 Samuel 20:21
has lifted up his hand against
"has opposed" or "is rebelling against"
Give up him alone
"Hand this man over to us" or "Give this man to us"
I will withdraw from the city
"We will withdraw from the city"
His head will be thrown
"We will throw his head"
2 Samuel 20:22
Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom
"Then the wise woman spoke to all the people"
his tent
"his home."
2 Samuel 20:23
Joab was over ... Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over
"Joab had authority over ... Benaiah son of Jehoiada had authority over"
2 Samuel 20:24
Adoniram was over
"Adoniram had authority over"
Adoniram
This is the name of a man.
the men who did forced labor
"the slave workers"
2 Samuel 20:25
Sheva
This is the name of a man.
were priests
They were probably officials who advised David on matters to do with the kingdom and were not involved in temple worship.
2 Samuel 20:26
Ira
This is the name of a man.
Jairite
This is the name of a people group.
David's priest
He was probably an official who advised David on matters to do with the kingdom and was not involved in temple worship.
Chapter 21
1
There was a famine in David's time for three years in a row, and David sought the face of Yahweh. So Yahweh said, "This famine is on you because of Saul and his murderous family, because he put the Gibeonites to death."
2
So the king called together the Gibeonites and spoke to them. Now the Gibeonites were not from the people of Israel; they were from what remained of the Amorites. The people of Israel had sworn not to kill them, but Saul tried to kill them all anyway in his zeal for the people of Israel and Judah.
3
David said to them, "What should I do for you? How can I make atonement, so that you may bless the people of Yahweh, who inherit his goodness and promises?"
4
The Gibeonites responded to him, "It is not a matter of silver or gold between us and Saul or his family. In the same way it is not for us to put to death any man in Israel." David replied, "What are you saying that I should do for you?"
5
They answered the king, "The man who tried to kill us all, who schemed against us, so that we are now destroyed and have no place within the borders of Israel—
6
let seven men from his descendants be handed over to us, and we will hang them before Yahweh in Gibeah of Saul, the one chosen by Yahweh." So the king said, "I will give them to you."
7
But the king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul, because of Yahweh's oath between them, between David and Jonathan son of Saul.
8
But the king took the two sons of Rizpah daughter of Aiah, sons whom she bore to Saul—the two sons were named Armoni and Mephibosheth; and David also took the five sons of Merab
daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite.
9
He handed them over into the hands of the Gibeonites. They hanged them on the mountain before Yahweh, and they died all seven together. They were put to death during the time of harvest, during the first days at the beginning of barley harvest.
10
Then Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, took sackcloth and spread it for herself on the mountain beside the dead bodies, from the beginning of harvest until the rain poured down on them from the sky. She did not allow the birds of the sky to disturb the bodies by day or the wild animals by night.
11
It was told to David what Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.
12
So David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh Gilead, who had stolen them from the public square of Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, after the Philistines had killed Saul in Gilboa.
13
David took away from there the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son, and they gathered the bones of the seven men who had been hanged, as well.
14
They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father. They performed all that the king commanded. After that God answered their prayers for the land.
15
Then the Philistines went to war again with Israel. So David went down with his servants and fought against the Philistines. David was overcome with battle fatigue.
16
Ishbi-Benob, a descendant of the Rapha, whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels, and who was armed with a new sword, intended to kill David.
17
But Abishai son of Zeruiah rescued David, attacked the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, "You must not go to battle anymore with us, so that you do not put out the lamp of Israel."
18
It came about after this that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob, when Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was one of the descendants of the Rapha.
19
It came about again in a battle with the Philistines at Gob, that Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.
20
It came about in another battle at Gath that there was a man of great height who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number. He also was descended from the Rapha.
21
When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David's brother, killed him.
22
These were descendants of the Rapha in Gath, and they were killed by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.
2 Samuel 21:1
sought the face of Yahweh
This means David prayed to Yahweh for an answer about the famine.
because of Saul and his murderous family
Saul had killed many Gibeonites, and Saul's descendants are guilty because of this sin.
2 Samuel 21:2
Now
Here "Now" marks a stop in the main story. This gives background information about the Gibeonites.
2 Samuel 21:3
What should I do for you? How can I make atonement ... promises?
"What can I do to remove this sin, so that you may bless the people of Yahweh, who inherit his goodness and promises?"
2 Samuel 21:4
It is not a matter of silver or gold
"Money will not solve the problem"
2 Samuel 21:5
who schemed against us
"who made plans against us"
2 Samuel 21:6
let seven men from his descendants be handed over to us
"allow your men to give seven of his descendants to us"
we will hang them
"we will execute them by hanging"
in Gibeah of Saul
Saul was from the town of Gibeah.
the one chosen by Yahweh
"the one whom Yahweh chose"
2 Samuel 21:7
Mephibosheth
Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan.
2 Samuel 21:8
Rizpah ... Aiah
Rizpah was a woman and her father was Aiah.
Armoni and Mephibosheth ... Adriel ... Barzillai
These are names of men. This is not the same Mephibosheth as the son of Jonathan.
Merab
This is the name of a woman.
Meholathite
This is the name of a people group.
2 Samuel 21:9
He handed them over into the hands of the Gibeonites
"He gave them to the Gibeonites"
They were put to death
"The Gibeonites put them to death"
2 Samuel 21:10
Rizpah ... Aiah
Rizpah was a woman and her father was Aiah.
2 Samuel 21:11
It was told to David
"Someone told David"
2 Samuel 21:12
Jabesh Gilead
Jabesh is a town in the region of Gilead.
the public square
This is an area near the city gate where people did various kinds of business.
Beth Shan
This is the name of a place.
Gilboa
See how you translated the name of this place in 2 Samuel 1:6.
2 Samuel 21:13
who had been hanged
"whom the Gibeonites executed by hanging"
2 Samuel 21:14
Zela
This is the name of a town in Benjamin.
Kish
This is the name of a man.
his father
"Saul's father"
2 Samuel 21:16
Ishbi-Benob
This is the name of a man.
three hundred shekels
"300 shekels." This is about 3.4 kilograms.
2 Samuel 21:17
Abishai son of Zeruiah
Abishai and Zeruiah are names of men. See how you translated these names in 2 Samuel 2:18.
you do not put out the lamp of Israel
The "lamp of Israel" is a metaphor that refers to David's leadership and the idea that if David were to die, the people of Israel would have no clear direction.
2 Samuel 21:18
Gob
This is the name of a town.
Sibbekai ... Saph
These are names of men.
Hushathite ... Rapha
These are names of people groups.
Rapha
This people group was known for its giant warriors.
2 Samuel 21:19
Elhanan son of Jair ... Goliath
These are names of men.
Bethlehemite ... Gittite
These are names of people groups.
whose spear was like a weaver's beam
This means Goliath's spear was larger than a normal spear.
2 Samuel 21:20
twenty-four in number
"24 fingers and toes altogether"
2 Samuel 21:21
Jonathan son of Shimeah
These are names of men. Shimeah was David's brother.
2 Samuel 21:22
they were killed by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants
"David and his servants killed them"
Chapter 22
1
David sang to Yahweh the words of this song on the day that Yahweh rescued him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul.
2
He prayed,
"Yahweh is my rock, my fortress,
the one who rescues me.
3
God is my rock.
I take refuge in him.
He is my shield, the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold, and my refuge,
the one who saves me from violence.
4
I will call on Yahweh, who is worthy to be praised,
and I will be saved from my enemies.
5
For the waves of death surrounded me,
the rushing waters of destruction overwhelmed me.
6
The cords of Sheol surrounded me;
the snares of death trapped me.
7
In my distress I called to Yahweh;
I called to my God;
he heard my voice from his temple,
and my cry for help went into his ears.
8
Then the earth shook and trembled.
The foundations of the heavens trembled
and were shaken, because God was angry.
9
Smoke went up from out of his nostrils,
and blazing fire came out of his mouth.
Coals were kindled by it.
10
He opened the heavens and came down,
and thick darkness was under his feet.
11
He rode on a cherub and flew.
He was seen on the wings of the wind.
12
He made darkness a tent around him,
gathering heavy rain clouds in the skies.
13
From the lightning before him
coals of fire fell.
14
Yahweh thundered from the heavens.
The Most High shouted.
15
He shot arrows and scattered his enemies—
lightning bolts and threw them into confusion.
16
Then the channels of the sea were seen;
the foundations of the world were laid bare
at the rebuke of Yahweh,
at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
17
He reached down from above; he took hold of me!
He pulled me out of the surging water.
18
He rescued me from my strong enemy,
from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me.
19
They came against me on the day of my distress,
but Yahweh was my support.
20
He also brought me out to a wide open place.
He saved me because he was pleased with me.
21
Yahweh has rewarded me to the measure of my righteousness;
he has restored me to the measure of the cleanness of my hands.
22
For I have kept the ways of Yahweh
and have not acted wickedly by turning from my God.
23
For all his righteous decrees have been before me;
as for his statutes, I have not turned away from them.
24
I have also been innocent before him,
and I have kept myself from my iniquity.
25
Therefore Yahweh has restored me to the measure of my righteousness,
to the degree of my cleanness in his sight.
26
To the faithful one, you show yourself to be faithful;
to a man who is blameless, you show yourself to be blameless.
27
With the pure you show yourself pure,
but you are perverse to the twisted.
28
You save afflicted people,
but your eyes are against the proud, and you humiliate them.
29
For you are my lamp, Yahweh.
Yahweh lights up my darkness.
30
For by you I can run over a troop;
by my God I can leap over a wall.
31
As for God, his way is perfect.
The word of Yahweh is pure.
He is a shield
to everyone who takes refuge in him.
32
For who is God except Yahweh,
and who is a rock except our God?
33
God is my refuge,
and he leads the blameless person on his path.
34
He makes my feet swift like a deer
and places me on the high hills.
35
He trains my hands for war,
and my arms to bend a bow of bronze.
36
You have given me the shield of your salvation,
and your favor has made me great.
37
You have made a wide place for my feet beneath me,
so my feet have not slipped.
38
I pursued my enemies and destroyed them.
I did not turn back until they were destroyed.
39
I devoured them and smashed them; they cannot rise.
They have fallen under my feet.
40
You girded me with strength for battle;
you put under me those who rise up against me.
41
You gave me the back of my enemies' necks;
I annihilated those who hated me.
42
They cried for help, but no one saved them;
they cried out to Yahweh, but he did not answer them.
43
I beat them into fine pieces like dust on the ground,
I trampled them like mud in the streets.
44
You also have rescued me from the disputes of my own people.
You have kept me as the head of nations.
A people that I have not known serves me.
45
Foreigners were forced to bow to me.
As soon as they heard of me, they obeyed me.
46
The foreigners came trembling out of their strongholds.
47
Yahweh lives! May my rock be praised.
May God be exalted, the rock of my salvation.
48
This is the God who executes vengeance for me,
the one who brings down peoples under me.
49
He sets me free from my enemies.
Indeed, you lifted me up above those who rose up against me.
You rescue me from violent men.
50
Therefore I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, among the nations;
I will sing praises to your name.
51
God gives great victory to his king,
and he shows his covenant loyalty to his anointed one,
to David and to his descendants forever."
2 Samuel 22:2
Yahweh is my rock, my fortress
A fortress is built of many large rocks. This means Yahweh has the strength to protect his people from harm.
2 Samuel 22:3
God is my rock ... He is my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold
All of these metaphors are symbols of God's strength and power. They emphasize God's ability to protect and save his people.
2 Samuel 22:5
For the waves of death surrounded me, the rushing waters of destruction overwhelmed me
David compares the wicked men who wanted to kill him to flood waters that are about to drown him.
the rushing waters of destruction
This is a picture of fast-flowing flood waters that destroy everything in their path.
2 Samuel 22:6
The cords of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of death trapped me
David speaks about death and Sheol as if they are people who are trying to trap him as a hunter traps an animal.
2 Samuel 22:7
In my distress
"In my great trouble"
he heard my voice from his temple
David is referring to the heavenly temple where Yahweh dwells. The earthly temple has not yet been built.
his ears
David speaks of Yahweh as if he had ears.
2 Samuel 22:8
Then the earth shook
This is Yahweh's response to David's cry for help from his enemies. David uses the imagery of the earth shaking to emphasize Yahweh's terrible anger.
earth shook ... heavens trembled
David speaks of the two extremes to include everything in creation.
2 Samuel 22:9
his nostrils ... his mouth
David speaks of Yahweh as if he had these humans parts.
Coals were kindled by it
"The flame from his mouth set coals on fire" or "He also sent burning coals from his mouth"
were kindled by it
David uses the imagery of fire coming from Yahweh to emphasize Yahweh's terrible anger.
2 Samuel 22:10
He opened the heavens
David describes Yahweh's way of saving David from his enemies as a storm cloud gathering over a place. This emphasizes God's power and his anger.
under his feet
David speaks of God as having feet like humans.
2 Samuel 22:11
He was seen
In the original language the word translated here as "seen" is uncertain. Some other translation have "He flew."
the wings of the wind
This expression speaks of the wind as if it were a bird.
2 Samuel 22:12
rain clouds in the skies
David describes Yahweh's way of saving David from his enemies as a storm cloud gathering over a place. This emphasizes God's power and his anger.
He made darkness a tent around him
"He hid himself in the darkness"
2 Samuel 22:13
From the lightning before him coals of fire fell
Possible meanings are 1) "Out of his bright light he sent burning coals" or 2) "From his brightness he sent lightning"
From the lightning before him
David continues describing Yahweh, whom he compares to a storm, coming to save him from his enemies. This emphasizes God's power and anger towards David's enemies.
2 Samuel 22:14
The Most High shouted.
David describes Yahweh doing these actions a person would do.
2 Samuel 22:15
He shot arrows ... lightning bolts
David compares the lightning from Yahweh's storm to arrows that a soldier would use.
2 Samuel 22:16
the channels of the sea were seen
"People could see the deepest part of the sea"
2 Samuel 22:17
out of the surging water
David compares his enemies to a flood that threatens to drown him.
2 Samuel 22:18
He rescued me from my strong enemy
David's enemies were overwhelming. He praises God for delivering him from all his enemies.
2 Samuel 22:19
They came against me on the day of my distress
"My enemies fought against me when I was in great trouble"
but Yahweh was my support
"but Yahweh supported me" or "but Yahweh helped me"
2 Samuel 22:20
a wide open place
This refers to a place where there was no danger and his enemies could not trap him.
2 Samuel 22:21
to the measure of the cleanness of my hands
"because I obey his commands"
2 Samuel 22:22
General Information:
David continues his song to Yahweh.
I have kept the ways of Yahweh
Here "the ways of Yahweh" refers to how Yahweh wants his people to act. This means David has done what Yahweh commands.
2 Samuel 22:23
have been before me
This means David constantly reads and thinks about God's decrees.
2 Samuel 22:24
I have kept myself from my iniquity
This refers to choosing not to sin against Yahweh.
2 Samuel 22:27
you are perverse to the twisted
Here "perverse" means to be cunning or crafty, and "twisted" means to turn away from what is good and right. This means God is wise in how he deals with wicked people.
2 Samuel 22:28
your eyes are against the proud
This means Yahweh watches the proud person.
you humiliate them
"you destroy their pride" or "you make them no longer proud"
2 Samuel 22:29
you are my lamp, Yahweh. Yahweh lights up my darkness
This means he gives David light and helps him to see when things seem hopeless.
2 Samuel 22:30
I can run over a troop
Here "troop" may refer to a group of soldiers or to a stone wall. Either way it means God enables David to defeat his enemies.
I can leap over a wall
"I can climb over the wall that surrounds their city"
2 Samuel 22:31
The word of Yahweh is pure
"Everything Yahweh says is true"
He is a shield
This emphasizes God's power to protect his people.
2 Samuel 22:32
For who is God except Yahweh, and who is a rock except our God?
"Yahweh alone is God. Our God alone is a rock."
2 Samuel 22:33
he leads the blameless person on his path
Yahweh keeps the blameless person safe and removes anything that may harm him.
2 Samuel 22:34
He makes my feet swift like a deer and places me on the high hills
Yahweh gives David the strength to move quickly and provides secure places for protection and rest.
2 Samuel 22:35
my hands ... and my arms
Both of these refer to David.
to bend a bow of bronze
Only a very strong man could use a bow made from metal.
2 Samuel 22:36
the shield of your salvation
David compares Yahweh's power to save him to a shield that protects a soldier from his enemy.
your favor
God answered David's prayers and granted him blessings and success over his enemies.
2 Samuel 22:37
You have made a wide place for my feet beneath me
Yahweh has put David in a safe place where his enemies cannot trap him. Here he refers to himself by his "feet" to emphasize his ability to stand securely.
2 Samuel 22:38
pursued my enemies
"chased my enemies"
2 Samuel 22:39
I devoured them and smashed them
"I completely destroyed them like a wild animal devouring its prey"
under my feet
Here "feet" refers to the power and control of victory over his enemies.
2 Samuel 22:40
You girded me with strength for battle
"You gave me strength for battle"
you put under me those who rise up against me
"you helped me defeat those who fought against me"
2 Samuel 22:41
the back of my enemies' necks
Possible meanings are 1) David seeing the backs of the enemy as they run away or 2) David putting his foot on the back of his enemy's neck after he defeats him.
I annihilated
"I completely destroyed"
2 Samuel 22:42
they cried out to Yahweh, but he did not answer them
The time for Yahweh's judgment had come upon them.
2 Samuel 22:43
like dust on the ground ... like mud in the streets
This means that David completely destroyed his enemies. These two phrases "like dust on the ground" and "like mud on the streets" have a similar meaning and are used for emphasis.
2 Samuel 22:44
from the disputes of my own people
This refers to those among the Israelites who rebelled against King David.
You have kept me as the head of nations
"You placed me as ruler over the nations." Here "nations" refers to other nations besides Israel.
A people that I have not known
"A foreign people"
2 Samuel 22:45
Foreigners were forced to bow to me
"Foreigners bowed down to me"
2 Samuel 22:47
May my rock be praised. May God be exalted
"May everyone praise my rock. May everyone exalt God"
my rock ... the rock
David compares Yahweh to a rock to emphasize his power to protect his people.
2 Samuel 22:48
the one who brings down peoples under me
"the one who puts the people of other nations under my rule"
2 Samuel 22:49
you lifted me up above those who rose up against me
"you saved me from my enemies and gave me honor"
from violent men
"from those who want to harm me"
2 Samuel 22:50
to your name
"name" refers to Yahweh's reputation.
2 Samuel 22:51
he shows his covenant loyalty to his anointed one
Here David may be referring to the promises Yahweh made in [2 Samuel 7:8
Chapter 23
1
Now these are the last words of David—
the declaration of David son of Jesse,
the declaration of the man who was highly honored,
the one anointed by the God of Jacob,
the sweet psalmist of Israel.
2
"The Spirit of Yahweh spoke by me,
and his word was on my tongue.
3
The God of Israel spoke,
the Rock of Israel said to me,
'The one who rules righteously over men,
who rules in the fear of God.
4
He will be like the morning light when the sun rises,
a morning without clouds,
when the tender grass springs up from the earth
through bright sunshine after rain.
5
Indeed, is my family not like this before God?
Has he not made an everlasting covenant with me,
ordered and sure in every way?
Does he not increase my salvation and fulfill my every desire?
6
But the worthless will all be like thorns to be thrown away,
because they cannot be gathered by one's hands.
7
The man who touches them
must use an iron tool or the shaft of a spear.
They must be burned up where they lie.'"
8
These are the names of David's mighty men: Josheb-Basshebeth the Tahkemonite, was the leader of the officers. He killed eight hundred men on one occasion.
9
After him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men. He was with David when they taunted the Philistines who had gathered together to do battle, and when the men of Israel had retreated.
10
Eleazar stood and fought the Philistines until his hand became weary and his hand stiffened to the grip of his sword. Yahweh brought about a great victory that day. The army returned after Eleazar, only to strip the bodies.
11
After him was Shammah son of Agee, a Hararite. The Philistines gathered together where there was a field of lentils, and the army fled from them.
12
But Shammah stood in the middle of the field and defended it. He killed the Philistines, and Yahweh brought about a great victory.
13
Three of the thirty soldiers went down to David at harvest time, to the cave of Adullam. The army of the Philistines was camped in the Valley of Rephaim.
14
At that time David was in his stronghold, a cave, while the Philistines had established at Bethlehem.
15
David was longing for water and said, "If only someone would give me water to drink from the well at Bethlehem, the well that is by the gate!"
16
So these three mighty men broke through the army of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, the well at the gate. They took the water and brought it to David, but he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out to Yahweh.
17
Then he said, "Yahweh, far be it from me, that I should do this. Should I drink the blood of men who have risked their lives?" So he refused to drink it.
These things were done by the three mighty.
18
Abishai, brother of Joab and son of Zeruiah, was captain over the three. He once fought with his spear against three hundred men and killed them. He was renowned along with the three soldiers.
19
Was he not even more famous than the three? He was made their captain. However, his fame did not equal the fame of the three most famous soldiers.
20
Benaiah from Kabzeel was the son of Jehoiada; he was a strong man who did mighty feats. He killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down into a pit and killed a lion while it was snowing.
21
Then he killed a very large Egyptian man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but Benaiah fought against him with only a staff. He seized the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and then killed him with his own spear.
22
Benaiah son of Jehoiada did these feats, and he was named alongside the three mighty men.
23
He was more highly regarded than the thirty soldiers in general, but he was not regarded quite as highly as the three mighty men. Yet David put him in charge of his bodyguard.
24
The thirty included the following men: Asahel brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem,
25
Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
26
Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
27
Abiezer the Anathothite, Sibbekai
the Hushathite,
28
Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite;
29
Heled
son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah of the Benjamites,
30
Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the valleys of Gaash.
31
Abi-Albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
32
Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan son of Shammah the Hararite,
33
Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite,
34
Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maakathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
35
Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
36
Igal son of Nathan from Zobah, Bani from the tribe of Gad,
37
Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor bearer to Joab son of Zeruiah,
38
Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
39
Uriah the Hittite—thirty-seven in all.
2 Samuel 23:1
these are the last words
This refers to what David will say in 2 Samuel 23:2-7.
the man who was highly honored, the one anointed by the God of Jacob
"the man whom the God of Jacob highly honored and anointed"
anointed by the God of Jacob
Anointing was done by pouring oil on a person's head. This was done to choose who would serve God as king or priest.
psalmist
This is a person who writes psalms or songs.
2 Samuel 23:2
by me
by David
and his word was on my tongue
"he gave me a message to speak"
2 Samuel 23:3
The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel ... me
David compares God to a rock to emphasize his power to protect his people.
The one who rules righteously over men, who rules in the fear of God
These two sentences both say that the king will respect God and do what God wants him to do.
2 Samuel 23:4
He will be like the morning light ... sunshine after rain
"He will be a delight to all"
2 Samuel 23:5
ordered and sure
This means God's covenant is properly organized and will not change so David's family can trust it.
2 Samuel 23:6
because they cannot be gathered by one's hands
"because no one can pick them up with his hands without the thorns hurting him"
2 Samuel 23:7
They must be burned up where they lie
"Where thorns are found, that is where they must be burned." This means God will destroy wicked people.
2 Samuel 23:8
Josheb-Basshebeth the Tahkemonite
"Josheb-Basshebeth, a descendant of Tahkemon"
2 Samuel 23:10
The army returned after Eleazar
"The Israeli army returned to the battle field after Eleazer had already won the battle"
only to strip the bodies
"only to take what they wanted from the dead bodies of the enemies"
2 Samuel 23:11
a field of lentils
"a field where someone had planted lentils"
lentils
a flat seed, eaten like beans
the army fled
"the Israelite army ran away"
2 Samuel 23:13
Three of the thirty
These are not the same three soldiers mentioned in 2 Samuel 23:8-12.
the thirty
"the 30" or "the thirty bravest Israelite soldiers." The full meaning of this statement can be made clear.
cave of Adullam
"cave near the town of Adullam." Adullam is near Bethlehem.
2 Samuel 23:14
in his stronghold
"in his protected place"
the Philistines had established at Bethlehem
"some Philistines soldiers were controlling the village of Bethlehem"
2 Samuel 23:16
broke through the army
"fought their way through the enemy army"
2 Samuel 23:17
Should I drink the blood of men who have risked their lives?
"Drinking this water would be like drinking the blood of those men who have risked their lives to bring it to me."
2 Samuel 23:18
Abishai ... Zeruiah
These are the names of men. Translate them as in 2 Samuel 2:18.
captain over the three
This means Abishai was the leader of the three who went and got water for David.
He was renowned along with the three soldiers
"He was almost as famous as the three bravest men"
2 Samuel 23:19
Was he not even more famous than the three?
"He was even more famous than the three."
three most famous soldiers
This refers to Josheb Basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shimeah. Abishai was not as famous as these soldiers.
2 Samuel 23:20
Kabzeel
This is the name of a city.
Jehoiada
This is the name of a man.
Ariel
This is the name of a man.
2 Samuel 23:22
he was named alongside the three mighty men
"people praise him like they praised Josheb Basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shimeah"
2 Samuel 23:23
He was more highly regarded than the thirty soldiers in general, but he was not regarded quite as highly as the three mighty men
"He was more famous than the other 30 soldiers except for the three best soldiers"
his bodyguard
a group of soldiers in charge of guarding David
2 Samuel 23:39
thirty-seven in all
"there were 37 total"
Chapter 24
1
Again the anger of Yahweh was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them saying, "Go, count Israel and Judah."
2
The king said to Joab the commander of the army, who was with him, "Go throughout all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and count all the people, so that I may know the total number of men fit for battle."
3
Joab said to the king, "May Yahweh your God multiply the number of people a hundred times, and may the eyes of my master the king see it take place. But why does my master the king want this?"
4
Nevertheless, the king's word was final against Joab and against the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders went out from the king's presence to count the people of Israel.
5
They crossed over the Jordan and encamped near Aroer, south of the city in the valley. Then they traveled on through Gad to Jazer.
6
They came to Gilead and to the land of Tahtim Hodshi, then on to Dan Jaan and around toward Sidon.
7
They reached the stronghold of Tyre and all the cities of the Hivites and the Canaanites. Then they went out to the Negev in Judah at Beersheba.
8
When they had gone throughout all the land, they came back to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.
9
Then Joab reported the total of the census of the fighting men to the king. There were in Israel 800,000 brave men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were 500,000 men.
10
Then David's heart afflicted him after he had counted the men. So he said to Yahweh, "I have greatly sinned by doing this. Now, Yahweh, take away your servant's guilt, for I have acted very foolishly."
11
When David rose up in the morning, the word of Yahweh came to the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,
12
"Go say to David: 'This is what Yahweh says: "I am giving you three choices. Choose one of them."'"
13
So Gad went to David and said to him, "Will three years of famine come to you in your land? Or will you flee three months from your enemies while they pursue you? Or will there be three days of plague in your land? Now decide what answer I should return to him who sent me."
14
Then David said to Gad, "I am in deep trouble. Let us fall into Yahweh's hands rather than into the hand of man, for his merciful actions are very great."
15
So Yahweh sent a plague on Israel from the morning to a fixed time, and seventy thousand people died from Dan to Beersheba.
16
When the angel reached out with his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, Yahweh changed his mind because of the harm it would cause, and he said to the angel who was destroying people, "Enough! Now draw back your hand." At that time the angel of Yahweh was standing at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
17
Then David spoke to Yahweh when he saw the angel who had attacked the people, and said, "I have sinned, and I have acted perversely. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand punish me and my father's family!"
18
Then Gad came that day to David and said to him, "Go up and build an altar for Yahweh at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite."
19
So David went up as Gad instructed him to do, as Yahweh had commanded.
20
Araunah looked out and saw the king and his servants approaching. So Araunah went out and bowed to the king with his face to the ground.
21
Then Araunah said, "Why has my master the king come to me, his servant?" David replied, "To buy your threshing floor, so I can build an altar for Yahweh, so that the plague may be removed from the people."
22
Araunah said to David, "Take it as your own, my master the king. Do with it what is good in your sight. Look, here are oxen for the burnt offering and threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood.
23
All this, my king, I, Araunah, will give to you." Then he said to the king, "May Yahweh your God accept you."
24
The king said to Araunah, "No, I insist on buying it at a price. I will not offer as a burnt offering to Yahweh anything that costs me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
25
David built an altar for Yahweh there and offered on it burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. So Yahweh answered the prayer on behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was confined.
2 Samuel 24:1
the anger of Yahweh was kindled against Israel
"the anger of Yahweh started to burn like a fire"
he moved David against them
"he caused David to oppose them"
Go, count Israel and Judah
In the law of Moses, God prohibited the kings of Israel from taking a census of fighting men. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit.
2 Samuel 24:2
Dan to Beersheba
This phrase uses two place names Dan, in the far north, and Beersheba, in the far south, to represent the entire country.
count all the people ... fit for battle
This means to count all the men except those men who are either too young, too old, or physically unable to fight.
2 Samuel 24:4
the king's word was final against Joab
Joab and the other commanders of King David's army were not able to convince David to not take a census.
the king's word
"what the king had commanded"
2 Samuel 24:5
They crossed
"Joab and the commanders of the army crossed"
Aroer
This was a city on the northern edge of the Arnon River.
Jazer
This is a town in Gad.
2 Samuel 24:6
Tahtim Hodshi
This may refer to the town of Kadesh in the land of the Hittite people.
2 Samuel 24:8
they had gone
"Joab and the commanders had gone"
2 Samuel 24:9
Then Joab reported the total of the census of the fighting men to the king
"Then Joab told the king the total number of men ready for battle"
in Israel
This refers to the northern tribes of Israel.
who drew the sword
This metonym refers to the men who were ready to fight in the army.
of Judah
This refers to the southern tribe of Judah.
2 Samuel 24:10
David's heart afflicted him
"David felt guilty"
Now, Yahweh, take away your servant's guilt
David refers to himself as "your servant." This is a polite way to speak to someone with greater authority.
2 Samuel 24:11
the word of Yahweh came to the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,
"Yahweh gave a message to the prophet Gad, David's seer. He said," or "Yahweh spoke this message to the prophet Gad, David's seer:"
David's seer
This means Gad was the official prophet in the royal palace.
2 Samuel 24:14
I am in deep trouble
"I am in terrible trouble"
Let us fall into Yahweh's hands rather than into the hand of man
"Let Yahweh and not people punish us"
2 Samuel 24:15
a fixed time
This is the time God decided he would stop the plague.
2 Samuel 24:16
Yahweh changed his mind because of the harm
"Yahweh felt grieved about the harm"
Now draw back your hand
"Do not harm them any longer"
Araunah
This is the name of a man.
the threshing floor
A threshing floor was a hard, flat surface where edible grain was separated from chaff.
2 Samuel 24:17
I have sinned, and I have acted perversely
"I have sinned terribly"
But these sheep, what have they done?
"These ordinary people have done nothing wrong."
Please let your hand punish me
"Please punish me"
2 Samuel 24:20
bowed to the king with his face to the ground
He was showing deep respect and honor to the king.
2 Samuel 24:21
so that the plague may be removed from the people
"so that Yahweh will remove this plague from the people"
2 Samuel 24:22
what is good in your sight
"what you think is good" or "what is good in your judgement"
threshing sledges
heavy boards used to separate grain from the rest of the wheat plant
2 Samuel 24:24
I will not offer ... anything that costs me nothing
"I will only offer ... something that I have paid for"
fifty shekels
"50 shekels." A shekel is 11 grams.
2 Samuel 24:25
on behalf of the land
"on behalf of the people of Israel"
the plague on Israel was confined
"God confined the plague that had been on Israel" or "God took the plague away from Israel"
1 Kings
Chapter 1
1
When King David was old and advanced in years, they covered him with blankets, but he could not keep warm.
2
So his servants said to him, "Let us look for a young virgin for our master the king. Let her serve the king and take care of him. Let her lie in his arms so that our master the king may keep warm."
3
So they searched for a beautiful girl within all the borders of Israel. They found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king.
4
The girl was very beautiful. She served the king and took care of him, but the king did not know her.
5
At that time, Adonijah son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, "I will be king." So he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen with fifty men to run ahead of him.
6
His father had never troubled him, saying, "Why have you done this or that?" Adonijah was also a very handsome man, born next after Absalom.
7
He conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest. They followed Adonijah and helped him.
8
But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David did not follow Adonijah.
9
Adonijah sacrificed sheep, cattle, and fattened calves by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the men of Judah, the king's servants.
10
But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or his brother Solomon.
11
Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, "Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and David our master does not know it?
12
Now therefore let me give you advice, so that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.
13
Go to King David; say to him, 'My master the king, did you not swear to your servant, saying, "Surely Solomon your son will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne?" Why then is Adonijah reigning?'
14
While you are there speaking with the king, I will come in after you and confirm your words."
15
So Bathsheba went into the king's room. The king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.
16
Bathsheba bowed down and showed respect before the king. Then the king said, "What do you desire?"
17
She said to him, "My master, you swore to your servant by Yahweh your God, saying, 'Surely Solomon your son will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne.'
18
Now, see, Adonijah is king, and you, my master the king, do not know it.
19
He has sacrificed many cattle, fatted calves, and sheep, and has invited all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the army, but he has not invited Solomon your servant.
20
As for you, my master the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, waiting for you to tell them who will sit on the throne after you, my master.
21
Otherwise it will happen, when my master the king lies down with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be regarded as criminals."
22
While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in.
23
The servants told the king, "Nathan the prophet is here." When he came in before the king, he bowed down before the king with his face to the ground.
24
Nathan said, "My master the king, have you said, 'Adonijah will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne?'
25
For he has gone down today and sacrificed a great number of cattle, fatted calves, and sheep. He has invited all the king's sons, the captains of the army, and Abiathar the priest. They are eating and drinking before him, and saying, 'Long live King Adonijah!'
26
But as for me, your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon, he has not invited us.
27
Has my master the king done this without telling us, your servants, who should sit on the throne after him?"
28
Then King David answered and said, "Call Bathsheba back to me." She came into the king's presence and stood before the king.
29
The king made an oath and said, "As Yahweh lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all trouble,
30
as I vowed to you by Yahweh, the God of Israel, saying, 'Solomon your son will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place,' I will do this today."
31
Then Bathsheba bowed down and put her face to the ground and she showed honor to the king and said, "May my master King David live forever!"
32
King David said, "Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada." So they came before the king.
33
The king said to them, "Take with you the servants of your master, and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule and take him down to Gihon.
34
Let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel and blow the ram's horn and say, 'Long live King Solomon!'
35
Then you will come up after him, and he will come and sit on my throne; for he will be king in my place. I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah."
36
Benaiah son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, "Let it be so! May Yahweh, the God of my master the king, confirm it.
37
As Yahweh has been with my master the king, so may he be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my master King David."
38
So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the Kerethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride upon King David's mule; they brought him to Gihon.
39
Zadok the priest took the horn of oil out of the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the ram's horn, and all the people said, "Long live King Solomon!"
40
Then all the people went up after him, and the people played the flutes and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth shook with their sound.
41
Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished eating. When Joab heard the sound of the ram's horn, he said, "Why is there an uproar in the city?"
42
While he was still speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest came. Adonijah said, "Come in, for you are a worthy man and bring good news."
43
Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, "Our master King David has made Solomon the king,
44
and the king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the Kerethites and the Pelethites. They have had Solomon ride on the king's mule.
45
Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon, and have come up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. This is the noise that you have heard.
46
Also, Solomon is sitting on the throne of the kingdom.
47
Moreover, the king's servants came to bless our master King David, saying, 'May your God make the name of Solomon better than your name, and make his throne greater than your throne.' Then the king bowed down on the bed.
48
The king also said, 'Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, who has given a person to sit on my throne this day, and that my own eyes should see it.'"
49
Then all the guests of Adonijah were terrified. They stood up and each man went his way.
50
Adonijah was afraid of Solomon and rose up, went, and took hold of the horns of the altar.
51
Then it was told Solomon, saying, "See, Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon, for he has laid hold on the horns of the altar, saying, 'Let King Solomon swear to me first that he will not kill his servant with the sword.'"
52
Solomon said, "If he will show himself a worthy man, not a hair of his will fall to the earth, but if wickedness is found in him, he will die."
53
So King Solomon sent men, who brought Adonijah down from the altar. He came and bowed down to King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, "Go to your house."
1 Kings 1:1
General Information
1 Kings is a continuation of 2 Samuel. This chapter records the beginning of the reign of Solomon (chapters 1-11) after the death of David. David did not announce who was to succeed him. Because of this, there was fighting between David's sons over who should be king. Adonijah invited guests to a banquet and declared himself king. Then those favoring Solomon told David and he declared Solomon the new king.
old and advanced in years
"very old."
1 Kings 1:3
So they searched
"So the king's servants searched"
Abishag
This is a woman's name.
Shunammite
a person from the city of Shunem
the king
"King David"
1 Kings 1:4
the king did not know her
"the king did not have sexual relations with her"
1 Kings 1:5
Adonijah son of Haggith
Haggith was a wife of David.
exalted himself
"began to boast"
horsemen with fifty men to run ahead of him
These are men who drive chariots pulled by horses, going ahead to clear the way and protect the king.
1 Kings 1:6
had never troubled him, saying
"had never troubled him. He had never even asked him" or "had never wanted to make him angry, so he never even asked him"
Why have you done this or that?
"You should know that what you have done is wrong."
born next after Absalom
David was the father or both Absalom and Adonijah, but they had different mothers. Absalom was born, then Adonijah.
1 Kings 1:7
He conferred with Joab
"Adonijah discussed his plans with Joab"
Joab ... Zeruiah ... Abiathar ... Adonijah
These are names of men.
followed Adonijah and helped him
"supported and helped Adonijah" or "promised to support and help Adonijah"
1 Kings 1:8
Zadok ... Benaiah ... Jehoiada ... Nathan ... Shimei ... Rei
These are names of men.
1 Kings 1:9
fattened calves
"calves that were given plenty of food so that they would be fat" or "young cows that were specially prepared for sacrifice"
stone of Zoheleth
This is a rocky area near Jerusalem.
En Rogel
This was the name of a spring where people got water.
all his brothers ... all the men
This is a generalization.
all his brothers, the king's sons
These phrases refer to the same people.
men of Judah, the king's servants
These phrases refer to the same people.
1 Kings 1:11
Have you not heard ... it?
"You do not seem to have heard ... it." or "Have you heard ... it?"
that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king
"that Haggith's son Adonijah is trying to become king"
Haggith
Adonijah's mother and a wife of David.
1 Kings 1:13
did you not swear to your servant ... throne?
"you swore to your servant ... throne."
to your servant
"to me, your servant"
he will sit on my throne
"he will be king just as I was"
Why then is Adonijah reigning?
"So then, Adonijah should not be reigning."
1 Kings 1:14
confirm your words
"tell him that what you have said is true."
1 Kings 1:15
the king's room
"the room in which the king slept"
Abishag the Shunammite
See how you translated this in 1 Kings 1:3.
1 Kings 1:16
bowed down and showed respect before the king
"bowed close to the ground in front of the king."
What do you desire?
"What can I do for you?"
1 Kings 1:17
you swore to
"you yourself swore to"
your servant
"me, your servant". See 1 Kings 1:13.
Yahweh
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
he will sit on my throne
See how you translated this in 1 Kings 1:13.
1 Kings 1:18
see
"look" or "listen" or "pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
1 Kings 1:20
the eyes of all Israel are on you, waiting
"all the people of Israel are waiting expectantly"
1 Kings 1:21
when my master the king lies down with his fathers
"when you sleep with your fathers"
lies down with his fathers
"dies."
I and my son Solomon will be regarded as criminals
"the new king will regard my son Solomon and me as criminals"
1 Kings 1:24
have you said, 'Adonijah will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne?'
"have you said that Adonijah will reign after you, and he will sit on your throne?"
1 Kings 1:25
eating and drinking before him
"eating and drinking with him" or "eating and drinking where he can see them". The main idea is that the people Nathan named were with Adonijah and they were celebrating together.
1 Kings 1:27
Has my master the king done this without telling us, your servants, who should sit on the throne after him?
"Have you, my master the king, done this without telling us, your servants, who should sit on the throne after you?". Nathan refers to David in the third person. This is a way of showing respect to the king. It can be stated in second person.
1 Kings 1:28
came into the king's presence
"came before the king" or "came back to the king"
1 Kings 1:29
made an oath
"made a solemn promise,"
1 Kings 1:31
May my master King David live forever
Bathsheba knew David would not live forever; this is a way of saying that he is a good king.
1 Kings 1:32
General Information:
David anoints Solomon king.
1 Kings 1:33
the servants of your master
"my servants". David speaks of himself as if he were speaking of someone else; so Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah would remember that David is still king.
Gihon
This is the name of a water spring.
1 Kings 1:35
General Information:
King David continues to speak on behalf of Solomon as the one who will become king.
1 Kings 1:36
Let it be so!
They agree and will do what King David said.
May Yahweh, the God of my master the king, confirm
"My master and king, may Yahweh your God confirm"
1 Kings 1:37
has been with my master the king, so
"has been with you, my master the king, so"
make his throne greater than the throne of my master King David
"make the one who sits on the throne greater than my master King David" or "make his kingdom greater than the kingdom of my master King David"
1 Kings 1:38
General Information:
The people of Israel anoint Solomon as king over Israel.
Kerethites ... Pelethites
These are names of people groups.
1 Kings 1:39
took the horn of oil out of the tent
This means the priest took the special animal horn filled with olive oil that was kept in Yahweh's special tent.
took the horn of oil
"took a container of oil"
all the people
This is a generalization.
1 Kings 1:44
Kerethites ... Pelethites
These are names of people groups.
1 Kings 1:46
is sitting on the throne of the kingdom
"is now king" or that Solomon was sitting on the physical throne. See 1 Kings 1:35.
1 Kings 1:49
They stood up
"They began to act quickly"
1 Kings 1:50
Adonijah ... took hold of the horns of the altar
Because Adonijah literally went into the area of the tent to take hold of the physical horns, you should translate this literally.
Adonijah ... rose up, went
"Adonijah ... quickly went"
1 Kings 1:51
is afraid of King Solomon
"is afraid of you, King Solomon"
he will not kill his servant
"he will not kill me"
1 Kings 1:52
not a hair of his will fall to the earth
"not a hair of his head will fall" or "I will keep him safe"
wickedness is found in him
"he does what is evil,"
Chapter 2
1
As the day of David's death approached, he commanded Solomon his son, saying,
2
"I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man.
3
Keep the commands of Yahweh your God to walk in his ways, to obey his statutes, his commandments, his decisions, and his covenant decrees, being careful to do what is written in the law of Moses, so you may prosper in all you do, wherever you go,
4
so that Yahweh may fulfill his word which he spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your descendants carefully watch their conduct, to walk before me faithfully with all their heart and with all their soul, you will never cease to have a man on the throne of Israel.'
5
You know also what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two commanders of the armies of Israel, to Abner son of Ner, and to Amasa son of Jether, whom he killed. He shed the blood of war in peace and put the blood of war on the belt around his waist and on the sandals on his feet.
6
Deal with Joab by the wisdom you have learned, but do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.
7
However, show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother.
8
Look, there is with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite of Bahurim, who cursed me with a violent curse on the day I went to Mahanaim. Shimei came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I swore to him by Yahweh, saying, 'I will not put you to death with the sword.'
9
Now therefore do not let him go free from punishment. You are a wise man, and you will know what you ought to do to him. You will bring his gray head down to Sheol with blood."
10
Then David lay down with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David.
11
The days that David reigned over Israel were forty years. He had reigned for seven years in Hebron and for thirty-three years in Jerusalem.
12
Then Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his rule was firmly established.
13
Then Adonijah son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. She said, "Do you come peacefully?" He replied, "Peacefully."
14
Then he said, "I have something to say to you." So she replied, "Speak."
15
Adonijah said, "You know that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel expected me to be king. But things changed, and the kingdom was given to my brother, for it was his from Yahweh.
16
Now I have one request of you, and do not turn away from my face." Bathsheba said to him, "Speak."
17
He said, "Please speak to Solomon the king, for he will not turn away from your face, so that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife."
18
Bathsheba said, "Very well, I will speak to the king."
19
Bathsheba therefore went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king rose to meet her and bowed down to her. Then he sat down on his throne and had a throne brought for the king's mother. She sat at his right hand.
20
Then she said, "I wish to ask one small request of you, for you will not turn away from my face." The king answered her, "Ask, my mother, for I will not turn away from your face."
21
She said, "Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as his wife."
22
King Solomon answered and said to his mother, "Why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Why do you not ask the kingdom for him also, for he is my elder brother—for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son of Zeruiah?"
23
Then King Solomon swore by Yahweh, saying, "May God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah has not spoken this word against his own life.
24
Now therefore as Yahweh lives, who has established me and set me on the throne of David my father, and who has made me a house as he promised, surely Adonijah will be put to death today."
25
So King Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and Benaiah found Adonijah and put him to death.
26
Then to Abiathar the priest the king said, "Go to Anathoth, to your own fields. You are worthy of death, but I will not at this time put you to death, because you carried the ark of the Lord Yahweh before David my father and suffered in every way my father suffered."
27
So Solomon dismissed Abiathar from being priest to Yahweh, that he might fulfill the word of Yahweh, which he had spoken concerning the house of Eli at Shiloh.
28
The news came to Joab, for Joab had supported Adonijah, though he had not supported Absalom. So Joab fled to the tent of Yahweh and took hold of the horns of the altar.
29
It was told King Solomon that Joab had fled to the tent of Yahweh and was now beside the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, "Go, execute him."
30
So Benaiah came to the tent of Yahweh and said to him, "The king says, 'Come out.'" Joab replied, "No, I will die here." So Benaiah returned to the king, saying, "Joab said he wanted to die at the altar."
31
The king said to him, "Do as he has said. Kill him and bury him so that you may take away from me and from my father's house the blood that Joab shed without cause.
32
May Yahweh return his blood on his own head, because without the knowledge of my father David he attacked two men more righteous and better than himself and killed them with the sword, Abner son of Ner, the captain of the army of Israel, and Amasa son of Jether, the captain of the army of Judah.
33
So may their blood return on the head of Joab and on the head of his descendants forever. But to David and his descendants, and to his house, and to his throne, may there be peace forever from Yahweh."
34
Then Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up and attacked Joab and killed him. He was buried in his own house in the wilderness.
35
The king put Benaiah son of Jehoiada over the army in his place, and he put Zadok the priest in Abiathar's place.
36
Then the king sent and called for Shimei, and said to him, "Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and live there, and do not go out from there to any other place.
37
For on the day you go out, and pass over the Kidron Valley, know you for certain that you will surely die. Your blood will be on your own head."
38
So Shimei said to the king, "What you say is good. As my master the king has said, so your servant will do." So Shimei lived in Jerusalem for many days.
39
But at the end of three years, two of the servants of Shimei ran away to Achish son of Maakah, the king of Gath. So they told Shimei, saying, "See, your servants are in Gath."
40
Then Shimei arose, saddled his donkey and went to Achish in Gath to seek his servants. He went and brought his servants back from Gath.
41
When Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had returned,
42
the king sent and called for Shimei and said to him, "Did I not make you swear by Yahweh and testify to you, saying, 'Know for certain that on the day you go out and go to any other place, you will surely die'? Then you said to me, 'What I have heard is good.'
43
Why then have you not kept your oath to Yahweh and the command that I gave you?"
44
The king also said to Shimei, "You know in your heart all the wickedness that you did to my father David. Therefore Yahweh will return your wickedness on your own head.
45
But King Solomon will be blessed and the throne of David will be established before Yahweh forever."
46
Then the king gave a command to Benaiah son of Jehoiada. He went out and put Shimei to death.
So the kingdom was well established in Solomon's hand.
1 Kings 2:1
General Information:
This chapter has two stories: David's last advice to Solomon and Solomon's punishment of those who supported Adonijah and also Shimei, who had cursed David when David was fleeing from Absalom. Also, exalting oneself can lead to disaster as when Adonijah made himself king.
1 Kings 2:2
I am going the way of all the earth
"I am going to die."
show yourself a man
"show yourself to be a man" or "show everyone that you are a man" or "live so that everyone can see you are a good man"
1 Kings 2:3
walk in his ways
"live the way he commands"
so you may prosper
"so you may succeed" or "so you may do well"
1 Kings 2:4
may fulfill his word
"do everything he promised he would do"
If your descendants ... you will never cease
Yahweh is talking to David, so the words "you" and "your" refer to David.
to walk before me faithfully
Yahweh is talking to David, so the word "me" refers to Yahweh.
with all their heart and with all their soul
"with all their being" or "with all their energy"
you will never cease to have a man on the throne of Israel
"your descendants will never cease to be kings of Israel" or "one of your descendants will always be the king of Israel"
1 Kings 2:5
what Joab ... did to me, and what he did
"what Joab ... did to me—that is, what he did"
shed the blood of war in peace
"killed those men during a time of peace as if he were killing them in war" or "took revenge on those men during a time of peace because they had killed people in war"
put the blood of war on the belt around his waist and on the sandals on his feet
Joab was close enough to these men when he killed them that their blood spattered on his belt and on his sandals or the word "blood" refers to guilt of murder, and the belt and the shoes refer to Joab's authority as commander, so David is saying that because Joab is guilty of murder, he should not be commander of the army. It is best to translate this literally.
1 Kings 2:6
do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace
"make sure Joab dies a violent death before he grows old"
Sheol
the grave or the world of the dead
1 Kings 2:7
Barzillai
a man's name
let them be among those who eat at your table
"welcome them to eat at your home"
1 Kings 2:8
Shimei ... Gera
men's names
Benjamite
descendant of Benjamin
Bahurim ... Mahanaim
place names
1 Kings 2:9
do not let him go free from punishment
"be sure to punish him"
1 Kings 2:10
lay down with his ancestors
"died". David dies and Solomon takes his place as the new king of Israel.
David ... and was buried
"David ... and they buried him"
1 Kings 2:11
The days that David reigned over Israel were
"The time that David reigned over Israel was," or "David reigned over Israel for"
1 Kings 2:12
sat on the throne of his father David
"became king, as his father David had been"
his rule was firmly established
"Yahweh firmly established Solomon's rule" or "Yahweh caused Solomon to take complete control of the kingdom"
1 Kings 2:15
all Israel
This is a generalization.
things changed
"what we expected to happen did not happen"
the kingdom was given to my brother
"Yahweh gave the kingdom to my brother" or "my brother became king"
1 Kings 2:16
do not turn away from my face
"do not refuse to do what I request"
1 Kings 2:17
Abishag the Shunammite
See 1 Kings 1:3.
1 Kings 2:19
The king rose
"The king stood up" from where he was sitting on his throne.
had a throne brought
"told someone to bring a throne"
the king's mother
Bathsheba
1 Kings 2:20
you will not turn away from my face ... I will not turn away from your face
"you will not refuse to do what I request ... I will not refuse to do what you request"
1 Kings 2:21
Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah ... as his wife
"Allow Adonijah ... to marry Abishag the Shunammite" or "Give Abishag the Shunammite to Adonijah ... as his wife"
1 Kings 2:22
Why do you ask ... Adonijah? Why do you not ask the kingdom for him also ... Zeruiah?
"You are wrong to ask ... Adonijah! This is the same as asking the kingdom for him also ... Zeruiah!"
1 Kings 2:23
May God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah has not spoken this word against his own life
"God will have every right to execute me—and to do even worse things to me—if I do not execute Adonijah because he has made this request"
1 Kings 2:24
set me on the throne
"throne" refers to Solomon's authority to rule that was given by Yahweh.
who has made me a house
Here "house" refers to descendants that Yahweh gave to King Solomon, who would continue to reign after him.
1 Kings 2:26
suffered in every way my father suffered
Abiathar had suffered alongside King David before David became king.
1 Kings 2:27
that he might fulfill
The word "he" refers to King Solomon.
the word of Yahweh
"the things that Yahweh had said"
1 Kings 2:28
The news came to Joab
"Joab heard what Solomon did after he had become king"
the horns of the altar
The horns of the altar symbolized Yahweh's power and protection.
1 Kings 2:29
It was told King Solomon that Joab had fled
"Someone told King Solomon that Joab had fled"
1 Kings 2:31
bury him so that you may take away from me and from my father's house the blood that Joab shed without cause
"bury him and so remove from me and my family the guilt for the murders Joab committed without cause" or "bury him. Do that so Yahweh will not hold me and my father's house guilty because Joab murdered people for no reason"
1 Kings 2:32
May Yahweh return his blood on his own head
"Joab has murdered people, and I want Yahweh to hold him guilty for what he has done"
more righteous and better
These words emphasize that Abner and Amasa were much better men than Joab.
1 Kings 2:33
may their blood return on the head of Joab and on the head of his descendants
"I want Yahweh to hold Joab and his descendants guilty"
to his house, and to his throne
"to David's descendants and to David's kingdom"
1 Kings 2:34
He was buried in his own house
"They buried Joab in his own house"
in his own house
"where his family lived". The house refers to the land. The Israelites buried people out of doors in graves or tombs.
1 Kings 2:37
Your blood will be on your own head
"You will be responsible for your own death"
1 Kings 2:39
Achish ... Maakah ... Gath
men's names
Gath
a Philistine city
1 Kings 2:40
Shimei arose
"Shimei quickly"
1 Kings 2:41
Solomon was told
"someone told Solomon"
1 Kings 2:42
Did I not make you swear ... saying, 'Know ... die'?
"You know very well that I made you swear ... saying, 'Know ... die'!"
1 Kings 2:43
Why then have you not kept your oath ... you?
"You have done wrong by breaking your oath ... you."
1 Kings 2:44
will return your wickedness on your own head
"will hold you responsible for all your wickedness"
1 Kings 2:45
the throne of David will be established before Yahweh forever
"throne of David" represents the authority and rule of David and all his descendants forever.
1 Kings 2:46
in Solomon's hand
Solomon's power and authority.
Chapter 3
1
Solomon allied himself by marriage with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had finished building his own house, the house of Yahweh, and the wall around Jerusalem.
2
The people were sacrificing at the high places, because no house had yet been built for the name of Yahweh.
3
Solomon showed his love for Yahweh by walking in the statutes of David his father, except that he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places.
4
The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place there. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
5
Yahweh appeared at Gibeon to Solomon in a dream by night; he said, "Ask! What should I give you?"
6
So Solomon said, "You have shown great covenant faithfulness to your servant, David my father, because he walked before you in trustworthiness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart. You have kept for him this great covenant faithfulness and have given him a son to sit on his throne today.
7
Now Yahweh my God, you have made your servant king in the place of David my father, though I am only a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.
8
Your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted.
9
So give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, so that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?"
10
This request of Solomon pleased the Lord.
11
So God said to him, "Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice,
12
see, now I will do all you asked of me when you gave me your request. I give you a wise and an understanding heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, and no one like you will rise up after you.
13
I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days.
14
If you will walk in my ways to keep my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days."
15
Then Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. He came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. He offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
16
Then two women who were prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.
17
One woman said, "Oh, my master, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth to a child with her in the house.
18
It happened on the third day after I gave birth that this woman also gave birth. We were together. There was no one else with us in the house, but only the two of us in the house.
19
Then this woman's son died in the night, because she lay on him.
20
So she arose in the middle of the night and took my son from beside me, while your servant slept, and laid him in her bosom, and laid her dead son at my breast.
21
When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, he was dead. But when I had looked at him carefully in the morning, he was not my son, whom I had borne."
22
Then the other woman said, "No, the living one is my son, and the dead one is your son." The first woman said, "No, the dead one is your son, and the living one is my son." This is how they spoke before the king.
23
Then the king said, "One of you says, 'This is my son who is alive, and your son is dead,' and the other says, 'No, your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.'"
24
The king said, "Bring me a sword." So they brought a sword before the king.
25
Then the king said, "Divide the living child in two, and give half to this woman and half to the other."
26
Then the woman whose son was alive spoke to the king, for her heart was full of compassion for her son, and she said, "Oh, my master, give her the living child, and by no means kill him." But the other woman said, "He will be neither mine nor yours. Divide him."
27
Then the king answered and said, "Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him. She is his mother."
28
When all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered, they feared the king, because they saw that the wisdom of God was in him for giving judgments.
1 Kings 3:1
General Information:
Solomon marries an Egyptian. This chapter has two stories. Verses 1-15 is the story of Solomon's dream when God asked him what he wanted and he said he needed wisdom to be a good and fair ruler. Verses 16-28 are the story of a court case showing Solomon's wisdom.
Solomon allied himself by marriage with Pharaoh king of Egypt
Solomon became the son-in-law of Pharaoh king of Egypt so the two kings would work together.
until he had finished building
She was still in the city of David after he had finished building.
the house of Yahweh
"the temple"
1 Kings 3:2
no house had yet been built
"no one had yet built a house"
for the name of Yahweh
"in which people would worship Yahweh"
1 Kings 3:3
walking in the statutes of David his father
"obeying the laws that David his father had made"
1 Kings 3:4
the great high place
"the most famous place for makings sacrifices" or "the most important altar"
1 Kings 3:5
Ask! What should I give you?
"Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you." or "What do you want? Ask and I will give it to you."
1 Kings 3:6
You have shown great covenant faithfulness to your servant
"You have been very faithful to your covenant with your servant" or "You have greatly and faithfully loved your servant"
because he walked before you in trustworthiness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart
"because he was trustworthy and righteous, and his heart was upright"
in uprightness of heart
"he was sincere" or "he spoke the truth and did what was good"
to sit on his throne
"to rule in his place"
today
Solomon is speaking of the years he had already been ruling, not of the time since the sun had last set.
1 Kings 3:7
your servant
"me"
I am only a little child
Solomon is saying that he is like a child who does not know as much as a father.
I do not know how to go out or come in
"I do not know how to be the king" or "I do not know the right way to do things as king"
1 Kings 3:9
For who is able to judge this great people of yours?
"No one is able to judge this great people of yours.". God was very pleased with Solomon's request for wisdom; which was something that he could use to serve other people instead of himself. God promised Solomon wisdom, wealth, and fame.
1 Kings 3:11
the life of your enemies
"the power to kill your enemies"
1 Kings 3:12
now I will do all you asked of me when you gave me your request
"I will do what you asked me to do when you spoke with me"
I give you a wise and an understanding heart
"I make you able to be wise and to understand many things"
1 Kings 3:14
walk in my ways to keep
"live as I want you to live and obey"
lengthen your days
"make you live a long time"
1 Kings 3:15
behold
The word "behold" shows that Solomon saw something interesting.
1 Kings 3:17
General Information:
There are two additional examples of people putting the needs of others in front of their own needs. God is pleased with people wanting to do their job well more than wanting to be blessed. A mother will put the life of her child above every other concern.
1 Kings 3:19
lay on him
"accidentally rolled on top of her baby and smothered him"
1 Kings 3:20
your servant
"I". The woman speaks as if she were speaking of someone else to show respect for Solomon.
1 Kings 3:21
nurse my child
This means to feed her baby milk from her breast.
1 Kings 3:22
before the king
"before Solomon." or "while Solomon could see and hear them."
1 Kings 3:26
her heart was full of compassion for her son
"she greatly loved her baby"
1 Kings 3:28
all Israel
This is a generalization.
Chapter 4
1
King Solomon was king over all Israel.
2
These were his officials: Azariah son of Zadok was the priest.
3
Elihoreph and Ahijah sons of Shisha, were secretaries. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder.
4
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the army. Zadok and Abiathar were priests.
5
Azariah son of Nathan was over the officers. Zabud son of Nathan was a priest and the king's friend.
6
Ahishar was over the household. Adoniram son of Abda was over the men who were subjected to forced labor.
7
Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household. Each man had to make provision for one month in the year.
8
These were their names: Ben-Hur, in the hill country of Ephraim;
9
Ben-Deker in Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth Shemesh, and Elon Bethhanan;
10
Ben-Hesed, in Arubboth (to him belonged Sokoh and all the land of Hepher);
11
Ben-Abinadab, in all Naphoth Dor (he had Taphath the daughter of Solomon as his wife);
12
Baana son of Ahilud, in Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth Shan that is beside Zarethan below Jezreel, from Beth Shan to Abel Meholah as far as the other side of Jokmeam;
13
Ben-Geber, in Ramoth Gilead (to him belonged the towns of Jair son of Manasseh, that are in Gilead, and the region of Argob belonged to him, which is in Bashan, sixty great cities with walls and bronze gate bars);
14
Ahinadab son of Iddo, in Mahanaim;
15
Ahimaaz, in Naphtali (he also married Basemath the daughter of Solomon as his wife);
16
Baana son of Hushai, in Asher and Bealoth;
17
Jehoshaphat son of Paruah, in Issachar;
18
Shimei son of Ela, in Benjamin;
19
and Geber son of Uri, in the land of Gilead, the country of Sihon king of the Amorites and of Og king of Bashan, and he was the only deputy who was in the land.
20
Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea. They were eating and drinking and were rejoicing.
21
Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.
22
Solomon's provision for one day was thirty cors of fine flour and sixty cors of meal,
23
ten head of cattle fattened in the stall, twenty head of cattle taken from the pastures, and one hundred sheep, as well as deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened fowl.
24
For he had dominion over all the region on this side of the River, from Tiphsah as far as to Gaza, over all the kings on this side of the River, and he had peace on all sides around him.
25
Judah and Israel lived in safety, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
26
Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
27
Those officers provided food for King Solomon and for all who came to King Solomon's table, every man in his month. They let nothing be lacking.
28
They also brought to the proper place barley and straw for the chariot horses and riding horses, each one bringing in what he was able.
29
God gave Solomon great wisdom and understanding, and wideness of understanding like the sand on the seashore.
30
Solomon's wisdom exceeded the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.
31
He was wiser than all men—than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Kalkol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol—and his fame reached all the surrounding nations.
32
He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs were 1,005 in number.
33
He described the plants, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall. He explained also about animals, birds, creeping things, and fish.
34
People came from all the nations to hear the wisdom of Solomon. They came from all kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.
1 Kings 4:1
General Information:
This chapter names the important people in Solomon's government and shows the extent of his kingdom. This verse starts a list of Solomon's officials, ending in 1 Kings 4:6.
1 Kings 4:2
Azariah ... Zadok
These are names of men.
1 Kings 4:3
Elihoreph ... Ahijah ... Shisha ... Jehoshaphat ... Ahilud
These are names of men.
1 Kings 4:4
Benaiah ... Jehoiada ... Zadok ... Abiathar
These are names of men.
1 Kings 4:5
Azariah ... Nathan ... Zabud
These are names of men.
1 Kings 4:6
Ahishar ... Adoniram ... Abda
These are names of men.
the men who were subjected to forced labor
"the men whom Solomon forced to work for him"
1 Kings 4:7
General Information:
This begins a list of Solomon's 12 officers and the list ends in 1 Kings 4:19.
1 Kings 4:8
Ben-Hur
"the son of Hur." Note that "Ben" before a name means "son of".
in the hill country
"who was the officer in charge of the hill country
Ephraim
This is the name of a place.
1 Kings 4:9
Ben-Deker
"the son of Deker."
in Makaz
"who was the officer in charge of Makaz"
Makaz ... Shaalbim ... Beth Shemesh ... Elon Bethhanan
These are names of places.
1 Kings 4:10
Ben-Hesed
"the son of Hesed."
in Arubboth
"who was the officer in charge of Arubboth"
Arubboth ... Sokoh ... Hepher
These are names of places.
1 Kings 4:11
Ben-Abinadab
"the son of Abinadab."
in all Naphoth Dor
"who was the officer in charge of all Naphoth Dor"
Naphoth Dor
This is the name of a place.
Taphath
This is the name of a woman.
1 Kings 4:12
Baana ... Ahilud
These are names of men.
in Taanach
"who was the officer in charge of Taanach"
Taanach ... Megiddo ... Beth Shan ... Zarethan ... Jezreel ... Beth Shan to Abel Meholah ... Jokmeam
These are names of places.
1 Kings 4:13
Ben-Geber ... Jair ... Manasseh
These are names of men.
in Ramoth Gilead
"who was the officer in charge of Ramoth Gilead"
Ramoth Gilead ... Argob ... Bashan
These are names of places.
1 Kings 4:14
Ahinadab ... Iddo
These are men's names.
in Mahanaim
"who was the officer in charge of Mahanaim"
Mahanaim
This is the name of place.
1 Kings 4:15
Ahimaaz
This is the name of a man.
in Naphtali
"who was the officer in charge of Naphtali". This is a tribal land named after a son of Israel.
Basemath
This is the name of a woman.
1 Kings 4:16
Baana ... Hushai
These are names of men.
in Asher
"who was the officer in charge of Asher". This is a tribal land named after a son of Israel.
Bealoth
This is the name of a piece of land.
1 Kings 4:17
Jehoshaphat ... Paruah
These are names of men.
in Issachar
"who was the officer in charge of Issachar". This is a tribal land named after a son of Israel.
1 Kings 4:18
Shimei ... Ela
These are the names of men.
in Benjamin
"who was the officer in charge of Benjamin". This is a tribal land named for a son of Israel.
1 Kings 4:19
Geber ... Uri ... Sihon ... Og
These are men's names
in the land of Gilead
"who was the officer in charge of the land of Gilead"
Gilead ... Bashan
These are names of places.
the country of Sihon
"the land that in earlier years belonged to Sihon"
Amorites
This is the name of a people group.
in the land
"the land" refers to the land of Judah; the previous officials presided over different parts of Israel.
1 Kings 4:20
Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea
"There were as many people in Judah and Israel as there are grains of sand by the sea" or "there were more people in Judah and Israel than a person could count".
1 Kings 4:21
the River
"the Euphrates River,"
1 Kings 4:22
thirty cors
A cor is a unit of dry measure.
1 Kings 4:23
deer, gazelles, roebucks
four-legged animals that run fast
fattened fowl
"birds that people fed so they would become fat"
1 Kings 4:24
Tiphsah
Name of a piece of land.
1 Kings 4:25
Judah and Israel
These words refer to the people of Judah and Israel.
every man under his vine and under his fig tree
"each family had their own garden with grapevines and fig trees,". This showed that the people lived in safety and peace.
from Dan to Beersheba
The whole land of Israel from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south.
1 Kings 4:27
who came to King Solomon's table
"who ate with King Solomon" or "whom King Solomon invited to eat with him"
every man in his month
Solomon had assigned 12 officers in 1 Kings 4:7 to bring him food in different months.
They let nothing be lacking
"They provided everything that Solomon needed"
1 Kings 4:29
God gave Solomon great wisdom and understanding
"God enabled Solomon to be wise and to understand many things"
wideness of understanding like the sand on the seashore
"Solomon was able to understand many things about a wide range of subjects"
1 Kings 4:30
Solomon's wisdom exceeded the wisdom of all the people
"Solomon was wiser than all the wise people"
the people of the east
People from countries east of Israel such as Arabia and Mesopotamia.
1 Kings 4:31
Ethan ... Heman ... Kalkol ... Darda ... Mahol
Men's names.
1 Kings 4:33
cedar ... hyssop
"cedar tree ... hyssop bush" or "the greatest of trees ... least important of bushes"
Chapter 5
1
Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon for he had heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father; for Hiram had always loved David.
2
Solomon sent word to Hiram, saying,
3
"You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of Yahweh his God because of the wars that surrounded him, for during his lifetime Yahweh was putting his enemies under the soles of his feet.
4
But now, Yahweh my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor disaster.
5
So I intend to build a temple for the name of Yahweh my God, as Yahweh spoke to David my father, saying, 'Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, will build the temple for my name.'
6
Now therefore command that they cut cedars from Lebanon for me. My servants will join your servants, and I will pay you for your servants so that you are paid fairly for everything you agreed to do. For you know there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians."
7
When Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, "May Yahweh be blessed today, who has given to David a wise son over this great people."
8
Hiram sent word to Solomon, saying, "I have heard the message that you have sent to me. I will provide all the wood of cedar and cypress that you desire.
9
My servants will bring the trees down from Lebanon to the sea, and I will make them into rafts to go by sea to the place that you direct me. I will have them broken up there, and you will take them away. You will do what I desire by giving food for my household."
10
So Hiram gave Solomon all the timber of cedar and fir that he desired.
11
Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand cors of wheat for food to his household and twenty thousand baths of pure oil. Solomon gave this to Hiram year by year.
12
Yahweh gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a covenant.
13
King Solomon conscripted labor out of all Israel. The forced laborers numbered thirty thousand men.
14
He sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month in shifts. One month they were in Lebanon and two months at home. Adoniram was over the men who were subjected to forced labor.
15
Solomon had seventy thousand who carried burdens and eighty thousand who were stonecutters in the mountains,
16
besides Solomon's 3,300 chief officers who were over the work and who supervised the workers.
17
At the king's command they quarried large precious stones with which to lay the foundation of the temple.
18
So Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders and the men from Byblos
did the cutting and prepared the timber and the stones to build the temple.
1 Kings 5:1
General Information:
Solomon talks with King Hiram about building the Temple. It took a lot of work and cooperation. King Hiram of Tyre provided lumber in exchange for wheat and olive oil. Solomon had many people cutting rocks for the walls of the temple.
Hiram had always loved David
"Hiram had always been a close friend of King David"
1 Kings 5:3
Yahweh was putting his enemies under the soles of his feet
"Yahweh was helping David to defeat his enemies" or "David was busy since Yahweh was giving him victory over his enemies" or "Yahweh was enabling David to completely defeat his enemies"
for the name of Yahweh
"in which people would worship Yahweh"
because of the wars that surrounded him
"because of the wars with which his enemies surrounded him" or "because he was fighting enemies on all sides"
1 Kings 5:4
has given me rest on every side
King Solomon and the people are at rest and in a time of peace.
There is neither adversary nor disaster
"We are safe from our enemies and from natural disasters"
1 Kings 5:5
So
"Listen! This is what I am going to do:" or "Because of what Yahweh has done for me, this is what I am going to do:"
for the name of Yahweh my God ... for my name
"where Yahweh my God will live ... where I will live"
set on your throne in your place
"make to be the king after you"
1 Kings 5:6
there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians
"your workers know how to cut timber better than my men"
Sidonians
people of the city of Sidon
1 Kings 5:7
the words of Solomon
"what Solomon said"
May Yahweh be blessed today
"I praise Yahweh today"
1 Kings 5:9
make them into rafts
"tie them together so they will float in groups"
them broken up there
"my workers untie the logs from each other"
You will do what I desire
"You can do what I want" or "You can pay me"
1 Kings 5:10
fir
"fir" refers to many kinds of trees, including cypress trees.
1 Kings 5:11
twenty thousand cors of wheat
"4,400 cubic meters of wheat". A cor equals about 220 liters.
twenty thousand baths of pure oil
"440 cubic meters of pure oil". A bath equals about 22 liters.
1 Kings 5:13
conscripted labor out of all Israel
"forced men from all over Israel to work". Solomon forces men to build the Temple.
1 Kings 5:14
in shifts
There were three groups that took turns spending one month working in Lebanon and two months at home in Israel.
the men who were subjected to forced labor
"the men whom Solomon was forcing to work for him"
1 Kings 5:15
burdens
heavy things that people have to work hard to carry
stonecutters
men who dig stones out of the ground and cut them to the proper shape
1 Kings 5:17
quarried large precious stones
"dug large, good stones out of the mountain and cut them to be the right shape."
Chapter 6
1
So Solomon began to build the temple of Yahweh. This happened in the 480th year after the people of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, which is the second month.
2
The temple that King Solomon built for Yahweh was sixty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high.
3
The portico in front of the temple's main hall was twenty cubits in length, equal to the width of the temple, and ten cubits deep in front of the temple.
4
For the house he made windows with frames that made them more narrow at the outside than on the inside.
5
Against the walls of the main chamber he built rooms around it, around both the outer room and the inner room. He built rooms all around the sides.
6
The lowest story was five cubits wide, the middle was six cubits wide, and the third was seven cubits wide. For on the outside he made offsets in the wall of the house all around so that the beams would not be inserted in the walls of the house.
7
The house was built of stones prepared at the quarry. No hammer, ax, or any iron tool was heard in the house while it was being built.
8
On the south side of the temple there was an entrance at the ground level, then one went up by stairs to the middle level, and from the middle to the third level.
9
So Solomon built the temple and finished it; he covered the house with beams and planks of cedar.
10
He built the side rooms against the inner chambers of the temple, each side five cubits high; they were joined to the house with timbers of cedar.
11
The word of Yahweh came to Solomon, saying,
12
"Concerning this temple which you are building, if you walk in my statutes and do justice, keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will confirm my promise with you that I had made to David your father.
13
I will live among the people of Israel and will not abandon them."
14
So Solomon built the house and finished it.
15
Then he built the interior walls of the house with boards of cedar. From the floor of the house to the ceiling, he covered them on the inside with wood, and he covered the floor of the house with cypress boards.
16
He built twenty cubits onto the rear of the house with boards of cedar from the floor to the ceiling. He built this room to be the inner room, the most holy place.
17
The main hall, that is, the holy place that was in front of the most holy place, was forty cubits long.
18
There was cedar inside the house, carved in the shape of gourds and open flowers. All was cedar inside. No stonework was visible on the inside.
19
Solomon prepared the inner room inside the house in order to place the ark of the covenant of Yahweh there.
20
The inner room was twenty cubits in length, twenty cubits in width, and twenty cubits in height. Solomon overlaid the walls with pure gold and covered the altar with cedar wood.
21
Solomon overlaid the inside of the temple with pure gold, and he placed chains of gold across the front of the inner room, and overlaid the front with gold.
22
He overlaid the entire interior with gold until all the temple was finished. He also overlaid with gold the whole altar that belonged to the inner room.
23
Solomon made two cherubim of olivewood, each ten cubits high, for the inner room.
24
One wing of the first cherub was five cubits long and its other wing was also five cubits long. So from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other there was a distance of ten cubits.
25
The other cherub also had a wingspan of ten cubits. Both the cherubim were of the same dimensions and shape.
26
The height of one cherub was ten cubits and the other cherub was the same.
27
Solomon placed the cherubim in the innermost room. The wings of the cherubim were stretched out so that the wing of one touched one wall and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall. Their wings touched one another in the middle of the most holy place.
28
Solomon overlaid the cherubim with gold.
29
He carved all the walls of the house around about with figures of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, in the outer and inner rooms.
30
Solomon overlaid the floor of the house with gold, in both the outer and inner rooms.
31
Solomon made doors of olivewood for the entrance to the inner room. The lintel and doorposts had five indented sections.
32
So he made two doors of olivewood, and he made on them carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. He overlaid them with gold and he spread the gold on the cherubim and palm trees.
33
In this way, Solomon also made for the temple entrance doorposts of olive wood having four indented sections
34
and two doors of cypress wood. The two leaves of the one door were folding and the two leaves of the other door were folding.
35
He carved on them cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, and he evenly overlaid gold on the carved work.
36
He built the inner courtyard with three rows of cut stone and a row of cedar beams.
37
The foundation of the house of Yahweh was laid in the fourth year, in the month of Ziv.
38
In the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished in all its parts and conforming to all its specifications. Solomon took seven years to build the temple.
1 Kings 6:1
General Information:
The narrator describes the temple and its dimensions. This description continues through 1 Kings 6:38. Solomon built the temple in seven years. The outside walls were made of rock. Solomon shaped the rocks for the wall in the quarry and then assembled them at the temple site. The inside was covered with wood. Inside the temple was a room covered by gold, which was the Most Holy Place where the ark was housed under statues of angels. It represented the presence of God.
Solomon began to build
"Solomon commanded his workers to begin building"
480th ... fourth
These are the ordinal forms of 480 and 4.
in the month of Ziv, which is the second month
"Ziv" is the second month of the Hebrew calendar and the last part of April and first part of May on Western calendars.
1 Kings 6:2
sixty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high
"27.6 meters long, 9.2 meters wide, and 13.8 meters high". A cubit is 46 centimeters.
1 Kings 6:3
portico
This portico was probably attached to the front part of the wall that surrounded the temple; made of columns and a roof that connects with the building's entrance door.
twenty cubits ... ten cubits
"9.2 meters ... 4.6 meters".
1 Kings 6:4
he made windows
"they made windows"
1 Kings 6:5
he built rooms around it
They built rooms on the outside of the outside wall around the main chamber.
1 Kings 6:6
The lowest story ... the middle ... the third
This refers to the rooms in each story of the building.
five cubits ... six cubits ... seven cubits
"about 2.3 meters ... about 2.8 meters ... about 3.2 meters"
he made offsets in the wall of the house
They made ledges all around the main building to support the beams of the small rooms.
1 Kings 6:7
the house
Here "house" refers to God's house, the temple.
stones prepared at the quarry
A quarry is where people cut large stones and shape them with tools so they are smooth, then brought to the temple.
1 Kings 6:8
ground level ... middle level ... third level
"ground floor," "first floor," and "second floor.". Three floors in total.
1 Kings 6:9
Solomon built ... he covered
"Solomon's workers built ... they covered"
beams ... of cedar
A beam is a long heavy piece of wood used to support a building.
planks ... of cedar
A plank is a flat wooden board used for floors and walls.
1 Kings 6:10
He built the side rooms
These are the same rooms referred to in 1 Kings 6:5.
inner chambers
"exterior walls that enclosed the inner chambers"
five cubits
"2.3 meters"
timbers of cedar
"timbers" is a general term, such as beams and planks.
1 Kings 6:11
The word of Yahweh came to Solomon, saying,
"Yahweh gave a message to Solomon. He said," or "Yahweh spoke this message to Solomon:"
1 Kings 6:12
which you are building
"which you are having your workers build"
walk in my statutes
"continually obey all my statutes"
do justice
"carry out all of my laws" or "treat the people whom you are ruling justly."
keep all my commandments and walk in them
"carefully obey all I tell you to do"
I will confirm my promise with you that I had made to David your father
"I will do everything I promised David your father that I would do for you"
1 Kings 6:15
he built ... he covered them ... he covered the floor
"they built ... they covered them ... they covered the floor"
cypress
Cypress is a kind of wood that was used for building the temple.
1 Kings 6:16
He built twenty cubits ... He built this room
"He commanded them to build twenty cubits ... He had them build this room"
He built twenty cubits
"He built a room twenty cubits long". "9.2 meters".
1 Kings 6:17
forty cubits
"18.4 meters"
main hall
"main room"
1 Kings 6:18
gourds
a type of hard, round vegetable; growing on a vine on the ground.
open flowers
"blooming flowers" or "flowers that were open"
1 Kings 6:20
covered the altar with cedar wood
This altar would be used for burning incense.
1 Kings 6:21
Solomon overlaid ... he placed
"They covered ... they placed"
1 Kings 6:22
altar that belonged to the inner room
"altar of incense at the entrance to the inner room"
1 Kings 6:23
olivewood
wood from an olive tree
ten cubits
"4.6 meters"
1 Kings 6:24
five cubits
"2.3 meters"
1 Kings 6:25
wingspan
The distance from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other wing.
1 Kings 6:27
Solomon placed
"They placed"
innermost room
another name for the most holy place
1 Kings 6:29
He carved
"He commanded them to carve"
1 Kings 6:31
lintel
beam across the top of a door frame
indented sections
tooth-like notches on each of five sections
1 Kings 6:32
he made ... he made ... He overlaid ... he spread
"they made ... they made ... They overlaid ... they spread"
1 Kings 6:33
In this way, Solomon also made for the temple entrance doorposts of olive wood having four indented sections
"In the same way, Solomon also made doorposts of olive wood for the temple entrance, with four indented sections"
1 Kings 6:34
The two leaves of the one door
Each door had two sections connected by hinges so they could fold together.
1 Kings 6:36
He built the inner courtyard
"They built the inner courtyard"
1 Kings 6:37
the fourth year
"the fourth year after Solomon became king"
house of Yahweh
"the temple"
in the month of Ziv
See how you translated this in 1 Kings 6:1.
1 Kings 6:38
the eleventh year
"the eleventh year after Solomon became king"
in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month
"Bul" is the eighth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of October and the first part of November on Western calendars.
the house was finished in all its parts and conforming to all its specifications
"they finished building every part of the house. They built it exactly the way Solomon had told them to build it"
Solomon took
"It took Solomon's workers"
Chapter 7
1
Solomon took thirteen years to build his own palace.
2
He built the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. Its length was one hundred cubits, its width was fifty cubits, and its height was thirty cubits. The palace was built with four rows of cedar pillars with cedar beams on the pillars.
3
The house was roofed with cedar that rested on beams. Those beams were supported by pillars. There were forty-five beams, fifteen in a row.
4
There were beams in three rows, and each window was opposite another window in three sets.
5
All the doors and posts were made square with beams, and window was opposite window in three sets.
6
There was a colonnade fifty cubits long and thirty cubits wide, with a portico in front and pillars and a roof.
7
Solomon built the hall of the throne where he was to judge, the hall of justice. It was covered with cedar from the floor to the ceiling.
8
Solomon's house in which he was to live, in another courtyard within the palace grounds, was designed in a similar way. He also built a house like this for Pharaoh's daughter, whom he had taken as a wife.
9
These buildings were adorned with costly hewn stones, precisely measured and cut with a saw and smoothed on all sides. These stones were used from the foundation to the stones on top, and also on the outside to the great court.
10
The foundation was constructed with very large, costly stones of eight and ten cubits in length.
11
Above were costly hewn stones precisely cut to size, and cedar beams.
12
The great courtyard surrounding the palace had three rows of cut stone and a row of cedar beams like the courtyard of the temple of Yahweh and the temple portico.
13
King Solomon sent for Huram and brought him from Tyre.
14
Huram was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali; his father was a man of Tyre, a craftsman in bronze. Huram was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill to do great work with bronze. He came to King Solomon to work with bronze for the king.
15
Huram fashioned the two pillars of bronze, each eighteen cubits high and twelve cubits in circumference.
16
He made two capitals of polished bronze to set on the tops of the pillars. The height of each capital was five cubits.
17
Checker latticework and wreaths of chain work for the capitals decorated the top of the pillars, seven for each capital.
18
So Huram made two rows of pomegranates around the top of each pillar to decorate their capitals.
19
The capitals on the tops of the portico pillars were decorated with lilies, four cubits high.
20
The capitals on these two pillars also included, close to their very top, two hundred pomegranates in rows all around.
21
He raised up the pillars at the temple portico. The pillar on the right was named Jakin, and the pillar on the left was named Boaz.
22
On the top of the pillars were decorations like lilies. The fashioning of the pillars was done in this way.
23
Huram made the round sea of cast metal, ten cubits from brim to brim. Its height was five cubits, and it was thirty cubits in circumference.
24
Under the brim encircling the sea were gourds, ten in each cubit, cast in one piece with it when that basin was cast.
25
The sea stood on twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, three looking toward the west, three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east. It was set on top of them, and all their hindquarters were toward the inside.
26
The sea was as thick as the width of a hand, and its brim was forged like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom. The sea held two thousand baths of water.
27
Huram made the ten stands of bronze. Each stand was four cubits long and four cubits wide, and the height was three cubits.
28
The work of the stands was like this. They had panels that stood between frames,
29
and on the panels and on the frames were lions, oxen, and cherubim. Above and below the lions and oxen were wreaths of hammered work.
30
Every stand had four bronze wheels and axles, and its four corners had supports beneath for the basin. The supports were cast with wreaths on the side of each one.
31
The opening was round like a pedestal, a cubit and a half wide, and was within a crown that rose up a cubit. On the opening were engravings, and their panels were square, not round.
32
The four wheels were underneath the panels, and the axles of the wheels and their housings were in the stand. The height of a wheel was a cubit and a half.
33
The wheels were forged like chariot wheels. Their housings, rims, spokes, and hubs were all cast metal.
34
There were four handles at the four corners of each stand, forged into the stand itself.
35
In the top of the stands there was a round band half a cubit deep, and on the top of the stand its supports and panels were attached.
36
On the surfaces of the supports and on the panels Huram engraved cherubim, lions, and palm trees that covered the space available, and they were surrounded by wreaths.
37
He made the ten stands in this manner. All of them were cast in the same molds, and they had one size, and the same shape.
38
Huram made ten basins of bronze. One basin could hold forty baths of water. Each basin was four cubits across and there was one basin on each of ten stands.
39
He made five stands on the south-facing side of the temple and five on the north-facing side of the temple. He set the sea on the east corner, facing toward the south of the temple.
40
Huram made the basins and the shovels and the sprinkling bowls. Then he finished all the work that he did for King Solomon in the temple of Yahweh:
41
the two pillars, and the bowl-like capitals that were on top of the two pillars, and the two sets of decorative latticework to cover the two bowl like capitals that were on top of the pillars.
42
He made the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of decorative latticework (two rows of pomegranates for each set of latticework to cover the two bowl-like capitals that were on the pillars);
43
the ten stands, and the ten basins on the stands.
44
He made the large basin called the sea with its twelve oxen under it;
45
also the pots, shovels, basins, and all the other implements. Huram made them out of polished bronze, for King Solomon, for the temple of Yahweh.
46
The king had cast them in the plain of the Jordan, in the clay ground between Sukkoth and Zarethan.
47
Solomon did not weigh all the utensils because there were too many to weigh, because the weight of the bronze could not be measured.
48
Solomon had made all the furnishings that were in the temple of Yahweh out of gold: the golden altar and the table on which the bread of the presence was to be placed;
49
the lampstands, five on the right side and five on the left, in front of the inner room, were of pure gold, and the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs were of gold.
50
Solomon also had made the cups, lamp trimmers, basins, spoons, and incense burners, all of which were made of pure gold; he had sockets of gold made for the doors of the inner room (which was the most holy place), and for the doors of the main hall of the temple.
51
In this way, all the work that King Solomon directed for the house of Yahweh was finished. So Solomon brought in the things that were set apart by David, his father, and the silver, the gold, and the furnishings, and put them into the storerooms of the house of Yahweh.
1 Kings 7:1
General Information:
This chapter has a description of the palace Solomon built and the materials used in the temple courtyard. It is the last chapter about the building of the temple. Solomon spent 13 years building a palace for himself that was much bigger than the temple. It is significant that the house of Solomon was much larger than the house of God.
Solomon took thirteen years to build his own palace
"It took Solomon's workers thirteen years to build his palace"
palace
You may translate this as "house" or "big house."
1 Kings 7:2
He built
"Solomon commanded them to build".
the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon
"the house called the House of the Lebanon Forest"
one hundred cubits ... fifty cubits ... thirty cubits
"46 meters ... 23 meters ... 13.8 meters". A cubit is 46 centimeters.
beams
A beam is a long piece of strong wood used to support walls and roofs.
1 Kings 7:3
The house was roofed with cedar that rested on beams
"The carpenters built a roof from cedar planks and attached them to beams"
1 Kings 7:5
were made square
"had rectangular frames"
1 Kings 7:6
colonnade
a series of columns, all the same distance apart. The author writes about the structure of the Hall of Pillars.
fifty cubits ... thirty cubits
"23 meters ... 13.8 meters"
portico
Made of columns and a roof that leads to and connects with the building's entrance door. See 1 Kings 6:3.
1 Kings 7:7
the hall of the throne
"the house in which he was going to place his throne" or "a house named The King's Chair House"
It was covered with cedar
"The workers covered the floor with cedar wood"
1 Kings 7:8
Solomon's house in which he was to live, in another courtyard within the palace grounds, was designed in a similar way
"Solomon had someone design the house in which he was to live, in another courtyard within the palace grounds, in almost the same way"
1 Kings 7:9
These buildings were adorned with costly hewn stones
"The workers adorned the buildings with costly, hewn stones"
hewn stones, precisely measured and cut with a saw and smoothed
"hewn stones, that workers had precisely measured and cut with a saw and smoothed"
These stones were used
"The workers used these stones"
1 Kings 7:10
The foundation was constructed
"The workers constructed the foundation"
eight and ten cubits
"about 3.7 meters and 4.6 meters"
1 Kings 7:12
three rows of cut stone and a row of cedar beams
See how you translated this in 1 Kings 6:36.
1 Kings 7:13
brought him from Tyre
Huram accepted Solomon's invitation to come to Jerusalem. The bronze objects were made by hollowing out the shape of the object in clay and then pouring in the hot melted liquid bronze and letting it cool. He made two large pillars and a large water reservoir set on the backs of 12 bronze cows; as well as the instruments for use in the sacrifices outside the temple. He made the furnishing inside the temple out of gold.
1 Kings 7:14
the son of a widow ... his father was a man of Tyre
A widow is a woman whose husband has died, so we know that the father is dead.
Huram was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill
"Yahweh had given Huram wisdom, understanding, and skill"
1 Kings 7:15
eighteen cubits ... twelve cubits
"about 8.3 meters ... 5.5 meters". Circumference is the distance or measurement around a circular object or area.
1 Kings 7:16
five cubits
"2.3 meters"
two capitals
decorations on top of each of the two pillars
polished bronze
"gleaming bronze". They polished the bronze so that it would reflect sunlight.
1 Kings 7:17
Checker latticework and wreaths of chain work
"Crossed metal strips woven together and metal chains twisted together,"
1 Kings 7:18
Huram made
"Huram commanded his workers to make"
two rows of pomegranates
A pomegranate is a fruit with a hard, red rind and many juicy seeds inside. Huram made them out of bronze.
1 Kings 7:19
The capitals ... were decorated with lilies, four cubits high
"Huram decorated the capitals ... with bronze lilies, four cubits high"
the tops of the portico
Translate "portico" as in 1 Kings 7:6.
four cubits
"about 1.8 meters"
1 Kings 7:21
He raised up
"They raised up"
The pillar on the right was named Jakin
"The name of the pillar on the right side was Jakin"
the pillar on the left was named Boaz
"The name of the pillar on the left side was Boaz"
1 Kings 7:22
The fashioning of the pillars was done
"Huram fashioned the pillars" or "Huram's men fashioned the pillars"
1 Kings 7:23
the round sea
This refers to a particular bronze tank or basin in the temple. It held a lot of water and was called "the sea."
cast metal
Huram melted the bronze and formed it in a mold.
ten cubits ... five cubits ... thirty cubits
"4.6 meters ... 2.3 meters ... 13.8 meters"
from brim to brim
"from one edge to the other"
1 Kings 7:24
when that basin was cast
"when Huram cast that basin"
1 Kings 7:25
stood on
"was on top of"
"The Sea" was set on top of them
"Huram's workers set 'The Sea' on top of the bronze oxen"
hindquarters
This is the back quarter of the body of an animal with four feet.
1 Kings 7:26
the width of a hand
This is about eight centimeters.
its brim was forged like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom
"Huram forged the brim to look like the brim of a cup, to curve outward like a lily"
two thousand baths
"44 cubic meters" or "44,000 liters". A unit of volume equal to about 22 liters.
1 Kings 7:27
four cubits ... three cubits
"about 1.8 meters ... about 1.4 meters"
1 Kings 7:28
The work of the stands was like this
The author will describe the stands in the words that follow.
1 Kings 7:29
on the panels and on the frames were lions, oxen, and cherubim
There were decorative pieces in the shapes of lions, oxen, and cherubim fastened to the sides of the stands.
wreaths of hammered work
"wreaths" refers to spiral-shaped pieces of bronze.
1 Kings 7:30
four bronze wheels and axles
"four bronze wheels and two axles"
its four corners
"the four corners of each stand"
The supports were cast with wreaths
"Huram cast the supports with spiral-shaped pieces"
1 Kings 7:31
a cubit and a half ... a cubit
"about 70 centimeters ... about 50 centimeters"
a crown that rose up
"crown" refers to the circular piece at the top of the stand's opening that held the basin.
their panels were square
"the panels of the stands were square."
1 Kings 7:32
their housings
The word "housings" refers to the casings into which the axles were inserted.
1 Kings 7:33
The wheels were forged like chariot wheels
"Huram made the wheels like small chariot wheels"
1 Kings 7:34
There were four handles at the four corners of each stand
"There was a handle at each of the four corners of each stand,"
1 Kings 7:35
half a cubit deep
"twenty-three centimeters wide"
on the top of the stand its supports and panels were attached
"Huram attached the supports and panels to the top of each stand"
1 Kings 7:36
Huram engraved
"the workers engraved"
they were surrounded
"they" refers to the cherubim, lions, and palm trees.
they were surrounded by wreaths
"there were wreaths all around them"
1 Kings 7:37
All of them were cast in the same molds
"Huram cast all of the stands in the same mold" or "They cast all of the stand in the same mold"
1 Kings 7:38
forty baths
"about 880 liters". A bath is a unit of volume equal to about 22 liters.
four cubits
"about 1.8 meters"
1 Kings 7:39
on the east corner, facing toward the south of the temple
"near the southeast corner of the temple"
1 Kings 7:41
the bowl-like capitals
The capitals were shaped like bowls.
decorative latticework
"crossed metal strips woven together"
1 Kings 7:42
four hundred pomegranates
See 1 Kings 7:18.
1 Kings 7:45
all the other implements
"all the other tools"
1 Kings 7:46
The king had cast them
"Solomon had his workers cast them"
plain of the Jordan
"flat land near the Jordan River"
Sukkoth ... Zarethan
These are names of cities.
1 Kings 7:47
the weight of the bronze could not be measured
"no one could measure the weight of the bronze"
1 Kings 7:48
on which the bread of the presence was to be placed
"on which the priests were to place the bread of the presence"
1 Kings 7:50
sockets of gold made for the doors
The sockets in which the door pegs turned, or the hinges on which the doors hung.
1 Kings 7:51
the work that King Solomon directed for the house of Yahweh was finished
"the workers finished the work that King Solomon had them do for the house of Yahweh"
Chapter 8
1
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes, and the leaders of the families of the people of Israel, before himself in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh from the city of David, that is, Zion.
2
All the men of Israel assembled before King Solomon at the feast, in the month of Ethanim, which is the seventh month.
3
All the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.
4
They brought up the ark of Yahweh, the tent of meeting, and all the holy furnishings that were in the tent. The priests and the Levites brought these things up.
5
King Solomon and all the assembly of Israel came together before the ark, sacrificing sheep and cattle that could not be counted.
6
The priests brought in the ark of the covenant of Yahweh to its place, into the inner room of the house, to the most holy place, under the wings of the cherubim.
7
For the cherubim spread out their wings to the place of the ark, and they covered the ark and the poles by which it was carried.
8
The poles were so long that their ends were seen from the holy place in front of the inner room, but they could not be seen from outside. They are there to this day.
9
There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone that Moses had put there at Horeb, when Yahweh made a covenant with the people of Israel when they came out of the land of Egypt.
10
It came about that when the priests came out of the holy place, the cloud filled the temple of Yahweh.
11
The priests could not stand to serve because of the cloud, for the glory of Yahweh filled his house.
12
Then Solomon said, "Yahweh has said
that he would live in thick darkness,
13
But I have built you a lofty residence,
a place for you to live in forever."
14
Then the king turned around and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing.
15
He said, "May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be praised, who spoke to David my father, and has fulfilled it with his own hands, saying,
16
'Since the day that I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house, in order for my name to be there. However, I chose David to rule over my people Israel.'
17
Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
18
But Yahweh said to David my father, 'In that it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well for it to be in your heart.
19
Nevertheless you will not build the house; instead, your son, one who will be born from your loins, will build the house for my name.'
20
Yahweh has carried out the word that he had said, for I have arisen in the place of David my father, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as Yahweh promised. I have built the house for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
21
I have made a place for the ark there, in which is Yahweh's covenant, which he made with our fathers when he brought them out of the land of Egypt."
22
Solomon stood before the altar of Yahweh, before all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward the heavens.
23
He said, "Yahweh, God of Israel, there is no God like you in the heavens above or on the earth below, who keeps his covenant faithfulness with your servants who walk before you with all their heart;
24
you who have kept with your servant David my father, what you promised him. Yes, you spoke with your mouth and have fulfilled it with your hand, as it is today.
25
Now then, Yahweh, God of Israel, carry out what you have promised to your servant David my father, when you said, 'You will not fail to have a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants are careful to walk before me, as you have walked before me.'
26
Now then, God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David my father.
27
But will God actually live on the earth? Look, the entire universe and heaven itself cannot contain you—how much less can this temple that I have built!
28
Yet please respect this prayer of your servant and his humble request, Yahweh my God; listen to the cry and prayer that your servant prays before you today.
29
May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, to the place about which you have said, 'My name and my presence will be there'—in order to listen to the prayers that your servant will pray toward this place.
30
So listen to the humble request of your servant and of your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, listen from the place where you live, from the heavens; and when you listen, forgive.
31
If a man sins against his neighbor and is required to swear an oath, and if he comes and swears an oath before your altar in this house,
32
listen from the heavens and act. Judge your servants, condemning the wicked and bringing what he has done upon his own head. Declare the innocent not guilty and give to him according to his righteousness.
33
When your people Israel are defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you, if they turn back to you, confess your name, pray, and seek your favor in this temple—
34
then please listen in the heavens and forgive the sin of your people Israel; bring them back to the land that you gave to their ancestors.
35
When the skies are shut up and there is no rain because the people have sinned against you—if they pray toward this place, confess your name, and turn from their sin when you have afflicted them—
36
then listen in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants and of your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk. Send rain on your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance.
37
Suppose there is famine in the land, or suppose that there is disease, blight or mildew, locusts or caterpillars; or suppose that an enemy attacks the city gates in their land, or that there is any plague or sickness—
38
and suppose then that prayers and humble requests are made by a person or by all your people Israel—each knowing the plague in his own heart as he spreads out his hands toward this temple.
39
Then listen from heaven, the place where you live, forgive and act, and reward every person for all he does; you know his heart, because you and you only know the hearts of all human beings.
40
Do this so that they may fear you all the days that they live on the land that you gave to our ancestors.
41
In addition, concerning the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel: When he comes from a distant country because of your name—
42
for they will hear of your great name, your mighty hand, and your raised arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple,
43
then please listen from heaven, the place where you live, and do whatever the foreigner asks of you. Do this so that all the peoples on earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel. Do this so they might know that this house I have built is called by your name.
44
Suppose that your people go out to battle against an enemy, by whatever way you may send them, and suppose that they pray to you, Yahweh, toward the city that you have chosen, and toward the house that I have built for your name.
45
Then listen in the heavens to their prayer and their request, and help their cause.
46
Suppose that they sin against you, since there is no one who does not sin, and suppose that you are angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, so that the enemy takes them away captive to their land, whether distant or near.
47
Then suppose that they realize they are in the land where they have been exiled, and suppose that they repent and seek favor from you from the land of their captors. Suppose that they say, 'We have acted perversely and sinned. We have behaved wickedly.'
48
Suppose that they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who captured them, and suppose that they pray to you toward their land, which you gave to their ancestors, and toward the city that you chose, and toward the house that I have built for your name.
49
Then from heaven, the place where you live, listen to their prayer and their request for help, and you will make matters right for them.
50
Forgive your people who have sinned against you, and all their transgressions that they have committed against you, and make them objects of compassion before those who have taken them captive, and cause their captors to have compassion on them.
51
They are your people and your inheritance, whom you rescued out of Egypt as if from the middle of a furnace where iron is forged.
52
May your eyes be open to the humble request of your servant and to the requests of your people Israel, to listen to them whenever they cry to you.
53
For you separated them from among all the peoples of the earth to belong to you and receive your promises, just as you explained by Moses your servant, when you brought our fathers out of Egypt, Lord Yahweh."
54
So it was that when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and request for favor to Yahweh, he arose from before the altar of Yahweh, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread out toward the heavens.
55
He stood and blessed all the assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying,
56
"May Yahweh be praised, who has given rest to his people Israel, keeping all his promises. Not one word has failed out of all Yahweh's good promises that he made with Moses his servant.
57
May Yahweh our God be with us, as he was with our ancestors. May he never leave us or abandon us,
58
that he may incline our hearts to him, to live in all his ways and keep his commandments and his regulations and his statutes, which he commanded our fathers.
59
Let these words I have spoken, by which I have sought the favor of Yahweh, be near Yahweh our God day and night, so that he may help the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel, as every day will require;
60
that all the peoples of the earth may know that Yahweh, he is God, and there is no other God!
61
Therefore let your heart be true to Yahweh our God, to walk in his statutes and keep his commandments, as on this day."
62
So the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices to Yahweh.
63
Solomon offered a sacrifice of fellowship offerings to Yahweh: twenty-two thousand cattle and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the people of Israel dedicated the house of Yahweh.
64
The same day the king set apart the middle of the courtyard in front of the temple of Yahweh, for there he offered the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the fellowship offerings, because the bronze altar that was before Yahweh was too small to receive the burnt offering, the grain offerings, and the fat of the fellowship offerings.
65
So Solomon held the feast at that time, and all Israel with him, a great assembly, from Lebo Hamath to the brook of Egypt, before Yahweh our God for seven days and also for another seven days, a total of fourteen days.
66
On the eighth day he sent the people away, and they blessed the king and went to their tents with joyful and glad hearts for all the goodness that Yahweh had shown to David, his servant, and to Israel, his people.
1 Kings 8:1
assembled the elders of Israel
"called together the leaders of Israel,". When the temple was finished, Solomon told all of the people to come to Jerusalem. They took the ark out of the tent and brought it to the temple. Then Solomon prayed that God would hear and answer prayers made to him when they faced towards the temple. This is a very significant event in the history of the Israelites.
1 Kings 8:2
All the men of Israel
To the people whom Solomon called to Jerusalem and who are listed in 8:1 or generally to those who traveled to Jerusalem for the feast, not necessarily to every male person who lived in Israel.
at the feast
This is a reference to the Feast of Sukkoth, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Shelters .
in the month of Ethanim, which is the seventh month
"Ethanim" is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of September and the first part of October on Western calendars.
1 Kings 8:5
all the assembly of Israel
This is a generalization.
sheep and cattle that could not be counted
"more sheep and cattle than anyone would ever be able to count"
1 Kings 8:6
into the inner room of the house, to the most holy place, under
"into the inner room of the house, that is, to the most holy place, under"
1 Kings 8:7
poles by which it was carried
"poles by which the priests carried it"
1 Kings 8:8
their ends were seen ... they could not be seen
"people could see their ends ... people could not see them"
this day
This means the day on which the writer wrote.
1 Kings 8:9
There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets ... Egypt
"The only things in the ark were the two tablets ... Egypt"
1 Kings 8:10
It came about that
This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story.
1 Kings 8:12
Yahweh has said ... darkness
Solomon speaks to Yahweh as if he were speaking to someone else to show that he respects Yahweh.
1 Kings 8:13
lofty residence
beautiful building in which someone very important lives,
1 Kings 8:14
all the assembly of Israel
"all the people of Israel who were gathered there."
1 Kings 8:15
May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be praised
"Praise Yahweh, the God of Israel"
with his own hands
"by his own power"
1 Kings 8:16
in order for my name to be
"so that people would worship me". See 1 Kings 3:2.
1 Kings 8:17
it was in the heart of David my father
"David my father desired"
1 Kings 8:18
In that it was in your heart
"Because you desired"
for my name
"in which people will worship me"
for it to be in your heart
"to desire to do that" or "by wanting to do that"
1 Kings 8:19
one who will be born from your loins
"one who will be your own offspring" or "one whom you yourself will father"
1 Kings 8:20
has carried out the word that he had said
"has done exactly what he said he would do"
I have arisen in the place of David my father
"I have gained the power that David my father had"
I sit on the throne of Israel
"I rule over Israel"
1 Kings 8:21
is Yahweh's covenant, which
"are the tablets on which Yahweh wrote the terms of the covenant that"
1 Kings 8:22
all the assembly of Israel
"all the people of Israel who were gathered there,"
1 Kings 8:23
who keeps his covenant faithfulness with your servants
"who faithfully loves your servants" or "who is faithful to your covenant with your servants"
walk before you with all their heart
"live wholeheartedly the way that you want them to"
1 Kings 8:24
fulfilled it with your hand
"by your power fulfilled what you said"
1 Kings 8:25
to sit on the throne of Israel
"to rule over Israel"
walk before me ... have walked before me
"live as I want you to ... have lived as I want you to"
1 Kings 8:27
But will God actually live on the earth?
"But it surely cannot be that God will actually live on the earth!"
But will God
"But will you"
Look
"What I am about to say is important" or "The truth is that"
you—how much less can this temple that I have built
"you, so this temple that I have built certainly cannot contain you"
1 Kings 8:28
respect this prayer of your servant and his humble request
"respect me, your servant, as I make this request"
listen to the cry and prayer that your servant prays before you today
"listen to me, your servant, as I call today for you to help me"
1 Kings 8:29
May your eyes be open toward
"May you watch over"
night and day
"all the time" or "continually"
My name and my presence
These two words together emphasize that Yahweh will dwell in the temple.
that your servant will pray
"that I, your servant, will pray"
1 Kings 8:30
listen to the humble request of your servant and of your people Israel
"listen to my humble request and the humble request of your people Israel"
1 Kings 8:31
is required to swear
"someone requires him to swear"
1 Kings 8:32
upon his own head
"on him"
give to him according to his righteousness
"to give him what he deserves because he is righteous"
1 Kings 8:33
your people Israel are defeated by an enemy
"an enemy defeats your people Israel"
confess your name
"confess that they have sinned against you" or "praise you" or "say that they will obey you from now on."
1 Kings 8:35
the skies are shut up and there is no rain
"you do not allow rain to fall"
1 Kings 8:36
in which they should walk
"that they should live"
1 Kings 8:37
blight or mildew
These terms refer to the death of crops from either too little or too much rain.
locusts or caterpillars
A "locust" is a type of grasshopper that causes destruction. "caterpillar" refers to an early growth stage of the locust.
1 Kings 8:38
knowing the plague in his own heart
"knowing the sin in his own heart" or "knowing in his heart that the plague is the result of his own sin"
1 Kings 8:43
this house I have built is called by your name
"you own this house that I have built"
1 Kings 8:44
Suppose that your people go out ... suppose that they pray
The situations Solomon describes are conditions for what he requests in the following sentence. The words "suppose that" can be translated with the word "if," and this sentence can be connected to his request in verse 45.
1 Kings 8:46
Suppose that they sin ... suppose that you are
The events that Solomon describes in verese 46-48 are conditions for his requests in verses 49-50.
1 Kings 8:47
where they have been exiled
"where their enemies have taken them as exiles"
captors
people who keep others as prisoners
We have acted perversely and sinned. We have behaved wickedly
These two sentences emphasize how bad the people's actions were.
acted perversely and sinned
These words emphasize how badly the people sinned.
1 Kings 8:48
with all their heart and with all their soul
"with all their being" or "with all their energy". See 1 Kings 2:4.
in the land
"while they are living in the land"
toward their land
"toward the land in which they belong." This refers to Israel.
1 Kings 8:50
Forgive your people who have sinned against you, and all their transgressions that they have committed against you
Solomon twice requests Yahweh to forgive the people, emphasizing the earnestness of his request.
1 Kings 8:51
a furnace where iron is forged
"a furnace where people forge iron"
1 Kings 8:52
May your eyes be open
"Please pay attention"
1 Kings 8:56
May Yahweh be praised
"Praise Yahweh"
Not one word has failed out of all Yahweh's good promises
"Yahweh has made every word of his good promises come true"
1 Kings 8:57
leave us or abandon us
These two phrases emphasize Solomon's desire for Yahweh to be present with the people.
1 Kings 8:58
incline our hearts to him
"make us want to please him"
live in all his ways
"live as he requires us to live"
1 Kings 8:59
day and night
"all the time" or "continually."
1 Kings 8:61
let your heart be true
"be wholly devoted"
walk in his statutes
"always obey his statutes"
1 Kings 8:62
all Israel with him
This generalization may refer either to the people whom Solomon called to Jerusalem and are listed in 1 Kings 8:1, or to those who traveled to Jerusalem for the feast.
1 Kings 8:64
the bronze altar that was before Yahweh
"the bronze altar that was in Yahweh's presence." The altar is described as being in his presence.
1 Kings 8:66
eighth day
The word "eighth" is the ordinal form of "8."
joyful and glad
The two words are combined for emphasis.
Chapter 9
1
After Solomon had finished building the house of Yahweh and the king's palace, and after he had accomplished all that he desired to do,
2
Yahweh appeared to Solomon a second time, as he had appeared to him at Gibeon.
3
Then Yahweh said to him, "I have heard your prayer and your request for favor that you have made before me. I have set apart this house, which you have built, to myself, to put my name there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.
4
As for you, if you walk before me as David your father walked in integrity of heart and in uprightness, obeying all that I have commanded you and keeping my statutes and my decrees,
5
then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, as I promised David your father, saying, 'A descendant of yours will never fail to be on the throne of Israel.'
6
But if you turn away, you or your children, and do not keep my commandments and my statutes that I have placed before you, and if you go and worship other gods and bow down to them,
7
then will I cut off Israel from off the ground that I have given them; and this house that I have set apart to my name, I will cast it out of my sight, and Israel will become an example to be mocked and an object of ridicule among all peoples.
8
This temple will become a heap of ruins, and everyone who passes by it will be shocked and will hiss. They will ask, 'Why has Yahweh done this to this land and to this house?'
9
Others will answer, 'Because they abandoned Yahweh, their God, who had brought their ancestors out of the land of Egypt, and they laid hold of other gods and bowed down to them and worshiped them. That is why Yahweh has brought all this disaster on them.'"
10
It came about at the end of twenty years that Solomon had finished building the two buildings, the temple of Yahweh and the king's palace.
11
Now Hiram, the king of Tyre, had furnished Solomon with cedar and cypress trees, and with gold—all that Solomon desired—so King Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.
12
Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities that Solomon had given him, but they did not please him.
13
So Hiram said, "What cities are these which you have given me, my brother?" Hiram called them the Land of Kabul, which they are still called today.
14
Hiram had sent to the king 120 talents of gold.
15
This is the account of the forced labor which King Solomon imposed to build the temple of Yahweh and his own palace, the Millo, the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.
16
Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up and taken Gezer. He burned it and killed the Canaanites in the city. Then Pharaoh gave the city to his daughter, Solomon's wife, as a wedding gift.
17
So Solomon rebuilt Gezer and Beth Horon the Lower,
18
Baalath and Tamar
in the wilderness in the land of Judah,
19
and all the store cities that he possessed, and the cities for his chariots and the cities for his horsemen, and whatever he wished to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and in all the lands under his rule.
20
As for all the people who were left of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not of the people of Israel,
21
their descendants who were left after them in the land, whom the people of Israel were not able to totally destroy—Solomon made them into forced laborers, which they are to this day.
22
However, Solomon made no forced laborers of the people of Israel. They were his soldiers, his servants, his officials, his officers, and commanders of his chariot forces and his horsemen.
23
These were also the chief officers managing the supervisors who were over Solomon's works, 550 of them, who supervised the people who did the work.
24
Pharaoh's daughter moved from the city of David to the house that Solomon had built for her. Later, Solomon built the Millo.
25
Three times each year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar that he built for Yahweh, burning incense with them on the altar that was before Yahweh. So he completed the temple and was now using it.
26
King Solomon built a fleet of ships in Ezion Geber, which is near Elath on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom.
27
Hiram sent servants to Solomon's fleet, sailors who were familiar with the sea, with Solomon's own servants.
28
They went to Ophir with servants of Solomon. From there they brought back 420 talents of gold for King Solomon.
1 Kings 9:1
General Information:
There are two parts to this chapter. Verses 1–9 are a dream in which God warned Solomon that he and his descendants were not to worship idols. If they did this, the temple would be destroyed. Verses 10–28 are about Solomon's extensive building and his partnership with Hiram, king of Tyre. It is necessary for people to stay faithful to God and not worship idols.
1 Kings 9:3
your prayer and your request
"your request". These words emphasize that Yahweh recognized that Solomon's request was sincere. See 1 Kings 8:28.
to put my name there forever
"to dwell there and to claim possession of it forever"
My eyes and my heart will be there
"I will protect and care for it"
1 Kings 9:4
if you walk before me as David your father walked
"if you live the way I want you to live, just as David your father did"
in integrity of heart and in uprightness
These two phrases emphasize how righteous David was.
1 Kings 9:5
the throne of your kingdom
"your dynasty" or "your reign"
will never fail to be on the throne of Israel
"will always rule over Israel"
1 Kings 9:6
my commandments and my statutes
The words "commandments" and "statutes" emphasize all that Yahweh has commanded.
worship other gods and bow down to them
These two phrases are combined for emphasis.
1 Kings 9:7
set apart to my name
"set apart for myself"
I will cast it out of my sight
"I will put it where I no longer have to see it" or "I will get rid of it so I no longer have to protect it"
1 Kings 9:8
This temple will become a heap of ruins
"This temple will be destroyed and its remains will be piled into a high mound"
will be shocked and will hiss
"will express amazement and make a sound of disrespect"
1 Kings 9:9
bowed down to them and worshiped them
The phrase "bowed down to them" describes the posture that people used in worship.
1 Kings 9:10
It came about
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story.
at the end of twenty years
"after 20 years"
Solomon had finished building
It might be best to translate that other people helped Solomon do this.
1 Kings 9:13
What cities are these which you have given me, my brother?
"These cities that you have given me are good for nothing.". Hiram is rebuking Solomon.
which they are still called today
"and people still call them that today"
1 Kings 9:14
120 talents of gold
"about 4,000 kilograms of gold". A talent is a unit of weight equal to about 33 kilograms.
1 Kings 9:15
the account of the forced labor which King Solomon imposed
"the account of Solomon requiring men to work"
the Millo
"the terrace system" or "the landfill."
1 Kings 9:16
Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up
"The army of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, had gone up"
1 Kings 9:22
Solomon made no forced laborers of the people of Israel
"Solomon did not force the people of Israel to labor."
1 Kings 9:25
altar that was before Yahweh
See how you translated this phrase in 1 Kings 8:64.
So he completed the temple
"So his workers completed the temple"
1 Kings 9:26
a fleet of ships
"a large group of ships"
1 Kings 9:28
420 talents of gold
"about 14,000 kilograms of gold". A talent is a unit of weight equal to about 33 kilograms.
Chapter 10
1
When the queen of Sheba heard the report about Solomon concerning the name of Yahweh, she came to test him with hard questions.
2
She came to Jerusalem with a very long caravan, with camels loaded with spices, much gold, and many precious gemstones. When she arrived, she told Solomon all that was in her heart.
3
Solomon answered all her questions. There was nothing she asked that the king did not answer.
4
When the queen of Sheba saw all Solomon's wisdom, the palace that he had built,
5
the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the work of his servants and their clothing, also his cupbearers, and the manner in which he offered burnt offerings in the house of Yahweh, there was no more breath in her.
6
She said to the king, "It is true, the report that I heard in my own land of your words and your wisdom.
7
I did not believe the message until I came here, and now my eyes have seen it. Not half was told me! In wisdom and wealth you have exceeded the report that I heard.
8
How blessed are your wives, and how blessed are your servants who constantly stand before you, because they hear your wisdom.
9
May Yahweh your God be praised, who has taken pleasure in you, who placed you on the throne of Israel. Because Yahweh loved Israel forever, he has made you king, for you to do justice and righteousness!"
10
She gave the king 120 talents of gold and a large amount of spices and precious stones. No greater amount of spices as these that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon was ever given to him again.
11
The fleet of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, also brought from Ophir a large amount of almug wood and precious stones.
12
The king made almug wood pillars for the temple of Yahweh and for the king's palace, and harps and lutes for the singers. No such quantity of almug wood has ever come or been seen again to this day.
13
King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba everything she wished for, whatever she asked, in addition to what Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she returned to her own land with her servants.
14
Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold,
15
besides the gold that the traders and merchants brought. All the kings of Arabia and the governors in the country also brought gold and silver to Solomon.
16
King Solomon made two hundred large shields of beaten gold. Six hundred shekels of gold went into each one.
17
He also made three hundred shields of beaten gold. Three minas of gold went into each shield; the king put them into the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon.
18
Then the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with the finest gold.
19
There were six steps to the throne, and the back of it had a rounded top. There were armrests on each side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests.
20
Twelve lions stood on the steps, one on each side of each of the six steps. There was no throne like it in any other kingdom.
21
All King Solomon's drinking cups were gold, and all the drinking cups in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None were silver, because silver was not considered valuable in Solomon's days.
22
The king had at sea a fleet of ships of Tarshish, along with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years the fleet brought gold, silver, and ivory, as well as apes and baboons.
23
So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the world in riches and in wisdom.
24
All the earth sought the presence of Solomon in order to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
25
Those who visited brought tribute, vessels of silver and of gold, and clothes, armor, and spices, as well as horses and mules, year after year.
26
Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had 1,400 chariots and twelve thousand horsemen that he stationed in the chariot cities and with himself in Jerusalem.
27
The king had silver in Jerusalem, as much as the stones on the ground. He made cedar wood to be as abundant as the sycamore fig trees that are in the lowlands.
28
The horses that belonged to Solomon were imported from Egypt, and Kue and the king's merchants purchased them from Kue.
29
Chariots were brought up from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver each, and horses for 150 shekels each. Many of these were then sold to all the kings of the Hittites and Aram.
1 Kings 10:1
General Information
There are two parts to this chapter: The fame of Solomon's wisdom and the wealth of his kingdom. King Solomon became so famous for his wisdom that the queen of Sheba (modern day Yemen) came all the way to see him and was deeply impressed. God promised him great wealth and he became famously rich.
the report about Solomon concerning the name of Yahweh
"Solomon's fame, which glorified Yahweh" or "Solomon's fame, which Yahweh had given him"
1 Kings 10:2
all that was in her heart
"everything she wanted to know". This is a generalization.
1 Kings 10:5
the seating of his servants
"how his servants were seated around the table" or "where his servants lived."
there was no more breath in her
"she was utterly amazed"
1 Kings 10:6
I heard in my own land
"I heard while I was in my own land"
your words and your wisdom
"your wise sayings"
1 Kings 10:7
my eyes have seen it
"I have seen it for myself"
Not half was told me
"They did not tell me about even half of how wise and wealthy you are"
1 Kings 10:8
who constantly stand before you
"who are always in your presence waiting to serve you"
1 Kings 10:9
May Yahweh your God be praised
"May people praise Yahweh your God"
who placed you on the throne of Israel
"who made you king of Israel"
1 Kings 10:10
120 talents of gold
"about 4,000 kilograms of gold". A talent is a unit of weight equal to about 33 kilograms.
No greater amount of spices ... was ever given to him again
"No one ever again gave to King Solomon more spices than the queen of Sheba gave to him"
1 Kings 10:11
almug wood
a type of wood, possibly one with a pleasant scent.
1 Kings 10:12
The king made
"The king told his people to make"
or been seen again
"nor has anyone ever seen such a great quantity again"
to this day
To the day that the author was writing this.
1 Kings 10:13
everything she wished for, whatever she asked
These two phrases are combined for emphasis.
of his royal bounty
"because as king he had so much"
1 Kings 10:14
in one year
"each year." This refers to every year of Solomon's reign, and not to just one time.
666 talents of gold
"almost 22,000 kilograms of gold". A talent is equal to about 33 kilograms.
1 Kings 10:16
Six hundred shekels of gold
"About 6.6 kilograms of gold" or "Six and one half kilograms of gold". A shekel is a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams.
Six hundred shekels
"shekels" does not appear here in the Hebrew text, so some modern versions assume instead the unit of bekah, which was equivalent to a half shekel or a metric equivalent of about three kilograms.
1 Kings 10:17
He also made
"The king's men also made"
Three minas of gold
"About 1.7 kilograms of gold" or "One and three-quarters kilograms of gold". A mina is equal to about 550 grams.
the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon
"the house called the House of the Lebanon Forest." See 1 Kings 7:2.
1 Kings 10:18
throne of ivory
Ivory is the hard, white substance from the tusks or teeth of large animals.
1 Kings 10:22
apes and baboons
These animals live wild in Africa. Some people consider baboons a type of ape.
1 Kings 10:24
All the earth
"People from everywhere" or "People from many different places"
sought the presence of Solomon
"sought an audience with Solomon" or "wanted to visit Solomon"
to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart
"to hear his wisdom, which God had given him" or "to hear how wise God had enabled him to be" or "to hear him speak the wise words that God had enabled him to speak"
1 Kings 10:26
1,400 chariots and twelve thousand horsemen
"one thousand four hundred chariots and 12,000 horsemen"
1 Kings 10:27
The king had silver in Jerusalem, as much as the stones on the ground
"The king had so much silver in Jerusalem, it was like there was as much silver as there was stones on the ground"
1 Kings 10:28
were imported from Egypt
"that his merchants had bought from people in Egypt"
Kue
This is the name of a region. Some think that Kue was the same as Cilicia, in Asia Minor.
1 Kings 10:29
Chariots were brought up from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver each, and horses for 150 shekels each
"His merchants went to Egypt, bought chariots for six hundred shekels of silver each and horses for 150 shekels each, and brought them to Solomon in Jerusalem"
six hundred shekels of silver ... 150 shekels
"about 6.6 kilograms of silver ... about 1.7 kilograms". A shekel is a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams
Many of these were then sold
"His merchants then sold many of these"
Chapter 11
1
Now King Solomon loved many foreign women including the daughter of Pharaoh—women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites.
2
They were from the nations about which Yahweh said to the people of Israel, "You will not go among them to marry, neither will they come among you, for they will certainly turn your heart to their gods." In spite of this command, Solomon was affectionate toward these women in love.
3
Solomon had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines. His wives turned his heart away.
4
For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods; his heart was not fully surrendered to Yahweh his God, as was the heart of David his father.
5
For Solomon followed Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and he followed Molech, the disgusting idol of the Ammonites.
6
Solomon did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh; he did not fully follow Yahweh as David his father had done.
7
Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh, the disgusting idol of Moab, on a hill east of Jerusalem, and also for Molech, the disgusting idol of the people of Ammon.
8
He also built high places for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods at them.
9
Yahweh was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from him, the God of Israel, even though he had appeared to him twice
10
and commanded him about this very thing, that he should not go after other gods. But Solomon did not obey what Yahweh commanded.
11
Therefore Yahweh said to Solomon, "Because you have done this and have not kept the covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and give it to your servant.
12
However, for David your father's sake, I will not do it in your lifetime, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son.
13
Yet I will not tear away all the kingdom; I will give one tribe to your son for David my servant's sake, and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen."
14
Then Yahweh raised up an adversary to Solomon, Hadad the Edomite. He was from the royal family of Edom.
15
When David was in Edom, Joab the captain of the army had gone up to bury the dead, every man who had been killed in Edom.
16
Joab and all Israel remained there six months until he had killed every male in Edom.
17
But Hadad fled to Egypt with other Edomites, his father's servants, when Hadad was still a little child.
18
They left Midian and came to Paran, from where they took men with them to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave him a house and land and food.
19
Hadad found great favor in the sight of Pharaoh, so that Pharaoh gave him a wife, his own wife's sister, the sister of Tahpenes the queen.
20
The sister of Tahpenes gave birth to Hadad's son. They named him Genubath. Tahpenes raised him in Pharaoh's palace. So Genubath lived in Pharaoh's palace among the children of Pharaoh.
21
While he was in Egypt, Hadad heard that David had lain down with his ancestors and that Joab the captain of the army was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, "Let me depart, so I may go to my own country."
22
Then Pharaoh said to him, "But what have you lacked with me, that you now seek to go to your own country?" Hadad answered, "Nothing. Please let me go."
23
God also raised up another adversary to Solomon, Rezon son of Eliada, who had fled from his master Hadadezer king of Zobah.
24
Rezon gathered men to himself and became captain over a marauding band when David killed the men of Zobah. Rezon's men went to Damascus and lived there, and Rezon reigned in Damascus.
25
He was an enemy of Israel all the days of Solomon, along with the trouble that Hadad caused. Rezon abhorred Israel and reigned over Aram.
26
Then Jeroboam son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, a servant of Solomon, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow, also lifted up his hand against the king.
27
He lifted up his hand against the king because Solomon had built up the place located at Millo and repaired the opening in the city wall of David his father.
28
Jeroboam was a man of great ability. Solomon saw that the young man was industrious, so he appointed him over all the labor of the house of Joseph.
29
At that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him on the road. Now Ahijah had dressed in a new garment and the two men were alone in the field.
30
Then Ahijah grabbed hold of the new garment that was on him and tore it into twelve pieces.
31
He said to Jeroboam, "Take ten pieces, for Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, 'Look, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and I will give ten tribes to you
32
(but Solomon will have one tribe, for my servant David's sake and for Jerusalem's sake—the city that I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel),
33
because they have abandoned me and have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Molech the god of the people of Ammon. They have not walked in my ways, to do what is right in my eyes, and to keep my statutes and my decrees, as did David his father.
34
I will not take the whole kingdom out of Solomon's hand. I have made him ruler all the days of his life, for David my servant's sake whom I chose, the one who kept my commandments and my statutes.
35
But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand and I will give it to you, ten tribes.
36
I will give one tribe to Solomon's son, so that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city in which I have chosen to put my name.
37
I will take you, and you will rule to fulfill all that you desire, and you will be king over Israel.
38
If you listen to all that I command you, and if you walk in my ways and do what is right in my eyes, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did, then I will be with you and will build you a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you.
39
I will punish the descendants of David, but not forever.'"
40
So Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam. But Jeroboam got up and fled into Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and he remained in Egypt until the death of Solomon.
41
As for the other matters concerning Solomon, all that he did and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the events of Solomon?
42
Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years.
43
He lay down with his ancestors and he was buried in the city of David his father. Rehoboam his son became king in his place.
1 Kings 11:1
Now King Solomon
This is the end of the story of Solomon. (Chapters 1-11). The narrator starts to tell a new part of the story. God had told the people of Israel in Moses's law never to marry women from the Gentile nations. This was because their religious beliefs would negatively affect Israel. Solomon, the wisest man, became a fool; married many women from Gentile countries and his wives persuaded him to worship foolish idols. God became angry and warned he would take away 10 tribes from the kingdom of his son.
Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites
These are names of people groups.
1 Kings 11:2
turn your heart to their gods
"persuade you to worship the gods that they worship"
1 Kings 11:3
seven hundred wives, princesses
"seven hundred royal wives"
1 Kings 11:4
his heart was not fully surrendered ... as was the heart of David
"he was not fully devoted ... as was David"
1 Kings 11:5
Ashtoreth ... Molech
These are the names of false gods.
he followed Molech
Some version render this as "Milcom."
1 Kings 11:6
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh
"what Yahweh considered to be evil"
1 Kings 11:7
Chemosh ... Molech
These are the names of false gods.
1 Kings 11:8
sacrificed to their gods at them
"at them" refer to the shrines that Solomon built.
1 Kings 11:9
he had appeared to him twice
"Yahweh had appeared to Solomon twice"
1 Kings 11:11
tear the kingdom from you
"forcefully take the kingdom from you"
1 Kings 11:12
the hand of your son
"your son's control"
1 Kings 11:14
Hadad
This is the name of a man.
1 Kings 11:15
General Information:
This begins three verses of background material that happened long before.
1 Kings 11:16
Joab and all Israel
"Joab and all of the Israelite army"
1 Kings 11:18
Midian ... Paran ... Egypt
These are the names of places.
1 Kings 11:19
Tahpenes
This is the name of a woman.
1 Kings 11:20
Hadad ... Genubath
These are names of men.
1 Kings 11:21
David had lain down with his ancestors
"David had died"
1 Kings 11:23
Rezon ... Eliada ... Hadadezer
These are names of men.
Zobah
This is the name of a location.
1 Kings 11:24
Zobah ... Damascus
These are names of locations.
when David killed
"when David's army killed"
1 Kings 11:25
Aram
This is the name of a location.
all the days of Solomon
"during the time that Solomon was alive" or "all the days of Solomon's life"
Rezon abhorred Israel
"Rezon hated Israel very much"
1 Kings 11:26
Jeroboam ... Nebat
These are names of men.
Zeredah
This is the name of a location.
a servant of Solomon
"one of Solomon's officials." He was probably an official in the government, not a household servant.
Zeruah
This is the name of a woman.
lifted up his hand against the king
"rebelled against the king"
1 Kings 11:27
Solomon had built up the place located at Millo
Translate "Millo" as in 1 Kings 9:15.
1 Kings 11:28
man of great ability
"a wealthy and influential man" or "a great warrior."
he appointed him
"he made him commander"
all the labor
The word "labor" refers to the government work that Solomon commanded the people to do.
the house of Joseph
This refers to the descendants of Joseph who were the people groups of Ephraim and Manasseh.
1 Kings 11:29
Ahijah
This is the name of a man.
Shilonite
The Shilonites are a people group.
1 Kings 11:31
tear the kingdom out
"forcefully take the kingdom out"
the hand of Solomon
"Solomon's control"
1 Kings 11:32
Solomon will have
"Solomon's sons will have" or "Solomon's descendants will have"
1 Kings 11:33
Sidonians ... Moab ... Ammon
These are the names of locations and the people groups that live there.
what is right in my eyes
"what I consider to be right"
1 Kings 11:34
I will not take
Here the word "I" refers to Yahweh.
out of Solomon's hand
"out of Solomon's control"
1 Kings 11:35
I will give it to you
"you" refers to Jeroboam.
1 Kings 11:36
may always have a lamp before me
"will always have a descendant to rule as an influence and a guide for obeying my covenant with David's family"
1 Kings 11:37
I will take you
"I" refers to Yahweh and the word "you" refers to Jeroboam.
1 Kings 11:38
build you a sure house
"establish for you a lasting kingdom"
1 Kings 11:40
Shishak
This is the name of a man.
1 Kings 11:41
are they not written in the book of the events of Solomon?
"you can find them in the book of the events of Solomon."
the book of the events of Solomon
This book no longer exists.
1 Kings 11:43
He lay down with his ancestors
"He died and he was buried with his ancestors"
he was buried
"people buried him"
Chapter 12
1
Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel was coming to Shechem to make him king.
2
It happened that Jeroboam son of Nebat heard of this (for he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon), for Jeroboam had settled down in Egypt.
3
So they sent and called him, and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and said to Rehoboam,
4
"Your father made our yoke heavy. Now make lighter the hard work of your father and make lighter the heavy yoke that he put on us, and we will serve you."
5
Rehoboam said to them, "Go away for three days, then come back to me." So the people went away.
6
King Rehoboam consulted with the old men who had stood before Solomon his father while he was alive, and he said, "How do you advise me to answer this people?"
7
They spoke to him and said, "If you will be a servant today to these people and serve them, and answer them by saying good words to them, then they will always be your servants."
8
But Rehoboam ignored the advice that the old men had given him and he consulted with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him.
9
He said to them, "What advice do you give me that we may answer the people who spoke to me and said, 'Lighten the yoke that your father put on us'?"
10
The young men who had grown up with Rehoboam spoke to him, saying, "Speak to these people who told you that your father Solomon made their yoke heavy but that you must make it lighter. You should say to them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist.
11
So now, although my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father punished you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions.'"
12
So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king had instructed when he said, "Come back to me on the third day."
13
The king answered the people roughly and ignored the advice of the old men that they had given him.
14
He spoke to them following the advice of the young men; he said, "My father burdened you with a heavy yoke, but I will add to your yoke. My father punished you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions."
15
So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of events brought about by Yahweh, that he might carry out his word that he had spoken by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat.
16
When all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered him and said,
"What share do we have in David?
We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse!
Go to your tents, Israel.
Now see to your own house, David."
So Israel went back to their tents.
17
But as for the people of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam became king over them.
18
Then King Rehoboam sent Adoniram, who was over the forced laborers, but all Israel stoned him to death with stones. King Rehoboam fled quickly in his chariot to Jerusalem.
19
So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.
20
It happened that when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to their assembly and made him king over all Israel. There was no one who followed the family of David, except only the tribe of Judah.
21
When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin; there were 180,000 chosen men who were soldiers, to fight against the house of Israel, to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam son of Solomon.
22
But the word of God came to Shemaiah, the man of God; it said,
23
"Speak to Rehoboam son of Solomon, king of Judah, to all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people; say,
24
'Yahweh says this: You must not attack or fight against your brothers the people of Israel. Each man must return to his home, for this thing has been made to happen by me.'" So they listened to the word of Yahweh and turned back and went their way, and they obeyed his word.
25
Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and lived there. He went out from there and built Peniel.
26
Jeroboam thought in his heart, "Now the kingdom will return to the house of David.
27
If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of Yahweh at Jerusalem, then the heart of these people will turn again to their master, to Rehoboam king of Judah. They will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah."
28
So King Jeroboam sought advice and made two calves of gold; he said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Look, these are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt."
29
He set up one in Bethel and the other in Dan.
30
So this act became a sin. The people went to one or the other, all the way to Dan.
31
Jeroboam made houses on high places and he also made priests from among all the people, who were not among the sons of Levi.
32
Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like the feast that is in Judah, and he went up to the altar. He did so at Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made, and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places he had made.
33
Jeroboam went up to the altar that he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth day in the eighth month, in the month he had planned in his own mind; he ordained a feast for the people of Israel and went up to the altar to burn incense.
1 Kings 12:1
all Israel was coming
"all the men of Israel were coming". Here "Israel" represents all the men of Israel capable of fighting. This chapter explains how the united kingdom of Israel was split into the two kingdoms: Israel and Judah. This is sometimes called a "civil war.”
1 Kings 12:2
It happened that
This phrase marks where the action starts.
Jeroboam ... Nebat
These are the names of men.
1 Kings 12:4
made our yoke heavy
"treated us cruelly" or "forced us to work very hard". God's warning to Solomon came true. In spite of his famous wealth, Solomon had over-taxed his own people and forced them to work for free. When the people requested that King Rehoboam reduce taxes and forced labor, he said that he would be harsher than his father. This caused the 10 northern tribes to revolt and appoint Jeroboam as their king. These northern tribes are now called the kingdom of Israel. Only Judah and Benjamin stayed with Rehoboam. They are called Judah.
1 Kings 12:6
the old men who had stood before Solomon
"the old men who counseled Solomon" or "the old men who attended to Solomon"
1 Kings 12:9
Lighten the yoke that your father put on us
"Do not treat us as cruelly as your father did" or "Do not force us to work as hard as your father did"
1 Kings 12:10
My little finger is thicker than my father's waist
"What I will do to make your burden heavier is much more than what my father put on you"
1 Kings 12:11
My father punished you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions
"My father used whips to force you to work but I will use even crueler punishment"
punish you with scorpions
A whip with sharp metal barbs on the end or a spider-like creature that has a poisonous sting.
1 Kings 12:15
it was a turn of events brought about by Yahweh
"Yahweh caused things to happen like this"
his word that he had spoken by Ahijah ... to Jeroboam
This refers to giving someone a message to tell others.
Ahijah ... Jeroboam ... Nebat
These are the names of men.
Shilonite
This is the name of a people group from the town of Shiloh.
1 Kings 12:16
What share do we have in David?
"We will have no part in the family of David."
We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse
"We will have nothing to do with the descendants of Jesse"
Go to your tents, Israel
"Go to your homes, people of Israel"
Now see to your own house, David
"Now take care of your own kingdom, descendant of David"
1 Kings 12:18
Adoniram
This is the name of a man.
all Israel
"all the people of Israel who were there"
1 Kings 12:19
the house of David
"the kings descended from David"
to this day
"ever since that time." This refers to the time that the writer was actually writing this.
1 Kings 12:20
when all Israel heard
"when all the leaders of Israel heard"
king over all Israel
"king over all of the 10 tribes of Israel". This means the northern ten tribes that rebelled against Rehoboam.
There was no one who followed the family of David, except only the tribe of Judah
"The only people who followed the family of David were the people of the tribe of Judah"
the family of David
"David's descendants"
1 Kings 12:21
all the house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin
"all the soldiers from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin"
the house of Israel
"the kingdom of Israel" or "the people of the northern tribes of Israel"
1 Kings 12:22
the word of God came ... it said
"God spoke this message ... and he said" or "God spoke these words ... and he said"
Shemaiah
This is the name of a man.
the man of God
"the man who belongs to God" or "the prophet of God"
1 Kings 12:23
all the house of Judah and Benjamin
"all the people from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin"
1 Kings 12:24
your brothers the people of Israel
These words refer to the men of the ten northern tribes and emphasize the family relationship between them and the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.
for this thing has been made to happen by me
"because I have made this thing happen"
1 Kings 12:26
thought in his heart
"thought to himself"
the house of David
"the kings descended from David"
1 Kings 12:27
If these people go up
These words refer to the people of the northern ten tribes of Israel.
the heart of these people
"the allegiance of these people"
turn again to their master, to Rehoboam king of Judah ... return to Rehoboam king of Judah
These phrases emphasize Jeroboam's fear that the people would turn again to Rehoboam as king.
1 Kings 12:28
brought you up
"brought your ancestors up"
1 Kings 12:31
Jeroboam made houses on high places
"Jeroboam's workers made houses of worship on high places"
made priests
"appointed men to be priests"
1 Kings 12:32
in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month
"on the fifteenth day of the eighth month". This is the eighth month of the Hebrew calendar. The fifteenth day is near the beginning of November on Western calendars.
went up to the altar
"offered sacrifices on the altar"
1 Kings 12:33
went up to the altar
"offered sacrifices on the altar"
in the month he had planned in his own mind
"in the month that he had determined"
Chapter 13
1
A man of God came out of Judah by the word of Yahweh to Bethel. Jeroboam was standing by the altar to burn incense.
2
He cried against the altar by the word of Yahweh: "Altar, altar! This is what Yahweh says, 'See, a son named Josiah will be born to the family of David, and on you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who now burn incense on you. On you they will burn human bones.'"
3
Then the man of God gave a sign the same day, saying, "This is the sign that Yahweh has spoken: 'Look, the altar will be split apart, and the ashes on it will be poured out.'"
4
When the king heard what the man of God said, that he had cried out against the altar at Bethel, Jeroboam reached out with his hand from the altar, saying, "Seize him." Then the hand with which he had reached out against the man dried up, so that he could not draw it back to himself.
5
(The altar was also split apart and the ashes poured out from the altar, as described by the sign that the man of God had given by the word of Yahweh.)
6
King Jeroboam answered and said to the man of God, "Plead for the favor of Yahweh your God and pray for me, so that my hand may be restored to me again." So the man of God prayed to Yahweh, and the king's hand was restored to him again, and it became as it was before.
7
The king said to the man of God, "Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward."
8
The man of God said to the king, "Even if you give me half your possessions, I will not go with you, nor will I eat food or drink water in this place,
9
because Yahweh commanded me by his word, 'You will eat no bread nor drink water, nor return by the way that you came.'"
10
So the man of God left another way and did not return to his home by the way that he had come to Bethel.
11
Now there was an old prophet living in Bethel, and one of his sons came and told him all the things that the man of God had done that day in Bethel. His sons also told him the words that the man of God had spoken to the king.
12
Their father said to them, "Which way did he go?" Now his sons had seen the way the man of God from Judah had gone.
13
So he said to his sons, "Saddle the donkey for me." So they saddled the donkey and he rode off on it.
14
The old prophet went after the man of God and found him sitting under an oak tree; and he said to him, "Are you the man of God who came from Judah?" He answered, "I am."
15
Then the old prophet said to him, "Come home with me and eat food."
16
The man of God answered, "I may not return with you nor go in with you, neither will I eat food nor drink water with you in this place,
17
because it was commanded to me by the word of Yahweh, 'You will eat no food nor drink water there, nor return by the way that you came.'"
18
So the old prophet said to him, "I also am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of Yahweh, saying, 'Bring him back with you into your house, that he may eat food and drink water.'" But he was lying to the man of God.
19
So the man of God went back with the old prophet and ate food in his house and drank water.
20
As they sat at the table, the word of Yahweh came to the prophet who had brought him back,
21
and he cried to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, "Yahweh says, 'Because you have been disobedient to the word of Yahweh and have not kept the command that Yahweh your God gave you,
22
but came back and have eaten food and drunk water in the place about which Yahweh told you to eat no food and drink no water, your body will not be buried in the tomb of your fathers.'"
23
After he had eaten food and after he had drunk, the prophet saddled the donkey of the man of God, the man who had come back with him.
24
When the man of God was gone, a lion met him on the road and killed him, and his body was left on the road. Then the donkey stood by it, and the lion also stood by the body.
25
When men passed by and saw the body left on the road, and the lion standing by the body, they came and told it in the city where the old prophet lived.
26
When the prophet who had brought him back from the way heard it, he said, "It is the man of God who disobeyed the word of Yahweh. Therefore Yahweh gave him to the lion, which tore him to pieces and killed him, just as the word of Yahweh warned him."
27
So the old prophet spoke to his sons, saying, "Saddle my donkey," and they saddled it.
28
He went and found the body left in the road, and the donkey and the lion standing by the body. The lion had not eaten the body, nor attacked the donkey.
29
The prophet lifted up the body of the man of God, laid it on the donkey, and brought it back. He came to his own city to mourn and to bury him.
30
He laid the body in his own grave, and they mourned over him, saying, "Woe, my brother!"
31
Then after he had buried him, the old prophet spoke to his sons, saying, "When I am dead, bury me in the tomb in which the man of God is buried. Lay my bones beside his bones.
32
For the message he declared by the word of Yahweh, against the altar in Bethel and against all the houses on the high places in the cities of Samaria, will certainly happen."
33
After this Jeroboam did not turn from his evil way, but continued to appoint common priests for the high places from among all sorts of people. Any who would serve he consecrated as a priest.
34
This matter became sin to the family of Jeroboam and caused his family to be destroyed and to be exterminated from the face of the earth.
1 Kings 13:1
A man of God came out of Judah by the word of Yahweh to Bethel
"Yahweh sent a man of God from Judah to Bethel". This chapter has two parts: The young prophet's warning to Jeroboam (1-10) and the old prophet's deception (11-34). People should do what God tells them to do and not what other people tell them is God's will for them.
A man of God
"A prophet"
came out of Judah
"came from Judah"
the word of Yahweh
"the message of Yahweh" or "Yahweh's message"
1 Kings 13:2
He cried against the altar
"He" refers to the man of God.
cried against the altar
"prophesied loudly toward the altar"
a son named Josiah will be born to the family of David
"a descendant of David will have a son named Josiah"
they will burn
"they" refers to Josiah and the people with him.
1 Kings 13:3
the altar will be split apart, and the ashes on it will be poured out
"Yahweh will split the altar apart and the ashes on it will fall to the ground"
1 Kings 13:4
the hand with which he had reached out against the man dried up
"Yahweh dried up the hand with which he had reached out against the man"
dried up
"withered" or "became paralyzed"
1 Kings 13:5
The altar was also split apart
"Yahweh also split the altar apart"
as described by the sign that the man of God had given by the word of Yahweh
"as the man of God had described by the word of Yahweh as a sign"
the word of Yahweh
"the message of Yahweh" or "Yahweh's message"
1 Kings 13:6
Plead for the favor of Yahweh your God
"Plead that Yahweh your God may favor me"
my hand may be restored to me again
"Yahweh may restore my hand"
the king's hand was restored to him again, and it became as it was before
"Yahweh restored the king's hand and made it as it was before"
1 Kings 13:7
Come home with me and refresh yourself
"Come home with me and eat some food"
1 Kings 13:8
half your possessions
"half of your house,"
1 Kings 13:9
You will eat no bread nor drink water, nor return by the way that you came
"Do not eat bread, drink water, or return by the way that you came."
1 Kings 13:10
left another way
"went a different way,"
1 Kings 13:12
his sons had seen the way
The implied information is that the sons also told their father which way the man of God went.
1 Kings 13:13
Saddle
This refers to placing a seat on the back of an animal so a person can ride on it.
1 Kings 13:14
The old prophet
The prophet who lived in Bethel.
he said to him
"the old prophet said to the man of God"
He answered
"The man of God answered"
1 Kings 13:16
go in with you
"go into your house,"
in this place
"in Bethel"
1 Kings 13:17
it was commanded to me by the word of Yahweh
"Yahweh commanded me by his word"
1 Kings 13:18
an angel spoke to me by the word of Yahweh
"an angel delivered to me a message from Yahweh"
1 Kings 13:20
As they sat at the table
"As they were eating and drinking at the table"
the word of Yahweh came to the prophet
"Yahweh gave a message to the prophet" or "Yahweh spoke this message to the prophet". See 1 Kings 6:11.
brought him back
Here the word "him" refers to the man of God.
1 Kings 13:21
came from Judah, saying, "Yahweh
"came from Judah. He said, 'Yahweh" or "came from Judah: 'Yahweh"
he cried to the man of God
"the prophet spoke loudly to the man of God"
Because you have been disobedient to the word of Yahweh
"Because you have not obeyed the word of Yahweh"
1 Kings 13:24
his body was left on the road
"left his dead body on the road"
1 Kings 13:25
they came and told it
"they came and told about what they had seen"
1 Kings 13:30
they mourned
"they" refers to the prophet and his sons.
Woe, my brother!
"Woe" is an expression of great sorrow.
1 Kings 13:31
he had buried him
"he" refers to the old prophet and the word "him" refers to the man of God.
Lay my bones beside his bones
"Lay my dead body beside his bones"
1 Kings 13:32
houses on the high places
"houses of worship on the high places"
1 Kings 13:34
This matter became sin to the family of Jeroboam
"Jeroboam's family sinned by doing this thing"
This matter
This phrase refers to Jeroboam's setting up shrines and appointing priests.
caused his family to be destroyed and to be exterminated
"because of this God destroyed and exterminated Jeroboam's family"
to be destroyed and to be exterminated
"to be completely destroyed"
Chapter 14
1
At that time Abijah son of Jeroboam became very sick.
2
Jeroboam said to his wife, "Please arise and disguise yourself, so you will not be recognized as my wife, and go to Shiloh, because Ahijah the prophet is there; he is the one who spoke about me, saying that I would become king over these people.
3
Take with you ten loaves, some cakes, and a jar of honey, and go to Ahijah. He will tell you what will happen to the child."
4
Jeroboam's wife did so; she left and went to Shiloh and came to the house of Ahijah. Now Ahijah could not see; he lost his sight because of old age.
5
Yahweh said to Ahijah, "Look, the wife of Jeroboam is coming to seek advice from you regarding her son, for he is sick. Say such and such to her, because when she comes, she will act as if she were some other woman."
6
When Ahijah heard the sound of her feet as she came in at the door, he said, "Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why do you pretend to be someone you are not? I have been sent to you with severe news.
7
Go, tell Jeroboam that Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, 'I raised you from among the people to make you the leader over my people Israel.
8
I tore the kingdom away from the family of David and gave it to you, yet you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commandments and followed me with all his heart, to do only what was right in my eyes.
9
Instead, you have done evil, more than all who were before you. You have made other gods, and you have cast metal images to provoke me to anger, and you have thrust me behind your back.
10
Therefore, look, I will bring disaster on the house of Jeroboam; I will cut off from you every male child in Israel, whether slave or free, and will completely remove the house of Jeroboam like someone who burns up dung until it is gone.
11
Anyone who belongs to Jeroboam who dies in the city will be eaten by dogs, and anyone who dies in the field will be eaten by the birds of the heavens, for I, Yahweh, have said it.'
12
So arise, wife of Jeroboam, and go back to your home; when your feet enter the city, the child Abijah will die.
13
All Israel will mourn for him and bury him. He is the only one from Jeroboam's family who will go into a grave, because only in him, out of Jeroboam's house, was anything good found in the sight of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
14
Also, Yahweh will raise up a king of Israel who will cut off the family of Jeroboam on that day. Today is that day, right now.
15
For Yahweh will attack Israel as a reed is shaken in the water, and he will root up Israel out of this good land that he gave to their ancestors. He will scatter them beyond the Euphrates River, because they have made their Asherah poles and provoked Yahweh to anger.
16
He will give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, the sins that he has committed, and through which he has led Israel to sin."
17
So Jeroboam's wife arose and left, and came to Tirzah. As she came to the threshold of her house, the child died.
18
All Israel buried him and mourned for him, just as it was told to them by the word of Yahweh which he had spoken by his servant Ahijah the prophet.
19
As for the other matters concerning Jeroboam, how he waged war and how he reigned, see, they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel.
20
Jeroboam reigned twenty-two years and then lay down with his ancestors, and Nadab his son became king in his place.
21
Now Rehoboam son of Solomon was reigning in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city that Yahweh had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel in which to put his name. His mother's name was Naamah the Ammonite woman.
22
Judah did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh; they provoked him to jealousy with the sins that they committed, more than everything that their fathers had done.
23
For they also built for themselves high places, stone pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.
24
There were also cultic prostitutes in the land. They did the same disgusting practices as the nations that Yahweh had driven out before the people of Israel.
25
It happened in the fifth year of King Rehoboam that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem.
26
He took away the treasures in the house of Yahweh, and the treasures in the king's house. He took everything away; he also took all the shields of gold that Solomon had made.
27
King Rehoboam made shields of bronze in their place and entrusted them into the hands of the commanders of the guard, who guarded the doors to the king's house.
28
It happened that whenever the king entered the house of Yahweh, the guards would carry them; then they would bring them back into the guardhouse.
29
As for the other matters concerning Rehoboam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah?
30
There was constant warfare between Rehoboam and Jeroboam.
31
So Rehoboam lay down with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of David. His mother's name was Naamah the Ammonite woman. Abijah his son became king in his place.
1 Kings 14:1
General Information:
This chapter has two stories. One is the death of Jeroboam's son (1-18). The other is the reign of Rehoboam (20-31) . When the people of Judah began to worship the fertility goddess, Ashtoreth, they had to give all of their wealth to the king of Egypt. Jeroboam's son became sick; so the king sent his wife to the prophet. The prophet was blind, but when Jeroboam's wife arrived he told her, "Come in, wife of Jeroboam." He also told her that her son would die.
1 Kings 14:2
disguise yourself
"change how you appear to others"
you will not be recognized
"no one will recognize you"
1 Kings 14:5
Look, the wife of Jeroboam
"pay attention."
coming to seek advice from you
"coming to ask you to advise her"
Say such and such to her
"Speak in this way to her"
1 Kings 14:6
Why do you pretend to be someone you are not?
"Stop pretending to be someone else; I know who you are."
I have been sent to you with severe news
"Yahweh told me to give you severe news"
severe news
"very bad news"
1 Kings 14:7
I raised you
"I exalted you"
1 Kings 14:8
followed me
"obeyed me"
with all his heart
"with all his will" or "with complete commitment"
what was right in my eyes
"what I judged to be right" or "what I considered to be right"
1 Kings 14:9
thrust me behind your back
"completely rejected me"
1 Kings 14:10
the house of Jeroboam
"the family of Jeroboam" or "your family"
I will cut off ... and will completely remove
These two phrases are repeated for emphasis.
cut off from you every male child in Israel
"destroy every one of your male children in Israel"
1 Kings 14:11
Anyone who belongs to Jeroboam who dies in the city will be eaten by dogs
"Dogs will eat anyone who belongs to Jeroboam and who dies in the city"
who belongs to Jeroboam
"who is part of Jeroboam's family." or "who is part of your family."
anyone who dies in the field will be eaten by the birds of the heavens
"the birds of the heavens will eat anyone who dies in the field"
1 Kings 14:12
when your feet enter the city
"when you enter the city"
1 Kings 14:13
All Israel
"The Israelite people"
go into a grave
"be buried in a grave"
out of Jeroboam's house
"in all of Jeroboam's family"
was anything good found in the sight of Yahweh, the God of Israel
"did Yahweh, the God of Israel, find anything he judged to be good"
1 Kings 14:14
cut off the family of Jeroboam
"destroy the descendants of Jeroboam"
1 Kings 14:15
Yahweh will attack Israel as a reed is shaken in the water
"Yahweh will attack the people of Israel as a reed is shaken in the water"
as a reed is shaken in the water
"like a river of water shakes a reed"
he will root up Israel out of this good land
"he will remove the people of Israel from this good land"
scatter them
"disperse them"
1 Kings 14:17
Tirzah
This is the name of the city where king Jeroboam lived.
1 Kings 14:18
All Israel buried him and mourned for him
"A great number of the people of Israel were present when people buried him, and the people of Israel mourned for him"
just as it was told to them by the word of Yahweh
"just as Yahweh told them" or "by the message of Yahweh"
1 Kings 14:19
see
"look" or "see for yourself"
they are written in
"you can find them written in" or "someone has written about them in"
the book of the events of the kings of Israel
This refers to a book that no longer exists.
1 Kings 14:20
lay down with his ancestors
"died". See 1 Kings 2:10.
1 Kings 14:21
in which to put his name
"in which to dwell" or "in which to be worshiped"
Naamah
This is a woman's name.
1 Kings 14:22
Judah did
"The people of Judah did"
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considered to be evil"
they provoked him to jealousy
"they made him jealous"
their fathers
"their ancestors"
1 Kings 14:23
For they also built
"they" here refers to the people of Judah.
built for themselves
"built for their own use"
on every high hill and under every green tree
"on the high hills and under the green trees"
1 Kings 14:24
cultic prostitutes
"religious prostitutes" or "male prostitutes.". This probably refers to male prostitutes associated with idol worship.
the same disgusting practices as the nations that
"the same disgusting things that the people did whom"
1 Kings 14:25
Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem
"Shishak king of Egypt, and his army with him, came up against Jerusalem"
Shishak
This is the name of a man. See 1 Kings 11:40.
came up against
"came to attack"
1 Kings 14:26
He took everything away
"He took away many valuable things"
He took
"Shishak and his army took"
that Solomon had made
"that Solomon had his workers make"
1 Kings 14:27
King Rehoboam made shields
"King Rehoboam's workers made shields"
in their place
"in place of the shields of gold"
entrusted them into the hands of the commanders
"made them the responsibility of the commanders"
who guarded the doors to the king's house
"who guarded the entrance to the king's house"
1 Kings 14:28
the guards would carry them
"the guards would carry the shields of bronze;"
1 Kings 14:29
are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah?
"they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah." or "you can read about them in the book of the events of the kings of Judah."
the book of the events of the kings of Judah
This refers to a book that no longer exists.
1 Kings 14:30
There was constant warfare
"There was continuing war" or "There were constant battles"
warfare between Rehoboam and Jeroboam
"the armies of Rehoboam and Jeroboam fought in battle again and again" or "Rehoboam and his people and Jeroboam and his people engaged in battle continually"
1 Kings 14:31
Abijah his son
"Abijah the son of Rehoboam"
became king in his place
"became king instead of Rehoboam"
Chapter 15
1
In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijah began to reign over Judah.
2
He reigned for three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Maakah. She was the daughter of Abishalom.
3
He walked in all the sins that his father had committed before his time; his heart was not devoted to Yahweh his God as the heart of David, his ancestor, had been.
4
Nevertheless, for David's sake, Yahweh his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up his son after him in order to strengthen Jerusalem.
5
God did this because David had done what was right in his eyes; for all the days of his life, he had not turned away from anything that he commanded him, except only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
6
Now there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of Abijah's life.
7
As for the other matters of Abijah, all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
8
Abijah lay down with his ancestors, and they buried him in the city of David. Asa his son became king in his place.
9
In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa began to reign over Judah.
10
He reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem. His grandmother's name was Maakah, the daughter of Abishalom.
11
Asa did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, as David, his ancestor, had done.
12
He expelled the cultic prostitutes from the land and removed all the idols that his ancestors had made.
13
He also removed Maakah, his grandmother, from being queen, because she had made a disgusting figure out of an Asherah pole. Asa cut down the disgusting figure and burned it at the Kidron Valley.
14
But the high places were not taken away. Nevertheless, Asa's heart was completely devoted to Yahweh all his days.
15
He brought into the house of Yahweh the things that were set apart by his father, and his own things that had been set apart that were made of silver and gold, and vessels.
16
There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel, all their days.
17
Baasha king of Israel, acted aggressively against Judah and built up Ramah, so that he might not allow anyone to leave or enter into the land of Asa king of Judah.
18
Then Asa took all the silver and gold left in the storerooms in the house of Yahweh, and the storerooms of the king's palace. He put it into the hands of his servants and sent it to Ben-Hadad son of Tabrimmon son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who lived in Damascus. He said,
19
"Let there be a covenant between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. Look, I have sent to you a gift of silver and gold. Break your covenant with Baasha king of Israel, so that he may leave me alone."
20
Ben-Hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies, and they attacked the cities of Israel. They attacked Ijon, Dan, Abel Beth Maakah, and all Kinnereth, together with all the land of Naphtali.
21
It came about that when Baasha heard this, he stopped building up Ramah and went back to Tirzah.
22
Then King Asa made a proclamation to all Judah. No one was exempted. They carried away the stones and timbers of Ramah with which Baasha had been building up the city. Then King Asa used that building material to build up Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.
23
As for the other matters of Asa, all his might, all that he did, and the cities he built, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? But during his old age he was diseased in his feet.
24
Then Asa lay down with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of David his father. Jehoshaphat his son became king in his place.
25
Nadab son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah; he reigned over Israel two years.
26
He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and walked in the way of his father, and in his own sin, by which he led Israel to sin.
27
Baasha son of Ahijah, of the family of Issachar, conspired against Nadab; Baasha killed him down at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines, for Nadab and all Israel were laying siege to Gibbethon.
28
In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha killed Nadab and became king in his place.
29
As soon as he was king, Baasha killed all the family of Jeroboam. He left none of Jeroboam's descendants breathing; in this way he destroyed his royal line, just as Yahweh had spoken by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite,
30
for the sins of Jeroboam which he committed and by which he led Israel to sin, in his anger to which he provoked Yahweh, the God of Israel.
31
As for the other matters concerning Nadab, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel?
32
There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
33
In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha son of Ahijah began to reign over all Israel in Tirzah and he reigned twenty-four years.
34
He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin by which he led Israel to sin.
1 Kings 15:2
General Information:
Judah had some bad kings and some good kings. All of the kings in Israel worshiped the golden calves, so they were all considered to be bad. Judah and Israel continually fought each other.
1 Kings 15:3
He walked in all the sins
"Abijah continued to practice all the sins"
that his father had committed before his time
"that his father, Rehoboam, had committed before Abijah was king"
his heart was not devoted ... as the heart of David
"Abijah was not devoted ... as David"
1 Kings 15:4
gave him a lamp in Jerusalem
"gave David a descendant to rule in Jerusalem"
by raising up his son after him
"by raising up Abijah's son after him" or "by giving Abijah a son"
1 Kings 15:5
what was right in his eyes
"what Yahweh judges to be right" or "what Yahweh considers to be right"
for all the days of his life
"the whole time that David lived" or "throughout David's whole life"
he had not turned away from anything that he commanded him, except only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite
"the only time David turned away from anything that God commanded him was in the matter of Uriah the Hittite" or "except for what he did to Uriah the Hittite" or "except when he caused Uriah the Hittite to be killed"
1 Kings 15:6
between Rehoboam and Jeroboam
"between the armies of Rehoboam and Jeroboam"
all the days of Abijah's life
"the whole time that Abijah lived"
1 Kings 15:7
are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah?
"they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah." or "someone has written about this in the book of the events of the kings of Judah.". See 1 Kings 14:29.
between Abijah and Jeroboam
"between the armies of Abijah and Jeroboam"
1 Kings 15:8
Abijah lay down with his ancestors
"Abijah died as his ancestors had" or "Like his ancestors, Abaijah died"
became king in his place
"became king instead of Abijah"
1 Kings 15:9
In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel
"After Jeroboam had been the king of Israel for almost twenty years"
1 Kings 15:11
what was right in the eyes of Yahweh
"what Yahweh judges to be right" or "what Yahweh considers to be right"
1 Kings 15:12
the cultic prostitutes
"religious prostitutes" or "the prostitutes who worked for idols" or "male prostitutes".
1 Kings 15:13
Asa cut down the disgusting figure
"Asa caused the disgusting figure to be cut down" or "Asa made them cut down the disgusting figure"
1 Kings 15:14
But the high places were not taken away
"But Asa did not command the people to take away the high places"
Asa's heart was completely devoted
"Asa was completely devoted"
all his days
"the whole time that he lived" or "throughout his whole life"
1 Kings 15:16
all their days
"the whole time that they reigned over Judah and Israel"
1 Kings 15:17
acted aggressively against Judah
"attacked Judah"
built up Ramah
"captured and fortified Ramah"
1 Kings 15:18
He put it into the hands of his servants
"He entrusted it to his servants"
He said
"Asa told his servants to say to Ben Hadad" or "Through his servants, Asa said to Ben-Hadad"
1 Kings 15:19
Let there be a covenant between me and you
"Let us have a covenant with each other" or "Let us make a peace treaty"
Look, I
"As proof that I want a treaty with you, I"
Break your covenant with Baasha king of Israel
"Cancel your covenant with Baasha king of Israel" or "Do not be loyal to Baasha king of Israel as you promised in your covenant with him" or "Break your covenant with Baasha king of Israel, and attack Israel"
1 Kings 15:21
he stopped building up Ramah
"he had his workers stop building up Ramah"
Tirzah
This is the name of a city. See 1 Kings 14:17.
1 Kings 15:22
No one was exempted
"Every one had to obey King Asa's proclamation"
1 Kings 15:24
Asa lay down with his ancestors and was buried with them
"Asa died and was buried with his ancestors"
David his father
"King David, his ancestor"
1 Kings 15:25
Connecting Statement:
The rest of chapter 15 and 16 is about the kings of Israel, which happened while King Asa of Judah was still alive.
the second year of Asa king of Judah
"when Asa had been king of Judah for almost two years"
he reigned over Israel two years
"Nadab reigned over Israel two years"
1 Kings 15:26
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considers to be evil"
walked in the way of his father
"did the same things that his father had done"
in his own sin
"he sinned in his own ways"
by which he led Israel to sin
"and by sinning, he influenced Israel to sin"
1 Kings 15:27
conspired against Nadab
"secretly plotted to kill King Nadab"
Gibbethon
This is the name of a city.
Nadab and all Israel
"Nadab and the many soldiers of Israel" or "Nadab and the army of Israel"
were laying siege to Gibbethon
"were surrounding Gibbethon, so that the people of Gibbethon would surrender to them"
1 Kings 15:28
became king in his place
"became king instead of Nadab"
1 Kings 15:29
Baasha killed all the family of Jeroboam. He left none of Jeroboam's descendants breathing.
"He left none of Jeroboam's descendants living"
all the family of Jeroboam
Jeroboam was King Nadab's father.
his royal line
"Jeroboam's royal line"
just as Yahweh had spoken by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite
In 1 Kings 14:10 and 11 Yahweh spoke through his prophet Ahijah and told Jeroboam that he would destroy his family.
Ahijah the Shilonite
"Ahijah, who was from Shiloh"
1 Kings 15:30
for the sins of Jeroboam which he committed and by which he led Israel to sin
"because Jeroboam sinned and led Israel to sin in the same ways"
1 Kings 15:34
walked in the way of Jeroboam
"did the same things that Jeroboam had done"
in his sin by which he led Israel to sin
"his" and "he" refer to 1) Baasha or 2) Jeroboam.
Chapter 16
1
The word of Yahweh came to Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,
2
"Although I exalted you out of the dust and made you leader over my people Israel, you have walked in the way of Jeroboam and have made my people Israel to sin, so as to provoke me to anger with their sins.
3
See, I will consume Baasha and his family and I will make your family like the family of Jeroboam son of Nebat.
4
The dogs will eat anyone belonging to Baasha who dies in the city, and the birds of the sky will eat anyone who dies in the fields."
5
As for the other matters concerning Baasha, what he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel?
6
Baasha lay down with his ancestors and was buried in Tirzah, and Elah his son became king in his place.
7
So by the prophet Jehu son of Hanani the word of Yahweh came against Baasha and his family, both because of all the evil that he did in the sight of Yahweh, so as to provoke him to anger with the work of his hands, like the family of Jeroboam, and also because he had killed all of Jeroboam's family.
8
In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah son of Baasha began to reign over Israel in Tirzah; he reigned two years.
9
His servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him. Now Elah was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza, who was over the household in Tirzah.
10
Zimri went in, attacked him, and put him to death in the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah and became king in his place.
11
When Zimri began to reign and was seated on his throne, he killed all the family of Baasha. He did not leave alive a single male belonging to Baasha's relatives or friends.
12
So Zimri destroyed all the family of Baasha, according to the word of Yahweh which he spoke against Baasha by Jehu the prophet,
13
for all the sins of Baasha and the sins of Elah his son that they committed, and by which they had led Israel to sin, so that they provoked Yahweh, the God of Israel, to anger with their idols.
14
As for the other matters concerning Elah, all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel?
15
In the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, Zimri reigned only for seven days in Tirzah. Now the army was camped by Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines.
16
The army camped there heard it said, "Zimri has plotted and has killed the king." So that day in the camp, all Israel declared Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel.
17
Omri went up from Gibbethon and all Israel with him, and they besieged Tirzah.
18
So when Zimri saw that the city had been taken, he went into the fortress attached to the king's palace and set fire to the building over him; in this way he died in the flames.
19
This was for the sins that he had committed in doing what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, by walking in the way of Jeroboam and in the sin that he had committed, so as to lead Israel to sin.
20
As for the other matters concerning Zimri, and the treason that he carried out, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel?
21
Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts. Half of the people followed Tibni son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri.
22
But the people who followed Omri were stronger than the people who followed Tibni son of Ginath. So Tibni died, and Omri became king.
23
Omri began to reign over Israel in the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, and he reigned twelve years. He reigned from Tirzah for six years.
24
He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver. He built a city on the hill and called the name of the city Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the past owner of the hill.
25
Omri did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and acted more wickedly than all who had been before him.
26
For he walked in all the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat and in his sins by which he led Israel to sin, to provoke Yahweh, the God of Israel, to be angry with their worthless idols.
27
As for the other matters concerning Omri which he did, and the might that he showed, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel?
28
So Omri lay down with his ancestors and was buried in Samaria and Ahab his son became king in his place.
29
In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri began to reign over Israel. Ahab son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years.
30
Ahab son of Omri did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, more than all those who were before him.
31
It was to Ahab a trivial thing to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, so he took as his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; he went and worshiped Baal and bowed down to him.
32
He built an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.
33
Ahab made an Asherah pole. Ahab did even more to provoke Yahweh, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who had been before him.
34
During Ahab's rule, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. Hiel laid the foundation of the city at the cost of the life of Abiram, his firstborn son; and Segub, his youngest son, lost his life while he was building the gates of the city, in keeping with the word of Yahweh which he spoke by Joshua son of Nun.
1 Kings 16:1
The word of Yahweh came
"Yahweh spoke his message". See 1 Kings 6:11.
1 Kings 16:2
I exalted you out of the dust
"I raised you from a very unimportant position" or "when you had no power or influence over people, I made you important"
you have walked in the way of Jeroboam
"you have done the same things that Jeroboam did" or "you have sinned as Jeroboam sinned"
1 Kings 16:3
See, I will consume Baasha and his family
"Listen, Baasha. I will completely destroy you and your family"
1 Kings 16:5
are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel?
"they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel." or "someone has written about them in the book of the events of the kings of Israel.". See 1 Kings 15:31.
1 Kings 16:6
Baasha lay down with his ancestors and was buried
"Baasha died and was buried as his ancestors had" or "Like his ancestors, Baasha died and was buried"
Tirzah
This is the name of a city. See 1 Kings 14:17.
became king in his place
"became king instead of Baasha"
1 Kings 16:7
the word of Yahweh came
"Yahweh spoke this message" or "Yahweh spoke these words". The prophet Jehu warned Baasha, king of Israel, that God would destroy his family for worshiping the idols. But Baasha did not change his ways; so Zimri murdered Baasha's son and all his relatives. Then Omri killed Zimri. Omri's son Ahab brought in the rain god Baal and his wife, the fertility goddess Ashtoreth, as the official religion of Israel. This was very evil.
all the evil that he did in the sight of Yahweh
"all the things that Baasha did that are evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "all the things that Baaha did that Yahweh considers to be evil"
so as to provoke him to anger
"so as to make Yahweh very angry" or "that made God very angry"
with the work of his hands
"by the things Baasha had done"
1 Kings 16:9
His servant Zimri
"Elah's servant Zimri"
captain of half his chariots
"captain of half his chariot drivers"
drinking himself drunk
"drinking so much wine that he was getting drunk" or "getting drunk"
who was over the household
"who was in charge of the things in the Elah's house"
1 Kings 16:10
attacked him, and put him to death
"attacked and killed Elah"
became king in his place
"became king instead of Elah"
1 Kings 16:11
He did not leave alive a single male
"He did not leave even one male alive"
1 Kings 16:12
which he spoke against Baasha by Jehu the prophet
"that Yahweh told Jehu the prophet to speak against Baasha"
1 Kings 16:13
they had led Israel to sin
"they had influenced Israel to sin"
they had led Israel to sin
"Israel" refers to the ten northern tribes of Israel. Baasha and Elah had been their king.
they provoked Yahweh, the God of Israel, to anger with their idols
"they made Yahweh, the God of Israel, angry because they worshiped idols"
the God of Israel
"Israel" refers to all of the twelve tribes descended from Jacob.
1 Kings 16:15
the army was camped by Gibbethon
The word "army" refers to the army of the kingdom of Israel.
Gibbethon
This is the name of a city. See 1 Kings 15:27.
1 Kings 16:16
The army camped there heard it said
"The soldiers who camped there heard someone say"
all Israel
"all the army of Israel" or "most of the soldiers in the army of Israel" or "the army of Israel"
1 Kings 16:18
that the city had been taken
"that Omri and the army had taken the city"
1 Kings 16:19
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considers to be evil"
walking in the way of Jeroboam
"doing the same things that Jeroboam had done"
1 Kings 16:20
the treason that he carried out
"how he plotted against King Elah" or "how he killed the king of Israel"
1 Kings 16:21
followed Tibni ... followed Omri
"supported Tibni son of Ginath, to make him king, and half supported Omri" or "wanted to make Tibni son of Ginath king, and half wanted to make Omri king"
1 Kings 16:22
were stronger than the people who followed Tibni
"overpowered the people who followed Tibni,"
1 Kings 16:24
Shemer
This is the name of a man.
two talents of silver
"about 66 kilograms of silver"
He built a city
"Omri had his people build a city" or "Omri commanded and his workers built a city"
after the name of Shemer
"to honor Shemer" or "so that people would remember Shemer."
1 Kings 16:26
walked in all the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat
"did all the same things that Jeroboam son of Nebat did"
in his sins by which he led Israel to sin
"his" and "he" refer to 1) Baasha or 2) Jeroboam.
in his sins
"he sinned as Jeroboam sinned" or "he sinned habitually"
to provoke Yahweh ... to be angry with their worthless idols
"to make Yahweh, the God of Israel, angry because they worshiped worthless idols"
their worthless idols
"their idols, which are worthless" or "their idols, which are useless"
the God of Israel
"Israel" refers to all of the twelve tribes descended from Jacob.
1 Kings 16:28
Omri lay down with his ancestors
"Omri died as his ancestors had" or "Like his ancestors, Omri died"
became king in his place
"became king instead of Omri"
1 Kings 16:31
It was to Ahab a trivial thing to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat
"It was as if Ahab thought that walking in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat was not enough"
It was to Ahab a trivial thing
"Ahab considered it an insignificant thing" or "Ahab thought that it was not enough"
to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat
"to sin as Jeroboam son of Nebat had sinned"
worshiped Baal and bowed down to him
"bowed down to him" describes the posture that people used in worship.
1 Kings 16:33
the God of Israel
"Israel" refers to the nation of Israel, which consisted of twelve tribes.
the kings of Israel
Here the word "Israel" refers to the kingdom of Israel, which consisted of ten tribes.
1 Kings 16:34
at the cost of the life of Abiram, his firstborn son
"and the consequence of his sin was that Abiram, his firstborn son, died"
Segub, his youngest son, lost his life
"Segub, his youngest son, died"
while he was building the gates of the city
"while Hiel was building the gates of the city"
in keeping with the word of Yahweh
"according to the word of Yahweh"
which he spoke by Joshua son of Nun
"which Yahweh caused Joshua son of Nun to speak"
Chapter 17
1
Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As Yahweh, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there will not be dew or rain these years unless I say so."
2
The word of Yahweh came to Elijah, saying,
3
"Leave from here and go eastward; hide yourself by the brook Kerith, east of the Jordan.
4
It will happen that you will drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there."
5
So Elijah went and did as the word of Yahweh commanded. He went to live by the brook Kerith, east of the Jordan.
6
The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.
7
But after a while the brook dried up because there was no rain in the land.
8
The word of Yahweh came to him, saying,
9
"Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there. Look, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you."
10
So he arose and went to Zarephath, and when he came to the gate of the city a widow was there gathering sticks. So he called to her and said, "Please bring me a little water in a jar so that I may drink."
11
As she was going to get water he called to her, and said, "Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand."
12
She replied, "As Yahweh your God lives, I do not have any bread, but only a handful of meal in a jar and a little oil in a jug. See, I am gathering two sticks so I may go in and cook it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die."
13
Elijah said to her, "Do not fear. Go and do as you have said, but make me a little bread first and bring it out to me. Then afterward make some for you and for your son.
14
For Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, 'The jar of meal will not empty, neither will the jug of oil stop flowing, until the day that Yahweh sends rain on the earth."
15
So she did as Elijah had told her. She and Elijah, along with her household, ate for many days.
16
The jar of meal did not empty, neither did the jug of oil stop flowing, just as the word of Yahweh had said, as he had spoken by Elijah.
17
After these things the woman's son, the woman who owned the house, fell sick. His sickness was so severe that there was no more breath left in him.
18
So his mother said to Elijah, "What do you have against me, man of God? Have you come to me to remind me of my iniquity and to kill my son?"
19
Then Elijah replied to her, "Give me your son." He took the boy from her arms and carried him up into the room where he was staying, and he laid the boy on his own bed.
20
He cried to Yahweh and said, "Yahweh my God, have you also brought disaster on the widow with whom I am staying, by killing her son?"
21
Then Elijah stretched himself on the child three times; he cried out to Yahweh and said, "Yahweh my God, I beg you, please let this child's life return to him."
22
Yahweh listened to the voice of Elijah; the life of the child returned to him, and he revived.
23
Elijah took the child and brought him out of his room down into the house; he handed the boy to his mother and said, "See, your son is alive."
24
The woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of Yahweh in your mouth is true."
1 Kings 17:1
the Tishbite
A people group from Tishbe, a town in the region of Gilead. This begins the story of Elijah. (1 Kings 17--2 Kings 2).
As Yahweh, the God of Israel lives
This phrase is an oath to emphasize that what he will say is true.
before whom I stand
"whom I serve"
dew
drops of water that form on the plants during the night
1 Kings 17:2
The word of Yahweh came
"Yahweh spoke his message". See 1 Kings 6:11.
1 Kings 17:3
Kerith
This is the name of a very small stream.
1 Kings 17:4
It will happen that
"There". This phrase introduces how Yahweh will take care of Elijah during the drought. Ahab had introduced the worship of Baal, the god people thought brought rain, to Israel. Because of this, God caused a drought. Elijah told Ahab that it would not rain or dew until he, Elijah, said so. Elijah had to hide so Ahab would not kill him for bringing the drought.
ravens
large, black birds
1 Kings 17:5
as the word of Yahweh commanded
"as Yahweh commanded"
1 Kings 17:7
in the land
"in that area." or "in that country."
1 Kings 17:8
came to him
Here the word "him" refers to Elijah.
1 Kings 17:9
Zarephath
This is a town.
Look, I
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: I"
1 Kings 17:12
As Yahweh your God lives
This is an oath to emphasize that what she will say is true.
only a handful of meal
"only a little bit of flour"
See, I
"Let me tell you what I am doing: I"
two sticks
This may refer to two sticks or to only a few sticks.
that we may eat it, and die
"that we may eat. Afterwards, we will starve to death"
1 Kings 17:13
afterward make some for you and for your son
There would be enough flour and oil to make more bread.
1 Kings 17:14
Yahweh sends rain
"Yahweh causes rain to fall"
1 Kings 17:15
She and Elijah, along with her household, ate for many days
In the original language it says, "And she and he and her household ate for many days." It is unclear who "he" is. Possible meanings are 1) Elijah, the widow, and her son ate for many days or 2) the widow, her son, and everyone living in her house ate for many days or 3) Elijah, the widow, and everyone living in her house ate for many days.
along with her household
Possible meanings are 1) this refers only to the widow's son or 2) this refers to other people who live in her house or 3) this refers to her son and others living in her house.
1 Kings 17:17
the woman's son, the woman who owned the house
"the son of the woman who owned the house"
there was no more breath left in him
"he stopped breathing" or "he died"
1 Kings 17:18
man of God
The phrase "man of God" is another title for a prophet.
of my iniquity
"of my sins"
1 Kings 17:19
where he was staying
Here "he" refers to Elijah.
1 Kings 17:20
have you also brought disaster on the widow with whom I am staying, by killing her son?
"why would you cause the widow with whom I am staying to suffer even more by killing her son" or "surely, you would not cause the widow with whom I am staying to suffer even more by killing her son"
1 Kings 17:21
stretched himself on the child
"lay on top of the child"
1 Kings 17:22
Yahweh listened to the voice of Elijah
"Yahweh answered Elijah's prayer"
the life of the child returned to him, and he revived
"the child came back to life" or "the child lived again"
1 Kings 17:23
his room
Here "his" refers to Elijah.
See, your son is alive
This alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
1 Kings 17:24
the word of Yahweh in your mouth is true
"the message that you spoke from Yahweh is true"
Chapter 18
1
So after many days the word of Yahweh came to Elijah, in the third year of the drought, saying, "Go, show yourself to Ahab and I will send rain on the land."
2
Elijah went to show himself to Ahab; now the famine was severe in Samaria.
3
Ahab called Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. Now Obadiah honored Yahweh very much,
4
for when Jezebel was killing the prophets of Yahweh, Obadiah took one hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.
5
Ahab said to Obadiah, "Go through the land to all the water springs and brooks. Perhaps we will find grass and save the horses and mules alive, so that we will not lose all the animals."
6
So they divided the land between them to pass through it and look for water. Ahab went one way by himself and Obadiah went another way.
7
As Obadiah was on the road, Elijah unexpectedly met him. Obadiah recognized him and lay facedown on the ground. He said, "Is it you, my master Elijah?"
8
Elijah answered him, "It is I. Go tell your master, 'Look, Elijah is here.'"
9
Obadiah replied, "How have I sinned, that you would give your servant into the hand of Ahab, for him to kill me?
10
As Yahweh your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my master has not sent men to find you. Whenever a nation or kingdom says, 'Elijah is not here,' Ahab makes them take an oath swearing that they could not find you.
11
Yet now you say, 'Go, tell your master that Elijah is here.'
12
As soon as I am gone from you, the Spirit of Yahweh will carry you some place I do not know. Then when I go and tell Ahab, and when he cannot find you, he will kill me. Yet I, your servant, have worshiped Yahweh from my youth.
13
Has it not been told to you, my master, what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of Yahweh, how I hid one hundred of Yahweh's prophets by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water?
14
Now you say to me, 'Go and tell your master that Elijah is here,' so that he will kill me."
15
Then Elijah responded, "As Yahweh of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to Ahab today."
16
So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him what Elijah said. Then the king went to meet Elijah.
17
When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, "Is it you? You are the one who brings trouble to Israel!"
18
Elijah answered, "I have not brought trouble to Israel, but you and your father's family are the ones who have caused trouble by abandoning the commandments of Yahweh and by following the Baals.
19
Now then, send word and gather to me all Israel at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table."
20
So Ahab sent word to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel.
21
Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you keep changing your mind? If Yahweh is God, follow him. But if Baal is God, then follow him." Yet the people did not answer him a word.
22
Then Elijah said to the people, "I, I alone, am left as a prophet of Yahweh, but Baal's prophets are 450 men.
23
So let them give us two bulls. Let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. Then I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under it.
24
Then you will call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of Yahweh, and the God who answers by fire, then let him be God." So all the people answered and said, "This is good."
25
So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, for you are many people. Then call on the name of your god, but put no fire under the bull."
26
They took the bull that was given to them and prepared it, and they called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, "Baal, hear us." But there was no voice, nor anyone who answered. They danced around the altar they had made.
27
At noon Elijah mocked them and said, "Shout out loudly! He is a god! Perhaps he is thinking, or is relieving himself, or he is traveling on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened."
28
So they shouted more loudly, and they cut themselves, as they usually did, with swords and spears, until their blood flowed out over themselves.
29
Midday passed, and they were still raving until the time of offering of the evening sacrifice, but there was no voice or anyone to answer; there was no one who paid any attention to their pleadings.
30
Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me," and all the people came near to him. Then he repaired the altar of Yahweh that was lying in ruin.
31
Elijah took twelve stones, each stone representing one of the tribes of the sons of Jacob—it was Jacob to whom the word of Yahweh came, saying, "Israel will be your name."
32
With the stones he built an altar in the name of Yahweh and he dug a trench around the altar large enough to contain two seahs of seeds.
33
He arranged the wood for a fire, cut the bull in pieces, and laid the pieces of the bull on the wood. He said, "Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood."
34
Then he said, "Do it a second time," and they did it a second time. Once more he said, "Do it a third time," and they did it a third time.
35
The water ran around the altar and filled the trench.
36
It happened at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, "Yahweh, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word.
37
Hear me, Yahweh, hear me, that these people may know that you, Yahweh, are God, and that you have turned their heart back again to yourself."
38
Then the fire of Yahweh fell and consumed the burnt offering, as well as the wood, the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
39
When all the people saw this, they lay facedown on the ground and said, "Yahweh, he is God! Yahweh, he is God!"
40
So Elijah said to them, "Take the prophets of Baal. Do not let one of them escape." So they took them, and Elijah brought the prophets of Baal down to the Kishon River and killed them there.
41
Elijah said to Ahab, "Get up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of much rain."
42
So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. Then Elijah went up to the top of Carmel, bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees.
43
He said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." His servant went up and looked and said, "There is nothing." So seven times Elijah said, "Go again."
44
At the seventh time the servant said, "Look, there is a cloud going up from the sea, as small as a man's hand." Elijah replied, "Go up and say to Ahab, 'Make ready your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.'"
45
It happened that in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. Ahab rode and went to Jezreel,
46
but the hand of Yahweh was on Elijah. He girded his loins and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
1 Kings 18:1
the word of Yahweh came
"Yahweh spoke his word". See 1 Kings 6:11.
send rain on the land
"cause rain to fall on the land"
1 Kings 18:2
now the famine was severe
Here the writer tells background information about how the famine had affected Samaria.
1 Kings 18:5
save the horses and mules alive ... not lose all the animals
"prevent the horses and mules from dying"
1 Kings 18:6
Ahab went one way by himself and Obadiah went another way
"Ahab lead a team in one direction and Obadiah lead a team in the other direction"
1 Kings 18:7
master Elijah
"master" is used as a term of respect.
1 Kings 18:8
Go tell your master, 'Look, Elijah is here.'
Here "master" refers to Ahab.
Look, Elijah
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: Elijah"
1 Kings 18:9
How have I sinned ... for him to kill me?
"I have not wronged you ... for him to kill me."
give your servant into the hand of Ahab
"deliver your servant to Ahab"
your servant
Obadiah refers to himself as Elijah's servant in order to honor Elijah.
1 Kings 18:10
As Yahweh your God lives
This oath is used to emphasize that what he is saying is true.
there is no nation or kingdom where my master has not sent men
"my master has sent men to every nation and kingdom" or "my master has sent men to many nations and kingdoms"
1 Kings 18:11
Yet now
This emphasizes the danger in what Elijah is telling Obadiah to do.
1 Kings 18:13
Has it not been told to you ... with bread and water?
"Surely you have been told about what I did ... with bread and water!"
my master
Here "master" is a term of respect used to refer to Elijah.
1 Kings 18:14
your master
Here "master" refers to King Ahab.
1 Kings 18:15
As Yahweh of hosts lives
This oath emphasizes that what he will say is true.
before whom I stand
"whom I serve"
1 Kings 18:16
told him what Elijah said
"Obadiah told Ahab what Elijah had told him to say."
1 Kings 18:17
Is it you? You are the one who brings trouble to Israel!
"So here you are. You are the troublemaker of Israel!"
1 Kings 18:18
General Information:
God proved himself to all the people of Israel. Elijah went to meet Ahab. He told Ahab to bring the 450 prophets of Baal and all the people to Mount Carmel. The prophets of Baal took one bull, killed it, cut it up, and placed it on wood on an altar without lighting the fire. The prophets of Baal danced and prayed to Baal all morning and half the afternoon. After they were exhausted, Elijah built his altar, put the bull he had prepared on it, and drenched it with water. Then he prayed. God answered his prayer with fire that burned up the sacrifice, the altar and the water. Then Elijah told the people to seize the prophets of Baal and kill them. After that, Elijah prayed for rain, and it rained very hard.
1 Kings 18:19
all Israel
This generalization refers to the leaders and people who represent the ten tribes of the northern kingdom.
1 Kings 18:20
sent word to ... and gathered
"sent a message to ... and gathered" or "sent a messenger to summon ... to gather"
1 Kings 18:21
How long will you keep changing your mind?
"You have been indecisive for long enough."
did not answer him a word
"did not say anything" or "were silent"
1 Kings 18:24
call on the name of your god ... call on the name of Yahweh
"call to your god ... call to Yahweh"
all the people answered and said, "This is good."
"all the people said, 'This is a good thing to do.'"
1 Kings 18:25
prepare it
"make it ready to be sacrificed"
you are many people
Here the word "you" is plural.
1 Kings 18:26
They took the bull
"The prophets of Baal took the bull"
the bull that was given to them
"the bull that someone gave them"
But there was no voice, nor anyone who answered
"But Baal did not say or do anything"
1 Kings 18:27
Perhaps he is thinking
"Maybe he is thinking" or "It could be that he is thinking"
relieving himself
"in the bathroom". Elijah uses understatement to insult Baal with sarcasm.
must be awakened
"you must awaken him" or "you must wake him up"
1 Kings 18:29
they were still raving
"they continued their wild behavior." They called on Baal while dancing, shouting loudly, and cutting themselves with knives.
of offering of the evening sacrifice
"to offer the evening sacrifice"
but there was no voice or anyone to answer; there was no one who paid any attention to their pleadings
"but Baal did not say or do anything or even pay attention"
1 Kings 18:32
in the name of Yahweh
"to honor Yahweh" or "with the authority of Yahweh."
trench
a small waterway to hold water
two seahs of seeds
"about 15 liters of seeds". A seah is a unit of volume equal to about 7.7 liters.
1 Kings 18:33
He arranged the wood for a fire
"He put the wood for a fire on the altar"
jars
A jar is a container for water.
1 Kings 18:36
Yahweh, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel
God changed Jacob's name to Israel (Genesis 32:28), and God named the nation of Jacob's descendants "Israel."
let it be known this day
"make these people know today"
1 Kings 18:37
turned their heart back again to yourself
"caused them to be loyal to you again"
1 Kings 18:38
the fire of Yahweh fell
"the fire of Yahweh came down"
licked up
The fire is compared to a thirsty person drinking water.
1 Kings 18:41
there is the sound of much rain
"it sounds like it is going to rain a lot."
1 Kings 18:42
bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees
This is a posture used for praying.
1 Kings 18:44
as small as a man's hand
A man's hand could cover the cloud from sight.
1 Kings 18:45
It happened
This phrase is used here to mark where a new step in the action starts.
1 Kings 18:46
the hand of Yahweh was on Elijah
"Yahweh gave his power to Elijah"
girded his loins
Elijah wrapped his long robe around his waist so that his legs would be free for running.
Chapter 19
1
Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.
2
Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So may the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of those dead prophets by tomorrow about this time."
3
When Elijah heard that, he arose and fled for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
4
But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. He requested for himself that he might die, and said, "It is enough, now, Yahweh; take away my life, for I am no better than my dead ancestors."
5
So he lay down and slept under a broom tree. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, "Get up and eat."
6
Elijah looked, and near his head was bread that had been baked on coals and a jug of water. So he ate and drank and then lay down again.
7
The angel of Yahweh came again a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, because the journey will be too much for you."
8
So he arose and ate and drank, and he traveled in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.
9
He went to a cave there and prepared to stay overnight in it. Then the word of Yahweh came to him and said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
10
Elijah replied, "I have been very zealous for Yahweh, God of hosts, because the people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. Now I, only I, am left and they are also trying to take my life."
11
Yahweh replied, "Go out and stand on the mountain before me." Then Yahweh passed by, and a very strong wind struck the mountains and broke rocks into pieces before Yahweh, but Yahweh was not in the wind. Then after the wind, an earthquake came, but Yahweh was not in the earthquake.
12
Then after the earthquake a fire came, but Yahweh was not in the fire. Then after the fire, a still small voice came.
13
When Elijah heard the voice, he wrapped his face in his cloak, went out, and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then a voice came to him that said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
14
Elijah replied, "I have been very zealous for Yahweh, God of hosts, because the people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. Now I, only I, am left and they are also trying to take my life."
15
Then Yahweh said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus, and when you arrive you will anoint Hazael to be king over Aram,
16
and you will anoint Jehu son of Nimshi to be king over Israel, and you will anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah to be prophet in your place.
17
It will happen that Jehu will kill whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, and that Elisha will kill whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu.
18
But I will leave for myself seven thousand people in Israel, whose knees have not bent down to Baal, and whose mouths have not kissed him."
19
So Elijah left from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he himself was plowing with the twelfth yoke. Elijah walked over to Elisha and draped his cloak on him.
20
Then Elisha left the oxen and ran after Elijah; he said, "Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you." Then Elijah said to him, "Go back, but think about what I have done to you."
21
So Elisha returned from Elijah and took the yoke of oxen, killed the animals, and cooked the meat with the wood from the ox yoke. Then he gave it to the people and they ate. Then he arose, went after Elijah and served him.
1 Kings 19:1
General Information:
The queen was angry that Elijah had killed her prophets of Baal. She promised to kill Elijah. Elijah fled south into the desert south of Judah. He traveled on to Mount Horeb also known as Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. God asked him why he was there. He said he had come because Israel had deserted God, killed his prophets, and wanted to kill him. God sent him home to make Hazael the king of Aram, Jehu the king of Israel, and Elisha as the prophet in his place.
1 Kings 19:2
So may the gods do to me, and more also
"May the gods kill me and do even more bad things"
if I do not make your life like the life of one of those dead prophets
"if I do not kill you like you killed those prophets"
1 Kings 19:3
he arose
"he stood up,"
1 Kings 19:4
he himself went a day's journey
"he walked by himself for a day"
broom tree
A "broom tree" is a plant that grows in the desert.
He requested for himself that he might die
"He prayed that he would die"
It is enough, now, Yahweh
"These troubles are too much for me, Yahweh"
1 Kings 19:6
bread that had been baked on coals
"bread that someone had cooked on hot stones"
1 Kings 19:7
will be too much for you
"will be too difficult for you."
1 Kings 19:8
he traveled in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights
"that food gave him energy to travel for 40 days and 40 nights"
1 Kings 19:9
to a cave there
"there" refers to Mount Horeb. A cave is an opening in a mountainside that leads to natural rooms.
the word of Yahweh came to him and said to him, "What
"Yahweh gave a message to him. He said, 'What" or "Yahweh spoke this message to him: 'What" See 1 Kings 6:11.
What are you doing here, Elijah?
"This is not where you should be, Elijah."
1 Kings 19:11
on the mountain before me
"on the mountain in my presence"
1 Kings 19:13
he wrapped his face in his cloak
"he covered his face with his cloak" A cloak is a long robe that covers the whole body.
Then a voice came to him
"Then he heard a voice"
1 Kings 19:16
prophet in your place
"prophet instead of you."
1 Kings 19:17
It will happen
"What will happen is". This introduces what will happen when Elijah does what Yahweh has told him to do.
whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael
"whomever Hazael does not kill with the sword"
1 Kings 19:18
I will leave for myself
"I will save from death"
whose knees have not bent down to Baal, and whose mouths have not kissed him
"who have not bowed down and kissed Baal" or "who have not worshiped Baal"
1 Kings 19:19
Shaphat
This is the name of a man.
he himself was plowing with the twelfth yoke
This indicates that Elisha was plowing with the last yoke, while other men were plowing with the other eleven yokes.
1 Kings 19:20
he said, "Please
"he" refers to Elisha.
1 Kings 19:21
he gave it to the people
Elisha gave the cooked meat to the people of his city.
Chapter 20
1
Ben-Hadad king of Aram gathered all his army together. There were thirty-two lesser kings with him, and horses and chariots. He went up, besieged Samaria and fought against it.
2
He sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel, and said to him, "Ben-Hadad says this:
3
'Your silver and your gold are mine. Also your wives and children, the best ones, are now mine.'"
4
The king of Israel answered and said, "It is as you say, my master, king. I and all that I have are yours."
5
The messengers came again and said, "Ben-Hadad says this, 'I sent word to you saying that you must give me your silver, your gold, your wives, and your children.
6
But I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they will search your house and your servants' houses. They will seize with their own hands and take away everything that delights your eyes.'"
7
Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land together and said, "Please take note and see how this man seeks trouble. He has sent word to me in order to take my wives, children, and silver and gold, and I have not refused him."
8
All the elders and all the people said to Ahab, "Do not listen to him or consent to his demands."
9
So Ahab said to the messengers of Ben-Hadad, "Tell my master the king, 'I agree to everything that you sent your servant to do the first time, but I cannot accept this second demand.'" So the messengers left and took this response to Ben-Hadad.
10
Then Ben-Hadad sent his reply to Ahab, and said, "May the gods do so to me and more also, if even the ashes of Samaria will be enough for all the people who follow me to have a handful each."
11
The king of Israel answered and said, "Tell Ben-Hadad, 'No one who is girding on his armor should boast as if he were taking it off.'"
12
Ben-Hadad heard this message as he was drinking, he and the kings under him who were in their tents. Ben-Hadad commanded his servants, "Line yourselves up in position for battle." So they prepared themselves in position of battle to attack the city.
13
Then behold, a prophet came to Ahab king of Israel and said, "Yahweh says, 'Have you seen this great army? Look, I will place it into your hand today, and you will know that I am Yahweh.'"
14
Ahab replied, "By whom?" Yahweh replied and said, "By the young officers who serve the governors of the provinces." Then Ahab said, "Who will begin the battle?" Yahweh answered, "You."
15
Then Ahab mustered the young officers who served the governors of the provinces. They numbered 232. After them he mustered all the soldiers, all the army of Israel; seven thousand in number.
16
They went out at noon. Ben-Hadad had been drinking himself drunk in his tent, he and the thirty-two lesser kings who were supporting him.
17
The young officers who served the governors of the provinces went forward first. Then Ben-Hadad was informed by scouts that he had sent out, "Men are coming out from Samaria."
18
Ben-Hadad said, "Whether they have come out for peace or war, take them alive."
19
So the young officers who served the governors of the provinces went out of the city and the army followed them.
20
Each man killed his opponent. The Arameans fled and Israel pursued them. Ben-Hadad the king of Aram escaped on a horse along with some horsemen.
21
Then the king of Israel went out and attacked the horses and chariots, and killed the Arameans in a great slaughter.
22
So the prophet came to the king of Israel and said to him, "Go, strengthen yourself, and understand and plan what you are doing, because at the return of the year the king of Aram will come up against you again."
23
The servants of the king of Aram said to him, "Their god is a god of the hills. That is why they were stronger than we were. But now let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we will be stronger than they are.
24
So you must do this: Remove all the kings from their positions of authority and replace them with military commanders.
25
Raise up an army like the army you lost—horse for horse and chariot for chariot—so we can fight them in the plain. Then surely we will be stronger than they are." So Ben-Hadad listened to their advice and did what they advised.
26
After the beginning of the new year, Ben-Hadad mustered the Arameans and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel.
27
The people of Israel were mustered and supplied to fight against them. The people of Israel camped before them like two little flocks of goats, but the Arameans filled the countryside.
28
Then a man of God came near and spoke to the king of Israel and said, "Yahweh says: 'Because the Arameans have said that Yahweh is a god of the hills, but he is not a god of the valleys, I will place this great army into your hand, and you will know that I am Yahweh.'"
29
So the armies camped opposite each other for seven days. Then on the seventh day the battle started. The people of Israel killed 100,000 Aramean footmen in one day.
30
The rest fled to Aphek, into the city, and the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand men who were left. Ben-Hadad fled and went into the city, into an inner room.
31
Ben-Hadad's servants said to him, "See now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Please let us put sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads, and go out to the king of Israel. Perhaps he will spare your life."
32
So they girded sackcloth on their waists and ropes around their heads and then went to the king of Israel and said, "Your servant Ben-Hadad said, 'Please let me live.'" Ahab said, "Is he still alive? He is my brother."
33
Now the men were listening for any sign from Ahab, so they quickly answered him, "Yes, your brother Ben-Hadad is alive." Then Ahab said, "Go and bring him." Then Ben-Hadad came to him, and Ahab had him come up into his chariot.
34
Ben-Hadad said to Ahab, "I will restore to you the cities that my father took from your father, and you may make markets for yourself in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria." Ahab replied, "I will let you go with this covenant." So Ahab made a covenant with him and then let him go.
35
A certain man, one of the sons of the prophets, said to one of his companions by the word of Yahweh, "Please hit me." But the man refused to hit him.
36
Then the prophet said to his fellow prophet, "Because you have not obeyed the voice of Yahweh, as soon as you leave me, a lion will kill you." As soon as that man had left him, a lion came upon him and killed him.
37
Then the prophet found another man and said, "Please hit me." So the man hit him and wounded him.
38
Then the prophet left and waited for the king by the road; he had disguised himself with a bandage over his eyes.
39
As the king passed by, the prophet cried out to the king and said, "Your servant went out into the heat of the battle, and a soldier stopped and brought a man to me and said, 'Watch this man. If by any means he goes missing, your life will be given for his life, or you must pay a talent of silver.'
40
But because your servant was busy going here and there, the man escaped." Then the king of Israel said to him, "This is what your punishment will be—you yourself have decided it."
41
Then the prophet quickly removed the bandage from his eyes, and the king of Israel recognized that he was one of the prophets.
42
The prophet said to the king, "Yahweh says, 'Because you have let go from your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, your life will take the place of his life, and your people for his people.'"
43
So the king of Israel went to his house resentful and angry, and arrived in Samaria.
1 Kings 20:1
Ben-Hadad
This is the name of a man. God had chosen to defeat Ben Hadad, king of Aram. So when he attacked Samaria with a huge army, the tiny army of Israel defeated him. The people of Aram said that Yahweh was the god of the hills, but they could defeat Israel on the plains. So they came again but Israel defeated them again. Then Ben Hadad offered a peace plan and Ahab accepted. But God had wanted him to kill Ben Hadad and was angry at Ahab for making peace with him.
lesser kings
"kings ruling smaller groups of people"
1 Kings 20:4
It is as you say
"I agree with you"
1 Kings 20:6
tomorrow about this time
"tomorrow at the same time of day that it is now"
everything that delights your eyes
"whatever pleases you"
1 Kings 20:7
of the land
"of the people of Israel"
take note and see
"pay close attention to"
I have not refused him
"I have agreed to his demands"
1 Kings 20:10
May the gods do so to me and more also
This is an oath with great emphasis. See 1 Kings 19:2.
if even the ashes of Samaria will be enough for all the people who follow me to have a handful each
Ben-Hadad is threatening that his army will totally destroy everything in Samaria.
1 Kings 20:11
Tell Ben-Hadad, 'No one who is girding on his armor should boast as if he were taking it off.'
"Tell Ben-Hadad, 'Do not boast as if you have already won a battle that you have not yet fought.'"
No one who is girding on his armor should boast as if he were taking it off
"Let him who puts his armor on not boast like him who takes it off". This is a proverb.
1 Kings 20:12
his servants
"his soldiers"
1 Kings 20:13
Then behold
This alerts us to the sudden appearance of a new person in the story.
Have you seen this great army?
"Look at this great army."
Look, I will place it into your hand today
"Look" alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
place it into your hand
"give you victory over that army"
1 Kings 20:14
By whom?
"By whom will you do this?"
1 Kings 20:15
Ahab mustered the young officers
"Ahab assembled the young officers"
1 Kings 20:17
Ben-Hadad was informed by scouts that he had sent out
"Scouts that Ben-Hadad had sent out informed him"
1 Kings 20:18
Ben-Hadad said
"Ben-Hadad said to his soldiers"
Whether they have ... take them
Here "they" and "them" refer to the Israelite army.
1 Kings 20:19
So the young officers ... the army followed
"The young Israelite officers ... the Israelite army followed."
1 Kings 20:20
Israel pursued them
"the men of the army of Israel pursued them"
1 Kings 20:21
the king of Israel went out and attacked
"The king of Israel and his soldiers went out and attacked"
1 Kings 20:22
strengthen yourself
"strengthen your forces"
understand and plan
"determine"
at the return of the year
"in the springtime of next year" or "at this time next year."
1 Kings 20:23
let us fight ... we will be stronger
"us" and "we" refer to the servants, the king, and the army all together.
1 Kings 20:24
Remove all the kings from their positions of authority
"You must remove the thirty-two kings who are leading your troops,"
1 Kings 20:26
Aphek
This is the name of a city.
to fight against Israel
"to fight against the army of Israel"
1 Kings 20:27
The people of Israel were mustered and supplied
"The Israelite army also gathered together, and the commanders gave the arms that they needed for the battle"
like two little flocks of goats
"The Israelite army appeared to be small and weak like two flocks of goats"
1 Kings 20:28
a man of God
"a prophet"
place this great army into your hand
"give you victory over this great army"
1 Kings 20:29
footmen
A "footman" is a soldier who marches on foot.
1 Kings 20:30
The rest fled to Aphek
"The rest of the Aramean soldiers"
1 Kings 20:31
See now, we
"Please listen carefully: we"
put sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads
This was a sign of surrender.
1 Kings 20:32
Is he still alive?
"I am surprised that he is still alive!"
He is my brother
"He is like a brother to me" or "He is like family"
1 Kings 20:33
Now the men
"Now" does not mean "at this moment," but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.
for any sign from Ahab
"for any action from Ahab that would show them that Ahab wanted to be merciful"
1 Kings 20:35
one of the sons of the prophets
"a member of the group of prophets,"
the word of Yahweh
"the message of Yahweh" or "Yahweh's message"
1 Kings 20:36
you have not obeyed the voice of Yahweh
"you have not obeyed Yahweh"
1 Kings 20:39
Your servant went out
The prophet refers to himself in the third person as a sign of respect to the king.
into the heat of the battle
"to where the battle was most intense"
your life will be given for his life
"you will die in his place"
a talent of silver
"33 kilograms of silver". A talent is a unit of weight equal to about 33 kilograms.
1 Kings 20:40
going here and there
"doing other things" or "doing this and that"
1 Kings 20:42
let go from your hand
"released" or "spared the life of"
your life will take the place of his life, and your people for his people
"you will die in his place, and your people will die in the place of his people"
Chapter 21
1
Now some time later, Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, near the palace of Ahab, king of Samaria.
2
Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, "Give me your vineyard, so I can have it as a vegetable garden, because it is near my house. In exchange, I will give you a better vineyard, or, if you prefer, I will pay you its value in money."
3
Naboth replied to Ahab, "May Yahweh forbid that I should give the inheritance of my ancestors to you."
4
So Ahab went into his palace resentful and angry because of the answer Naboth the Jezreelite gave him when he said, "I will not give you the inheritance of my ancestors." He lay down on his bed, turned away his face, and refused to eat any food.
5
Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, "Why is your heart so sad, so that you eat no food?"
6
He replied to her, "I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, 'Give me your vineyard for money, or if it pleases you, I will give you another vineyard to be yours.' Then he answered me, 'I will not give you my vineyard.'"
7
So Jezebel his wife replied to him, "Do you not still rule the kingdom of Israel? Get up and eat; let your heart be happy. I will obtain for you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite."
8
So Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab's name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and to the nobles who sat with him in meetings, and who lived near Naboth.
9
She wrote in the letters, saying, "Proclaim a fast and seat Naboth above the people.
10
Also place two worthless men with him and let them testify against him, saying, 'You cursed God and the king.'" Then take him out and stone him to death.
11
So the men of his city, the elders and the noblemen who lived in Naboth's city, did as Jezebel had described to them, as was written in the letters that she had sent to them.
12
They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth above the people.
13
The two dishonest men came in and sat before Naboth; they testified against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, "Naboth cursed both God and the king." Then they carried him out of the city and stoned him to death.
14
Then the elders sent word to Jezebel, saying, "Naboth has been stoned and is dead."
15
So when Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, she said to Ahab, "Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, because Naboth is not alive, but dead."
16
When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite and take possession of it.
17
Then the word of Yahweh came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
18
"Get up and go meet Ahab king of Israel, who lives in Samaria. He is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession of it.
19
You must speak to him and say that Yahweh says, 'Have you killed and also taken possession?' Then you will tell him that Yahweh says, 'In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, the dogs will lick your blood, yes, your blood.'"
20
Ahab said to Elijah, "Have you found me, my enemy?" Elijah answered, "I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of Yahweh.
21
Yahweh says this to you: 'See, I will bring disaster on you and will completely consume and cut off from Ahab every male child and slave and free man in Israel.
22
I will make your family like the family of Jeroboam son of Nebat, and like the family of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked me to anger and have led Israel to sin.'
23
Yahweh has also spoken concerning Jezebel, saying, 'The dogs will eat Jezebel beside the wall of Jezreel.'
24
Anyone who belongs to Ahab and dies in the city, the dogs will eat; and the birds of the sky will eat anyone who dies in the field."
25
There was no one like Ahab, who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, whom Jezebel his wife incited to sin.
26
Ahab behaved abhorrently by following idols, just as all that the Amorites had done, those whom Yahweh had removed before the people of Israel.
27
When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body and fasted, and lay in sackcloth and became very sad.
28
Then the word of Yahweh came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
29
"Do you see how Ahab humbles himself before me? Because he humbles himself before me, I will not bring the coming disaster in his days; it is in his son's day that I will bring disaster on his family."
1 Kings 21:1
Now some time later
"Now this is what happened later". God hates oppression but is forgiving to people who are sorry for their sins. Ahab wanted Naboth’s vineyard to make into a garden for his palace, but Naboth refused to sell it. So the queen, Ahab’s wife, told the civic leaders of Naboth’s town to falsely accuse him and execute him. Elijah told Ahab that he would be killed in Naboth’s vineyard and all his family destroyed. Ahab repented and showed he was very sorry for what he did, so God said it would not happen to Ahab himself but to his son.
Naboth the Jezreelite
This is the name of a man from Jezreel.
king of Samaria
"king of Israel". "Samaria" was the capital city of the kingdom of Israel.
1 Kings 21:3
May Yahweh forbid that I should give
"Because Yahweh forbids it, I will never give"
give the inheritance of my ancestors to you
"give to you the land that my ancestors received as an inheritance"
1 Kings 21:5
Why is your heart so sad
"Why are you so sad"
1 Kings 21:7
Do you not still rule the kingdom of Israel?
"You still rule the kingdom of Israel!"
let your heart be happy
"be happy" or "cheer up"
1 Kings 21:8
wrote letters in Ahab's name
"wrote letters and signed them with Ahab's name" or "wrote letters on behalf of Ahab".
the nobles who sat with him
"nobles" refers to wealthy people.
1 Kings 21:9
seat Naboth above the people
"have Naboth sit in a place of honor among the people"
1 Kings 21:10
let them testify against him
"have them accuse him,"
1 Kings 21:11
as was written in the letters
"as she had written in the letters"
1 Kings 21:12
seated Naboth above the people
"had Naboth sit in a place of honor among the people"
1 Kings 21:13
sat before Naboth
"sat in front of Naboth"
they carried him out
"they" refers to the people of the city.
1 Kings 21:14
Naboth has been stoned and is dead
"We have stoned Naboth and he is dead"
1 Kings 21:15
Naboth is not alive, but dead.
"Naboth is dead!"
1 Kings 21:17
the word of Yahweh came
"Yahweh spoke this message" or "Yahweh spoke". See 1 Kings 6:11.
1 Kings 21:19
Have you killed and also taken possession?
"You have killed Naboth and stolen his vineyard!"
1 Kings 21:20
Have you found me, my enemy?
"You have found me, my enemy!" or "You have discovered what I have done, my enemy!"
you have sold yourself to do what is evil
"you have dedicated yourself to doing what is evil"
what is evil in the sight of Yahweh
"what Yahweh considers to be evil". See 1 Kings 11:6.
1 Kings 21:21
See
"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
completely consume and cut off from Ahab every male child and slave and free man in Israel
"destroy every one of your male children in Israel, whether slave or free"
1 Kings 21:22
I will make your family like the family of Jeroboam ... and like the family of Baasha
Yahweh will destroy Ahab's family like he destroyed the families of Jeroboam and Baasha.
1 Kings 21:24
Anyone who belongs to Ahab
"Anyone who belongs to Ahab's family"
1 Kings 21:26
Ahab behaved abhorrently by following idols
Possible meanings are 1) following the idols was in itself abhorrent behavior or 2) because he followed idols he engaged in other abhorrent behavior.
removed before the people of Israel
"removed from the presence of the people of Israel" or "drove out of the land before the people of Israel". Here "Israel" refers to all twelve tribes of Israel and not just to the northern kingdom.
1 Kings 21:29
Do you see how Ahab humbles himself before me?
"I have seen how Ahab humbles himself before me." or "Look at how Ahab humbles himself before me."
in his days ... in his son's day
"during his lifetime ... during his son's lifetime"
Chapter 22
1
Three years passed without war between Aram and Israel.
2
Then it came about that in the third year, Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went down to the king of Israel.
3
Now the king of Israel had said to his servants, "Do you know that Ramoth Gilead is ours, but that we are doing nothing to take it from the hand of the king of Aram?"
4
So he said to Jehoshaphat, "Will you go with me to war at Ramoth Gilead?" Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, "I am like you, my people are like your people, and my horses are like your horses."
5
Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please seek direction from the word of Yahweh for what you should do first."
6
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, "Should I go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or should I not?" They said, "Attack, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king."
7
But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not here yet another prophet of Yahweh from whom we might seek advice?"
8
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man by whom we may seek advice from Yahweh to help, Micaiah son of Imlah, but I hate him because he does not prophesy anything good about me, but only hardships." But Jehoshaphat said, "May the king not say that."
9
Then the king of Israel called an officer and commanded, "Bring Micaiah son of Imlah, right away."
10
Now Ahab the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting each on a throne, clothed in their robes, in a threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying before them.
11
Zedekiah son of Kenaanah made himself horns of iron and said, "Yahweh says this: 'With these you will push the Arameans until they are consumed.'"
12
Then all the prophets prophesied the same, saying, "Attack Ramoth Gilead and win, for Yahweh has given it into the hand of the king."
13
The messenger who went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, "See now, the words of the prophets declare good things to the king with one mouth. Please let your word be like one of them and say good things."
14
Micaiah replied, "As Yahweh lives, it is what Yahweh says to me that I will say."
15
When he came to the king, the king said to him, "Micaiah, should we go to Ramoth Gilead for battle, or not?" Micaiah answered him, "Attack and win. Yahweh will give it into the hand of the king."
16
Then the king said to him, "How many times must I require you to swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of Yahweh?"
17
So Micaiah said, "I saw all Israel scattered to the mountains, like sheep who have no shepherd, and Yahweh said, 'These have no master. Let every man return to his house in peace.'"
18
So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but only disaster?"
19
Then Micaiah said, "Therefore hear the word of Yahweh: I saw Yahweh sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven were standing by him on his right hand and on his left.
20
Yahweh said, 'Who will entice Ahab, so that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead?' One of them said this and another one said that.
21
Then a spirit came forward, stood before Yahweh, and said, 'I will entice him.' Yahweh said to him, 'How?'
22
The spirit replied, 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' Yahweh replied, 'You will entice him, and you will also be successful. Go now and do so.'
23
Now see, Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and Yahweh has decreed disaster for you."
24
Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah, came up, slapped Micaiah on the cheek, and said, "Which way did the Spirit of Yahweh take to go from me to speak to you?"
25
Micaiah said, "Look, you will see on that day when you will go to hide in an inner room."
26
The king of Israel said to his servant, "Seize Micaiah and take him to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Joash, my son.
27
Say to him, 'The king says, Put this man in prison, and feed him the bread of affliction and the water of affliction until I come safely.'"
28
Then Micaiah said, "If you return safely, then Yahweh has not spoken by me." Then he added, "Listen to this, all you people."
29
So Ahab, the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, went up to Ramoth Gilead.
30
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will disguise myself and go into the battle, but you put on your royal robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into the battle.
31
Now the king of Aram had commanded the thirty-two captains of his chariots, saying, "Do not attack unimportant or important soldiers. Attack only the king of Israel."
32
It came about that when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat they said, "Surely that is the king of Israel." They turned to attack him, so Jehoshaphat cried out.
33
It came about that when the commanders of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.
34
But a certain man drew his bow at random and shot the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. Then Ahab said to the driver of his chariot, "Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded."
35
The battle grew worse that day and the king was held up in his chariot facing the Arameans. He died in the evening. The blood ran out from his wound into the bottom of the chariot.
36
Then about the time the sun was going down, a cry went up throughout the army, saying, "Every man should go back to his city; and every man should go back to his region!"
37
So King Ahab died and was brought to Samaria, and they buried him in Samaria.
38
They washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood (this was where the prostitutes bathed), just as the word of Yahweh had declared.
39
As for the other matters concerning Ahab, all that he did, the ivory house that he built, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel?
40
So Ahab lay down with his ancestors, and Ahaziah his son became king in his place.
41
Then Jehoshaphat son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.
42
Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother's name was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi.
43
He walked in the ways of Asa, his father; he did not turn away from them; he did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh. Yet the high places were not taken away. The people were still sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.
44
Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.
45
As for the other matters concerning Jehoshaphat, and the might that he showed, and how he waged war, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah?
46
He completely removed from the land the rest of the cultic prostitutes who had remained in the days of his father Asa.
47
There was no king in Edom, but a deputy ruled there.
48
Jehoshaphat built ships of Tarshish; they were to go to Ophir for gold, but they did not go because the ships were wrecked at Ezion Geber.
49
Then Ahaziah son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, "Let my servants sail with your servants in the ships." But Jehoshaphat would not allow it.
50
Jehoshaphat lay down with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of David, his ancestor; Jehoram his son became king in his place.
51
Ahaziah son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned two years over Israel.
52
He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and walked in the way of his father, in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam son of Nebat, by which he led Israel to sin.
53
He served Baal and worshiped him and so he provoked Yahweh, the God of Israel, to anger, just as his father had done.
1 Kings 22:1
General Information
This is the end of the story of Ahab and a continuation of the story of Elijah as he had predicted Ahab's death and the dogs licking his blood. When God has decided a person will die, then they cannot avoid death. Ahab persuaded Jehoshaphat, king of Judah to help him in a battle against the army of Aram. Ahab's false prophets all told him to go because he would be successful. But a randomly shot arrow hit him and he bled to death. They washed his chariot at the pool and the dogs licked up his blood, just as Elijah had said they would. At the shrines, the people worshiped Yahweh. But later, during Hezekiah's reign it was decided that all sacrifices must be made only at the temple.
1 Kings 22:2
it came about that
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story.
1 Kings 22:3
Do you know that Ramoth Gilead is ours, but that we are doing nothing to take it from the hand of the king of Aram?
"Ramoth Gilead is ours, but we have done nothing yet to take it from the hand of the king of Aram."
to take it from the hand of the king of Aram
"to take it from the control of the king of Aram"
1 Kings 22:4
I am like you, my people are like your people, and my horses are like your horses
"I, my soldiers, and my horses are yours to use in any way you want"
1 Kings 22:6
for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king
"for the Lord will allow the king to capture Ramoth Gilead"
1 Kings 22:8
May the king not say that
"You should not say that". Jehoshaphat refers to Ahab in the third person to show respect for him.
1 Kings 22:11
made himself horns of iron
"made iron horns for himself"
With these you will push the Arameans until they are consumed
The prophet's actions illustrate the way that Ahab would defeat the Arameans.
until they are consumed
"until you consume them" or "until you destroy them"
1 Kings 22:12
given it into the hand of the king
"allowed the king to capture it"
1 Kings 22:13
See now, the words
"Listen carefully: the words"
the words of the prophets declare good things to the king with one mouth
"the prophets all declare the same good things to the king"
let your word be like one of them
"let what you say agree with what they have said"
1 Kings 22:15
should we go
The word "we" refers to Ahab, Jehoshaphat, and their armies but not to Micaiah.
will give it into the hand of the king
"will allow the king to capture it"
1 Kings 22:16
How many times must I require ... in the name of Yahweh?
"Many times I have required ... in the name of Yahweh."
in the name of Yahweh
"as the representative of Yahweh"
1 Kings 22:17
I saw all Israel
"I saw the entire army of Israel"
like sheep who have no shepherd
The people of the army are compared to sheep that have no one leading them because the king has died.
These have no master
"These people no longer have a leader"
1 Kings 22:18
Did I not tell you ... but only disaster?
"I told you ... but only disaster!"
1 Kings 22:19
all the host of heaven were standing by him
"all the angel army of heaven was standing by him" or "all the multitude of heaven was standing by him"
1 Kings 22:20
fall at Ramoth Gilead
"die at Ramoth Gilead"
One of them said ... and another one said
"One ... and another" refers to two or more angels in the heavenly host.
1 Kings 22:22
be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets
"cause all his prophets to speak lies"
1 Kings 22:23
see
"pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important"
has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours
"has caused all of your prophets to speak lies"
1 Kings 22:24
Which way did the Spirit of Yahweh take to go from me to speak to you?
"Do not think that Yahweh's Spirit left me to speak to you!"
1 Kings 22:25
Look
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
you will see
"you will know that the Spirit of Yahweh has spoken to me"
1 Kings 22:27
feed him the bread of affliction and the water of affliction
"feed him the bread and water of affliction" or "give him the prisoners' small portions of bread and water."
1 Kings 22:28
If you return safely, then Yahweh has not spoken by me
"If you return safely, then that would mean that Yahweh has not spoken by me"
1 Kings 22:29
Ahab, the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, went up
"Ahab, the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah led their armies up"
1 Kings 22:30
disguise
To change the usual appearance so as not to be identified.
1 Kings 22:31
Do not attack unimportant or important soldiers
"Do not attack any of the soldiers"
1 Kings 22:32
It came about that
This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story.
1 Kings 22:34
drew his bow at random
He took aim to shoot a soldier without knowing it was Ahab or he drew his bow to shoot without a target in mind.
1 Kings 22:35
the king was held up in his chariot
"someone held the king up in his chariot"
1 Kings 22:36
a cry went up
"soldiers began to shout"
1 Kings 22:37
was brought to Samaria
"his soldiers brought his body to Samaria"
they buried him
"people buried him"
1 Kings 22:38
just as the word of Yahweh had declared
"just as Yahweh had declared"
1 Kings 22:39
are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel?
"they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel." or "you can read them in the book of the events of the kings of Israel.". See 1 Kings 15:31.
1 Kings 22:40
lay down with his ancestors
"died". See 1 Kings 2:10.
1 Kings 22:43
He walked in the ways of Asa, his father
"He did the same things that Asa, his father, had done"
what was right in the eyes of Yahweh
"what Yahweh considered to be right"
the high places were not taken away
"he did not take away the high places"
1 Kings 22:45
are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah?
"they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah." or "you can read them in the book of the events of the kings of Judah.". See 1 Kings 14:29.
1 Kings 22:48
the ships were wrecked
"the ships wrecked"
1 Kings 22:50
lay down with his ancestors
"died". See 1 Kings 2:10.
was buried with them
"people buried him"
1 Kings 22:52
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh
"what Yahweh considered to be evil"
walked in the way of his father, in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam son of Nebat
"did the same things that his father, mother, and Jeroboam son of Nebat had done"
led Israel to sin
Here the word "Israel" refers to the ten northern tribes that made up the kingdom of Israel.
1 Kings 22:53
He served Baal and worshiped him
"served" and "worshiped" mean basically the same thing.
the God of Israel
Here the word "Israel" refers to all of the twelve tribes descended from Jacob.
2 Kings
Chapter 1
1
Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.
2
Then Ahaziah fell down through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and was injured. So he sent for messengers and said to them, "Go, ask Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover from this injury."
3
But the angel of Yahweh said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and ask them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to consult with Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?
4
Therefore Yahweh says, "You will not come down from the bed to where you have gone up; instead, you will certainly die."'" Then Elijah left.
5
When the messengers returned to Ahaziah, he said to them, "Why have you returned?"
6
They said to him, "A man came to meet us who said to us, 'Go back to the king who sent you, and say to him, "Yahweh says this: 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you sent men to consult with Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not come down from the bed to which you have gone up; instead, you will certainly die.'"'"
7
Ahaziah said to his messengers, "What sort of man was he, the one who came up to meet you and said these words to you?"
8
They answered him, "He wore a garment made of hair and had a leather belt wrapped around his waist." So the king replied, "That is Elijah the Tishbite."
9
Then the king sent a captain with fifty soldiers to Elijah. The captain went up to Elijah where he was sitting on the top of a hill. The captain spoke to him, "You, man of God, the king has said, 'Come down.'"
10
Elijah answered and said to the captain, "If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men." Then fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.
11
Again King Ahaziah sent to Elijah another captain with fifty soldiers. This captain also said to Elijah, "You, man of God, the king says, 'Come down quickly.'"
12
Elijah answered and said to them, "If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men." Again the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.
13
Yet again the king sent a third group of fifty warriors. This captain went up, fell on his knees before Elijah, and sought his favor and said to him, "You, man of God, I ask you, let my life and the life of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight.
14
Indeed, fire came down from heaven and consumed the first two captains with their men, but now let my life be precious in your sight."
15
The angel of Yahweh said to Elijah, "Go down with him. Do not be afraid of him." So Elijah arose and went down with him to the king.
16
Later Elijah said to Ahaziah, "This is what Yahweh says, 'You have sent messengers to consult with Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron. Is it because there is no God in Israel from whom you can ask for information? So now, you will not come down from the bed where you have gone up; you will certainly die.'"
17
So King Ahaziah died according to the word of Yahweh that Elijah had spoken. Joram began to reign in his place, in the second year of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, because Ahaziah had no son.
18
As for the other matters concerning Ahaziah, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel?
2 Kings 1:1
Moab rebelled
"The people who lived in Moab rebelled". 2 Kings is a continuation of 1 Kings. The story of Elijah continues.
2 Kings 1:2
the lattice in his upper chamber
"the wooden boards around the flat roof of his palace". God is in control of the future. King Ahaziah sent messengers to ask the Philistine god if he would recover from his fall, but this god does not know the future. Because he asked another god instead of Yahweh, Elijah sent the messengers to tell Ahaziah that he would not recover.
2 Kings 1:3
Yahweh
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
the Tishbite
This refers to someone from the city of Tishbe.
Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to consult with Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?
"You fools! You know there is a God in Israel, but you were acting as though you did not know when you sent men to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron!"
consult with Baal-Zebub
The word "consult" means to get the opinion of someone.
2 Kings 1:4
Therefore Yahweh says
"Therefore Yahweh says to King Ahaziah"
You will not come down from the bed to where you have gone up
"You will not recover and you will not get up from the bed on which you are lying"
2 Kings 1:6
Is it because there is no God in Israel that you sent men to consult with Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?
"You fools! You know there is a God in Israel, but you were acting as though you did not know when you sent men to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron!". See 2 Kings 3:3.
you will not come down from the bed to which you have gone up
"you will not recover and you will not get up from the bed on which you are lying". See 2 Kings 3:4.
2 Kings 1:8
He wore a garment made of hair
"He was very hairy" or "His clothes were made from animal hair".
2 Kings 1:9
Then the king sent a captain with fifty soldiers to Elijah
"Then the king sent a captain with 50 soldiers to seize Elijah"
2 Kings 1:10
If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven
"Since I am a man of God, let fire come down from the sky" or "If I am a man of God as you have said, let fire come down from heaven"
2 Kings 1:12
fire of God
"fire from God"
2 Kings 1:13
sought his favor
"begged him"
let my life and the life of ... be precious in your sight
"please consider my life and the life of ... as precious to you" or "consider my life and the life of ... to be of worth to you and do not kill us"
2 Kings 1:14
let my life be precious in your sight
"please be kind to me" or "please allow me to live"
2 Kings 1:16
Is it because there is no God in Israel from whom you can ask for information?
"You must think there is no God in Israel whom you may ask for information!" or "You fool! You know there is a God in Israel to consult, but you acted as if you did not know."
2 Kings 1:17
the word of Yahweh that Elijah had spoken
"what Yahweh had told Elijah that Elijah had spoken"
in the second year of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah
"in the second year that Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat was king of Judah"
2 Kings 1:18
are they not written ... Israel?
"they are written ... Israel." or "someone has written about them in ... Israel."
Chapter 2
1
So it came about, when Yahweh was going to take up Elijah by a whirlwind into heaven, that Elijah left with Elisha from Gilgal.
2
Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here, please, because Yahweh has sent me to Bethel." Elisha replied, "As Yahweh lives, and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel.
3
The sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that Yahweh will take away your master from you today?" Elisha replied, "Yes, I know it, but do not talk about it."
4
Elijah said to him, "Elisha, wait here, please, for Yahweh has sent me to Jericho." Then Elisha replied, "As Yahweh lives, and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went to Jericho.
5
Then the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that Yahweh will take away your master from you today?" Elisha answered, "Yes, I know it, but do not talk about it."
6
Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here, please, for Yahweh has sent me to the Jordan." Elisha replied, "As Yahweh lives, and as you live, I will not leave you." So the two went on.
7
Later, fifty of the sons of the prophets stood opposite them at a distance while the two stood by the Jordan.
8
Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the water with it. The river divided on both sides so that the two of them walked over on dry ground.
9
It came about, after they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask me what I should do for you before I am taken from you." Elisha replied, "Please let a double portion of your spirit come on me."
10
Elijah answered, "You have asked for a difficult thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, this will happen for you, but if not, it will not happen."
11
As they still went on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared, which separated the two men from each other, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
12
Elisha saw it and cried out, "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and their horsemen!"
He saw Elijah no more, and he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces.
13
He picked up Elijah's cloak that had fallen off him, and went back to stand by the bank of the Jordan.
14
He struck the water with Elijah's cloak that had fallen and said, "Where is Yahweh, the God of Elijah?" When he had struck the waters, they divided on both sides and Elisha crossed over.
15
When the sons of the prophets who were from Jericho saw him across from them, they said, "The spirit of Elijah does rest on Elisha!" So they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
16
They said to him, "See now, among your servants there are fifty strong men. Let them go, we ask, and look for your master, in case the Spirit of Yahweh has taken him up and thrown him onto some mountain or into some valley." Elisha answered, "No, do not send them."
17
But when they urged Elisha until he was ashamed, he said, "Send them." Then they sent fifty men, and they looked for three days, but did not find him.
18
They came back to Elisha, while he stayed at Jericho, and he said to them, "Did I not say to you, 'Do not go'?"
19
The men of the city said to Elisha, "See now, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my master can see, but the water is bad and the land is not fruitful."
20
Elisha replied, "Bring me a new bowl and put salt in it," so they brought it to him.
21
Elisha went out to the spring of water and threw salt in it; then he said, "Yahweh says this, 'I have healed these waters. From this time on, there will be no more death or unfruitful land.'"
22
So the waters were healed to this day, by the word which Elisha spoke.
23
Then Elisha went up from there to Bethel. As he was going up the road, young boys came out of the city and mocked him; they said to him, "Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!"
24
Elisha looked behind him and saw them; he cursed them in the name of Yahweh. Then two female bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys apart.
25
Then Elisha went from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.
2 Kings 2:1
So it came about
"So it happened,". This chapter ends the story of Elijah and begins the story of Elisha, who replaces Elijah as the chief prophet of God.
a whirlwind
a strong wind that spins around and around.
2 Kings 2:2
As Yahweh lives, and as you live
"I solemnly promise you that"
2 Kings 2:3
The sons of the prophets
"A group of men who were prophets"
2 Kings 2:5
Then the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said to him
"When Elijah and Elisha came near Jericho, the sons of the prophets who were from there said to Elisha"
2 Kings 2:7
stood opposite them
"stood facing them" or "stood watching them".
2 Kings 2:8
The river divided on both sides so that the two of them walked over on dry ground
"The water of the Jordan River opened up so there was a dry path for Elijah and Elisha to cross over to the other side"
on both sides
"to the right and the left." This refers to the right and the left of where Elijah struck the water.
2 Kings 2:9
It came about
"it happened"
crossed over
"crossed over the Jordan River"
before I am taken from you
"before Yahweh takes me from you"
a double portion of your spirit
"twice as much of your spiritual power"
2 Kings 2:11
behold
"behold" alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
a chariot of fire and horses of fire
"a chariot surrounded by fire pulled by horses surrounded by fire"
went up by a whirlwind into heaven
"was carried into the sky by a whirlwind."
2 Kings 2:12
My father, my father
Elisha is calling Elijah his respected leader.
tore them into two pieces
"ripped them in two pieces to show his great sadness"
2 Kings 2:13
cloak
The cloak was the outer clothing of a prophet. It was the sign of his job. When Elisha took Elijah's cloak he was saying he was taking Elijah's place as prophet.
2 Kings 2:14
Where is Yahweh, the God of Elijah?
"Yahweh, the God of Elijah, are you here with me?"
they divided on both sides and Elisha crossed over
The river separated and Elisha walked to the other side on dry ground, the same way he did when he was with Elijah.
2 Kings 2:15
bowed themselves to the ground before him
They are showing him deep respect and acknowledging him as their new leader.
The spirit of Elijah does rest on Elisha
"Elisha does have the same spiritual power that Elijah did" or "The spiritual power Elijah had is now with Elisha"
2 Kings 2:16
See now, among your servants there are fifty strong men. Let them go
"See now, we are 50 strong men and we are now your servants. Let us go"
2 Kings 2:17
But when they urged Elisha until he was ashamed
"They kept asking Elisha until he felt bad for denying their request, so"
2 Kings 2:18
Did I not say to you, 'Do not go'?
"I told you that you should not go, because you would not find him!"
2 Kings 2:19
The men of the city
"The leaders of the city"
the situation of this city is pleasant
"this city is in a good place" or "this city is in a good location"
as my master can see
The men refer to Elisha here as "my master" to honor him.
2 Kings 2:21
healed these waters
"made the waters pure"
there will be no more death or unfruitful land
"everyone will live and all the land will be fruitful"
2 Kings 2:22
the waters were healed
"the waters have remained pure"
to this day, ... spoke
"by the word which Elisha spoke, and have always remained pure since".
2 Kings 2:23
went up from there to Bethel
"went up" is used because Bethel is higher in elevation than Jericho.
Go up
"Go away,"
baldhead
The young boys were mocking Elisha for not having any hair on his head.
Chapter 3
1
Now in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Joram son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria; he reigned twelve years.
2
He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, but not like his father and his mother; for he removed the sacred stone pillar of Baal that his father had made.
3
Nevertheless he held on to the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin; he did not turn away from them.
4
Now Mesha king of Moab bred sheep. He had to give to the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams.
5
But after Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.
6
So King Joram left Samaria at that time to mobilize all Israel for war.
7
He sent a message to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, saying, "The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me against Moab to battle?" Jehoshaphat replied, "I will go. I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses."
8
Then he said, "By which way should we attack?" Jehoshaphat answered, "By way of the wilderness of Edom."
9
So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. They wandered around for seven days, and then there was no water for the army or for the animals that went with them.
10
So the king of Israel said, "What is this? Has Yahweh called three kings to give them into the hand of Moab?"
11
But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not here a prophet of Yahweh, that we may consult Yahweh by him?" One of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah."
12
Jehoshaphat said, "The word of Yahweh is with him." So the king of Israel, Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom went down to him.
13
Elisha said to the king of Israel, "What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and mother." So the king of Israel said to him, "No, because Yahweh has called these three kings together to give them into the hand of Moab."
14
Elisha replied, "As Yahweh of hosts lives, before whom I stand, if I did not honor the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you, or even look at you.
15
But now bring me a musician." Then it came to pass when the harpist played, the hand of Yahweh came upon Elisha.
16
He said, "Yahweh says this, 'Make this dry river valley full of trenches.'
17
For Yahweh says this, 'You will not see wind, neither will you see rain, but this river valley will be filled with water, and you will drink, you and your livestock and all your animals.'
18
This is an easy thing in the sight of Yahweh. He will also give you victory over the Moabites.
19
You will attack every fortified city and every good city, cut down every good tree, stop up all springs of water, and ruin every good piece of land with rocks."
20
So in the morning about the time of offering the sacrifice, waters came from the direction of Edom, and the country was filled with water.
21
Now when all the Moabites heard that the kings had come to fight against them, they summoned everyone who was old enough to gird on armor and older, and they stood at the border.
22
They awakened early in the morning and the sun reflected on the water. When the Moabites saw the water opposite them, it looked as red as blood.
23
They exclaimed, "This is blood! The kings have certainly been destroyed, and they have killed each other! So now, Moab, let us go plunder them!"
24
When they came to the camp of Israel, Israel rose up and attacked the Moabites, who fled before them. The army of Israel drove the Moabites across the land, killing them.
25
They destroyed the cities, and on every good piece of land every man threw a rock until it was covered up. They stopped up every spring of water and chopped down all the good trees. Only Kir Hareseth was left with its rocks in place. But the soldiers armed with slings surrounded and attacked it.
26
When King Mesha of Moab saw that the battle was lost, he took with him seven hundred swordsmen to break through to the king of Edom, but they failed.
27
Then he took his oldest son, who should have reigned after him, and offered him as a burnt offering upon the wall. So there was great anger against Israel, and the Israelite army left King Mesha and returned to their own land.
2 Kings 3:1
in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah
"in year 18 that Jehoshaphat was king of Judah".
Joram son of Ahab
Sometimes this man is referred to as "Jehoram.", who is not the man mentioned in 2 Kings 1:17 named "Jehoram."
2 Kings 3:2
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh
"what Yahweh considers to be evil" or "what is evil in Yahweh's judgement"
but not like his father and his mother
"but he did not do as much evil as his father and mother had done"
the sacred stone pillar of Baal
"the sacred stone pillar for worshiping Baal"
2 Kings 3:3
Nebat
This is the name of a man.
he did not turn away from them
"he did not stop committing those sins" or "he continued committing those sins"
2 Kings 3:4
He had to give to the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams
"Every year he was forced to give 100,000 lambs and the wool from 100,000 rams to the king of Israel, because his kingdom was controlled by the king of Israel"
2 Kings 3:6
to mobilize all Israel for war
"to mobilize all of the Israelite soldiers for war"
2 Kings 3:7
Will you go with me against Moab to battle?
"Will you and your army go with me to fight against the army of Moab?".
I will go
"We will go with you". God is in control of victory and defeat. The armies of Israel, Judah and Edom united to attack Moab from the desert for failure to pay tribute. When they ran out of water, they were in desperate condition. Therefore, they asked Elisha (the prophet of God) what to do and he said God would give them water and victory.
I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses
"We are ready to do whatever you want us to. My soldiers and my horses are ready to help you"
2 Kings 3:8
By way of the wilderness of Edom
"By going through the wilderness of Edom."
2 Kings 3:9
the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom
"the king of Israel and his army went with the king of Judah and his army and the king of Edom and his army"
2 Kings 3:10
What is this? Has Yahweh called three kings to give them into the hand of Moab?
"It looks like Yahweh will allow all three of us to be captured by Moab!"
to give them into the hand of Moab
"to give us over to Moab's control" or "so the army of Moab will defeat us"
2 Kings 3:11
Is there not here a prophet of Yahweh, that we may consult Yahweh by him?
"I am sure there is a prophet of Yahweh here! Tell me where one is, so we may consult Yahweh by him."
Shaphat
This is the name of a man.
who poured water on the hands of Elijah
"who was a helper to Elijah"
2 Kings 3:12
The word of Yahweh is with him
"He speaks what Yahweh tells him to say"
went down to him
"went to see Elisha to ask him what they should do"
2 Kings 3:13
What have I to do with you?
"I have nothing to do with you." or "I have nothing in common with you."
to give them into the hand of Moab
"to give them over to the control of Moab" or "to allow them to be captured by the Moabite army"
2 Kings 3:14
As Yahweh of hosts lives, before whom I stand, if I ... look at you
"As surely as Yahweh of hosts lives, before whom I serve, I promise you, if I ... look at you"
if I did not honor the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you
"it is only because I honor the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah that I pay attention to you"
I would not pay any attention to you, or even look at you
"I would not have anything at all to do with you"
2 Kings 3:15
Then it came to pass
"And it happened that"
the hand of Yahweh came upon Elisha
"the power of Yahweh came upon Elisha"
2 Kings 3:17
this river valley will be filled with water
"I will fill this river valley with water"
you will drink
"you will drink the water"
2 Kings 3:18
This is an easy thing in the sight of Yahweh
"Yahweh considers this as an easy thing to do" or "This is an easy thing for Yahweh to do".
2 Kings 3:19
fortified city
A fortified city is well protected by such things as high walls or a easily defensible location.
ruin every good piece of land with rocks
"ruin every good piece of land by covering them with rocks"
2 Kings 3:20
the country was filled with water
"and soon the land became filled with water."
2 Kings 3:21
everyone who was old enough to gird on armor
"all the men who were able to fight"
the kings had come
"the kings had come with their armies" or "the kings and their armies had come"
2 Kings 3:22
it looked as red as blood
"it was red like blood".
2 Kings 3:23
So now, Moab
"soldiers of Moab"
plunder them
"steal their belongings."
2 Kings 3:24
camp of Israel
"the area where the Israelite soldiers had set up their tents"
Israel rose up
"the Israelite soldiers began to act purposefully"
fled before them
"ran away from them"
2 Kings 3:25
Kir Hareseth
This is the capital of Moab.
was left with its rocks in place
"still had its stone walls and buildings in place"
with slings
A "sling" is piece of animal skin with long cords, in which a person can put a stone and throw it a long distance.
2 Kings 3:26
that the battle was lost
"that his army was being defeated"
swordsmen
soldiers who fight with swords
break through
"force their way through."
2 Kings 3:27
offered him as a burnt offering
King Mesha burned his son with fire until he died. He did this as an offering to Chemosh, the false god of Moab.
So there was great anger against Israel
"So the Moabite soldiers were very angry with Israel" or "So God was very angry with Israel"
Chapter 4
1
Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets came crying to Elisha, saying, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared Yahweh. Now the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves."
2
So Elisha said to her, "What can I do for you? Tell me what do you have in the house?" She said, "Your servant has nothing in the house, except a pot of oil."
3
Then Elisha said, "Go out to borrow jars from your neighbors, empty jars. Borrow as many as possible.
4
Then you must go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour oil into all those jars; set aside the jars that are full."
5
So she left Elisha and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her, and she filled them with oil.
6
When the vessels were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another jar." But he said to her, "There are no more jars." Then the oil stopped flowing.
7
Then she came and told the man of God. He said, "Go, sell the oil; pay your debt, and live with your sons on the rest."
8
One day Elisha walked to Shunem where an important woman lived; she urged him to eat food with her. So as often as Elisha passed by, he would stop there to eat.
9
The woman said to her husband, "See now, I realize that this is a holy man of God who is always passing by.
10
Let us make a little room on the roof for Elisha, and let us put in it a bed, a table, a seat, and a lamp. Then when he comes to us, he will stay there."
11
So when the day came again that Elisha stopped there, he stayed in the room and rested there.
12
Elisha said to Gehazi his servant, "Call this Shunammite." When he had called her, she stood before him.
13
Elisha said to him, "Say to her, 'You have gone to all this trouble to care for us. What can be done for you? Can we speak for you to the king or to the army commander?'" She answered, "I live among my own people."
14
So Elisha said, "What can we do for her, then?" Gehazi answered, "Indeed, she has no son, and her husband is old."
15
So Elisha answered, "Call her." When he had called her, she stood in the door.
16
Elisha said, "At this time of year, in one year's time, you will be holding a son." She said, "No, my master and man of God, do not lie to your servant."
17
But the woman conceived and gave birth to a son at the same time in the following year, as Elisha had said to her.
18
When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father, who was with harvesters.
19
He said to his father, "My head, my head." His father said to his servant, "Carry him to his mother."
20
When the servant had picked him up and brought the boy to his mother, the child sat on her knees until noon and then died.
21
So the woman got up and laid the boy on the bed of the man of God, shut the door, and went out.
22
She called to her husband, and said, "Please send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys so that I may hurry to the man of God and then come back."
23
Her husband said, "Why do you want to go to him today? It is not a new moon nor a Sabbath." She replied, "It will be all right."
24
Then she saddled a donkey and said to her servant, "Drive on quickly; do not slow down for me unless I say so."
25
So she went and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel.
So when the man of God saw her in the distance, he said to Gehazi his servant, "Look, here comes the Shunammite woman.
26
Please run to meet her and say to her, 'Is everything alright with you and with your husband and child?'" She answered, "It is all right."
27
When she came to the man of God at the mountain, she caught hold of his feet. Gehazi came near to push her away, but the man of God said, "Leave her alone, for she is very upset, and Yahweh has hidden the problem from me, and has told me nothing."
28
Then she said, "Did I ask you for a son, my master? Did I not say, 'Do not deceive me'?"
29
Then Elisha said to Gehazi, "Gird your loins and take my staff in your hand. Go to her home. If you meet any man, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer him. Lay my staff on the young man's face."
30
But the mother of the young man said, "As Yahweh lives, and as you live, I will not leave you." So Elisha arose and followed her.
31
Gehazi hurried on ahead of them and laid the staff on the young man's face, but the young man did not speak or hear. So then Gehazi returned to meet Elisha and told him saying, "The young man has not awakened."
32
When Elisha arrived at the house, the young man was dead and was still on the bed.
33
So Elisha went in and shut the door on the two of them and prayed to Yahweh.
34
He went up and lay on the child; he put his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. He stretched himself out on the boy, and the boy's body grew warm.
35
Then Elisha got up and walked around the room and again went up and stretched himself out on the boy. The child sneezed seven times and then opened his eyes!
36
So Elisha called Gehazi and said, "Call the Shunammite!" So he called her, and when she came into the room, Elisha said, "Pick up your son."
37
Then she lay facedown on the ground at his feet and bowed to the ground, and then picked up her son and went out.
38
Then Elisha came again to Gilgal. There was famine in the land, and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him. He said to his servant, "Put the large pot on the fire and cook stew for the sons of the prophets."
39
One of them went out into a field to gather vegetables. He found a wild vine and gathered enough wild gourds to fill the fold of his robe. They cut them up and put them into the stew, but did not know what kind they were.
40
So they poured out the stew for the men to eat. Later, as they were eating, they cried out and said, "Man of God, there is death in the pot!" So they could not eat it anymore.
41
But Elisha said, "Bring some flour." He threw it into the pot and said, "Pour it out for the people, so that they may eat." Then there was no longer anything hurtful in the pot.
42
A man came from Baal Shalishah to the man of God and brought twenty loaves of barley bread in his sack from the firstfruits and fresh ears of grain. He said, "Give this to the people so they can eat."
43
His servant said, "What, should I set this before a hundred men?" But Elisha said, "Give this to the people, so they can eat, because Yahweh says, 'They will eat and will have some left.'"
44
So his servant set it before them; they ate, and left some remaining, just as the word of Yahweh promised.
2 Kings 4:1
the sons of the prophets
"the prophets". This means that they were a group of prophets. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 2:3.
Your servant my husband
"My husband, who was your servant". Elisha helps a widow financially, and he correctly prophesies that a barren woman would conceive and have a baby by the next year. Later, when that child dies, Elisha miraculously causes him to come back to life. Also, Elisha causes a poisonous food to no longer be harmful, and he miraculously feeds 100 people with only 20 loaves of bread. The story of Elisha continues with a group of stories about the miracles he did.
creditor
person who lends other people money
2 Kings 4:2
Your servant has nothing
The woman refers to herself as Elisha's servant to show him honor.
nothing in the house, except a pot of oil
"nothing of value in the house except a pot of oil"
2 Kings 4:4
you must go inside
"you must go inside your house"
2 Kings 4:7
the man of God
"Elisha, the man of God"
live with your sons on the rest
"use the rest of the money for you and your sons for what you need to live"
2 Kings 4:8
Shunem
This is the name of a city.
she urged him to eat food with her
"she asked him to come to her house to have a meal"
passed by
"traveled through Shunem"
2 Kings 4:9
See now, I
"Please listen carefully: I"
who is always passing by
"who travels by regularly"
2 Kings 4:10
Let us
Here "us" refers to the important woman and her husband.
2 Kings 4:12
Gehazi
This is the name of a man.
Call this Shunammite
"Call the Shunammite woman." This refers to the woman from Shunem that Elisha was staying with.
2 Kings 4:13
You have gone to all this trouble to care for us
"You have made a great effort to care for us" or "You have worked very hard to take care of us"
What can be done for you
"What can we do for you"
Can we speak for you
"Can we make a request for you"
I live among my own people
"I live surrounded by my family, and because they take care of me, I have no needs"
2 Kings 4:15
Call her
"Ask her to come to see me"
When he had called her
"When Gehazi had called her"
the door
"the doorway"
2 Kings 4:16
a son
"your son"
my master and man of God
The woman uses both of these names to refer to Elisha. She refers to herself as Elisha's servant to show him honor.
2 Kings 4:17
at the same time in the following year
"during the same season the next year,"
2 Kings 4:18
When the child had grown
"When the child was older,"
2 Kings 4:19
My head, my head.
"My head hurts! My head hurts!"
2 Kings 4:20
the child sat on her knees until noon and then died
"she held him on her lap until noon and then he died"
2 Kings 4:21
on the bed of the man of God
This was the bed she had prepared for Elisha.
the man of God
"Elisha, the man of God"
2 Kings 4:22
that I may hurry to the man of God and then come back
"that I may hurry to the man of God and then come back.' But she did not tell her husband that their son had died"
2 Kings 4:23
It will be all right
"Everything will be all right if you do as I ask"
2 Kings 4:24
she saddled a donkey
"she had her servant saddle a donkey"
2 Kings 4:25
So she went and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel
"So she traveled toward Mount Carmel where Elisha, the man of God, was"
So when the man of God saw her in the distance
"While she was still far off, and Elisha saw her coming,"
2 Kings 4:27
the mountain
"Mount Carmel"
she caught hold of his feet
"she dropped down on the ground in front of him and put her hands around his feet"
Yahweh has hidden the problem from me, and has told me nothing
Elisha can see that the woman is upset but Yahweh has not revealed to him the cause of her problem.
2 Kings 4:28
Did I ask you for a son, my master? Did I not say, 'Do not deceive me'?
"I did not ask you to give me a son, but I did ask you not to lie to me!"
2 Kings 4:29
Gird your loins
"Get ready to travel"
2 Kings 4:30
As Yahweh lives, and as you live
"I solemnly promise that"
2 Kings 4:31
the young man did not speak or hear
"but the young man did not show any signs of being alive"
has not awakened
"is still dead"
2 Kings 4:33
So Elisha went in and shut the door on the two of them and
"So Elisha went by himself into the room where the child lay, closed the door and"
2 Kings 4:35
stretched himself out on the boy
"lay on top of the boy again."
2 Kings 4:37
Then she lay facedown on the ground at his feet and bowed to the ground
"Then she bowed in front of Elisha with her face to the ground to show him her gratitude"
2 Kings 4:38
the sons of the prophets
"the group of men who were prophets". See 2 Kings 2:3.
stew
This is usually made of meat and vegetables cooked in a pot with liquid.
2 Kings 4:39
wild gourds
These vegetables were growing wild, meaning someone had not planted them.
fill the fold of his robe
He lifted the bottom edge of his robe up to his waist to carry more than with his hands.
but did not know what kind they were
"but did not know if they were good or bad to eat"
2 Kings 4:40
they poured out the stew
"they poured the stew into bowls"
there is death in the pot
"there is something in the pot that will kill us"
2 Kings 4:41
He threw it into the pot
"He added it to the stew in the pot"
Pour it out for the people
"Serve it to the people,"
2 Kings 4:42
Baal Shalishah
This is the name of a city.
from the firstfruits
made from the firstfruits of his grain from the new harvest
fresh ears of grain
"fresh heads of grain."
2 Kings 4:43
What, should I set this before a hundred men?
"That is not enough to feed 100 men!"
Chapter 5
1
Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great and honorable man in his master's view, because by him Yahweh had given victory to Aram. He was also a mighty warrior, but he was a leper.
2
The Arameans had gone out in raiding parties and had captured a little girl from the land of Israel. She served Naaman's wife.
3
The girl said to her mistress, "I wish that my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would heal my master of his leprosy."
4
So Naaman went in and told the king what the little girl from the land of Israel had said.
5
So the king of Aram said, "Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel." Naaman left and took with him ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of clothes.
6
He also took the letter to the king of Israel that said, "Now when this letter is brought to you, you will see that I have sent Naaman my servant to you, so that you may cure him of his leprosy."
7
When the king of Israel had read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, "Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man wants me to cure a man of his leprosy? It seems he is seeking to start an argument with me."
8
So when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent word to the king saying, "Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel."
9
So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots and stood at the door of Elisha's house.
10
Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and dip yourself into the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored; you will be clean."
11
But Naaman was angry and went away and said, "Look, I thought he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of Yahweh his God, and wave his hand over the place and heal my leprosy.
12
Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Can I not bathe in them and be clean?" So he turned and went away in a rage.
13
Then Naaman's servants came near and spoke to him, "My father, if the prophet had commanded you do some difficult thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he says to you, 'Dip yourself and be clean'?"
14
Then he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, obeying the instructions of the man of God. His flesh was restored again like the flesh of a little child, and he was healed.
15
Naaman returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came and stood before him. He said, "See now, I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. So therefore, please take a gift from your servant."
16
But Elisha replied, "As Yahweh lives, before whom I stand, I will receive nothing." Naaman urged Elisha to take a gift, but he refused.
17
So Naaman said, "If not, then I ask you to let there be given to your servant two mule loads of earth, for from now on, your servant will offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice to any god but Yahweh.
18
In this one thing may Yahweh pardon your servant, that is, when my king goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, may Yahweh pardon your servant in this matter."
19
Elisha said to him, "Go in peace." So Naaman left.
20
He had traveled only a short distance, when Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God said to himself, "Look, my master has spared this Naaman the Aramean by not receiving from his hands gifts that he brought. As Yahweh lives, I will run after him and receive something from him."
21
So Gehazi followed after Naaman. When Naaman saw someone running after him, he jumped down from his chariot to meet him and said, "Is everything all right?"
22
Gehazi said, "Everything is all right. My master has sent me, saying, 'See, now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothes.'"
23
Naaman replied, "I am very happy to give you two talents." Naaman urged Gehazi and tied two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothes, and laid them on two of his servants, who carried the bags of silver before Gehazi.
24
When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the bags of silver from their hands and hid them in the house; he sent the men away, and they left.
25
When Gehazi went in and stood before his master, Elisha said to him, "Where have you come from, Gehazi?" He answered, "Your servant went nowhere."
26
Elisha said to Gehazi, "Was not my spirit with you when the man turned his chariot to meet you? Is this a time to accept money and clothes, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, and male servants and female servants?
27
So the leprosy of Naaman will be on you and your descendants forever." So Gehazi went out from his presence, a leper as white as snow.
2 Kings 5:1
in his master's view
"in the king's opinion"
because by him Yahweh had given victory to Aram
"because through Naaman, Yahweh had given victory to the Aramean army"
2 Kings 5:2
The Arameans had gone out
Here the "Arameans" refer to the Aramean soldiers.
in raiding parties
"in small groups attacking."
2 Kings 5:3
The girl said to her mistress
The girl who had been captured by the Aramean soldiers, spoke to Naaman's wife.
my master
Here "my master" refers to Naaman.
2 Kings 5:5
I will send a letter
"I will send a letter with you"
ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold
"330 kilograms of sliver, 6,000 pieces of gold"
took with him ten ... clothes
"took with him ten ... clothes, which were gifts for the king of Israel"
2 Kings 5:7
he tore his clothes
"he ripped his clothes to show his distress"
Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man wants me to cure a man of his leprosy?
"The king of Aram must think I am some sort of God, with the power over death and life! He wants me to cure this man of his leprosy, but I cannot do that."
It seems he is seeking to start an argument with me
"It seems he is looking for an excuse to start a fight with me"
2 Kings 5:8
Why have you torn your clothes?
"There is no need to be distressed and tear your clothes.". Elisha talks to the King of Israel about Naaman.
2 Kings 5:10
your flesh will be restored
"your flesh will be well"
you will be clean
This means that he will no longer be unclean. A person who God considers spiritually unacceptable or defiled is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean. God considers a person who has leprosy as being defiled and unclean.
2 Kings 5:11
Look
"Listen"
the name of Yahweh
"Yahweh"
over the place
"over the diseased area of my skin" or "over my leprosy"
2 Kings 5:12
Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel?
"The Abanah and the Pharpar Rivers, in my home country of Aram, are much better than any of the rivers of Israel!
Abanah and Pharpar
These are the names of rivers.
Can I not bathe in them and be clean?
"I should have just bathed in them and been healed!" or "I could just as easily have bathed in them and been healed!"
went away in a rage
"was very angry as he walked away"
2 Kings 5:13
My father
The servants were showing respect to Naaman.
would you not have done it?
"you surely would have done it!"
How much more, then, when he says to you, 'Dip yourself and be clean'?
"You should be even more willing to obey when he says to you, 'Dip yourself and be clean.'"
2 Kings 5:14
the man of God
"Elisha, the man of God"
His flesh was restored again like the flesh of a little child
"His skin was restored again and was as soft as the flesh of a young child" or "His skin was well again and was smooth like a young child's skin"
he was healed
"his leprosy was gone"
2 Kings 5:15
See now, I
"Please listen carefully: I"
there is no God in all the earth except in Israel
"the only God in all the earth is in Israel"
2 Kings 5:16
As Yahweh lives, before whom I stand, I
"As surely as Yahweh lives, before whom I stand, I promise you that I"
before whom I stand
"whom I serve"
I will receive nothing
"I will not take any gifts"
2 Kings 5:17
If not
"If you will not take the gifts I have brought for you"
let there be given to your servant
"let me have"
two mule loads of earth
"as much soil from Israel as two mules can carry, so that I can build an altar to Yahweh"
your servant
Naaman refers to himself as Elisha's servant to honor him.
will offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice to any god but Yahweh
"will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but Yahweh" or "will offer burnt offerings and sacrifices only to Yahweh"
2 Kings 5:18
when my king
This is referring to the king of Aram.
he leans on my hand
"he supports himself on my arm." Naaman assists the king because the king is either old or sick.
2 Kings 5:19
Go in peace
"Go home and do not worry." or "Leave without fear."
2 Kings 5:20
He had traveled
"Naaman had traveled"
Gehazi
See how you translated this man's name in 2 Kings 4:12.
has spared this Naaman the Aramean
"has let Naaman the Aramean leave too easily"
from his hands
"from him"
As Yahweh lives
"As Yahweh lives, I promise"
2 Kings 5:21
Is everything all right
"all right". See 2 Kings 4:23.
2 Kings 5:22
of the sons of the prophets
"from among the prophets there". See 2 Kings 2:3.
Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothes
"Please give me a talent of sliver and two changes of clothes to give to them"
a talent of silver
"33 kilograms of silver"
2 Kings 5:23
two talents
"two talents of silver" or "66 kilograms of silver"
laid them on two
"gave them to"
Naaman urged Gehazi
"Naaman urged Gehazi to take the gifts"
2 Kings 5:25
Your servant
Gehazi refers to himself as Elisha's servant.
2 Kings 5:26
Was not my spirit with you when the man turned his chariot to meet you?
"You should have realized that my spirit could see you when Naaman stopped his chariot and talked to you."
Is this a time to accept money ... female servants?
"This is not the time to accept money ... female servants."
2 Kings 5:27
the leprosy of Naaman will be on you and your descendants
"you and your descendants will have leprosy, just as Naaman had leprosy"
So Gehazi went out from his presence
"When Gehazi left the room, he was"
as white as snow
"with skin that was white like snow". Leprosy makes skin white.
Chapter 6
1
The sons of the prophets said to Elisha, "See now, the place where we live with you is too small for us all.
2
Please let us go to the Jordan, and let every man cut down a tree there, and let us build us a place there where we may live." Elisha answered, "You may go ahead."
3
One of them said, "Please go with your servants." Elisha answered, "I will go."
4
So he went with them, and when they came to the Jordan, they began to cut down trees.
5
But as one was chopping, the ax head fell into the water; he cried out and said, "Oh no, my master, it was borrowed!"
6
So the man of God said, "Where did it fall?" The man showed Elisha the place. He then cut off a stick, threw it in the water, and made the iron float.
7
Elisha said, "Pick it up." So the man reached out his hand and grabbed it.
8
Now the king of Aram was waging war against Israel. He consulted with his servants, saying, "My camp will be in such and such a place."
9
So the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, "Be careful not to pass that place, for the Arameans are going down there."
10
The king of Israel sent a message to the place about which the man of God had spoken and warned him. More than once or twice, when the king went there, he was on his guard.
11
The king of Aram was enraged about these warnings, and he called his servants and said to them, "Will you not tell me who among us is for the king of Israel?"
12
So one of his servants said, "No, my master, king, for Elisha the prophet in Israel tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your own bedroom!"
13
The king replied, "Go and see where Elisha is so I may send men and capture him." It was told him, "See, he is in Dothan."
14
So the king sent to Dothan horses, chariots, and a large army. They came by night and surrounded the city.
15
When the servant of the man of God had risen early and gone outside, behold, a large army with horses and chariots surrounded the city. His servant said to him, "Oh, my master! What will we do?"
16
Elisha answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
17
Elisha prayed and said, "Yahweh, I beg that you will open his eyes that he may see." Then Yahweh opened the servant's eyes, and he saw. Behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha!
18
When the Arameans came down to him, Elisha prayed to Yahweh and said, "Strike these people blind, I ask you." So Yahweh made them blind, just as Elisha had asked.
19
Then Elisha told the Arameans, "This is not the way, neither is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you are looking for." Then he led them to Samaria.
20
It came about that when they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, "Yahweh, open the eyes of these men that they may see." Yahweh opened their eyes and they saw, and behold, they were in the middle of the city of Samaria.
21
The king of Israel said to Elisha, when he saw them, "My father, should I kill them? Should I kill them?"
22
Elisha answered, "You must not kill them. Would you kill those whom you had taken captive with your sword and bow? Put bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master."
23
So the king prepared much food for them, and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went back to their master. Those bands of Aramean soldiers did not return for a long time into the land of Israel.
24
Later after this Ben-Hadad king of Aram gathered all his army and attacked Samaria and besieged it.
25
So there was a great famine in Samaria. Behold, they besieged it until a donkey's head was sold for eighty pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a kab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver.
26
As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried to him, saying, "Help, my master, king."
27
He said, "If Yahweh does not help you, how can I help you? Is there anything coming from the threshing floor or winepress?"
28
The king continued, "What is troubling you?" She answered, "This woman said to me, 'Give your son so that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.'"
29
So we boiled my son and ate him, and I said to her on the next day, "Give your son that we may eat him, but she has hidden her son."
30
So when the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes (now he was passing by on the wall), and the people looked and saw that he had sackcloth underneath, against his skin.
31
Then he said, "May God do so to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on him today."
32
But Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a man from before him, but when the messenger came to Elisha, he said to the elders, "See how this son of a murderer has sent to take away my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door, and hold the door shut against him. Is not the sound of his master's feet behind him?"
33
While he was still talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him. The king had said, "Behold, this trouble comes from Yahweh. Why should I wait for Yahweh any longer?"
2 Kings 6:1
The sons of the prophets
"The group of prophets". See 2 Kings 2:3.
See now, the place
"Please listen carefully: the place". See 2 Kings 2:16.
2 Kings 6:2
let us go to the Jordan
"let us go beside the Jordan River"
2 Kings 6:3
your servants
The prophet refers to the sons of the prophets as Elisha's servants to show him honor.
2 Kings 6:5
the ax head fell into the water
"the ax head separated from the handle and fell into the water".
Oh no
The man said this to show that he was upset and frustrated.
it was borrowed
"I borrowed it"
2 Kings 6:6
So the man of God said
"So Elisha, the man of God, asked"
He then cut off a stick, threw it in the water, and made the iron float
God uses Elisha to perform a miracle. Elisha caused an iron ax head to float. He fooled the whole army of Aram that was sent to arrest him. When the king of Aram besieged the capital of Israel, the people became so hungry they started eating their children. Elisha told the king of Israel that there would be plenty of food the next day, but the king's counselor said it was impossible.
made the iron float
"caused the ax head to float"
2 Kings 6:8
Now the king of Aram was waging war against Israel
"When the king of Aram was at war with Israel,"
saying, "My camp will be in such and such a place
"and told them where his camp would be located"
2 Kings 6:9
the man of God
"Elisha the man of God"
Be careful not to pass that place, for the Arameans are going down there
Elisha knew the specific place that the Arameans were going to set up their camp.
2 Kings 6:10
More than once or twice, when the king went there, he was on his guard
"Elisha warned the king of Israel in this way several times and the Israelites were able to stay safe"
2 Kings 6:11
Will you not tell me who among us is for the king of Israel?
"Tell me which of you is for the king of Israel!" or "Tell me which of you is revealing our plans to the king of Israel!"
is for the king of Israel
"is helping the king of Israel" or "is loyal to the king of Israel"
2 Kings 6:12
No
"It is none of us"
my master, king
This refers to the king of Aram.
the words that you speak in your own bedroom
"what you say in the privacy of your own bedroom"
2 Kings 6:13
I may send men and capture him
"I may send men to capture him"
he is in Dothan
"Elisha is in Dothan"
Dothan
This is the name of a city.
2 Kings 6:15
the man of God
"Elisha" or "Elisha the man of God"
behold
"behold" shows that the servant was surprised by what he saw.
had risen early and gone outside, behold
"got up early in the morning and went outside, and he saw"
His servant said to him
"The servant went back inside and said to Elisha"
2 Kings 6:16
those who are with us are more than those who are with them
"those who are on our side in the battle are more than those who are on their side"
2 Kings 6:17
open his eyes that he may see
"make him able to see"
he saw. Behold
"he could see. What he saw was that"
the mountain was full of horses
"the mountainside was covered with horses"
around Elisha
"around the city where Elisha was"
2 Kings 6:18
these people
This refers to the Aramean soldiers.
Strike these people blind
"Cause these people to be blind!"
2 Kings 6:19
This is not the way, neither is this the city
"This is not the way, neither is this the city you are looking for"
2 Kings 6:20
It came about that
"It happened that" or "Then,"
open the eyes of these men that they may see
"allow these men to see"
Yahweh opened their eyes and they saw
"Yahweh took away their blindness" or "Yahweh allowed them to see clearly"
2 Kings 6:21
when he saw them
"when he saw the Aramean soldiers"
My father
The king is speaking to Elisha and calling him "father" to show respect.
should I kill them? Should I kill them?
"Should I order my army to kill these enemy soldiers?"
2 Kings 6:22
Would you kill those whom you had taken captive with your sword and bow?
"You would not kill men whom you had captured in war, so you should not kill these men."
Put bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink
"Give them food to eat and water to drink"
go to their master
This refers to the king of Aram.
2 Kings 6:23
So the king prepared much food for them
"Then the king ordered his servants to prepare a lot of food for them"
Those bands
"Those groups"
did not return for a long time into the land of Israel
"stopped attacking the land of Israel for a long time"
2 Kings 6:24
Ben-Hadad
"son of Hadad". The name of the king of Aram.
attacked Samaria
"they attacked Samaria"
2 Kings 6:25
a donkey's head was sold for
"a donkey's head cost"
the fourth part of a kab
"a fourth part of a liter" or "a quarter of a liter"
dove's dung for
"dove's dung was sold for" or "dove's dung cost"
2 Kings 6:26
was passing by on the wall
"walking on top of the city wall"
2 Kings 6:27
He said
"The king of Israel answered the woman,"
If Yahweh does not help you, how can I help you?
"If Yahweh is not helping you, then I cannot help you."
Is there anything coming from the threshing floor or winepress?
"There is nothing coming from the threshing floor or the winepress." or "There is no food to harvest or any grapes to make wine to drink."
2 Kings 6:29
we boiled
"we cooked"
2 Kings 6:30
heard the words of the woman
"heard the woman tell what she and the other woman had done"
he tore his clothes
"he tore his clothes in grief"
he had sackcloth underneath, against his skin
"he had sackcloth underneath his outer garment, against his skin" or "he was wearing sackcloth underneath his robe because he was very upset"
2 Kings 6:31
May God do so to me, and more also
"May God punish me and kill me"
if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on him today
"if Elisha son of Shaphat is not beheaded today" or "if my soldiers do not behead Elisha son of Shaphat today"
2 Kings 6:32
The king sent a man from before him
"The king of Israel sent one of his servants as a messenger"
when the messenger came to Elisha, he said to the elders
"when the messenger had almost arrived, Elisha said to the elders"
See how this son of a murderer has sent to take away my head?
"See, this man who is like a murderer has sent someone to remove my head!"
to take away my head
"to cut off my head" or "to behead me"
Look, when
"Listen to what I want you to do: when"
hold the door shut against him
"hold the door shut so that he cannot come in"
Is not the sound of his master's feet behind him?
"The sound of his master's feet is right behind him." or "The king will be coming along soon after he arrives."
2 Kings 6:33
the messenger came down to him
"the messenger and the king arrived"
this trouble
"Indeed, this trouble." This refers to the famine in Samaria and the suffering it caused.
Why should I wait for Yahweh any longer?
"Why should I continue to wait for Yahweh to help us?" or "I will not wait any longer for help from Yahweh!"
Chapter 7
1
Elisha said, "Hear the word of Yahweh. This is what Yahweh says: 'Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.'"
2
Then the officer on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, "See, even if Yahweh should make windows in heaven, can this thing happen?" Elisha replied, "See, you will watch it happen with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it."
3
Now there were four men with leprosy right outside the city gate. They said one to another, "Why should we sit here until we die?
4
If we say that we should go into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we will die there. But if we still sit here, we will still die. Now then, come, let us go to the army of the Arameans. If they keep us alive, we will live, and if they kill us, we will only die."
5
So they rose up at twilight to go into the Aramean camp; when they arrived at the outermost part of the camp, there was no one there.
6
For the Lord had made the Aramean army hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses—the noise of another large army, and they said to each other, "The king of Israel has hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to come against us."
7
So the soldiers arose and fled in the twilight; they left their tents, their horses, their donkeys, and the camp as it was, and fled for their lives.
8
When the men with leprosy came to the outermost part of the camp, they went into one tent and ate and drank, and carried away silver and gold and clothes, and went and hid them. They came back and entered into another tent and carried plunder away from there also, and went and hid it.
9
Then they said to each other, "We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, but we are keeping quiet about it. If we wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now then, come, let us go and tell the king's household."
10
So they went and called the gatekeepers of the city. They told them, saying, "We went to the camp of the Arameans, but there was no one there, not the sound of anyone, but there were the horses tied, and the donkeys tied, and the tents as they were."
11
Then the gatekeepers shouted out the news, and then it was told inside the king's household.
12
Then the king arose at night and said to his servants, "I will tell you now what the Arameans have done to us. They know that we are hungry, so they have gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the fields. They are saying, 'When they come out of the city, we will take them alive, and get into the city.'"
13
One of the king's servants answered and said, "I beg you, let some men take five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city. They are like all the rest of the population of Israel who are left—most are now dead; let us send them and see."
14
So they took two chariots with horses, and the king sent them after the army of the Arameans, saying, "Go and see."
15
They went after them to the Jordan, and all the road was full of clothes and equipment that the Arameans had cast away in their hurry. So the messengers returned and told the king.
16
The people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, just as the word of Yahweh had said.
17
The king had ordered the officer on whose hand he had leaned to be in charge of the gate, and the people trampled him down in the gateway. He died as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king had come down to him.
18
So it happened as the man of God had said to the king, saying, "About this time in the gate of Samaria, two measures of barley will be available for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel."
19
That officer had answered the man of God and said, "See, even if Yahweh should make windows in heaven, can this thing happen?" Elisha had said, "See, you will watch it happen with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it."
20
That is exactly what happened to him, for the people trampled him in the gate, and he died.
2 Kings 7:1
a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel
"people will sell a measure of fine flour for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel"
a measure of fine flour ... two measures of barley
"7 liters of fine flour ... 14 liters of barley". Here the word "measure" translates the word "seah".
a shekel
"about 11 grams of silver" or "one silver coin"
2 Kings 7:2
the officer on whose hand the king leaned
"the officer who was close to the king" or "the officer who was the king's personal assistant"
even if Yahweh should make windows in heaven
"even if Yahweh were to cause much rain to fall from heaven"
can this thing happen?
"this could never happen!"
you will watch it happen with your own eyes
"you yourself will watch these things happen"
but you will not eat any of it
"but you will not eat any of the flour or barely"
2 Kings 7:3
Why should we sit here until we die?
"Certainly we should not sit here until we die"
2 Kings 7:6
the Aramean army hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses—the noise of another large army
This was not an actual army, but the Lord had made them hear these sounds, so they all ran away leaving all their food.
they said to each other
"the Aramean soldiers said to each other"
the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians
"the armies of the Hittites and the Egyptians"
to come against us
"to fight us" or "to attack us"
2 Kings 7:8
plunder
"silver and gold and clothes.". This refers to items that a conquering army takes from a defeated army.
2 Kings 7:9
until the morning light
"until morning, when people can see"
punishment will overtake us
"the people will punish us" or "someone will punish us"
tell the king's household
"tell the king and his people"
2 Kings 7:10
as they were
"as they were when the soldiers were still there"
2 Kings 7:11
then it was told inside the king's household
"then people told it inside the king's household" or "then people told it to the king and those in his palace"
2 Kings 7:12
have done to us
"are planning to do to us" or "have done to deceive us"
2 Kings 7:13
the horses that remain, which are left in the city
"the horses in the city that are still alive"
see
"see if what these lepers have said is true"
2 Kings 7:15
They went after them to the Jordan
"They followed the path the Aramean army took all the way to the Jordan River"
all the road was full of clothes and equipment
"there were clothes and equipment all along the road"
2 Kings 7:16
So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel
"So people sold a measure of fine flour for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel"
just as the word of Yahweh had said
"just as Yahweh had said"
2 Kings 7:18
General Information:
The writer summarizes what happened by repeating the events that he described in 2 Kings 7:1-2.
About this time
"About this time tomorrow"
2 Kings 7:19
you will watch it happen with your own eyes
"you yourself will watch these things happen"
but you will not eat any of it
"but you will not eat any of the flour or barley"
Chapter 8
1
Now Elisha had spoken to the woman whose son he had restored to life. He said to her, "Arise, and go with your household, and stay wherever you can in another land, because Yahweh has called for a famine which will come on this land for seven years."
2
So the woman arose and she obeyed the word of the man of God. She went with her household and lived in the land of the Philistines seven years.
3
It came about at the end of seven years that the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, and she went to the king to cry to him for her house and for her land.
4
Now the king was talking with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, "Please tell me all the great things that Elisha has done."
5
Then as he was telling the king how Elisha had restored to life the child who was dead, the very woman whose son he had restored to life came to cry to the king for her house and for her land. Gehazi said, "My master, king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life."
6
When the king asked the woman about her son, she explained it to him. So the king ordered a certain officer for her, saying, "Give back to her all that was hers and all the harvests of her fields since the day that she left the land until now."
7
Elisha came to Damascus where Ben-Hadad the king of Aram was sick. The king was told, "The man of God has come here."
8
The king said to Hazael, "Take a gift in your hand and go meet the man of God, and consult with Yahweh through him, saying, 'Will I revive from this sickness?'"
9
So Hazael went to meet him and took a gift with him of every kind of good thing of Damascus, carried by forty camels. So Hazael came and stood before Elisha and said, "Your son Ben-Hadad king of Aram has sent me to you, saying, 'Will I revive from this sickness?'"
10
Elisha said to him, "Go, say to Ben-Hadad, 'You will surely revive,' but Yahweh has shown me that he will surely die."
11
Then Elisha stared at Hazael until he was ashamed, and the man of God wept.
12
Hazael asked, "Why do you weep, my master?" He answered, "Because I know the evil that you will do to the people of Israel. You will set their strongholds on fire, and you will kill their young men with the sword, dash in pieces their little ones, and rip open their pregnant women."
13
Hazael replied, "Who is your servant, that he should do this great thing? He is only a dog." Elisha answered, "Yahweh has shown me that you will be king over Aram."
14
Then Hazael left Elisha and came to his master, who said to him, "What did Elisha say to you?" He answered, "He told me that you would certainly revive."
15
Then the next day Hazael took the blanket and dipped it in water, and spread it on Ben-Hadad's face so that he died. Then Hazael became king in his place.
16
In the fifth year of Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel, Jehoram began to reign. He was the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah. He began to reign when Jehoshaphat was king of Judah.
17
Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for eight years in Jerusalem.
18
Jehoram walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab was doing; for he had Ahab's daughter as his wife, and he did what was evil in Yahweh's sight.
19
However, because of his servant David, Yahweh did not want to destroy Judah, since he had told David that he would always give him a lamp for his descendants.
20
In Jehoram's days, Edom rebelled against the hand of Judah, and they set a king over themselves.
21
Then Jehoram crossed over to Zair with all his chariots. When the Edomites surrounded Jehoram, his chariot commanders rose up and attacked them during the night; but Jehoram's army ran away and went back to their tents.
22
So Edom has been in rebellion against the rule of Judah to this present day. Libnah also revolted at the same time.
23
As for the other matters concerning Jehoram, all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah?
24
Jehoram lay down with his fathers and was buried with them in the city of David. Then Ahaziah his son became king in his place.
25
In the twelfth year of Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel, Ahaziah son of Jehoram, king of Judah, began to reign.
26
Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign; he reigned for one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Athaliah; she was the daughter of Omri, king of Israel.
27
Ahaziah walked in the ways of the house of Ahab; he did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as the house of Ahab was doing, for Ahaziah was a son-in-law to the house of Ahab.
28
Ahaziah went with Joram son of Ahab, to fight against Hazael, king of Aram, at Ramoth Gilead. The Arameans wounded Joram.
29
King Joram returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds that the Arameans had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Aram. So Ahaziah son of Jehoram, king of Judah, went down to Jezreel to see Joram son of Ahab, because Joram had been wounded.
2 Kings 8:1
Now
Here the author starts to tell a new part of the story. Elisha told Hazael that he would be king of Aram. Jehoram became king of Judah. He was evil so Edom and Libna revolted and chose their own kings.
the woman whose son he had restored to life
The story of this woman and her son is found at 2 Kings 4:8.
he had restored to life
"he had caused to become alive again"
Arise, and go
"Do as I say, and go"
2 Kings 8:2
the man of God
"Elisha, the man of God"
2 Kings 8:3
to the king
This refers to the king of Israel.
to cry to him for her house and for her land
"to beg him to return her house and land to her" or "for her home and her land to be returned to her"
her land
The land that she would farm for food.
2 Kings 8:5
had restored to life the child who was dead
"had caused the child who was dead to become alive again"
to cry to the king for her house and for her land
to beg the king to return her house and land to her" or "to beg the king for her home and her land to be returned to her"
2 Kings 8:6
about her son
"about what had happened to her son"
all the harvests of her fields
"all the profit from the harvests of her fields"
2 Kings 8:7
Ben-Hadad
"son of Hadad.". This is the name of the king of Aram. See 2 Kings 6:24.
2 Kings 8:8
Hazael
This is the name of a man.
Take a gift in your hand
"take many gifts with you"
consult with Yahweh through him, saying
"ask Elisha to ask Yahweh"
Will I revive
"Will I recover" or "Will I become well"
2 Kings 8:9
carried by forty camels
"which 40 camels carried"
Your son Ben-Hadad king of Aram
"Ben-Hadad the king of Aram who is like a son to you"
2 Kings 8:10
You will surely revive
"You will surely recover" or "You will surely become well."
2 Kings 8:11
until he was ashamed
"until Hazael felt uncomfortable,"
2 Kings 8:12
my master
Hazael refers to Elisha this way to honor him.
Because I know
God has shown Elisha what will take place in the future.
you will do
"you will cause to happen" or "you will order your soldiers"
You will set ... you will kill
"You soldiers will set ... your soldiers will kill"
dash in pieces their little ones
"crush their little children." This is a brutal description of the soldiers killing children.
kill their young men with the sword
"kill their young men in battle"
rip open their pregnant women
"rip open the stomachs of their pregnant women with swords"
2 Kings 8:13
Who is your servant, that he should do this great thing?
"I could never do such great things!" or "Who am I, that I would have the power to do such things?"
this great thing
"this terrible thing."
He is only a dog
"I am as powerless as a dog" or "I am as powerless as a lowly animal"
2 Kings 8:14
came to his master
The phrase "his master" refers to Ben Hadad.
2 Kings 8:15
face so that he died
"face. Ben-Hadad was unable to breathe through it, and so he died"
2 Kings 8:16
General Information:
Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, became the king of Judah.
In the fifth year of Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel
"In the fifth year that Jorman son of Ahab was king of Israel" or "In year five of the reign of Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel". This describes the time that Jehoram began to reign over Judah by stating how long Joram had been king of Israel.
2 Kings 8:18
Jehoram walked in the ways of the kings of Israel
"Jehoram was an evil king, just as other kings of Israel who ruled before him had been"
as the house of Ahab was doing
"the same as the rest of the family of Ahab was doing"
for he had Ahab's daughter as his wife
Jehoram had married king Ahab's daughter.
what was evil in Yahweh's sight
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considers to be evil"
2 Kings 8:19
destroy Judah
"destroy the people of Judah"
since he had told David that he would always give him a lamp for his descendants
"since he had told David that one of his descendants would always rule Judah"
2 Kings 8:20
the hand of Judah
"the control of the king of Judah"
they set a king over themselves
"they appointed a king to rule over themselves"
2 Kings 8:21
Then Jehoram crossed over
"Then Jehoram crossed the enemy lines"
their tents
"their homes." The Judahites were living in houses in those days.
2 Kings 8:22
So Edom has been in rebellion against the rule of Judah to this present day
"So after that, Edom was no longer controlled by Judah, and it is still like that"
the rule of Judah
"the rule of the king of Judah" or "the authority of the king of Judah". King Jehoram of Judah dies and his son Ahaziah becomes king.
to this present day
to the time that this book was written
Libnah also revolted at the same time
"During that same time, Libnah also rebelled against the king of Judah"
Libnah
"the people of Libnah". This is a city that was originally part of Judah.
2 Kings 8:23
As for the other matters concerning Jehoram, all that he did
"To read more about the history of Jehoram and what he did,"
are they not written ... Judah?
"these things are written ... Judah." or "someone has written about them ... Judah."
2 Kings 8:24
Jehoram lay down with his fathers and was buried with them
"Jehoram died as his ancestors had died, and they buried him with his ancestors"
Then Ahaziah his son became king in his place
"Then Ahaziah, Jehoram's son, became king after he died"
2 Kings 8:25
In the twelfth year of Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel
"in the twelfth year that Joram son of Ahab was king of Israel". Ahaziah becomes king of Judah.
2 Kings 8:26
Athaliah ... Omri
Athaliah is the name of a woman. Omri is the name of a man.
2 Kings 8:27
Ahaziah walked in the ways of
"Ahaziah lived the same way as the others in"
the house of Ahab
"the family of Ahab"
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considers to be evil"
a son-in-law to the house of Ahab
"the son of Ahab's son-in-law" or "a grandson of King Ahab"
2 Kings 8:28
Ahaziah went with Joram son of Ahab, to fight against Hazael, king of Aram
"Ahaziah's army joined the army of King Joram of Israel to fight against the army of King Hazael of Aram"
2 Kings 8:29
to be healed
"to heal" or "to recover"
against Hazael king of Aram
"the army of Hazael king of Aram"
Joram had been wounded
"the Arameans had wounded Joram"
Chapter 9
1
Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, "Gird your loins, then take this little bottle of oil in your hand and go to Ramoth Gilead.
2
When you arrive, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi, and go in and make him arise up from among his companions, and conduct him to an inner chamber.
3
Then take the bottle of oil and pour it on his head and say, 'Yahweh says this: "I have anointed you king over Israel."' Then open the door, and run off; do not delay."
4
So the young man, the young prophet, went to Ramoth Gilead.
5
When he arrived, behold, the captains of the army were sitting. So the young prophet said, "I have come on an errand to you, captain." Jehu replied, "To which of us?" The young prophet answered, "To you, captain."
6
So Jehu arose and went into the house, and the prophet poured the oil on his head and said to Jehu, "Yahweh, the God of Israel, says this: 'I have anointed you king over the people of Yahweh, over Israel.
7
You must kill the family of Ahab your master so that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the servants of Yahweh who were murdered by the hand of Jezebel.
8
For the whole family of Ahab will perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male child in Israel, whether he is a slave or a free person.
9
I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah.
10
The dogs will eat Jezebel in Jezreel, and there will be no one to bury her.'" Then the prophet opened the door and ran off.
11
Then Jehu came out to the servants of his master, and one said to him, "Is everything all right? Why did this mad fellow come to you?" Jehu answered them, "You know the man and the kinds of things he says."
12
They said, "That is a lie. Tell us." Jehu answered, "He said this and that to me, and he also said, 'This is what Yahweh says: I have anointed you as king over Israel.'"
13
Then each of them quickly took off his outer garment and put it under Jehu at the top of the steps. They blew the ram's horn and said, "Jehu is king."
14
In this way Jehu son of Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. Now Joram had been defending Ramoth Gilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Aram,
15
but King Joram had gone back to Jezreel to be healed of the wounds that the Arameans had given him, when he had fought against Hazael king of Aram.
Jehu said to the servants of Joram, "If this is your opinion, then let no one escape and go out of the city, in order to go tell this news in Jezreel."
16
So Jehu rode in a chariot to Jezreel; for Joram was resting there. Now Ahaziah king of Judah had come down to see Joram.
17
The watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he saw the company of Jehu as he came at a distance; he said, "I see a group of men coming." Joram said, "Take a horseman, and send him out to meet them; tell him to say, 'Are you coming in peace?'"
18
So a man was sent on horseback to meet him; he said, "The king says this: 'Are you coming in peace?'" So Jehu said, "What have you to do with peace? Turn and ride behind me." Then the watchman told the king, "The messenger has met them, but he is not coming back."
19
Then he sent out a second man on horseback, who came to them and said, "The king says this: 'Are you coming in peace?'" Jehu answered, "What have you to do with peace? Turn and ride behind me."
20
Again the watchman reported, "He has met them, but he is not coming back. For the way that the chariot is being driven is the way that Jehu son of Nimshi drives; he is driving wildly."
21
So Joram said, "Get my chariot ready." They prepared his chariot, and Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah rode out, each in his chariot, to meet Jehu. They found him at the property of Naboth the Jezreelite.
22
When Joram saw Jehu, he said, "Are you coming in peace, Jehu?" He answered, "What peace is there, when the idolatrous acts of prostitution and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel are so many?"
23
So Joram turned his chariot and fled and said to Ahaziah, "There is treachery, Ahaziah."
24
Then Jehu drew his bow with his full strength and shot Joram between his shoulders; the arrow went through his heart, and he sank down in his chariot.
25
Then Jehu said to Bidkar his officer, "Pick him up and throw him in the field of Naboth the Jezreelite. Think about how when you and I rode together after Ahab his father, Yahweh placed this prophecy against him:
26
'Yesterday I saw the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons—this is Yahweh's declaration—and I will surely make you pay for it on this field—this is Yahweh's declaration. Now then, pick him up and throw him on this field, according to the word of Yahweh."
27
When Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled up the road to Beth Haggan. But Jehu followed him, and said, "Kill him also in the chariot," and they shot him at the ascent of Gur, which is by Ibleam. Ahaziah fled to Megiddo and died there.
28
His servants carried his body in a chariot to Jerusalem and buried him in his tomb with his fathers in the city of David.
29
Now it was in the eleventh year of Joram son of Ahab that Ahaziah had begun to reign over Judah.
30
When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it, and she painted her eyes, arranged her hair, and looked out the window.
31
As Jehu was entering the gate, she said to him, "Are you coming in peace, you Zimri, your master's murderer?"
32
Jehu looked up at the window and said, "Who is on my side? Who?" Then two or three eunuchs looked out.
33
So Jehu said, "Throw her down." So they threw Jezebel down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and the horses, and Jehu trampled her underfoot.
34
When Jehu entered the palace, he ate and drank. Then he said, "See now to this cursed woman and bury her, for she is a king's daughter."
35
They went to bury her, but they found no more of her than the skull, the feet, and the palms of her hands.
36
So they came back and told Jehu. He said, "This is the word of Yahweh which he spoke by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 'In the land at Jezreel the dogs will eat the flesh of Jezebel,
37
and the body of Jezebel will be like dung on the surface of the fields in the land at Jezreel, so that no one will be able to say, "This is Jezebel."'"
2 Kings 9:1
the sons of the prophets
"the group of the prophets". See 2 Kings 2:3.
Gird your loins
"Get ready to travel"
in your hand
"with you"
Ramoth Gilead
Translate the name of this city as you did in 2 Kings 8:28.
2 Kings 9:2
Jehu son of Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi
Jehoshaphat is Jehu's father and that Nimshi is Jehoshapat's father. Elisha told a young prophet to go and tell Jehu that God had made him the new king. Jehu killed the kings of both Israel and Judah and Jezebel, the mother of the king.
conduct him to
"go along with him to" or "take him along to"
an inner chamber
"a private room"
2 Kings 9:5
the captains of the army were sitting
"Jehu and some other army officers were sitting together"
To which of us
The word "us" refers to Jehu and the other army captains.
2 Kings 9:7
I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the servants of Yahweh
"I may avenge the deaths of my servants the prophets and all the servants of Yahweh" or "so that I may punish them for murdering my servants the prophets and all the servants of Yahweh"
who were murdered by the hand of Jezebel
"whom Jezebel commanded her servants to murder" or "whose deaths were commanded by Jezebel"
by the hand of Jezebel
"by an order from Jezebel" or "by Jezebel's command"
2 Kings 9:8
For the whole family of Ahab will perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male child
"For the whole family of Ahab will perish, and I will cause every male in his family to be killed" or "Every member of Ahab's family will die, including every male "
2 Kings 9:9
I will make the house of Ahab like
"I will get rid of the house of Ahab like I got rid of"
the house of
"the family of"
Nebat ... Ahijah
These are the names of men. Translate "Nebat" the same as you did in 2 Kings 3:3.
2 Kings 9:10
The dogs will eat Jezebel
"Dogs will eat the dead body of Jezebel"
2 Kings 9:11
the servants of his master
This refers to the other officers who were serving King Ahab.
Is everything all right
"Is everything well" or "Is everything fine." See how you translated "all right" in 2 Kings 4:23.
mad fellow
"crazy man"
You know the man and the kinds of things he says
"You know what kinds of things young prophets like him say"
2 Kings 9:12
Tell us
"Tell us what he said."
He said this and that to me
"He talked about some things"
2 Kings 9:13
took off his outer garment and put it under Jehu
"took off their outer clothes and put them in front of Jehu for him to walk on"
They blew the ram's horn and said
"One of them blew the ram's horn and they all said"
2 Kings 9:14
Now Joram
The author tells about about how Joram was wounded and went to recover in Jezreel.
all Israel
"he and his army" or "he and the Israelite army"
Hazael
Translate the name of this man as you did in 2 Kings 8:8.
2 Kings 9:15
to be healed of
"to recover from"
the wounds that the Arameans had given him
"wounds that Joram got during the battle with the Aramean army"
against Hazael king of Aram
"against Hazael king of Aram and his army"
Jehu said to the servants of Joram
This refers to the officers who were with Joram at Ramoth Gilead.
If this is your opinion
"If you truly want me to be your king"
in order to go tell this news in Jezreel
"to warn king Joram and his army in Jezreel"
2 Kings 9:17
watchman
guard
the company of Jehu as he came at a distance
"Jehu and his men as they were still far away;"
2 Kings 9:18
What have you to do with peace?
"It is not your concern if I have come in peace!" or "It is not for you to know if I have come in peace!"
2 Kings 9:19
Then he sent out a second man on horseback, who came to them
"Then king Joram sent a second messenger riding a horse, who went out to meet Jehu and his army"
2 Kings 9:20
For the way that the chariot is being driven is the way that Jehu son of Nimshi drives
"Because the driver of the chariot drives the same way that Jehu son of Nimshi drives"
2 Kings 9:21
each in his chariot
"each in his own chariot"
Naboth
This is the name of a man.
Jezreelite
This refers to a person from Jezreel.
2 Kings 9:22
What peace is there, when the idolatrous acts of prostitution and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel are so many?
"There can be no peace as long as your mother Jezebel practices and promotes so much idolatry in the form of prostitution and witchcraft."
2 Kings 9:23
turned his chariot and fled
"turned his chariot around to try to flee"
2 Kings 9:24
with his full strength
"with all of his strength" or "with all of his power"
he sank down in his chariot
"Joram fell down dead in his chariot."
2 Kings 9:25
Bidkar
This is the name of a man.
Pick him up and throw him
"Pick up his dead body and throw it" or "Take his corpse and throw it"
Think about how
"Remember"
after Ahab his father
"behind his father Ahab's chariot"
Yahweh placed this prophecy against him
"Yahweh spoke this prophecy against Ahab"
2 Kings 9:26
I will surely make you pay for it
"I will give you what you deserve for the evil you have done"
pick him up and throw him on this field
"take Joram's dead body and throw it into the field of Naboth"
according to the word of Yahweh
"to fulfill the prophecy spoken to us"
2 Kings 9:27
saw this
"saw what happened to Joram"
Beth Haggan ... Gur ... Ibleam ... Megiddo
These are the names of places.
at the ascent of Gur
"on the road leading up to Gur"
2 Kings 9:28
his fathers
"his ancestors"
2 Kings 9:29
in the eleventh year of Joram son of Ahab
"in the eleventh year that Joram son of Ahab was king of Israel"
2 Kings 9:30
painted her eyes, arranged her hair
"put on makeup, made her hair look nice,"
2 Kings 9:31
Are you coming in peace, you Zimri, your master's murderer?
"You are certainly not coming in peace, you Zimri, your master's murderer!"
you Zimri, your master's murderer
"you murdered your master, just like Zimri murdered his master"
2 Kings 9:32
Who is on my side
"Who is loyal to me"
2 Kings 9:33
So they threw Jezebel down
The eunuchs threw Jezebel out of the high window and she died when she hit the ground.
Jehu trampled her underfoot
"Jehu's horses that were pulling his chariot trampled her body under their feet"
2 Kings 9:34
for she is a king's daughter
"because she is a king's daughter and therefore should be buried properly"
2 Kings 9:35
they found no more of her than
"all they found that was left of her body were"
2 Kings 9:36
the Tishbite
Someone from the city of Tishbe. See 2 Kings 1:3.
2 Kings 9:37
the body of Jezebel will be like dung on the surface of the fields ... so that no one will be able to say
"the pieces of Jezebel's body will be scattered like dung in the fields ... so that no one will be able to recognize them and say"
dung
Manure used as fertilizer.
Chapter 10
1
Now Ahab had seventy descendants in Samaria. Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria, to the rulers of Jezreel, including the elders and the guardians of Ahab's descendants, saying,
2
"Your master's descendants are with you, and you also have chariots and horses and a fortified city and armor. So then, as soon as this letter comes to you,
3
select the best and most deserving of your master's descendants and set him on his father's throne, and fight for your master's royal line."
4
But they were terrified and said among themselves, "See, the two kings could not stand before Jehu. So how can we stand?"
5
Then the man who was in charge of the palace, and the man who was over the city, and the elders also, and they who raised the children, sent word back to Jehu, saying, "We are your servants. We will do everything that you command us. We will not make any man king. Do what is good in your eyes."
6
Then Jehu wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, "If you are on my side, and if you will listen to my voice, you must take the heads of the men of your master's descendants, and come to me to Jezreel by tomorrow this time." Now the king's descendants, seventy in number, were with the important men of the city, who were bringing them up.
7
So when the letter came to them, they took the king's sons and killed them, seventy persons, put their heads in baskets, and sent them to Jehu in Jezreel.
8
A messenger came to Jehu, saying, "They have brought the heads of the king's sons." So he said, "Put them in two heaps at the entrance of the gate until the morning."
9
In the morning Jehu went out and stood, and said to all the people, "You are innocent. See, I plotted against my master and killed him, but who killed all these?
10
Now you should certainly realize that no part of Yahweh's word, the word that he spoke concerning the family of Ahab, will fall to the ground, for Yahweh has done what he spoke about through his servant Elijah."
11
So Jehu killed all who remained in the family of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his important men, his close friends, and his priests, until no survivor remained to him.
12
Then Jehu arose and left; he went to Samaria. As he was arriving at Beth Eked of the Shepherds,
13
he met brothers of Ahaziah king of Judah. Jehu said to them, "Who are you?" They answered, "We are brothers of Ahaziah, and we are going down to greet the children of the king and the children of Queen Jezebel."
14
Jehu said to his own men, "Take them alive." So they took them alive and killed them at the well of Beth Eked, all forty-two men. He did not leave any of them alive.
15
When Jehu had left there, he met Jehonadab son of Rekab coming to meet him. Jehu greeted him and said to him, "Is your heart with me, as my heart is with yours?" Jehonadab answered, "It is." Jehu said, "If it is, give me your hand." So he gave Jehu his hand, and Jehu took Jehonadab up with him into the chariot.
16
Jehu said, "Come with me and see my zeal for Yahweh." So he had Jehonadab ride along with him in his chariot.
17
When he came to Samaria, Jehu killed all who remained from Ahab's descendants in Samaria, until he had destroyed Ahab's royal line, just as was told them before by the word of Yahweh, which he had spoken to Elijah.
18
Then Jehu gathered all the people together and said to them, "Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him much.
19
Now therefore call to me all the prophets of Baal, all his worshipers, and all his priests. Let no one be left out, for I have a great sacrifice to offer to Baal. Whoever does not come will not live." But Jehu did this deceitfully, with the intent to kill the worshipers of Baal.
20
Jehu said, "Announce that there will be an assembly for Baal." So they announced it.
21
Then Jehu sent throughout all Israel and all the worshipers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left who did not come. They came into the temple of Baal, and it was filled from one end to another.
22
Jehu said to the man who kept the priest's wardrobe, "Bring out robes for all the worshipers of Baal." So the man brought out robes to them.
23
So Jehu went with Jehonadab son of Rekab into the house of Baal, and he said to the worshipers of Baal, "Search and make sure that there is no one here with you from the servants of Yahweh, but the worshipers of Baal alone."
24
Then they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had chosen eighty men who were standing outside, and he told them, "If any of the men whom I bring into your hands escapes, whoever lets that man escape, his life will be taken for the life of the one who escaped."
25
So then as soon as Jehu finished offering the burnt offering, he said to his bodyguards and to the officers, "Go in and kill them. Let no one come out." So they killed them with the edge of the sword, and the bodyguards and the officers threw them out and went into the inner room of the house of Baal.
26
They dragged out the stone pillars that were in the house of Baal, and they burned them.
27
Then they broke down the pillar of Baal, and destroyed the house of Baal and made it a latrine, which it is to this day.
28
That is how Jehu destroyed Baal worship from Israel.
29
But Jehu did not leave the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, by which he made Israel sin—that is, the worship of the golden calves in Bethel and Dan.
30
So Yahweh said to Jehu, "Because you have done well in executing what was right in my eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation."
31
But Jehu took no care to walk in the law of Yahweh, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, by which he made Israel sin.
32
In those days Yahweh began to cut off regions from Israel, and Hazael defeated the Israelites at the borders of Israel,
33
from the Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the Valley of the Arnon, through Gilead to Bashan.
34
As for the other matters concerning Jehu, and all that he did, and all his power, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel?
35
Jehu lay down with his ancestors, and they buried him in Samaria. Then Jehoahaz his son became king in his place.
36
The time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty-eight years.
2 Kings 10:3
set him on his father's throne
"make him king in his father's place"
for your master's royal line
"to defend your master's descendant" or "to defend him"
2 Kings 10:4
But they were terrified
"Then they were very afraid"
the two kings
"two kings, Joram and Ahaziah"
could not stand before Jehu
"could not endure against Jehu" or "could not resist Jehu"
2 Kings 10:5
the man who was over the city
"the mayor of the city" or "the man who was in charge of the city"
Do what is good in your eyes
"Do what you judge to be right" or "Do whatever you think is the best"
2 Kings 10:6
on my side
"loyal to me"
to my voice
"to what I say"
you must take the heads of the men of your master's descendants
"kill your master's descendants and cut off their heads". Jehu killed all of Ahab's descendants and the worshipers of Baal.
who were bringing them up
"who were raising them"
2 Kings 10:8
of the king's sons
"of Ahab's descendants."
2 Kings 10:9
Jehu went out and stood
"Jehu went to the city gate and stood before the people"
You are innocent
"You are innocent of what happened to Joram and his family"
but who killed all these?
"but the men of Samaria are responsible for killing Ahab's 70 descendants"
2 Kings 10:10
certainly realize
"understand" or "be aware of the fact that"
no part of Yahweh's word ... will fall to the ground
"No part of Yahweh's word ... will fail" or "every part of Yahweh's word ... will happen"
2 Kings 10:11
So Jehu killed all ... and his priests
"So Jehu commanded for all ... to be killed"
all who remained
"all who were alive" or "all who were left"
until no survivor remained to him
"until all of his people were dead"
2 Kings 10:12
Beth Eked of the Shepherds
This was the name of a place where sheep were sheared.
2 Kings 10:13
going down to greet
"going to visit"
2 Kings 10:14
Take them alive
"Seize them" or "Capture them"
2 Kings 10:15
Jehonadab son of Rekab
This is the name of a man.
Is your heart with me, as my heart is with yours? ... "It is."
"Will you be loyal to me, as I will be loyal to you? ... 'I will.'"
If it is, give me your hand
"If so, put your hand in mine" or "If so, let us shake hands". This confirms their agreement.
2 Kings 10:16
see my zeal
"see how zealous I am"
2 Kings 10:17
royal line
"entire royal family"
just as was told them before by the word of Yahweh, which he had spoken to Elijah
"to fulfill the prophecy that Elijah had spoken, which Yahweh gave to him"
2 Kings 10:18
gathered all the people together
"called all the people of the city of Samaria and had them come to where he was"
serve him much
"serve him much more than Ahab did"
2 Kings 10:19
Whoever does not come will not live
"We will execute anyone who does not come"
2 Kings 10:21
Then Jehu sent
"Then Jehu sent messengers" or "Then Jehu sent the message"
so that there was not a man left who did not come
"so that every worshiper of Baal was there" or "so that every man came"
2 Kings 10:22
who kept the priest's wardrobe
"who was in charge of the priest's wardrobe" or "who cared for the priest's wardrobe"
2 Kings 10:23
he said to the worshipers of Baal
"Jehu said to the people who were in the temple to worship Baal"
but the worshipers of Baal alone
"but that only worshipers of Baal are here."
2 Kings 10:24
If any of the men whom I bring into your hands escapes
"If any of these men that I brought into your control escapes" or "If any of the men that are inside gets away"
whoever lets that man escape, his life will be taken for the life of the one who escaped
"we will kill the man who let him escape"
for the life of the one
"in exchange for the life of the man" or "for the man"
2 Kings 10:25
he said to his bodyguards and to the officers
"he went back outside of the temple of Baal and said to his bodyguards and to the officers"
with the edge of the sword
"with their swords"
threw them out
"threw their dead bodies out of the temple"
2 Kings 10:27
made it a latrine
"made it a public toilet"
which it is to this day
"and since then it has always been that way"
2 Kings 10:29
did not leave the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat
"did not stop committing the kinds of sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had committed"
Nebat
See how you translated this man's name in 2 Kings 3:3.
2 Kings 10:30
in executing
"in carrying out" or "in accomplishing"
what was right in my eyes
"what I judge to be right"
the house of Ahab
"the family of Ahab"
all that was in my heart
"all that I desired for you to do" or "all that I wanted you to do"
sit on the throne
"be the kings"
to the fourth generation
"for four more generations". This refers to his son, grandson, great-grandson, and great-great-grandson.
2 Kings 10:31
Jehu took no care to walk in the law of Yahweh
"Jehu was not careful to live according to the law of Yahweh"
with all his heart
"in everything that he did" or "with all of his will"
2 Kings 10:32
began to cut off regions from Israel
"began to cause the territory controlled by Israel to become smaller"
Hazael defeated
"Hazael and his army" or "King Hazael's Aramean army"
Hazael
See how you translated this king's name in 2 Kings 8:8.
2 Kings 10:33
from the Jordan eastward
"from the land east of the Jordan"
Aroer ... Bashan
These are all names of places.
the Arnon
"the Arnon River"
2 Kings 10:35
Jehu lay down with his ancestors, and they buried him in Samaria
"Jehu died and they buried him in Samaria, where they had also buried his ancestors"
Jehoahaz
This is the name of a man.
2 Kings 10:36
The time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty-eight years
"Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria for 28 years"
Chapter 11
1
Now when Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, saw that her son was dead, she arose and killed all the royal children.
2
But Jehosheba, a daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah, and hid him away from among the king's sons who were killed, along with his nurse; she put them into a bedroom. They hid him from Athaliah so that he was not killed.
3
He remained with her six years, hidden in the house of Yahweh, while Athaliah reigned over the land.
4
In the seventh year, Jehoiada sent messages and brought the commanders of hundreds of the Carites and of the guard, and brought them to himself, into the temple of Yahweh. He made a covenant with them, and he made them swear an oath in the house of Yahweh. Then he showed them the king's son.
5
He commanded them, saying, "This is what you must do. A third of you who come on the Sabbath will keep watch over the king's house,
6
and a third will be at the Sur Gate, and a third at the gate behind the guardhouse. You shall guard the guardhouse of the temple."
7
The two other groups who are not serving on the Sabbath, you must keep the watch over the house of Yahweh for the king.
8
You must surround the king, every man with his weapons in his hand. Whoever enters within your ranks, let him be killed. You must stay with the king when he goes out, and when he comes in.
9
So the commanders of hundreds obeyed everything Jehoiada the priest commanded. Each one took his men, those who were to come in to serve on the Sabbath, and those who were to stop serving on that Sabbath; and they came to Jehoiada the priest.
10
Then Jehoiada the priest gave the commanders of hundreds the spears and shields that belonged to King David and that were in the house of Yahweh.
11
So the guards stood, each man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side, near the altar and the temple, surrounding the king.
12
Then Jehoiada brought out the king's son Joash, put the crown on him, and gave him the covenant decrees. Then they made him king and anointed him. They clapped their hands and said, "Long live the king!"
13
When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people in the house of Yahweh.
14
She looked, and, behold, the king was standing by the pillar, as the custom was, and the captains and the trumpeters were by the king. All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and shouted, "Treason! Treason!"
15
Then Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of hundreds who were over the army, saying, "Bring her out between the ranks. Anyone who follows her, kill him with the sword." For the priest had said, "Do not let her be killed in the house of Yahweh."
16
So they seized her as she reached the horses' entrance to the king's house, and there she was killed.
17
Then Jehoiada made a covenant between Yahweh and the king and people, that they should be Yahweh's people, and also between the king and the people.
18
So all the people of the land went to the house of Baal and tore it down. They smashed Baal's altars and his idol figures to pieces, and they killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of those altars. Then Jehoida the priest appointed guards over the temple of Yahweh.
19
Jehoida took with him the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, the guard, and all the people of the land, and together they brought down the king from the house of Yahweh and they went into the king's house, entering by way of the gate of the guards. Joash took his place on the royal throne.
20
So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been killed with the sword at the king's house.
21
Joash was seven years old when he began to reign.
2 Kings 11:1
Athaliah
The mother of the king of Judah, Athaliah, killed all the royal children so that she could rule. She was not able to kill the baby Joash because his aunt hid him in the temple. When Joash was seven years old, the chief priest conspired with the army and made Joash king. They killed Athaliah and destroyed the temple of Baal. This chapter is the beginning of the story of the spiritual revival in Judah under Joash. The people returned to properly worshiping Yahweh.
saw that her son was dead
"became aware that her son was dead"
she arose and killed all the royal children
"she commanded her servants to kill all the members of Ahaziah's family who might become king"
2 Kings 11:2
took Joash son of Ahaziah, and hid him away from among the king's sons who were killed, along with his nurse; she put them into a bedroom. They hid him from Athaliah so that he was not killed.
"took Ahaziah's very young son Joash and hid him and his nursemaid in a bedroom in the temple. So he was not killed"
2 Kings 11:3
He remained with her six years, hidden in the house of Yahweh, while Athaliah reigned over the land
"Joash and Jehosheba hid him in the house of Yahweh for six years while Athaliah ruled the land"
land
"people of Judah"
2 Kings 11:4
In the seventh year
"In year 7 of Athaliah's reign"
Jehoiada
the high priest
the commanders of hundreds
"the commanders of 100 soldiers" or "the commanders of military divisions"
Carites
This is the name of a particular group of the royal guards.
brought them to himself
"had them come to meet with him."
Then he showed them the king's son
Jehoiada revealed to them that Joash, King Azahiah's son, was still alive.
2 Kings 11:7
for the king
"in order to protect King Joash"
2 Kings 11:8
Whoever enters within your ranks
"Anyone who tries to go past you while you are protecting King Joash."
let him be killed
"you must kill him"
You must stay with the king when he goes out, and when he comes in
"You must stay near the king at all times"
2 Kings 11:10
were in the house of Yahweh
"were stored in the temple."
2 Kings 11:11
from the right side of the temple to the left side, near the altar and the temple
"from the right side of the palace to the left side of the palace, near the altar and the temple."
2 Kings 11:12
brought out the king's son Joash
Jehoiada brought king Ahaziah's son out from the temple apartment where he had been in hiding.
gave him the covenant decrees
"presented him with the book of the law"
anointed him
"poured some olive oil on Joash's head"
clapped their hands
A sign of the happiness of the people at the anointing of the new king.
2 Kings 11:13
the noise of the guard
The noise made by all the soldiers.
she came to the people in the house of Yahweh
"she came to where the people had gathered at the temple"
2 Kings 11:14
She looked, and, behold, the king was standing
"When she arrived, she was surprised to see King Joash standing"
by the pillar
"by one of the pillars of the temple"
as the custom was
"which was the usual place for the king to stand"
the trumpeters
"the people who played the trumpets"
Athaliah tore her clothes
She tore her clothes to express that she was very upset and angry.
Treason! Treason!
"You are traitors! You have betrayed me!"
2 Kings 11:15
Bring her out between the ranks
"Take her away between two rows of guards" or "Lead her away with a row of soldiers on each side of her."
Anyone who follows her
"Anyone who follows to try to rescue her"
2 Kings 11:16
they seized her as she reached the horses' entrance to the king's house
"the guards seized her and took her to the palace, to the place where horses enter the courtyard."
the horses' entrance to the king's house
"where the horses enter the palace grounds"
2 Kings 11:17
also between the king and the people
"also made a covenant between the king and the people."
2 Kings 11:18
all the people of the land
"a large number of the people of the land"
the house of Baal
"the temple of Baal"
Mattan
This is the name of a male priest.
2 Kings 11:19
brought down the king from the house of Yahweh and they went into the king's house
"brought the king from the temple to the palace"
2 Kings 11:20
all the people of the land rejoiced
"many people in the land rejoiced"
the city was quiet
"the city was peaceful"
Chapter 12
1
In the seventh year of Jehu, the reign of Joash began; he reigned for forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah, of Beersheba.
2
Joash did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh all the time, because Jehoiada the priest was instructing him.
3
But the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.
4
Joash said to the priests, "All the money that is brought in as sacred offerings into the house of Yahweh, that money for which each person is assessed—whether it is the money collected in the census, or the money received from personal vows, or the money brought in by people motivated by Yahweh in their hearts to give—
5
the priests should receive the money from one of their treasurers and repair whatever damage is found in the temple."
6
But by the twenty-third year of King Joash, the priests had not repaired anything in the temple.
7
Then King Joash called for Jehoiada the priest and for the other priests; he said to them, "Why have you not repaired anything in the temple? Now take no more money from your taxpayers, but take what has been collected for repairs of the temple and give it to those who can make the repairs."
8
So the priests consented to take no more money from the people and not repair the temple themselves.
9
Then, Jehoiada the priest took a chest, bored a hole in its lid, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one comes into the house of Yahweh. The priests who were guarding the temple entrance put into it all the money that was brought to the house of Yahweh.
10
Whenever they saw that there was much money in the chest, the king's scribe and the high priest would come and put the money in bags and then count it, the money found in the temple of Yahweh.
11
They gave the money that was weighed out into the hands of men who took care of the temple of Yahweh. They paid it out to the carpenters and the builders who worked on the temple of Yahweh,
12
and to the masons and the stonecutters, for buying timber and cutting stone to repair the temple of Yahweh, and for all that was needed to be paid to repair it.
13
But the money that was brought into the house of Yahweh did not pay to make for it any silver cups, lamp trimmers, basins, trumpets, or any gold or silver furnishing.
14
They gave this money to those who did the work of repairing the house of Yahweh.
15
In addition, they did not require the money paid for repairs to be accounted for by the men who received it and paid it to the workmen, because these men practiced faithfulness.
16
But the money for the guilt offerings and the money for the sin offerings was not brought into the temple of Yahweh, because it belonged to the priests.
17
Then Hazael king of Aram attacked and fought against Gath, and took it. Hazael then turned to attack Jerusalem.
18
Joash king of Judah took all the things that Jehoshaphat and Jehoram and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had set apart, and what he had set apart, and all the gold that was found in the storerooms of the houses of Yahweh and of the king and he sent them to Hazael king of Aram. Then Hazael went away from Jerusalem.
19
As for the other matters concerning Joash, all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah?
20
His servants arose and plotted together; they attacked Joash in Beth Millo, on the way that goes down to Silla.
21
Jozabad
son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad son of Shomer, his servants, attacked him, and he died. They buried Joash with his ancestors in the city of David, and Amaziah, his son, became king in his place.
2 Kings 12:1
In the seventh year of Jehu
"During year 7 of the reign of Jehu over Israel". This chapter is the end of the story of the revival in Judah under Joash.
Zibiah
This was the name of a woman.
Zibiah, of Beersheba
"Zibiah, from the city of Beersheba"
2 Kings 12:2
what was right in the eyes of Yahweh
"what Yahweh judges to be right" or "what Yahweh considers to be right"
2 Kings 12:3
But the high places were not taken away
"But the people did not destroy the high places"
2 Kings 12:4
the money that is brought in as sacred offerings into the house of Yahweh
Joash repaired the temple. In many ways, the temple represents the relationship between the people and Yahweh.
2 Kings 12:6
by the twenty-third year of King Joash
"when Joash had been king for twenty three years,"
2 Kings 12:7
give it to those who can make the repairs
"pay workers who will do the repairs"
2 Kings 12:9
on the right side as one comes into the house of Yahweh
"on the right side of the entrance to the temple"
put into it
"put into the chest" or "put in the box"
2 Kings 12:10
put the money in bags and then count it
"count the money and put it in bags." or "tied up the money in bags" .
2 Kings 12:11
weighed out
"counted"
into the hands of men
"to men"
who took care of the temple
"who repaired the temple"
2 Kings 12:12
masons
people who build with stone
stonecutters
people who cut stones into the correct size and shape
2 Kings 12:13
did not pay to make for it any
"was not spent to pay for any of the temple's"
silver cups, lamp trimmers, basins, trumpets, or any gold or silver furnishing
Items used by the priests for various temple tasks, such as sacrifices or festivals.
2 Kings 12:15
to be accounted for
To keep a record of how much money was received and spent.
2 Kings 12:16
the money for the guilt offerings and the money for the sin offerings was not brought into the temple of Yahweh
"they did not use the money from the guilt offerings and the sin offerings to pay for the repairs to Yahweh's temple."
2 Kings 12:17
Hazael king of Aram attacked ... Hazael then turned to attack
"Hazael king of Aram and his army attacked ... Then they turned to attack"
Hazael
This is the name of the king of the country of Syria.
2 Kings 12:18
Jehoshaphat and Jehoram and Ahaziah, his fathers
These men were previous kings of Judah.
set apart
"dedicated"
Then Hazael went away from Jerusalem
"So Hazael stopped attacking Jerusalem and left"
2 Kings 12:19
are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah?
"they are written in the book of the history of the kings of Judah.". See 2 Kings 8:23.
2 Kings 12:20
Silla
The location of this place is unknown.
2 Kings 12:21
Jozabad ... Shimeath ... Jehozabad ... Shomer ... Amaziah
These are names of men.
became king in his place
"became the next king of Judah"
Chapter 13
1
In the twenty-third year of Joash son of Ahaziah king of Judah, Jehoahaz son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria; he reigned seventeen years.
2
He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and followed the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin; and Jehoahaz did not turn away from them.
3
The anger of Yahweh burned against Israel, and he gave them continually into the hand of Hazael king of Aram and into the hand of Ben-Hadad son of Hazael.
4
So Jehoahaz implored Yahweh, and Yahweh listened to him because he saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Aram was oppressing them.
5
So Yahweh gave Israel a rescuer, and they escaped from the hand of the Arameans, and the people of Israel began to live in their tents as they had before.
6
Nevertheless, they did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who caused Israel to sin, and they continued in them; and the Asherah pole remained in Samaria.
7
The Arameans left Jehoahaz with only fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen, for the king of Aram had destroyed them and made them like the chaff at threshing time.
8
As for the other matters concerning Jehoahaz, and all that he did and his power, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel?
9
So Jehoahaz lay down with his ancestors, and they buried him in Samaria. Jehoash his son became king in his place.
10
In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, the reign of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz began over Israel in Samaria; he reigned sixteen years.
11
He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. He did not leave behind any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, by which he had made Israel to sin, but he walked in them.
12
As for the other matters concerning Jehoash, and all that he did, and his might by which he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel?
13
Jehoash lay down with his ancestors, and Jeroboam sat on his throne. Jehoash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.
14
Now Elisha became sick with an illness by which he later died, so Jehoash the king of Israel came down to him and wept over him. He said, "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and the horsemen are taking you away!"
15
Elisha said to him, "Pick up a bow and some arrows," so Joash picked up a bow and some arrows.
16
Elisha said to the king of Israel, "Put your hand on the bow," so he put his hand on it. Then Elisha laid his hands on the king's hands.
17
Elisha said, "Open the window eastward," so he opened it. Then Elisha said, "Shoot!", and he shot. Elisha said, "This is Yahweh's arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram, for you will attack the Arameans in Aphek until you have consumed them."
18
Then Elisha said, "Take the arrows," so Joash took them. He said to the king of Israel, "Strike the ground with them," and he struck the ground three times, then stopped.
19
But the man of God was angry with him and said, "You should have hit the ground five or six times. Then you would have attacked Aram until you annihilated it, but now you will attack Aram only three times."
20
Then Elisha died, and they buried him. Now marauding bands of Moabites invaded the land at the beginning of the year.
21
As they were burying a certain man, they saw a marauding band of Moabites, so they threw the body into Elisha's grave. As soon as the man touched Elisha's bones, he revived and stood up on his feet.
22
Hazael king of Aram oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz.
23
But Yahweh was gracious to Israel, and had compassion on them and concern for them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. So Yahweh did not destroy them, and he still has not driven them away from his presence.
24
Hazael king of Aram died, and Ben-Hadad his son became king in his place.
25
Jehoash son of Jehoahaz took back from Ben-Hadad son of Hazael the cities that had been taken from Jehoahaz his father by war. Jehoash attacked him three times, and he recovered those cities of Israel.
2 Kings 13:1
In the twenty-third year of Joash son of Ahaziah king of Judah
"After Joash had been ruling Judah for almost 23 years". This is the last chapter about Elisha.
reign over Israel in Samaria
"rule over the kingdom of Israel located in Samaria"
he reigned seventeen years
"Jehoahaz was king for 17 years"
2 Kings 13:2
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considers to be evil"
followed the sins of Jeroboam
"did the same sins as Jeroboam"
2 Kings 13:3
gave them continually into the hand of Hazael king of Aram and into the hand of Ben-Hadad son of Hazael
"allowed Hazael the king of Aram, and Ben-Hadad, his son, to repeatedly defeat the Israelites in battle"
2 Kings 13:4
implored Yahweh
"prayed to Yahweh"
he saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Aram was oppressing them
"he saw how severely the king of Aram was oppressing Israel"
2 Kings 13:5
a rescuer
"someone to rescue them"
their tents
"their homes." The Israelites were living in houses at this time.
2 Kings 13:6
they did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam
"Israel did not stop doing the same sins as Jeroboam had done"
house of Jeroboam
"the family of Jeroboam"
2 Kings 13:7
had destroyed them
"had defeated the army of Jehoahaz"
made them like the chaff at threshing time
"had crushed them as workers crush chaff under their feet at harvest time"
2 Kings 13:8
are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel?
"they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel.". See 2 Kings 1:18.
2 Kings 13:9
lay down with his ancestors
This is a polite way of saying that he died.
Jehoash
"Joash". This is a man's name.
2 Kings 13:10
In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah
"After Joash had ruled Judah for almost 37 years"
the reign of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz began over Israel in Samaria
"Jehoash son of Jehoahaz began to rule over Israel in Samaria"
2 Kings 13:11
He did not leave behind any of the sins of Jeroboam
"Jehoash kept committing the same sins as Jeroboam"
by which he had made Israel to sin
"by which Jeroboam had caused Israel to sin"
2 Kings 13:12
his might by which he fought against Amaziah king of Judah
"the power that his army showed when they fought against the army of Amaziah king of Judah"
2 Kings 13:13
Jeroboam sat on his throne
"Jeroboam became king after him" or "Jeroboam began to rule after him"
2 Kings 13:14
wept over him
"wept because Elisha was sick". Elisha assures him that he will have three victories over Aram.
My father, my father
Elisha was not the king's literal father. King Joash used this term as a sign of respect.
the chariots of Israel and the horsemen are taking you away
"the chariots of Israel and the horsemen are taking you to heaven". See 2 Kings 2:11-12.
the horsemen
"the drivers of the chariots"
2 Kings 13:17
Open the window eastward
"open the window that faces east"
so he opened it
"So a servant opened it"
he shot
"Joash shot the arrow"
This is Yahweh's arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram
"This arrow is a sign from Yahweh that he will give you victory over Aram"
Aphek
This was a city in the land of Israel.
2 Kings 13:19
But the man of God was angry with him
"But Elisha was angry with King Joash"
until you annihilated it
"until you completely destroyed it,"
2 Kings 13:20
at the beginning of the year
"each year during spring"
2 Kings 13:21
As they were burying a certain man
"As some Israelites were burying a man's body"
they saw a marauding band of Moabites
"they saw a group of Moabite raiders coming toward them and they were afraid"
As soon as the man touched Elisha's bones
"As soon as the dead man's body touched the bones of Elisha"
he revived and stood up on his feet
"the dead man came back to life and stood up"
2 Kings 13:23
But Yahweh was gracious to Israel, and had compassion on them and concern for them
"But Yahweh was very kind to the Israelite people. He helped them"
So Yahweh did not destroy them
"Because of his covenant, Yahweh did not destroy them"
has not driven them away from his presence
"has not rejected them"
2 Kings 13:24
Hazael ... Ben-Hadad
These are names of kings.
2 Kings 13:25
Jehoash ... Jehoahaz
These are names of kings.
Jehoash attacked him three times
"Jehoash's army attacked Ben-Hadad's army three times"
Chapter 14
1
In the second year of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah son of Joash, king of Judah, began to reign.
2
He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jehoaddan, of Jerusalem.
3
He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, yet not like David his father. He did everything that Joash, his father, had done.
4
But the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense at the high places.
5
It came about that as soon as his rule was well established, he killed the servants who had murdered his father, the king.
6
Yet he did not put to death the sons of the murderers, according to what was written in the book of the law of Moses, as Yahweh had commanded, saying, "Fathers must not be put to death because of their children, neither must the children be put to death because of their fathers. But each one must die for his own sin."
7
He killed ten thousand soldiers of Edom in the Valley of Salt; he also took Sela in war and called it Joktheel, which is what it is called to this day.
8
Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu king of Israel, saying, "Come, let us meet each other face to face in battle."
9
But Jehoash the king of Israel sent messengers back to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, "A thistle that was in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, 'Give your daughter to my son for a wife,' but a wild beast in Lebanon walked by and trampled down the thistle.
10
You have indeed attacked Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Take pride in your victory, but stay at home, for why should you cause yourself trouble and fall, both you and Judah with you?"
11
But Amaziah would not listen. So Jehoash king of Israel attacked and he and Amaziah king of Judah met each other face to face at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah.
12
Judah was defeated by Israel, and every man fled to his tent.
13
Jehoash king of Israel, captured Amaziah, king of Judah son of Jehoash son of Ahaziah, at Beth Shemesh. He came to Jerusalem and tore down the wall of Jerusalem from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate, four hundred cubits in distance.
14
He took all the gold and silver, all the objects that were found in the house of Yahweh, and the valuable things in the king's palace, with hostages also, and returned to Samaria.
15
As for the other matters concerning Jehoash, all that he did, his power, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel?
16
Then Jehoash lay down with his ancestors and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel, and Jeroboam, his son, became king in his place.
17
Amaziah son of Joash, king of Judah, lived fifteen years after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel.
18
As for the other matters concerning Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah?
19
They made a conspiracy against Amaziah in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish. He fled to Lachish, but they sent men after him to Lachish and killed him there.
20
They brought him back on horses, and he was buried with his ancestors in Jerusalem in the city of David.
21
All the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah.
22
It was Azariah who rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah, after King Amaziah lay down with his ancestors.
23
In the fifteenth year of Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah, Jeroboam son of Jehoash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria; he reigned forty-one years.
24
He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. He did not depart from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin.
25
He restored the border of Israel from Lebo Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, following the commands of the word of Yahweh, the God of Israel, which he had spoken through his servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath Hepher.
26
For Yahweh saw the suffering of Israel, that it was very bitter for everyone, both slave and free, and that there was no rescuer for Israel.
27
But Yahweh had not said that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, so he delivered them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash.
28
As for the other matters concerning Jeroboam, all that he did, his power, how he waged war and recovered Damascus and Hamath, which had belonged to Judah, for Israel, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel?
29
Jeroboam lay down with his ancestors, with the kings of Israel, and Zechariah his son became king in his place.
2 Kings 14:1
In the second year of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel
"When Jehoash son of Jehoahaz had been king of Israel for almost two years". The text begins again to alternate between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
Amaziah son of Joash, king of Judah, began to reign
"Amaziah son of Joash, became the king of Judah"
2 Kings 14:2
He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign
"He was 25 years old when he became king"
he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem
"he was the king in Jerusalem for 29 years"
2 Kings 14:3
He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, yet not like David his father
"Amaziah did many things that pleased Yahweh, but he did not do as many things that pleased Yahweh as King David had done"
He did everything that Joash, his father, had done
"He did the same good things that his father Joash had done"
2 Kings 14:4
But the high places were not taken away
"But he did not remove the high places"
sacrificed and burned incense at the high places
"sacrificed and burned incense to pagan gods at the high places"
2 Kings 14:5
as soon as his rule was well established
"as soon as Amaziah securely established his royal rule and kingly authority"
he killed the servants
"he made his servants execute the officials"
2 Kings 14:6
General Information:
The narrator tells about what king Amaziah did after his father King Joash was murdered.
Yet he did not put to death the sons of the murderers
King Amaziah did not order his servants to kill the children of the men who killed his father. If he was going to have them executed though, he would have commanded his servants do it, he would not have done it himself. Alternate translation: "But he did not tell his servants to execute those officials' children"
the sons of the murderers, according to what was written in the book of the law of Moses
"the sons of the murderers. He obeyed what was written in the book of the law of Moses"
Fathers must not be put to death because of their children, neither must the children be put to death because of their fathers
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "People must not kill the fathers for the sins of their children, and they must not kill the children for the sins of their parents"
2 Kings 14:7
He killed
"Amaziah's army killed" or "Amaziah's soldiers killed"
Valley of Salt
This is the name of a place that is located south of the Dead Sea.
he also took Sela in war
"King Amaziah's army captured the city of Sela"
2 Kings 14:8
Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu king of Israel, saying, "Come, let us meet each other face to face in battle."
"Then Amaziah sent messengers to King Jehoash of Israel, saying, 'Come here and let us and our armies fight each other in battle.'". Pride in one's success can make a person attempt and fail at something else. Amaziah defeated Edom so he wanted to fight Israel. But Israel defeated him and thoroughly humiliated him.
2 Kings 14:9
A thistle that was in Lebanon ... trampled down the thistle
This is a word picture and a riddle. A cedar tree is great and a thistle is small and worthless. Jehoash compares himself to the cedar and Amaziah to the thistle and warns Amaziah not to attack.
saying, 'Give your daughter to my son for a wife,'
"asking the cedar to give his daughter to the thistle's son for a wife"
2 Kings 14:10
You have indeed attacked Edom
"Amaziah, you have definitely defeated Edom"
your heart has lifted you up
"you are very proud of what you have done"
for why should you cause yourself trouble and fall
"for you should not cause trouble for yourself and suffer defeat"
2 Kings 14:11
But Amaziah would not listen
"However, Amaziah would not obey Jehoash's warning"
So Jehoash king of Israel attacked ... Amaziah king of Judah met each other
"So Jehoash and his army went to fight Amaziah and his army and they met each other"
Beth Shemesh
This is a town in Judah near the border of Israel.
2 Kings 14:12
Judah was defeated by Israel
"Israel defeated Judah"
every man fled to his tent
"all the men in the army of Judah ran home." The people of Judah lived in houses at this time.
2 Kings 14:13
He came
"Jehoash and his army came ... Jehoash's soldiers took"
Ephraim Gate ... Corner Gate
There are the names of gates in the wall of Jerusalem.
four hundred cubits
"about 180 meters". A cubit was about 46 centimeters.
2 Kings 14:14
He took
"Jehoash and his army came ... Jehoash's soldiers took"
with hostages also, and returned to Samaria
"and they also took to Samaria some prisoners to make sure that Amaziah would cause them no more trouble"
2 Kings 14:15
are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel?
"they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel.". See 2 Kings 1:18.
2 Kings 14:16
Then Jehoash lay down with his ancestors
"Then Jehoash died"
became king in his place
"became king after him"
2 Kings 14:18
are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah?
"they are written in the book of the history of the kings of Judah.". See 2 Kings 8:23.
2 Kings 14:19
They made a conspiracy against Amaziah in Jerusalem
"Some people in Jerusalem plotted against Amaziah"
Lachish
This is a city in southwestern Judah.
but they sent men after him to Lachish
The men who made the conspiracy sent other men to follow Amaziah to Lachish.
2 Kings 14:20
They brought him back on horses
"They brought Amaziah's body back on horses"
2 Kings 14:21
All the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah
"The people of Judah took the 16 year-old Azariah and made him king after his father, Amaziah"
Azariah
This king is better known by the name "Uzziah."
2 Kings 14:22
It was Azariah who rebuilt Elath
"It was Azariah who ordered Elath to be rebuilt" or "It was Azariah who supervised the rebuilding of Elath"
Elath
a city in Judah
2 Kings 14:23
In the fifteenth year of Amaziah
"In year 15 of Amaziah"
2 Kings 14:24
evil in the sight of Yahweh
"evil according to Yahweh" or "what Yahweh considered to be evil"
He did not depart from any of the sins of Jeroboam
"He did not stop committing the same sins as Jeroboam" or "He continued to commit the same sins as Jeroboam"
2 Kings 14:25
He restored the border
"His soldiers conquered again some of the territory that had previously belonged to Israel"
Lebo Hamath
This city was also called Hamath.
the Sea of the Arabah
"the Dead Sea"
2 Kings 14:26
it was very bitter
"it was very difficult"
there was no rescuer for Israel
"there was no one who could rescue Israel"
2 Kings 14:27
blot out
"completely destroy"
the name of Israel
"the Israelite people"
under heaven
"on earth"
Chapter 15
1
In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah began to reign.
2
Azariah was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jekoliah, and she was from Jerusalem.
3
He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, just as his father Amaziah had done.
4
However, the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense at the high places.
5
Yahweh afflicted the king so that he was a leper to the day of his death and lived in a separate house. Jotham, the king's son, was over the household and ruled the people of the land.
6
As for the other matters concerning Azariah, all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah?
7
So Azariah lay down with his ancestors; they buried him with his ancestors in the city of David. Jotham, his son, became king in his place.
8
In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah, Zechariah son of Jeroboam reigned over Israel in Samaria for six months.
9
He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as his fathers had done. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin.
10
Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah, attacked him in Ibleam, and put him to death. Then he became king in his place.
11
As for the other matters concerning Zechariah, they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel.
12
This was the word of Yahweh that he spoke to Jehu, saying, "Your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation." That is what happened.
13
Shallum son of Jabesh began to reign in the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah king of Judah, and he reigned only one month in Samaria.
14
Menahem son of Gadi went up from Tirzah to Samaria. There he attacked Shallum son of Jabesh, in Samaria. He put him to death and became king in his place.
15
As for the other matters concerning Shallum and the conspiracy that he formed, they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel.
16
Then Menahem attacked Tiphsah and all who were there, and the borders around Tirzah, because they did not open up the city to him. So he attacked it, and he ripped open all the pregnant women in that village.
17
In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah, Menahem son of Gadi began to reign over Israel; he reigned ten years in Samaria.
18
He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. For his whole life, he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin.
19
Then Pul the king of Assyria came against the land, and Menahem gave Pul one thousand talents of silver, so that Pul's support might be with him to strengthen the kingdom of Israel in his hand.
20
Menahem exacted this money from Israel by requiring each of the wealthy, powerful men to pay fifty shekels of silver to him to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back and did not stay there in the land.
21
As for the other matters concerning Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel?
22
So Menahem lay down with his ancestors, and Pekahiah his son became king in his place.
23
In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria; he reigned two years.
24
He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. He did not leave behind the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, by which he had caused Israel to sin.
25
Pekahiah had an officer named Pekah son of Remaliah, who conspired against him. Along with fifty men of Gilead, Pekah killed Pekahiah as well as Argob and Arieh in Samaria, in the citadel of the king's palace. Pekah killed Pekahiah and became king in his place.
26
As for the other matters concerning Pekahiah, all that he did, they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel.
27
In the fifty-second year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekah son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria; he reigned twenty years.
28
He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin.
29
In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maakah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, Galilee, and all the land of Naphtali. He carried away the people to Assyria.
30
So Hoshea son of Elah formed a conspiracy against Pekah son of Remaliah. He attacked him and put him to death. Then he became king in his place, in the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah.
31
As for the other matters concerning Pekah, all that he did, they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel.
32
In the second year of Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, Jotham son of Uzziah, king of Judah began to reign.
33
He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jerushah; she was the daughter of Zadok.
34
Jotham did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, just as his father Uzziah had done.
35
However, the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense at the high places. Jotham built the upper gate of the house of Yahweh.
36
As for the other matters concerning Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah?
37
In those days Yahweh began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Aram, and Pekah son of Remaliah.
38
Jotham lay down with his ancestors and was buried with his ancestors in the city of David, his ancestor. Then Ahaz, his son, became king in his place.
2 Kings 15:1
In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam
"In year 27 of the reign of Jeroboam"
Azariah
This king is better known by the name "Uzziah."
2 Kings 15:3
what was right in the eyes of Yahweh
"what was right in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considers to be right"
2 Kings 15:4
the high places were not taken away
"no one destroyed the high places" or "Azariah did not have anyone destroy the high places"
2 Kings 15:5
to the day of his death
"until the day he died"
Jotham, the king's son, was over the household
"was in charge of the household" or "had authority over those in Azariah's palace". Because Azariah was a leper, he had to live in a separate house. So his son, Jotham, took charge over the palace.
2 Kings 15:6
are they not written ... Judah?
"they are written ... Judah." or "you can read about them ... Judah.". See 2 Kings 8:23.
2 Kings 15:7
Azariah lay down with his ancestors
"Azariah died as his ancestors had" or "like his ancestors, Azariah died"
became king in his place
"became king instead of Azariah"
2 Kings 15:8
In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah
"In year 38 of the reign of Azariah king of Judah"
Zechariah son of Jeroboam
This Jeroboam was the second king of Israel that had that name. He was the son of King Jehoash.
reigned over Israel in Samaria for six months
"lived in Samaria and reigned over Israel for six months"
2 Kings 15:9
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considers to be evil". See 2 Kings 3:2.
He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat
"Zechariah sinned as Jeroboam son of Nebat had sinned"
Jeroboam son of Nebat
This Jeroboam was the first king of the ten northern tribes that made up the kingdom of Israel.
who had caused Israel to sin
"who had caused the people of Israel to sin"
2 Kings 15:10
Shallum ... Jabesh
These are the names of two men.
against Zechariah
"against King Zechariah". Israel assassinated one king after another. The Assyrians began attacking Israel.
Ibleam
This was the name of a city.
2 Kings 15:11
they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel
"you can read about them in the book of the events of the kings of Israel"
2 Kings 15:12
This was the word of Yahweh
"What happened to Zechariah fulfilled the word of Yahweh"
Your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation
"Your descendants will be the kings of Israel for four generations"
2 Kings 15:13
in the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah king of Judah
"in year 39 of the reign of Uzziah king of Judah"
Uzziah
"Azariah."
he reigned only one month in Samaria
"Shallum lived in Samaria and reigned over Israel for only one month"
2 Kings 15:14
Menahem ... Gadi
These are the names of two men.
became king in his place
"became king instead of Shallum"
2 Kings 15:15
the conspiracy that he formed
"how he planned to murder King Zechariah" or "and how he murdered King Zechariah"
2 Kings 15:16
Tiphsah
This is the name of a city. Some versions have "Tappuah," which is the name of another city.
2 Kings 15:17
In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah
"In year 39 of the reign of Azariah king of Judah"
2 Kings 15:18
For his whole life
"The whole time that he lived"
who had caused Israel to sin
"who had caused the people of Israel to sin"
2 Kings 15:19
Pul the king of Assyria came against the land
"Pul the king of Assyria came with his army against the land"
Pul the king of Assyria
He was also named Tiglath-Pileser.
came against the land
"came with his army to attack the people of Israel"
one thousand talents of silver
"thirty-three thousand kilograms of silver" or "thirty-three metric tons of silver"
to strengthen the kingdom of Israel in his hand
"to strengthen his rule over the kingdom of Israel"
2 Kings 15:20
exacted this money from Israel
"took this money from Israel"
powerful men
These were important leaders, not strong soldiers.
fifty shekels of silver
"six hundred grams of silver" or "three-fifths of a kilogram of silver"
2 Kings 15:22
Menahem lay down with his ancestors
"Menahem died as his ancestors had"
became king in his place
"became king instead of Menahem"
2 Kings 15:23
In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah
"In year 50 of the reign of Azariah king of Judah"
2 Kings 15:24
He did not leave behind the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat
"Pekahiah sinned as Jeroboam son of Nebat had sinned"
he had caused Israel to sin
Here the word "Israel" represents the people of the kingdom of Israel.
2 Kings 15:25
Pekah ... Remaliah
These are men's names.
conspired against him
"secretly planned to kill Pekahiah"
Argob ... Arieh
These are men's names.
the citadel of the king's palace
"the fortified part of the king's palace" or "the safe place in the king's palace"
became king in his place
"became king instead of Pekahiah"
2 Kings 15:27
In the fifty-second year of Azariah king of Judah
"In year 52 of the reign of Azariah king of Judah"
2 Kings 15:29
In the days of Pekah king of Israel
"In the days of the reign of Pekah king of Israel" or "During the time that Pekah was king of Israel"
Tiglath-Pileser
In 2 Kings 15:19 this man was called "Pul."
Ijon ... Abel Beth Maakah ... Janoah ... Kedesh ... Hazor ... Gilead ... Galilee ... Naphtali
These are the names of cities or regions.
He carried away the people to Assyria
"He and his army forced the people to go to Assyria
the people
"the people of those places" or "the people of Israel"
2 Kings 15:30
Hoshea ... Elah
These are men's names.
became king in his place
"became king instead of Pekah"
in the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah
"In year 20 of the reign of Jotham son of Uzziah"
2 Kings 15:32
In the second year of Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel
"In year 2 of the reign of Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel"
Jotham son of Uzziah, king of Judah began to reign
"Jotham son of Uzziah, king of Judah became king of Judah"
Uzziah
"Azariah."
2 Kings 15:33
Jerushah
This is a woman's name.
2 Kings 15:35
the high places were not taken away
"no one destroyed the high places"
Jotham built the upper gate
"Jotham had his workers build the upper gate"
2 Kings 15:37
In those days
"While Jotham was king of Judah"
Rezin
This is a man's name.
Pekah ... Remaliah
These are men's names. Pekah was the king of Israel.
2 Kings 15:38
became king in his place
"became king instead of Jotham"
Chapter 16
1
In the seventeenth year of Pekah son of Remaliah, Ahaz son of Jotham king of Judah, began to reign.
2
Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not do what was right in the eyes of Yahweh his God, as David his ancestor had done.
3
Instead, he walked in the way of the kings of Israel. He even made his son pass through the fire, following the detestable practices of the nations whom Yahweh had driven out before the people of Israel.
4
He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places, on the hilltops, and under every green tree.
5
Then Rezin, king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, came up to Jerusalem to attack. They besieged Ahaz, but they could not conquer him.
6
At that time, Rezin king of Aram recovered Elath for Aram and drove the Jews out of Elath. Then the Arameans came to Elath, where they have lived to this day.
7
So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, saying, "I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me from the hand of the king of Aram and from the hand of the king of Israel, who have attacked me."
8
So Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of Yahweh and among the treasures of the king's palace and he sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria.
9
Then the king of Assyria listened to him, and the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, conquered it and carried off its people as prisoners to Kir. He also killed Rezin the king of Aram.
10
King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria. At Damascus he saw an altar. He sent to Uriah the priest a model of the altar and its pattern and the design for all the workmanship needed.
11
So Uriah the priest built an altar to be just like the plans that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus. He finished it before King Ahaz arrived back from Damascus.
12
When the king came from Damascus he saw the altar; the king approached the altar and made offerings on it.
13
He made his burnt offering and his grain offering, poured out his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his fellowship offerings on the altar.
14
The bronze altar that was before Yahweh—he brought it from the front of the temple, from between his altar and the temple of Yahweh and put it on the north side of his altar.
15
Then King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest, saying, "On the large altar burn the morning burnt offering and the evening grain offering, and the king's burnt offering and his grain offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their grain offering and their drink offerings. Sprinkle on it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice. But the bronze altar will be for me to consult for guidance."
16
Uriah the priest did just what King Ahaz commanded.
17
Then King Ahaz removed the panels and the basins from the portable stands; he also took down the sea from off the bronze oxen that were under it and put it on a stone pavement.
18
He removed the covered walkway for the Sabbath that they had built at the temple, along with the king's entry outside the temple of Yahweh, because of the king of Assyria.
19
As for the other matters concerning Ahaz and what he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah?
20
Ahaz lay down with his ancestors and was buried with his ancestors in the city of David. Hezekiah his son became king in his place.
2 Kings 16:1
In the seventeenth year of Pekah son of Remaliah
"In year 17 of the reign of Pekah son of Remaliah"
Pekah ... Remaliah
These are men's names. Pekah was the king of Israel. See 2 Kings 15:25.
Ahaz
He was a wicked king. Israel and Aram united to fight against him, so he paid the Assyrian king to attack Aram. Assyria defeated the people of Aram and took them into captivity. The people were to trust in Yahweh and not rely on military alliances with other Gentile nations. This showed a lack of trust in the power of Yahweh.
2 Kings 16:2
what was right in the eyes of Yahweh his God
"what was right in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh his God considers to be right"
as David his ancestor had done
David had done what is right.
2 Kings 16:3
he walked in the way of the kings of Israel
"King Ahaz acted the same way that the kings of Israel had acted"
He even made his son pass through the fire
"He even burned his son to death as an offering to his gods"
following the detestable practices of the nations
"copying the disgusting things that the people of other nations did, the nations"
before the people of Israel
"before the people of Israel who moved into the land"
2 Kings 16:4
the high places, on the hilltops, and under every green tree
These are places where the people of the other nations worshiped their false gods.
under every green tree
"under many green trees around the country"
2 Kings 16:5
Rezin ... Pekah ... Remaliah
These are men's names. See 2 Kings 15:37.
besieged Ahaz
"surrounded the city with Ahaz in it"
2 Kings 16:6
recovered Elath for Aram
"took back control of the city of Elath for the people of Aram"
to this day
This means to the time of the writing of this book.
2 Kings 16:7
Tiglath-Pileser
In 2 Kings 15:19 this man was called "Pul." See the translation of his name in 2 Kings 15:29.
I am your servant and your son
"I will obey you as if I were your servant or your son"
from the hand of the king of Aram and from the hand of the king of Israel
"from the power of the king of Aram and from the power of the king of Israel"
who have attacked me
"whose armies have attacked me"
2 Kings 16:9
the king of Assyria went up against Damascus
"the king of Assyria and his army attacked the people of Damascus"
carried off its people as prisoners to Kir
"made the people his prisoners and forced them to go to Kir"
Kir
This is the name of a city and refers to the capital city of Assyria.
2 Kings 16:10
the design for all the workmanship needed
"all the instructions that the workers needed in order to build it"
2 Kings 16:13
He made his burnt offering
"King Ahaz made his burnt offering"
2 Kings 16:15
the king's burnt offering and his grain offering
"the royal burnt offering and royal grain offering"
2 Kings 16:17
the portable stands
"the movable stands" or "the carts."
he also took down the sea
"he also removed the large bowl." The "sea" was a water bowl made of bronze.
2 Kings 16:18
because of the king of Assyria
"to please the king of Assyria"
2 Kings 16:19
are they not written ... Judah?
"they are written in The Book of the Events of the Kings of Judah.". See 2 Kings 8:23.
2 Kings 16:20
Ahaz lay down with his ancestors
"Ahaz died as his ancestors had"
was buried with his ancestors
"people buried him with his ancestors"
became king in his place
"became king instead of Ahaz"
Chapter 17
1
In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, the reign of Hoshea son of Elah began. He ruled in Samaria over Israel for nine years.
2
He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, yet not as the kings of Israel who were before him.
3
Shalmaneser king of Assyria attacked him, and Hoshea became his servant and brought him tribute.
4
Then the king of Assyria realized that Hoshea had been plotting against him, for Hoshea had sent messengers to So king of Egypt; also, he offered no tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year. So the king of Assyria shut him up and bound him in prison.
5
Then the king of Assyria attacked throughout all the land, and attacked Samaria and besieged it for three years.
6
In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria took Samaria and carried Israel away to Assyria. He put them in Halah, at the Habor River of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.
7
This captivity happened because the people of Israel had sinned against Yahweh their God, who had brought them up from the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. The people had been worshiping other gods
8
and walking in the customs of the nations whom Yahweh had driven out before the people of Israel, and in the customs of the kings of Israel that they had done.
9
The people of Israel did secretly—against Yahweh their God—things that were not right. They built for themselves high places in all their cities, from the watchtower to the fortress.
10
They also set up stone pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.
11
There they burned incense in all the high places, as the nations had done, those whom Yahweh had carried away before them. The Israelites performed wicked things to provoke Yahweh to anger;
12
they worshiped idols, about which Yahweh had said to them, "You will not do this thing."
13
Yet Yahweh had testified to Israel and to Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, "Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, and be careful to keep all the law I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets."
14
But they would not listen; instead they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not trust in Yahweh their God.
15
They rejected his statutes and the covenant that he had made with their ancestors, and the covenant decrees that he had given to them. They followed useless practices and they themselves became useless. They followed the pagan nations who were around them, those that Yahweh had commanded them not to imitate.
16
They ignored all the commandments of Yahweh their God. They made cast metal figures of two calves to worship. They made an Asherah pole, and they worshiped all the host of the heavens and Baal.
17
They made their sons and daughters pass through the fire, they used divination and enchantments, they sold themselves to do that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and they provoked him to anger.
18
Therefore Yahweh was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight. There was no one left but the tribe of Judah alone.
19
Even Judah did not keep the commandments of Yahweh their God, and they followed the customs that Israel had practiced.
20
So Yahweh rejected all the descendants of Israel; he afflicted them and gave them into the hand of those who would take the possession as spoil, until he had cast them out of his sight.
21
He tore Israel from the royal line of David, and they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king. Jeroboam drove Israel away from following Yahweh and made them commit a great sin.
22
The people of Israel followed all the sins of Jeroboam and they did not depart from them,
23
so Yahweh removed Israel from his sight, as he had said through all his servants the prophets that he would. So Israel was carried away out of their own land to Assyria, and it is this way to this present day.
24
The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon and from Kuthah, and from Avva, and from Hamath and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria in place of the people of Israel. They took over Samaria and lived in its cities.
25
It happened at the beginning of their residence there that they did not honor Yahweh. So Yahweh sent lions among them which killed some of them.
26
So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, "The nations that you have carried away and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the practices required by the god of the land. So he has sent lions among them, and, see, the lions are killing people there because they do not know the practices required by the god of the land."
27
Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, "Take one of the priests there whom you brought from there, and let him go and live there, and let him teach them the practices required by the god of the land."
28
So one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and lived in Bethel; he taught them how they should honor Yahweh.
29
Every ethnic group made gods of their own, and put them in the high places that the Samaritans had made—every ethnic group in the cities where they lived.
30
The people of Babylon made Sukkoth Benoth; the people of Kuthah made Nergal; the people of Hamath made Ashima;
31
the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak. The Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelek and Anammelek, the gods of the Sepharvites.
32
They also honored Yahweh, and appointed from among themselves priests of the high places, who sacrificed for them in the temples at the high places.
33
They honored Yahweh and also worshiped their own gods, in the customs of the nations from among whom they had been taken away.
34
To this day they persist in their old customs. They neither honor Yahweh, nor do they follow the statutes, the customs, the law, or the commandments that Yahweh gave to the descendants of Jacob, whom he named Israel.
35
When Yahweh made a covenant with them, he commanded them, "You will not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor worship them, nor sacrifice to them.
36
But Yahweh, who brought you up from the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm, it is him you will honor, it is to him you will bow down, and it is to him that you will sacrifice.
37
The statutes and the decrees, the law and the commandments that he wrote for you, you will keep them forever. So you must not fear other gods,
38
and the covenant that I have made with you, you will not forget; neither will you honor other gods.
39
But Yahweh your God is who you will honor. He will rescue you from the might of your enemies."
40
They would not listen, because they continued to do what they had done in the past.
41
So these nations feared Yahweh and they also worshiped their carved figures, and their children did the same—as did their children's children. They continue to do what their ancestors did, up to this day.
2 Kings 17:1
Hoshea son of Elah
Hoshea became the king of the northern kingdom of Israel. This chapter ends the story about the kingdom of Israel and continues with Judah alone.
Elah
This is the name of a man.
He ruled in Samaria
Samaria was the capital city of Israel.
2 Kings 17:2
evil in the sight of Yahweh
"evil to Yahweh". He did not obey Yahweh's laws as given to Moses.
2 Kings 17:3
Shalmaneser
This is the name of a man.
Hoshea became his servant and brought him tribute
Hoshea did as the King of Assyria commanded and brought money to him. Israel continued to worship idols, so God punished them by allowing Assyria to conquer them and take them away. Assyria brought people from other lands and settled them in what used to be Israel's territory and the new people worshiped their own gods in addition to Yahweh.
2 Kings 17:4
So
This is the name of the king of Egypt.
shut him up and bound him in prison
"put Hoshea in prison"
2 Kings 17:5
besieged it
put troops around the city in order to force a surrender
2 Kings 17:6
carried Israel away to Assyria
"took the Israelite people to Assyria"
Halah ... Habor River ... Gozan
These are the names of locations.
Medes
This is the name of a people group.
2 Kings 17:7
This captivity
This refers to the capture of the Israelites by the Assyrians.
the hand of
"the control of"
2 Kings 17:8
walking in the customs
"doing the activities"
2 Kings 17:10
on every high hill and under every green tree
"on high hills and under green trees everywhere"
2 Kings 17:11
performed wicked things to provoke Yahweh to anger
"did many sinful things that caused Yahweh to become angry"
2 Kings 17:13
Yahweh had testified ... by every prophet
Yahweh spoke through the prophets.
Turn from your evil ways
"Stop doing the evil things you have been doing"
2 Kings 17:14
they stiffened their necks
"they became very stubborn"
2 Kings 17:15
rejected his statutes
They refused to obey God's Laws.
not to imitate
"not to copy"
2 Kings 17:16
cast metal figures
These are objects made by pouring melted metal into a mold to make a shape.
2 Kings 17:17
used divination and enchantments
"practiced all kinds of magic"
sold themselves to do that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh
"committed themselves to do things that Yahweh said were evil"
2 Kings 17:18
removed them out of his sight
"removed them from his attention"
2 Kings 17:19
Judah
"the people of Judah"
2 Kings 17:20
he afflicted them
"Yahweh punished the Israelites"
gave them into the hand of those who would take the possession as spoil
"handed them over to those who robbed them of their property"
until he had cast them out of his sight
"until he got rid of them all" or "until they were no longer in his presence"
2 Kings 17:21
He tore Israel
"Yahweh removed the people of Israel"
from the royal line of David
"from the rule of David's descendants"
drove Israel away from following Yahweh
"turned the people of Israel away from following Yahweh"
2 Kings 17:22
they did not depart from them
"the Israelites did not stop committing these sins"
2 Kings 17:23
so Yahweh removed Israel from his sight
"so Yahweh removed the people of Israel from his attention and care"
2 Kings 17:24
Kuthah ... Avva ... Hamath ... Sepharvaim
These are places in the Assyrian empire.
2 Kings 17:25
It happened at the beginning of their residence there that
"When those people first lived there"
2 Kings 17:26
The nations that you have carried away and placed in the cities of Samaria
"The people you have moved from other lands and sent to live in the cities of Samaria"
do not know the practices required by the god of the land
"do not know how to worship the God that the Israelites worshiped in this land."
2 Kings 17:27
Take one of the priests there whom you brought from there
"Take a priest who came from Samaria back there,"
let him teach them
"let the Samaritan priest teach the people who are living there now"
2 Kings 17:30
Sukkoth Benoth ... Nergal ... Ashima
These are the names of gods, both male and female.
2 Kings 17:31
Nibhaz ... Tartak
These are the names of gods, both male and female.
Avvites ... Sepharvites
These are the names of people groups.
burned their children in the fire
"sacrificed their own children" or "burned their children in fire as an offering"
2 Kings 17:32
They
The pagan people that the king of Assyria moved into the cities of Samaria.
2 Kings 17:34
they persist in their old customs
"they continue in the same habits as before"
They neither honor Yahweh
The people only appeased Yahweh, but were not aware Yahweh was interested in a relationship with them.
2 Kings 17:36
with great power and with an outstretched arm
"with very great power"
2 Kings 17:37
keep them
"obey them"
2 Kings 17:40
They would not listen
"They did not obey"
2 Kings 17:41
up to this day
"and have continued ever since." The phrase "this day" refers to the time period when the writer lived.
Chapter 18
1
Now in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz, king of Judah began to reign.
2
He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abijah; she was the daughter of Zechariah.
3
He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, just as David, his ancestor, had done.
4
He removed the high places, destroyed the stone pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke to pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, because in those days the people of Israel were burning incense to it; it was called "Nehushtan."
5
Hezekiah trusted in Yahweh, the God of Israel, so that after him there was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among the kings who were before him.
6
For he held on to Yahweh. He did not stop following him but kept his commandments, which Yahweh commanded Moses.
7
So Yahweh was with Hezekiah, and wherever he went he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him.
8
He attacked the Philistines to Gaza and the borders around, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city.
9
In the fourth year of King Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria and besieged it.
10
At the end of three years they took it, in the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel; in this way Samaria was captured.
11
So the king of Assyria carried Israel away to Assyria and put them in Halah, and at the Habor River in Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.
12
He did this because they did not obey the voice of Yahweh their God, but they violated the terms of his covenant, all that Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded. They refused to listen to it or do it.
13
Then in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them.
14
So Hezekiah king of Judah sent word to the king of Assyria, who was at Lachish, saying, "I have offended you. Withdraw from me. Whatever you put on me I will bear." The king of Assyria required Hezekiah king of Judah to pay three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.
15
So Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of Yahweh and in the treasuries of the king's palace.
16
Then Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of Yahweh and from the pillars that he had overlaid; he gave the gold to the king of Assyria.
17
But the king of Assyria mobilized his great army, sending Tartan and Rabsaris and the chief commander from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. They traveled up the roads and arrived outside Jerusalem. They approached the conduit of the upper pool, on the highway of the launderers' field, and stood by it.
18
When they had called to King Hezekiah, Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph, the recorder, went out to meet them.
19
So the chief commander said to them to tell Hezekiah what the great king, the king of Assyria, said: "What is the source of your confidence?
20
You speak only useless words, saying you have counsel and strength for war. In whom are you trusting, that you should rebel against me?
21
Look, you trust in Egypt, this walking stick of crushed reed; if a man leans on it, it will stick into his hand and pierce it. That is what Pharaoh king of Egypt is to anyone who trusts in him.
22
But if you say to me, 'We are trusting in Yahweh our God,' is not he the one whose high places and altars Hezekiah has taken away, and has said to Judah and to Jerusalem, 'You must worship before this altar in Jerusalem'?
23
Now therefore, I want to make you a good offer from my master the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able to find riders for them.
24
How could you resist even one captain of the least of my master's servants? You have put your trust in Egypt for chariots and horsemen!
25
Have I traveled up here without Yahweh to fight against this place and destroy it? Yahweh said to me, 'Attack this land and destroy it.'"
26
Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, and Shebnah, and Joah said to the chief commander, "Please speak to your servants in the Aramaic language, for we understand it. Do not speak with us in the language of Judah in the ears of the people who are on the wall."
27
But the chief commander said to them, "Has my master sent me to your master and to you to speak these words? Has he not sent me to the men who sit on the wall, who will have to eat their own dung and drink their own urine with you?"
28
Then the chief commander stood and shouted in a loud voice in the language of Judah, saying, "Listen to the word of the great king, the king of Assyria.
29
The king says, 'Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to rescue you from my power.
30
Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in Yahweh, saying, "Yahweh will surely rescue us, and this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria."'
31
Do not listen to Hezekiah, for this is what the king of Assyria says: 'Make peace with me and come out to me. Then every one of you will eat from his own vine and from his own fig tree, and drink from the water in his own cistern.
32
You will do this until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey, so that you may live and not die.' Do not listen to Hezekiah when he tries to persuade you, saying, 'Yahweh will rescue us.'
33
Has any of the gods of the peoples rescued them out of the hand of the king of Assyria?
34
Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Have they rescued Samaria out of my hand?
35
Among all the gods of the lands, is there any god who has rescued his land from my power? How could Yahweh save Jerusalem from my might?"
36
But the people remained silent and did not respond, for the king had commanded, "Do not answer him."
37
Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was over the household; Shebna the scribe; and Joah son of Asaph, the recorder, came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and reported to him the words of the chief commander.
2 Kings 18:1
General Information:
Hezekiah becomes king over Judah in place of his father King Ahaz. This begins the story of Hezekiah, one of the great kings of Judah (2 Kings 18–20). Because he was so important, there is more space dedicated to the history of his reign.
Hoshea ... Elah
These are the names of men.
2 Kings 18:2
Zechariah
This is the name of a man.
Abijah
This is the name of a woman.
2 Kings 18:3
He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh
"King Hezekiah did what was right to Yahweh". Hezekiah trusted and obeyed God. He stopped paying tribute to Assyria so the Assyrians invaded Judah. The Assyrian king told the people of Judah that resistance was useless.
2 Kings 18:4
He removed the high places, destroyed the stone pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles
"Hezekiah removed the high places of worship, smashed the memorial stones, and cut down the wooden poles of Asherah"
Nehushtan
"Bronze Serpent Idol."
2 Kings 18:6
he held on to Yahweh
"Hezekiah stayed loyal to Yahweh" or "Hezekiah remained faithful to Yahweh"
2 Kings 18:7
wherever he went he prospered
"wherever Hezekiah went he was successful."
2 Kings 18:8
fortified city
city with a wall all around it.
2 Kings 18:9
Hoshea ... Elah ... Shalmaneser
These are the names of men.
2 Kings 18:11
Halah ... Habor River ... Gozan
These are the names of places.
Medes
This is the name of a people group.
So the king of Assyria carried Israel away to Assyria
"So the king of Assyria commanded his army to take the Israelites away from their homes, and made them live in Assyria"
2 Kings 18:12
the voice of Yahweh
"the command of Yahweh"
2 Kings 18:14
Lachish
This is the name of a city.
Withdraw from me
"Take your army out of my territory"
Whatever you put on me I will bear
"I will pay you whatever you demand of me"
talents
This is a type of weight that was used for money. One talent weighted about 33 kilograms.
2 Kings 18:15
treasuries
The place in the palace where money and valuable things were stored.
2 Kings 18:17
the king of Assyria mobilized his great army, sending Tartan and Rabsaris and the chief commander
Sennacherib sent a group of men from his army to Jerusalem to meet with King Hezekiah, including Tartan and Rabsaris.
Tartan ... Rabsaris
"the Tartan ... the Rabsaris" or "the leader of the soldier ... a court official"
the conduit of the upper pool
the channel where the water stored in the "upper pool" flows into the city of Jerusalem
stood by it
"and waited there for King Hezekiah to meet with them"
2 Kings 18:18
Eliakim ... Hilkiah ... Shebna ... Joah ... Asaph
These are the names of men.
2 Kings 18:19
What is the source of your confidence?
"You have no reason to think that you can defeat me."
2 Kings 18:20
you have counsel and strength for war
The speaker is trying to convince the hearers that Hezekiah does not know how to defeat the Assyrians and would not have the might to carry out such a plan.
In whom are you trusting, that you should rebel against me?
"You cannot trust anyone to help you rebel against me."
2 Kings 18:21
Egypt, this walking stick of crushed reed
"Egypt, which is like a walking stick made from a crushed reed". The speaker compares Egypt to a weak walking stick; you expect that it will support you but it breaks and cuts you.
2 Kings 18:22
is not he the one whose high places ... Jerusalem'?
"You need to remember that he is the one whose high places ... Jerusalem'!"
2 Kings 18:24
How could you resist even one captain of the least of my master's servants?
"You could not defeat even one of the least of the king's soldiers." or "You could not defeat a group of the king's soldiers commanded by his least important officer."
2 Kings 18:25
Have I traveled up here without Yahweh to fight against this place and destroy it?
"Yahweh himself told us to come here and destroy this land!"
2 Kings 18:26
Eliakim ... Hilkiah ... Shebnah ... Joah
Translate the names of these men as in 2 Kings 18:18.
in the ears of the people who are on the wall
"because the people standing on the city wall will hear it and be afraid"
2 Kings 18:27
Has my master sent me to your master and to you to speak these words? Has he not sent me to the men who sit on the wall, who will have to eat their own dung and drink their own urine with you?
"My master sent me not only to you and your master, but also to speak to the people in this city, who will suffer with you when they have to eat their own dung and drink their own urine to survive."
2 Kings 18:29
from my power
"from the power of my army"
2 Kings 18:30
this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria
"Yahweh will never allow the king of Assyria's army to take this city"
2 Kings 18:31
Make peace with me and come out to me
"Come out of the city and surrender to me" or "Make an agreement with me to surrender, and come out of the city to me"
his own vine ... his own fig tree ... his own cistern
These sources of food and water refer to security and plenty.
2 Kings 18:32
a land of grain and new wine ... bread and vineyards ... olive trees and honey
These words refer to having good things and plenty in daily life.
2 Kings 18:33
Has any of the gods ... Assyria?
"None the gods of the peoples have rescued them ... Assyria."
2 Kings 18:34
Where are the gods of ... Arpad?
"I have destroyed the gods of ... Arpad!"
Hamath ... Arpad ... Sepharvaim ... Hena ... Ivvah ... Samaria
These are the names of places that represent the people living there.
out of my hand
"out from my control"
2 Kings 18:35
is there any god who has rescued his land from my power?
"No god has rescued his land from my power."
How could Yahweh save Jerusalem from my might?
"There is no way Yahweh can save Jerusalem from my might!"
2 Kings 18:37
Eliakim ... Shebna ... Joah ... Asaph
These are the names of men.
who was over the household
"who managed the king's palace"
the recorder
"the history keeper"
chief commander
"Rabshakeh"
Chapter 19
1
It came about that when King Hezekiah heard their report, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of Yahweh.
2
He sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, all covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah son of Amoz, the prophet.
3
They said to him, "Hezekiah says, 'This day is a day of distress, rebuke, and disgrace, for the children have come to the time of birth, but there is no strength for them to be born.
4
It may be that Yahweh your God will hear all the words of the chief commander, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which Yahweh your God has heard. Now lift up your prayer for the remnant that is still here.'"
5
So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah,
6
and Isaiah said to them, "Say to your master: 'Yahweh says, "Do not be afraid of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have insulted me.
7
Look, I will put a spirit in him, and he will hear a certain report and go back to his own land. I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land."'"
8
Then the chief commander returned and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah, for he had heard that the king had gone away from Lachish.
9
Then Sennacherib heard that Tirhakah king of Cush and Egypt had mobilized to fight against him, so he sent messengers again to Hezekiah with a message:
10
"Say to Hezekiah king of Judah, 'Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, "Jerusalem will not be given over into the hand of the king of Assyria."
11
See, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by destroying them completely. So will you be rescued?
12
Have the gods of the nations rescued them, the nations that my fathers destroyed: Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the people of Eden in Tel Assar?
13
Where are the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the cities of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivvah?'"
14
Hezekiah received this letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the house of Yahweh and spread it before him.
15
Then Hezekiah prayed before Yahweh and said, "Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, you who sit above the cherubim, you are God alone over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth.
16
Incline your ear, Yahweh, and listen. Open your eyes, Yahweh, and see, and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God.
17
Truly, Yahweh, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands.
18
They have put their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but the work of men's hands, just wood and stone. So the Assyrians have destroyed them.
19
Now then, Yahweh our God, save us, I implore you, from his power, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, Yahweh, are God alone."
20
Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah, saying, "Yahweh, the God of Israel says, 'Because you have prayed to me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard you.
21
This is the word that Yahweh has spoken about him:
"The virgin daughter of Zion
despises you and mocks you.
The daughter of Jerusalem
shakes her head at you.
22
Whom have you defied and slandered?
Against whom have you exalted your voice
and lifted up your eyes in pride?
Against the Holy One of Israel!
23
By your messengers
you have defied the Lord,
and have said,
'With the multitude of my chariots
I have gone up to the heights of the mountains,
to the highest elevations of Lebanon.
I will cut down the tall cedars
and the choice cypress trees there.
I will enter into its farthest parts,
its most fruitful forest.
24
I have dug wells
and have drunk foreign waters.
I dried up all the rivers of Egypt
under the soles of my feet.'
25
Have you not heard how I
determined it long ago,
and worked it out in ancient times?
Now I am bringing it to pass.
You are here to reduce impregnable cities
into heaps of ruins.
26
Their inhabitants, of little strength,
are shattered and ashamed.
They are plants in the field,
green grass,
the grass on the roof or in the field,
burned before it has grown up.
27
But I know your sitting down,
your going out, your coming in,
and your raging against me.
28
Because of your raging against me,
and because your arrogance has reached my ears,
I will put my hook in your nose,
and my bit in your mouth;
I will turn you back
the way you came."
29
This will be the sign for you:
This year you will eat what grows wild,
and in the second year what grows from that.
But in the third year you must plant and harvest,
plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
30
The remnant of the house of Judah that survives
will again take root and bear fruit.
31
For from Jerusalem a remnant will come out,
from Mount Zion an escaped remnant will come. The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will do this.
32
Therefore Yahweh says this about the king of Assyria:
"He will not come into this city
nor shoot an arrow here.
Neither will he come before it with shield
or build up a siege ramp against it.
33
The way by which he came
will be the same way he will leave;
he will not enter this city—
this is Yahweh's declaration."
34
For I will defend this city and rescue it,
for my own sake and for my servant David's sake.'"
35
It came about that night that the angel of Yahweh went out and attacked the camp of the Assyrians, putting to death 185,000 soldiers. When the men arose early in the morning, dead bodies lay everywhere.
36
So Sennacherib king of Assyria left Israel and went home and stayed in Nineveh.
37
Later, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisrok his god, his sons Adrammelek and Sharezer killed him with the sword. Then they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon his son became king in his place.
2 Kings 19:1
house of Yahweh
"temple of Yahweh."
2 Kings 19:2
Eliakim ... Shebna ... Isaiah ... Amoz
These are all names of men.
He sent Eliakim
"Hezekiah sent Eliakim"
all covered with sackcloth
"all wearing sackcloth"
2 Kings 19:3
This day is a day of distress
"This is a time of distress"
the children have come to the time of birth, but there is no strength for them to be born
This describes how the people and their leaders have become so weak and unable to fight the enemy.
2 Kings 19:4
all the words of the chief commander
"everything that the chief commander has said". God is in control of everything. God caused the Assyrian king to fail in conquering Jerusalem because he mocked God.
lift up your prayer
"pray earnestly"
2 Kings 19:7
I will put a spirit in him, and he will hear a certain report and go back to his own land
"I will control the attitude of the king of Assyria, so when he hears a report, he will want to return to his own country" or "I will cause him to think differently." Here "spirit" probably refers to his attitude and thoughts.
I will cause him to fall by the sword
"I will cause him to die by the sword" or "I will cause some men to kill him with a sword"
2 Kings 19:8
the chief commander
"the official from Assyria in charge under the king"
found the king of Assyria fighting
"discovered that the Assyrian army was fighting"
Libnah ... Lachish
The names of cities in the kingdom of Judah.
2 Kings 19:9
Sennacherib ... Tirhakah
These are the names of men.
had mobilized to fight against him
"had prepared his army to fight against Assyria"
so he sent
"so Sennacherib sent"
a message
This message was written in a letter.
2 Kings 19:10
Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying
"Do not believe your God in whom you trust. He is lying when he says"
the hand of the king of Assyria
"the control of the government of Assyria"
2 Kings 19:11
See, you have heard
"Notice, you have heard" or "You have certainly heard."
So will you be rescued?
"Your God will not rescue you!" or "You will not be able to escape either!"
2 Kings 19:12
Have the gods of the nations rescued them, the nations ... destroyed: Gozan ... Assar?
"The gods of the nations, the nations ... destroyed—Gozan ... Assar—certainly did not rescue them!"
my fathers
"the previous kings of Assyria" or "the armies of the previous kings of Assyria"
Gozan ... Haran ... Rezeph ... Eden ... Tel Assar
These are all place names.
2 Kings 19:13
Hamath ... Arpad ... Sepharvaim ... Hena ... Ivvah
These are all place names.
2 Kings 19:15
you who sit above the cherubim
"you who sit on your throne above the cherubim on the ark of the covenant". The cherubim are those on the lid of the ark of the covenant. The biblical writers often spoke of the ark of the covenant as if it were Yahweh's footstool upon which he rested his feet as he sat on his throne in heaven above.
2 Kings 19:16
Incline your ear, Yahweh, and listen. Open your eyes, Yahweh, and see
"Yahweh, please listen to what he is saying" or "Listen carefully" or "Yahweh, please pay attention to what is happening". To "incline the ear" is to lean toward the speaker so as to better hear the words. The words "Open your eyes" and "see" mean the same thing and add emphasis to the plea.
2 Kings 19:18
They have put their gods into the fire
"The Assyrian kings have burned up the gods of the other nations"
Assyrians have destroyed them
"Assyrians have destroyed both the nations and the nations' gods."
2 Kings 19:19
I implore you
"I beg of you"
from his power
"from the power of the King of Assyria" or "from the armies of the King of Assyria"
2 Kings 19:21
General Information:
The writer quotes a poem by the prophet Isaiah (see Isaiah 37:22) that contains a prophecy.
The virgin daughter of Zion despises you and mocks you
"The beautiful people of Jerusalem". "despises you and laughs you to scorn" means that "the people of Jerusalem know that Assyria will fail because they have mocked God.”
The daughter of Jerusalem
"The people of the city of Jerusalem"
shakes her head at you
"scorns you"
2 Kings 19:22
Whom have you defied and slandered? Against whom have you exalted your voice and lifted up your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!
"You have defied and slandered me! You have exalted your voice and lifted up your eyes in pride against me, the Holy One of Israel!"
lifted up your eyes in pride
"looked at very proudly"
the Holy One of Israel
An expression for the God of Israel, Yahweh.
2 Kings 19:23
you have defied the Lord
To "defy" is to openly resist or mock.
I have gone up ... I will cut down ... I will enter
The pronoun "I" represents him and his army.
2 Kings 19:24
I dried up all the rivers of Egypt under the soles of my feet.
"And by marching through the streams of Egypt, we dried them all up!". This is a boast that Sennacherib has so many soldiers that their feet dry up the water when they cross a river.
2 Kings 19:25
Have you not heard how ... times?
"Surely you know how ... times."
impregnable cities
"cities that cannot be captured" or "cities surrounded by high walls"
2 Kings 19:26
plants in the field, green grass
"as frail as plants and grass in the fields" or "as weak as shallow rooted plants"
the grass on the roof or in the field, burned before it has grown up
"like grass before it has matured" or "like grass before it has grown tall"
2 Kings 19:27
raging against me
"angry shouting about me"
2 Kings 19:28
because your arrogance has reached my ears
"because I have heard your proud words"
I will put my hook in your nose, and my bit in your mouth
"I will lead you like an animal". A "hook" and a "bit" (to control a horse) refer to Yahweh's control of Sennacherib.
I will turn you back the way you came
"I will make you return to your own country the same way you came, without conquering Jerusalem"
2 Kings 19:29
grows wild
"grows without having been planted"
2 Kings 19:30
The remnant of the house of Judah that survives will again take root and bear fruit
"The people of Judah who remain alive will restore their lives and prosperity" or "The people who remain in Judah will prosper and have many children"
2 Kings 19:31
The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will do this
"The strong action of Yahweh will make this happen."
2 Kings 19:32
nor shoot an arrow here
"nor do any fighting here"
or build up a siege ramp against it
"and they will not even build up high mounds of earth against the city wall to enable them to attack the city"
2 Kings 19:33
this is Yahweh's declaration
"this is what Yahweh has declared" or "this is what I, Yahweh, have declared"
2 Kings 19:34
for my own sake and for my servant David's sake
"for the sake of my own reputation and because of what I promised to King David, who served me well."
2 Kings 19:35
It came about
"It happened"
When the men arose
"When the men who were left alive got up"
2 Kings 19:37
Adrammelek ... Sharezer ... Esarhaddon
These are the names of men.
Chapter 20
1
In those days Hezekiah was sick to the point of dying. So Isaiah son of Amoz, the prophet came to him, and said to him, "Yahweh says, 'Set your house in order; for you will die, and not live.'"
2
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to Yahweh, saying,
3
"Please, Yahweh, I beg you, call to mind how I have faithfully walked before you with my whole heart, and how I have done what was good in your sight." Then Hezekiah wept loudly.
4
Before Isaiah had gone out into the middle courtyard, the word of Yahweh came to him, saying,
5
"Turn back, and say to Hezekiah, the leader of my people, 'This is what Yahweh, the God of David your ancestor, says: "I have heard your prayer, and I have seen your tears. I am about to heal you on the third day, and you will go up to the house of Yahweh.
6
I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will rescue you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David's sake."'"
7
So Isaiah said, "Take a lump of figs." They did so and put it on his boil, and he recovered.
8
Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "What will be the sign that Yahweh will heal me, and that I should go up to the temple of Yahweh on the third day?"
9
Isaiah replied, "This will be the sign for you from Yahweh, that Yahweh will do the thing that he has spoken. Will the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps?"
10
Hezekiah answered, "It is an easy thing for the shadow to go forward ten steps. No, let the shadow go backward ten steps."
11
So Isaiah the prophet cried out to Yahweh, and he brought the shadow ten steps backward, from where it had moved on the stairway of Ahaz.
12
At that time Marduk-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah, for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
13
Hezekiah listened to those letters, and then showed the messengers all the palace and his valuable things, the silver, the gold, the spices and precious oil, and the storehouse of his weapons, and all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house, nor in all his kingdom, that Hezekiah did not show them.
14
Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and asked him, "What did these men say to you? Where did they come from?" Hezekiah said, "They came from the distant country of Babylon."
15
Isaiah asked, "What have they seen in your house?" Hezekiah answered, "They have seen everything in my house. There is nothing among my valuable things that I have not shown them."
16
So Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Listen to the word of Yahweh:
17
'Look, the days are about to come when everything in your palace, the things that your ancestors stored away until this present day, will be carried to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says Yahweh.
18
Some of your descendants whom you will father will be taken away from you, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.'"
19
Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "The word of Yahweh that you have spoken is good." For he thought, "Will there not be peace and stability in my days?"
20
As for the other matters concerning Hezekiah, and all his power, and how he constructed the pool and the conduit, and how he brought water into the city—are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah?
21
Hezekiah lay down with his ancestors, and Manasseh his son became king in his place.
2 Kings 20:1
Set your house in order
"Give final instructions to your household and government". This chapter finishes the story of Hezekiah.
2 Kings 20:3
call to mind
"remember"
walked
"lived my life". Hezekiah was dying but when he prayed, God gave him 15 more years of life.
good in your sight
"in your judgment"
2 Kings 20:4
the word of Yahweh came
"Yahweh spoke his word"
2 Kings 20:5
I have heard your prayer, and I have seen your tears
"I have heard your prayers and seen your tears"
on the third day
"two days from now" The day Isaiah said this was the first day, so "the third day" is the same as "two days from now."
2 Kings 20:6
from the hand of the king of Assyria
"from the control of the king of Assyria"
2 Kings 20:7
lump of figs
"paste made of boiled figs."
They did so and put it on his boil
"Hezekiah's servants did this and put the paste on Hezekiah's sore"
2 Kings 20:9
Will the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps?
"Do you want Yahweh to make the shadow caused by the sunlight on the stairway to go forward ten steps or to go back ten steps?"
ten steps
This was a special stairway built for King Ahaz in such a way that its steps marked the hours of daylight as the sun's rays advanced along them. The staircase served to tell the time during the day. See "stairway of Ahaz" in 2 Kings 20:11.
2 Kings 20:10
It is an easy thing for the shadow to go forward ten steps
"It is easy to cause the shadow to move forward ten steps, because that is the normal thing for it to do"
2 Kings 20:11
the stairway of Ahaz
"the steps that had been built for King Ahaz"
2 Kings 20:12
Marduk-Baladan ... Baladan
These are the names of the king of Babylon and his son.
2 Kings 20:13
listened to those letters
"carefully considered those letters" or "heard the message from the king of Babylon"
There was nothing in his house, nor in all his kingdom, that Hezekiah did not show them
"Hezekiah showed him absolutely everything valuable in his house and in all his kingdom"
2 Kings 20:14
these men
The men sent to King Hezekiah with a message and gifts from Marduk-Baladan.
2 Kings 20:15
They have seen everything in my house. There is nothing among my valuable things that I have not shown them
"I showed them absolutely every one of my valuable things". Hezekiah repeats the same idea to emphasize his point.
2 Kings 20:16
So Isaiah said to Hezekiah
"So, because Isaiah knew Hezekiah had been foolish to show the men all his valuable things, Isaiah said to him"
the word of Yahweh
"the message of Yahweh"
2 Kings 20:17
Look, the days are about to come when
"Listen to me, someday there will come a time when"; "Look" is used to draw attention to what Isaiah is about to tell Hezekiah.
the days
"Days" refers to an undefined span of time.
2 Kings 20:19
For he thought
"Because Hezekiah thought"
Will there not be peace and stability in my days?
"I can be sure that there will be peace and stability in my days."
2 Kings 20:20
conduit
A tunnel for carrying the water from the pool.
are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah?
"they are written in the book of the history of the kings of Judah.". See 2 Kings 8:23.
Chapter 21
1
Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hephzibah.
2
He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, like the disgusting things of the nations whom Yahweh had driven out before the people of Israel.
3
For he rebuilt the high places that Hezekiah his father had destroyed, and he built altars for Baal, made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and he bowed down to all the host of heaven and worshiped them.
4
Manasseh built altars in the house of Yahweh, although Yahweh had commanded, "It is in Jerusalem that my name will be forever."
5
He built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courtyards of the house of Yahweh.
6
He caused his son to pass through the fire, he performed sorcery and divination and consulted with sorcerers and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of Yahweh, provoking him to anger.
7
The carved figure of Asherah that he had made, he placed it in the house of Yahweh. It was about this house that Yahweh had spoken to David and Solomon his son; he had said: "It is in this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel, that I will put my name forever.
8
I will not cause the feet of Israel to wander any more out of the land that I gave to their ancestors, if they will only be careful to obey all that I have commanded them, and to follow all the law that my servant Moses commanded them."
9
But the people did not listen, and Manasseh led them to do evil even more than the nations that Yahweh had destroyed before the people of Israel.
10
So Yahweh spoke by his servants the prophets, saying,
11
"Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these disgusting things, and has acted wickedly more than all that the Amorites who were before him did, and has also made Judah sin with his idols,
12
therefore Yahweh, the God of Israel, says this: Look, I am about to bring such evil on Jerusalem and Judah that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle.
13
I will stretch over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria, and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab; I will wipe Jerusalem clean, as a man wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down.
14
I will throw off the remnant of my inheritance and give them into the hand of their enemies. They will become victims and plunder for all their enemies,
15
because they have done what is evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their ancestors came out of Egypt, to this day."
16
Moreover, Manasseh shed much innocent blood, until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another with death. This was in addition to the sin by which he made Judah to sin, when they did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh.
17
As for the other matters concerning Manasseh, all that he did, and the sin that he committed, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah?
18
Manasseh lay down with his ancestors and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza. Amon his son became king in his place.
19
Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign; he reigned two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Meshullemeth; she was the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.
20
He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as Manasseh his father had done.
21
Amon followed in all the way that his father had walked in and worshiped the idols that his father worshiped, and bowed down to them.
22
He abandoned Yahweh, the God of his fathers, and did not walk in the way of Yahweh.
23
The servants of Amon conspired against him and put the king to death in his own house.
24
But the people of the land killed all those who had conspired against King Amon, and they made Josiah his son king in his place.
25
As for the other matters concerning Amon that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah?
26
The people buried him in his tomb in the garden of Uzza, and Josiah his son became king in his place.
2 Kings 21:1
Hephzibah
The mother of King Manasseh.
2 Kings 21:2
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considers to be evil". God judges sin. When Manasseh worshiped idols and did many evil things, God said he would cause Judah to be destroyed by its enemies. See 2 Kings 3:2.
like the disgusting things
"including the disgusting things."
2 Kings 21:3
he rebuilt the high places ... he built altars for Baal, made an Asherah pole
"Manasseh had the high places rebuilt ... he had altars built for Baal, had an Asherah pole made" or "Manasseh had his workers rebuild the high places ... he had them build altars for Baal, make an Asherah pole"
2 Kings 21:4
It is in Jerusalem that my name will be forever
"Jerusalem is where I will forever make known who I am"
2 Kings 21:5
He built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courtyards of the house of Yahweh
"He had his workers build altars in the two courtyards of the house of Yahweh so that the people could worship the stars and offer them sacrifices"
2 Kings 21:6
He caused his son to pass through the fire
"He burned his son to death as an offering to his gods"
consulted with
"asked for information from"
much evil in the sight of Yahweh
"many things that were evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "many things that Yahweh considers to be evil". See 2 Kings 3:2.
2 Kings 21:7
that I will put my name forever
"where I want people to worship me forever"
2 Kings 21:8
the feet of Israel
"the people of Israel" or "the Israelites"
2 Kings 21:9
even more than the nations that Yahweh had destroyed before the people of Israel
"even more than the people whom Yahweh had destroyed as the people of Israel advanced through the land". This refers to the people who had lived in the land of Canaan before the Israelites had arrived.
2 Kings 21:13
stretch over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria, and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab
"judge Jerusalem using the same measure I used when I judged Samaria and the house of Ahab". "I will wipe Jerusalem clean, as a man wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down" means "God would completely destroy Jerusalem.”
against Samaria
"against the people of Israel". Samaria is the capital city.
plumb line
a tool made of a heavy weight and a thin rope used to show if a wall is straight
the house of Ahab
"the family of Ahab"
2 Kings 21:14
I will throw off
"I will abandon" or "I will reject"
give them into the hand of their enemies
"let their enemies defeat them and take over their land"
2 Kings 21:16
Moreover, Manasseh
"Also, Manasseh" or "In addition, Manasseh"
Manasseh shed much innocent blood
"Manasseh ordered his soldiers to kill many innocent people"
he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another with death
"there were very many dead people throughout Jerusalem"
2 Kings 21:17
are they not written ... Judah?
"they are written ... Judah." or "you can find them ... Judah.". See 2 Kings 8:23.
2 Kings 21:18
lay down with his ancestors and
"died, as his ancestors had, and"
the garden of Uzza
"the garden that had once belonged to a man named Uzza" or "Uzza Garden."
2 Kings 21:19
Amon ... Haruz
These are names of men.
Meshullemeth
This is the name of a woman.
2 Kings 21:21
followed in all the way that his father had walked in
"lived completely the way his father had lived"
2 Kings 21:22
He abandoned Yahweh
"He paid no more attention to Yahweh"
2 Kings 21:23
conspired against him
"made plans to work together to harm him"
2 Kings 21:24
the people of the land
"some of the people in Judah"
Chapter 22
1
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jedidah (she was the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath).
2
He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh. He walked in all the way of David his ancestor, and he did not turn away either to the right or to the left.
3
It came about that in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, he sent Shaphan son of Azaliah son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of Yahweh, saying,
4
"Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and tell him to count the money that has been brought into the house of Yahweh, which the temple guards have gathered from the people.
5
Let it be given into the hand of the workmen who are in charge of the house of Yahweh, and let them give it to the workmen who are in the house of Yahweh, for them to make repairs to damage in the temple.
6
Let them give money to the carpenters, the builders, and the masons, and also to buy timber and cut stone to repair the temple."
7
But no accounting was required for the money that was given to them, because they handled it faithfully.
8
Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, "I have found the book of the law in the house of Yahweh." So Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
9
Shaphan went and took the book to the king, and also reported to him, saying, "Your servants have spent the money that was found in the temple and they have given it into the hand of the workmen who supervise the care for the house of Yahweh."
10
Then Shaphan the scribe said to the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." Then Shaphan read it to the king.
11
It came about that when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.
12
The king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Akbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah, his own servant, saying,
13
"Go and consult with Yahweh for me, and for the people and for all Judah, because of the words of this book that has been found. For great is the anger of Yahweh that has been kindled against us because our ancestors have not listened to the words of this book so as to obey all that was written concerning us."
14
So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Akbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter), and they spoke with her.
15
She said to them, "This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says: 'Tell the man who sent you to me,
16
"This is what Yahweh says: 'See, I will bring disaster to this place and to its inhabitants, according to everything written in the book that the king of Judah has read.
17
Because they have abandoned me and have burned incense to other gods, so that they might provoke me to anger with all the deeds they have committed—therefore my anger has been kindled against this place, and it will not be extinguished.'"
18
But to the king of Judah, who sent you to ask Yahweh's will, this is what you will say to him: "Yahweh, the God of Israel says this: 'About the words that you heard,
19
because your heart was tender, and because you have humbled yourself before Yahweh, when you heard what I said against this place and its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and because you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have listened to you—this is Yahweh's declaration.
20
See, I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place.'"'" So the men took this message back to the king.
2 Kings 22:1
Jedidah
This is the name of a woman.
Adaiah
This is the name of a man.
Bozkath
This is the name of a town in Judah.
2 Kings 22:2
He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh
"He did what Yahweh considered to be right" or "He did what was right according to Yahweh"
He walked in all the way of David his ancestor
"He lived the way David his ancestor had lived" or "He followed the example of David his ancestor"
he did not turn away either to the right or to the left
"he did not do anything that would displease Yahweh" or "he fully obeyed all the laws of Yahweh"
2 Kings 22:3
Shaphan ... Azaliah ... Meshullam
These are men's names.
2 Kings 22:4
Go up to Hilkiah
"Go to Hilkiah". The phrase "Go up" is used because Yahweh's temple was higher in elevation.
Hilkiah
This is a man's name.
that has been brought into the house of Yahweh, which the temple guards have gathered from the people
"that the temple guards who gathered the money from the people brought into the temple of Yahweh"
2 Kings 22:5
house of Yahweh ... in the temple
Here "house of Yahweh" and "temple" mean the same thing.
Let it be given into the hand of the workmen
"Tell Hilkiah to give the money to the workmen"
2 Kings 22:6
Let them give money
"them" refers to the workmen who are in charge of the house of Yahweh in 2 Kings 22:5.
masons
workers who build with stone
2 Kings 22:7
no accounting was required for the money that was given to them
"the workmen who were in charge did not have to report how they used the money that the temple guards gave them"
because they handled it faithfully
"because they used the money honestly"
2 Kings 22:8
Hilkiah
This is the name of a man. See 2 Kings 18:18.
the book of the law
Most likely these laws were written on a scroll; which is made of one long, rolled-up sheet of papyrus or leather.
2 Kings 22:9
given it into the hand of the workmen
"given it to the workmen"
2 Kings 22:11
had heard the words of the book of the law
"had heard the laws that were written in the book" or "had heard the laws that were written in the scroll"
he tore his clothes
A symbolic action that indicates intense grief or sadness.
2 Kings 22:12
Ahikam ... Shaphan ... Akbor ... Micaiah ... Asaiah
These are names of men.
2 Kings 22:13
Go and consult with Yahweh
It is made clear in 22:14 that the king means to go to the prophetess of Yahweh to determine Yahweh's will.
consult
to go to someone to ask for advice
the words of this book that has been found
"the laws in this book that Hilkiah has found"
For great is the anger of Yahweh that has been kindled against us
"For Yahweh is very angry with us"
all that was written concerning us
"all the laws that God gave through Moses to the people of Israel"
2 Kings 22:14
Huldah
This is a woman's name.
Shallum ... Tikvah ... Harhas
These are men's names.
keeper of the wardrobe
The person who took care of the clothing that priests wore in the temple or who took care of the king's clothing.
she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter
"she lived in Jerusalem in the new part of the city" or "she lived in the new part of Jerusalem". Here "second quarter" refers to the new part built on the north side of Jerusalem.
2 Kings 22:15
the man who sent you to me
"the man" refers to King Josiah.
2 Kings 22:16
I will bring disaster to this place and to its inhabitants
"I will cause terrible things to happen to this place and to those who live there"
to this place
"to Jerusalem" or "to Judah". The city of Jerusalem which represents the whole land of Judah.
2 Kings 22:18
About the words that you heard
"About the message that you heard"
2 Kings 22:19
because your heart was tender
"because you felt sorry" or "because you repented"
that they would become a desolation and a curse
"that I would make the land desolate and would curse them"
this is Yahweh's declaration
"this is what Yahweh has declared" or "this is what I, Yahweh, have declared". See 2 Kings 19:33.
2 Kings 22:20
See, I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace
"So I will allow you to die and be buried peacefully"
Your eyes will not see
"You will not experience"
the disaster that I will bring upon this place
"the terrible things I will cause to happen in this place"
Chapter 23
1
So the king sent messengers who gathered to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.
2
Then the king went up to the house of Yahweh, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, prophets, and all the people, from small to great. He then read in their hearing all the words of the book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of Yahweh.
3
The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before Yahweh, to walk after Yahweh and to keep his commandments, his regulations, and his statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to confirm the words of this covenant that were written in this book. So all the people agreed to stand by the covenant.
4
The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests under him, and the gatekeepers to bring out of the temple of Yahweh all the vessels that were made for Baal and Asherah, and for all the host of heaven. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields in the Kidron Valley and carried their ashes to Bethel.
5
He got rid of the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had chosen to burn incense at the high places in the cities of Judah and in the places around Jerusalem—those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and the moon, to the planets, and to all the host of heaven.
6
He brought out the Asherah pole from the temple of Yahweh, outside Jerusalem to the Kidron Valley and burned it there. He crushed it to dust and threw that dust onto the graves of the common people.
7
He broke down the houses of the cultic prostitutes in the temple of Yahweh, where the women wove garments for Asherah.
8
Josiah brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba. He destroyed the high places at the gates that were at the entrance to the gate of Joshua (the city governor), on the left side of the city gate.
9
Although the priests of those high places were not allowed to serve at the altar of Yahweh in Jerusalem, they ate unleavened bread among their brothers.
10
Josiah defiled Topheth, which is in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, so that no one might cause his son or his daughter to pass through the fire as a sacrifice to Molech.
11
He took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun. They had been in an area at the entrance to the temple of Yahweh, near the room of Nathan-Melek, the chamberlain. Josiah burned the chariots of the sun.
12
Josiah the king destroyed the altars that were on the roof of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars that Manasseh had made in the two courts of the temple of Yahweh. Josiah smashed them into pieces and threw them into the Kidron Valley.
13
The king ruined the high places east of Jerusalem, south of the mount of corruption that Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth, the detestable idol of the Sidonians; for Chemosh, the detestable idol of Moab; and for Molech, the detestable idol of the people of Ammon.
14
He broke the stone pillars into pieces and cut down the Asherah poles and he filled those places with the bones of human beings.
15
Josiah also completely destroyed the altar that was at Bethel and the high place that Jeroboam son of Nebat (the one who made Israel to sin) had constructed. He also burned that altar and the high place and crushed it to dust. He also burned the Asherah pole.
16
As Josiah looked over the area, he noticed the graves that were on the hillside. He sent men to take the bones from the graves; then he burned them on the altar, which defiled it. This was according to the word of Yahweh which the man of God had spoken, the man who spoke of these things beforehand.
17
Then he said, "What monument is that I see?" The men of the city told him, "That is the grave of the man of God who came from Judah and spoke about these things that you have just done against the altar of Bethel."
18
So Josiah said, "Let it alone. No one should move his bones." So they let his bones alone, along with the bones of the prophet who had come from Samaria.
19
Then Josiah removed all the houses on the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made, and that provoked Yahweh to anger. He did to them exactly what had been done at Bethel.
20
He slaughtered all the priests of the high places on the altars and he burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem.
21
Then the king commanded all the people, saying, "Keep the Passover to Yahweh your God, as it is written in this book of the covenant."
22
Such a Passover celebration had never been held from the days of the judges who ruled Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel or Judah.
23
But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah this Passover of Yahweh was celebrated in Jerusalem.
24
Josiah also completely removed the sorcerers and spiritists. He also completely removed the fetishes, the idols, and all the disgusting things that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, so as to confirm the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had found in the house of Yahweh.
25
Before Josiah, there had been no king like him, who turned to Yahweh with all his heart, all his soul, and all his might, who followed all the law of Moses. Nor did any king like Josiah arise after him.
26
Nevertheless, Yahweh did not turn away from the burning of his raging anger, which burned against Judah because of all that Manasseh had done to provoke him to anger.
27
So Yahweh said, "I will also remove Judah out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and I will throw away this city that I have chosen, Jerusalem, and the house of which I said, 'My name will be there.'"
28
As for the other matters concerning Josiah, everything that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah?
29
In his days, Pharaoh Necho, king of Egypt, went to fight against the king of Assyria at the Euphrates River. King Josiah went to meet Necho in battle, and Necho killed him at Megiddo.
30
Josiah's servants carried him dead in a chariot from Megiddo, brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own grave. Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah, anointed him, and made him king in his father's place.
31
Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal; she was the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
32
Jehoahaz did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, like everything that his ancestors had done.
33
Pharaoh Necho put him in chains at Riblah in the land of Hamath, so that he might not reign in Jerusalem. Then Necho imposed a fine on Judah of one hundred talents of silver and one talent of gold.
34
Pharaoh Necho made Eliakim son of Josiah king in the place of Josiah his father, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. But he took Jehoahaz away to Egypt, and Jehoahaz died there.
35
Jehoiakim paid the silver and gold to Pharaoh. In order to meet the demand of Pharaoh, Jehoikim taxed the land and he forced each man among the people of the land to pay him the silver and gold according to their assessments.
36
Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zebidah; she was the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.
37
Jehoiakim did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, just as his ancestors had done.
2 Kings 23:1
General Information:
The story of Josiah ends in this chapter. He destroyed idolatry in Judah and in the deserted areas of Israel. He fought against Egypt and was killed in battle. After his death, Egypt set up a government of Judah that it controlled.
2 Kings 23:2
all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem
"many other people"
from small to great
"from the least important to the most important"
He then read in their hearing
"Then the king read aloud so that they could hear"
that had been found
"that Hilkiah had found" or "that they had found". In 2 Kings 22:8 it states that Hilkiah found the book.
2 Kings 23:3
walk after Yahweh
"live obeying Yahweh"
his commandments, his regulations, and his statutes
These words emphasize everything that Yahweh had commanded in the law.
with all his heart and all his soul
"with all his being" or "with all his energy"
that were written in this book
"that this book contained"
stand by the covenant
"obey the terms of the covenant."
2 Kings 23:4
the priests under him
"the other priests who served him"
for Baal ... for all the host of heaven
"so people could use them to worship Baal ... so people could use them to worship all the stars"
He burned ... and carried
"Josiah had them burn them ... and carry them". It is likely that Hilkiah and the priests who assisted him did these things.
Kidron Valley ... Bethel
names of places
2 Kings 23:5
to Baal, to the sun and the moon, to the planets, and to all the host of heaven
"as a way to worship Baal, the sun and the moon, the planets, and all the stars"
2 Kings 23:7
the houses of the cultic prostitutes in the temple of Yahweh
The houses were in the temple or the prostitutes were in the temple.
in the temple of Yahweh
"by the temple of Yahweh"
wove garments
"made clothes"
2 Kings 23:8
Geba ... Beersheba
names of places
Joshua (the city governor)
"the city ruler named Joshua" or "the city leader named Joshua." This is a different Joshua from the Joshua in the Old Testament Book of Joshua.
2 Kings 23:9
their brothers
"brothers" refers to their fellow priests who served at the temple.
2 Kings 23:10
Topheth ... Ben Hinnom
place names
cause his son or his daughter to pass through the fire as a sacrifice to Molech
"put his son or his daughter in the fire and burn them as an offering to Molech"
2 Kings 23:11
the horses
Real horses or statues of horses.
had given to the sun
"had used to worship the sun"
Nathan-Melek
a man's name
2 Kings 23:12
the kings of Judah had made ... Manasseh had made
"the kings of Judah had had their workers make ... Manasseh had had his workers make".
Kidron Valley
Place name. See 2 Kings 23:4.
2 Kings 23:13
The king ruined
"Josiah had them ruin ... He had them break ... they filled"
Solomon the king of Israel had built
"Solomon the king of Israel had had his workers build"
2 Kings 23:14
filled those places with the bones of human beings
"covered the ground with human bones so people could not use it as a shrine anymore"
2 Kings 23:16
spoke of these things beforehand
"had said that these things would happen."
2 Kings 23:17
monument
A marker or statue that honors a person, like a tomb.
2 Kings 23:18
So they let his bones alone, along with the bones
"So they did not touch his bones, or the bones of"
2 Kings 23:19
what had been done
"what Josiah had done"
2 Kings 23:20
he burned human bones on them
"he burned human bones on them so no one would use them again"
2 Kings 23:21
Keep the Passover
"You must celebrate the Passover,"
2 Kings 23:22
Such a Passover celebration had never been held from the days of
"The descendants of Israel had not celebrated the Passover festival in such a great way in the time of"
ruled Israel
"the descendants of Israel."
the days of the kings of Israel or Judah
"the time when the people of Israel had their own king and the people of Judah had their own king"
2 Kings 23:23
this Passover of Yahweh was celebrated
"the people of Judah celebrated this Passover of Yahweh"
2 Kings 23:24
completely removed
This translates a word that can mean to burn things, which is probably what Josiah did to the fetishes, idols, and disgusting things. Josiah probably told the sorcerers and spiritists to leave Judah, but he may have executed them by burning them.
sorcerers and spiritists
See 2 Kings 21:6.
fetishes
things that people wrongly believe have special power
2 Kings 23:25
who turned to Yahweh
"who gave himself completely to Yahweh"
Nor did any king like Josiah arise after him
"And since then there has never been a king who was like Josiah."
2 Kings 23:26
Nevertheless
The writer says that even though all of these things that Josiah did were good, Yahweh was still angry with Judah.
Yahweh did not turn away from the burning of his raging anger, which burned against Judah
"Yahweh did not stop being furiously angry with Judah"
had done to provoke him
"had done to cause him to be angry"
2 Kings 23:27
out of my sight
"from where I am" or "from being near me"
My name will be there
"People should worship me there"
2 Kings 23:28
are they not written ... Judah?
"you can find them ... Judah.". See 2 Kings 8:23.
2 Kings 23:29
In his days, Pharaoh Necho, king of Egypt
"During the time of Josiah, Pharaoh Necho, king of Egypt"
Necho ... Megiddo
Necho is the name of a man. Megiddo is the name of a city.
2 Kings 23:31
Hamutal
This is a woman's name.
Libnah
This is the name of a place.
2 Kings 23:32
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considers to be evil". See 2 Kings 3:2.
2 Kings 23:33
Riblah ... Hamath
These are names of places.
put him in chains
"put him in prison"
imposed a fine on Judah
"punished the people of Judah by forcing them to give him"
one hundred talents ... one talent
"3,300 kilograms ... 33 kilograms". A talent was about 33 kilograms.
2 Kings 23:35
Jehoikim taxed the land
"Jehoikim collected taxes from the people who owned land"
people of the land
"the people who lived in the land of Judah" or "the richest and most powerful of those who lived in Judah."
2 Kings 23:36
Zebidah
This is a woman's name.
Pedaiah
This is a man's name.
Rumah
This is the name of a place.
Chapter 24
1
In Jehoiakim's days, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked Judah; Jehoiakim became his servant for three years. Then Jehoiakim turned back and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar.
2
Yahweh sent against Jehoiakim marauding bands of Chaldeans, Arameans, Moabites, and Ammonites; he sent them against Judah to destroy it. This was in conformity with the word of Yahweh that had been spoken through his servants the prophets.
3
It was certainly at the mouth of Yahweh that this came on Judah, to remove them out of his sight, because of the sins of Manasseh, all that he did,
4
and also because of the innocent blood that he shed, for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood. Yahweh was not willing to pardon that.
5
As for the other matters concerning Jehoiakim, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah?
6
Jehoiakim lay down with his ancestors, and Jehoiachin his son became king in his place.
7
The king of Egypt did not attack any more out of his land, because the king of Babylon had conquered all the lands that had been controlled by the king of Egypt, from the brook of Egypt to the Euphrates River.
8
Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign; he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother's name was Nehushta; she was the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.
9
He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh; he did all that his father had done.
10
At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked Jerusalem and besieged the city.
11
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city while his servants were besieging it,
12
and Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, his mother, his servants, his princes, and his officers. The king of Babylon captured him in the eighth year of his own reign.
13
Nebuchadnezzar took out from there all the valuable things in the house of Yahweh, and those in the king's palace. He cut into pieces all the golden objects that Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of Yahweh, as Yahweh had said would happen.
14
He took into exile all Jerusalem, all the leaders, and all the mighty warriors, ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths. No one was left except the poorest people in the land.
15
Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin into exile at Babylon, as well as the king's mother, wives, officers, and the nobles of the land. He took them into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.
16
All the fighting men, seven thousand in number, and one thousand craftsmen and blacksmiths, all of them strong and fit for fighting—the king of Babylon brought these men into exile at Babylon.
17
The king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin's father's brother, king in his place, and changed his name to Zedekiah.
18
Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign; he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal; she was the daughter of Jeremiah from Libnah.
19
He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh; he did all that Jehoiakim had done.
20
Through Yahweh's anger, all these events happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until he drove them out of his presence. Then Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
2 Kings 24:1
In Jehoiakim's days
"During the time that Jehoiakim ruled Judah". These last two chapters are the final defeat of Judah and the beginning of their exile to Babylon. God punished Judah because of their sin. The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem and carry away all the craftsmen, soldiers and wealthy. They make Zedekiah the king. He was not truly a king because he lacked absolute authority.
attacked Judah
"Nebuchadnezzar attacked and defeated Judah"
2 Kings 24:2
This was in conformity with the word of Yahweh that had been spoken through his servants the prophets
"This was according to the word of Yahweh that his servants the prophets had spoken" or "This was exactly what Yahweh had told his servants the prophets to say would happen"
2 Kings 24:3
It was certainly at the mouth of Yahweh
"It was certainly because of the wrath of Yahweh,"
at the mouth of Yahweh
"as Yahweh had commanded"
remove them out of his sight
"get rid of them" or "destroy them"
2 Kings 24:4
innocent blood that he shed
"innocent people whom he killed"
he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood
"he killed many innocent people in Jerusalem"
2 Kings 24:5
are they not written ... Judah?
"they are indeed written ... Judah." or "you can find them ... Judah". See 2 Kings 8:23.
2 Kings 24:6
lay down with his ancestors
"died and was buried along with his ancestors"
2 Kings 24:7
The king of Egypt did not attack any more out of his land
"The king of Egypt did not come out of his land any more to attack other people groups,"
2 Kings 24:8
Nehushta ... Elnathan
Nehushta is the name of a woman. Elnathan is the name of a man.
2 Kings 24:9
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh
"what was evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "what Yahweh considers to be evil". See 2 Kings 3:2
he did all that his father had done
"he committed the same kinds of sins his father had committed"
2 Kings 24:10
the servants
"the army." They served Nebuchadnezzar as soldiers.
2 Kings 24:12
Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, his mother, his servants, his princes, and his officers
"Jehoiachin the king of Judah, with his mother, his servants, his princes, and his officers, went out to where the king of Babylon was, to surrender to him"
The king of Babylon captured him in the eighth year of his own reign
"After the king of Babylon had been king for more than seven years, he captured Jehoiachin"
2 Kings 24:13
Solomon king of Israel had made
Solomon might have had others help him do this.
2 Kings 24:14
He took into exile all Jerusalem
"Nebuchadnezzar took all the important people away from Jerusalem"
the craftsmen and the smiths
"the men who knew how to make and repair things that are made from metal"
No one was left except the poorest people in the land
"Only the poorest people in the land still lived there"
2 Kings 24:15
nobles
The men who were wealthy or were leaders because people thought they were wise.
2 Kings 24:17
Mattaniah
This is a man's name.
2 Kings 24:18
Hamutal
This is a woman's name.
Jeremiah
This is a man's name.
Libnah
This is the name of a place.
Chapter 25
1
It happened that in the ninth year of the reign of King Zedekiah, in the tenth month, and on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came with all his army against Jerusalem. He camped opposite it, and they built a siege wall around it.
2
So the city was besieged until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah's reign.
3
On the ninth day of the fourth month of that year, the famine was so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land.
4
Then the city was broken into, and all the fighting men fled at night by the way of the gate between the two walls, by the king's garden, although the Chaldeans were all around the city. The king went in the direction of the Arabah.
5
But the army of Chaldeans pursued King Zedekiah and overtook him in the plains of the Jordan River valley near Jericho. All his army was scattered away from him.
6
They captured the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, where they passed sentence on him.
7
As for Zedekiah's sons, they slaughtered them before his eyes. Then he put out his eyes, bound him in bronze chains, and brought him to Babylon.
8
Now in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan, a servant of the king of Babylon and commander of his bodyguards, came to Jerusalem.
9
He burned the house of Yahweh, the king's palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem; also every important building in the city he burned.
10
As for all the walls around Jerusalem, all the army of the Chaldeans who were under the commander of the bodyguard destroyed them.
11
As for the rest of the people who were left in the city, those who had deserted to the king of Babylon, and the remainder of the population—Nebuzaradan, the commander of the bodyguard, took them away into exile.
12
But the commander of the bodyguard did leave some of the poorest of the land to work the vineyards and fields.
13
As for the bronze pillars that were in the house of Yahweh, and the stands and the bronze sea that were in the house of Yahweh, the Chaldeans broke them into pieces and carried the bronze back to Babylon.
14
The pots, shovels, lamp trimmers, spoons, and all the utensils of bronze with which the priests had served in the temple—the Chaldeans took them all away.
15
The censers and the bowls that were made of gold and those made of silver—the captain of the king's guard took them away as well.
16
The two pillars, the sea, and the stands that Solomon had made for the house of Yahweh contained more bronze than could be weighed.
17
The height of the first pillar was eighteen cubits, and a capital of bronze was on top of it. The capital was three cubits high, with latticework and pomegranates all around on the capital, all made of bronze. The other pillar and its latticework were the same as the first.
18
The commander of the bodyguard took Seraiah the chief priest, together with Zephaniah, the second priest, and the three gatekeepers.
19
From the city he took prisoner an officer who was in charge of soldiers, and five men of those who advised the king, who were still in the city. He also took prisoner the king's army officer responsible for drafting men into the army, along with sixty important men from the land who were in the city.
20
Then Nebuzaradan, the commander of the bodyguard, took them and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah.
21
The king of Babylon put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. In this way, Judah went out of its land into exile.
22
As for the people who remained in the land of Judah, those whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, he put Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, in charge of them.
23
Now when all the commanders of the soldiers, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they went to Gedaliah at Mizpah. These men were Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maakathite—they and their men.
24
Gedaliah made an oath to them and to their men, and said to them, "Do not be afraid of the Chaldean officials. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you."
25
But it happened that in the seventh month Ishmael son of Nethaniah son of Elishama, from the royal family, came with ten men and attacked Gedaliah. Gedaliah died, along with the Jews and the Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah.
26
Then all the people, from the least to the greatest, and the commanders of the soldiers, arose and went to Egypt, because they were afraid of the Chaldeans.
27
It happened later in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, that Awel-Marduk king of Babylon released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. This happened in the year that Awel-Marduk began to reign.
28
He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat more honorable than that of the other kings who were with him in Babylon.
29
Awel-Marduk removed Jehoiachin's prison clothes, and Jehoiachin ate regularly at the king's table for the rest of his life.
30
A regular food allowance was given to him by the king every day for the rest of his life.
2 Kings 25:1
General Information
This chapter is the final defeat of Judah and the beginning of their exile to Babylon. Zedekiah revolted against the Babylonians, so they came and completely destroyed Jerusalem. They tore down the city walls and took the rest of the people to Babylon as slaves, except the very poorest people remained.
in the tenth month, and on the tenth day of the month
This is the tenth month of the Hebrew calendar. The tenth day is near the end of December on Western calendars. This is during the cold season when there may be rain and snow.
came with all his army against Jerusalem
"came with his whole army to fight against the people of Jerusalem" or "came with his whole army to conquer Jerusalem"
2 Kings 25:3
the ninth day of the fourth month
The fourth month of the Hebrew calendar. The ninth day is near the end of June on Western calendars. This is during the dry season when there is very little or no rain.
the people of the land
These are the inhabitants of Jerusalem, including refugees from the surrounding villages that fled to Jerusalem when the war started.
2 Kings 25:4
Then the city was broken into
"Then the Babylonian army broke into the city"
by the way of the gate
"by using the gate"
the Chaldeans
Some translations use "Chaldeans" and others use "Babylonians."
The king went in the direction of
"King Zedekiah also fled and he went toward"
2 Kings 25:5
All his army was scattered away from him
"His whole army ran away from him" or "The Chaldeans chased away his whole army"
2 Kings 25:6
Riblah
This is the name of a place.
passed sentence on him
"decided what they would do to punish him"
2 Kings 25:7
they slaughtered them before his eyes
"they forced king Zedekiah to watch them kill his sons"
he put out his eyes
"Nebuchadnezzar put out Zedekiah's eyes.". Other people might have helped Nebuchadnezzar do this.
2 Kings 25:8
in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month
The fifth month of the Hebrew calendar. The seventh day is near the end of July on Western calendars.
Nebuzaradan
This is the name of a man.
2 Kings 25:10
As for all the walls around Jerusalem, all
"This is what happened to all the walls around Jerusalem, all"
who were under
"who were following the orders of"
2 Kings 25:11
As for the rest of the people ... city, those
"This is what happened to the people who remained in the city, those"
deserted to the king
"left the city and gone to be with the king"
2 Kings 25:13
As for the bronze pillars ... Yahweh, the Chaldeans
"This is what happened to the bronze pillars ... Yahweh: the Chaldeans"
the stands
"the moveable bronze stands" or "the bronze stands with wheels". The stands with bronze wheels and axles.
the bronze sea
"the large bronze basin"
broke them into pieces
"cut them into pieces" or "chopped them up into small pieces"
2 Kings 25:14
shovels
A tool that was used to clean the altar, typically used to move big piles of dirt, sand, or ashes.
with which the priests had served in the temple
"which the priests had used in the temple service"
2 Kings 25:17
eighteen cubits ... three cubits
"about 8.3 meters ... about 1.4 meters". A cubit was 46 centimeters.
a capital of bronze
"an artistic, bronze design" or "a bronze piece with designs"
latticework
This was a design made of crossed strips that looked like a net.
all made of bronze
"completely made of bronze"
2 Kings 25:18
Seraiah
This is the name of a man.
the second priest
"the priest under Seraiah.". These words refer to Zephaniah.
2 Kings 25:19
took prisoner
"captured and kept from escaping"
officer responsible for drafting men into the army
The officer forced men to become soldiers or the officer wrote down the names of the men who became soldiers.
2 Kings 25:20
Nebuzaradan
This is the name of a man.
Riblah
This is the name of a place.
2 Kings 25:21
put them to death
"killed them." Other people might have helped the king do this.
In this way, Judah went out of its land into exile
"So Judah was taken into exile out of its land"
Judah went out of its land
"the people of Judah went out of their land"
2 Kings 25:22
Gedaliah ... Ahikam ... Shaphan
These are the names of men.
2 Kings 25:23
Ishmael ... Nethaniah ... Johanan ... Kareah ... Seraiah ... Tanhumeth ... Jaazaniah
These are the names of men.
Netophathite
A descendant of a man named Netophah.
Maakathite
A person who comes from a place called Maakah.
2 Kings 25:25
the seventh month
On the Hebrew calendar. The last part of September and the first part of October on Western calendars.
Elishama
This is the name of a man.
2 Kings 25:26
all the people
"many people"
from the least to the greatest
"from the least important to the most important" or "everyone"
2 Kings 25:27
in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month
On the Hebrew calendar. The twenty-seventh day is near the beginning of April on Western calendars.
Awel-Marduk
This is a man's name.
2 Kings 25:28
a seat more honorable than that of the other kings
"more honor than the other kings"
2 Kings 25:29
removed Jehoiachin's prison clothes
This represents making him a free man.
at the king's table
"with the king and his officials"
2 Kings 25:30
A regular food allowance was given to him
"The king made sure that he had a regular food allowance"
A regular food allowance
"Money to buy food"
1 Chronicles
Chapter 1
1
Adam, Seth, Enosh,
2
Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared,
3
Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech.
4
The sons of Noah were Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
5
The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
6
The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah.
7
The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites, and the Rodanites.
8
The sons of Ham were Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan.
9
The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raamah, and Sabteka. The sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan.
10
Cush became the father of Nimrod, who began to be a mighty man on the earth.
11
Egypt became the ancestor of the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites,
12
Pathrusites, Kasluhites (from whom the Philistines came), and the Caphtorites.
13
Canaan became the father of Sidon, his firstborn, and of the Hittites.
14
He also became the ancestor of the Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites,
15
Hivites, Arkites, Sinites,
16
Arvadites, Zemarites, and the Hamathites.
17
The sons of Shem were Elam, Ashur, Arphaxad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech.
18
Arphaxad became the father of Shelah, and Shelah became the father of Eber.
19
Eber had two sons. The name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided. His brother's name was Joktan.
20
Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,
21
Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,
22
Obal, Abimael, Sheba,
23
Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab; all these were descendants of Joktan.
24
Shem, Arphaxad, Shelah,
25
Eber, Peleg, Reu,
26
Serug, Nahor, Terah,
27
Abram, who was Abraham.
28
The sons of Abraham were Isaac and Ishmael.
29
These are their descendants: the firstborn of Ishmael was Nebaioth, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
30
Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema,
31
Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were Ishmael's sons.
32
The sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine, were Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan were Sheba and Dedan.
33
Midian's sons were Ephah, Epher, Hanok, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were Keturah's descendants.
34
Abraham became the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac were Esau and Israel.
35
The sons of Esau were Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.
36
The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna, and Amalek.
37
The sons of Reuel were Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.
38
The sons of Seir were Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan.
39
The sons of Lotan were Hori and Homam, and Timna was Lotan's sister.
40
The sons of Shobal were Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. The sons of Zibeon were Aiah and Anah.
41
The son of Anah was Dishon. The sons of Dishon were Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Keran.
42
The sons of Ezer were Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan. The sons of Dishan were Uz and Aran.
43
These were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the people of Israel: Bela son of Beor, and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
44
When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place.
45
When Jobab died, Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.
46
When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the land of Moab, reigned in his place. The name of his city was Avith.
47
When Hadad died, Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.
48
When Samlah died, Shaul of Rehoboth on the river reigned in his place.
49
When Shaul died, Baal-Hanan son of Akbor reigned in his place.
50
When Baal-Hanan died, Hadad reigned in his place, and the name of his city was Pau. His wife's name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred daughter of Me-Zahab.
51
Hadad died.
The chiefs in Edom were Chief Timna, Chief Alvah, Chief Jetheth,
52
Chief Oholibamah, Chief Elah, Chief Pinon,
53
Chief Kenaz, Chief Teman, Chief Mibzar,
54
Chief Magdiel, and Chief Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom.
1 Chronicles 1:1
Adam ... Seth ... Enosh
These are all names of men. Each man was the father or ancestor of the next man in the list. If your language has a specific way to mark this kind of list, you can use it here. This also applies to verses 2 and 3.
1 Chronicles 1:4
The sons of Noah were Shem, Ham, and Japheth
Some versions, include "The sons of" in order to make it clear that Shem, Ham, and Japheth were brothers to each other and sons of Noah. Otherwise, the reader would assume that each person represented one generation farther away from Noah, their ancestor.
Noah
"Lamech's son Noah"
1 Chronicles 1:7
Kittites ... Rodanites
These are names of people groups.
Rodanites
This name is sometimes spelled "Dodanites."
1 Chronicles 1:10
who began to be a mighty man
Possible meanings are 1) "who became a mighty man" or 2) "who was the first mighty man."
mighty man
or "warrior" or "conqueror"
1 Chronicles 1:11
Ludites ... Anamites ... Lehabites ... Naphtuhites
These are names of people groups.
1 Chronicles 1:12
Pathrusites ... Kasluhites ... Philistines ... Caphtorites
These are names of people groups.
from whom the Philistines came
"the ancestors of the Philistines"
1 Chronicles 1:13
Canaan ... Sidon
These are names of men.
Hittites
This is the name of a people group.
1 Chronicles 1:14
Jebusites ... Amorites ... Girgashites
These and those listed in verses 15 and 16 are names of people groups.
1 Chronicles 1:44
Bela ... Jobab ... Zerah
These are the names of men.
Bozrah
This is the name of a place.
reigned in his place
"succeeded Bela as king" or "became king after him"
1 Chronicles 1:45
Jobab ... Husham
These are names of men.
Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place
"Husham, from the land where Teman's descendants lived, reigned after him"
Temanites
This is the name of a people group.
1 Chronicles 1:46
Husham ... Hadad ... Bedad
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 1:47
Hadad ... Samlah
These are names of men.
Masrekah
This is the name of a place.
1 Chronicles 1:48
Samlah ... Shaul
These are names of men.
Shaul of Rehoboth on the river reigned in his place
"Shaul reigned in his place. He was from Rehoboth, which is by the Euphrates River" or "Shaul, who was from Rehoboth by the river, became king after him"
Rehoboth
This is the name of a place.
1 Chronicles 1:49
Shaul ... Baal-Hanan ... Akbor
These are the names of men.
1 Chronicles 1:50
Baal-Hanan ... Hadad ... Me-Zahab
These are the names of men.
1 Chronicles 1:51
Hadad ... Timna ... Alvah ... Jetheth
These are names of men.
Edom
This is the name of a place.
1 Chronicles 1:52
Oholibamah ... Elah ... Pinon
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 1:53
Kenaz ... Teman ... Mibzar
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 1:54
Magdiel ... Iram
These are names of men.
Edom
This is the name of a place.
Chapter 2
1
These were the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun,
2
Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
3
Judah's sons were Er, Onan, and Shelah, who were born to him by Shua's daughter, a Canaanite woman. Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of Yahweh, and Yahweh killed him.
4
Tamar, his daughter-in-law, bore him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons.
5
Perez's sons were Hezron and Hamul.
6
Zerah's sons were Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Kalkol, and Darda, five in all.
7
Karmi's son was Achar, who brought trouble on Israel when he acted faithlessly in regard to what was devoted to God.
8
Ethan's son was Azariah.
9
Hezron's sons were Jerahmeel, Ram, and Caleb.
10
Ram became the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, a leader among Judah's descendants.
11
Nahshon became the father of Salmon, and Salmon became the father of Boaz.
12
Boaz became the father of Obed, and Obed became the father of Jesse.
13
Jesse became the father of his firstborn Eliab, Abinadab the second, Shimea the third,
14
Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth,
15
Ozem the sixth, and David the seventh.
16
Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. The sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, three of them.
17
Abigail bore Amasa, whose father was Jether the Ishmaelite.
18
Caleb son of Hezron became the father of children by Azubah, his wife, and by Jerioth. His sons were Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon.
19
Azubah died, and then Caleb married Ephrath, who bore him Hur.
20
Hur became the father of Uri, and Uri became the father of Bezalel.
21
Later Hezron (when he was sixty years old) married the daughter of Makir, the father of Gilead. She bore him Segub.
22
Segub became the father of Jair, who controlled twenty-three cities in the land of Gilead.
23
Geshur and Aram took Havvoth Jair and Kenath, as well as sixty surrounding towns. All these inhabitants were descendants of Makir, the father of Gilead.
24
After the death of Hezron, Caleb went to Ephrathah, the wife of his father Hezron. She bore him Ashhur, the father of Tekoa.
25
The sons of Jerahmeel, the firstborn of Hezron, were Ram the firstborn, Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah.
26
Jerahmeel had another wife, whose name was Atarah. She was the mother of Onam.
27
The sons of Ram, the firstborn of Jerahmeel, were Maaz, Jamin, and Eker.
28
The sons of Onam were Shammai and Jada. The sons of Shammai were Nadab and Abishur.
29
The name of the wife of Abishur was Abihail, and she bore him Ahban and Molid.
30
The sons of Nadab were Seled and Appaim, but Seled died without children.
31
The son of Appaim was Ishi. The son of Ishi was Sheshan. The son of Sheshan was Ahlai.
32
The sons of Jada, the brother of Shammai, were Jether and Jonathan. Jether died without children.
33
The sons of Jonathan were Peleth and Zaza. These were the descendants of Jerahmeel.
34
Now Sheshan had no sons, only daughters. Sheshan had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Jarha.
35
Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha his servant as his wife. She bore him Attai.
36
Attai became the father of Nathan, and Nathan became the father of Zabad.
37
Zabad became the father of Ephlal, and Ephlal became the father of Obed.
38
Obed became the father of Jehu, and Jehu became the father of Azariah.
39
Azariah became the father of Helez, and Helez became the father of Eleasah.
40
Eleasah became the father of Sismai, and Sismai became the father of Shallum.
41
Shallum became the father of Jekamiah, and Jekamiah became the father of Elishama.
42
The sons of Caleb, the brother of Jerahmeel, were Mesha his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph. His second son, Mareshah, was the father of Hebron.
43
The sons of Hebron were Korah, Tappuah, Rekem, and Shema.
44
Shema became the father of Raham, the father of Jorkeam. Rekem became the father of Shammai.
45
The son of Shammai was Maon, and Maon was the father of Beth Zur.
46
Ephah, Caleb's concubine, bore Haran, Moza, and Gazez. Haran became the father of Gazez.
47
The sons of Jahdai were Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph.
48
Maakah, Caleb's concubine, bore Sheber and Tirhanah.
49
She also bore Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Makbenah and the father of Gibea. The daughter of Caleb was Aksah.
50
These were the descendants of Caleb. The sons of Hur the firstborn of Ephrathah: Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim,
51
Salma the father of Bethlehem, and Hareph the father of Beth Gader.
52
Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim had descendants: Haroeh, half of the Manahathites,
53
and the clans of Kiriath Jearim: the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites, and Mishraites. The Zorathites and Eshtaolites descended from these.
54
The descendants of Salma were Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, and half of the Manahathites—the Zorites,
55
and the clans of the scribes who lived at Jabez: the Tirathites, Shimeathites, and Sucathites. These were the Kenites who came from Hammath, father of the house of Rekab.
1 Chronicles 2:3
Yahweh
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
in the sight of Yahweh
"as Yahweh judged"
1 Chronicles 2:4
daughter-in-law
This refers to the wife of his son.
Perez ... Zerah ... Judah
These are the names of men.
bore him Perez and Zerah
"gave birth to his sons Perez and Zerah"
1 Chronicles 2:7
what was devoted to God
what God had said he wanted the people to destroy
1 Chronicles 2:10
Ram ... Amminadab ... Nahshon ... Judah
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 2:13
the second ... the third
"the second son ... the third son"
1 Chronicles 2:14
the fourth ... the fifth
"the fourth son ... the fifth son"
1 Chronicles 2:15
the sixth ... the seventh
"the sixth son ... the seventh son"
1 Chronicles 2:17
Amasa ... Jether
These are names of men.
Jether the Ishmaelite
"Jether, a descendant of Ishmael"
1 Chronicles 2:19
Caleb ... Hur
These are names of men.
Azubah ... Ephrath
These are names of women.
1 Chronicles 2:20
Hur ... Uri ... Bezalel
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 2:21
bore him
"gave birth to"
1 Chronicles 2:22
Segub ... Jair
These are names of men.
land of Gilead
People gave the land the name of the man.
1 Chronicles 2:23
Geshur ... Aram
These are names of people groups named after ancestors. Translate "Aram" as in 1 Chronicles 1:17.
Havvoth Jair and Kenath
These are the names of places.
Makir ... Gilead
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 2:24
Hezron ... Caleb ... Ashhur ... Tekoa
These are names of men.
Caleb went to Ephrathah
"Caleb had sexual relations with Ephrathah" or "Caleb lay with Ephrathah"
1 Chronicles 2:26
Jerahmeel ... Onam
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 2:29
Abishur ... Ahban ... Molid
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 2:34
Sheshan ... Jarha
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 2:35
Sheshan ... Jarha ... Attai
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 2:42
the father of Hebron
Some modern translations read, "the founder of the clan of Hebron"
1 Chronicles 2:44
the father of Raham, the father of Jorkeam ... the father of Shammai
Some modern translations read, "the founder of the clan of Hebron ... the founder of the clan of Raham, the founder of the clan of Jorkeam ... the founder of the clan of Shammai."
1 Chronicles 2:46
Caleb ... Haran ... Moza ... Gazez
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 2:50
Hur ... Shobal
These are names of men.
Ephrathah
This is the name of a woman.
father of Kiriath Jearim
"founder of Kiriath Jearim"
1 Chronicles 2:51
father of Bethlehem ... father of Beth Gader
"founder of Bethlehem ... founder of Beth Gader"
1 Chronicles 2:52
Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim
Shobal is the name of a man, and Kiriath Jearim is the name of a town.
Manahathites
This is the name of a clan.
1 Chronicles 2:54
Salma
This is the name of a man.
Bethlehem
"the people of Bethlehem"
Netophathites ... Atroth Beth Joab ... Manahathites ... Zorites
These are names of clans.
1 Chronicles 2:55
the Kenites who came from Hammath
"the Kenites who descended from Hamath"
Hammath ... Rekab
These are names of men.
Chapter 3
1
Now these are the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam from Jezreel; the second was Daniel, by Abigail from Carmel;
2
the third was Absalom, whose mother was Maakah, daughter of Talmai king of Geshur. The fourth was Adonijah son of Haggith;
3
the fifth was Shephatiah by Abital; the sixth was Ithream by Eglah his wife.
4
These six were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months. He then ruled thirty-three years in Jerusalem.
5
These four sons, by Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel, were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon.
6
David's other nine sons were: Ibhar, Elishua, Eliphelet,
7
Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,
8
Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
9
These were David's sons, not including the sons by his concubines. Tamar was their sister.
10
Solomon's son was Rehoboam. Rehoboam's son was Abijah. Abijah's son was Asa. Asa's son was Jehoshaphat.
11
Jehoshaphat's son was Jehoram. Jehoram's son was Ahaziah. Ahaziah's son was Joash.
12
Joash's son was Amaziah. Amaziah's son was Azariah. Azariah's son was Jotham.
13
Jotham's son was Ahaz. Ahaz's son was Hezekiah. Hezekiah's son was Manasseh.
14
Manasseh's son was Amon. Amon's son was Josiah.
15
Josiah's sons were his firstborn Johanan, his second son Jehoiakim, his third son Zedekiah, and his fourth son Shallum.
16
Jehoiakim's sons were Jehoiachin and Zedekiah.
17
The descendants of Jehoiachin the captive, were Shealtiel,
18
Malkiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.
19
Pedaiah's sons were Zerubbabel and Shimei. Zerubbabel's sons were Meshullam and Hananiah; Shelomith was their sister.
20
His other five sons were Hashubah, Ohel, Berekiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-Hesed.
21
Hananiah's sons were Pelatiah and Jeshaiah. His son was Rephaiah, and further descendants were Arnan, Obadiah, and Shekaniah.
22
The descendants of Shekaniah were Shemaiah and his sons: Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat.
23
Neariah's three sons were Elioenai, Hizkiah, and Azrikam.
24
Elioenai's seven sons were Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani.
1 Chronicles 3:1
David
David was a son of Jesse, who was a descendant of Judah
Daniel
This man has the same name as an Israelite prophet but is a different person.
1 Chronicles 3:3
Shephatiah ... Ithream
These are the names of men.
1 Chronicles 3:8
Elishama ... Eliada ... Eliphelet
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 3:12
Azariah
This was another name for Uzziah, the better-known name for this king. Translators may decide to use "Uzziah" everywhere for this king.
1 Chronicles 3:17
Jehoiachin ... Shealtiel
These are names of men.
Jehoiachin
Some versions have "Jeconiah," which is a variation of "Jehoiachin."
the captive
This may be a title that was given to Jehoiachin because he was taken into captivity. However, some versions regard the word as "Assir," the name of one of his sons.
1 Chronicles 3:21
Obadiah
This man has the same name as the prophet Obadiah but is a different person.
further descendants were Arnan, Obadiah, and Shekaniah
Different versions put these people into different relationships with each other because the Hebrew is not very clear about them.
Chapter 4
1
Judah's descendants were Perez, Hezron, Karmi, Hur, and Shobal.
2
Reaiah, the son of Shobal, was the father of Jahath. Jahath was the father of Ahumai and Lahad. These were of the clans of the Zorathites.
3
These were the sons of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash. Their sister's name was Hazzelelponi.
4
Penuel was the father of Gedor. Ezer was the father of Hushah. These were descendants of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem.
5
Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.
6
Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the descendants of Naarah.
7
Helah's sons were Zereth, Zohar, Ethnan,
8
and Koz, who became the father of Anub and Hazzobebah, and of the clans descended from Aharhel son of Harum.
9
Jabez was more respected than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez. She said, "Because I bore him in pain."
10
Jabez called out to the God of Israel and said, "If only you would truly bless me, expand my territory, and your hand will be with me. When you do this you will keep me from harm, so that I may be free from pain!" So God granted him his prayer.
11
Kelub brother of Shuhah became the father of Mehir, who was the father of Eshton.
12
Eshton became the father of Beth Rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah, the father of Ir Nahash.
These were men who lived in Rekah.
13
Kenaz's sons were Othniel and Seraiah. Othniel's sons were Hathath and Meonothai.
14
Meonothai became the father of Ophrah, and Seraiah became the father of Joab, the originator of Ge Harashim, whose people were craftsmen.
15
The sons of Caleb son of Jephunneh were Iru, Elah and Naam. Elah's son was Kenaz.
16
Jehallelel's sons were Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel.
17
Ezrah's sons were Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. Mered's Egyptian wife
conceived and bore Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah, who became the father of Eshtemoa.
18
These were the sons of Bithiah, daughter of Pharaoh, whom Mered married. Mered's Judahite wife bore Jered, who became the father of Gedor; Heber, who became the father of Soko; and Jekuthiel, who became the father of Zanoah.
19
Of the two sons of Hodiah's wife, sister of Naham, one became the father of Keilah the Garmite. The other was Eshtemoa the Maakathite.
20
The sons of Shimon were Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-Hanan, and Tilon. The descendants of Ishi were Zoheth and Ben-Zoheth.
21
The descendants of Shelah son of Judah, were Er father of Lekah, Laadah father of Mareshah and the clans of the linen workers at Beth Ashbea,
22
Jokim, the men of Kozeba, and Joash and Saraph, who ruled in Moab and Jashubi Lehem. (This information is from ancient records.)
23
These were the potters who lived in Netaim and Gederah and worked for the king.
24
Simeon's descendants were Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul.
25
Shallum was Shaul's son, Mibsam was Shallum's son, and Mishma was Mibsam's son.
26
Mishma's descendants were Hammuel his son, Zakkur his grandson, and Shimei his great-grandson.
27
Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters. His brothers did not have many children, so their clans did not increase greatly in numbers as the people of Judah did.
28
They lived at Beersheba, Moladah, and at Hazar Shual.
29
They also live at Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad,
30
Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag,
31
Beth Markaboth, Hazar Susim, Beth Biri, and Shaaraim. These were their cities until the reign of David.
32
Their five villages were Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Token, and Ashan,
33
together with the outlying villages as far as Baalath. These were their settlements, and they kept the genealogical records.
34
Clan leaders were Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah son of Amaziah,
35
Joel, Jehu son of Joshibiah son of Seraiah son of Asiel,
36
Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah,
37
and Ziza son of Shiphi son of Allon son of Jedaiah son of Shimri son of Shemaiah.
38
These mentioned by name were leaders in their clans, and their fathers' houses increased greatly.
39
They went near Gedor, on the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.
40
They found abundant and good pasture. The land was broad, quiet, and peaceable. The Hamites had formerly lived there.
41
These just listed by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and attacked the Hamite tents and the Meunites, who were there also. They completely destroyed them and lived there because they found pasture for their flocks.
42
From them, from the sons of Simeon, five hundred men went to Mount Seir with Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi, as their leader.
43
They defeated the rest of the escaped remnant of Amalekites, and have lived there to this day.
1 Chronicles 4:3
the sons of Etam
There was a village named Etam. Possible meanings are 1) Etam was a man, and the word "sons" refers to his own sons, or 2) Etam here is the village, and "sons" is a metaphor meaning those who start a village.
Jezreel ... Ishma ... Idbash
These are names of men.
Hazzelelponi
This is the name of a woman.
1 Chronicles 4:4
Penuel was the father of Gedor. Ezer was the father of Hushah.
There was a man named Gedor and a city named Gedor. The name Hushah occurs only in this verse. Possible meanings are 1) the names Gedor and Hushah refer to two men, or 2) the names Gedor and Hushah refer to cities, and "father" is a metaphor meaning someone who starts a city.
Penuel ... Ezer ... Hur ... Ephrathah
These are the names of men.
These were descendants of Hur
The word "These" refers to Peniel and Ezer.
Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah
Hur was Ephrathah's first son.
Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem
"Ephrathah, who started the city of Bethlehem."
1 Chronicles 4:5
Ashhur ... Tekoa
See how you translated these men's names in 1 Chronicles 2:24.
Helah ... Naarah
These are the names of women.
1 Chronicles 4:6
bore him
"gave birth to his sons"
Ahuzzam ... Hepher
These are names of men.
Temeni ... Haahashtari
These are understood here as the names of men. However, some versions understand them as the names of clans that were begun by the sons of Ashhur.
1 Chronicles 4:7
Zereth ... Zohar ... Ethnan
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 4:8
Koz ... Anub ... Hazzobebah ... Aharhel ... Harum
These are the names of men.
1 Chronicles 4:9
Jabez
This is the name of a man.
1 Chronicles 4:10
your hand will be with me
"you will guide me" or "you will make me prosper" or "you will protect me." Alternate translation: "you will be with me"
1 Chronicles 4:11
Kelub ... Shuhah ... Mehir ... Eshton
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 4:12
Eshton ... Beth Rapha ... Paseah ... Tehinnah
These are names of men.
Tehinnah, the father of Ir Nahash
"Tehinnah, the founder of the city of Nahash"
1 Chronicles 4:14
Meonothai ... Ophrah ... Joab
These are names of men.
craftsmen
people skilled at making or building things
1 Chronicles 4:17
Ezrah ... Jether ... Mered ... Epher ... Jalon ... Miriam ... Shammai ... Ishbah ... Eshtemoa
These are the names of men.
1 Chronicles 4:18
These were the sons of Bithiah
The word "these" refers to Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah. They were the sons Bithiah bore for her husband Mered.
Jered ... Gedor ... Heber ... Soko ... Jekuthiel ... Zanoah
These are the names of men.
1 Chronicles 4:19
Hodiah ... Naham ... Keilah ... Eshtemoa
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 4:20
Shimon ... Amnon ... Rinnah ... Ben-Hanan ... Tilon ... Ishi ... Zoheth ... Ben-Zoheth
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 4:21
Shelah ... Er ... Laadah
These are names of men.
Lekah ... Mareshah ... Beth Ashbea
These are names of towns.
linen workers
people who made clothing out of a fabric made from crushed reeds
1 Chronicles 4:22
Jokim ... Joash ... Saraph
These are names of men.
Kozeba ... Jashubi Lehem
These are names of towns.
1 Chronicles 4:23
the potters
the people who make containers out of clay
Netaim ... Gederah
These are names of towns.
1 Chronicles 4:24
Nemuel ... Jamin ... Jarib ... Zerah ... Shaul
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 4:26
Zakkur his grandson
the son of Mishma's son
great-grandson
the son of Mishma's grandson
1 Chronicles 4:33
outlying villages
the villages that were near but outside the main town
1 Chronicles 4:34
Meshobab ... Jamlech ... Joshah ... Amaziah
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 4:36
Elioenai ... Jaakobah ... Jeshohaiah ... Asaiah ... Adiel ... Jesimiel ... Benaiah
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 4:38
their fathers' houses increased greatly
"the number of people in their families increased greatly"
1 Chronicles 4:39
Gedor
This is the name of a town.
pasture for their flocks
an area of land where their flocks could feed on the grass
1 Chronicles 4:40
Hamites
a people group, descendants of Ham
1 Chronicles 4:41
Hamite tents
Or "homes of the Hamites" or "places where the Hamites lived." The Hamites probably did not still live in tents.
Meunites
"descendants of Meun"
1 Chronicles 4:43
the rest of the escaped remnant of Amalekites
"the rest of the remaining Amalekites who had escaped"
to this day
"from then until now." This refers to the day when the author was writing this account.
Chapter 5
1
The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel—now Reuben was Israel's firstborn, but his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel because Reuben had defiled his father's couch. So he is not recorded in the genealogy as having the birthright.
2
Judah was the strongest of his brothers, and the leader would come from him. But the birthright was Joseph's—
3
the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel were Hanok, Pallu, Hezron, and Karmi.
4
The descendants of Joel were these: Joel's son was Shemaiah. Shemaiah's son was Gog. Gog's son was Shimei.
5
Shimei's son was Micah. Micah's son was Reaiah. Reaiah's son was Baal.
6
Baal's son was Beerah, whom Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria took into exile. Beerah was a leader in the tribe of Reuben.
7
His kinsmen according to their clans, enrolled in the genealogy by their generations: Jeiel the leader, Zechariah,
8
and Bela son of Azaz son of Shema son of Joel. They lived in Aroer, as far as Nebo and Baal Meon,
9
and eastward to the start of the wilderness that extends to the Euphrates River, because their livestock had increased in the land of Gilead.
10
In the days of Saul, the tribe of Reuben attacked the Hagrites and defeated them. They lived in the Hagrites' tents throughout all the land east of Gilead.
11
The members of the tribe of Gad lived near them, in the land of Bashan as far as Salekah.
12
Joel was their leader; Shapham was second; and Janai and Shaphat in Bashan.
13
Their relatives, by their clans, were Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jakan, Zia, and Eber—seven in all.
14
These persons named above were the descendants of Abihail, and Abihail was the son of Huri. Huri was the son of Jaroah. Jaroah was the son of Gilead. Gilead was the son of Michael. Michael was the son of Jeshishai. Jeshishai was the son of Jahdo. Jahdo was the son of Buz.
15
Ahi son of Abdiel son of Guni, was head of their clan.
16
They lived in Gilead, in Bashan, in its towns, and in all the pasturelands of Sharon as far as its borders.
17
All these were listed by genealogical records in the days of Jotham king of Judah and of Jeroboam king of Israel.
18
The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 soldiers skilled in battle, who carried shield and sword and who drew the bow, who could go out to war.
19
They attacked the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab.
20
They received divine help against them. In this way, the Hagrites and all who were with them were defeated. This was because the Israelites cried out to God in the battle, and he responded to them, because they put their trust in him.
21
They captured their animals, including fifty thousand camels, 250,000 sheep, two thousand donkeys, and 100,000 men.
22
Many fell because the battle was from God. They lived in their land until the captivity.
23
The sons of the half tribe of Manasseh lived in the land of Bashan as far as Baal Hermon and Senir (that is, Mount Hermon).
24
These were the heads of their clans: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel. They were mighty warriors, famous men, heads of their fathers' houses.
25
But they were unfaithful to their ancestors' God. They acted like prostitutes with the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them.
26
The God of Israel stirred up Pul king of Assyria (also called Tiglath-Pileser, king of Assyria). He took into exile the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh. He brought them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and to the river of Gozan, where they remain to this day.
1 Chronicles 5:1
but his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel
"but Israel gave Reuben's birthright to the sons of Joseph, another of Israel's sons"
Reuben had defiled his father's couch
This is a polite way to speak about Reuben sleeping with his father's secondary wife. The couch is the place where a man and his wife would have slept together.
he is not recorded in the genealogy as having the birthright
"the family history does not list Reuben as the oldest son"
1 Chronicles 5:7
genealogy
a record that shows how people in a family are related to each other
Jeiel ... Zechariah
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 5:8
Aroer ... Nebo ... Baal Meon
These are the names of cities.
1 Chronicles 5:10
the Hagrites
This is a name of a people group.
lived in the Hagrites' tents
"took over all the Hagrites' land and buildings" or "lived in all the Hagrite territory"
1 Chronicles 5:11
Salekah
This is the name of a city.
1 Chronicles 5:12
Joel ... Shapham ... Janai ... Shaphat
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 5:13
Michael ... Meshullam ... Sheba ... Jorai ... Jakan ... Zia ... Eber
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 5:14
Abihail ... Huri ... Jaroah ... Gilead ... Michael ... Jeshishai ... Jahdo ... Buz
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 5:16
They lived
"The tribe of Gad lived"
the pasturelands
the areas of land where animals feed on grass
1 Chronicles 5:17
All these were listed by genealogical records
"Genealogical records listed them all" or "The records of their family's ancestry listed them all"
1 Chronicles 5:18
Reubenites
This refers to the people from the tribe of Rueben.
Gadites
This refers to the people from the tribe of Gad.
who carried shield and sword and who drew the bow
"who were all trained to fight well in battles"
1 Chronicles 5:19
Hagrites ... Jetur ... Naphish ... Nodab
These are the names of people groups.
1 Chronicles 5:20
the Israelites cried out to God
"the Israelites cried to God for help"
1 Chronicles 5:21
They captured their animals
"The Israelites captured the Hagrites' animals"
1 Chronicles 5:22
the battle was from God
"God helped them"
1 Chronicles 5:23
The sons of the half tribe
"the families of the half tribe" or "the people of the half tribe"
Baal Hermon ... Senir
These are the names of mountains.
1 Chronicles 5:24
Epher ... Ishi ... Eliel ... Azriel ... Jeremiah ... Hodaviah ... Jahdiel
These are the names of men.
fathers' houses
extended families, people related to each other who usually lived in different houses.
1 Chronicles 5:25
They acted like prostitutes with the gods
"they acted like prostitutes by worshiping the gods"
1 Chronicles 5:26
Pul ... Tiglath-Pileser
These are the names of men.
Halah ... Habor ... Hara
These are names of towns.
to this day
See how you translated this phrase in 1 Chronicles 4:43.
Chapter 6
1
The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
2
The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
3
The children of Amram were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
4
Eleazar became the father of Phinehas, and Phinehas became the father of Abishua.
5
Abishua became the father of Bukki, and Bukki became the father of Uzzi.
6
Uzzi became the father of Zerahiah, and Zerahiah became the father of Meraioth.
7
Meraioth became the father of Amariah, and Amariah became the father of Ahitub.
8
Ahitub became the father of Zadok, and Zadok became the father of Ahimaaz.
9
Ahimaaz became the father of Azariah, and Azariah became the father of Johanan.
10
Johanan became the father of Azariah, who served as a priest in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem.
11
Azariah became the father of Amariah, and Amariah became the father of Ahitub.
12
Ahitub became the father of Zadok, and Zadok became the father of Shallum.
13
Shallum became the father of Hilkiah, and Hilkiah became the father of Azariah.
14
Azariah became the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah became the father of Jozadak.
15
Jozadak went into captivity when Yahweh exiled Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.
16
The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
17
The sons of Gershon were named Libni and Shimei.
18
The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
19
The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites listed according to their fathers.
20
The descendants of Gershon: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,
21
Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, and Jeatherai his son.
22
The descendants of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,
23
Elkanah his son, Ebiasaph his son, Assir his son,
24
Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son.
25
The descendants of Elkanah were Amasai, Ahimoth,
26
Elkanah his son, Zophai his son, Nahath his son,
27
Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, and Elkanah his son.
28
The sons of Samuel were the firstborn, Joel, and Abijah, the second-born.
29
The descendants of Merari were Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son,
30
Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, and Asaiah his son.
31
These are the names of the men whom David put in charge of music in the house of Yahweh, after the ark came to rest there.
32
They served by singing before the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, until Solomon had built the house of Yahweh in Jerusalem. They fulfilled their duties according to the instructions given to them.
33
These were those who served with their sons. From the clans of the Kohathites came Heman the musician. Here were his ancestors, going back in time: Heman was the son of Joel. Joel was the son of Samuel.
34
Samuel was the son of Elkanah. Elkanah was the son of Jeroham. Jeroham was the son of Eliel. Eliel was the son of Toah.
35
Toah was the son of Zuph. Zuph was the son of Elkanah. Elkanah was the son of Mahath. Mahath was the son of Amasai. Amasai was son of Elkanah.
36
Amasai was the son of Elkanah. Elkanah was the son of Joel. Joel was the son of Azariah. Azariah was the son of Zephaniah.
37
Zephaniah was the son of Tahath. Tahath was the son of Assir. Assir was the son of Ebiasaph. Ebiasaph was the son of Korah.
38
Korah was the son of Izhar. Izhar was the son of Kohath. Kohath was the son of Levi. Levi was the son of Israel.
39
Heman's fellow worker was Asaph, who stood at his right hand. Asaph was the son of Berekiah. Berekiah was the son of Shimea.
40
Shimea was the son of Michael. Michael was the son of Baaseiah. Baaseiah was the son of Malkijah.
41
Malkijah was the son of Ethni. Ethni was the son of Zerah. Zerah was the son of Adaiah.
42
Adaiah was the son of Ethan. Ethan was the son of Zimmah. Zimmah was the son of Shimei.
43
Shimei was the son of Jahath. Jahath was the son of Gershon. Gershon was the son of Levi.
44
At Heman's left hand were his fellow workers the sons of Merari. They included Ethan son of Kishi. Kishi was the son of Abdi. Abdi was the son of Malluk.
45
Malluk was the son of Hashabiah. Hashabiah was the son of Amaziah. Amaziah was the son of Hilkiah.
46
Hilkiah was the son of Amzi. Amzi was the son of Bani. Bani was the son of Shemer.
47
Shemer was the son of Mahli. Mahli was the son of Mushi. Mushi was the son of Merari. Merari was the son of Levi.
48
Their associates, the Levites, were assigned to do all the labor for the tabernacle, the house of God.
49
But Aaron and his descendants made the offerings on the altar for burnt offerings; and the offering on the incense altar for all the work on the most holy place. These offerings made atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
50
Aaron's descendants are reckoned as follows: Aaron's son was Eleazar. Eleazar's son was Phinehas. Phinehas' son was Abishua.
51
Abishua's son was Bukki. Bukki's son was Uzzi. Uzzi's son was Zerahiah.
52
Zerahiah's son was Meraioth. Meraioth's son was Amariah. Amariah's son was Ahitub.
53
Ahitub's son was Zadok. Zadok's son was Ahimaaz.
54
These are the locations where Aaron's descendants were assigned to live, that is, for the descendants of Aaron who were from the clans of the Kohathites (the first lot was theirs).
55
To them they gave Hebron in the land of Judah and its pasturelands,
56
but the fields of the city and its villages they gave to Caleb son of Jephunneh.
57
To the descendants of Aaron they gave: Hebron (a city of refuge), and Libnah with its pasturelands, Jattir, Eshtemoa with its pasturelands,
58
Hilen with its pasturelands, and Debir with its pasturelands.
59
They also gave to the descendants of Aaron: Ashan with its pasturelands, Juttah,
and Beth Shemesh with its pasturelands;
60
and from the tribe of Benjamin, Geba with its pasturelands, Alemeth with its pasturelands, and Anathoth with its pasturelands.
All their cities throughout their clans were thirteen cities.
61
To the rest of Kohath's descendants were given by lot ten cities from the half tribe of Manasseh.
62
To Gershon's descendants in their various clans were given thirteen cities from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the half tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.
63
To Merari's descendants they gave by lot twelve cities, clan by clan, from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.
64
So the people of Israel gave these cities with their pasturelands to the Levites.
65
They assigned by lot these towns mentioned by name from the tribes of the sons of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.
66
Some of the clans of the descendants of Kohath were given cities from the territory of the tribe of Ephraim.
67
They gave them: Shechem (a city of refuge) with its pasturelands in the hill country of Ephraim, Gezer with its pasturelands,
68
Jokmeam with its pasturelands, Beth Horon with its pasturelands,
69
Aijalon with its pasturelands, and Gath Rimmon with its pasturelands.
70
The half tribe of Manasseh gave the Kohathites Aner with its pasturelands and Bileam with its pasturelands. These became the possessions of the rest of the Kohathite clans.
71
To Gershon's descendants out of the clans of the half tribe of Manasseh, they gave Golan in Bashan with its pasturelands and Ashtaroth with its pasturelands.
72
The tribe of Issachar gave to Gershon's descendants Kedesh with its pasturelands, Daberath with its pasturelands,
73
Ramoth with its pasturelands, and Anem with its pasturelands.
74
Issachar received from the tribe of Asher: Mashal with its pasturelands, Abdon with its pasturelands,
75
Hukok with its pasturelands, and Rehob with its pasturelands.
76
They received from the tribe of Naphtali: Kedesh in Galilee with its pasturelands, Hammon with its pasturelands, and Kiriathaim with its pasturelands.
77
The rest of Merari's descendants received from the tribe of Zebulun: Jokneam, Kartah,
and Rimmono with its pasturelands and Tabor with its pasturelands;
78
and from the tribe of Reuben, across the Jordan on the east side of Jericho, they received Bezer in the desert, Jahzah,
79
Kedemoth and its pasturelands, and Mephaath and its pasturelands.
80
The Levites received from the tribe of Gad: Ramoth in Gilead with its pasturelands, Mahanaim with its pasturelands,
81
Heshbon with its pasturelands, and Jazer with its pasturelands.
1 Chronicles 6:10
Solomon built
The reader should understand that Solomon probably hired workers to do the work.
1 Chronicles 6:15
exiled Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar
"allowed Nebuchadnezzar's army to defeat the armies of Judah and Jerusalem and take the people into captivity"
1 Chronicles 6:16
Gershon ... Kohath ... Merari
Translate the names of these men as in 1 Chronicles 6:1.
1 Chronicles 6:18
Amram ... Izhar ... Hebron ... Uzziel
Translate the names of these men as in 1 Chronicles 6:2.
1 Chronicles 6:20
Libni ... Jahath ... Zimmah
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 6:25
Elkanah ... Amasai ... Ahimoth
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 6:28
second-born
the second son
1 Chronicles 6:31
the house of Yahweh
"where people met with Yahweh" This was a tent in David's time.
the ark came to rest there
"the people of Israel placed the ark there"
1 Chronicles 6:32
the tabernacle, the tent of meeting
Possible meanings are 1) that "the tent of meeting" and "the tabernacle" are two names for the same thing or 2) the tabernacle is part of the tent of meeting, "the sanctuary of the tent of meeting"
They fulfilled their duties
"They did their work" or "They did their various kinds of work"
according to the instructions given to them
"according to the instructions that David gave them" or "according to the instructions they received"
1 Chronicles 6:33
These were those
"These were the musicians"
Kohathites
This is the name of a people group, the descendants of Kohath
going back in time
This means the list is going in order from the most recent to the oldest.
1 Chronicles 6:34
Elkanah
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 6:25.
1 Chronicles 6:35
Elkanah ... Amasai
See how you translated these men's names in 1 Chronicles 6:25.
1 Chronicles 6:36
Amasai ... Elkanah
See how you translated these men's names in 1 Chronicles 6:25.
1 Chronicles 6:39
who stood at his right hand
The authority of a person is described by where they stand. The right side of a person is the place where the person with the most authority stands.
1 Chronicles 6:44
At Heman's left hand
"Standing on Heman's left side"
Heman ... Ethan
See how you translated these men's names in 1 Chronicles 2:6.
Merari
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 6:1.
1 Chronicles 6:48
Their associates, the Levites, were assigned to do
"God had assigned their associates, the Levites, to do" or "It was the duty of their fellow workers, the Levites, to do"
1 Chronicles 6:49
These offerings made atonement for Israel
"They offered these things to make atonement for the sins of the people of Israel"
1 Chronicles 6:50
Aaron's descendants are reckoned as follows
"These were the descendants of Aaron"
1 Chronicles 6:54
These are the locations where Aaron's descendants were assigned to live
"These are the places where God assigned Aaron's descendants to live"
for the descendants of Aaron ... Kohathites
"where the descendants of Aaron ... Kohathites were to live"
Kohathites
This is the name of a people group, the descendants of Kohath. See how you translated this in 1 Chronicles 6:33.
1 Chronicles 6:55
To them they gave Hebron
"They gave Hebron to the Kohathites"
1 Chronicles 6:57
Hebron ... Libnah ... Jattir ... Eshtemoa
These are names of places.
1 Chronicles 6:58
Hilen ... Debir
These are names of places.
1 Chronicles 6:59
Ashan ... Juttah ... Beth Shemesh
These are names of towns.
1 Chronicles 6:60
Geba ... Alemeth ... Anathoth
These are names of towns.
1 Chronicles 6:63
Merari
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 6:1.
1 Chronicles 6:65
these towns mentioned by name
The towns mentioned in 1 Chronicles 6:55 and 1 Chronicles 6:60.
1 Chronicles 6:67
Shechem ... Gezer
These are names of towns.
1 Chronicles 6:68
Jokmeam ... Beth Horon
These are names of towns.
1 Chronicles 6:69
Aijalon ... Gath Rimmon
These are names of towns.
1 Chronicles 6:70
Aner ... Bileam
These are names of towns.
1 Chronicles 6:71
Gershon
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 6:1.
Golan ... Ashtaroth
These are names of towns.
1 Chronicles 6:72
Kedesh ... Daberath
These are names of towns.
1 Chronicles 6:73
Ramoth ... Anem
These are names of towns.
1 Chronicles 6:74
Issachar received from the tribe of Asher
"The tribe of Asher gave Issachar"
Mashal ... Abdon
These are names of towns.
1 Chronicles 6:75
Hukok ... Rehob
These are names of towns.
1 Chronicles 6:76
They received from the tribe of Naphtali
"The tribe of Naphtali gave them"
Kedesh ... Hammon ... Kiriathaim
These are names of towns.
1 Chronicles 6:77
The rest ... descendants received from the tribe of Zebulun
"The tribe of Zebulun gave the rest ... descendants"
Merari's
Translate "Merari" as in 1 Chronicles 6:1.
Jokneam ... Kartah ... Rimmono ... Tabor
These are names of towns.
1 Chronicles 6:78
from the tribe of Reuben, across ... Jericho, they received
"the tribe of Reuben, across ... Jericho, gave them"
Bezer ... Jahzah
These are names of towns.
1 Chronicles 6:79
Kedemoth ... Mephaath
These are names of towns.
1 Chronicles 6:80
The Levites received from the tribe of Gad
"The tribe of Gad gave the Levites"
Ramoth ... Mahanaim
These are names of towns.
1 Chronicles 6:81
Heshbon ... Jazer
These are names of towns.
Chapter 7
1
Issachar's four sons were Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron.
2
The sons of Tola were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Samuel. They were the heads of their clans, from the descendants of Tola and they were listed as mighty warriors among their generations. They numbered 22,600 in the days of David.
3
Uzzi's son was Izrahiah. His sons were Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Ishiah; all five of them were clan leaders.
4
Along with them, according to the genealogical records of their clans, they had thirty-six thousand troops of the army for battle, for they had many wives and sons.
5
Their relatives from all the clans of Issachar numbered in all eighty-seven thousand mighty warriors, as listed in their genealogy.
6
Benjamin's three sons were Bela, Beker, and Jediael.
7
Bela's sons were Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri, five heads of clans and mighty warriors. There were 22,034 of them recorded in their genealogy.
8
Beker's sons were Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these were his sons.
9
Recorded in their genealogy, according to their generations, were 20,200 heads of their clans, mighty warriors.
10
The son of Jediael was Bilhan. Bilhan's sons were Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Kenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar.
11
All these were sons of Jediael. Listed in their clan lists were 17,200 heads of houses and mighty warriors fit for military service.
12
The Shuppites and the Huppites were descendants of Ir, and the Hushites were descendants of Aher.
13
The sons of Naphtali were Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem—the descendants of Bilhah.
14
The descendants of Manasseh were Asriel, who was his descendant through his Aramean concubine. (She gave birth to Makir, the father of Gilead.
15
Then Makir took a wife from the Huppites and Shuppites, and his sister's name was Maakah.) The name of the second was Zelophehad, who had only daughters.
16
Then Maakah, wife of Makir, bore a son and she called him Peresh, and his brother's name was Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rakem.
17
The son of Ulam was Bedan. These were the descendants of Gilead, who was the son of Makir, who was the son of Manasseh.
18
Gilead's sister Hammoleketh gave birth to Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah.
19
The sons of Shemida were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam.
20
The descendants of Ephraim were Shuthelah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eleadah his son, Tahath his son,
21
Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son. Ezer and Elead were killed by men of Gath, natives in the land, when they went to steal their livestock.
22
Ephraim their father mourned for them many days, and his brothers came to comfort him.
23
He went to his wife. She conceived and bore a son. Ephraim named him Beriah, because tragedy had come to his family.
24
His daughter was Sheerah, who built Lower and Upper Beth Horon and Uzzen Sheerah.
25
Rephah was his son, Resheph his son, Telah his son, Tahan his son,
26
Ladan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son,
27
Nun his son, and Joshua was his son.
28
Their possessions and residences were Bethel and its surrounding villages. They extended eastward to Naaran and westward to Gezer and its villages, and to Shechem and its villages to Ayyah and its villages.
29
On the border with Manasseh were Beth Shan and its villages, Taanach and its villages, Megiddo and its villages, and Dor and its villages. In these towns the descendants of Joseph son of Israel lived.
30
Asher's sons were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah. Serah was their sister.
31
Beriah's sons were Heber and Malkiel, who was the father of Birzaith.
32
Heber's sons were Japhlet, Shomer, and Hotham. Shua was their sister.
33
Japhlet's sons were Pasak, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These were Japhlet's children.
34
Shomer, Japhlet's brother, had these sons: Rohgah, Hubbah, and Aram.
35
Shemer's brother, Helem, had these sons: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal.
36
Zophah's sons were Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah,
37
Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Beera.
38
Jether's sons were Jephunneh, Pispah, and Ara.
39
Ulla's sons were Arah, Hanniel, and Rizia.
40
All these were descendants of Asher. They were heads of clans, distinguished men, mighty warriors, and chief among the leaders. There were twenty-six thousand men listed who were fit for military service recorded in their genealogy.
1 Chronicles 7:2
in the days of David
"during David's life" or "while David was alive"
1 Chronicles 7:4
Along with them ... they had
Another possible meaning is "Among them ... were."
1 Chronicles 7:12
Ir ... Aher
These are names of men.
Shuppites ... Huppites ... Hushites
These are names of clans of people.
1 Chronicles 7:13
Bilhah
This is the name of a woman.
1 Chronicles 7:14
Asriel
This is the name of a man.
descendant through his Aramean concubine
"descendant, to whom his Aramean concubine gave birth"
Makir ... Gilead
These are names of men. See how you translated "Makir, father of Gilead" in 1 Chronicles 2:21.
1 Chronicles 7:15
Makir ... Zelophehad
These are names of men.
Maakah
This is the name of a woman.
1 Chronicles 7:16
Maakah, wife of Makir
This woman is different from Makir's sister Maakah 1 Chronicles 7:15.
1 Chronicles 7:21
they went to steal their livestock
"the brothers went to steal the livestock from the people of Gath"
1 Chronicles 7:23
He went to his wife
This is a polite way of saying that he had sexual relations with his wife.
She conceived and bore a son
"She became pregnant and gave birth to a son"
1 Chronicles 7:28
Their possessions and residences were Bethel ... villages
"They possessed and resided in Bethel ... villages" or "They owned and lived in Bethel ... villages"
1 Chronicles 7:40
Asher
This is the name of a man.
distinguished men
"important men"
There were twenty-six thousand men listed who were fit for military service recorded in their genealogy
"According to the clan records, there were twenty-six thousand men who were able to serve in the military"
Chapter 8
1
Benjamin's five sons were Bela his firstborn, Ashbel, Aharah,
2
Nohah, and Rapha.
3
Bela's sons were Addar, Gera, Abihud,
4
Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah,
5
Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram.
6
These were the descendants of Ehud who were heads of fathers' houses for the inhabitants of Geba, who were compelled to move to Manahath:
7
Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera. The last, Gera, led them in their move. He was the father of Uzza and Ahihud.
8
Shaharaim became the father of children in the land of Moab, after he had divorced his wives Hushim and Baara.
9
By his wife Hodesh, Shaharaim became the father of Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malkam,
10
Jeuz, Sakia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of fathers' houses.
11
He had already become the father of Abitub and Elpaal by Hushim.
12
Elpaal's sons were Eber, Misham, and Shemed (who built Ono and Lod with its surrounding villages).
13
There were also Beriah and Shema. They were heads of the fathers' houses of those living in Aijalon, who drove out the inhabitants of Gath.
14
Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth,
15
Zebadiah, Arad, Eder,
16
Michael, Ishpah, and Joha were the sons of Beriah.
17
Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber,
18
Ishmerai, Izliah, and Jobab were the sons of Elpaal.
19
Jakim, Zikri, Zabdi,
20
Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel,
21
Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei.
22
Ishpan, Eber, Eliel,
23
Abdon, Zikri, Hanan,
24
Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah,
25
Iphdeiah, and Penuel were the sons of Shashak.
26
Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah,
27
Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zikri were the sons of Jeroham.
28
These were heads of clans—according to the genealogical records they were heads. These were the chief men who dwelled in Jerusalem.
29
The father of Gibeon, Jeiel, whose wife's name was Maakah, lived in Gibeon.
30
His firstborn son was Abdon, followed by Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab,
31
Gedor, Ahio, and Zeker.
32
Another of Jeiel's sons was Mikloth, who became the father of Shimeah. They also lived near their relatives in Jerusalem.
33
Ner was the father of Kish. Kish was the father of Saul. Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal.
34
The son of Jonathan was Merib-Baal. Merib-Baal was the father of Micah.
35
The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melek, Tarea, and Ahaz.
36
Ahaz became the father of Jehoaddah. Jehoaddah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri was the father of Moza.
37
Moza was the father of Binea. Binea was the father of Raphah. Raphah was the father of Eleasah. Eleasah was the father of Azel.
38
Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were sons of Azel.
39
The sons of Eshek, his brother, were Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
40
Ulam's sons were mighty warriors and archers. They had many sons and grandsons, a total of 150. All these belonged to the descendants of Benjamin.
1 Chronicles 8:6
Ehud
This is the name of a man.
fathers' houses
extended families, people related to each other who usually lived in different houses, also called "clans"
Geba ... Manahath
These are names of towns.
were compelled to move
"needed to move" or "had to move"
1 Chronicles 8:9
By his wife Hodesh, Shaharaim became the father of
"Shaharaim and his wife Hodesh had the following sons:"
1 Chronicles 8:11
Hushim
This is the name of a woman.
1 Chronicles 8:13
Beriah ... Shema
These are names of men.
Aijalon ... Gath
These are names of places.
1 Chronicles 8:29
The father of Gibeon, Jeiel, whose wife's name was Maakah, lived in Gibeon
"Jeiel, the leader of Gibeon, lived in Gibeon. His wife's name was Maakah"
Gibeon
This is the name of a town.
1 Chronicles 8:30
His firstborn
"Jeiel's first son"
1 Chronicles 8:32
Jeiel ... Mikloth ... Shimeah
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 8:39
Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third
"Jeush, who was born after Ulam, and Eliphelet, who was born after Jeush"
1 Chronicles 8:40
many sons and grandsons, a total of 150
"a total of one hundred fifty sons and grandsons"
Chapter 9
1
So all Israel was recorded in genealogies. They were recorded in the book of the kings of Israel. As for Judah, they were carried away in exile to Babylon because of their faithlessness.
2
The first to resettle in their possessions, in their cities, were some Israelites, priests, Levites, and temple servants.
3
Some descendants of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh lived in Jerusalem.
4
The settlers included Uthai son of Ammihud son of Omri son of Imri son of Bani, one of the descendants of Perez son of Judah.
5
Among the Shelanites were Asaiah the firstborn and his sons.
6
Among the descendants of Zerah was Jeuel. Their relatives numbered 690.
7
Among the descendants of Benjamin was Sallu son of Meshullam son of Hodaviah son of Hassenuah.
8
There were also Ibneiah son of Jeroham; Elah son of Uzzi son of Mikri; and Meshullam son of Shephatiah son of Reuel son of Ibnijah.
9
Their kinsmen, according to the genealogical records, numbered 956. All these men were heads of fathers' houses for their fathers' houses.
10
The priests were Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, and Jakin.
11
There was also Azariah son of Hilkiah son of Meshullam son of Zadok son of Meraioth son of Ahitub, the one in charge of the house of God.
12
There was Adaiah son of Jeroham son of Pashhur son of Malkijah. There was also Maasai son of Adiel son of Jahzerah son of Meshullam son of Meshillemith son of Immer.
13
Their relatives, who were leaders of their clans, numbered 1,760. They were very capable men for the work of service in the house of God.
14
Among the Levites, there was Shemaiah son of Hasshub son of Azrikam son of Hashabiah, among the descendants of Merari.
15
There were also Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah son of Mika son of Zikri son of Asaph.
16
There were also Obadiah son of Shemaiah son of Galal son of Jeduthun; and Berekiah son of Asa son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.
17
The doorkeepers were Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their relatives. Shallum was their leader.
18
Previously they stood guard at the king's gate on the east side for the camp of Levi's descendants.
19
Shallum son of Kore son of Ebiasaph,
son of Korah, and his relatives from his clan, the Korahites, were in charge of the work of the guard service. They guarded the door to the tent, as their ancestors had guarded the camp of Yahweh, and they also had guarded the entrance.
20
Phinehas son of Eleazar had been in charge of them in the past, and Yahweh had been with him.
21
Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was guard of the entrance to the tent of meeting.
22
All those who were chosen as gatekeepers at the entrances numbered 212. Their names were recorded in the people's genealogies in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to their positions of trust.
23
So they and their descendants were assigned to guard the gates of the house of Yahweh, that is called the house of the tabernacle.
24
The gatekeepers were posted on all four sides, toward the east, west, north, and south.
25
Their brothers, who lived in their villages, came in for seven-day rotations, in turn.
26
But the four leaders of the gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the rooms and with the storerooms in the house of God.
27
They would stay overnight in their posts all around the house of God, for they were responsible for guarding it. They would open it each morning.
28
Some of them were in charge of the temple's equipment; they counted the articles when they were brought in and when they were taken out.
29
Some of them also were assigned to take care of the holy things, the equipment, and the supplies, including the fine flour, the wine, the oil, the frankincense, and the spices.
30
Some of the priests' sons mixed the spices.
31
Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, was in charge of preparing bread for the offerings.
32
Some of their brothers, descendants of the Kohathites, were in charge of the bread of the presence, to prepare it every Sabbath.
33
The singers and heads of the Levites' clans lived in rooms at the sanctuary when they were free from work, because they had to carry out their assigned tasks day and night.
34
These were leaders of the clans of the Levites, according to the genealogical records, chief men. They lived in Jerusalem.
35
The father of Gibeon, Jeiel, whose wife's name was Maakah, lived in Gibeon.
36
His firstborn son was Abdon, then his sons Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab,
37
Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth.
38
Mikloth was the father of Shimeam. They also lived near their brothers in Jerusalem.
39
Ner was the father of Kish. Kish was the father of Saul. Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal.
40
The son of Jonathan was Merib-Baal. Merib-Baal was the father of Micah.
41
The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melek, Tahrea, and Ahaz.
42
Ahaz was the father of Jadah. Jadah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri was the father of Moza.
43
Moza became the father of Binea; and Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son.
44
Azel had six sons, and their names were Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. These were Azel's sons.
1 Chronicles 9:1
all Israel was recorded in genealogies
"The Israelites recorded all of themselves in genealogies"
genealogies
family records that name ancestors and descendants
They were recorded in the book ... Israel
"They wrote the names in the book ... Israel"
the book of the kings of Israel
This refers to a book that no longer exists.
they were carried away in exile
"The Babylonians carried them away in exile"
1 Chronicles 9:5
Shelanites
This is the name of a people group descended from Shelah.
Asaiah
This is the name of a man.
1 Chronicles 9:6
Zerah ... Jeuel
These are names of men.
numbered 690
"numbered six hundred ninety people"
1 Chronicles 9:9
heads of fathers' houses for their fathers' houses
"leaders of their extended families." Extended families are people related to each other who usually live in different houses, or "clans."
1 Chronicles 9:11
the house of God
the second temple, which the people built after they returned from Babylon
1 Chronicles 9:13
numbered 1,760
"numbered one thousand and sixty priests" or "numbered seventeen hundred and sixty priests"
1 Chronicles 9:14
among the descendants
"one of the descendants"
1 Chronicles 9:16
General Information:
All of the names here except "Netophathites" are the names of men. The Netophathites were a people group.
1 Chronicles 9:17
The doorkeepers were
"The guards were" or "The gatekeepers were"
Shallum ... Akkub ... Talmon ... Ahiman
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 9:18
they stood guard at the king's gate on the east side for the camp of Levi's descendants
"Levi's descendants guarded the king's gate on the east side of their camp"
1 Chronicles 9:19
Korahites
descendants of Korah
the door to the tent ... the entrance
These phrases both refer to the entrance of the tent of meeting, or the tabernacle.
the tent
This is the second temple, which the people built after they returned from Babylon.
1 Chronicles 9:20
in charge of them
"in charge of the Korahites"
1 Chronicles 9:22
numbered 212
"numbered two hundred and twelve"
Their names were recorded in the people's genealogies in their villages
"The records in peoples' villages included the names of these men"
1 Chronicles 9:24
gatekeepers were posted
"men guarded the entrances"
1 Chronicles 9:25
Their brothers
"The guards' brothers"
came in for seven-day rotations, in turn
"would come to help for 7-day periods, taking turns"
1 Chronicles 9:26
entrusted with
"entrusted to guard"
1 Chronicles 9:28
Some of them
"Some of the guards"
they counted the articles when they were brought in and when they were taken out
"they counted the articles that people took out to use, and they counted the articles when people brought them back"
1 Chronicles 9:29
Some of them also were assigned to take care of
"The leaders also assigned some of them to take care of" or "Some of them also took care of"
1 Chronicles 9:31
Mattithiah ... Shallum
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 9:33
they were free from work
"they did not have to do other work"
carry out their assigned tasks
"complete the tasks they needed to do"
day and night
This means "at all times" and can be translated using a phrase or word from your language or culture that gives the same meaning.
1 Chronicles 9:35
Gibeon ... Gibeon
"the man Gibeon ... the town of Gibeon"
1 Chronicles 9:43
Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son
Possible meanings are 1) Rephaiah was Bineah's son, Eleasah was Rephaiah's son, and Azel was Eleasah's son, or 2) Rephaiah, Eleasah, and Azel were all sons of Moza.
Chapter 10
1
Now the Philistines fought against Israel. Every man of Israel fled from before the Philistines and fell down dead on Mount Gilboa.
2
The Philistines closely pursued Saul and his son. The Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malki-Shua, his sons.
3
The battle went heavily against Saul, and the archers overtook him, and they wounded him.
4
Then said Saul to his armor bearer, "Draw your sword and thrust me through with it. Otherwise, these uncircumcised will come and abuse me." But his armor bearer would not, for he was very afraid. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.
5
When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell on his sword in the same way and died.
6
So Saul died, and his three sons, so all his household members died together.
7
When all the men of Israel in the valley saw that they had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled. Then the Philistines came and lived in them.
8
It came about on the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, that they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.
9
They stripped him and took his head and his armor. They sent messengers throughout Philistia to carry the news to their idols and to the people.
10
They put his armor in the temple of their gods, and fastened his skull to the temple of Dagon.
11
When all Jabesh Gilead heard of all that the Philistines had done to Saul,
12
all the fighting men went and took away the body of Saul and those of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh. They buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh and fasted seven days.
13
So Saul died for the faithless act with which he acted faithlessly against Yahweh. He did not obey Yahweh's instructions, but asked for advice from someone who talked with the dead.
14
He did not seek guidance from Yahweh, so Yahweh killed him and turned over the kingdom to David son of Jesse.
1 Chronicles 10:1
Every man of Israel fled from before the Philistines and fell down dead on Mount Gilboa
"The whole army of Israel ran away from the Philistines"
Every man of Israel ... fell down dead
"Every man of Israel ... most of them died"
1 Chronicles 10:2
Abinadab ... Malki-Shua
See how you translated these men's names in 1 Chronicles 8:33.
1 Chronicles 10:4
thrust me through with it
"kill me with it"
these uncircumcised will come
"these people who are uncircumcised will come" or "these uncircumcised people will come"
these uncircumcised
"these people who do not belong to Yahweh" or "these heathen Philistines"
fell on it
"killed himself with it"
1 Chronicles 10:6
and his three sons
"and his 3 sons died"
1 Chronicles 10:7
When all the men of Israel
"When the men of Israel"
they had fled
"the Israelite soldiers had fled"
1 Chronicles 10:8
It came about
This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
to strip the dead
"to take everything of value off of the dead bodies"
Saul and his sons fallen
"Saul and his sons dead"
1 Chronicles 10:9
They stripped him
"The Philistines removed everything from Saul's body"
to carry the news to their idols and to the people
They told the people what had happened and praised their idols in prayer.
1 Chronicles 10:10
They put his armor
"The Philistines put Saul's armor"
Dagon
This is the name of a false god.
1 Chronicles 10:11
When all Jabesh Gilead heard of all that the Philistines
"When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard what the soldiers of the Philistine army"
Jabesh Gilead
This is the name of a town in the region of Gilead.
1 Chronicles 10:12
their bones
"their bodies"
1 Chronicles 10:14
did not seek guidance from Yahweh
"did not ask Yahweh to guide him"
turned over the kingdom to David son of Jesse
"made David, son of Jesse, king"
Chapter 11
1
Then all Israel gathered together with David at Hebron and said, "Look, we are your flesh and bone.
2
In the recent past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led the Israelite army. Yahweh your God said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become a ruler over my people Israel.'"
3
So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them before Yahweh. They anointed David king over Israel. In this way, the word of Yahweh that had been declared by Samuel came true.
4
David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus). Now the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there.
5
The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, "You will not come in here." But David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David.
6
David had said, "Whoever attacks the Jebusites first will become chief and commander." So Joab son of Zeruiah attacked first, so he was made the chief.
7
Then David began to live in the stronghold. So they called it the city of David.
8
He built the city all around from the Millo and back to the surrounding wall. Joab restored the rest of the city.
9
David became greater and greater because Yahweh of hosts was with him.
10
These were the leaders David had, who showed themselves strong with him in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, obeying the word of Yahweh concerning Israel.
11
This is a list of David's mighty men: Jashobeam, the son of a Hakmonite, was commander of the officers.
He killed three hundred men with his spear on one occasion.
12
After him was Eleazar son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men.
13
He was with David at Pas Dammim, and there the Philistines assembled together for battle, where there was a barley field and the army fled from the Philistines.
14
They stood in the middle of the field. They defended it and cut down the Philistines and Yahweh rescued them with a great victory.
15
Then three of the thirty leaders went down to the rock to David, to the cave of Adullam. The army of the Philistines was camped in the Valley of Rephaim.
16
At that time David was in his stronghold, a cave, while the Philistines had established their camp at Bethlehem.
17
David was longing for water and said, "If only someone would give me water to drink from the well at Bethlehem, the well that is by the gate!"
18
So these three mighty men broke through the army of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, the well at the gate. They took the water and brought it to David, but he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out to Yahweh.
19
Then he said, "Far be it for me before God that I should ever do this! Should I drink the blood of these men who have risked their lives?" Because they had put their lives at risk, David refused to drink it. These were the deeds of the three mighty men.
20
Abishai brother of Joab was captain over the Three. He once used his spear against three hundred and killed them. He had a name along with the Three.
21
Of the Three, he was given double honor and became their captain, even though he was not one of them.
22
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a brave warrior from Kabzeel, who did great deeds. He killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down into a pit and killed a lion on a day when the snow was falling.
23
He even killed an Egyptian, a man five cubits tall. The Egyptian had a spear like a weaver's beam, but he went down to him with only a staff. He seized the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear.
24
Benaiah son of Jehoiada did these feats, and he was named alongside the three mighty men.
25
He was more highly regarded than the thirty soldiers in general, but he was not regarded quite as highly as the three mighty men. Yet David put him in charge of his bodyguard.
26
The mighty warriors were Asahel brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
27
Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,
28
Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite,
29
Sibbekai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,
30
Maharai the Netophathite, Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite,
31
Ithai son of Ribai of Gibeah of Benjamin's descendants, Benaiah the Pirathonite,
32
Hurai of the valleys of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
33
Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
34
the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan son of Shagee the Hararite,
35
Ahiam son of Sakar the Hararite, Eliphal son of Ur,
36
Hepher the Mekerathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,
37
Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai son of Ezbai,
38
Joel brother of Nathan, Mibhar son of Hagri,
39
Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite (the armor bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah),
40
Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
41
Uriah the Hittite, Zabad son of Ahlai,
42
Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite (a chief of the Reubenites) and thirty with him,
43
Hanan son of Maakah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite,
44
Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel sons of Hotham the Aroerite,
45
Jediael son of Shimri, Joha (his brother the Tizite),
46
Eliel the Mahavite, Jeribai and Joshaviah sons of Elnaam, Ithmah the Moabite,
47
Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.
1 Chronicles 11:1
all Israel gathered together with David
"people from throughout Israel came to be with David" or "people from every tribe in Israel came to be with David"
we are your flesh and bone
"we are your relatives" or "we have the same ancestors as you"
1 Chronicles 11:2
In the recent past
This is historical information. Saul had been their king before David.
You will shepherd my people Israel
"'You will care for my people Israel" or "You will lead my people Israel"
1 Chronicles 11:3
They anointed David king over Israel
To "anoint" is a symbolic act to show that they recognized that God had chosen David as king.
the word of Yahweh that had been declared by Samuel
"the word of Yahweh that Samuel had declared"
1 Chronicles 11:5
David took the stronghold of Zion
"David captured the stronghold of Zion" or "David and the Israelite army captured the stronghold of Zion"
the stronghold of Zion ... the city of David
Both of these names refer to Jerusalem.
1 Chronicles 11:6
Zeruiah
This is the name of a man.
so he was made the chief
"so David made Joab the chief"
1 Chronicles 11:8
He built the city all around ... Joab restored the rest of the city
The word "he" refers to David. The reader should understand that David and Joab were probably in charge of other men who made the fortifications.
the Millo
This likely refers to a terraced structure that consisted of retaining walls with dirt filled in behind them.
1 Chronicles 11:10
These were the leaders David had
"These were the leaders of David's warriors"
who showed themselves strong with him in his kingdom ... to make him king
"who strongly supported David's kingdom ... to make him king"
1 Chronicles 11:11
a Hakmonite
This refers to a person from the clan descended from a man named Hakmon.
on one occasion
"in one battle"
1 Chronicles 11:12
After him
"After Jashobeam"
the Ahohite
The "Ahohites" is the name of a people group.
1 Chronicles 11:13
Pas Dammim
This is the name of a place.
1 Chronicles 11:14
They stood in the middle of the field
"David and Eleazar stood in the middle of the field"
cut down the Philistines
"killed the Philistines"
1 Chronicles 11:15
the cave of Adullam
"the cave near the town of Adullam." Adullam is near Bethlehem.
the Valley of Rephaim
This is the name of a place.
1 Chronicles 11:17
the well at Bethlehem, the well that is by the gate
These two phrases refer to the same well. The second specifies which well in Bethlehem.
1 Chronicles 11:18
broke through the army of the Philistines
"fought their way through the army of the Philistines"
he poured it out to Yahweh
This means that he poured out the water as an offering to Yahweh.
1 Chronicles 11:19
Should I drink the blood of these men who have risked their lives?
"I should not drink this water, which would be like drinking the blood of these men who have risked their lives to bring it to me."
1 Chronicles 11:20
Abishai
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 2:16.
captain over the Three
This means Abishai was the leader of the three men who went and got water for David.
He had a name along with the Three
"People honored him the same way they honored the Three"
1 Chronicles 11:21
Of the Three, he was given double honor and became
"People gave him twice as much honor as they gave the Three and he became" or 2) the Three honored him more than they honored others. Alternate translation: "The Three honored him more than they honored others and he became"
1 Chronicles 11:22
Kabzeel
This is the name of a city.
1 Chronicles 11:23
five cubits
"2.3 meters"
he went down to him
"he attacked him"
1 Chronicles 11:25
his bodyguard
the group of people responsible for protecting David
Chapter 12
1
These were the men who came to David to Ziklag, while he was still banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish. They were among the soldiers, his helpers in battle.
2
They were armed with bows and could use both the right hand and the left in slinging stones and in shooting arrows from the bow. They were Benjamites, Saul's kinsmen.
3
The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, both sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite. There were Jeziel and Pelet, sons of Azmaveth. There were also Berakah, Jehu the Anathothite,
4
Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a soldier among the thirty (and in command of the thirty); Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad the Gederathite,
5
Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, Shephatiah the Haruphite,
6
the Korahites Elkanah, Ishiah, Azarel, Joezer, Jashobeam, and
7
Joelah and Zebadiah, sons of Jeroham of Gedor.
8
Some Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the wilderness. They were mighty warriors, men of war, ready for battle, who could handle shield and spear; whose faces were as fierce as the faces of lions. They were as swift as gazelles on the mountains.
9
There were Ezer the leader, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,
10
Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,
11
Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,
12
Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,
13
Jeremiah the tenth, Makbannai the eleventh.
14
These sons of Gad were leaders of the army. The least led a hundred, and the greatest led a thousand.
15
They crossed the Jordan in the first month, when it overflowed its banks, and caused all those living in the valleys to flee, both toward the east and toward the west.
16
Some of the men of Benjamin and Judah came to the stronghold to David.
17
David went out to meet them and addressed them: "If you have come in peace to me to help me, my heart will be joined with you. But if you have come to betray me to my adversaries, may the God of our ancestors see and rebuke you, since I have done no wrong."
18
Then the Spirit clothed Amasai, who was chief of the thirty. Amasai said, "We are yours, David. We are on your side, son of Jesse. Peace, may peace be to whoever helps you. May peace be to your helpers, for your God is helping you." Then David received them and made them commanders over his men.
19
Some from Manasseh also deserted to David when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle. Yet they did not help the Philistines, because the Philistine lords consulted with each other and sent David away. They said, "He will desert to his master Saul at the risk of our lives."
20
When he went to Ziklag, the men of Manasseh who joined him were Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, captains over thousands of Manasseh.
21
They helped David fight against the roving bands, for they were mighty warriors. Later they became commanders in the army.
22
Day after day, men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like the army of God.
23
This is the record of the armed soldiers for war, who came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul over to him, which carried out Yahweh's word.
24
The men of Judah who carried shield and spear were 6,800, armed for war.
25
From the Simeonites there were 7,100 mighty warriors trained for war.
26
From the Levites there were 4,600 fighting men.
27
Jehoiada was the leader of Aaron's descendants, and with him were 3,700.
28
With Zadok, a young man, a mighty warrior, were twenty-two leaders from his clan.
29
From Benjamin, Saul's kinsmen, were three thousand. Most of them had kept watch over the house of Saul until this time.
30
From the Ephraimites there were 20,800 mighty warriors, men who were famous in their clans.
31
From the half tribe of Manasseh there were eighteen thousand famous men who came to make David king.
32
From Issachar, there were two hundred leaders who had understanding of the times and knew what Israel ought to do. All their relatives were under their command.
33
From Zebulun there were fifty thousand fighting men, prepared for battle, with all the weapons of war, and ready to give undivided loyalty.
34
From Naphtali there were one thousand officers, and with them thirty-seven thousand men with shields and spears.
35
From the Danites there were 28,600 men prepared for battle.
36
From Asher there were forty thousand men of war prepared for battle.
37
From the other side of the Jordan, from the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, there were 120,000 men armed with all kinds of weapons for war.
38
All these soldiers, equipped for battle, came to Hebron with a whole heart to make David king over all Israel. All the rest of Israel were in agreement to make David king also.
39
They were there with David three days, eating and drinking, for their relatives had sent them with provisions.
40
In addition, those who were near to them, as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen, and cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, wine, oil, cattle and sheep, for there was joy in Israel.
1 Chronicles 12:1
while he was still banished from the presence of
"during the time when he could not be in the presence of"
1 Chronicles 12:2
could use both the right hand and the left in slinging stones and in shooting arrows
"could use either their right hands or their left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows"
slinging stones
The sling was a strip of leather that a person would use to throw a stone long distances.
1 Chronicles 12:8
whose faces were as fierce as the faces of lions
"who were as fierce in battle as lions hunting prey"
They were as swift as gazelles on the mountains
This compares how swiftly these men were able to run with how swiftly gazelles are able to run over rugged mountain terrain.
gazelles
animals similar to deer that can run quickly over hills and rough ground
1 Chronicles 12:9
Ezer the leader, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third
This begins a list of the men from the tribe of Gad who joined David, in order of their importance.
1 Chronicles 12:10
Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth
This continues a list of the men from the tribe of Gad who joined David, in order of their importance.
1 Chronicles 12:11
Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh
This continues the list of the men from the tribe of Gad who joined David, in order of their importance.
1 Chronicles 12:12
Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth
This continues the list of the men from the tribe of Gad who joined David, in order of their importance.
1 Chronicles 12:13
Jeremiah the tenth, Makbannai the eleventh
This ends the list of the men from the tribe of Gad who joined David, in order of their importance.
1 Chronicles 12:14
The least ... the greatest
Possible meanings are "The youngest sons ... the oldest sons," "The weakest sons ... the strongest sons," or "The most important sons ... the least important sons"
1 Chronicles 12:15
first month
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of March and the first part of April on Western calendars. It is at the beginning of the spring season when the late rains come.
when it overflowed its banks
"when the Jordan overflowed its banks"
1 Chronicles 12:16
men of Benjamin and Judah
"men from the tribes of Benjamin and Judah"
1 Chronicles 12:17
may the God of our ancestors see
"may the God of our ancestors see what you intend to do"
1 Chronicles 12:18
clothed Amasai
Amasai had special powers. Possible images are 1) the Spirit came over or came on or covered Amasai like a garment, thus giving Amasai special powers. Alternate translation: "came over Amasai" or "took control of Amasai" Or 2) the Spirit covered himself with Amasai and so acted through him.
Amasai
This is the name of a man.
We are yours, David. We are on your side, son of Jesse
"We are devoted to you, David. We support you, son of Jesse"
1 Chronicles 12:19
deserted to
"left their leaders to join"
He will desert to his master Saul
"He will stop fighting with us and fight for his master Saul"
1 Chronicles 12:20
Ziklag
This is the name of a city.
1 Chronicles 12:21
the roving bands
"the groups of robbers." This refers to groups of people who robbed people traveling through the countryside.
1 Chronicles 12:22
Day after day
"Each day"
a great army, like the army of God
Possible meanings are 1) the phrase "like the army of God" means "like an army that God assembled" or 2) the word "God" is used as an idiom that refers to the great size of the army. Alternate translation: "a very large army"
1 Chronicles 12:23
to turn the kingdom of Saul over to him
"to make David king in place of Saul"
carried out Yahweh's word
"made Yahweh's word true" or "fulfilled Yahweh's word"
1 Chronicles 12:25
From the Simeonites
"From Simeon" or "From the tribe of Simeon"
1 Chronicles 12:27
Jehoiada
This is the name of a man.
1 Chronicles 12:29
From Benjamin, Saul's kinsmen
"From Benjamin, the tribe to which Saul belonged"
kept watch over
"been loyal to"
1 Chronicles 12:30
From the Ephraimites
"From Ephraim" or "From the tribe of Ephraim"
1 Chronicles 12:32
who had understanding of the times
Possible meanings are 1) these men knew the right time to act or 2) these men had a good understanding of current political events within Israel.
1 Chronicles 12:33
ready to give undivided loyalty
"ready to give undivided loyalty to David"
1 Chronicles 12:35
From the Danites
"From Dan" or "From the tribe of Dan"
1 Chronicles 12:37
the Reubenites, Gadites
"Reuben, Gad" or "the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad"
1 Chronicles 12:38
with a whole heart
"with firm intentions" or "determined to make David king"
1 Chronicles 12:39
They were there with David
"These soldiers were there with David"
1 Chronicles 12:40
there was joy in Israel
The people of Israel were very happy.
Chapter 13
1
David consulted with the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, with every leader.
2
David said to all the assembly of Israel, "If it seems good to you, and if this comes from Yahweh our God, let us send messengers everywhere to our brothers who remain in all the regions of Israel, and to the priests and Levites who are in their cities. Let them be told to come together with us.
3
Let us bring the ark of our God back to ourselves, for we did not seek his will in the days of Saul's reign."
4
The whole assembly agreed to do these things, because in the eyes of all the people they seemed to be what was right.
5
So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor River in Egypt to Lebo Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim.
6
David and all Israel went up to Baalah, that is, Kiriath Jearim, which belongs to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by Yahweh's name, Yahweh, who sits enthroned over the cherubim.
7
So they set the ark of God on a new cart. They brought it out of Abinadab's house. Uzzah and Ahio were guiding the cart.
8
David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might. They were singing with harps and lutes, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.
9
When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out with his hand to grab the ark, because the oxen stumbled.
10
Then the anger of Yahweh burned against Uzzah, and Yahweh killed him because Uzzah had reached out with his hand to the ark. He died there before God.
11
David was angry because Yahweh had attacked Uzzah. That place is called Perez Uzzah to this day.
12
David was afraid of God that day. He said, "How can I bring the ark of God home to me?"
13
So David did not move the ark to the city of David, but put it aside in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.
14
The ark of God remained in Obed-Edom's household in his house for three months. So Yahweh blessed his house and all that he possessed.
1 Chronicles 13:1
the commanders of thousands and of hundreds
"the commanders of large military divisions and the commanders of smaller military divisions"
1 Chronicles 13:2
all the assembly of Israel
"all of the Israelites who were assembled there"
if this comes from Yahweh our God
"if this is something that Yahweh our God approves"
Let them be told to come together with us
"Let messengers tell them to join us" or "Let them join us"
1 Chronicles 13:4
in the eyes of all the people they seemed to be what was right
"all the people considered these things to be right"
1 Chronicles 13:5
Lebo Hamath ... Kiriath Jearim
These are the names of places.
1 Chronicles 13:6
Baalah ... Kiriath Jearim
These are the names of places. "Baalah" is another name for Kiriath Jearim.
to bring up from there the ark of God
"to take to Jerusalem the ark of God"
to bring up from there
Jerusalem is higher than almost any other place in Israel, so it was normal for Israelites to speak of going up to Jerusalem and going down from it.
which is called by Yahweh's name
"which bears Yahweh's name"
who sits enthroned over the cherubim
"who sits on his throne above the cherubim on the ark of the covenant"
1 Chronicles 13:7
Abinadab ... Uzzah ... Ahio
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 13:8
tambourines
hand drums with pieces of metal around the side that sound when the instruments are shaken
cymbals
two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound
1 Chronicles 13:10
the anger of Yahweh burned against Uzzah
"Yahweh was very angry with Uzzah"
before God
"in the presence of God"
1 Chronicles 13:11
Perez Uzzah
This is the name of a place. Translator may add a footnote that says, "The name 'Perez Uzzah' means 'the punishment of Uzzah.'"
1 Chronicles 13:12
How can I bring the ark of God home to me?
"I am too afraid to bring the ark of Yahweh with me to Jerusalem."
1 Chronicles 13:13
Obed-Edom the Gittite
This is the name of a man. A "Gittite" is a person from the city of Gath.
1 Chronicles 13:14
Yahweh blessed his house
"Yahweh blessed his family"
Chapter 14
1
Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, carpenters, and masons. They built a house for him.
2
David knew that Yahweh had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was exalted on high for the sake of his people Israel.
3
In Jerusalem, David took more wives, and he became the father of more sons and daughters.
4
These were the names of the children who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
5
Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,
6
Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,
7
Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.
8
Now when the Philistines heard that David had been anointed as king over all Israel, they all went out looking for him. But David heard about it and went out against them.
9
Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the Valley of Rephaim.
10
Then David asked for help from God. He said, "Should I attack the Philistines? Will you give victory over them?" Yahweh said to him, "Attack, for I will certainly give them to you."
11
So they came up to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He commented, "God has burst through my enemies by my hand like a bursting flood of water." So the name of that place became Baal Perazim.
12
The Philistines abandoned their gods there, and David gave an order that they should be burned.
13
Then the Philistines raided the valley yet again.
14
So David asked for help from God again. God said to him, "You must not attack their front, but rather circle around behind them and come on them through the balsam woods.
15
When you hear the sound of marching in the wind blowing through the balsam treetops, then attack with force. Do this because God will have gone out before you to attack the army of the Philistines."
16
So David did as God had commanded him. He defeated the army of the Philistines from Gibeon all the way to Gezer.
17
Then David's fame went out into all lands, and Yahweh caused all nations to fear him.
1 Chronicles 14:1
Hiram
This is the name of a man.
carpenters
people who make things with wood
masons
people make things with stone or brick
They built a house for him
"The carpenters and masons built a house for David"
1 Chronicles 14:2
his kingdom was exalted on high
"Yahweh had exalted David's kingdom on high" or "Yahweh had given great honor to David's kingdom"
for the sake of his people Israel
Here the word "his" refers to Yahweh.
1 Chronicles 14:4
Shammua, Shobab, Nathan
These are names of men. See how you translated these in 1 Chronicles 3:5.
1 Chronicles 14:5
Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet
These are names of men. These names appear also in 1 Chronicles 3:6, although there "Elpelet" is spelled "Eliphelet."
1 Chronicles 14:6
Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia
These are names of men. These names appear also in 1 Chronicles 3:7.
1 Chronicles 14:7
Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet
These are names of men. These names appear also in 1 Chronicles 3:8, although there "Beeliada" is spelled "Eliada."
1 Chronicles 14:8
went out against them
"led his army out to fight against them"
1 Chronicles 14:10
give them to you
"give you victory over them"
1 Chronicles 14:11
Baal Perazim
This is the name of a place. You may add a footnote that says, "The name 'Baal Perazim' means 'Lord of breaking through.'"
God has burst through my enemies ... like a bursting flood of water
"God has easily defeated my enemies ... like a flood easily bursts through everything"
by my hand
"using my army"
1 Chronicles 14:13
the valley
"the Valley of Rephaim"
1 Chronicles 14:14
circle around behind them and come on them through the balsam woods
"go through the forest of balsam trees and attack them from behind"
1 Chronicles 14:15
When you hear the sound of marching in the wind blowing through the balsam treetops
"When the wind blowing through the tops of the balsam trees sounds like men marching"
1 Chronicles 14:16
Gezer
This is the name of a town.
1 Chronicles 14:17
David's fame went out into all lands
"People in all the lands nearby knew who David was" or "People in all the lands nearby knew that David was a mighty warrior"
Chapter 15
1
David built houses for himself in the city of David. He prepared a place for the ark of God and set up a tent for it.
2
Then David said, "Only the Levites may carry the ark of God, for they had been chosen by Yahweh to carry the ark of Yahweh, and to serve him forever."
3
Then David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of Yahweh to the place he had prepared for it.
4
David gathered together Aaron's descendants and the Levites.
5
From the descendants of Kohath, there was Uriel the leader and his relatives, 120 men.
6
From the descendants of Merari, there was Asaiah the leader and his relatives, 220 men.
7
From the descendants of Gershom, there was Joel the leader and his relatives, 130 men.
8
From the descendants of Elizaphan, there was Shemaiah the leader and his relatives, 200 men.
9
From the descendants of Hebron, there was Eliel the leader and his relatives, eighty men.
10
From the descendants of Uzziel, there was Amminadab the leader and his relatives, 112 men.
11
David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab.
12
He said to them, "You are the leaders of the Levite families. Consecrate yourselves, both you and your brothers, so that you may bring up the ark of Yahweh, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it.
13
You did not carry it the first time. That is why Yahweh our God broke out against us, for we did not seek him or obey his decree."
14
So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves so they could bring up the ark of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
15
So the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded—following the rules given by the word of Yahweh.
16
David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to assign their brothers as singers who would play loudly on musical instruments, lutes and lyres and loud cymbals, to lift up sounds of joy.
17
So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel and one of his brothers, Asaph son of Berekiah. They also appointed kinsmen from Merari's descendants and Ethan son of Kushaiah.
18
With them were their kinsmen of second rank: Zechariah,
Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the gatekeepers.
19
The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were appointed to play loud bronze cymbals.
20
Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah played the lutes, set to Alamoth.
21
Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah led the way with harps set to the Sheminith.
22
Kenaniah, leader of the Levites, was the director of the singing because he was a teacher of music.
23
Berekiah and Elkanah were guards for the ark.
24
Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, were to blow the trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-Edom and Jehiah were guards for the ark.
25
So David, the elders of Israel, and the commanders over thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh out of Obed-Edom's house with rejoicing.
26
While God helped the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams.
27
David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were the Levites who carried the ark, the singers, and Kenaniah, the leader of the song with the singers. David was wearing a linen ephod.
28
So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh with joyful shouting, and with the sound of horns and trumpets, with cymbals, and with lutes and harps.
29
But as the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came to the city of David, Michal daughter of Saul, looked out the window. She saw King David dancing and celebrating. Then she despised him in her heart.
1 Chronicles 15:1
David built houses for himself ... He prepared
"David had workers build houses for him ... He had them prepare"
1 Chronicles 15:11
Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab
These are names of men. See how you translated them in 1 Chronicles 15:5-6 and 1 Chronicles 15:7-10.
1 Chronicles 15:13
You did not carry it
"You did not carry the ark"
broke out against us
"acted violently toward us" or "attacked us"
we did not seek him
"we did not ask him for instructions"
1 Chronicles 15:15
the rules given by the word of Yahweh
"the rules that the word of Yahweh had given" or "the rules that Yahweh had spoken"
1 Chronicles 15:16
cymbals
two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound.
lift up sounds of joy
"sing and play the instruments loudly and joyfully"
1 Chronicles 15:18
With them were their kinsmen of second rank
"With them were their kinsmen who were in a lower position of power" or "The following relatives would help them"
Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the gatekeepers
The word "gatekeepers" refers to people who guard gates or entryways. Here it refers to guarding access to the ark of the covenant and applies to Obed-Edom and Jeiel. Alternate translation: "Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers, Obed-Edom and Jeiel"
1 Chronicles 15:19
The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were appointed
"The Levites appointed the musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan"
1 Chronicles 15:20
Alamoth
The meaning of this word is not clear but may refer to a style of music.
1 Chronicles 15:21
Sheminith
The meaning of this word is not clear but may refer to a style of music.
led the way
"led the other musicians" or "led the processional"
1 Chronicles 15:25
the commanders over thousands
"the commanders of large military divisions"
Obed-Edom
This is the name of a man.
1 Chronicles 15:27
David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were the Levites who carried the ark, the singers, and Kenaniah, the leader of the song with the singers
"David, the Levites who carried the ark, the singers, and Kenaniah, the leader of the song with the singers all wore fine linen robes"
linen
a cloth made from fibers of the flax plant
Kenaniah
This is the name of a man.
1 Chronicles 15:28
So all Israel brought up the ark
"So a great crowd of Israelites brought up the ark"
1 Chronicles 15:29
as the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came to the city of David
"as the people brought the ark of the covenant of Yahweh to the city of David"
Michal
This is the name of David's wife.
she despised him in her heart
"she despised him" or "she hated him"
Chapter 16
1
They brought in the ark of God and put it in the middle of the tent that David had set up for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before God.
2
When David had finished offering up the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh.
3
He distributed to every man of Israel, to both men and women, a loaf of bread, and a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins.
4
David appointed certain Levites to serve before the ark of Yahweh, and to celebrate, thank and praise Yahweh, the God of Israel.
5
These Levites were Asaph the leader, and second to him Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel. These were to play with lutes and harps. Asaph was to sound the cymbals, sounding loudly.
6
Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the trumpets regularly, before the ark of the covenant of God.
7
Then on that day David first appointed Asaph and his brothers to sing this song of thanksgiving to Yahweh.
8
Give thanks to Yahweh, call on his name;
make known his deeds among the nations.
9
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
speak of all his marvelous deeds.
10
Boast in his holy name;
let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice.
11
Seek Yahweh and his strength;
seek his presence continually.
12
Recall the marvelous things he has done,
his miracles and the decrees from his mouth,
13
you descendants of Israel his servant,
you people of Jacob, his chosen ones.
14
He is Yahweh, our God.
His decrees are on all the earth.
15
Keep his covenant in mind forever,
the word that he commanded for a thousand generations.
16
He calls to mind the covenant that he made with Abraham,
and his oath to Isaac.
17
This is what he confirmed to Jacob as a statute,
and to Israel as an everlasting covenant.
18
He said, "I will give you the land of Canaan
as the assigned portion of your inheritance."
19
When they were only few in number,
so very few, and they were strangers in the land,
20
they wandered from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another.
21
He did not allow anyone to oppress them;
he punished kings for their sakes.
22
He said, "Do not touch my anointed ones,
and do not harm my prophets."
23
Sing to Yahweh, all the earth;
announce his salvation day after day.
24
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all the nations.
25
For Yahweh is great and is to be praised greatly,
and he is to be feared above all other gods.
26
For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but it is Yahweh who made the heavens.
27
Splendor and majesty are in his presence.
Strength and joy are in his place.
28
Ascribe to Yahweh, you clans of peoples,
ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength!
29
Ascribe to Yahweh the glory his name deserves.
Bring an offering and come before him.
Bow down to Yahweh in the splendor of holiness.
30
Tremble before him, all the earth.
The world also is established; it cannot be shaken.
31
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let them say among the nations, "Yahweh reigns."
32
Let the sea roar, and that which fills it shout with joy.
Let the fields be joyful, and all that is in them.
33
Then let the trees in the forest shout for joy before Yahweh,
for he is coming to judge the earth.
34
Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,
for his covenant faithfulness endures forever.
35
Then say, "Save us, God of our salvation.
Gather us together and rescue us from the other nations,
so that we may give thanks to your holy name
and glory in your praises."
36
May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be praised
from everlasting to everlasting.
All the people said, "Amen" and praised Yahweh.
37
So David left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, to serve continually before the ark, as every day's work required.
38
Obed-Edom with those sixty-eight relatives were included. Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun, along with Hosah, were to be gatekeepers.
39
Zadok the priest and his fellow workers were to serve before the tabernacle of Yahweh at the high place in Gibeon.
40
They were to offer burnt offerings to Yahweh on the altar for burnt offerings continually morning and evening, according to all that is written in the law of Yahweh, which he gave as a command to Israel.
41
Heman and Jeduthun were with them, together with the rest who were chosen by name, to give thanks to Yahweh, because his covenant faithfulness endures forever.
42
Heman and Jeduthun were in charge of those who played trumpets, cymbals, and the other instruments for the sacred music. The sons of Jeduthun guarded the gate.
43
Then all the people returned to their homes, and David returned to bless his own household.
1 Chronicles 16:1
before God
"to God"
1 Chronicles 16:2
When David had finished offering up the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings
David directed the priests, who performed the actual sacrifices.
he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh
To bless "in the name of Yahweh" means to bless with Yahweh's power and authority or as his representative.
1 Chronicles 16:3
He distributed to every man of Israel
David probably had those under his authority distribute the items.
cake of raisins
a baked sweet bread made with dried grapes
1 Chronicles 16:5
Zechariah ... Jaaziel ... Shemiramoth ... Jehiel ... Mattithiah ... Eliab ... Benaiah ... Obed-Edom ... Jeiel
These are names of men.
second to him
This means next to him in authority and position.
cymbals
These are two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound.
1 Chronicles 16:6
Benaiah
This is the name of a man.
1 Chronicles 16:8
call on his name
Here "his name" represents Yahweh. Alternate translation: "call on Yahweh"
the nations
"the people of the nations"
1 Chronicles 16:10
Boast in his holy name
Here "his holy name" represents Yahweh. Alternate translation: "Boast in who Yahweh is" or "Boast in Yahweh"
let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice
"let the people who seek Yahweh rejoice"
1 Chronicles 16:11
Seek Yahweh and his strength
To "seek Yahweh's strength" means to ask him to strengthen you. Alternate translation: "Seek Yahweh and ask him to give you his strength"
seek his presence continually
"seek to be near him always"
1 Chronicles 16:12
done, his miracles and
"done; recall his miracles and"
decrees from his mouth
"decrees that he has spoken"
1 Chronicles 16:14
His decrees are on all the earth
"His laws are for all the people of the earth"
1 Chronicles 16:15
Keep his covenant ... for a thousand generations
"Keep his covenant in mind forever, the promise that he made for a thousand generations"
Keep his covenant in mind
"Remember his covenant"
1 Chronicles 16:16
He calls to mind
"He remembers"
the covenant that he made with Abraham, and his oath to Isaac
Both "the covenant" and "the oath" refer to the same promise that Yahweh made to his people.
1 Chronicles 16:19
strangers in the land
"foreigners in the land of Canaan"
1 Chronicles 16:21
for their sakes
"for their own well-being"
1 Chronicles 16:22
Do not touch my anointed ones
"Do not harm the people I have anointed"
1 Chronicles 16:23
all the earth
"all you people who live on the earth"
announce his salvation
"announce that he has saved us" or "tell people that he is the one who saves"
1 Chronicles 16:27
in his presence
"all around him" or "where he is"
Strength and joy are in his place
The author speaks as if strength and joy are people who can be in Yahweh's sanctuary.
in his place
"in his temple" or "in his sanctuary"
1 Chronicles 16:28
ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength
"praise Yahweh because he is glorious and strong"
1 Chronicles 16:29
Ascribe to Yahweh the glory his name deserves
"Glorify Yahweh just as his name deserves" or "Proclaim that Yahweh is glorious just as his name deserves"
Bow down to Yahweh
"Bow down to worship Yahweh"
in the splendor of holiness
"because he is gloriously beautiful and holy"
1 Chronicles 16:30
Tremble
shake because of fear
1 Chronicles 16:31
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let them say
Possible meanings are 1) the heavens and the earth are spoken of as if they have emotions like people. Alternate translation: "Let those who live in the heavens be glad and let those who live on the earth rejoice, and let them say"
let them say among the nations
"let them say to the nations"
1 Chronicles 16:32
that which fills it shout with joy
"the sea creatures shout joyfully"
Let the fields be joyful, and all that is in them
"Let it be as if the fields themselves and all the animals that live in them are rejoicing"
1 Chronicles 16:33
let the trees in the forest shout for joy
This speaks about the trees as if they were people who could shout for joy.
1 Chronicles 16:34
for his covenant faithfulness endures forever
"for he faithfully loves us forever" or "for he is faithful to his covenant forever"
1 Chronicles 16:35
from the other nations
"from the people of other nations" or "from the armies of other nations"
give thanks to your holy name
Here Yahweh is referred to by his "holy name." Alternate translation: "give thanks to you" or "give thanks to Yahweh"
1 Chronicles 16:36
from everlasting to everlasting
"for all eternity"
All the people
"The people" or "Everyone who was there"
1 Chronicles 16:37
his brothers
"his relatives"
as every day's work required
"as was required every day by the law"
1 Chronicles 16:38
Obed-Edom ... Jeduthun ... Hosah
These were names of men.
1 Chronicles 16:39
to serve before the tabernacle
"to serve at the tabernacle"
1 Chronicles 16:41
Heman ... Jeduthun
These were names of men.
1 Chronicles 16:42
cymbals
These are two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound.
guarded the gate
"guarded the tabernacle gate"
Chapter 17
1
It happened that after David had settled in his house, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Look, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of Yahweh is staying under a tent."
2
Then Nathan said to David, "Go, do what is in your heart, for God is with you."
3
But that same night the word of God came to Nathan, saying,
4
"Go and tell David my servant, 'This is what Yahweh says: You will not build me a house in which to live.
5
For I have not lived in a house from the day that I brought up Israel to this present day. Rather, I have been living in a tent, a tabernacle, in various places.
6
In all places I have moved among all Israel, did I ever say anything to any of Israel's judges, whom I appointed to shepherd my people, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"'"
7
"Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what Yahweh of hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, so that you would be ruler over my people Israel.
8
I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and I will make you a name, like the name of the great ones who are on the earth.
9
I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them there, so that they may live in their own place and be troubled no more. No longer will wicked people oppress them, as they did before,
10
as they were doing from the days that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Then I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover I tell you that I, Yahweh, will build you a house.
11
It will come about that when your days are fulfilled for you to go to your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, and for one of your own descendants, I will establish his kingdom.
12
He will build me a house, and I will establish his throne forever.
13
I will be a Father to him, and he will be my son. I will not take my covenant faithfulness away from him, as I took it from Saul, who ruled before you.
14
I will set him over my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne will be established forever.'"
15
Nathan spoke to David and reported to him all these words, and he told him about the entire vision.
16
Then David the king went in and sat before Yahweh; he said, "Who am I, Yahweh God, and what is my family, that you have brought me to this point?
17
For this was a small thing in your sight, God. You have spoken of your servant's family for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, Yahweh God.
18
What more can I, David, say to you? You have honored your servant. You have given your servant special recognition.
19
Yahweh, for your servant's sake, and to fulfill your own purpose, you have done this great thing to reveal all your great deeds.
20
Yahweh, there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, just as we have always heard.
21
For what nation on earth is like your people Israel, whom you, God, rescued from Egypt as a people for yourself, to make a name for yourself by great and awesome deeds? You drove out nations from before your people, whom you rescued from Egypt.
22
You made Israel your own people forever, and you, Yahweh, became their God.
23
So now, Yahweh, may the promise that you made concerning your servant and his family be established forever. Do as you have spoken.
24
May your name be established forever and be great, so the people will say, 'Yahweh of hosts is the God of Israel,' while the house of me, David, your servant is established before you.
25
For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house. That is why I, your servant, have found courage to pray to you.
26
Now, Yahweh, you are God, and have made this good promise to your servant:
27
Now it has pleased you to bless your servant's house, that it may continue forever before you. You, Yahweh, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever."
1 Chronicles 17:1
settled
comfortable and happy, without the desire to move or change
I am living in a house of cedar
"I am living in a strong, permanent house"
the ark of the covenant of Yahweh is staying under a tent
"the ark of the covenant of Yahweh is staying in a temporary place"
1 Chronicles 17:2
do what is in your heart
"do what you think you should"
God is with you
Here "with you" means God is helping and blessing David.
1 Chronicles 17:3
the word of God came to Nathan, saying,
"God gave a message to Nathan. He said," or "God spoke this message to Nathan:"
1 Chronicles 17:4
Go and tell David my servant, 'This is what Yahweh says: You will not build me a house in which to live
"Go and tell David my servant that he will not be the one to build a house in which I will live"
build me a house
Here "house" means a temple. In 1 Chronicles 17:10 Yahweh will say that he will build a house for David. There "house" means a family. If your language has a word that can express both ideas, use it here and in 17:10.
1 Chronicles 17:5
that I brought up Israel
"that I brought the Israelites to the promised land from the land of Egypt"
a tent, a tabernacle
Both the words "tent" and "tabernacle" describe the same thing and emphasize that he had lived in a place that was not a permanent building.
1 Chronicles 17:6
did I ever say anything to any of Israel's judges, whom I appointed to shepherd my people, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"
"did I ever ask any of Israel's judges, whom I appointed to shepherd my people, why they had not built me a house of cedar?"
1 Chronicles 17:7
tell my servant David
Yahweh is still telling the prophet Nathan what he should tell David.
I took you from the pasture
"I took you from your job as a shepherd"
pasture
an area of land where animals feed on the grass.
1 Chronicles 17:8
I have been with you
Here "with you" means that Yahweh has helped and blessed David.
cut off all your enemies
Yahweh destroying David's enemies is spoken of as if Yahweh cut them off, as one would cut a piece of cloth or cut a branch from a tree.
I will make you a name
"I will make your name to be great and well known"
the great ones
The phrase "great ones" means famous persons.
1 Chronicles 17:9
I will appoint a place
"I will choose a place"
will plant them there
"I will settle them there"
1 Chronicles 17:10
from the days
"from the time"
to be over my people Israel
"to rule my people Israel"
subdue
make a person or animal unable to attack
1 Chronicles 17:11
when your days are fulfilled for you to go to your fathers
The two phrases "when your days are fulfilled" and "go to your fathers" have similar meanings and are combined for emphasis. They both are polite ways to refer to death and dying.
I will raise up your descendant after you
God appointing David's descendant is spoken of as if Yahweh would raise or lift him up.
1 Chronicles 17:12
I will establish his throne forever
"I will make his rule over Israel to last forever"
1 Chronicles 17:13
I will not take my covenant faithfulness away from him, as I took it from Saul
"I will never stop faithfully loving him, as I stopped loving Saul"
1 Chronicles 17:14
I will set him over my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne will be established forever
These two phrases have similar meanings and emphasize that David's dynasty will last forever.
1 Chronicles 17:15
reported to him
"told him"
all these words
Here "words" represents what Yahweh said.
1 Chronicles 17:16
he said
"David said"
Who am I, Yahweh God, and what is my family, that you have brought me to this point?
"My family and I are not worthy of this honor, Yahweh God."
1 Chronicles 17:17
this was a small thing
Something that is not important is described as being small.
in your sight
"in your judgment"
your servant's family
"my family"
for a great while to come
"and what will happen to them in the future"
your servant
"me"
1 Chronicles 17:18
You have given your servant special recognition
"You have recognized your servant in a special way"
1 Chronicles 17:19
your servant's sake
"my sake" or "my benefit"
to fulfill your own purpose
"to accomplish what you planned to do"
1 Chronicles 17:20
as we have always heard
Here "we" refers to David and the nation of Israel.
1 Chronicles 17:21
you rescued from Egypt
"you rescued from slavery in Egypt"
to make a name for yourself
"to make all people know who you are"
You drove out nations
Here "nations" represents the people groups that were living in Canaan.
1 Chronicles 17:23
So now
Here "now" does not mean "at this moment," but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.
may the promise that you made concerning your servant and his family be established forever
"may you do what you promised to me and my family, and may your promise never change"
your servant and his family
"me and my family"
1 Chronicles 17:24
May your name
Here "name" represents Yahweh's reputation.
the house of me, David, your servant
"my family"
is established before you
"is secure because of you" or "continues because of you"
1 Chronicles 17:25
I, your servant, have found courage
"I, your servant, am encouraged"
1 Chronicles 17:27
You, Yahweh, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever
These two phrases have about the same meaning and are repeated here for emphasis.
it will be blessed forever
"you will continue to bless it forever"
Chapter 18
1
After this it came about that David attacked the Philistines and subdued them. He took Gath and its villages out of the Philistines' control.
2
Then he defeated Moab, and the Moabites became servants to David and paid him tribute.
3
David then defeated Hadadezer, king of Zobah at Hamath, as Hadadezer was traveling to establish his rule by the Euphrates River.
4
David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen. David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved enough of them for a hundred chariots.
5
When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed twenty-two thousand Aramean men.
6
Then David put garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became servants to him and brought him tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.
7
David took the golden shields that were on Hadadezer's servants and brought them to Jerusalem.
8
From Tebah and Kun, cities of Hadadezer, David took very much bronze. It was with this bronze that Solomon later made the bronze basin called "The Sea," the pillars, and the bronze equipment.
9
When Tou, king of Hamath, heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah,
10
Tou sent Hadoram his son to King David to greet him and to bless him. He did this because David had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, and because Tou had often been at war with Hadadezer. Tou also sent David many different sorts of articles made of gold and silver and bronze.
11
King David set these objects apart to Yahweh, together with the silver and the gold that he carried away from all the nations: Edom, Moab, the people of Ammon, the Philistines, and Amalek.
12
Abishai son of Zeruiah killed eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
13
He placed garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David's servants. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.
14
David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and righteousness to all his people.
15
Joab son of Zeruiah was the commander of the army, and Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder.
16
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelek son of Abiathar were priests, and Shavsha was scribe.
17
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites, and David's sons were the chief officials at the hand of the king.
1 Chronicles 18:1
After this
"After God's promise to bless David"
1 Chronicles 18:3
David then defeated Hadadezer
"David and his army then defeated the army of Hadadezer"
Hadadezer
This is the name of a man.
Zobah
This is the name of a country.
1 Chronicles 18:4
hamstrung all the chariot horses
David had his soldiers cut the hamstring muscles on the backs of the horses' thighs so they would no longer be able to run.
reserved
to keep for a special use
1 Chronicles 18:6
garrisons
groups of soldiers assigned to particular areas
Yahweh gave victory to David
"Yahweh caused David to be victorious"
1 Chronicles 18:7
that were on Hadadezer's servants
"that Hadadezar's servants carried"
1 Chronicles 18:8
the bronze basin called "The Sea,"
This a large bronze bowl, about 5 meters across, that was kept in the temple for ceremonial washing.
1 Chronicles 18:9
Tou
This is the name of a man.
Hamath ... Zobah
These are the names of places.
1 Chronicles 18:10
Tou ... Hadoram
These are the names of men.
fought against
"been at war with"
1 Chronicles 18:11
set these objects apart to Yahweh
"decided that these objects would only be used to worship Yahweh"
he carried away from all the nations
"David took from all the nations that he defeated"
1 Chronicles 18:12
Abishai ... Zeruiah
These are names of men.
Valley of Salt
This is the name of a valley between Edom and Judah that was used as a battlefield.
1 Chronicles 18:14
he administered justice and righteousness to all his people
"he did what was just and right for all his people"
1 Chronicles 18:15
recorder
the person who writes down details of special events
1 Chronicles 18:16
Ahitub ... Abiathar ... Shavsha
These are the names of men.
Ahimelek
This spelling represents a correction of the spelling "Abimelek," which some versions follow. The corrected spelling makes this verse agree with 2 Samuel 8:17.
1 Chronicles 18:17
Kerethites ... Pelethites
These are the names of foreign people groups who became David's bodyguards.
Chapter 19
1
It came about later that Nahash, king of the people of Ammon, died, and that his son became king in his place.
2
David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me." So David sent messengers to console him concerning his father. David's servants entered the land of the Ammonites and went to Hanun, in order to comfort him.
3
But the Ammonite princes said to Hanun, "Do you think that David is honoring your father because he has sent men to comfort you? Do not his servants come to you to explore and examine the land in order to overthrow it?"
4
So Hanun seized David's servants, shaved them, cut off their robes in the middle at their buttocks, and sent them away.
5
When they explained this to David, he sent to meet with them, for the men were deeply ashamed. The king said, "Stay at Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return."
6
When the Ammonites saw that they had become a stench to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire Aramean chariots and horsemen from Naharaim, Maakah, and Zobah.
7
They hired thirty-two thousand chariots and the king of Maakah and his army, who came and encamped before Medeba. Then the Ammonites gathered themselves together from their cities and came out to battle.
8
When David heard of it, he sent Joab and his entire host of mighty men.
9
The people of Ammon came out and lined up for battle at the city gate, while the kings who had come were by themselves in the field.
10
When Joab saw the battle lines facing him both in front and behind, he chose some of Israel's best fighters and arranged them against the Arameans.
11
As for the rest of the army, he gave it into the command of Abishai his brother, and he put them into battle lines against the army of Ammon.
12
Joab said, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you, Abishai, must rescue me. But if the army of Ammon is too strong for you, then I will come and rescue you.
13
Be strong, and let us show ourselves to be strong for our people and for the cities of our God, for Yahweh will do what is good in his eyes."
14
So Joab and the soldiers of his army advanced to the battle against the Arameans, who were forced to flee before the army of Israel.
15
When the army of Ammon saw that the Arameans had fled, they also fled from Joab's brother Abishai and went back into the city. Then Joab returned from the people of Ammon and went back to Jerusalem.
16
When the Arameans saw that they were being defeated by Israel, they sent messengers and brought back Arameans from beyond the Euphrates River, with Shophak the commander of Hadadezer's army.
17
When David was told this, he gathered all Israel together, crossed the Jordan, and came upon them. He arranged the army for battle against the Arameans, and they fought him.
18
The Arameans fled from Israel, and David killed seven thousand Aramean charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also killed Shophak, the commander of the army.
19
When all the kings who were servants of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and served him. So the people of Aram were no longer willing to rescue the Ammonites.
1 Chronicles 19:2
console
comfort
1 Chronicles 19:3
Do you think that David is honoring your father because he has sent men to comfort you?
"You should not think that David is honoring your father because he has sent men to comfort you."
Do not his servants come to you to explore and examine the land in order to overthrow it?
"Surely his servants come to you to explore the land in order to overthrow it."
1 Chronicles 19:4
So Hanun seized
"So Hanun's men seized"
1 Chronicles 19:5
he sent to meet with them
"David sent some messengers to encourage them"
The king
This refers to David.
then return
"then return to Jerusalem"
1 Chronicles 19:6
saw that they had become a stench to David
"realized that they had become repulsive to David" or "realized that they had angered David"
talents
approximately 33 kilograms
Naharaim ... Maakah ... Zobah
These are names of cities.
1 Chronicles 19:7
Maakah ... Medeba
These are names of cities.
1 Chronicles 19:8
heard of it
"heard that the Ammonites were coming out for war"
he sent ... mighty men
You may need to make explicit the purpose of sending them "he sent ... mighty men to fight against them"
1 Chronicles 19:9
at the city gate
this refers to the gate of the Ammonite capital city
the kings who had come
this refers to the Aramean kings that the Ammonites hired to help them fight Israel
by themselves in the field
in the field outside the city, separate from the Ammonites
1 Chronicles 19:10
the battle lines
"the enemy soldiers lined up for battle"
1 Chronicles 19:11
put them into battle lines
"arranged his soldiers in lines for battle"
Abishai
This is the name of Joab's brother.
1 Chronicles 19:13
for our people and for the cities of our God
"for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God" or "to protect our people and the cities of our God"
what is good in his eyes
Here sight represents judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: "what he considers to be good"
1 Chronicles 19:16
the Arameans saw
"the Arameans understood"
sent messengers
"sent messengers to request more soldiers"
Shophak ... Hadadezer
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 19:17
When David was told this
"When David's messengers told him that a larger Aramean army was coming"
he gathered ... He arranged
"David and his officials gathered ... David and his officers arranged"
all Israel
"a very large number of Israelites"
they fought him
Here "him" refers to David's soldiers, in addition to David. Alternate translation: "the Arameans fought David and his soldiers"
1 Chronicles 19:18
Connecting Statement:
This verse continues to describe a second battle when the Arameans who fled from Joab in 1 Chronicles 19:15 were reinforced by other Arameans and attacked Israel again.
killed seven thousand ... forty thousand
" killed 7,000 ... 40,000"
1 Chronicles 19:19
they made peace with David and served him
They made the peace agreement with David as the king, and served the Israelites.
Chapter 20
1
It came about in the spring of the year, at the time when kings normally go to war, that Joab led the army into battle and devastated the land of the Ammonites. He went and besieged Rabbah. David remained in Jerusalem. Joab attacked Rabbah and completely destroyed it.
2
David took the crown of their king from off his head, and he found that it weighed a talent of gold, and in it were precious stones. The crown was set on David's head, and he brought out the plunder of the city in large quantities.
3
He brought out the people who were in the city and forced them to work with saws and iron picks and axes. David required all the cities of the descendants of Ammon to do this labor. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
4
It came about after this that there was a battle at Gezer with the Philistines. Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Sippai, one of the descendants of the Rephaim, and the Philistines were subdued.
5
It came about again in a battle with the Philistines at Gob, that Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed Lahmi brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.
6
It came about in another battle at Gath that there was a man of great height who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. He also was descended from the Rapha.
7
When he mocked the army of Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, David's brother, killed him.
8
These were descendants of the Rapha of Gath, and they were killed by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.
1 Chronicles 20:1
kings normally go to war ... Joab led the army into battle
"kings normally send their armies to war ... Joab led David's army into battle"
devastated the land
"destroyed the land." This refers to when an army will ruin the land where their enemies grow food.
He went and besieged Rabbah
"Joab and his soldiers surrounded Rabbah"
1 Chronicles 20:2
talent
about 33 kilograms
The crown was set on David's head
Possible meanings are 1) David put the crown on his own head or 2) David's men placed the crown on his head.
he brought out
The word "he" refers to David, but also refers to David's soldiers who helped David do this.
plunder
valuable items taken in war
1 Chronicles 20:3
He brought out
The word "He" refers to David, but also refers to David's soldiers who helped David do this.
forced them to work with saws and iron picks and axes
These terms describe difficult manual labor that the defeated people were forced to do.
David and all the people returned to Jerusalem
"David and his army returned to Jerusalem"
1 Chronicles 20:4
Gezer
This is the name of a city.
Sibbekai ... Sippai
These are names of men.
Hushathite ... Rephaim
These are names of people groups.
the Philistines were subdued
"they subdued the Philistines" or "they defeated the Philistines"
1 Chronicles 20:5
Gob
This is the name of a city.
Bethlehemite ... Gittite
These are names of people groups.
staff
a long and thin pole.
the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam
A weaver's beam was a very large piece of wood used to stretch strings as the threads of a rug are weaved together around them. This means the handle of Lahmi's spear was very large.
1 Chronicles 20:6
Rapha
This is the name given to a race of people who were very tall and strong.
1 Chronicles 20:8
they were killed by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants
"David and his servants killed the descendants of the Rephaim"
servants
"soldiers"
Chapter 21
1
An adversary arose against Israel and incited David to count Israel.
2
David said to Joab and to the commanders of the army, "Go, count the people of Israel from Beersheba to Dan and report back to me, that I may know their number."
3
Joab said, "May Yahweh make his army a hundred times greater than it is. But my master the king, do they not all serve my master? Why does my master want this? Why bring guilt on Israel?"
4
But the king's word was enforced against Joab. So Joab left and went throughout all Israel. Then he came back to Jerusalem.
5
Then Joab reported the total of the census of the fighting men to David. There were in Israel 1,100,000 men who drew the sword. Judah alone had 470,000 soldiers.
6
But Levi and Benjamin were not counted among them, for the king's command had disgusted Joab.
7
God was offended by this action, so he attacked Israel.
8
David said to God, "I have greatly sinned by doing this. Now take away your servant's guilt, for I have acted very foolishly."
9
Yahweh told Gad, David's prophet,
10
"Go say to David, 'This is what Yahweh says: I am giving you three choices. Choose one of them.'"
11
So Gad went to David and said to him, "Yahweh says this, 'Choose one of these:
12
either three years of famine, three months being pursued by your enemies and being caught by their swords, or else three days of Yahweh's sword, that is, a plague in the land, with the angel of Yahweh destroying throughout all the land of Israel.' Now then, decide what answer I should take to the one who sent me."
13
Then David said to Gad, "I am in great distress! Let me fall into the hand of Yahweh rather than into the hand of man, for his merciful actions are very great."
14
So Yahweh sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand people died.
15
God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it. As he was about to destroy it, Yahweh watched and changed his mind about the harm. He said to the destroying angel, "Enough! Now draw back your hand." At that time the angel of Yahweh was standing at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
16
David looked up and saw the angel of Yahweh standing between earth and heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand raised over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, lay facedown on the ground.
17
David said to God, "Is it not I that commanded that the army be numbered? I did this wicked thing. But these sheep, what have they done? Yahweh my God! Let your hand strike me and my clan, but do not let the plague remain on your people."
18
So the angel of Yahweh commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up and build an altar for Yahweh at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
19
So David went up as Gad instructed him to do in the name of Yahweh.
20
While Ornan was threshing wheat, he turned and saw the angel. He and his four sons with him hid themselves.
21
When David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David. He left the threshing floor and bowed to David with his face to the ground.
22
Then David said to Ornan, "Sell me this threshing floor, so I can build an altar for Yahweh. I will pay the full price, so that the plague may be removed from the people."
23
Ornan said to David, "Take it as your own, my master the king. Do with it what is good in your sight. Look, I will give you oxen for burnt offerings, threshing sledges for wood, and wheat for the grain offering; I will give it all to you."
24
King David said to Ornan, "No, I insist on buying it for the full price. I will not take what is yours and offer it as a burnt offering to Yahweh if it costs me nothing."
25
So David paid six hundred shekels of gold for the place.
26
David built an altar for Yahweh there and offered on it burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. He called on Yahweh, who answered him with fire from heaven on the altar for burnt offerings.
27
Then Yahweh gave an order to the angel, and the angel put his sword back into its sheath.
28
When David saw that Yahweh had answered him at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he performed the sacrifice there at that same time.
29
Now at that time, Yahweh's tabernacle, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar for burnt offerings, were at the high place at Gibeon.
30
However, David could not go there to ask for God's direction, because he was afraid of the sword of the angel of Yahweh.
1 Chronicles 21:1
An adversary arose against Israel
Possible meanings of "adversary" are 1) this refers to Satan who decided to cause trouble for Israel or 2) this refers to an enemy army that began to threaten Israel.
incited David to count Israel
"caused David to do wrong, to count Israel." If your language has a word for getting someone to become angry and do something he knows is wrong, you should use it here.
1 Chronicles 21:2
count the people of Israel ... that I may know their number
It is apparent from 1 Chronicles 21:5 that David wanted to count only the men who were able to fight.
from Beersheba to Dan
The Israelites considered these two cities their most southern and most northern cities. David uses these cities to refer to all of Israel.
1 Chronicles 21:3
a hundred times greater than it is
Joab expresses the desire for an army the size of 100 armies to say he would like the army to have more soldiers and be more powerful.
But my master the king, do they not all serve my master? Why does my master want this? Why bring guilt on Israel?
"But my master the king, they all serve you already. My master should not request this. You will only bring guilt on the people of Israel by trusting your military power."
Why does my master want this?
The word "this" refers to David's plan to count all the men of Israel.
1 Chronicles 21:4
the king's word was enforced against Joab
"the command of the king prevailed despite Joab's objections"
So Joab left and went throughout all Israel
"So Joab left and went throughout all Israel to count the people"
1 Chronicles 21:5
men who drew the sword
"men who were prepared to serve as soldiers"
470,000 soldiers
"four hundred seventy thousand soldiers"
1 Chronicles 21:6
But Levi and Benjamin were not counted among them
"But Joab did not count the men from the tribes of Levi and Benjamin"
the king's command had disgusted Joab
"Joab was offended by what David had commanded"
1 Chronicles 21:7
by this action
Here "this action" refers to David's plan to count all the men of Israel who are able to fight.
so he attacked Israel
The nature of this attack is not clear. It was apparently enough to cause David to realize that Yahweh was angry with him for counting the people.
1 Chronicles 21:8
take away your servant's guilt
"forgive me"
your servant's guilt
"my guilt"
1 Chronicles 21:12
being caught by their swords
"being killed by them in battle"
destroying throughout all the land
"killing people who live in every part of the land"
I should take to the one who sent me
"I should take to Yahweh who sent me"
1 Chronicles 21:13
Let me fall into the hand of Yahweh rather than into the hand of man
"Let me be punished by Yahweh, rather than be punished by people"
Let me fall
The people of Israel are the ones who would die from the plague, but David is personalizing this judgment as if he himself was being killed.
hand of man
Here "man" is used in the generic sense of "people."
his merciful actions are very great
"Yahweh is very merciful"
1 Chronicles 21:14
on Israel
"On the people of Israel"
1 Chronicles 21:15
changed his mind about the harm
"decided not to destroy Jerusalem"
Enough!
"You have killed enough people!"
draw back your hand
"do not kill attack the people of Jerusalem"
Ornan
This is the name of a man.
1 Chronicles 21:16
standing between earth and heaven
This is symbolic language to indicate that the angel was sent from Yahweh in heaven to judge the people on the earth.
having a drawn sword in his hand raised over Jerusalem
"holding a sword in his hand as if ready to attack Jerusalem"
clothed in sackcloth, lay facedown on the ground
These were symbols of repentance.
1 Chronicles 21:17
Is it not I that commanded that the army be numbered?
"I am the one who commanded that the army be numbered."
But these sheep
David speaks of the people of Israel as if they were sheep, who are known for trusting and following their leader.
what have they done?
"they certainly have done nothing that deserves punishment."
Let your hand strike me and my clan
"Punish me and my clan"
1 Chronicles 21:18
David should go up
This is a reference to elevation. This threshing floor which became the future site of the temple was the highest point in Jerusalem.
1 Chronicles 21:19
as Gad instructed him to do in the name of Yahweh
"as Gad, speaking for Yahweh, instructed David to do"
1 Chronicles 21:20
hid themselves
"hid themselves because they were afraid of the angel"
1 Chronicles 21:21
with his face to the ground
"bowed very low to the ground"
1 Chronicles 21:22
full price
"I will pay the full price for what this threshing floor is worth"
1 Chronicles 21:23
Take it as your own
"Take it as a gift"
what is good in your sight
"whatever you decide to do with it"
threshing sledges
These are wooden sleds with rocks or metal fitted underneath, dragged by oxen over the grain on the threshing floor to separate the grain from its stalks.
1 Chronicles 21:25
shekels
a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams
for the place
"to buy the threshing floor"
1 Chronicles 21:26
He called on Yahweh
"He prayed for help to Yahweh"
who answered him with fire from heaven on the altar for burnt offerings
"who answered him by sending fire from heaven to the alter where David would offer the burnt offerings"
1 Chronicles 21:27
the angel put his sword back into its sheath
"the angel put his sword in its sheath to show that he would stop killing the people"
sheath
cover for a sword or knife
1 Chronicles 21:30
to ask for God's direction
"to ask God to tell him what he should do"
afraid of the sword of the angel of Yahweh
"afraid he would be killed by the angel of Yahweh"
Chapter 22
1
Then David said, "This is where the house of Yahweh God will be, with the altar for the burnt offerings of Israel."
2
So David ordered his servants to gather together the foreigners living in the land of Israel. He assigned them to be stonecutters, to cut stone blocks, in order to build the house of God.
3
David supplied a large amount of iron for the nails for the doors to go in the gateways, and for braces. He also supplied more bronze than could be weighed,
4
and more cedar trees than could be counted. (The Sidonians and the Tyrians brought too many cedar logs to David to count.)
5
David said, "My son Solomon is a young and inexperienced man, and the house that is to be built for Yahweh must be especially magnificent, so that it will be famous and glorious in all other lands. So I will prepare for its building." So David made extensive preparations before his death.
6
Then he called for Solomon his son and commanded him to build a house for Yahweh, the God of Israel.
7
David said to Solomon, "My son, it was my intention to build a house myself, for the name of Yahweh my God.
8
But Yahweh came to me and said, 'You have shed much blood and have fought many battles. You will not build a house for my name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight.
9
However, you will have a son who will be a peaceful man. I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. For his name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days.
10
He will build a house for my name. He will be my son, and I will be his Father. I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.'
11
Now, my son, may Yahweh be with you and enable you to succeed. May you build the house of Yahweh your God, as he said you would.
12
Only may Yahweh give you insight and understanding, so that you may obey the law of Yahweh your God, when he places you in charge over Israel.
13
Then you will succeed, if you carefully obey the statutes and the decrees that Yahweh gave to Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be discouraged.
14
Now, see, with great pains I have prepared for the house of Yahweh 100,000 talents of gold, one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron in large quantities. I have also provided timber and stone. You must add more to all this.
15
You have many workmen with you: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and skillful craftsmen without number of every kind,
16
who can work with gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Arise and begin the work, and may Yahweh be with you."
17
David also ordered all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying,
18
"Yahweh your God is with you and has given you peace on every side. He has given the region's inhabitants into my hand. The region is subdued before Yahweh and his people.
19
Now seek Yahweh your God with all your heart and your soul. Get up and build the holy place of Yahweh God. Then you can bring the ark of the covenant of Yahweh and the holy things that belong to God into the house built for Yahweh's name."
1 Chronicles 22:1
This is where
"This threshing floor is where"
1 Chronicles 22:2
stonecutters
persons who gathered large stones and cut them to the correct size so builders could use the rocks in walls and buildings
1 Chronicles 22:3
braces
items that connect two things together. "clamps" or "hinges"
1 Chronicles 22:4
more cedar trees than could be counted
"so many cedar trees that no one could count them"
1 Chronicles 22:5
the house that is to be built for Yahweh
"the house that he will build for Yahweh"
so that it will be famous and glorious in all other lands
"so that people in every other land will know about it and think that it is glorious"
prepare for its building
"prepare to build it"
1 Chronicles 22:6
he called
"David called"
commanded him to build
"commanded him to oversee the building of"
1 Chronicles 22:7
it was my intention
"I intended"
to build a house myself
"that I would be the one to build the temple"
for the name of Yahweh my God
"in order to honor Yahweh my God"
1 Chronicles 22:8
shed much blood
"killed many people"
for my name
"to honor me"
you have shed ... in my sight
"I have seen that you have shed much blood on the earth"
1 Chronicles 22:9
be a peaceful man
"live at peace with everyone"
give him rest from all his enemies
"cause there to be peace between him and all his enemies"
For his name will be Solomon
"His name will be Solomon, which sounds like the word for peace"
in his days
"while he rules"
1 Chronicles 22:10
a house for my name
"a temple to honor me"
He will be my son, and I will be his Father
God will treat Solomon as if he were God's own son.
I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever
"I will make his descendants rule over Israel forever"
1 Chronicles 22:11
May you build
"May you direct people to build"
1 Chronicles 22:12
when he places you in charge over Israel
"when he makes you king of Israel"
1 Chronicles 22:14
Now, see, with great
"Listen! With great"
with great pains I have prepared
"I have worked hard to prepare"
talents
about 33 kilograms
You must add more to all this
"You will need to increase that amount"
1 Chronicles 22:15
stonecutters, masons
These are both workers who cut stone and prepare it for builders to use in walls and buildings.
carpenters
persons who work with wood
skillful craftsmen without number of every kind
"a very large number of every kind of skillful craftsmen"
1 Chronicles 22:16
may Yahweh be with you
"May Yahweh will help Solomon be successful in the project"
1 Chronicles 22:18
Yahweh your God is with you
"Yahweh will help Israel to prosper"
your ... you
Here these pronouns are plural.
has given you peace on every side
"has caused all the nations who live around Israel to live peacefully with you"
He has given the region's inhabitants into my hand
"He has given me power over everyone who lives around us"
The region is subdued before Yahweh and his people
"The other nations no longer attack Yahweh and his people"
1 Chronicles 22:19
seek Yahweh your God
Seeking Yahweh represents either 1) asking God for help or 2) thinking about God and obeying him.
with all your heart and your soul
"with your whole being"
Get up and build the holy place
"Get up and direct the workers as they build the holy place"
the house built for Yahweh's name
"the temple you will build to honor Yahweh"
Chapter 23
1
When David was old and near the end of his life, he made Solomon his son king over Israel.
2
He gathered together all the leaders of Israel, with the priests and Levites.
3
The Levites who were thirty years old and older were counted in a census, and they numbered thirty-eight thousand.
4
"Of these, twenty-four thousand were to oversee the work on the house of Yahweh, and six thousand were officers and judges.
5
Four thousand were gatekeepers, and four thousand were to praise Yahweh with the instruments that I made to give praise," David said.
6
David divided them into groups that corresponded to Levi's sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
7
From the clans descended from Gershon, there were Ladan and Shimei.
8
There were three of Ladan's sons: Jehiel the leader, Zetham, and Joel.
9
There were three of Shimei's sons: Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran. These were the leaders of the clans of Ladan.
10
There were four of Shimei's sons: Jahath, Ziza, Jeush, and Beriah.
11
Jahath was the oldest, and Ziza the second, but Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons, so they were considered as one clan with the same duties.
12
There were four of Kohath's sons: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
13
These were Amram's sons: Aaron and Moses. Aaron was chosen to set apart the most holy things, that he and his descendants would offer incense before Yahweh, to serve him and to give blessings in his name forever.
14
But as for Moses the man of God, his descendants were counted with the tribe of Levi.
15
Moses' sons were Gershom and Eliezer.
16
Gershom's descendant was Shubael the oldest.
17
Eliezer's descendant was Rehabiah. Eliezer had no other sons, but Rehabiah had many descendants.
18
Izhar's son was Shelomith the leader.
19
Hebron's descendants were Jeriah the oldest, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.
20
Uzziel's sons were Micah the oldest, and Ishiah the second.
21
Merari's sons were Mahli and Mushi. Mahli's sons were Eleazar and Kish.
22
Eleazar died without having any sons. He had only daughters. So their kinsmen, the sons of Kish, married them.
23
Mushi's three sons were Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth.
24
These were Levi's descendants corresponding to their clans. They were the leaders, counted and listed by name in the census, of the clans that did the work in the service of the house of Yahweh, from twenty years old and upward.
25
For David said, "Yahweh, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people. He makes his home in Jerusalem forever.
26
The Levites will no longer need to carry the tabernacle and all the equipment used in its service."
27
For by David's last words the Levites were counted, from twenty years old and upward.
28
Their duty was to assist Aaron's descendants in the service of the house of Yahweh. They were to care for the courtyards, the rooms, the ceremonial purification of all the things that belong to Yahweh, and other work in the service of the house of God.
29
They also took care of the bread of the presence, the fine flour for grain offerings, the unleavened wafers, the baked offerings, the offerings mixed with oil, and all the measuring of the amounts and sizes of things.
30
They also stood every morning to thank and praise Yahweh. They also did this in the evening
31
and whenever burnt offerings were offered to Yahweh, on the Sabbath and at the new moon festivals and feast days. A fixed number, assigned by decree, always had to be present before Yahweh.
32
They were in charge of the tent of meeting, the holy place, and helped their kinsmen the descendants of Aaron in the service of the house of Yahweh.
1 Chronicles 23:3
The Levites who were thirty years old and older were counted
"Some of David's men counted the Levites who were 30 years old and older"
1 Chronicles 23:4
officers and judges
These Levites listened to legal arguments and administered justice according to the law of Moses.
1 Chronicles 23:5
gatekeepers
These Levites guarded the temple entrance so no person who was ceremonially unclean entered.
1 Chronicles 23:6
that corresponded to
"based on" or "according to the descendants of"
1 Chronicles 23:11
the oldest ... the second
"the oldest son ... the second son"
1 Chronicles 23:13
Aaron was chosen to set apart the most holy things
"Yahweh chose Aaron to dedicate the most holy things"
to give blessings in his name forever
"to bless the people as representatives of God forever"
1 Chronicles 23:14
his descendants were counted with the tribe of Levi
"the people considered Moses's sons to be part of the Levite clan"
1 Chronicles 23:19
the oldest ... the second ... the third ... the fourth
"the oldest son ... the second son ... the third son ... the fourth son"
1 Chronicles 23:20
the oldest ... the second
"the oldest son ... the second son"
1 Chronicles 23:24
These were Levi's descendants corresponding to their clans. They were the leaders, counted and listed by name in the census, of the clans
"These were the names of Levi's descendants and their families, whom David's men counted and listed. They were the leaders of the clans"
1 Chronicles 23:25
has given rest
Here "rest" refers to peace with surrounding nations.
He makes his home in Jerusalem forever
Possible meanings are 1) Yahweh will be present in Jerusalem forever or 2) Yahweh's temple will be present in Jerusalem forever.
1 Chronicles 23:27
For by David's last words the Levites were counted
"For David's last command was for his men to count the Levites"
1 Chronicles 23:29
bread of the presence
See how you translated this in 1 Chronicles 9:32.
flour
grain that is ground into a powder
1 Chronicles 23:30
They also stood
"The Levites also stood at the temple"
1 Chronicles 23:31
whenever burnt offerings were offered to Yahweh
"whenever the priests offered burnt offerings to Yahweh"
new moon festivals
These holidays marked the beginning of each new month.
A fixed number, assigned by decree, always had to be present before Yahweh
"A specific number of the Levites were always assigned to be present at the temple to make offerings to Yahweh"
1 Chronicles 23:32
They were in charge of
"The Levites were responsible for"
Chapter 24
1
The work groups based on Aaron's descendants were these: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
2
Nadab and Abihu died before their father died. They had no children, so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.
3
David, together with Zadok, a descendant of Eleazar, and Ahimelek, a descendant of Ithamar, divided them into groups for their labor as priests.
4
There were more leading men among Eleazar's descendants than among Ithamar's descendants, so they divided Eleazar's descendants into sixteen groups. They did this by heads of clans and by Ithamar's descendants. These divisions were eight in number, corresponding to their clans.
5
They divided them impartially by lot, for there were holy officials and officials of God, from both Eleazar's descendants and Ithamar's descendants.
6
Shemaiah son of Nethanel the scribe, a Levite, wrote down their names in the presence of the king, the officials, Zadok the priest, Ahimelek son of Abiathar, and the leaders of the priestly and Levite families. One clan was drawn by lot from Eleazar's descendants, and then the next would be drawn from Ithamar's descendants.
7
The first lot went to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,
8
the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
9
the fifth to Malkijah, the sixth to Mijamin,
10
the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,
11
the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shekaniah,
12
the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,
13
the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,
14
the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,
15
the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez,
16
the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel,
17
the twenty-first to Jakin, the twenty-second to Gamul,
18
the twenty-third to Delaiah, and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.
19
This was the order of their service, when they came into the house of Yahweh, following the ordinance given to them by Aaron their ancestor, as Yahweh, the God of Israel, had commanded him.
20
These were the rest of the descendants of Levi: Of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah.
21
As for Rehabiah, the sons of Rehabiah: Ishiah the leader.
22
From the Izharites: Shelomoth; from the sons of Shelomoth: Jahath.
23
The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the leader, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.
24
The son of Uzziel: Micah; from the sons of Micah: Shamir.
25
The brother of Micah: Ishiah. From the sons of Ishiah: Zechariah.
26
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi; from the son of Jaaziah: Beno.
27
The sons of Merari from Jaaziah: Beno, Shoham, Zakkur, and Ibri.
28
From Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons.
29
From Kish: The son of Kish: Jerahmeel.
30
The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the Levites, listed by their clans.
31
These men who were the head of each clan and each of their younger brothers, cast lots in the presence of King David, and Zadok and Ahimelek, along with the leaders of the families of the priests and Levites. They cast lots just as Aaron's descendants had done.
1 Chronicles 24:1
Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar
Translate the names of these men as in 1 Chronicles 6:3.
1 Chronicles 24:3
Ahimelek
This is the name of a man.
divided them into groups
"divided the descendants of Eleazar and Ithamar into groups"
1 Chronicles 24:4
they divided
"David, Zadok, and Ahimelech divided"
heads of clans
"leaders of the clans"
These divisions were eight in number, corresponding to their clans
"There were eight divisions based on the clans of Ithamar's descendants"
1 Chronicles 24:5
They divided them impartially by lot
"They divided them by lot so that the divisions would be fair"
1 Chronicles 24:6
Nethanel
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 15:24.
1 Chronicles 24:7
The first lot ... the second
"Lot number 1 ... lot number 2." This shows the order in which the families were chosen by lots. If this is unnatural in your language you may use "The initial" for "The first" and "the next" for all of the following ones.
Jehoiarib ... Jedaiah
See how you translated the names of these men in 1 Chronicles 9:10.
the second
"the second lot" or "lot number 2"
1 Chronicles 24:8
the third ... the fourth
"the third lot ... the fourth lot"
Harim ... Seorim
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 24:9
the fifth ... the sixth
"the fifth lot ... the sixth lot"
Malkijah ... Mijamin
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 24:10
the seventh ... the eighth
"the seventh lot ... the eighth lot"
Hakkoz ... Abijah
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 24:11
the ninth ... the tenth
"the ninth lot ... the tenth lot"
Jeshua ... Shekaniah
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 24:12
the eleventh ... the twelfth
"the eleventh lot ... the twelfth lot" or "lot number 11 ... lot number 12"
Eliashib ... Jakim
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 24:13
the thirteenth ... the fourteenth
"the thirteenth lot ... the fourteenth lot"
Huppah ... Jeshebeab
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 24:14
the fifteenth ... the sixteenth
"the fifteenth lot ... the sixteenth lot"
Bilgah ... Immer
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 24:15
the seventeenth ... the eighteenth
"the seventeenth lot ... the eighteenth lot"
Hezir ... Happizzez
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 24:16
the nineteenth ... the twentieth
"the nineteenth lot ... the twentieth lot"
Pethahiah ... Jehezkel
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 24:17
the twenty-first ... the twenty-second
"the twenty-first lot ... the twenty-second lot"
Jakin ... Gamul
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 24:18
the twenty-third ... the twenty-fourth
"the twenty-third lot ... the twenty-fourth lot"
Delaiah ... Maaziah
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 24:19
following the ordinance given to them by Aaron their ancestor
"following the rules that Aaron their ancestor gave them"
1 Chronicles 24:23
the second ... the third ... the fourth
"the second son ... the third son ... the fourth son"
1 Chronicles 24:26
from the son of Jaaziah: Beno
It seems Jaaziah is another son of Merari. And, Beno is the son of Jaaziah. Beno is mentioned in both verses 26 and 27 because he is a leader in his family. However, some Bibles translate "Beno" as "his son" rather than as a proper name. Those Bibles read like this: "and from his sons, Jaaziah, his son."
1 Chronicles 24:27
from Jaaziah: Beno, Shoham
It seems Jaaziah is another son of Merari. And, Beno is the son of Jaaziah. Beno is mentioned in both verses 26 and 27 because he is a leader in his family. However, some Bibles translate "Beno" as "his son" rather than as a proper name. Those Bibles read like this: "from Jaaziah, his son: Shoham."
1 Chronicles 24:28
Mahli ... Eleazar
Translate the names of these men as in 1 Chronicles 23:21.
1 Chronicles 24:29
From Kish: The son of Kish
"These are the sons who were descended from Kish"
1 Chronicles 24:30
Mushi
Translate the name of this man as in 1 Chronicles 23:21.
Chapter 25
1
David and the leaders of the army selected some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with lutes and harps, and with cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service:
2
From the sons of Asaph: Zakkur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah,
the sons of Asaph, under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the king's supervision.
3
From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri,
Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six in all, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied, playing the harp for giving thanks and praising Yahweh.
4
From the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel,
Shubael, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth.
5
All these were the sons of Heman the king's prophet. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters to lift up his horn.
6
All these were under the direction of their fathers. They were musicians in the house of Yahweh with cymbals, lutes and lyres, as they served in the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the king's supervision.
7
They and their brothers who were skilled and trained to make music to Yahweh numbered 288.
8
They cast lots for their duties, all alike, the same for the young as well as the old, the teacher as well as the student.
9
Now regarding Asaph's sons: The first lot fell to Joseph's family; the second fell to Gedaliah's family, twelve persons in number;
10
the third fell to Zakkur, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number;
11
the fourth fell to Izri,
his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number;
12
the fifth fell to Nethaniah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number;
13
the sixth fell to Bukkiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number;
14
the seventh fell to Jesarelah,
his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number;
15
the eighth fell to Jeshaiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number;
16
the ninth fell to Mattaniah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number;
17
the tenth fell to Shimei, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number;
18
the eleventh fell to Azarel,
his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number;
19
the twelfth fell to Hashabiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number;
20
the thirteenth fell to Shubael, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number;
21
the fourteenth fell to Mattithiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number;
22
the fifteenth fell to Jerimoth, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number;
23
the sixteenth fell to Hananiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number;
24
the seventeenth fell to Joshbekashah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number;
25
the eighteenth fell to Hanani, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number;
26
the nineteenth fell to Mallothi, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number;
27
the twentieth fell to Eliathah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number;
28
the twenty-first fell to Hothir, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number;
29
the twenty-second fell to Giddalti, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number;
30
the twenty-third fell to Mahazioth, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number;
31
the twenty-fourth fell to Romamti-Ezer, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number.
1 Chronicles 25:1
Heman ... Jeduthun
Translate the names of these men the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 16:41.
cymbals
This refers to two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound.
this service
"the work done at the tabernacle"
1 Chronicles 25:2
under the direction of
"under the supervision of"
1 Chronicles 25:5
to lift up his horn
"to honor Heman"
1 Chronicles 25:6
were under the direction of their fathers
"were supervised by their fathers"
1 Chronicles 25:9
The first lot ... the second
"Lot number 1 ... lot number 2." This shows the order in which the families were chosen by lots. If this is unnatural in your language you may use "The initial" for "The first" and "the next" for all of the following ones.
The first lot fell to Joseph's family
"The first lot fell to Joseph's family, twelve persons in number"
Gedaliah
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 25:3.
1 Chronicles 25:10
the third
"the third lot" or "lot number 3"
Zakkur
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 25:2.
1 Chronicles 25:11
the fourth
"the fourth lot" or "lot number 4"
Izri
This name of this man is spelled Zeri in 1 Chronicles 25:3.
1 Chronicles 25:12
the fifth
"the fifth lot" or "lot number 5"
Nethaniah
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 25:2.
1 Chronicles 25:13
the sixth
"the sixth lot" or "lot number 6"
Bukkiah
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
1 Chronicles 25:14
the seventh
"the seventh lot" or "lot number 7"
1 Chronicles 25:15
the eighth
"the eighth lot" or "lot number 8"
Jeshaiah
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 25:3.
1 Chronicles 25:16
the ninth
"the ninth lot" or "lot number 9"
Mattaniah
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
1 Chronicles 25:17
the tenth
"the tenth lot" or "lot number 10"
Shimei
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 25:3.
1 Chronicles 25:18
the eleventh
"the eleventh lot" or "lot number 11"
1 Chronicles 25:19
the twelfth
"the twelfth lot" or "lot number 12"
Hashabiah
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 25:3.
1 Chronicles 25:20
the thirteenth
"the thirteenth lot" or "lot number 13" )
Shubael
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
1 Chronicles 25:21
the fourteenth
"the fourteenth lot" or "lot number 14"
Mattithiah
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 25:3.
1 Chronicles 25:22
the fifteenth
"the fifteenth lot" or "lot number 15"
Jerimoth
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
1 Chronicles 25:23
the sixteenth
"the sixteenth lot" or "lot number 16"
Hananiah
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
1 Chronicles 25:24
the seventeenth
"the seventeenth lot" or "lot number 17"
Joshbekashah
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
1 Chronicles 25:25
the eighteenth
"the eighteenth lot" or "lot number 18"
Hanani
Translate the name of this man as you did in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
1 Chronicles 25:26
the nineteenth
"the nineteenth lot" or "lot number 19"
Mallothi
Translate the name of this man as you did in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
1 Chronicles 25:27
the twentieth
"the twentieth lot" or "lot number 20"
Eliathah
Translate the name of this man as you did in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
1 Chronicles 25:28
the twenty-first
"the twenty-first lot" or "lot number 21"
Hothir
Translate the name of this man as you did in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
1 Chronicles 25:29
the twenty-second
"the twenty-second lot" or "lot number 2"
Giddalti
Translate the name of this man the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
1 Chronicles 25:30
the twenty-third
"the twenty-third lot" or "lot number 23"
Mahazioth
Translate the name of this man the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
1 Chronicles 25:31
the twenty-fourth
"the twenty-fourth lot" or "lot number 24"
Romamti-Ezer
Translate the name of this man the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 25:4.
Chapter 26
1
Here were the divisions of the gatekeepers: From the Korahites, Meshelemiah son of Kore, a descendant of Asaph
.
2
Meshelemiah
had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
3
Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh.
4
Obed-Edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sakar the fourth, and Nethanel the fifth,
5
Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth, for God had blessed Obed-Edom.
6
To Shemaiah his son were born sons who ruled over their clans; they were men of great ability.
7
The sons of Shemaiah were Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad. His relatives Elihu and Semakiah were also men with many abilities.
8
All these were descendants of Obed-Edom. They and their sons and relatives were men capable of doing their duties in the tabernacle service. There were sixty-two of them related to Obed-Edom.
9
Meshelemiah had sons and relatives, capable men, eighteen in all.
10
Hosah, a descendant of Merari, had sons: Shimri the leader (although he was not the firstborn, his father made him leader),
11
Hilkiah the second, Tabaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth. All of Hosah's sons and kinsmen were thirteen in number.
12
These divisions of the gatekeepers, corresponding to their leaders, had responsibilities, like their relatives, to serve in the house of Yahweh.
13
They threw lots, both young and old, corresponding to their clans, for every gate.
14
When the lot was cast for the east gate, it fell to Shelemiah
. They then cast lots for Zechariah his son, a prudent advisor, and his lot came out for the north gate.
15
To Obed-Edom was assigned the south gate, and his sons were assigned the storehouses.
16
Shuppim and Hosah were assigned the west gate along with the gate of Shalleketh, on the upper road. The guards were very close to each other.
17
On the east were six Levites, on the north four a day, on the south four a day, and at the storehouses two pairs.
18
At the pillar to the west there were four stationed at the road and two at the pillar
19
These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were the descendants of Korah and Merari.
20
Among the Levites, Ahijah was in charge of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the things that belong to Yahweh.
21
The descendants of Ladan, who were descendants of the Gershonites through Ladan, who were heads of families belonging to Ladan the Gershonite, were Jehieli
22
and the sons of Jehieli: Zetham and Joel his brother. They were in charge of the treasuries of the house of Yahweh.
23
From the clans of Amram, the clans of Izhar, the clans of Hebron, and the clans of Uzziel:
24
Shubael, a descendant of Gershom son of Moses, was supervisor over the treasuries.
25
His relatives from the clan of Eliezer were his son Rehabiah, Rehabiah's son Jeshaiah, Jeshaiah's son Joram, Joram's son Zikri, and Zikri's son Shelomith.
26
Shelomith and his relatives were over all the treasuries holding the dedicated things that David the king, the family leaders, commanders over thousands and hundreds, and the army commanders had dedicated.
27
They set apart the plunder won in battles for the upkeep of the house of Yahweh.
28
They were also in charge of everything that was set apart to Yahweh by Samuel the prophet, Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner, and Joab son of Zeruiah. Everything that was set apart to Yahweh was under the guard of Shelomith and his relatives.
29
Of Izhar's descendants, Kenaniah and his sons were in charge of the civil affairs of Israel. They were officers and judges.
30
Of Hebron's descendants, Hashabiah and his brothers, 1,700 capable men, were in charge of Yahweh's work and the king's work. They were on the west side of the Jordan.
31
As for the Hebronites, Jeriah was the head of the clans, according to the genealogical records. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they examined the records and found among them men of great ability in Jazer of Gilead.
32
Jeriah had 2,700 relatives, who were capable family leaders. David made them overseers over the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God, and for the king's affairs.
1 Chronicles 26:1
divisions
groups
Korahites
See how you translated the name of this people group in 1 Chronicles 19:19.
Meshelemiah
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 9:21.
Kore
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 9:19.
Asaph
This is an alternative spelling to "Ebiasaph" in 1 Chronicles 9:19.
1 Chronicles 26:2
Meshelemiah ... Zechariah
See how you translated the names of these men in 1 Chronicles 9:21.
the second ... the third ... the fourth
This shows the order in which the sons were born. If it is more natural in your language, you may say "the next" for each son. The word "son" may be supplied here.
1 Chronicles 26:4
Obed-Edom
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 16:38.
1 Chronicles 26:7
Shemaiah
Translate this name of this man the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 26:4.
1 Chronicles 26:9
Meshelemiah
Translate the name of this man as you did in 1 Chronicles 26:1.
1 Chronicles 26:12
divisions
groups
1 Chronicles 26:13
threw lots
"cast lots"
both young and old
"all of them, including the young men and the old men" or "men of all ages"
1 Chronicles 26:14
Zechariah
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 26:2.
a prudent advisor
This is a person who shows good judgment in making decisions.
1 Chronicles 26:15
To Obed-Edom was assigned the south gate, and his sons were assigned the storehouses
"Obed-Edom was responsible for guarding the south gate, and his sons guarded the storehouses"
1 Chronicles 26:16
Shuppim and Hosah were assigned
"Shuppim and Hosah were responsible for guarding"
Hosah
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 26:10.
1 Chronicles 26:17
the east ... the north ... the south
"the east gate ... the north gate ... the south gate"
four a day
"four men each day" or "four Levites each day"
two pairs
"2 pairs of men" or "2 sets of 2 men each"
1 Chronicles 26:18
At the pillar to the west there were four stationed
"Four Levites guarded the pillar to the west"
four stationed at the road and two at the pillar
"four Levites stationed at the road and two Levites stationed as guards of the pillar"
1 Chronicles 26:21
Ladan ... Gershon
Translate the names of these men the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 23:7.
descendants of the Gershonites through Ladan, who were heads of families belonging to Ladan the Gershonite
"who were leaders of the families of Ladan the Gershonite"
Gershonite
A descendant of Gershon.
Jehieli
This is the name of a man. This is the same person as in 1 Chronicles 23:8, but there his name is spelled "Jehiel."
1 Chronicles 26:22
Jehieli
This is the name of a man. This is the same person as in 1 Chronicles 23:8, but there his name is spelled "Jehiel."
Zetham ... Joel
Translate the names of these men the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 23:8.
1 Chronicles 26:23
Amram ... Izhar ... Hebron ... Uzziel
Translate the names of these men the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 23:12.
1 Chronicles 26:24
Shubael
Translate the name of this man as you did in 1 Chronicles 23:16.
Gershom
Translate the name of this man as you did in 1 Chronicles 23:15.
1 Chronicles 26:25
Eliezer
Translate the name of this man as you did in 1 Chronicles 23:15.
His relatives from the clan of Eliezer
"His relatives who did the work with him from the clan of Eliezer"
Rehabiah
Translate the name of this man as you did in 1 Chronicles 23:17.
1 Chronicles 26:26
were over
"were in charge of"
commanders over thousands and hundreds
"the commanders over large military divisions and the commanders over smaller military divisions"
1 Chronicles 26:27
plunder
things an army takes from its enemies after a victory
1 Chronicles 26:28
Everything that was set apart
"Everything that the leaders set apart"
1 Chronicles 26:29
Izhar
Translate the name of this man the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 23:12.
civil affairs of Israel
"daily business of the people of Israel." This refers to the regular business of the people of Israel, not connected to the military or to the temple.
1 Chronicles 26:30
Hebron
Translate the name of this man the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 23:12.
Hashabiah
This is the name of a man.
Yahweh's work and the king's work
"work done for Yahweh and the king."
1 Chronicles 26:31
Hebron
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 23:12.
Jeriah
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 23:19.
In the fortieth year of the reign of David
"When David had been king for forty years"
Jazer
This is the name of a city.
Chapter 27
1
This is the list of the family leaders of the people of Israel, commanders of thousands and hundreds, as well as army officers who served the king in various ways. Each military division served month by month throughout the year. Each division had twenty-four thousand men.
2
Over the division for the first month was Jashobeam son of Zabdiel. In his division were twenty-four thousand men.
3
He was among the descendants of Perez and in charge of all the army officers for the first month.
4
Over the division for the second month was Dodai, from the clan descended from Ahoah. Mikloth was second in rank. In his division were twenty-four thousand men.
5
The commander of the army for the third month was Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a priest and leader. In his division were twenty-four thousand men.
6
This is the Benaiah who was the leader of the thirty, and over the thirty. Ammizabad his son was in his division.
7
The commander for the fourth month was Asahel brother of Joab. Zebadiah his son became commander after him. In his division were twenty-four thousand men.
8
The commander for the fifth month was Shamhuth, a descendant of Izrah. In his division were twenty-four thousand men.
9
The commander for the sixth month was Ira son of Ikkesh, from Tekoa. In his division were twenty-four thousand men.
10
The commander for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, from the people of Ephraim. In his division were twenty-four thousand men.
11
The commander for the eighth month was Sibbekai the Hushathite, from the clan descended from Zerah. In his division were twenty-four thousand men.
12
The commander for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, from the tribe of Benjamin. In his division were twenty-four thousand men.
13
The commander for the tenth month was Maharai from the city of Netophah, from the clan descended from Zerah. In his division were twenty-four thousand men.
14
The commander for the eleventh month was Benaiah from the city of Pirathon, from the tribe of Ephraim. In his division were twenty-four thousand men.
15
The commander for the twelfth month was Heldai from the city of Netophah, from the clan descended from Othniel. In his division were twenty-four thousand men.
16
These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel: For the tribe of Reuben, Eliezer son of Zichri was the leader. For the tribe of Simeon, Shephatiah son of Maakah was the leader.
17
For the tribe of Levi, Hashabiah son of Kemuel was the leader, and Zadok led Aaron's descendants.
18
For the tribe of Judah, Elihu, one of David's brothers, was the leader. For the tribe of Issachar, Omri son of Michael was the leader.
19
For the tribe of Zebulun, Ishmaiah son of Obadiah was the leader. For the tribe of Naphtali, Jerimoth son of Azriel was the leader.
20
For the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Azaziah was the leader. For the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel son of Pedaiah was the leader.
21
For the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo son of Zechariah was the leader. For the tribe of Benjamin, Jaasiel son of Abner was the leader.
22
For the tribe of Dan, Azarel son of Jeroham was the leader. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.
23
David did not count those twenty years old or younger, because Yahweh had promised to increase Israel like the stars of heaven.
24
Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men, but did not finish. Wrath fell on Israel for this. This number was not written down in the Chronicles of King David.
25
Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the king's treasuries. Jonathan son of Uzziah was over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the fortified towers.
26
Ezri son of Kelub was over the farmers, those who plowed the land.
27
Shimei the Ramathite was over the vineyards, and Zabdi the Shiphmite was over the grapes and the wine cellars.
28
Over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowlands was Baal-Hanan from Geder, and over the storehouses of oil was Joash.
29
Over the herds that were pastured in Sharon was Shitrai from Sharon, and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat son of Adlai.
30
Over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite, and over the female donkeys was Jehdeiah from Meronoth. Over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite.
31
Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the flocks. All these officials were in charge of the property of King David.
32
Jonathan, David's uncle, was an advisor, since he was a wise man and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hakmoni cared for the king's sons.
33
Ahithophel was the king's advisor, and Hushai from the Arkite people was the king's private advisor.
34
Ahithophel's position was taken by Jehoiada son of Benaiah, and by Abiathar. Joab was commander of the king's army.
1 Chronicles 27:1
This is the list
"These are the names"
commanders of thousands and hundreds
"the commanders of large military divisions and the commanders of smaller military divisions"
in various ways
"in different ways" or "in many ways"
Each military division served month by month throughout the year
This means that each division took turns serving periods of a month at a time.
Each military division
"Each group"
throughout the year
"all year long"
1 Chronicles 27:2
Over the division
"In charge of the division"
first month
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of March and the first part of April on Western calendars.
1 Chronicles 27:3
Perez
This is the name of a man.
1 Chronicles 27:4
Over the division
"In charge of the division"
the second month
This is the second month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of April and the first part of May on Western calendars.
Dodai ... Mikloth
These are names of men.
Ahoah
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 8:4.
In his division
"In his group of soldiers"
1 Chronicles 27:5
the third month
This is the third month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of May and the first part of June on Western calendars.
Jehoiada
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 11:22.
1 Chronicles 27:6
"in charge of the 30 men"
1 Chronicles 27:7
the fourth month
This is the fourth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of June and the first part of July on Western calendars.
his division
"his military group"
1 Chronicles 27:8
Shamhuth ... Izrah
These are the names of men.
the fifth month
This is the fifth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of July and the first part of August on Western calendars.
1 Chronicles 27:9
the sixth month
This is the sixth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of August and the first part of September on Western calendars.
Ira ... Ikkesh
Translate the names of these men the same as you did in 1 Chronicles 11:28.
1 Chronicles 27:10
the seventh month
This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of September and the first part of October on Western calendars.
Helez the Pelonite
See how you translated the name of this man and the name of his clan in 1 Chronicles 11:27.
1 Chronicles 27:11
the eighth month
This is the eighth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of October and the first part of November on Western calendars.
Sibbekai the Hushathite
See how you translated the name of this man and the name of his clan in 1 Chronicles 11:29.
Zerah
See how you translated this man's name in 1 Chronicles 2:4.
1 Chronicles 27:12
the ninth month
This is the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part November and the first part December on Western calendars.
Abiezer the Anathothite
See how you translated the name of this man and the name of his clan 1 Chronicles 11:28.
1 Chronicles 27:13
the tenth month
This is the tenth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of December and the first part of January on Western calendars.
Maharai
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 11:30.
Zerah
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 2:4.
1 Chronicles 27:14
the eleventh month
This is the eleventh month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of January and the first part of February on Western calendars.
1 Chronicles 27:15
the twelfth month
This is the twelfth and last month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of February and the first part of March on Western calendars.
Heldai ... Othniel
These are names of men.
1 Chronicles 27:17
Zadok
See how you translated the hame of this man in 1 Chronicles 6:8.
1 Chronicles 27:18
Elihu
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 12:20.
Michael
See how you translated the name of this man in 1 Chronicles 7:3.
1 Chronicles 27:23
to increase Israel like the stars of heaven
"to increase the number of people in Israel to be as many as the stars in the heavens"
1 Chronicles 27:24
Zeruiah
See how you translated this woman's name in 1 Chronicles 2:16.
Wrath fell on Israel
"God punished the people of Israel"
This number was not written down
"No one wrote this number down"
1 Chronicles 27:25
in charge of
"responsible for guarding"
was over
"was in charge of"
fortified towers
"strong towers"
1 Chronicles 27:26
plowed the land
This means to dig into or break up the dirt before planting.
1 Chronicles 27:27
Zabdi
This is the name of a man.
Ramathite
This is the name of a person from the city of Ramah.
Shiphmite
This is the name of a person from the city of Shepham.
wine cellars
These are the parts of a building that are below the ground and used to store wine.
1 Chronicles 27:28
sycamore
This is a type of tree.
Baal-Hanan
This is the name of a man.
1 Chronicles 27:29
Shitrai ... Shaphat ... Adlai
These are names of men.
that were pastured
"that ate grass in the fields"
1 Chronicles 27:30
Obil ... Jehdeiah ... Jaziz
These are names of men.
Ishmaelite
Translate the name of this clan as you did in 1 Chronicles 2:17.
Hagrite
Translate the name of this people group as you did in 1 Chronicles 5:10.
1 Chronicles 27:31
Jaziz
This is the name of a man.
Hagrite
Translate the name of this people group as you did in 1 Chronicles 5:10.
All these officials
"All of these men"
1 Chronicles 27:33
Ahithophel ... Hushai
These are names of men.
Arkite
This is the name of a tribe or clan.
1 Chronicles 27:34
Ahithophel ... Jehoiada
These are names of men.
Chapter 28
1
David assembled all the officials of Israel at Jerusalem: the officials of the tribes, the officers of the divisions that served the king in their scheduled work, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, the managers over all the property and possessions of the king and of his sons, and the officers and fighting men, including the most skilled of them.
2
Then David the king rose to his feet and said, "Listen to me, my brothers and my people. It was my intention to build a house as a resting place for the ark of the covenant of Yahweh; a footstool for our God, and I have made preparations to build it.
3
But God said to me, 'You will not build a temple for my name, because you are a man of war and have shed blood.'
4
Yet Yahweh, the God of Israel, chose me from all my father's house to be king over Israel forever. He has chosen Judah as leader, and from the house of Judah he chose my father's house, and from all my father's sons he was pleased to make me king over all Israel.
5
From the many sons whom Yahweh has given me, he chose Solomon, my son, to sit on the throne of the kingdom of Yahweh, over Israel.
6
He said to me, 'Solomon your son will build my house and my courtyards, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his Father.
7
I will establish his kingdom forever, if he remains committed to obey my commandments and decrees, as you are this day.'
8
Now then, in the sight of all Israel, this assembly for Yahweh, and in the presence of our God, all of you must keep and try to carry out all the commandments of Yahweh your God. Do this so that you may possess this good land and leave it as an inheritance to your descendants after you forever.
9
As for you, Solomon my son, obey the God of your father, and serve him with your whole heart and a willing spirit. Do this because Yahweh searches all hearts and understands every motivation of everyone's thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you abandon him, he will reject you forever.
10
Realize that Yahweh has chosen you to build this temple as his sanctuary. Be strong and do it."
11
Then David gave to Solomon his son the plans for the temple portico, the temple buildings, the storerooms, the upper rooms, the inner rooms, and the room with the atonement lid.
12
He gave him the plans he had drawn for the courtyards of the house of Yahweh, all the surrounding rooms, the storerooms in the house of God, and the treasuries for the things that belong to Yahweh.
13
He gave him regulations for the divisions of the priests and Levites, for the assigned responsibilities for the service of the house of Yahweh, and for all the objects for the service in the house of Yahweh.
14
He determined the weight of all the gold vessels for each service, the weight of silver vessels for each service,
15
the weight of the gold for all the gold articles, to be lampstands and gold lamps, the weight of gold for each lampstand, the weight of silver for each silver lampstand, according to the use of each lampstand in the service.
16
He gave the weight of the gold for the tables of the bread of the presence, for every table, and the weight of the silver for the silver tables.
17
He gave the weight of pure gold for the meat forks, basins, and cups. He gave the weight for each of the gold bowls, and the weight of each of the silver bowls.
18
He gave the weight of refined gold for the incense altar, and of the gold for the design of the chariot, the cherubim that spread out their wings and covered the ark of the covenant of Yahweh.
19
David said, "I have put all this in writing as Yahweh directed me and gave me to understand regarding the design."
20
David said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and brave. Do the work. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for Yahweh God, my God, is with you. He will not leave you nor abandon you until all the work for the service of the house of Yahweh is finished.
21
See, here are the divisions of the priests and Levites for all the service in the house of God. They will be with you, together with all willing and skillful men, to assist you in the work and to perform the service. The officials and all the people are ready to follow your commands."
1 Chronicles 28:1
assembled
called together
scheduled work
Work that needs to be repeated, for example every day or every month.
the commanders of thousands and of hundreds
"the commanders of large military divisions and the commanders of smaller military divisions"
the managers over
"the managers in charge of"
property and possessions
These two words share similar meanings and refer to all of the items and lands that the king owned.
1 Chronicles 28:2
rose to his feet
"stood up"
the ark of the covenant of Yahweh; a footstool for our God
The "ark of the covenant" is spoke of as Yahweh's footstool to picture God on his throne, with his feet resting on his footstool, which represents all that is in submission to him.
1 Chronicles 28:3
a temple for my name
"a temple for me"
have shed blood
"have killed people"
1 Chronicles 28:4
chose me ... to be king over Israel forever
"chose me and my descendants ... to be kings over Israel forever"
all Israel
"the whole land of Israel" or "all the Israelites"
1 Chronicles 28:5
to sit on the throne of
"to rule over" or "to be the king of"
the kingdom of Yahweh, over Israel
"Israel, which is Yahweh's kingdom"
1 Chronicles 28:6
He said to me
"God said to me"
my house
The word "house" refers to the temple of Yahweh.
I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his Father
"I have chosen to treat him like a son, and I will be like a father to him"
1 Chronicles 28:7
as you are this day
"as you are committed this day"
1 Chronicles 28:8
Now then, in the sight of all Israel ... all of you must
Here David is giving a command to all of the people of Israel. Alternate translation: "Now then, in the sight of all Israel, this assembly for Yahweh, and in the presence of our God, I command all of you to"
in the sight of
"in the hearing of"
keep and try to carry out
"carefully obey"
your descendants after you forever
"your children and your descendants, who will take your place after you die"
1 Chronicles 28:9
the God of your father
"my God"
with your whole heart
"with complete devotion" or "completely"
searches all hearts and understands every motivation of everyone's thoughts
"Yahweh knows the thoughts and motives of every person"
all hearts
"searches everyone's emotions and desires"
If you seek him, he will be found by you
"If you seek him, you will find him" or "If you try to get Yahweh to pay attention to you, he will do so"
1 Chronicles 28:10
Realize that
"Be aware that" or "Be sure you remember that"
Be strong and do it
The word "strong" here refers to willpower and strength of character.
1 Chronicles 28:11
temple portico
"temple porch" or "temple entrance." This refers to the columns that supported the roof at the entrance of the temple.
1 Chronicles 28:12
treasuries
storerooms for valuable things
1 Chronicles 28:13
regulations
These were specific rules about how the priests and Levites should work in the temple.
divisions of the priests and Levites
"groups of the priests and Levites." This refers to the groups in which the priests and other temple workers were organized to fulfill their duties.
1 Chronicles 28:15
according to the use of each lampstand in the service
"determined by what each lampstand would be used for in the service in the temple." There would be silver lampstands of different weights for different purposes.
1 Chronicles 28:16
for every table
"the weight of the gold for every other table"
1 Chronicles 28:19
I have put all this in writing
"I wrote all of this down"
gave me to understand regarding the design
"helped me to understand the details for his temple"
1 Chronicles 28:20
strong and brave
These two words basically mean the same thing and emphasize that Solomon must be courageous.
Do not be afraid or dismayed
"Be courageous" or "Be confident"
is with you
"will help you"
He will not leave you nor abandon you
"He will always be with you"
1 Chronicles 28:21
See, here are the divisions
"Here are the divisions." David uses the word "see" here to refer back to the listings of the divisions of the Levites and their duties for the temple.
Chapter 29
1
King David said to the whole assembly, "Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is still young and inexperienced, and the task is great. For the temple is not for people but for Yahweh God.
2
So I have done my best to provide for the temple of my God. I am giving gold for the things to be made of gold, silver for the things to be made of silver, bronze for the things to be made of bronze, iron for the things to be made of iron, and wood for the things to be made of wood. I am also giving onyx stones, stones to be set, stones for inlaid work of various colors—all kinds of precious stones—and marble stone in abundance.
3
Now, because of my delight in the house of my God, I am giving my personal treasure of gold and silver for it. I am doing this in addition to all that I have prepared for this holy temple:
4
three thousand talents of gold from Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, in order to overlay the walls of the buildings.
5
I am donating gold for the things to be made of gold, and silver for the things to be made of silver, and things for all kinds of work to be done by craftsmen. Who else wants to make a contribution to Yahweh today and give himself to him?"
6
Then freewill offerings were made by the leaders of their ancestors' families, the leaders of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and by the officials over the king's work.
7
They gave for the service of the house of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze, and 100,000 talents of iron.
8
Those who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of Yahweh, under the supervision of Jehiel, a descendant of Gershon.
9
The people rejoiced because of these freewill offerings, because they had contributed wholeheartedly to Yahweh. King David also rejoiced greatly.
10
David blessed Yahweh in front of all the assembly. He said, "May you be praised, Yahweh, God of Israel our ancestor, forever and ever.
11
Yours, Yahweh, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. For all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, Yahweh, and you are exalted as ruler over all.
12
Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all people. In your hand is power and might. You possess the strength and might to make people great and to give strength to anyone.
13
Now then, our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name.
14
But who am I, and who are my people, that we should have the ability to offer so willingly these things? Indeed, all things come from you, and we have simply given back to you what is yours.
15
For we are sojourners and tenants before you, as all our ancestors were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope of remaining on earth.
16
Yahweh our God, all this wealth that we have collected in order to build a temple to honor your holy name—it comes from you and belongs to you.
17
I know also, my God, that you examine the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things, and now I look with joy as your people who are present here willingly offer gifts to you.
18
Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel—our ancestors—keep this forever in the thoughts of the minds of your people. Direct their hearts toward you.
19
Give to Solomon my son a whole heart to keep your commandments, your covenant decrees, and your statutes, and to carry out all these plans to build the palace for which I have made provision."
20
David said to all the assembly, "Now bless Yahweh your God." All the assembly blessed Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, and they bowed down and showed honor to Yahweh and to the king.
21
On the next day, they made sacrifices to Yahweh and offered burnt offerings to him. They offered a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel.
22
On that day, they ate and drank before Yahweh with great joy.
They made Solomon, David's son, king a second time, and anointed him with Yahweh's authority to be ruler. They also anointed Zadok to be priest.
23
Then Solomon sat on Yahweh's throne as king in place of David his father. He prospered, and all Israel obeyed him.
24
All the leaders, soldiers, and King David's sons gave allegiance to King Solomon.
25
Yahweh greatly honored Solomon before all Israel and bestowed on him royal majesty such as had never been given to any king before him in Israel.
26
David son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.
27
David had been king of Israel for forty years. He ruled for seven years in Hebron and for thirty-three years in Jerusalem.
28
He died at a good old age, after enjoying a long life, wealth and honor. Solomon his son reigned after him.
29
King David's accomplishments are written in the chronicles of Samuel the seer, in the chronicles of Nathan the prophet, and in the chronicles of Gad the seer.
30
Recorded there are the deeds of his rule, his power and the events that affected him, Israel, and all the kingdoms of the other lands.
1 Chronicles 29:1
whom alone God has chosen
"the one whom God has chosen"
1 Chronicles 29:2
gold for the things to be made of gold ... to be made of wood
"gold so the craftsmen may make the gold things, silver so they may make the silver things, bronze so they may make the bronze things, iron so they may make the iron things, and wood so they may make the wooden things"
onyx stones
These are stones with black and white lines that are used to make jewelry.
stones to be set
"stones for the craftsmen to set" or "stones for mounting"
inlaid work
This refers to the beautiful and decorative designs or patterns formed by the stones.
1 Chronicles 29:4
three thousand talents
"about 100,000 kilograms" or "about 100 metric tons"
gold from Ophir
This was the best quality and most valuable gold.
seven thousand talents
"about 230,000 kilograms" or "230 metric tons"
1 Chronicles 29:5
give himself to him
"give himself to God"
1 Chronicles 29:6
Then freewill offerings were made by the leaders ... and by the officials over the king's work.
"Then the leaders ... and the officials in charge of the king's work made freewill offerings"
the commanders of thousands and hundreds
"the commanders of large military divisions and the commanders of smaller military divisions"
1 Chronicles 29:7
five thousand talents ... and 100,000 talents of iron
"165 metric tons and 84 kilograms of gold, 330 metric tons of silver, 600 metric tons of bronze, and 3,300 metric tons of iron"
1 Chronicles 29:8
treasury
This is a place where money and valuable objects are kept.
Jehiel
See how you translated these men's names in 1 Chronicles 23:8.
Gershon
This was the firstborn son of Levi. See how you translated these men's names in 1 Chronicles 23:7.
1 Chronicles 29:9
wholeheartedly
willingly and without any doubt or hesitation
1 Chronicles 29:10
May you be praised
"May people praise you"
Israel our ancestor
Here "Israel" refers to the man Jacob. Alternate translation: "Jacob our ancestor"
1 Chronicles 29:12
In your hand is power and might
"You determine who has power and might"
power and might
The words "power" and "might" mean the same thing and emphasize the greatness of Yahweh's power.
1 Chronicles 29:13
your glorious name
"you who are glorious" or "you because you are glorious"
1 Chronicles 29:14
But who am I, and who are my people, that we should have the ability to offer so willingly these things?
"My people and I should definitely offer these things to you willingly!"
1 Chronicles 29:15
we are sojourners and tenants before you
"For our lives are short and we are like foreigners and tenants who live on your land"
Our days on the earth are like a shadow
"Our time here on earth is like a shadow that disappears quickly"
1 Chronicles 29:17
you examine the heart
"you examine people's thoughts"
in the uprightness of my heart
"because I want to be honest and honorable in everything I do for you"
1 Chronicles 29:18
Direct their hearts toward you
"Direct them to be loyal to you" or "Keep them loyal to you"
1 Chronicles 29:19
a whole heart
"firm intentions"
1 Chronicles 29:20
Now bless Yahweh
"Now praise Yahweh"
bowed down and showed honor to Yahweh and to the king
"lay down on the ground to show respect to Yahweh and the king"
1 Chronicles 29:21
they made sacrifices to Yahweh and offered burnt offerings to him
The people offered animals to be sacrificed to Yahweh by the priests. Most of the people did not actually kill and sacrifice the animals themselves.
1 Chronicles 29:22
before Yahweh
"in honor of Yahweh"
a second time
This means that they anointed him and declared him as king.
anointed him with Yahweh's authority to be ruler
"anointed him to rule over Israel on Yahweh's behalf"
1 Chronicles 29:23
Then Solomon sat on Yahweh's throne as king in place of David his father
"So Solomon sat on the throne, in place of his father David, as king over Yahweh's people"
1 Chronicles 29:24
gave allegiance to King Solomon
"told King Solomon that they would be faithful to him"
1 Chronicles 29:28
at a good old age
"as an old man"
1 Chronicles 29:29
written in the chronicles of Samuel the seer, ... and in the chronicles of Gad the seer
These are written accounts that no longer exist.
1 Chronicles 29:30
Recorded there are the deeds
"There men wrote down the things that happened while David was king"
the events that affected him, Israel, and all the kingdoms of the other lands
"all the things that happened to him and to the people of Israel and in the kingdoms of other countries while he was ruling Israel"
2 Chronicles
Chapter 1
1
Solomon son of David was strengthened in his rule, and Yahweh his God was with him and made him very powerful.
2
Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every prince in all Israel, the heads of the fathers' houses.
3
So Solomon and all the assembly with him went to the high place that was at Gibeon, for there was the tent of meeting of God, which Moses the servant of Yahweh, had made in the wilderness.
4
But David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim to the place that he had prepared for it, for he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem.
5
In addition, the bronze altar made by Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur was there before the tabernacle of Yahweh; Solomon and the assembly went to it.
6
Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before Yahweh, which was at the tent of meeting, and offered one thousand burnt offerings on it.
7
God appeared to Solomon that night and said to him, "Ask! What should I give you?"
8
Solomon said to God, "You have shown great covenant faithfulness to David my father, and have made me king in his place.
9
Now, Yahweh God, let your promise to David my father be carried out, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth.
10
Now give me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people, for who can judge your people, who are so many in number?"
11
God said to Solomon, "Because this was in your heart, and because you have not asked for riches, wealth, or honor, nor for the life of those who hate you, nor for long life for yourself, but you have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, so that you might rule my people, over whom I have made you king, this is what I will do.
12
I will now give you wisdom and knowledge. I will also give you riches, wealth, and honor, as none of the kings had before you, and none after you will have."
13
So Solomon came to Jerusalem from the high place that was at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting; he reigned over Israel.
14
Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen, and he had 1,400 chariots and twelve thousand horsemen that he placed in the chariot cities, and with himself, the king in Jerusalem.
15
The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as the stones, and he made cedar wood as common as the sycamore trees that are in the lowlands.
16
As for the importation of horses from Egypt and Kue for Solomon, the king's merchants bought them from Kue at a price.
17
They imported a chariot from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for 150 shekels. They also exported them to the kings of the Hittites and the Arameans.
2 Chronicles 1:1
was strengthened in his rule
"gained complete control over his kingdom" or "ruled powerfully over his kingdom". This chapter begins a section about King Solomon's reign (2 Chronicles 1-9). He asks God for wisdom to rule God's people. God is pleased with this request because it is used to serve others. Therefore, God also gives Solomon tremendous wealth and a long life.
Yahweh
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament.
God was with him
"God supported him" or "God helped him"
2 Chronicles 1:2
spoke to all Israel, to the commanders ... heads of the fathers' house
"spoke to the commanders ... heads of the father's house". Here "all of Israel" represent all of Israel.
the commanders of thousands and of hundreds
"the commanders of large military divisions and the commanders of smaller military divisions"
to every prince
"to every leader". Here "prince" means leaders in general, not necessarily the sons of the king.
the heads of the fathers' houses
"the leaders of the families in Israel"
2 Chronicles 1:4
Kiriath Jearim
A little town about 9 miles west of Jerusalem.
pitched a tent
"set up a tent"
2 Chronicles 1:5
Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur
These are names of men.
2 Chronicles 1:6
went up there
"went up to the high place at Gibeon"
2 Chronicles 1:7
Ask! What should I give you?
"Ask for whatever you want from me."
2 Chronicles 1:8
You have shown great covenant faithfulness to David
"You have greatly and faithfully loved David" or "You have been very faithful to David"
2 Chronicles 1:9
let your promise to David my father be carried out
"please do what you promised to David my father that you would do"
a people as numerous as the dust of the earth
"countless people" or "very many people"
2 Chronicles 1:10
give me wisdom and knowledge
"cause me to be wise and to know many things"
who can judge your people, who are so many in number?
"no one can judge all of your countless people without your help."
2 Chronicles 1:11
Because this was in your heart
"Because this was your desire" or "Because this is what you wanted"
nor for the life of those who hate you
"nor to be able to defeat those who hate you" or "nor to be able to kill your enemies"
2 Chronicles 1:12
I will now give you wisdom and knowledge
"I will now cause you to be wise and to know many things"
2 Chronicles 1:13
So Solomon came to Jerusalem
"So Solomon and the people with him went to Jerusalem"
from before the tent of meeting
"from the tent of meeting"
2 Chronicles 1:14
in the chariot cities
A reference to cities which stored his chariots.
2 Chronicles 1:15
The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as the stones
"The king had so much silver in Jerusalem, it was like there was as much silver as there was stones on the ground"
the sycamore trees
A tree that grows fruit that looks like figs.
2 Chronicles 1:16
As for the importation of horses from Egypt and Kue for Solomon
"As for the horses Solomon imported from Egypt and Kue"
Kue
The name of a region. Some think that Kue was the same as Cilicia, in Asia Minor.
2 Chronicles 1:17
six hundred shekels of silver ... 150 shekels
"about 6.6 kilograms of silver ... about 1.7 kilograms". A unit of weight equal to about 11 grams
exported
to send something out of one country into another
Chapter 2
1
Now Solomon commanded the building of a house for Yahweh's name and the building of a palace for his kingdom.
2
Solomon assigned seventy thousand men to carry loads, and eighty thousand men as stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 men to supervise them.
3
Solomon sent a message to Hiram, the king of Tyre, saying, "As you did with David my father, sending him cedar logs to build a house to live in, do the same with me.
4
See, I am about to build a house for the name of Yahweh my God, to set it apart to him, to burn incense of sweet spices before him, to set out the bread of the presence, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths and on the new moons, and on the appointed feasts for Yahweh our God. This is forever, for Israel.
5
The house that I will build will be very large, for our God is greater than all other gods.
6
But who is able to build God a house, since the entire universe and even heaven itself cannot contain him? Who am I to build him a house, except to burn sacrifices before him?
7
So send me a man who is skilled at work in gold, silver, bronze, iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue wool, a man who knows how to make all kinds of engraved wood. He will be with the skilled men who are with me in Judah and Jerusalem, whom David my father provided.
8
Send me also cedar, cypress, and algum trees from Lebanon, for I know that your servants know how to cut timber in Lebanon. See, my servants will be with your servants,
9
in order to prepare for me timber in abundance, for the house which I am about to build will be great and marvelous.
10
See, I will give to your servants, the men who will cut the timber, twenty thousand cors of ground wheat, twenty thousand cors of barley, twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil."
11
Then Hiram, the king of Tyre, answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon: "Because Yahweh loves his people, he has made you king over them."
12
In addition, Hiram said, "Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given to David the king a wise son, gifted with prudence and understanding, who will build a house for Yahweh and a royal palace for himself.
13
Now I have sent a skillful man, Huram-Abi, who is gifted with understanding.
14
He is the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan. His father was a man from Tyre. He is skilled at work in gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, and in timber, and in purple, blue, and crimson wool, and fine linen. He is also skilled in making any kind of engraving and in making any kind of design. Let a place be made for him among your skilled workers, and with those of my master, David, your father.
15
Now then, the wheat and the barley, the oil and the wine, of which my master has spoken, let him send these things to his servants.
16
We will cut wood from Lebanon, as much wood as you need. We will take it to you as rafts by sea to Joppa, and you will carry it up to Jerusalem."
17
Solomon counted all the foreigners who were in the land of Israel, following the method that David, his father, had counted them. They were found to be 153,600.
18
He assigned seventy thousand of them to carry loads, eighty thousand to be stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 to be supervisors to put the people to work.
2 Chronicles 2:1
Now
This chapter begins a section on building the temple. It is repeatedly referred to as the "house of God" because Yahweh will dwell in the temple. (2 Chronicles 2 to 4).
commanded the building of a house for Yahweh's name
"commanded his people to build a house where Yahweh may live" or "commanded his people to build a house where they could worship Yahweh"
of a palace for his kingdom
"of a royal palace for his kingdom"
2 Chronicles 2:2
to carry loads
"to carry loads of materials"
2 Chronicles 2:3
Hiram
This is the name of a man.
2 Chronicles 2:4
I am about to build
"I am about to command my people to build"
the bread of the presence
A reference to the 12 loaves of bread that were placed in front of the altar.
new moons
The time of a festival coinciding with the movement of the moon.
This is forever, for Israel
"These are the things Yahweh has commanded Israel to do forever"
2 Chronicles 2:5
God is greater
A reference to God being more important and more powerful than other gods.
2 Chronicles 2:6
who is able to build God a house, since the entire universe and even heaven itself cannot contain him? Who am I to build him a house, except to burn sacrifices before him?
"no one is able to build a house for God because not even the universe or heaven is big enough to contain him. I am not worthy to build a house for him, except as a place to offer sacrifices to him."
2 Chronicles 2:10
twenty thousand cors
A cor is 220 liters. Twenty thousand cors equals 4,400 cubic meters.
ground wheat
"wheat flour"
twenty thousand baths
A bath is 22 liters. Twenty thousand baths equals 440 cubic meters.
2 Chronicles 2:12
gifted with prudence and understanding
"who is very intelligent and understands many things"
2 Chronicles 2:13
gifted with understanding
"who understand many things" or "who is very wise"
Huram-Abi
This is the name of a man.
2 Chronicles 2:14
fine linen
"high quality cloth" or "the best cloth"
He is the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan
"His mother is from the tribe of Dan" or "His mother is a descendant of Dan"
2 Chronicles 2:15
of which my master has spoken, let him send these things to his servants
"of which you, my master, have spoken, please send these things to us, your servants". Hiram is showing respect.
2 Chronicles 2:16
you will carry it up to Jerusalem
"you will command your people to take the wood to Jerusalem"
2 Chronicles 2:17
They were found to be 153,600
"There were one hundred and fifty-three thousand six hundred foreigners"
Chapter 3
1
Then Solomon began to build the house of Yahweh at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where Yahweh had appeared to David his father. He prepared the place that David had planned for it, at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
2
He began to build on the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.
3
Now these are the dimensions of the foundation that Solomon laid for the house of God. Using the old style cubit, the length was sixty cubits, and the width was twenty cubits.
4
The length of the portico at the front of the house was twenty cubits, matching the building's width. Its height was also twenty cubits, and Solomon overlaid its interior with pure gold.
5
He fashioned the ceiling of the main hall with cypress, which he overlaid with fine gold, and which he carved with palm trees and chains.
6
He decorated the house with precious stones; the gold was gold from Parvaim.
7
He also overlaid its beams, thresholds, walls, and doors with gold; he carved cherubim on its walls.
8
He built the most holy place. Its length matched the house's width, twenty cubits, and its width was also twenty cubits. He overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents.
9
The weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. He overlaid its high surfaces with gold.
10
He made two images of cherubim for the most holy place; craftsmen overlaid them with gold.
11
The wings of the cherubim were twenty cubits long all together; the wing of one cherub was five cubits long, reaching to the wall of the room, and the other wing was five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub.
12
The wing of the other cherub was also five cubits, reaching to the wall of the room; its other wing was also five cubits, touching the wing of the first cherub.
13
The wings of these cherubim spread a total of twenty cubits. The cherubim stood on their feet, with their faces toward the main hall.
14
He made the curtain of blue, purple, and crimson wool and fine linen, and he fashioned cherubim on it.
15
Solomon also made two pillars, each thirty-five cubits high, for in front of the house; the capitals that were on the top of them were five cubits high.
16
He made chains for the pillars and put them on top of them; he also made one hundred pomegranates and joined them to the chains.
17
He set up the pillars in front of the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; he named the pillar on the right Jakin, and the pillar on the left Boaz.
2 Chronicles 3:1
Then Solomon began to build ... He prepared
"Then Solomon's workers began to build ... They prepared"
Mount Moriah
This is the name of a mountain. The location of the temple was significant. Many events in history occurred there.
Ornan the Jebusite
"Ornan" is the name of a man. "Jebusite" is the name of a people group.
2 Chronicles 3:2
the second day of the second month
"day 2 of month 2." The second month of the Hebrew calendar. This is near the middle of April on Western calendars.
2 Chronicles 3:3
Now
The narrator begins to explain the dimensions and the design of the temple.
sixty cubits ... twenty cubits
"27.6 meters long ... 9.2 meters". A cubit is 46 centimeters
2 Chronicles 3:4
portico
This portico was probably attached to the front part of the wall that surrounded the temple and was made of columns and a roof that leads to and connects with the building's entrance door.
twenty cubits
"9.2 meters"
Solomon overlaid
"Solomon's workers overlaid"
2 Chronicles 3:5
the main hall
This is a reference to a large room, not a hallway.
2 Chronicles 3:6
precious stones
Stones that were beautiful, highly valued, and used for decorations.
Parvaim
This is probably the name of a region.
2 Chronicles 3:7
beams
A beam is a long heavy piece of wood used to support a building.
2 Chronicles 3:8
six hundred talents
"about 20 metric tons". A talent is 33 kilograms.
2 Chronicles 3:9
fifty shekels
"0.55 kilograms" or "about a half a kilogram". A shekel is 11 grams.
2 Chronicles 3:11
twenty cubits ... five cubits
"9.2 meters ... 2.3 meters"
2 Chronicles 3:14
blue, purple, and crimson wool
Translate these words as you did in 2 Chronicles 2:7.
fine linen
"high quality cloth" or "the best cloth"
2 Chronicles 3:15
thirty-five cubits ... five cubits
"16.1 meters ... 2.3 meters". A cubit is 46 centimeters.
the capitals
decorations on top of the pillars
2 Chronicles 3:17
on the right hand ... on the left
"on the right side ... on the left side" or "on the south side ... on the north side"
Jakin
Possibly a name to describe God as "The One who establishes."
Boaz
"In him is strength."
Chapter 4
1
Moreover he made an altar of bronze; its length was twenty cubits, and its width was twenty cubits. Its height was ten cubits.
2
He also made the round sea of cast metal, ten cubits from brim to brim. Its height was five cubits, and the sea was thirty cubits in circumference.
3
Under the brim encircling the sea were bulls, ten to each cubit, cast in one piece with the sea when the sea itself was cast.
4
The large basin known as "The Sea" was set upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, three looking toward the west, three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east. "The Sea" was set on top of them, and all their hindquarters were toward the inside.
5
"The Sea" was as thick as the width of a hand, and its brim was forged like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom. "The Sea" held three thousand baths of water.
6
He made also ten basins for washing things; he put five on the south side, and five on the north; items used in performing the burnt offering were to be washed in them. The large basin known as "The Sea" was used by the priests for them to wash.
7
He made the ten lampstands of gold that were made from the instructions for their design; he placed them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left.
8
He made ten tables and placed them in the temple, five on the right side, and five on the left. He made one hundred basins of gold.
9
Furthermore he made the courtyard of the priests, and the great court and the doors for the court and overlaid their doors with bronze.
10
He placed the basin known as "The Sea" on the east side of the temple, facing toward the south.
11
Huram made the pots, the shovels, and the sprinkling bowls.
So Huram finished the work that he did for King Solomon in the house of God:
12
the two pillars, the bowl-like capitals that were on top of the two pillars, and the two sets of decorative latticework to cover the two bowl-like capitals that were on top of the pillars.
13
He had made the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of decorative latticework: two rows of pomegranates for each set of latticework to cover the two bowl-like capitals that were on the pillars.
14
He also made the stands and the basins to go on the stands;
15
one sea and the twelve bulls under it,
16
also the pots, shovels, meat forks, and all the other implements that Huram-Abi made of polished bronze for King Solomon, for the house of Yahweh.
17
The king had cast them in the plain of the Jordan, in the clay ground between Sukkoth and Zarethan.
18
Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance; indeed, the weight of the bronze could not be known.
19
Solomon made all the furnishings that were in the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables on which the bread of the presence was to be placed;
20
the lampstands with their lamps, that were designed to burn before the inner room—these were made of pure gold;
21
and the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs, of gold, pure gold.
22
Also the lamp trimmers, basins, spoons, and incense burners were all made of pure gold. As for the entrance into the house, its inner doors into the most holy place and the doors of the house, that is, of the temple, were made of gold.
2 Chronicles 4:1
he made
"Solomon's workers made"
twenty cubits ... ten cubits
"20 cubits ... 10 cubits" or "9.2 meters ... 4.6 meters". A cubit is 46 centimeters.
2 Chronicles 4:2
ten cubits ... five cubits ... thirty cubits
"4.6 meters ... 2.3 meters ... 13.8 meters"
the round sea of cast metal
A tank or basin that would hold water. This is metal that was melted then formed in a mold.
from brim to brim
"from one edge to the other"
in circumference
Circumference is the distance or measurement around a circular object or area.
2 Chronicles 4:3
each cubit
"every 46 centimeters"
ten to each cubit
"ten per cubit"
when the sea itself was cast
"when the workers cast the sea itself"
2 Chronicles 4:4
The Sea
This refers to the tank or basin that held water for sacrifices.
was set upon twelve oxen
"was on top of twelve oxen"
twelve oxen
"twelve bronze oxen"
hindquarters
This is the back quarter of the body of an animal with four feet.
2 Chronicles 4:5
thick as the width of a hand
This is about 8 centimeters.
its brim was forged like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom
"Solomon's workers forged the brim to look like the brim of a cup, to curve outward like a lily"
three thousand baths
"66 cubic meters". A bath is a unit of volume equal to about 22 liters.
2 Chronicles 4:6
He made ... he put
"Solomon's workers made ... they put"
items used in performing the burnt offering were to be washed in them
"people were to wash the items used in performing the burnt offering in them"
2 Chronicles 4:7
that were made from the instructions for their design
"according to the instructions for their design" or "according to how Solomon instructed his workers to design them"
on the right hand ... on the left
"on the right side ... on the left side" or "on the south side ... on the north side"
2 Chronicles 4:8
basins
Shallow bowls used for washing.
2 Chronicles 4:9
the great court
"the large court"
2 Chronicles 4:10
on the east side of the temple, facing toward the south
"next to the southeast corner of the temple"
2 Chronicles 4:11
Huram
See how you translated this name in 2 Chronicles 2:13.
the sprinkling bowls
bowls that held blood that was used in the house of God for sprinkling the altar
Huram finished the work that he did
"Huram and the other workers finished the work that they did"
2 Chronicles 4:12
bowl-like capitals
"bowl-shaped tops" or "bowl-shaped upper parts". The upper part of a pillar is called a capital. See 2 Chronicles 3:15.
decorative latticework
"carvings that resembled chains"
2 Chronicles 4:13
the four hundred pomegranates
Translate "pomegranates" as you did in 2 Chronicles 3:16.
2 Chronicles 4:15
one sea and the twelve bulls
This is a large decorative washing container. Translate as you did in 2 Chronicles 4:2-3.
2 Chronicles 4:16
Huram-Abi made
"Huram-Abi and his craftsmen made". Huram is also called Huram-Abi.
other implements
"other tools" or "other objects used for the altar"
polished bronze
Bronze that the workmen polished so that it would reflect light.
2 Chronicles 4:17
The king had cast them
"The king commanded his workers to cast them"
Zarethan
This is the name of a city.
2 Chronicles 4:18
the weight of the bronze could not be known
"no one even tried to weigh the bronze" or "no one could even determine how much all the bronze weighed"
2 Chronicles 4:19
all the furnishings
This refers to all of the bowls and tools that were used in the house of God.
the tables on which the bread of the presence was to be placed
"the tables on which the priests were to place the bread of the presence"
the bread of the presence
A reference to the 12 loaves of bread that were placed in front of the altar. See 2 Chronicles 2:4.
2 Chronicles 4:21
the flowers, the lamps
The "flowers" and "lamps" were part of the lampstands.
the tongs
A tool made from two sticks of wood or metal connected at one end and used for picking up objects.
2 Chronicles 4:22
Also the lamp trimmers ... were all made of pure gold
"The workers also made the lamp trimmers ... out of pure gold"
lamp trimmers
These would have been used to trim the wicks of the lamps.
its inner doors ... were made of gold
"the workers made its inner doors ... out of gold"
Chapter 5
1
When all the work that Solomon did for the house of Yahweh was completed, Solomon brought in the things that David, his father, had set apart for this purpose, including the silver, the gold, and all the furnishings—he placed them into the treasuries of the house of God.
2
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes, and the leaders of the families of the people of Israel, in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh from the city of David, that is, Zion.
3
All the men of Israel assembled before the king at the feast, which was in the seventh month.
4
All the elders of Israel came, and the Levites took up the ark.
5
They brought up the ark, the tent of meeting, and all the holy furnishings that were in the tent. The priests who were of the tribe of Levi brought these things up.
6
King Solomon and all the assembly of Israel came together before the ark, sacrificing sheep and cattle that could not be counted.
7
The priests brought in the ark of the covenant of Yahweh to its place, into the inner room of the house, to the most holy place, under the wings of the cherubim.
8
For the cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, and they covered the ark and the poles by which it was carried.
9
The poles that extended from the ark were so long that their ends were seen from the holy place in front of the inner room, but they could not be seen from outside. They are there to this day.
10
There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets that Moses had put there at Horeb, when Yahweh made a covenant with the people of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.
11
It came about that the priests came out of the holy place. All the priests who were present had consecrated themselves to Yahweh, regardless of their divisions.
12
Also the Levites who were the singers, all of them, including Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and brothers, clothed in fine linen and playing cymbals, lutes and harps, stood at the east end of the altar. With them were 120 priests blowing trumpets.
13
It came about that the trumpeters and singers made music together, making one sound to be heard for praising and thanking Yahweh. They raised their voices with the trumpets and cymbals and other instruments, and they praised Yahweh. They sang, "For he is good, for his covenant loyalty endures forever." Then the house, the house of Yahweh, was filled with a cloud.
14
The priests could not stand in order to serve because of the cloud, for the glory of Yahweh filled his house.
2 Chronicles 5:1
When all the work that Solomon did for the house of Yahweh was completed, Solomon brought
"When Solomon's workers completed all of the work for the house of Yahweh, they brought". Everything from the tent was moved into the new temple and was done in a special way.
treasuries
storerooms, rooms where things are kept or stored
2 Chronicles 5:2
assembled the elders of Israel
"called together the leaders of Israel"
all the heads of the tribes
"all the leaders of the tribes"
2 Chronicles 5:3
All the men of Israel
This may refer either 1) to the people whom Solomon called to Jerusalem and who are listed in 5:2 or 2) generally to those who traveled to Jerusalem for the feast, not necessarily to every male person who lived in Israel.
at the feast, which was in the seventh month
This is the Festival of Shelters which is on the fifteenth day of the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, near the beginning of October on Western calendars.
2 Chronicles 5:5
furnishings
See how you translated this in 2 Chronicles 4:19.
2 Chronicles 5:6
all the assembly of Israel
Here "all" is a generalization meaning very many Israelites.
sacrificing sheep and cattle that could not be counted
"sacrificing more sheep and cattle than anyone could count" or "sacrificing very many sheep and cattle"
2 Chronicles 5:8
poles by which it was carried
"poles by which the priests carried it"
2 Chronicles 5:9
their ends were seen ... they could not be seen
"people could see their ends ... people could not see them"
to this day
This means the day on which the writer wrote.
2 Chronicles 5:10
There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets ... Egypt
"The only things in the ark were the two tablets ... Egypt"
2 Chronicles 5:12
Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun
These are names of men.
sons and brothers
"sons and other relatives"
cymbals
Two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound.
2 Chronicles 5:13
making one sound to be heard for praising and thanking Yahweh
"making one sound as they praised and thanked Yahweh"
raised their voices
"sang loudly"
for his covenant loyalty endures forever
"for he is faithful forever"
Then the house, the house of Yahweh, was filled with a cloud
"Then a cloud filled the house of Yahweh"
Chapter 6
1
Then Solomon said, "Yahweh has said that he would live in thick darkness,
2
but I have built you a lofty residence, a place for you to live in forever."
3
Then the king turned around and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing.
4
He said, "May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be praised, who spoke to David my father, and has fulfilled it with his own hands, saying,
5
'Since the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house, in order for my name to be there. Neither did I choose any man to be prince over my people Israel.
6
However, I have chosen Jerusalem, so that my name might be there, and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.'
7
Now it was in the heart of David my father, to build a house for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
8
But Yahweh said to David my father, 'In that it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well for it to be in your heart.
9
Nevertheless, you are not to build the house; instead, your son, one who will come from your loins, will build the house for my name.'
10
Yahweh has carried out the word that he had said, for I have arisen in the place of David my father, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as Yahweh promised. I have built the house for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
11
I have placed the ark there, in which is Yahweh's covenant, which he made with the people of Israel."
12
Solomon stood before the altar of Yahweh in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands.
13
For he had made a bronze platform, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high. He had placed it in the middle of the courtyard. He stood on it and knelt down before all the assembly of Israel, and then he spread out his hands toward the heavens.
14
He said, "Yahweh, God of Israel, there is no God like you in the heavens or on the earth, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with your servants who walk before you with all their heart;
15
you who have kept with your servant David my father, what you promised him. Yes, you spoke with your mouth and have fulfilled it with your hand, as it is today.
16
Now then, Yahweh, God of Israel, carry out what you have promised to your servant David my father, when you said, 'You will not fail to have a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants are careful to walk in my law, as you have walked before me.'
17
Now then, Yahweh, God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David.
18
But will God actually live with mankind on the earth? Look, the entire universe and heaven itself cannot contain you—how much less can this temple that I have built!
19
Yet please respect this prayer of your servant and his plea, Yahweh my God; listen to the cry and prayer that your servant prays before you.
20
May your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, the place where you promised to put your name. May you listen to the prayer your servant prays toward this place.
21
So listen to the pleas of your servant and of your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, listen from the place where you live, from the heavens; and when you listen, forgive.
22
If a man sins against his neighbor and is required to swear an oath, and if he comes and swears an oath before your altar in this house,
23
listen from the heavens and act. Judge your servants, condemning the wicked and bringing what he has done upon his own head. Declare the innocent not guilty and give to him according to his righteousness.
24
When your people Israel are defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you, if they turn back to you, confess your name, pray, and seek favor before you in this temple—
25
then please listen from the heavens and forgive the sin of your people Israel; bring them back to the land that you gave to them and to their ancestors.
26
When the skies are shut up and there is no rain because the people have sinned against you—if they pray toward this place, confess your name, and turn from their sin when you have afflicted them—
27
then listen in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants and of your people Israel, when you direct them to the good way in which they should walk. Send rain on your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance.
28
Suppose there is famine in the land, or suppose that there is disease, blight or mildew, locusts or caterpillars; or suppose that its enemies attack the city gates in their land, or that there is any plague or sickness—
29
and suppose then that prayers and pleas are made by a person or by all your people Israel—each knowing the plague and sorrow in his own heart as he spreads out his hands toward this temple.
30
Then listen from heaven, the place where you live; forgive, and reward every person for all his ways; you know his heart, because you and you only know the hearts of human beings.
31
Do this so that they may fear you, so that they may walk in your ways all the days that they live on the land that you gave to our ancestors.
32
As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel, but who—because of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm—comes and prays toward this house,
33
then please listen from heaven, the place where you live, and do all that the foreigner asks of you, so that all the people of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and that they might know that this house I have built is called by your name.
34
Suppose that your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way you may send them, and suppose that they pray to you toward this city that you have chosen, and toward the house that I have built for your name.
35
Then listen from the heavens to their prayer, their request, and help their cause.
36
Suppose they sin against you—since there is no one who does not sin—and suppose that you are angry with them and hand them over to the enemy, so that the enemy carries them away and takes them as captives to their land, whether distant or near.
37
Then suppose they realize they are in the land where they have been exiled, and suppose that they repent and seek favor from you in the land of their captivity. Suppose that they say, 'We have acted perversely and sinned. We have behaved wickedly.'
38
Suppose that they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they took them as captives, and suppose that they pray toward their land, which you gave to their ancestors, and toward the city that you chose, and toward the house that I have built for your name.
39
Then listen from the heavens, the place where you live, to their prayer and to their pleas, and help their cause. Forgive your people, who have sinned against you.
40
Now, my God, I beg you, let your eyes be open, and let your ears be attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.
41
Now then arise, Yahweh God, to your resting place, you and the ark of your strength. Let your priests, Yahweh God, be clothed with salvation, and let your faithful ones rejoice in your goodness.
42
Yahweh God, do not turn the face of your anointed away from you. Keep in mind your acts of covenant loyalty for David, your servant."
2 Chronicles 6:1
Yahweh has said that he
"Yahweh, you have said that you". Solomon dedicated the temple with a prayer asking God to honor the temple. It was common to dedicate something important to God when it was completed.
in thick darkness
"in great darkness"
2 Chronicles 6:2
I have built you a lofty residence
"I and your people have built you a lofty residence"
a lofty residence
a magnificent house, appropriate for someone who is very important
2 Chronicles 6:3
while all the assembly of Israel was standing
"while the people of Israel there were standing"
2 Chronicles 6:4
May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be praised
"Praise Yahweh, the God of Israel"
David my father
King Solomon actually was one of King David's sons.
has fulfilled it
"has ensured that he fulfilled his promises"
with his own hands
"by his own power"
2 Chronicles 6:5
in order for my name to be there
"for people to worship me there". His name being there represents people recognizing his greatness and worshiping him.
to be prince over my people Israel
"to rule my people Israel"
2 Chronicles 6:6
so that my name might be there
"so that people might worship me there". This represents people recognizing his greatness and worshiping him.
to be over my people Israel
"to rule my people Israel"
2 Chronicles 6:7
it was in the heart of David my father
"David my father desired"
for the name of Yahweh
"for Yahweh ... for me" or "for Yahweh's reputation"
2 Chronicles 6:8
it was in your heart ... for it to be in your heart
"you desired ... to desire to do that"
In that it was in your heart
"Because it was in your heart" or "Because you wanted"
2 Chronicles 6:9
one who will come from your loins
"one who will be your own offspring," or "one whom you yourself will father,"
2 Chronicles 6:10
has carried out the word that he had said
"has done exactly what he said he would do"
I have arisen in the place of David my father
"I have gained the power that David my father had"
I sit on the throne of Israel
"I rule over Israel"
2 Chronicles 6:11
in which is Yahweh's covenant, which
"in which are the tablets on which Yahweh wrote the terms of the covenant that"
2 Chronicles 6:12
in the presence of all the assembly of Israel
"in front of the people of Israel who had gathered there"
spread out his hands
"raised his hands." This shows that he was praying.
2 Chronicles 6:13
five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high
"two and one-third meters long, two and one-third meters wide, and one and one-half meters high"
2 Chronicles 6:14
on the earth, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with your servants
"on the earth. You keep your promise to love your servants" or "on the earth. You faithfully love your servants"
walk before you with all their heart
"live wholeheartedly the way that you want them to"
2 Chronicles 6:15
you who have kept with your servant David my father, what you promised him
"you who have done what you promised your servant David my father"
you spoke with your mouth
"you yourself spoke"
and have fulfilled it with your hand
"and, by your power, have fulfilled what you said" or "and by your power have done what you said"
as it is today
This refers to the day when Solomon was saying this prayer.
2 Chronicles 6:16
carry out what you have promised
"please do what you have promised"
You will not fail to have a man
"you will always have a descendant"
a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel
The phrase "in my sight" implies that God would choose the man and the man would want to obey God.
to sit on the throne of Israel
"to rule over Israel"
to walk in my law, as you have walked before me
"to obey my law, as you have obeyed me" or "to be faithful to my law as you have been faithful to me"
2 Chronicles 6:17
let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David
"I want you to make come true the word that you have spoken to your servant David"
let your word be confirmed
"confirm your promise" or "make your promise come true"
2 Chronicles 6:18
But will God actually live with mankind on the earth?
"But it surely cannot be that God will actually live on the earth!"
you—how much less can this temple that I have built
"you, so this temple that I have built certainly cannot contain you"
this temple that I have built
"this temple that your people have built under my leadership" or "this house that I and your people have built"
2 Chronicles 6:19
respect this prayer of your servant and his plea
"respect me, your servant, as I make this plea"
listen to the cry and prayer that your servant prays before you
"listen to me, your servant, as I call for you to help me"
2 Chronicles 6:20
May your eyes be open toward this temple
"Please watch over this temple" or "Please protect this temple"
day and night
"all the time" or "continually"
where you promised to put your name
"where you promised to be" or "where you promised to make people know you"
the prayer your servant prays toward this place
"the prayer that I, your servant, pray toward this place"
2 Chronicles 6:21
So listen to the pleas of your servant and of your people Israel
"So listen to my pleas and the pleas of your people Israel"
when you listen, forgive
"when you hear our prayers, please forgive our sins"
2 Chronicles 6:22
is required to swear an oath
"someone requires him to swear an oath"
this house
This refers to the temple.
2 Chronicles 6:23
bringing what he has done upon his own head
"punishing him as he deserves"
upon his own head
"on him"
give to him according to his righteousness
"give him what he deserves because he is innocent"
2 Chronicles 6:24
When your people Israel are defeated by an enemy
"When an enemy defeats your people Israel"
because they have sinned against you
"because your people Israel have sinned against you"
if they turn back to you
"if they submit to you again"
confess your name
"confess that they have sinned against you" or "praise you" or "say that they will obey you from now on."
seek favor before you
"seek your favor" or "ask you to forgive them"
2 Chronicles 6:25
please listen from the heavens
"please honor their prayer" or "please answer their prayer"
bring them back to the land that you gave to them and to their ancestors
"bring them back to their own land"
2 Chronicles 6:26
When the skies are shut up and there is no rain
"When you do not allow rain to fall from the skies"
turn from their sin
"stop committing their sins" or "stop acting sinfully"
2 Chronicles 6:27
the good way in which they should walk
"the good way that they should live"
your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance
"your land, which you have given to your people to own forever"
2 Chronicles 6:28
blight or mildew
These are agricultural terms referring to the death of crops from either too little or too much rain.
locusts or caterpillars
A "locust" is a type of grasshopper that causes destruction by eating crops.
2 Chronicles 6:29
prayers and pleas
These words emphasize that the person is sincere as he makes his pleas.
knowing the plague and sorrow in his own heart
"knowing the sin and sorrow in his own heart"
he spreads out his hands toward this temple
A way of showing that they were praying to the God of the temple. See 2 Chronicles 6:12.
2 Chronicles 6:30
for all his ways
"for what he has done"
2 Chronicles 6:31
so that they may walk in your ways
"so that they may live as you want them to"
2 Chronicles 6:32
who—because of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm—comes
"who hears about your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm—if he comes"
your great name
"your great reputation" or "your greatness"
your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm
These two phrases refer to God's power.
prays toward this house
Praying toward Yahweh's temple shows that one is praying to Yahweh.
2 Chronicles 6:33
as do your own people Israel
"as your own people Israel know your name and fear you"
this house I have built is called by your name
"you own this house that I have built"
2 Chronicles 6:34
Suppose that your people go out ... suppose that they pray
Solomon speaks about events that could happen in the future and can be connected to his request in verse 35.
they pray to you toward this city ... and toward the house
Praying toward Jerusalem and the temple shows that they are praying to Yahweh.
2 Chronicles 6:35
to their prayer, their request
"to what they request when they pray to you"
help their cause
This refers to helping them fight against their enemies.
2 Chronicles 6:36
Suppose they sin ... suppose that you are angry
The situations he describes in verses 36-38 are conditions for what he requests verse 39.
so that the enemy carries them away
"so that the enemy forces them to leave"
2 Chronicles 6:37
where they have been exiled
"where their enemies have taken them as exiles"
seek favor from you
"beg you to be merciful to them"
We have acted perversely and sinned. We have behaved wickedly
These two sentences emphasize how bad the people's actions were.
2 Chronicles 6:38
they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul
"they submit to you again completely"
where they took them as captives
"where their enemies took them as captives"
that they pray toward their land
"that they pray facing their land"
toward the city that you chose
This refers to Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 6:40
let your eyes be open
"please pay attention to us" or "please look at us"
let your ears be attentive to the prayer
"please listen to the prayer"
to the prayer that is made in this place
"to the prayer that we make in this place" or "to us as we pray to you in this place"
2 Chronicles 6:41
arise, Yahweh God, to your resting place
"arise, Yahweh God, and come to your resting place"
the ark of your strength
"the ark, which is a symbol of your power"
Let your priests ... be clothed with salvation
"Let your priests ... know that you have saved them" or "Let your priests ... demonstrate how you save people"
2 Chronicles 6:42
do not turn the face of your anointed away from you
"do not reject your anointed one"
your anointed
"the one you anointed" or "me, the one you chose to be king"
Keep in mind your acts of covenant loyalty for David, your servant
"Remember what you have done for David, your servant, because of your covenant loyalty"
Chapter 7
1
Now when Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and the glory of Yahweh filled the house.
2
The priests could not enter the house of Yahweh, because his glory filled his house.
3
When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of Yahweh over the house, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the stone pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to Yahweh. They said, "For he is good, for his covenant loyalty endures forever."
4
So the king and all the people offered sacrifices to Yahweh.
5
King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand head of cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.
6
The priests stood, each standing where they serve; the Levites also with instruments of music of Yahweh, which David the king had made to give thanks to Yahweh in the song, "For his covenant faithfulness endures for ever." All the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.
7
Solomon set apart the middle of the courtyard in front of the house of Yahweh. There he offered the burnt offerings and the fat of the fellowship offerings, because the bronze altar that he had made was not able to hold the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat.
8
So Solomon held the festival at that time for seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly, from Lebo Hamath to the brook of Egypt.
9
On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for they kept the dedication of the altar for seven days, and the feast for seven days.
10
On the twenty-third day of the seventh month, Solomon sent the people away to their tents with glad and joyful hearts because of the goodness that Yahweh had shown to David, Solomon, and Israel, his people.
11
Thus Solomon finished the house of Yahweh and the king's house. Everything that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of Yahweh and in his own house, he successfully carried out.
12
Yahweh appeared to Solomon by night and said to him, "I have heard your prayer, and I have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice.
13
Suppose that I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send plague among my people,
14
then if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
15
Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers that are made in this place.
16
For I have now chosen and set apart this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there every day.
17
As for you, if you walk before me as David your father walked, obeying all that I have commanded you and keeping my statutes and my decrees,
18
then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, as I said in a covenant with David your father, when I said, 'A descendant of yours will never fail to be ruler in Israel.'
19
But if you turn away, and abandon my statutes and my commandments that I have placed before you, and if you go worship other gods and bow down to them,
20
then I will uproot them from out of my ground that I have given them. This house that I have set apart for my name, I will cast away from before me, and I will make it a proverb and a joke among all the peoples.
21
Even though this temple is so lofty now, everyone who passes by it will be appalled and will hiss. They will ask, 'Why has Yahweh done this to this land and to this house?'
22
Others will answer, 'Because they abandoned Yahweh, their God, who had brought their ancestors out of the land of Egypt, and they laid hold of other gods and bowed down to them and worshiped them. That is why Yahweh has brought all this disaster on them.'"
2 Chronicles 7:1
the house
"Yahweh's house." or "the temple"
2 Chronicles 7:3
they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the stone pavement
"they lay down on the ground with their faces touching the stone pavement". This is a position of humility and worship.
his covenant loyalty endures forever
"God will always be loyal to us because of his covenant" or "God will always faithfully do for us what he promised"
2 Chronicles 7:4
all the people
This refers either to the people whom Solomon called to Jerusalem and are listed in 2 Chronicles 5:2 or to those who traveled to Jerusalem for the feast, not necessarily to every person who lived in Israel.
2 Chronicles 7:6
each standing where they serve
"each standing in their appointed place"
the Levites also with instruments of music of Yahweh
"the Levites also stood with instruments of music of Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 7:7
the bronze altar that he had made
"the bronze altar that he had commanded someone to make" or "the bronze altar that he had caused to be made"
was not able to hold the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat
"was not able to hold the large amount of burnt offerings, grain offerings, and fat"
2 Chronicles 7:8
from Lebo Hamath to the brook of Egypt
"from Lebo Hamath in the north to the brook of Egypt in the south". People from every part of Israel were at the festival.
2 Chronicles 7:9
a solemn assembly
This was a special religious gathering.
they kept the dedication of the altar
"celebrated the dedication."
2 Chronicles 7:10
the twenty-third day of the seventh month
The seventh month of the Hebrew calendar and near the middle of October on Western calendars.
to their tents
"to their homes". This refers to people's homes, which were houses, not tents.
with glad and joyful hearts
"with very glad hearts" or "and they were very joyful"
because of the goodness that Yahweh had shown
"because Yahweh had shown wonderful goodness" or "because Yahweh had been so good"
Israel, his people
"Israel, God's people." This emphasizes God's faithfulness to Israel.
2 Chronicles 7:11
Solomon finished the house of Yahweh and the king's house
"the workers whom Solomon commanded finished the house of Yahweh and Solomon's own house"
the king's house
"the royal palace,". Where Solomon himself lived.
Everything that came into Solomon's heart to make
"Everything that Solomon desired to make"
he successfully carried out
"he successfully finished" or "he caused to be done successfully
2 Chronicles 7:12
by night
"at night" or "one night". God appeared again to Solomon in a dream and said the temple was acceptable and he honored it with his presence. He would remain as long as Israel obeyed him. If they worshiped other gods and idols he would let their enemies destroy the temple.
a house of sacrifice
"the house where people will offer sacrifices to me"
2 Chronicles 7:13
Suppose that I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain
"Suppose that I do not allow the rain to fall from the skies". See how you translated this in 2 Chronicles 6:26.
devour the land
This represents the plants and crops on the land.
if I send plague among my people
"if I cause my people to have diseases"
2 Chronicles 7:14
who are called by my name
"who belong to me"
seek my face
"beg me to forgive them" or "choose to please me"
turn from their wicked ways
"stop their wicked behavior" or "stop doing wicked things"
heal their land
"make their land good again" or "make their land produce good crops"
2 Chronicles 7:15
my eyes will be open
"I will pay attention to you" or "I will watch you"
my ears attentive to the prayers
"I will listen to the prayers"
the prayers that are made in this place
"to the prayers that you make in this place" or "to you as you pray to me in this place"
2 Chronicles 7:16
that my name may be there forever
"that I may be there forever" or "for people to worship me there forever"
My eyes and my heart will be there every day
"I will watch and protect it forever". This implies that he will protect his temple.
2 Chronicles 7:17
As for you
Here "you" refers to King Solomon.
if you walk before me as David your father walked
"If you obey me as David your father did"
David your father
Solomon was one of David's sons.
keeping my statutes and my decrees
"obeying my statutes and my decrees"
2 Chronicles 7:18
I will establish the throne of your kingdom
"I will make descendants of yours rule over your kingdom".
A descendant of yours will never fail to be ruler in Israel
"One of your descendants will always be ruler in Israel" or "Descendants of yours will always rule in Israel"
2 Chronicles 7:19
But if you turn away
"But if you stop worshiping me"
you turn away
To all the people of Israel, or to Solomon and his descendants.
2 Chronicles 7:20
I will uproot them from out of my ground that I have given them
"I will make them leave the land I have given them"
that I have set apart for my name
"that I have set apart for myself" or "that I have set apart for my reputation"
I will cast away from before me
"I will reject it" or "I will ignore it"
I will make it a proverb and a joke among all the peoples
"because of what I do to it, all the nations will mock and ridicule it"
2 Chronicles 7:21
will be appalled
"will be amazed"
will hiss
This shows that they are appalled by what happened to the temple
2 Chronicles 7:22
they abandoned Yahweh
"they were unfaithful to Yahweh" or "they did not obey Yahweh"
who had brought their ancestors out of the land of Egypt
This phrase tells why they should have worshiped God.
they laid hold of other gods
"they chose to be loyal to other gods"
Chapter 8
1
It came about at the end of twenty years, during which Solomon had built the house of Yahweh and his own house,
2
that Solomon rebuilt the towns that Hiram had given to him, and he settled the people of Israel in them.
3
Solomon attacked Hamath Zobah and defeated it.
4
He built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the storage cities, which he built in Hamath.
5
Also he built Beth Horon the Upper and Beth Horon the Lower, cities fortified with walls, gates, and bars.
6
Solomon built Baalath and all the storage cities that he possessed, and all the cities for his chariots and the cities for his horsemen, and whatever he wished to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and in all the lands under his rule.
7
As for all the people who were left of the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who did not belong to Israel,
8
their descendants who were left after them in the land, whom the people of Israel had not destroyed—Solomon made them into forced laborers, which they are to this day.
9
However, Solomon did not makes slaves of the people of Israel for his work. Instead, they were soldiers, commanders of his officers, and commanders of his chariots and horsemen.
10
These were also the chief officers managing the supervisors who belonged to King Solomon, 250 of them, who ruled over the people who did the work.
11
Solomon brought the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David to the house that he had built for her, for he said, "My wife must not live in the house of David king of Israel, because wherever the ark of Yahweh has come is holy."
12
Then Solomon offered burnt offerings to Yahweh on his altar that he had built in front of the portico.
13
He offered sacrifices just as the daily schedule required; he offered them, following the directions found in the commandment of Moses, on the Sabbath days, the new moons, and on the set festivals three times every year: the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks, and the Festival of Shelters.
14
In keeping with the decrees of his father David, Solomon appointed the divisions of the priests to their work, and the Levites to their positions, in order to praise God and to serve before the priests, as the daily schedule required. He also appointed the gatekeepers by their divisions to every gate, for David, the man of God, had also commanded this.
15
These people did not deviate from the commands of the king to the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the storerooms.
16
All the work ordered by Solomon was completed, from the day the foundation of the house of Yahweh was laid until it was finished. The house of Yahweh was completed.
17
Then Solomon went to Ezion Geber and then to Elath on the coast, in the land of Edom.
18
Hiram sent him ships commanded by his own officers, men who knew the sea, and with the servants of Solomon they went to Ophir and they took from there 450 talents of gold and brought it to King Solomon.
2 Chronicles 8:1
It came about
This phrase marks the beginning of a new part of the story. Solomon achieved many victories when he was king. Israel is at its height of power when Solomon was king.
Solomon had built the house of Yahweh and his own house
"Solomon caused the house of Yahweh and his own house to be built".
2 Chronicles 8:2
Hiram
"Hiram, the king of Tyre" or "King Hiram". See how you translated his name in 2 Chronicles 2:11.
Solomon rebuilt the towns that Hiram had given to him
"Solomon commanded and the people rebuilt the towns that Hiram had given to him"
2 Chronicles 8:3
Solomon attacked Hamath Zobah
"Solomon's army attacked the town of Hamath Zolbah"
2 Chronicles 8:4
He built Tadmor in the wilderness
"Solomon caused the town of Tadmor in the wilderness to be rebuilt". Tadmor was north of Israel, in modern-day Syria.
storage cities
"supply cities." These are cities where the government stored food or supplies.
2 Chronicles 8:5
Beth Horon the Upper and Beth Horon the Lower
"Beth Horon of the Hill and Beth Horon of the Valley". These were two cities in Judah.
2 Chronicles 8:6
Baalath
This was a city in Israel.
all the lands under his rule
"all the lands that he ruled"
2 Chronicles 8:8
their descendants who were left after them in the land
"after those people died, their descendants who remained in the land"
which they are to this day
"and their descendants are still forced laborers even now"
to this day
This refers to the time when the book of 2 Chronicles was written. See 2 Chronicles 5:9.
2 Chronicles 8:11
the daughter of Pharaoh
"his wife, the daughter of Paharaoh"
to the house that he had built for her
"the house that he had his workers build for her" or "to the house he had commanded his workers to build for her"
David king of Israel
David was Solomon's father and had been king before Solomon.
because wherever the ark of Yahweh has come is holy
"because the ark of Yahweh was brought into that house, and wherever the ark of Yahweh has come is holy"
2 Chronicles 8:12
his altar that he had built
"on Yahweh's altar that Solomon had his workers build"
the portico
"the entrance to the temple." This was a covered porch supported by columns, attached to the front of the temple.
2 Chronicles 8:13
following the directions
"obeying the directions"
the directions found in the commandment of Moses
"what Moses had commanded them"
the set festivals three times every year
"the three festivals that they were to celebrate every year"
the Festival of Shelters
"the Festival of Tents." Each year when they harvested their crops, they stayed in temporary shelters in their gardens.
2 Chronicles 8:14
In keeping with the decrees of his father David
"According to the decrees of his father David" or "As his father David had decreed"
He also appointed the gatekeepers by their divisions to every gate
"He also appointed groups of gatekeepers to each gate"
gatekeepers
These were Levites who guarded the gates.
2 Chronicles 8:15
These people did not deviate from the commands
"These people carefully obeyed the commands"
2 Chronicles 8:16
All the work ordered by Solomon was completed
"They completed all the work that Solomon had ordered"
from the day the foundation of the house of Yahweh was laid
"from the day they built the foundation of the house of Yahweh"
until it was finished
"until they finished building the temple"
2 Chronicles 8:17
Ezion Geber and then to Elath on the coast
"the towns of Ezion Geber and Elath, on the coast of the Sea of Reeds". These are towns along the Sea of Reeds, which had ports where ships could stop.
2 Chronicles 8:18
Ophir
This is the name of a place. Its location is not known.
450 talents of gold
"about sixteen thousand kilograms of gold" or "about fifteen metric tons of gold"
Chapter 9
1
When the queen of Sheba heard the report about Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. She came with a very long caravan, with camels loaded with spices, much gold, and many precious gemstones. When she had come to Solomon, she told him all that was in her heart.
2
Solomon answered her all her questions; nothing was too difficult for Solomon; there was no question that he did not answer.
3
When the queen of Sheba saw Solomon's wisdom and the palace that he had built,
4
the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the work of his servants and their clothing, also his cupbearers and their clothing, and the burnt offerings he made at
the house of Yahweh, there was no more breath in her.
5
She said to the king, "It is true, the report that I heard in my own land of your words and your wisdom.
6
I did not believe what I heard until I came here, and now my eyes have seen it. Not half was told me about the greatness of your wisdom and wealth! You have exceeded the report that I heard.
7
How blessed are your men, and how blessed are your servants who constantly stand before you, because they hear your wisdom.
8
Blessed be Yahweh your God, who has taken pleasure in you, who placed you on his throne, to be king for Yahweh your God. Because your God loved Israel, in order to establish them forever, he had made you king over them, for you to do justice and righteousness!"
9
She gave the king 120 talents of gold and a large amount of spices and precious stones. There had never been such spices as these that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
10
The servants of Hiram and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, also brought algum wood and precious stones.
11
With the algum wood, the king made steps for the house of Yahweh and for his house, as well as harps and lutes for the musicians. No wood like this had been seen before in the land of Judah.
12
King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba everything she desired and whatever she asked for; he gave her more than what she had brought to the king. So she left and went back to her own land, she and her servants.
13
Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold,
14
besides the gold that the traders and merchants brought. All the kings of Arabia and the governors in the country also brought gold and silver to Solomon.
15
King Solomon made two hundred large shields of beaten gold. Six hundred shekels of gold went into each one.
16
He also made three hundred shields of beaten gold. Three minas of gold went into each shield; the king put them into the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
17
Then the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold.
18
There were six steps to the throne, and a footstool of gold was attached to the throne. On each side of the throne there were armrests with two lions standing beside each of them.
19
Twelve lions stood on the steps, one on each side of each of the six steps. There was no throne like it in any other kingdom.
20
All King Solomon's drinking cups were gold, and all the drinking cups in the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None were silver because silver was not considered valuable in Solomon's days.
21
The king had at sea a fleet of ships of Tarshish, along with the servants of Hiram. Once every three years the ships of Tarshish brought gold, silver, and ivory, as well as apes and baboons.
22
So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the world in riches and in wisdom.
23
All the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon in order to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
24
Those who visited brought tribute, vessels of silver and of gold, clothes, weapons, and spices, as well as horses and mules, year after year.
25
Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he stationed in the chariot cities and with himself in Jerusalem.
26
He ruled over all the kings from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt.
27
The king had silver in Jerusalem, as much as the stones on the ground. He made cedar wood to be as abundant as the sycamore fig trees that are in the lowlands.
28
They brought horses for Solomon from Egypt and from all the lands.
29
As for the other matters concerning Solomon, first and last, are they not written in The History of Nathan the Prophet, in The Prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in The Visions of Iddo the Seer (which also had information about Jeroboam son of Nebat)?
30
Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years.
31
He lay down with his ancestors and the people buried him in the city of David his father. Rehoboam, his son, became king in his place.
2 Chronicles 9:1
She came with a very long caravan
"a very large group of servants" or "a very long line of servants". Solomon was famous because of his wisdom and tremendous wealth.
all that was in her heart
"everything she wanted to know"
2 Chronicles 9:2
there was no question that he did not answer
"he answered every question"
2 Chronicles 9:3
When the queen of Sheba saw Solomon's wisdom and the palace that he had built
"When the queen of Sheba realized how wise Solomon was, and when she saw the palace that he had built"
the palace that he had built
"the palace that Solomon had his workers build" or "the palace that he had commanded his workers to build"
2 Chronicles 9:4
the seating of his servants
Where his servants lived or how his servants sat around the table.
his cupbearers
"his wine servers." These were servants who tasted the king's wine to make sure that there was no poison in it.
there was no more breath in her
"she was completely amazed"
2 Chronicles 9:5
I heard in my own land
"I heard while I was in my own land"
your words and your wisdom
"your wise words"
2 Chronicles 9:6
now my eyes have seen it
"now I have seen it for myself"
Not half was told me about the greatness of your wisdom and wealth
"They did not tell me about even half of the greatness of your wisdom and wealth" or "You are much more wise and wealthy than what they told me"
2 Chronicles 9:7
How blessed are your men
"Your people are greatly blessed"
how blessed are your servants who constantly stand before you
"your servants who constantly stand before you are greatly blessed"
they hear your wisdom
"they hear the wise things that you say"
2 Chronicles 9:8
who has taken pleasure in you, who placed you on his throne
"because he is pleased with you and placed you on his throne"
who placed you on his throne, to be king for Yahweh your God
"who gave you authority to rule as he does, to represent Yahweh your God as king"
in order to establish them forever
"in order to help them forever" or"in order to make them a nation forever"
for you to do justice and righteousness
"for you to rule fairly and righteously" or "for you to do what is just and right"
2 Chronicles 9:9
120 talents
"about four thousand kilograms of gold" or "about four metric tons of gold". A unit of weight equal to about 33 kilograms.
2 Chronicles 9:10
Hiram
"Hiram, the king of Tyre" or "King Hiram". See how you translated his name in 2 Chronicles 2:11.
Ophir
This is the name of a place. Its location is not known. See 2 Chronicles 8:18.
algum wood
Algum is a kind of tree that grows in Lebanon. King Hiram sent this to Solomon. See 2 Chronicles 2:8.
2 Chronicles 9:11
the king made steps ... well as harps and lutes
"the king had his workers make the steps .. as well as harps and lyres"
No wood like this had been seen before in the land of Judah
"No one had seen wood like this before in the land of Judah"
2 Chronicles 9:13
in one year
Each year or a particular year.
666 talents of gold
"about twenty-two thousand kilograms of gold" or "about twenty-two metric tons of gold"
2 Chronicles 9:15
beaten gold
"gold that people had beaten into thin sheets"
Six hundred shekels of gold went into each one
"They covered each shield with six hundred shekels of gold" or "They made each shield out of six hundred shekels of gold"
Six hundred shekels of gold
"Six and one half kilograms of gold". A shekel is a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams. The word "shekels" does not appear here in the Hebrew text. Some modern versions assume instead the unit called bekah, which was equivalent to only a half shekel.
2 Chronicles 9:16
Three minas of gold went into each shield
"They covered each shield with three minas of gold" or"They made each shield out of three minas of gold"
Three minas of gold
"One and three-quarters kilograms of gold". A mina is about 600 grams.
the king put them
"King Solomon had his workers put them" or "King Solomon's workers put them"
the House of the Forest of Lebanon
"the Hall of the Forest of Lebanon" or this was the name of his whole palace. The palace was built of trees from Lebanon.
2 Chronicles 9:17
the king made a great throne
"the king had his workers make a great throne" or "the king's workers made"
a great throne of ivory
"a great throne decorated with ivory"
ivory
Ivory is the hard, white substance from the tusks or teeth of animals, like the elephant, walrus, or hippopotamus.
2 Chronicles 9:18
two lions
"two statues of lions"
2 Chronicles 9:20
silver was not considered valuable in Solomon's days
"people did not value silver so much". Silver was so common that if a king wanted to show his wealth, he would use gold.
in Solomon's days
"when Solomon ruled"
2 Chronicles 9:21
a fleet of ships of Tarshish
"a group of ships that travel on the ocean"
along with the servants of Hiram
"along with Hiram's fleet of ships"
apes and baboons
"animals from far away" or "animals from Africa.". It is not certain whether "apes" refers to apes, baboons, or monkeys or whether "baboons" refers to baboons or peacocks.
2 Chronicles 9:23
All the kings of the earth
"Kings from around the world"
sought the presence of Solomon
"wanted to visit Solomon" or "came to visit Solomon"
to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart
"to hear how wise God had enabled him to be" or "to hear him speak the wise words that God had enabled him to speak"
2 Chronicles 9:24
year after year
"every year"
2 Chronicles 9:25
stalls
This is a small enclosure where horses are kept.
2 Chronicles 9:27
as much as the stones on the ground
To emphasize that there was such a great amount of silver.
2 Chronicles 9:28
They brought horses for Solomon from Egypt and from all the lands
"Horses were brought to Solomon from Egypt and from many other places"
2 Chronicles 9:29
first and last
"from the beginning to the end of his reign"
are they not written ... (which also had information about Jeroboam son of Nebat)?
"they are written ... (which also had information about Jeroboam son of Nebat.)" or "people have written about them ... (which also had information about Jeroboam son of Nebat)."
The History of Nathan the Prophet ... The Prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite ... The Visions of Iddo the Seer
These are the names of writings that existed when 2 Chronicles was written, but they do not exist now.
Ahijah the Shilonite
This is a prophet from Shiloh who predicted that the nation of Israel would be divided into two kingdoms.
2 Chronicles 9:31
He lay down with his ancestors
"He died"
Chapter 10
1
Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel was coming to Shechem to make him king.
2
When Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard this (for he was in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), he returned from Egypt.
3
So they sent and called him, and Jeroboam and all Israel came; they spoke to Rehoboam and said,
4
"Your father made our yoke difficult. Now therefore, make your father's hard work easier, and lighten the heavy yoke that he put on us, and we will serve you."
5
Rehoboam said to them, "Come again to me after three days." So the people left.
6
King Rehoboam consulted with the old men who had stood before Solomon his father while he was alive; he said, "How would you advise me to bring an answer to these people?"
7
They spoke to him and said, "If you are good to this people and please them, and say good words to them, then they will always be your servants."
8
But Rehoboam ignored the advice of the old men that they had given him, and consulted with the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.
9
He said to them, "What advice do you give me, so that we may answer the people who spoke to me and said, 'Lighten the yoke that your father put on us'?"
10
The young men who had grown up with Rehoboam spoke to him, saying, "This is how you should speak to the people who told you that your father Solomon made their yoke heavy, but that you must make it lighter. This is what you should say to them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist.
11
So now, although my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father punished you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions.'"
12
So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king said, "Come back to me on the third day."
13
King Rehoboam spoke to them harshly, ignoring the advice of the old men.
14
He spoke to them following the advice of the young men, saying, "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it. My father punished you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions."
15
So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn in events brought about by God, that Yahweh might carry out his word that Ahijah the Shilonite had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat.
16
When all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered him and said, "What share do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse! Each of you should go back to his tent, Israel. Now see to your own house, David." So all Israel returned to their tents.
17
But as for the people of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
18
Then King Rehoboam sent Adoniram, who was over the forced laborers, but the people of Israel stoned him to death with stones. King Rehoboam fled quickly in his chariot to Jerusalem.
19
So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.
2 Chronicles 10:1
all Israel was coming
"the men of Israel were coming". This begins a section on King Rehoboam. (2 Chronicles 10-12)
2 Chronicles 10:3
they sent and called him
"the men of Israel sent for Jeroboam"
Jeroboam and all Israel came
"Jeroboam and all Israel came to Rehoboam"
2 Chronicles 10:4
made our yoke difficult
"treated us cruelly" or "forced us to work very hard". The people asked Solomon's son, Rehoboam, to reduce the heavy taxes and the forced labor Solomon had demanded but Rehoboam refused. He lacked the wisdom to follow the advice of the men who had been councilors of his father Solomon. So the ten northern tribes broke off and made Jeroboam their king. They were called "Israel" and Rehoboam's kingdom was called Judah. This will cause confusion between the two.
make your father's hard work easier, and lighten the heavy yoke that he put on us
"make the hard work that your father gave us easier, and do not treat us as harshly as he did"
2 Chronicles 10:6
the old men who had stood before Solomon
"the old men who counseled Solomon" or "the old men who attended to Solomon"
to bring an answer to these people
"to answer these people" or "to reply to these people"
2 Chronicles 10:8
Rehoboam ignored the advice
"Rehoboam did not follow the advice"
who had grown up with him, who stood before him
"who were his long-time friends, and who advised him."
2 Chronicles 10:10
My little finger is thicker than my father's waist
"I rule much more harshly than my father ever did" or "I am much harsher than my father"
2 Chronicles 10:11
I will add to your yoke
"I will force you to work harder"
I will punish you with scorpions
"I will punish you much more harshly" or "I will punish you with whips that have sharp pieces of metal at the ends"
2 Chronicles 10:14
made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it
"treated you cruelly, but I will be more cruel" or "forced you to work very hard, but I will make you work harder"
2 Chronicles 10:15
So the king did not listen to the people
"So the king did not do what the people had asked him to do" or "So the king ignored the people"
it was a turn in events brought about by God
"God caused things to happen like this"
that Yahweh might carry out his word ... Nebat
"that Yahweh might do according to the message that he told Ahijah the Shilonite to tell Jeroboam son of Nebat" or "that Yahweh might do what he had said he would do when he told Ahijah the Shilonite to give a message to Jeroboam son of Nebat"
his word that Ahijah the Shilonite had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat
This refers to the message that God gave Ahijah to tell Jeroboam.
Ahijah the Shilonite ... Jeroboam son of Nebat
See how you translated these names in 2 Chronicles 9:29.
2 Chronicles 10:16
the king did not listen to them
"the king did not do what they had asked him to do" or "the king ignored them"
What share do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse
"We have no share in David. We will not have anything to do with the descendants of the son of Jesse". The people imply that since they do not belong to David's family, they are not obligated to support David's grandson, King Rehoboam.
We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse
"We will not receive any inheritance from the son of Jesse"
Each of you should go back to his tent
"Go to your homes, people of Israel"
Now see to your own house, David
"Now take care of your own kingdom, descendant of David"
2 Chronicles 10:18
Adoniram
Adoniram is the name of a man. In the Hebrew text, his name was written as Adoram.
who was over the forced laborers
"who was in charge of the forced laborers"
stoned him to death with stones
"killed Adoniram by stoning him"
2 Chronicles 10:19
against the house of David
"against the kings descended from David"
to this day
"even now".This refers to the time when the author wrote this book. See how you translated this in 2 Chronicles 5:9.
Chapter 11
1
When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, 180,000 chosen men who were soldiers, to fight against Israel, to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam.
2
But the word of Yahweh came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
3
"Say to Rehoboam son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin,
4
'Yahweh says this, "You must not attack or make war against your brothers. Everyone must return to his own house, for I have caused this to happen."'" So they obeyed the words of Yahweh and turned back from attacking Jeroboam.
5
Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built cities in Judah for defense.
6
He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
7
Beth Zur, Soko, Adullam,
8
Gath, Mareshah, Ziph,
9
Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,
10
Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron. These are fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin.
11
He fortified the fortresses and put commanders in them, with stores of food, oil, and wine.
12
He put shields and spears in all the cities and made them very strong. So Judah and Benjamin belonged to him.
13
The priests and the Levites who were in all Israel went over to him from within their borders.
14
For the Levites left their pasturelands and property in order to come to Judah and Jerusalem, for Jeroboam and his sons had driven them away, so that they could no longer act as the priests of Yahweh.
15
Jeroboam appointed for himself priests for the high places and the goat and calf idols he had made.
16
People from all the tribes of Israel came after them, those who set their hearts to seek Yahweh, the God of Israel; they came to Jerusalem to sacrifice to Yahweh, the God of their fathers.
17
So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and made Rehoboam son of Solomon strong during three years, and they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon.
18
Rehoboam took a wife for himself: Mahalath, the daughter of Jerimoth, David's son, and of Abihail, the daughter of Eliab, Jesse's son.
19
She bore him sons: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham.
20
After Mahalath, Rehoboam took Maakah, Absalom's daughter; she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.
21
Rehoboam loved Maakah, Absalom's daughter, more than all his other wives and his concubines (he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and became the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters).
22
Rehoboam appointed Abijah son of Maakah to be chief, a leader among his brothers; he had the thought of making him king.
23
Rehoboam ruled wisely; he scattered all his sons throughout all the land of Judah and Benjamin to every fortified city. He also gave them food in abundance and looked for many wives for them.
2 Chronicles 11:1
the house of Judah and Benjamin
"all the soldiers from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin". This refers to the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.
chosen men who were soldiers
"of the best soldiers"
2 Chronicles 11:2
the word of Yahweh came ... saying
"Yahweh spoke this message ... and he said" or "Yahweh spoke these words ... and he said"
the man of God
"the man who belongs to God" or "the prophet of God"
2 Chronicles 11:3
all Israel in Judah and Benjamin
"all of the Israelites in the tribes of Judah and Benjamin"
2 Chronicles 11:4
your brothers
A reference to the ten northern tribes. Yahweh emphasizes the family relationship between all of the tribes.
2 Chronicles 11:5
Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built cities
"Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and had his workers build cities"
2 Chronicles 11:10
Zorah, Aijalon
These are the names of cities. Rehoboam strengthened the defenses of Judah. Without the help of the northern tribes, Judah did not really have much power to defend itself from outside attacks. He felt it necessary to strengthen Judah's military defenses.
2 Chronicles 11:11
He fortified the fortresses
"He strengthened the defenses of the fortified cities"
2 Chronicles 11:12
made them very strong
"made the cities very strong."
Judah and Benjamin belonged to him
Rehoboam was in control of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.
2 Chronicles 11:13
The priests and the Levites ... went over to him from within their borders
"The priests and Levites ... supported Rehoboam from within their borders" or "The priests and Levites ... traveled from within their borders to join Rehoboam."
2 Chronicles 11:14
pasturelands
lands used for animals
Jeroboam and his sons had driven them away
"Jeroboam and his sons had forced them to leave"
act as the priests of Yahweh
"do their proper work as the priests of Yahweh" or "do their duties as priests of Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 11:15
the goat and calf idols he had made
"the goat idols and calf idols that he had his craftsmen make"
2 Chronicles 11:16
People from all the tribes of Israel came after them
"People ... followed the Levites" or "People ... came to Jerusalem after the Levites". When the author speaks about Israel, he is now referring almost exclusively to the northern kingdom of Israel and not the united nation of Israel.
those who set their hearts to seek Yahweh
"those who had determined to seek Yahweh"
to seek Yahweh
"to worship Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 11:17
made Rehoboam son of Solomon strong
"supported Rehoboam son of Solomon as king"
they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon
"they followed the example of David and Solomon for three years"
2 Chronicles 11:20
Rehoboam took Maakah
"Rehoboam married Maakah"
Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith
These are the names of men.
2 Chronicles 11:22
he had the thought of making him king
"he had thought of making Abijah king."
2 Chronicles 11:23
he scattered all his sons throughout all the land of Judah and Benjamin to every fortified city
"he sent all his sons throughout all the land to every fortified city of Judah and Benjamin,"
Chapter 12
1
It came about, when Rehoboam's reign was established and he was strong, that he abandoned the law of Yahweh—and all Israel with him.
2
It happened in the fifth year of King Rehoboam, that Shishak, king of Egypt, came up against Jerusalem, because the people had been unfaithful to Yahweh.
3
He came with twelve hundred chariots and sixty thousand horsemen. Soldiers without number came with him from Egypt: Libyans, Sukkites, and Cushites.
4
He captured the fortified cities that belonged to Judah and came to Jerusalem.
5
Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and to the leaders of Judah who had gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak. Shemaiah said to them, "This is what Yahweh says: You have abandoned me, so I have also given you over into Shishak's hand."
6
Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, "Yahweh is righteous."
7
When Yahweh saw that they had humbled themselves, the word of Yahweh came to Shemaiah, saying, "They have humbled themselves. I will not ruin them; I will deliver them to some extent, and my anger will not pour out on Jerusalem by means of Shishak's hand.
8
Nevertheless, they will be his servants, so that they may understand what it is to serve me and to serve the rulers of the other countries."
9
So Shishak, king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem and took away the treasures in the house of Yahweh, and the treasures in the king's house. He took everything away; he also took the shields of gold that Solomon had made.
10
King Rehoboam made shields of bronze in their place and entrusted them into the hands of the commanders of the guard, who guarded the doors to the king's house.
11
It happened that whenever the king entered the house of Yahweh, the guards would carry them; then they would bring them back into the guards' room.
12
When Rehoboam humbled himself, Yahweh's anger turned away from him, so as not to destroy him completely; besides, there was still some good to be found in Judah.
13
So King Rehoboam made his kingship strong in Jerusalem, and thus he reigned. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city that Yahweh had chosen from all the tribes of Israel so that he might put his name there. His mother's name was Naamah the Ammonite woman.
14
He did what was evil, because he did not fix his heart to seek Yahweh.
15
As for the other matters concerning Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the writings of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer, which also have records of genealogies and the constant wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam?
16
Rehoboam lay down with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David; Abijah his son became king in his place.
2 Chronicles 12:1
when Rehoboam's reign was established
"when Rehoboam had established his reign"
all Israel with him
"all the Israelite people whom he ruled also abandoned the law of Yahweh". The safety of Israel and Judah was dependent upon the people worshiping Yahweh and not upon their military power. Because Rehoboam deserted the worship of God, God allowed the king of Egypt to take all of the wealth Solomon had stored up.
2 Chronicles 12:2
in the fifth year of King Rehoboam
"in the fifth year that Rehoboam was king" or "in year five of King Rehoboam's reign"
Shishak, king of Egypt, came up against Jerusalem
"Shishak, king of Egypt, and his army with him, came to attack Jerusalem"
2 Chronicles 12:3
Soldiers without number
"Many soldiers"
Libyans, Sukkites, and Cushites
These are people from Libya, Sukki, and Ethiopia. The location of Sukki is uncertain, but it may be a region in Libya.
2 Chronicles 12:5
Shemaiah
See how you translated this word in 2 Chronicles 11:2.
so I have also given you over into Shishak's hand
"so I have enabled Shishak to defeat you" or "so I have given you to Shishak as captives"
2 Chronicles 12:7
they had humbled themselves
"the princes of Israel and the king had humbled themselves"
the word of Yahweh came ... saying
"Yahweh spoke this message ... and he said" or "Yahweh spoke these words ... and he said"
I will deliver them to some extent
Yahweh will permit Shishak to attack Jerusalem, but he will deliver them from total destruction or that Yahweh will deliver the people of Jerusalem before Shishak can completely destroy the city.
my anger will not pour out on Jerusalem
"I will not express my anger against Jerusalem" or "Jerusalem will not suffer the effects of my anger"
by means of Shishak's hand
"by means of Shishak"
2 Chronicles 12:9
came up against
"came to attack". See how you translated this in 2 Chronicles 12:2.
the house of Yahweh
"the temple of Yahweh"
the shields of gold that Solomon had made
"the shields of gold that Solomon had his craftsmen make"
2 Chronicles 12:10
in their place
"in place of the shields of gold"
entrusted them into the hands of the commanders
"made them the responsibility of the commanders"
who guarded the doors to the king's house
"who guarded the entrance to the king's house"
2 Chronicles 12:11
the guards would carry them
"the guards would carry the shields"
2 Chronicles 12:12
Yahweh's anger turned away from him, so as not to destroy him completely
"Yahweh was no longer angry with him and so did not destroy him completely"
besides, there was
"in addition, there was"
2 Chronicles 12:13
so that he might put his name there
"so that he might dwell there" or "so that it might belong to him"
2 Chronicles 12:14
he did not fix his heart to seek Yahweh
"he was not committed to worship Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 12:15
first and last
"everything that he did"
are they not written ... Jeroboam?
"they are written ... Jeroboam." or "you can read about them ... Jeroboam."
Shemaiah ... Iddo
These are the names of men.
the constant wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam
"the wars in which Rehoboam's army and Jeroboam's army constantly engaged"
2 Chronicles 12:16
Rehoboam lay down with his ancestors
"Rehoboam died"
was buried in the city of David
"people buried him in the city of David"
became king in his place
"became king instead of Rehoboam"
Chapter 13
1
In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam, Abijah began to reign over Judah.
2
He reigned for three years in Jerusalem; his mother's name was Macaiah, the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
3
Abijah went into battle with an army of strong, courageous warriors, 400,000 chosen men. Jeroboam placed battle lines against him with 800,000 chosen men, mighty warriors.
4
Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, and said, "Listen to me, Jeroboam and all Israel!
5
Do you not know that Yahweh the God of Israel gave the dominion over Israel to David and his descendants forever by a covenant of salt?
6
Yet Jeroboam son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon son of David, rose up and rebelled against his master.
7
Worthless men, base fellows, gathered to him. They came against Rehoboam son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and timid at heart, and they were too strong for him.
8
So now you plan to resist the kingdom of Yahweh that is held within the hand of the descendants of David, because you are a large army, and you have the golden calves that Jeroboam made to be your gods.
9
But did you not drive out the priests of Yahweh, the descendants of Aaron, and the Levites, and make priests of your own in the same way as the people of other lands do? Whoever comes to serve as a priest, sacrificing a young bull and seven rams, he becomes a priest of what are not gods.
10
But as for us, Yahweh is our God, and we have not abandoned him. We have priests, descendants of Aaron, serving Yahweh, and the Levites, who are at their work.
11
Every morning and evening they burn for Yahweh burnt offerings and sweet incense. They also arrange the bread of the presence on the pure table; they also tend the lampstand of gold with its lamps, for them to burn every evening. We keep the commandments of Yahweh, our God, but you have abandoned him.
12
See, God is with us at our head, and his priests are here with the trumpets to sound an alarm against you. Sons of Israel, do not fight against Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, for you will not succeed."
13
But Jeroboam prepared an ambush behind them; his army was in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them.
14
When Judah looked back, behold, the fighting was both in front of them and behind them. They cried out to Yahweh, and the priests blew the trumpets.
15
Then the men of Judah gave a shout; as they shouted, it came about that God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
16
The people of Israel fled before Judah, and God gave them into the hand of Judah.
17
Abijah and his army killed them with great slaughter; 500,000 chosen men of Israel fell dead.
18
In this way, the people of Israel were subdued at that time; the people of Judah won because they relied on Yahweh, the God of their ancestors.
19
Abijah pursued Jeroboam; he took cities from him: Bethel with its villages, Jeshanah with its villages, and Ephron with its villages.
20
Jeroboam never recovered power again during the days of Abijah; Yahweh struck him, and he died.
21
But Abijah became powerful; he took fourteen wives for himself and became the father of twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.
22
The rest of Abijah's deeds, his behavior, and words are written in the history of the prophet Iddo.
2 Chronicles 13:1
In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam
"In the eighteenth year that Jeroboam was king"
2 Chronicles 13:2
Macaiah, the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah
"Uriel" is the name of a man.
There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam
"There was war between the army of Abijah and the army of Jeroboam"
2 Chronicles 13:3
400,000 chosen men ... 800,000 chosen men
"400,000 skilled men ... 800,000 skilled men"
2 Chronicles 13:5
Do you not know ... by a covenant of salt?
"You know very well ... by a covenant of salt."
a covenant of salt
This phrase seems to mean "a permanent covenant."
2 Chronicles 13:7
base fellows
"wicked men," or "evil men,"
2 Chronicles 13:8
the kingdom of Yahweh
This is a reference to a united Israel as it existed in the time of David and Solomon.
that is held within the hand of the descendants of David
"which only the descendants of David have the authority to rule". Abijah is claiming only the descendants of David can rule Yahweh's kingdom.
the golden calves that Jeroboam made
"the golden calves that Jeroboam had his craftsmen make"
2 Chronicles 13:9
But did you not drive out ... as the people of other lands do?
"But you drive out ... as the people of other lands do."
a priest of what are not gods
"a priest of idols that are not really gods"
2 Chronicles 13:10
as for us
This refers to the people of the southern kingdom of Judah.
who are at their work
"who are working"
2 Chronicles 13:11
the bread of the presence
This refers to twelve loaves of bread that the priests placed on a golden table in the tabernacle as a sacrifice to God.
they also tend the lampstand
"they also take care of the lampstand"
for them to burn every evening
"so that the lamps burn every evening" or "and light the lamps every evening"
2 Chronicles 13:12
God is with us at our head
"God is with us as our leader"
do not fight against Yahweh
Abijah speaks of the army of Israel fighting against the army of Judah as if they were fighting against Yahweh himself.
2 Chronicles 13:14
When Judah looked back
"When the soldiers of Judah looked back"
the fighting was both in front of them and behind them
"the army of Israel was fighting them from the front and from the back"
2 Chronicles 13:15
God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah
"God enabled Abijah and the army of Judah to defeat Jeroboam and all Israel". Trusting in God, King Abijah of Judah was able to overcome the army of Israel even though it was twice as big as his army.
all Israel
"the entire army of Israel"
2 Chronicles 13:16
fled before Judah
"fled before the army of Judah"
God gave them into the hand of Judah
"God enabled Judah to defeat the people of Israel"
2 Chronicles 13:17
killed them with great slaughter
"thoroughly defeated them" or "slaughtered many of their soldiers"
2 Chronicles 13:18
the people of Israel were subdued
"the army of Judah subdued the people of Israel"
2 Chronicles 13:19
Abijah pursued
"Abijah chased after"
Jeshanah ... Ephron
These are the names of cities.
2 Chronicles 13:20
Yahweh struck him, and he died
"Yahweh caused Jeroboam to become ill, and he died"
2 Chronicles 13:21
he took fourteen wives for himself
"he married fourteen women"
2 Chronicles 13:22
his behavior, and words
"his behavior, and the things that he said"
are written in the history of the prophet Iddo
"are in the history that the prophet Iddo wrote"
Chapter 14
1
Abijah lay down with his ancestors, and they buried him in the city of David. Asa, his son, became king in his place. In his days the land was quiet ten years.
2
Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of Yahweh his God,
3
for he took away the foreign altars and the high places. He broke down the stone pillars and cut down the Asherah poles.
4
He commanded Judah to seek Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, and to carry out the law and the commandments.
5
Also he took away the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah. The kingdom had rest under him.
6
He built fortified cities in Judah, for the land was quiet, and he had no war in those years, because Yahweh had given him peace.
7
For Asa said to Judah, "Let us build these cities and make walls around them, and towers, gates, and bars; the land is still ours because we have sought Yahweh our God. We have sought him, and he has given us peace on every side." So they built and succeeded.
8
Asa had an army that carried shields and spears; from Judah he had 300,000 men, and from Benjamin, 280,000 men who carried shields and drew bows. All of these were mighty warriors.
9
Zerah the Cushite came against them with an army of one million soldiers and three hundred chariots; he came to Mareshah.
10
Then Asa went out to meet him, and they set the battle lines in order in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.
11
Asa cried to Yahweh, his God, and said, "Yahweh, there is no one but you to help one who has no strength when he is facing many. Help us, Yahweh our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast number. Yahweh, you are our God; do not let man defeat you."
12
So Yahweh struck the Cushites before Asa and Judah; the Cushites fled.
13
Asa and the soldiers with him pursued them to Gerar. So many Cushites fell that they could not recover, for they were completely destroyed before Yahweh and his army. The army carried away very much plunder.
14
The army destroyed all the villages around Gerar, for terror of Yahweh had come on the inhabitants. The army plundered all the villages, and there was much booty in them.
15
The army also destroyed the tents of those who owned livestock; they carried away sheep in abundance, as well as camels, and then they returned to Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 14:1
Abijah lay down with his ancestors
"Abijah died"
they buried him
"people buried him"
became king in his place
"became king instead of Abijah". This chapter begins the section about King Asa. (2 Chronicles 14-16).
In his days
"During his reign"
the land was quiet ten years
"there was peace in the land for ten years"
2 Chronicles 14:2
what was good and right in the eyes of Yahweh his God
"what Yahweh judged to be good and right"
2 Chronicles 14:3
He broke down the stone pillars and cut down the Asherah poles
"He had his people break down the stone pillars and cut down the Asherah poles"
2 Chronicles 14:4
He commanded Judah to seek Yahweh
"He commanded the people of Judah to worship Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 14:5
The kingdom had rest under him
"The kingdom had peace while he was king"
2 Chronicles 14:7
Asa said to Judah
"Asa said to the people of Judah"
peace on every side
"peace all around." Judah was at peace with all of the surrounding nations.
So they built
"So they built the cities"
2 Chronicles 14:9
Zerah
This is the name of a man.
Mareshah
This is the name of a place.
2 Chronicles 14:10
Asa went out to meet him
"Asa led his army out to meet him in battle". Trusting in Yahweh, Asa was able to defeat the army of Nubia. Trust in Yahweh is more important than military might.
2 Chronicles 14:11
in your name
"on your behalf" or "by your authority"
do not let man defeat you
"do not let man defeat your people". Since they are fighting in Yahweh's name, Asa speaks as if Zerah were to defeat Yahweh himself.
2 Chronicles 14:12
Yahweh struck the Cushites before Asa and Judah
"God enabled Asa and the army of Judah to defeat the Cushites"
2 Chronicles 14:13
So many Cushites fell that they could not recover
"So many Cushites died that there were none who remained alive."
for they were completely destroyed before Yahweh and his army
"for Yahweh's army completely destroyed them"
2 Chronicles 14:14
for terror of Yahweh had come on the inhabitants
"for Yahweh had caused the inhabitants to be terrified" or "for the inhabitants were terrified of Yahweh"
Chapter 15
1
The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of Oded.
2
He went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: Yahweh is with you, while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you abandon him, he will abandon you.
3
Now for a long period, Israel was without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without the law.
4
But when in their distress they turned to Yahweh, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them.
5
In those times there was no peace for him who went out or for him who came in, for there were great disturbances on all the inhabitants of the lands.
6
They were broken in pieces, nation against nation, and city against city, for God troubled them with all kinds of suffering.
7
But be strong, and do not let your hands be weak, for your work will be rewarded."
8
When Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage and drove away the disgusting figures from all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and from the cities that he had captured from the hill country of Ephraim, and he rebuilt Yahweh's altar, which was in front of the portico of the house of Yahweh.
9
He gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those who stayed with them—people from Ephraim and Manasseh, and from Simeon. For they came from Israel to him in great numbers, when they saw that Yahweh his God was with him.
10
So they gathered together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of Asa's reign.
11
They sacrificed to Yahweh in that day some of the plunder that they had brought: seven hundred head of cattle and seven thousand sheep and goats.
12
They entered into a covenant to seek Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and with all their soul.
13
They agreed that whoever refused to seek Yahweh, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether the person was small or great, whether man or woman.
14
They swore to Yahweh with a loud voice, with shouting, and with trumpets and rams' horns.
15
All Judah rejoiced at the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart, and they sought God with their whole desire, and he was found by them. Yahweh gave them peace all around them.
16
King Asa also removed Maakah, his grandmother, from being queen mother because she had made a disgusting figure out of an Asherah pole. He cut down the disgusting figure, crushed it to dust, and burned it at the Kidron Brook.
17
But the high places were not taken out of Israel. Nevertheless, Asa's heart was completely devoted all his days.
18
He brought into the house of God his father's sacred gifts and his own sacred gifts, silver and gold and utensils.
19
There was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa's reign.
2 Chronicles 15:1
The Spirit of God came on Azariah
"The Spirit of God gave Azariah the ability to prophesy"
2 Chronicles 15:2
he will be found by you
"you will find him" or "he will permit you to find him"
2 Chronicles 15:3
Israel was without the true God
"The people of Israel did not worship the true God"
without a teaching priest
"without a priest who taught them"
2 Chronicles 15:4
he was found by them
"they found him" or "he permitted them to find him"
2 Chronicles 15:5
for him who went out or for him who came in
This phrase is an idiom that refers to a person who travels anywhere away from home. Alternate translation: "for the person who traveled anywhere"
for there were great disturbances on all the inhabitants of the lands
"for all the inhabitants of the lands experienced great troubles"
2 Chronicles 15:6
They were broken in pieces, nation against nation, and city against city
"Nations and cities destroyed each other, as the people of one nation fought against the people of another nation, and the people of one city fought against the people of another city"
2 Chronicles 15:7
do not let your hands be weak
"do not become weak as you work"
for your work will be rewarded
"for Yahweh will reward your work"
2 Chronicles 15:8
When Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Oded the prophet
"the prophecy of Azariah, the son of Oded the prophet." This shows agreement with 2 Chronicles 15:1.
drove away the disgusting figures
"got rid of the disgusting idols"
2 Chronicles 15:9
He gathered all Judah and Benjamin
"He gathered together people from all over Judah and Benjamin"
For they came from Israel
"For people from of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon came from Israel"
2 Chronicles 15:10
So they gathered together
"They" refers to the tribes of Judah and Israel that were with Asa.
the third month
The third month of the Hebrew calendar, which is the last part of May and the first part of June on Western calendars.
2 Chronicles 15:11
some of the plunder that they had brought
This refers to the plunder that they had taken from the villages around Gerar in 2 Chronicles 14:14.
2 Chronicles 15:12
with all their heart and with all their soul
"with all their beings" or "wholeheartedly". The people promise to serve the Lord. This is something they will ultimately fail to do.
The phrase "seek Yahweh" means "wanting to believe and obey Yahweh." This is a common way to describe proper worship of Yahweh.
2 Chronicles 15:13
be put to death
"should die"
whether the person was small or great
"whether the person was important or not" or "whether the person was young or old"
2 Chronicles 15:15
All Judah rejoiced
"People all over Judah rejoiced"
with all their heart
"with complete devotion" or "wholeheartedly"
2 Chronicles 15:16
Maakah, his grandmother
This woman had been the wife of Rehoboam and the mother of Asa's father Abijah. She had no official duties.
a disgusting figure
This phrase refers to an idol.
He cut down the disgusting figure, crushed it ... and burned it
"He made his workers cut down the disgusting figure, crush it ... and burn it"
2 Chronicles 15:17
But the high places were not taken out of Israel
"But Asa did not command the people to take the high places out of Israel"
Asa's heart was completely devoted all his days
"Asa was completely devoted the whole time that he lived"
2 Chronicles 15:18
the house of God
"the temple of God"
Chapter 16
1
In the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign, Baasha, king of Israel, acted aggressively against Judah and built up Ramah, so that he might not allow anyone to leave or enter into the land of Asa, king of Judah.
2
Then Asa brought the silver and gold out of the storerooms in the house of Yahweh and of the king's house, and sent it to Ben-Hadad king of Aram, who lived in Damascus. He said,
3
"Let there be a covenant between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. Look, I have sent to you silver and gold. Break your covenant with Baasha, king of Israel, so that he may leave me alone."
4
Ben-Hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel. They attacked Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim
, and all the storage cities of Naphtali.
5
It came about that when Baasha heard this, he stopped building up Ramah and let his work cease.
6
Then Asa the king took all Judah with him. They carried away the stones and timbers of Ramah with which Baasha had been building up the city. Then King Asa used that building material to build up Geba and Mizpah.
7
At that time Hanani the seer went to Asa, king of Judah, and said to him, "Because you have relied on the king of Aram, and have not relied on Yahweh your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped out of your hand.
8
Were not the Cushites and the Libyans a huge army, with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on Yahweh, he gave you victory over them.
9
For the eyes of Yahweh run everywhere throughout the whole earth, so that he might show himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are perfect toward him. But you have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, you will have war."
10
Then Asa was angry with the seer; he put him into prison, for he was enraged with him over this matter. At the same time, Asa oppressed some of the people.
11
Behold, the deeds of Asa, from first to last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
12
In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was very severe, he did not seek help from Yahweh, but only from the healers.
13
So Asa lay down with his ancestors, dying in the forty-first year of his reign.
14
They buried him in his own tomb, which he had dug out for himself in the city of David. They laid him on a bier that was filled with sweet odors and various kinds of spices prepared by skilled perfumers. Then they made a very great fire in his honor.
2 Chronicles 16:1
built up Ramah
"captured and fortified Ramah"
so that he might not allow anyone to
"so that no one could"
2 Chronicles 16:2
Then Asa brought the silver ... of the king's house, and sent it
"Then Asa told his workers to take the silver ... of the king's house, and to take it"
He said
"Asa told his servants to say to Ben-Hadad" or "Through his servants, Asa said to Ben-Hadad"
2 Chronicles 16:3
Let there be a covenant between me and you ... between my father and your father
"Let us have a covenant with each other ... with my father and your father" or "Let us make a peace treaty ... with my father and your father". Asa asked the king of Aram to help him instead of trusting God to help him. This was sinful because he disobeyed Yahweh.
Look, I have sent
"As proof that I want a treaty with you, I have sent"
Break your covenant with Baasha, king of Israel
"Do not be loyal to Baasha king of Israel as you promised in your covenant with him" or "Break your covenant with Baasha, king of Israel, and attack Israel". Asa wanted Ben Hadad to attack Israel. Ben Hadad could only do that if he broke his covenant.
leave me alone
"not attack me"
2 Chronicles 16:4
sent the commanders of his armies against the cities
"sent his armies to attack the cities"
2 Chronicles 16:5
he stopped building up Ramah and let his work cease
"he commanded his army to stop fortifying Ramah and doing other work there"
2 Chronicles 16:6
took all Judah
"took all the men of Judah"
timbers
Timbers are large pieces of wood used to build houses or walls.
Baasha had been
"Baasha's workers had been"
Then King Asa used
"Then King Asa had his workers use"
Geba
This is the name of a city.
2 Chronicles 16:7
Hanani
This is the name of a man.
out of your hand
"from you" or "from your control"
2 Chronicles 16:8
Were not the Cushites and the Libyans a huge army, with very many chariots and horsemen?
"The Cushites and the Libyans were a huge army, with very many chariots and horsemen."
Libyans
These are people from Libya.
he gave you victory
"he gave your army victory"
2 Chronicles 16:9
the eyes of Yahweh run everywhere throughout the whole earth
"Yahweh sees what is happening all over the earth"
so that he might show himself strong on behalf of
"and Yahweh protects with his strength" or "so that he may show his strength by protecting"
those whose hearts are perfect toward him
"those who are completely committed to following him" or "those who are completely devoted to following him"
2 Chronicles 16:11
from first to last
"from the first thing that he did to the last thing that he did" or "everything he did"
the book of the kings of Judah and Israel
This is a book that no longer exists.
2 Chronicles 16:12
Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet
"Asa had a disease in his feet"
2 Chronicles 16:13
Asa lay down with his ancestors, dying in
"Asa died during"
2 Chronicles 16:14
which he had dug out for himself
"which his workers had dug out for him"
bier
A bier is a table on which a dead body is placed at a funeral.
sweet odors and various kinds of spices prepared by skilled perfumers
"sweet smelling plants prepared by people skilled in this custom"
Chapter 17
1
Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king in his place. Jehoshaphat strengthened himself against Israel.
2
He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had captured.
3
Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David, and did not seek the Baals.
4
Instead, he relied on the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, not according to the practices of Israel.
5
So Yahweh established the rule in his hand; all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat. He had riches and honor in abundance.
6
His heart was committed to Yahweh's ways. He also removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah.
7
In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.
8
With them were Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-Adonijah; and with them were the priests Elishama and Jehoram.
9
They taught in Judah, having the book of the law of Yahweh with them. They went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.
10
Terror of Yahweh fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.
11
Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and silver as tribute. Arabians also brought him flocks, 7,700 rams, and 7,700 goats.
12
Jehoshaphat became very powerful. He built fortresses and storage cities in Judah.
13
He had many supplies in the cities of Judah, and soldiers—mighty warriors—in Jerusalem.
14
These were their divisions listed by the name of their fathers' houses: From Judah, the commanders of thousands; Adnah the commander, and with him 300,000 mighty warriors;
15
next to him Jehohanan the commander, and with him 280,000 men;
16
next to him Amasiah son of Zikri, who volunteered to serve Yahweh; and with him 200,000 mighty warriors.
17
From Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty warrior, and with him 200,000 armed with bows and shields;
18
next to him Jehozabad, and with him 180,000 ready prepared for war.
19
These were those who served the king, besides those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.
2 Chronicles 17:1
in his place
"after his father". This begins the story of King Jehoshaphat who trusted and obeyed God. God made him strong.
strengthened himself against Israel
"prepared the army to be able to battle Israel"
2 Chronicles 17:2
He placed forces
"He places soldiers"
garrisons
Military encampments set up to protect the people.
2 Chronicles 17:3
Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat
"God supported him" or "God helped him"
walked in the earlier ways of his father
"lived righteously as his father David had done in his earlier years". For most of David's life he lived righteously and followed Yahweh closely.
did not seek the Baals
He did not worship the Baal idols in order to seek help from them.
2 Chronicles 17:4
not according to the practices of Israel
"and did not follow the evil practices that were common in Israel"
2 Chronicles 17:5
Yahweh established the rule in his hand
"Yahweh enabled him to completely control his kingdom"
honor in abundance
"was greatly honored" or "the people greatly honored him"
2 Chronicles 17:6
His heart
"He". This represents his will and desires.
2 Chronicles 17:7
Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah
These are names of men.
2 Chronicles 17:8
Shemaiah ... and Tob-Adonijah ... and Jehoram
These are names of men.
2 Chronicles 17:10
Terror of Yahweh fell on all the kingdoms of the lands
"The people in all the kingdoms surrounding Judah became very afraid of what Yahweh might do to punish them"
against Jehoshaphat
"against Jehoshaphat's army"
2 Chronicles 17:11
7,700 rams, and 7,700 goats
This is a description of the flocks that the Arabians brought Jehoshaphat.
2 Chronicles 17:12
He built fortresses and storage cities
"His workers built fortresses and storage cities"
2 Chronicles 17:14
These were their divisions listed by the name of their fathers' houses
"The divisions by the name of their fathers' houses were as follows"
the commanders of thousands
"the commanders of 1,000 soldiers" or "the commanders of large military divisions"
2 Chronicles 17:19
besides those
"in addition to"
Chapter 18
1
Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor; he allied himself with Ahab by having one of his family marry his daughter.
2
After some years, he went down to Ahab in Samaria. Ahab killed many sheep and cattle for him and the people who were with him. Ahab also persuaded him to attack Ramoth Gilead with him.
3
Ahab, king of Israel, said to Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, "Will you go with me to Ramoth Gilead?" Jehoshaphat answered him, "I am like you, and my people are like your people. We will be with you in the war."
4
Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please first seek the word of Yahweh for your answer."
5
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, "Should we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or should I not?" They said, "Attack, for God will give it into the hand of the king."
6
But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not here still another prophet of Yahweh with whom we might seek advice?"
7
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man by whom we may seek the advice of Yahweh, Micaiah son of Imlah, but I hate him because he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil." But Jehoshaphat said, "The king should not say that."
8
Then the king of Israel called an officer and said, "Quickly bring Micaiah son of Imlah."
9
Now Ahab the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting each on a throne, clothed in their robes, on a threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying before them.
10
Zedekiah son of Kenaanah made himself horns of iron and said, "Yahweh says this: With these you will push the Arameans until they are consumed."
11
All the prophets prophesied the same, saying, "Attack Ramoth Gilead and win, for Yahweh has given it into the hand of the king."
12
The messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, "Look, the words of the prophets with one mouth are favorable to the king. Let your words agree with theirs, and speak favorably."
13
Micaiah replied, "As Yahweh lives, it is what God says that I will say."
14
When he came to the king, the king said to him, "Micaiah, should we go to Ramoth Gilead for battle, or not?" Micaiah answered him, "Attack and be victorious! For it will be a great victory."
15
Then the king said to him, "How many times must I require you to swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of Yahweh?"
16
So Micaiah said, "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep who have no shepherd, and Yahweh said, 'These have no shepherd. Let every man return to his house in peace.'"
17
So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but only disaster?"
18
Then Micaiah said, "Therefore all of you should hear the word of Yahweh: I saw Yahweh sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven were standing on his right hand and on his left.
19
Yahweh said, 'Who will entice Ahab, king of Israel, so that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead?' One said this and another that.
20
Then a spirit came forward and it stood before Yahweh and said, 'I will entice him.' Yahweh said to him, 'How?'
21
The spirit replied, 'I will go out and I will become a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' Yahweh replied, 'You will entice him, and you will also be successful. Go now and do so.'
22
Now see, Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these prophets of yours, and Yahweh has decreed disaster for you."
23
Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah, came up, slapped Micaiah on the cheek, and said, "Which way did the Spirit of Yahweh take to go from me to speak to you?"
24
Micaiah said, "Look, you will know that on that day, when you run into some inner room to hide."
25
The king of Israel said to some servants, "You people seize Micaiah and take him to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Joash, my son.
26
You people will say to him, 'The king says: Put this man in prison and feed him with only a little bread and only a little water, until I return safely.'"
27
Then Micaiah said, "If you return safely, then Yahweh has not spoken by me." Then he added, "Listen to this, all you people."
28
So Ahab, the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, went up against Ramoth Gilead.
29
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will disguise myself and go into the battle, but you put on your royal robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into the battle.
30
Now the king of Aram had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, "Fight with neither small nor great, but only with the king of Israel."
31
It came about that when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat they said, "That is the king of Israel." They turned around to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and Yahweh helped him. God turned them away from him.
32
It came about that when the commanders of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.
33
But a certain man drew his bow at random and shot the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. Then Ahab said to the driver of his chariot, "Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded."
34
The battle grew worse that day, and the king of Israel was held up in his chariot facing the Arameans until the evening. About the time that the sun was going down, he died.
2 Chronicles 18:1
Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor; he allied himself with Ahab
This marks background information, which happened before Ahab went down to Samaria.
he allied himself with Ahab
"he aligned himself with Ahab" or "he made himself a friend of Ahab"
2 Chronicles 18:2
Ahab killed many sheep and cattle for him and the people
"Ahab commanded his workers to slaughter many sheep and cattle for a feast for Jehoshaphat and the people"
2 Chronicles 18:3
Will you go with me to Ramoth Gilead
"Will you and your army go with my army to attack the city of Ramoth in the region of Gilead". Ahab is requesting for Jehoshaphat to join him with his army to make war against Ramoth Gilead.
I am like you, and my people are like your people
"I offer myself and my soldiers to you to use in any way you want". Jehoshaphat is stating his allegiance to Ahab.
2 Chronicles 18:4
king of Israel
King Ahab.
2 Chronicles 18:5
should I not
"should we not"
will give it into the hand of the king
"will enable your army to defeat them"
2 Chronicles 18:10
Kenaanah
This is the name of a man.
horns of iron
This is a reference to the horns of a bull but they made of metal.
you will push the Arameans until they are consumed
"With horns like these, your army will keep attacking the army of Aram like a bull attacks another animal, until you completely destroy them"
2 Chronicles 18:11
has given it into the hand of the king
"has allowed the king to capture it" or "will allow your armies to capture it"
2 Chronicles 18:12
Look
"Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"
the words of the prophets with one mouth are favorable to the king
"the prophets all declare that good things will happen to the king"
your words
"what you say"
2 Chronicles 18:13
As Yahweh lives
"I solemnly swear"
2 Chronicles 18:14
or not
"or should we not go"
should we go
"we" refers to Ahab, Jehoshaphat, and their armies but not to Micaiah.
2 Chronicles 18:15
How many times must I require ... in the name of Yahweh?
"Many times I have required ... in the name of Yahweh."
in the name of Yahweh
"as the representative of Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 18:16
I saw all Israel
"I saw the entire army of Israel"
like sheep who have no shepherd
"These people no longer have a leader". The people are compared to sheep with no shepherd; the king, who has died.
2 Chronicles 18:17
Did I not tell you ... but only disaster?
"I told you ... but only disaster!"
2 Chronicles 18:18
all the host of heaven
"all the angel army of heaven" or "all the multitude of heaven"
on his right hand and on his left
"by his right side and by his left side"
2 Chronicles 18:19
entice
To attract someone by offering something appealing.
fall at Ramoth Gilead
"die at Ramoth Gilead"
One said this and another that
This refers to two or more angels in the heavenly host who were responding to Yahweh's question in the previous verse and indicates there was more than one opinion.
2 Chronicles 18:21
become a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets
"cause all his prophets to speak lies"
2 Chronicles 18:22
Now see, Yahweh
"Now pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 18:23
Which way did the Spirit of Yahweh take to go from me to speak to you?
"Do not think that Yahweh's Spirit left me to speak to you!"
2 Chronicles 18:24
you will know that
"you will know that the Spirit of Yahweh has spoken to me"
2 Chronicles 18:25
king of Israel
This refers to Ahab.
Amon
This is the name of a man.
2 Chronicles 18:27
If you return safely, then Yahweh has not spoken by me
"If you return safely, then that would mean that Yahweh has not spoken by me". Micaiah knew that the king would not return safely because Yahweh had already told him that. So he said this to emphasize that.
2 Chronicles 18:28
Ahab, the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, went up against
"Ahab, the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah led their armies up against"
went up against
"fought against"
2 Chronicles 18:29
disguise
To change the usual appearance so as not to be identified.
2 Chronicles 18:30
Fight with neither small nor great
"Do not attack any of the soldiers". This means the unimportant and important soldiers.
2 Chronicles 18:31
That is the king of Israel
Jehoshaphat was wrongly identified as the king of Israel because Ahab had insisted that he wear kingly robes.
God turned them away from him
"God caused them to stop pursuing him"
It came about that
This phrase marks an important event in the story.
2 Chronicles 18:33
drew his bow at random
He took aim to shoot a soldier without knowing that it was Ahab or he drew his bow without any specific target in mind.
between the joints of his armor
This is where two pieces of armor meet and is susceptible to arrows and swords.
2 Chronicles 18:34
the king of Israel was held up in his chariot
"someone held the king of Israel up in his chariot"
Chapter 19
1
Jehoshaphat the king of Judah safely returned to his house in Jerusalem.
2
Then Jehu son of Hanani, the seer, went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, "Should you be helping the wicked? Should you be loving those who hate Yahweh? For this deed, anger from Yahweh is on you.
3
However, there is some good to be found in you, in that you have taken the Asherah poles out of the land, and you have fixed your heart to seek God."
4
Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and brought them back to Yahweh, the God of their fathers.
5
He placed judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city.
6
He said to the judges, "Consider what you should do, because you are not judging for man, but for Yahweh; he is with you in the act of judging.
7
Now then, let the fear of Yahweh be upon you. Be careful when you judge, for there is no iniquity with Yahweh our God, nor is there any favoritism or bribe taking."
8
Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and the priests, and some of the heads of the families of Israel, for carrying out judgment for Yahweh, and for the sake of disputes. They lived in Jerusalem.
9
He instructed them, saying, "You must serve in reverence for Yahweh, faithfully, and with your whole heart.
10
Whenever any dispute comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities, whether concerning bloodshed, whether about laws and commands, statutes or decrees, you must warn them, so they do not become guilty before Yahweh, or anger will come toward you and toward your brothers. If you do this, you will not be guilty.
11
See, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all the matters of Yahweh. Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the house of Judah, is in charge of all the matters of the king. Also, the Levites will be officers serving you. Be strong and obey your instructions, and may Yahweh be with those who are good."
2 Chronicles 19:2
Hanani, the seer
"Hanani" is the name of a man. See 2 Chronicles 16:7.
Should you be helping the wicked? Should you be loving those who hate Yahweh?
"You should not help the wicked people! You should not love those who hate Yahweh!"
anger from Yahweh is on you
"Yahweh is angry with you"
2 Chronicles 19:3
there is some good to be found in you
"you have done some good things"
you have taken the Asherah poles out of the land
"you have had your people take the Asherah poles out of the land"
Asherah poles
See how you translated this in 2 Chronicles 14:3.
fixed your heart
"firmly decided"
seek God
"do what pleases God"
2 Chronicles 19:4
from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim
"of all the land of Judah"
brought them back to Yahweh
"convinced them to return to Yahweh"
their fathers
"their ancestors" or "their forefathers"
2 Chronicles 19:5
fortified cities
cities with walls around them for protection.
city by city
"for every city". Jehoshaphat appointed many Levites to be judges and told them to be very fair. .
2 Chronicles 19:6
He said to the judges
"Jehoshaphat said to the judges"
he is with you
Yahweh was aware of what the judges decided or Yahweh would hold the judges accountable for their decisions or Yahweh would help and guide them in their decisions.
2 Chronicles 19:7
let the fear of Yahweh be upon you
"you should remember to fear Yahweh when you judge"
there is no iniquity with Yahweh our God, nor is there any favoritism or bribe taking
"Yahweh our God will not sin or favor one person over another in judgment or be bribed"
2 Chronicles 19:8
heads of the families
"leaders of the families"
for carrying out judgment for Yahweh
"for judging the people for Yahweh" or "for judging on Yahweh's behalf"
for the sake of disputes
"for settling disputes" or "for resolving arguments"
2 Chronicles 19:9
You must serve in reverence for Yahweh
"You must serve while fearing Yahweh" or "You must serve while respecting Yahweh"
with your whole heart
"with your whole being"
2 Chronicles 19:10
Whenever any dispute comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities
"Whenever your fellow Israelites, who live in their cities bring you a dispute"
bloodshed
"the killing of people" or "murder"
anger will come toward you and toward your brothers
"God will be angry with you and your brothers"
2 Chronicles 19:11
See, Amariah
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: Amariah"
is over you
"is in charge of you"
of all the matters of the king
"of all my royal matters"
Chapter 20
1
It came about after this, that the people of Moab and Ammon, and with them some Meunites came against Jehoshaphat to do battle.
2
Then some came who told Jehoshaphat, saying, "A large multitude is coming against you from beyond the Dead Sea, from Edom. See, they are in Hazezon Tamar," that is, En Gedi.
3
Jehoshaphat became afraid and set himself to seek Yahweh. He proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
4
Judah gathered together to seek Yahweh; they came to seek Yahweh from all the cities of Judah.
5
Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, at the house of Yahweh, in front of the new courtyard.
6
He said, "Yahweh, the God of our ancestors, are you not God in heaven? Are you not the ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in your hand, so no one is able to resist you.
7
Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham?
8
They lived in it and built you a holy place in it for your name, saying,
9
'If disaster comes on us—the sword, judgment, or plague, or famine—we will stand before this house, and before you (for your name is in this house), and we will cry to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.'
10
See now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir whom you would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt; so, Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them.
11
See how they are rewarding us; they are coming to drive us out of your land that you have given us to inherit.
12
Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power against this great army that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."
13
All Judah stood before Yahweh, with their little ones, wives, and children.
14
Then in the middle of the assembly the Spirit of Yahweh came on Jahaziel, son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite and a descendant of Asaph.
15
Jahaziel said, "Listen, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what Yahweh says to you, 'Do not fear; do not be discouraged because of this great army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God.
16
You must go down against them tomorrow. See, they are coming up by way of the pass of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel.
17
You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand in your positions, stand still, and see the rescue of Yahweh with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear nor be discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for Yahweh is with you.'"
18
Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground. All Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Yahweh, worshiping him.
19
The Levites, those of the descendants of the Kohathites and Korahites, stood up to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
20
Early in the morning they arose and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. As they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem! Trust in Yahweh your God, and you will be supported. Trust in his prophets, and you will succeed."
21
After he consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to Yahweh and who praised him for his majestic splendor as they went out before the army, saying, "Give thanks to Yahweh, for his covenant faithfulness endures forever."
22
When they began to sing and to praise, Yahweh set men in ambush against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who were coming against Judah. They were defeated.
23
For the people of Ammon and Moab rose to fight the inhabitants of Mount Seir, in order to completely kill them and destroy them. When they had finished with the inhabitants of Mount Seir, they all helped to destroy each other.
24
When Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked out on the army. Behold, they were dead, fallen to the ground; none had escaped.
25
When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take plunder from them, they found among them abundant goods, clothing, and valuable articles, which they took for themselves, more than they could carry away. It took them three days to carry off the plunder, there was so much of it.
26
On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah. There they praised Yahweh, so the name of that place is the "Valley of Berakah" to this day.
27
Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in their lead, to go again to Jerusalem with joy, for Yahweh had made them rejoice over their enemies.
28
They came to Jerusalem and to the house of Yahweh with lutes and harps and trumpets.
29
The terror of God was on all the kingdoms of the nations when they heard that Yahweh had fought against Israel's enemies.
30
So Jehoshaphat's kingdom was quiet, for his God gave him peace all around him.
31
Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: He was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem for twenty-five years. His mother's name was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi.
32
He walked in the ways of Asa, his father; he did not turn away from them; he did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh.
33
However, the high places were not taken away. The people still had not directed their hearts to the God of their ancestors.
34
As for the other matters concerning Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Jehu son of Hanani, which is recorded in the book of the kings of Israel.
35
After this Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, allied himself with Ahaziah, king of Israel, who committed much wickedness.
36
He allied himself with him to build ships to go to Tarshish. They built the ships at Ezion Geber.
37
Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah, prophesied against Jehoshaphat; he said, "Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, Yahweh has destroyed your works." The ships were wrecked so that they could not go to Tarshish.
2 Chronicles 20:1
Meunites
This was a people group from the region of Meun which was near Edom, east of the Jordan River.
came against Jehoshaphat to do battle
"came against Jehoshaphat's army to do battle" or "came to fight against Jehoshaphat and his army"
2 Chronicles 20:2
See, they are in Hazezon Tamar
"They are already in Hazezon Tamar". God rescues those who trust him. An enormous army came against Jehoshaphat but God promised that he would defeat them without Judah having to fight. Then the enemy fought among themselves and when the army of Judah arrived there were dead bodies.
Hazezon Tamar
This is the name of a place. It is another name for Engedi.
2 Chronicles 20:3
set himself to seek
"determined himself to seek" or "devoted himself to seek"
to seek Yahweh
"to seek Yahweh's advice"
He proclaimed a fast
"He proclaimed that all the people should fast"
2 Chronicles 20:4
Judah gathered
"The people of Judah gathered"
2 Chronicles 20:5
of Judah and Jerusalem
"of the people from Judah and Jerusalem"
2 Chronicles 20:6
are you not God in heaven? Are you not the ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations?
"you are indeed God in heaven and the ruler over all the kings of the earth."
Power and might are in your hand
"You possess great power" or "You have great power and might"
2 Chronicles 20:7
Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land ... to the descendants of Abraham?
"It was you who drove out those who lived in this land for the sake of your people Israel and who gave it permanently to the descendants of Abraham."
2 Chronicles 20:8
for your name
"for you" or "to honor you"
2 Chronicles 20:9
the sword
"war" or "battle"
before this house
This refers to the temple.
your name is in this house
"your presence is here in this house"
2 Chronicles 20:10
Mount Seir
This was a place where the Edomites lived.
2 Chronicles 20:11
See how they are rewarding us; they are coming to drive us out of your land
"This is how they 'repay' us for the mercy we showed to them; they are coming to drive us out of your land"
2 Chronicles 20:12
will you not judge them?
"please judge them."
our eyes are on you
"we are looking to you for help"
2 Chronicles 20:14
the Spirit of Yahweh came on
The spirit of God influenced Jahaziel and enabled him to prophesy. See 2 Chronicles 15:1.
Jahaziel ... Asaph
These are the names of men.
2 Chronicles 20:15
all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem
"all you who live in Judah and Jerusalem"
for the battle does not belong to you, but to God
God is in control of the battle and of what happens.
2 Chronicles 20:16
go down against
"march against" or "go to battle against"
pass of Ziz
This is a narrow valley between two mountains southeast of Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 20:17
the rescue of Yahweh with you
"Yahweh rescue you"
Judah and Jerusalem
"people of Judah and Jerusalem"
2 Chronicles 20:18
bowed his head with his face to the ground ... fell down before Yahweh
Acts of worship that express humility and submission to God.
All Judah
"All the people of Judah"
2 Chronicles 20:19
Kohathites and Korahites
The names of people groups descending from Kohath and Korah.
with a very loud voice
"with very loud voices"
2 Chronicles 20:20
Tekoa
Translate this city name the same as in 2 Chronicles 11:6.
you will be supported
"he will support you" or "he will help you"
Trust in his prophets, and you will succeed
"If you trust in Yahweh's prophets, then you will succeed"
2 Chronicles 20:21
his covenant faithfulness endures forever
"he is always faithful to his covenant with us". See how you translated this in 2 Chronicles 7:3.
2 Chronicles 20:22
Yahweh set men
"Yahweh set some enemy soldiers"
They were defeated
"They defeated them" or "They defeated those they had ambushed"
2 Chronicles 20:23
to completely kill them and destroy them
"to completely annihilate them"
When they had finished with
"When they had finished killing"
2 Chronicles 20:24
they were dead, fallen to the ground
"they were all dead on the ground"
2 Chronicles 20:26
Valley of Berakah
This is the name of a place.
to this day
The day on which the writer wrote. See 2 Chronicles 5:9.
2 Chronicles 20:27
every man of Judah and Jerusalem
"every soldier of Judah and Jerusalem"
Jehoshaphat in their lead
"with Jehoshaphat leading them."
rejoice over their enemies
"rejoice over their enemies' defeat" or "rejoice because their enemies had been destroyed"
2 Chronicles 20:29
The terror of God was on all the kingdoms of the nations
"All the kingdoms in the nearby nations greatly feared God"
2 Chronicles 20:30
Jehoshaphat's kingdom was quiet
"Jehoshaphat's kingdom was at peace"
2 Chronicles 20:31
Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi
"Azubah" was the name of Jehoshaphat's mother. Shilhi was the name of Azubah's father.
2 Chronicles 20:32
He walked in the ways of Asa, his father; he did not turn away from them
"He did things that were pleasing to Yahweh, like his father Asa had done, and he did not stop doing those things"
he did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh
"he did what Yahweh judged to be right" or "he did what Yahweh considered to be right". See 2 Chronicles 14:2.
2 Chronicles 20:33
the high places were not taken away
"he did not get rid of the high places"
The people still had not directed their hearts to the God
"The people were still not devoted to the God" or "The people still were not committed to following the God"
2 Chronicles 20:34
first and last
"from the beginning of his reign until he died"
behold, they are written in the history ... Israel
"anyone can look in the history ... Israel and see that they are written there"
they are written in ... which is recorded in
"they are in ... which is in"
Hanani
Translate this man's name as you did in 2 Chronicles 16:7.
the book of the kings of Israel
This is a book that no longer exists. See 2 Chronicles 16:11.
2 Chronicles 20:36
Tarshish
This is the name of a city.
They built the ships
"Their workers built the ships"
Ezion Geber
Translate this place name as you did in 2 Chronicles 8:17.
2 Chronicles 20:37
Eliezer ... Dodavahu
These are names of men.
your works
"the things you have made"
The ships were wrecked so that
"The ships became ruined and" or "The ships wrecked so that no one was able to sail them"
Chapter 21
1
Jehoshaphat lay down with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of David; Jehoram, his son, became king in his place.
2
Jehoram had brothers, sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariahu, Michael, and Shephatiah. All these were sons of Jehoshaphat, king of Israel.
3
Their father had given them large gifts of silver, gold, and other precious things, and also fortified cities in Judah, but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram.
4
Now when Jehoram had risen up over his father's kingdom and had firmly established himself as king, he killed all his brothers with the sword, and also various other leaders of Israel.
5
Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for eight years in Jerusalem.
6
He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab was doing, for he had Ahab's daughter as his wife, and he did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh.
7
However, Yahweh did not wish to destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David; he had promised that he would always give a lamp to him and his descendants.
8
In Jehoram's days, Edom rebelled against the control of Judah, and they set a king to reign over themselves.
9
Then Jehoram crossed over with his commanders and all his chariots. It was night when he rose up and fought against the Edomites who had surrounded him and his chariot commanders.
10
So Edom has been in rebellion from the control of Judah to this present day. Libnah also revolted at the same time from his control, because Jehoram had abandoned Yahweh, the God of his ancestors.
11
In addition, Jehoram had also built high places in the mountains of Judah and he made the inhabitants of Jerusalem to live like prostitutes, and he led Judah astray.
12
A letter from the prophet Elijah came to Jehoram. It said, "This is what Yahweh, the God of David, your ancestor, says: Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat, your father, nor in the ways of Asa, king of Judah,
13
but have walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and have made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to act like a prostitute, as the house of Ahab did—and because you have also killed your brothers in your father's house, men who were better than yourself—
14
see, Yahweh will strike your people, your children, your wives, and all your possessions with a heavy blow.
15
You yourself will have much sickness with a disease in your intestines, until the disease causes your intestines to come out, and this will continue day after day."
16
Yahweh stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines and of the Arabians who were near the Cushites.
17
They attacked Judah, invaded it, and carried away all the wealth that was found in the king's house. They also carried away his sons and his wives. No son was left to him except Jehoahaz, his youngest son.
18
After all this, Yahweh struck him in his intestines with an incurable disease.
19
It came about in due time, at the end of two years, that his intestines fell out because of his sickness, and that he died of severe disease. His people made no fire in his honor as they had done for his ancestors.
20
He had begun to reign when he was thirty-two years old; he reigned in Jerusalem for eight years, and when he departed no one mourned him. They buried him in the city of David, but not in the royal tombs.
2 Chronicles 21:1
lay down with his ancestors
"died"
city of David
This is the city of Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 21:2
Jehoshaphat, king of Israel
The writer wanted to make the point that the southern kingdom was, in its obedience to God, the true Israel.
2 Chronicles 21:3
large gifts
"gifts of large amounts"
he gave the kingdom to Jehoram
"he made Jehoram king"
2 Chronicles 21:4
risen up over his father's kingdom
"taken complete control over his father's kingdom"
he killed all his brothers with the sword
"he caused all of his younger brothers to be killed". Edom and Libna successfully revolted against Jehoshaphat, the Arabs plundered him and he died of an intestinal disease.
2 Chronicles 21:6
walked in the ways
"followed the example". See 2 Chronicles 20:32.
the house of Ahab was doing
"the descendants of Ahab were doing"
he had Ahab's daughter as his wife
"he had married a daughter of Ahab"
in the sight of Yahweh
"as Yahweh judged"
2 Chronicles 21:7
the house of David
"the kingdom of Judah" or "the people of Judah". See 2 Chronicles 10:19.
he had promised that he would always give a lamp to him and his descendants
"he had promised that David and his descendants would rule Israel forever"
2 Chronicles 21:8
In Jehoram's days
"While Jehoram was king"
set a king to reign over themselves
"chose a king to rule over them"
2 Chronicles 21:9
crossed over
"crossed the border into Edom" or "went to Edom"
It was night when he rose up ... surrounded him and his chariot commanders
"The Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, but Jehoram and his army fought against them and escaped during the night"
2 Chronicles 21:10
to this present day
The time when the book of 2 Chronicles was written. See 2 Chronicles 5:9.
Libnah
This was a town in Judah.
2 Chronicles 21:11
Jehoram had also built high places
"Jehoram and the people had also built high places"
he made the inhabitants ... to live like prostitutes
"he caused the people of Jerusalem to leave Yahweh and serve other gods, as prostitutes serve men"
he led Judah astray
"he caused Judah to no longer follow Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 21:12
A letter from the prophet Elijah came to Jehoram
"Jehoram received a letter from the prophet Elijah" or "The prophet Elijah sent a letter to Jehoram"
walked in the ways
"followed the example". See 2 Chronicles 20:32.
2 Chronicles 21:13
the house of Ahab
"the descendants of Ahab". See 2 Chronicles 21:6.
2 Chronicles 21:14
strike your people ... your possessions with a heavy blow
"cause horrible things to happen to your people ... your possessions"
2 Chronicles 21:15
You yourself
This emphasizes a personal judgment on Jehoram.
until the disease causes your intestines to come out
"until this disease causes your death". His intestines will literally fall out or intestinal problems that will result in death.
2 Chronicles 21:16
stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines and of the Arabians
"provoked against Jehoram the Philistines and the Arabians"
against Jehoram
"against Jehoram and the people of Judah"
the spirit of the Philistines and of the Arabians who were near the Cushites
"the spirit of the Philistines and the spirit of the Arabians who were near the Cushites".
2 Chronicles 21:17
No son was left to him except Jehoahaz, his youngest son
"The only son they left to him was Jehoahaz, his youngest son"
Jehoahaz, his youngest son
This same son is called "Ahaziah" in 2 Chronicles 22:1.
2 Chronicles 21:18
Yahweh struck him in his intestines with an incurable disease
"Yahweh caused him to suffer from an incurable disease in his intestines"
2 Chronicles 21:19
in due time
"in the proper time" or "when the time was right"
made no fire in his honor as they had done for his ancestors
"did not make a bonfire to honor him as they normally did to honor kings when they died". This expressed contempt.
2 Chronicles 21:20
when he departed no one mourned him
"no one was sad that he died."
Chapter 22
1
The inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah, Jehoram's youngest son, king in his place, for the marauding band that came with the Arabians into the camp had killed all his older sons. So Ahaziah son of Jehoram, king of Judah, became king.
2
Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign; he reigned for one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Athaliah; she was the daughter of Omri.
3
He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab for his mother was his advisor in doing wicked things.
4
Ahaziah did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as the house of Ahab was doing, for they were his advisors after the death of his father, to his destruction.
5
He also followed their advice; he went with Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel, to fight against Hazael, king of Aram, at Ramoth Gilead. The Arameans wounded Joram.
6
Joram returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds that they had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael, king of Aram. So Ahaziah son of Jehoram, king of Judah, went down to Jezreel to see Joram son of Ahab, because Joram had been wounded.
7
Now the destruction of Ahaziah was brought about by God through Ahaziah's visit to Joram. When he had arrived, he went with Jehoram to attack Jehu son of Nimshi, whom Yahweh had anointed to destroy the house of Ahab.
8
It came about, when Jehu was carrying out God's judgment on the house of Ahab, that he found the leaders of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah's brothers serving Ahaziah. Jehu killed them.
9
Jehu looked for Ahaziah; they caught him hiding in Samaria, brought him to Jehu, and killed him. Then they buried him, for they said, "He is a son of Jehoshaphat, who sought Yahweh with all his heart." So the house of Ahaziah had no more power to rule the kingdom.
10
Now when Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, saw that her son was dead, she arose and killed all the royal children in the house of Judah.
11
But Jehosheba,
a daughter of the king, secretly took Joash son of Ahaziah away from the king's sons who were about to be killed. She put him and his nurse into a bedroom. So Jehosheba, a daughter of King Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest (for she was the sister of Ahaziah), hid him from Athaliah, so that Athaliah did not kill him.
12
He was with them, hidden in the house of God for six years, while Athaliah reigned over the land.
2 Chronicles 22:1
for the marauding band ... had killed all his older sons
See 2 Chronicles 21:16-17. Ahaziah was called "Jehoahaz". It is possible he changed his name when he became king.
all his older sons
"all Jehoram's older sons"
2 Chronicles 22:2
Athaliah
This is the beginning of the story of Queen Athaliah. The author compares Athaliah's evil deeds to Ahab's evil lives.
2 Chronicles 22:3
He also walked in the ways
"He also followed the example"
the house of Ahab
"the descendants of Ahab". See how you translated this in 2 Chronicles 21:6.
2 Chronicles 22:4
in the sight of Yahweh
"as Yahweh judged"
they were his advisors
"descendants of Ahab advised him"
to his destruction
"and this caused his destruction"
2 Chronicles 22:5
He also followed their advice; he went
"He also followed their advice and went" or "He also followed their advice to go"
to fight against Hazael, king of Aram
"to fight against Hazael, king of Aram, and his army"
2 Chronicles 22:6
of the wounds that they had given him
"from the wounds that he received at the battle,"
went down to Jezreel
Jezreel was lower in elevation than Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 22:7
Now the destruction of Ahaziah was brought about by God
"God caused Ahaziah to die"
visit to Joram ... went with Jehoram
"Joram" and "Jehoram" are the same person.
Nimshi
This is the name of a man.
2 Chronicles 22:8
carrying out God's judgment on the house of Ahab
"killing all the descendants of Ahab as God had commanded"
the sons of Ahaziah's brothers
Ahaziah's nephews or the sons of Ahaziah's relatives .
2 Chronicles 22:9
they caught him ... killed him
"they caught Ahaziah ... killed Ahaziah"
they buried him ..."He is a son of Jehoshaphat, who sought Yahweh with all his heart."
"He deserves to be buried, because he was a descendant of Jehoshaphat, who tried hard to please Yahweh."
the house of Ahaziah had no more power to rule
All the adult descendants of Ahaziah were dead, there was no one left to rule Judah.
2 Chronicles 22:10
she arose and killed all the royal children
"she commanded her servants to kill all the royal sons". Verse 11 confirms that the sons were killed.
the house of Judah
"Judah" or "the kingdom of Judah"
2 Chronicles 22:11
a daughter of the king ... a daughter of King Jehoram
Here "the king" refers to Jehoram, the father of Ahaziah.
his nurse
This refers to a person who cares for a child, not to a medical person.
into a bedroom
Verse 12 makes it clear this was located in the temple. Jehosheba had access because she was married to Jehoiada.
2 Chronicles 22:12
He was with them
"Joash was with Jehosheba and Jehoiada,"
Chapter 23
1
In the seventh year, Jehoiada showed his strength and entered into a covenant with the commanders of hundreds, Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zikri.
2
They went about in Judah and gathered the Levites from all the cities of Judah, as well as the heads of the families of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.
3
All the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. Jehoiada said to them, "See, the king's son will reign, as Yahweh has said concerning the descendants of David.
4
This is what you must do: A third of you priests and Levites who come to serve on the Sabbath will be guards at the doors.
5
Another third will be at the king's house, and the other third will be at the Foundation Gate. All the people will be in the courtyard of the house of Yahweh.
6
Allow no one to come into the house of Yahweh, except for the priests and the Levites who are serving. They may enter because they are consecrated. But all the other people must obey the commands of Yahweh.
7
The Levites must surround the king on all sides, every man with his weapons in his hand. Whoever comes into the house, let him be killed. Stay with the king when he comes in and when he goes out."
8
So the Levites and all Judah served in every way in the manner in which Jehoiada the priest commanded. Each one took his men, those who were to come in to serve on the Sabbath, and those who were to leave off serving on the Sabbath, for Jehoiada the priest had not dismissed any of their divisions.
9
Then Jehoiada the priest brought to the commanders spears and small and large shields that had been King David's that were in the house of God.
10
Jehoiada placed all the soldiers, each man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and the temple, surrounding the king.
11
Then they brought out the king's son, put the crown on him, and gave him the covenant decrees. Then they made him king, and Jehoiada and his sons anointed him. Then they said, "Long live the king."
12
When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people in the house of Yahweh,
13
and she looked, and, behold, the king was standing by his pillar at the entrance, and the commanders and the trumpeters were by the king. All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and the singers were playing musical instruments and leading the singing of praise. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and shouted, "Treason! Treason!"
14
Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the commanders of hundreds who were over the army and said to them, "Bring her out between the ranks; anyone who follows her, let him be killed with the sword." For the priest had said, "Do not kill her in the house of Yahweh."
15
So they seized her as she went into the entrance of the Horse Gate of the king's house, and there they killed her.
16
Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, all the people, and the king, that they should be Yahweh's people.
17
So all the people went to the house of Baal and tore it down. They smashed Baal's altars and his images to pieces, and they killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of those altars.
18
Jehoiada appointed officers for the house of Yahweh under the hand of the priests, who were Levites, whom David had assigned to the house of Yahweh, to offer the burnt offerings to Yahweh, as it was written in the law of Moses, together with rejoicing and singing, as David had given direction.
19
Jehoiada set guards at the gates of the house of Yahweh, so that no one that was unclean in any way should enter.
20
Jehoiada took with him the commanders of hundreds, the noblemen, the rulers of the people, and all the people of the land. He brought down the king from the house of Yahweh; the people came through the Upper Gate to the king's house and sat the king on the throne of the kingdom.
21
So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. As for Athaliah, they had killed her with the sword.
2 Chronicles 23:1
General Information:
Throughout chapter 23, Joash is referred to as "the king.". This begins his story.
Jehoiada
The chief priest who served in the temple and was faithful to God. He was an advisor to Joash.
showed his strength
"decided to act". He decided to reveal that Joash was alive and ready to be king.
the commanders of hundreds
"the commanders of 100 soldiers" or "the commanders of military divisions"
entered into a covenant
"made an agreement"
Jeroham ... Jehohanan ... Obed ... Adaiah ... Zikri
These are men's names.
2 Chronicles 23:2
the heads of the families
"leaders of the families"
2 Chronicles 23:3
the king's son
"Joash, the son of the king"
2 Chronicles 23:4
A third
"One-third"
will be guards at the doors
"will be guards at the temple doors"
2 Chronicles 23:5
the Foundation Gate
This may also be called the "Middle Gate" or the "Sur Gate.", apparently an inner gate that was near the king's palace.
All the people
"All the other people who are present"
2 Chronicles 23:6
Allow no one to come into the house of Yahweh, ... the priests ... serving
"Do not allow anyone to come into the house of Yahweh are the priests ... serving"
But all the other people must obey the commands of Yahweh
"All the others must remain in the courtyard, obeying what Yahweh has commanded"
2 Chronicles 23:7
The Levites must surround the king on all sides
"The Levites must surround the king on all sides in order to protect him"
all sides, every man with his weapons in his hand
"all sides, and every temple guard should have his weapons and be ready to fight"
Whoever comes into the house, let him be killed
"You must kill anyone except the temple guards and the priests who come into the temple"
when he comes in and when he goes out
"at all times" or "wherever he goes."
2 Chronicles 23:8
served ... which Jehoiada the priest commanded
"did exactly what Jehoiada the priest commanded" or "obeyed everything that Jehoiada the priest commanded"
Each one took his men ... any of their divisions
The priests and guards served in divisions, with each group working for two weeks. This refers to the point in time when two divisions were present. Thus there were twice as many men as usual.
were to leave off serving on the Sabbath
"were finishing their work on that Sabbath day"
2 Chronicles 23:10
with his weapon in his hand
See how you translated a similar phrase in 2 Chronicles 23:7.
2 Chronicles 23:11
put the crown on him
This is a symbolic act to show that they are making him king.
gave him the covenant decrees
"presented to him the covenant decrees that he should obey". It is unclear if these decrees were a portion of the law of Moses, or a separate set of rules for kings to obey.
anointed him
This was a symbolic act to show that he was chosen by God to be the king.
Long live the king
"May the king live a long life"
2 Chronicles 23:13
standing by his pillar at the entrance
The relationship between the king and this pillar is unclear. It might have been his place of authority.
All the people of the land
"A very large number of the people of the land"
Treason! Treason!
"You are committing treason!". Athaliah had made herself ruler in 2 Chronicles 22:10. She was angry Joash became king.
2 Chronicles 23:14
Jehoiada
Translate this man's name as in 2 Chronicles 22:11.
who were over the army
"who were leaders in the army"
Bring her out between the ranks
"Remove her from the people in the temple courtyard"
anyone who follows her, let him be killed with the sword
"Use your sword to kill anyone who comes to help her"
For the priest had said
"For Jehoiada the priest had said"
2 Chronicles 23:15
as she went into the entrance of the Horse Gate of the king's house
"and took her to the Horse Gate near the entrance of the royal palace"
2 Chronicles 23:17
all the people went to the house of Baal
"a very large group of the people went to the temple of Baal"
Mattan
This is the name of a man.
2 Chronicles 23:18
under the hand of the priests
"under the direction of the priests"
2 Chronicles 23:19
so that no one that was unclean ... should enter
"so that no one that was unacceptable to God in any way should enter" or "to make sure only those who were acceptable to God could enter"
2 Chronicles 23:20
all the people of the land
"a very large group of the people of Israel"
He brought down the king from the house of Yahweh
"He brought the king down from the temple to the palace". The temple was built on the highest hill in Jerusalem.
the throne of the kingdom
"the royal throne"
2 Chronicles 23:21
the city was quiet
"the people of the city were at peace"
Chapter 24
1
Joash was seven years old when he began to reign; he reigned for forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah, of Beersheba.
2
Joash did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh all the days of Jehoiada, the priest.
3
Jehoiada took for him two wives, and he became the father of sons and daughters.
4
It came about after this, that Joash decided to restore the house of Yahweh.
5
He gathered together the priests and the Levites, and he said to them, "Go out every year to the cities of Judah and gather from all Israel money to repair the house of your God. Make sure that you start right away." The Levites did nothing at first.
6
So the king called for Jehoiada the high priest and said to him, "Why have you not required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax levied by Moses the servant of Yahweh and by the assembly of Israel for the tent of the covenant decrees?"
7
For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God and had given all the holy things of the house of Yahweh to the Baals.
8
So the king commanded, and they made a chest and placed it outside at the entrance to the house of Yahweh.
9
Then they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, for the people to bring in for Yahweh the tax that Moses the servant of God levied on Israel in the wilderness.
10
All the leaders and all the people rejoiced and brought money in and put it into the chest until they finished filling it.
11
It happened that whenever the chest was brought to the king's officials by the hand of the Levites, and whenever they saw that there was much money in it, the king's scribe and the high priest's official would come, empty the chest, and take it and carry it back to its place. They did this day after day, gathering large amounts of money.
12
The king and Jehoiada gave the money to those who did the work of serving in the house of Yahweh. These men hired stonemasons and carpenters to restore the house of Yahweh, and also those who worked in iron and bronze.
13
So the workmen labored, and the work of repairing went forward in their hands; they set up the house of God in its original design and strengthened it.
14
When they finished, they brought the rest of the money to the king and Jehoiada. This money was used to make furnishings for the house of Yahweh, utensils with which to serve and make offerings—spoons and utensils of gold and silver. They offered burnt offerings in the house of Yahweh continually for all the days of Jehoiada.
15
Jehoiada grew old and was full of days, and then he died; he was 130 years old when he died.
16
They buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, toward God, and to the house of God.
17
Now after the death of Jehoiada, the leaders of Judah came and did honor to the king. Then the king listened to them.
18
They abandoned the house of Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, and worshiped the Asherah gods and the idols. God's anger came on Judah and Jerusalem for this guilt of theirs.
19
Yet he sent prophets to them to bring them again to himself, Yahweh; the prophets testified against the people, but they refused to listen.
20
The Spirit of God clothed Zechariah son of Jehoiada, the priest; Zechariah stood above the people and said to them, "God says this: Why do you transgress the commandments of Yahweh, so that you cannot prosper? Since you have abandoned Yahweh, he has also abandoned you."
21
But they plotted against him; at the king's command, they stoned him with stones in the courtyard of the house of Yahweh.
22
Joash the king, did not remember the kindness that Jehoiada, Zechariah's father, had done to him, and so he killed Jehoiada's son. As Zechariah was dying, he said, "May Yahweh see this and call you to account."
23
It came about at the end of the year, that the army of Aram came up against Joash. They came to Judah and Jerusalem; they destroyed all the leaders of the people and sent all the plunder from them to the king of Damascus.
24
Although the army of the Arameans had come with only a few soldiers, Yahweh gave them victory over a very great army, because Judah had abandoned Yahweh, the God of their ancestors. In this way the Arameans brought judgment on Joash.
25
By the time that the Arameans had gone, Joash had been severely wounded. His own servants plotted against him because of the blood of the sons of Jehoiada, the priest. They killed him in his bed, and he died; they buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
26
These were the persons who plotted against him: Zabad son of Shimeath, an Ammonite woman; and Jehozabad son of Shimrith, a Moabite woman.
27
Now the accounts about his sons, the important prophecies that were spoken about him, and the rebuilding of the house of God, see, they are written in the commentary on the book of the kings. Amaziah his son became king in his place.
2 Chronicles 24:1
began to reign
"became king of Judah"
2 Chronicles 24:2
what was right in the eyes of Yahweh
"what Yahweh judged to be right" or "what Yahweh considered to be right"
all the days of Jehoiada, the priest
"as long as Jehoiada, the priest, was alive."
2 Chronicles 24:3
Jehoiada took for him two wives
"Jehoiada chose two wives for Joash,"
2 Chronicles 24:4
decided to restore
Joash decided to repair the temple. The Levites collected money from people and gave it to the workmen to repair the temple. This was a sign of worship towards Yahweh.
2 Chronicles 24:5
right away
"immediately"
The Levites did nothing at first
"But the Levites did not do it immediately"
2 Chronicles 24:6
Why have you not required ... covenant decrees?
"You have neglected your duty. I told you to require the Levites ... covenant decrees, but you have not done it."
for the tent of the covenant decrees
This a reminder that the tax had been collected since the time of Moses and the "tent of meeting."
2 Chronicles 24:7
holy things
The items used for worship in the temple.
to the Baals
"to people to use for the worship of idols of Baal"
2 Chronicles 24:9
they made a proclamation
"they announced"
2 Chronicles 24:10
All the leaders and all the people
Some people probably did not respond this way.
2 Chronicles 24:11
It happened that whenever
This phrase introduces a new, recurring action.
take it and carry it back to its place
"take the chest and carry it back to its place"
2 Chronicles 24:12
stonemasons and carpenters
"men who built with stone and men who built with wood"
those who worked in iron and bronze
"men who made things from iron and bronze."
2 Chronicles 24:13
went forward in their hands
"made progress under their supervision"
2 Chronicles 24:14
the rest of the money
The money that was collected in the chest but not needed for repairs.
furnishings
"utensils" and "spoons" listed later in the verse.
for all the days of Jehoiada
"for as long as Jehoiada lived" or "throughout the lifetime of Jehoiada"
2 Chronicles 24:15
grew old and was full of days
"became very old and lived a long time"
2 Chronicles 24:16
among the kings
"among the tombs of the kings" or "among the graves of the kings"
because he had done good ... the house of God
"because he had done good things in Judah for God and for God's temple"
2 Chronicles 24:17
did honor to the king
"gave honor to King Joash" or "honored the king"
Then the king listened to them
"Then they persuaded the king to do what they wanted"
2 Chronicles 24:18
God's anger came on Judah and Jerusalem
"God became very angry with the people of Judah and Jerusalem". Joash remaind loyal to Yahweh as long as the chief priest lived, but when he died Joash started following other gods. The chief priest's son warned Joash that he would have trouble, so he had him killed. The army of Aram defeated and plundered him and his servants murdered him.
for this guilt of theirs
"because they were guilty of sin"
2 Chronicles 24:19
Yet he sent
This indicates a contrast between God's anger and his sending the prophets to give them a chance to repent.
to himself, Yahweh
That Yahweh was the one to whom they should turn.
they refused to listen
"the people refused to obey"
2 Chronicles 24:20
clothed Zechariah
"took control of Zechariah" or the Spirit covered Zechariah and so acted through him.
Zechariah son of Jehoiada
This is not the same man as Zechariah son of Berechiah who wrote the Book of Zechariah.
Why do you transgress the commandments ... cannot prosper?
"You are transgressing the commandments of Yahweh, so that is why you cannot prosper."
2 Chronicles 24:22
did not remember the kindness ... had done to him
"did not pay attention to the way that Jehoiada, Zechariah's father, had been kind to him"
call you to account
"make you pay for the wrong you have done"
2 Chronicles 24:23
sent all the plunder from them
"sent all the plunder from Judah and Jerusalem"
2 Chronicles 24:24
victory over a very great army
"victory over the much larger army of Judah"
In this way the Arameans ... on Joash
"In this way God used the Arameans to judge Joash"
2 Chronicles 24:25
Joash had been severely wounded
"they had severely wounded Joash"
the blood of the sons of Jehoiada
"because he had murdered the sons of Jehoiada"
They killed him in his bed
"The servants killed Joash in his bed"
2 Chronicles 24:26
Shimeath, ... Shimrith, a Moabite woman
"Shimeath, from the country of Ammon ... Shimrith, from the country of Moab."
2 Chronicles 24:27
the accounts about his sons
"the record of what his sons did"
the important prophecies that were spoken about him
"the important things the prophets spoke about him"
the commentary on the book of the kings
This is a book which no longer exists.
Chapter 25
1
Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jehoaddan, of Jerusalem.
2
He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, but not with a whole heart.
3
It came about that as soon as his rule was well established, he killed the servants who had murdered his father, the king.
4
But he did not put their children to death, according to what was written in the law, in the book of Moses, as Yahweh had commanded, "The fathers must not be put to death for their children, and children must not be put to death for their fathers. But, each one must die for his own sin."
5
Moreover, Amaziah gathered Judah together, and registered them by their ancestors' houses, under commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds—all of Judah and Benjamin. He numbered them from twenty years old and upward, and found them to be 300,000 chosen men, able to go to war, who could handle spear and shield.
6
He hired also 100,000 mighty warriors from Israel for one hundred talents of silver.
7
But a man of God came to him and said, "King, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for Yahweh is not with Israel—none of the people of Ephraim.
8
But even if you do go and are courageous and strong in battle, God will throw you down before the enemy, for God has power to help, and power to throw down."
9
Amaziah said to the man of God, "But what will we do about the one hundred talents that I have given to the army of Israel?" The man of God answered, "Yahweh is able to give you much more than that."
10
So Amaziah separated the army that had come to him from Ephraim; he sent them home again. So their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in fierce anger.
11
Amaziah took courage and led his people to go out to the Valley of Salt; there he defeated ten thousand men of Seir.
12
The army of Judah carried away alive another ten thousand. They took them to the top of the cliff and threw them down from there, so that they were all broken in pieces.
13
But the men of the army which Amaziah sent back, so that they should not go with him to battle, attacked the cities of Judah from Samaria to Beth Horon. They struck down three thousand of the people and took much plunder.
14
Now it came about, after that Amaziah had returned from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the people of Seir, and set them up to be his own gods. He bowed down before them and burned incense to them.
15
So Yahweh's anger was kindled against Amaziah. He sent a prophet to him, who said, "Why have you sought after the gods of a people who did not even save their own people from your hand?"
16
It came about that as the prophet was speaking with him, the king said to him, "Have we made you an advisor to the king? Stop! Why should you be killed?" Then the prophet stopped and said, "I know that God has decided to destroy you because you have done this deed and have not listened to my advice."
17
Then Amaziah king of Judah consulted with advisors and sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, "Come, let us meet each other face to face in battle."
18
But Jehoash the king of Israel sent messengers back to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, "A thistle that was in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, 'Give your daughter to my son for a wife,' but a wild beast in Lebanon walked by and trampled down the thistle.
19
You have said, 'See, I have struck down Edom,' and your heart has lifted you up. Take pride in your victory, but stay at home, for why should you cause yourself trouble and fall, both you and Judah with you?"
20
But Amaziah would not listen, because this event was from God, so he might put the people of Judah into the hand of their enemies, because they had sought advice from the gods of Edom.
21
So Jehoash, king of Israel, attacked; he and Amaziah, king of Judah, met each other face to face at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah.
22
Judah was struck down before Israel, and every man fled to his tent.
23
Jehoash, king of Israel, captured Amaziah son of Jehoash son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, at Beth Shemesh. He brought him to Jerusalem and tore down the wall of Jerusalem from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate, four hundred cubits in distance.
24
He took all the gold and silver, all the objects that were found in the house of God with Obed-Edom, and the valuable things in the king's house, with hostages also, and returned to Samaria.
25
Amaziah son of Joash, king of Judah, lived fifteen years after the death of Jehoash, son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel.
26
As for the other matters concerning Amaziah, first and last, behold, are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?
27
Now from the time that Amaziah turned away from following Yahweh, they began to make a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem. He fled to Lachish, but they sent men after him to Lachish and killed him there.
28
They brought him back on horses and buried him with his ancestors in the city of Judah.
2 Chronicles 25:2
what was right in the eyes of Yahweh
"what Yahweh judged to be right". See how you translated a similar phrase in 2 Chronicles 14:2.
but not with a whole heart
"but not completely"
2 Chronicles 25:3
he killed the servants
When Amaziah trusted God he was successful against Edom. But when he started worshiping the idols of Edom he was badly defeated.
2 Chronicles 25:4
the book of Moses
This refers to the book of Deuteronomy, which Moses wrote.
The fathers must not be put to death for their ... not be put to death for their fathers
"People must not kill the fathers for the sins of their children, and they must not kill the children for the sins of their fathers"
2 Chronicles 25:5
gathered Judah together
"gathered the people of Judah together"
registered them ... numbered them
He had someone write their names on an official list.
by their ancestors' houses
"by their ancestors' families". See how you translated a similar phrase in 2 Chronicles 14:2.
all of Judah and Benjamin
"all the people of Judah and Benjamin"
twenty years old and upward
"20 years old and older"
found them to be
"learned that there were"
chosen men
"capable soldiers" or "skilled warriors"
2 Chronicles 25:6
one hundred talents of silver
"about 3,300 kilograms of silver"
2 Chronicles 25:7
a man of God
"a prophet of God"
Israel ... the people of Ephraim
The names for the same people group.
2 Chronicles 25:8
throw you down before the enemy ... throw down
"enable your enemy to defeat you ... defeat"
2 Chronicles 25:9
about the one hundred talents
"about thirty-three hundred kilograms of silver"
2 Chronicles 25:10
the army that had come to him from Ephraim
"the army of Israel" (verse 9).
So their anger was greatly kindled
"So their anger began to burn within them like a fire"
in fierce anger
"very angry"
2 Chronicles 25:11
took courage
"became brave"
Valley of Salt
This is an area near the Dead Sea.
2 Chronicles 25:12
so that they were all broken in pieces
"so that they were all completely destroyed"
2 Chronicles 25:13
the men of the army which Amaziah sent back
"the men of the army of Israel which Amaziah sent back to Israel"
Beth Horon
This was a village near Jerusalem in Ephraim.
struck down
"killed"
took much plunder
"took away a great amount of valuable things"
2 Chronicles 25:14
the slaughter of the Edomites
"slaughtering the Edomites" or "killing the Edomites"
the gods of the people of Seir
"the gods that the people of Seir worshiped"
bowed down ... burned incense
These are symbolic acts of worship.
the gods
The popular opinion of the day that the gods determined who won battles.
2 Chronicles 25:15
Yahweh's anger was kindled against Amaziah
"Yahweh's anger grew like a fire against Amaziah"
Why have you sought after ... own people from your hand?
"You have worshiped the gods of a people that did not even save their own people from your power, King Amaziah."
2 Chronicles 25:16
Have we made you an advisor to the king? Stop! Why should you be killed?
"We certainly did not appoint you to be one of my advisors. So stop talking! If you say anything more, I will tell my soldiers to kill you!"
2 Chronicles 25:17
meet each other face to face
"meet each other in person"
2 Chronicles 25:18
A thistle that was in Lebanon ... trampled down the thistle
This is in the form of a parable. The point is that Amaziah was foolish to challenge Jehoash.
thistle
This is a small, worthless plant with small, sharp thorns.
cedar
a very large type of tree
Judah
"the people of Judah"
2 Chronicles 25:19
your heart has lifted you up
"you have become proud"
why should you cause yourself trouble and fall, both you and Judah with you?
"you should not cause yourself trouble and fall, both you and Judah with you."
fall
"die."
2 Chronicles 25:20
this event was from God
"God wanted this event to happen"
into the hand of their enemies
"into the power of their enemies" or "so their enemies could defeat them"
2 Chronicles 25:21
Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah
The city of Beth Shemesh was located in Judah.
2 Chronicles 25:22
Judah was struck down before Israel
"The soldiers of Israel defeated the soldiers of Judah"
every man
"the surviving soldiers of Judah"
to his tent
"to his home"
2 Chronicles 25:23
four hundred cubits in distance
"a length of 180 meters". A cubit is 46 centimeters.
2 Chronicles 25:24
with Obed-Edom
"under the care of the descendants of Obed-Edom"
the king's house
"the royal palace"
2 Chronicles 25:26
As for the other matters ... are they not the kings of Judah and Israel?
"All of the matters concerning Amaziah, behold, are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel."
the other matters concerning Amaziah, first and last
"all the matters concerning Amaziah"
the book of the kings of Judah and Israel
This refers to a book that no longer exists.
2 Chronicles 25:27
turned away from following Yahweh
"stopped obeying Yahweh" or "started to disobey Yahweh"
they began to make a conspiracy ... they sent
The text does not state to whom "they" refers.
make a conspiracy against him
"conspire against him" or "plot against him"
Lachish
a city in Judah
2 Chronicles 25:28
brought him back
"brought back his body"
city of Judah
Another name for Jerusalem, which was also called the city of David.
Chapter 26
1
All the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah.
2
It was he who rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah. After that the king lay down with his ancestors.
3
Uzziah was sixteen years old when he began to reign. He reigned for fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jekoliah; she was from Jerusalem.
4
He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, just as his father Amaziah had done.
5
He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who taught him to honor God.
As long as he sought Yahweh, God made him prosper.
6
Uzziah went out and fought against the Philistines. He broke down the city walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod; he built cities in the country of Ashdod and among the Philistines.
7
God helped him against the Philistines, against the Arabians who lived in Gurbaal, and against the Meunites.
8
The Ammonites paid tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread, even to the entrance of Egypt, because he was becoming more powerful.
9
In addition, Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.
10
He built watchtowers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, for he had many herds in the lowlands and in the plains. He had farmers and vine growers in the hill country and in the fruitful fields, for he loved the soil.
11
In addition, Uzziah had an army of fighting men who went out to war in groups which were organized by their number that were counted by Jeiel, the scribe, and Maaseiah, the officer, under the authority of Hananiah, one of the king's commanders.
12
The whole number of the leaders of the families who led the mighty warriors was 2,600.
13
Under their hand was an army of 307,500 men that made war with mighty power to help the king against the enemy.
14
Uzziah prepared for them—for all the army—shields, spears, helmets, body armor, bows, and stones for slinging.
15
In Jerusalem he built machines that were designed by skillful men to be on the towers and on the battlements to shoot arrows and large stones. His fame spread to distant lands, for he was greatly helped and so he became very powerful.
16
But when Uzziah had become powerful, his heart was lifted up so that he acted corruptly; he acted faithlessly against Yahweh, his God, for he went into the temple of Yahweh to burn incense on the altar of incense.
17
Azariah, the priest, went in after him, and with him eighty priests of Yahweh, who were brave men.
18
They confronted Uzziah the king, and said to him, "It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to Yahweh, but for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the holy place, for you have been unfaithful and you will not be honored by Yahweh God."
19
Then Uzziah became angry. He was holding a censer in his hand to burn incense. While he was enraged against the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead before the priests in the house of Yahweh, beside the altar of incense.
20
Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and, behold, he had become leprous on his forehead. They quickly drove him out of there. Indeed, he hurried to go out, because Yahweh had struck him.
21
Uzziah, the king, was a leper to the day of his death and lived in a separate house since he was a leper, for he was cut off from the house of Yahweh. Jotham, his son, was over the king's house and ruled the people of the land.
22
The other matters concerning Uzziah, from first to last, were recorded by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.
23
So Uzziah lay down with his ancestors; they buried him with his ancestors in a burial ground that belonged to the kings, for they said, "He is a leper." Jotham, his son, became king in his place.
2 Chronicles 26:1
All the people of Judah took Uzziah, ... king in place of his father Amaziah
"The people of Judah took the 16 year-old Uzziah and made him king after his father, Amaziah"
2 Chronicles 26:2
It was he who rebuilt Elath
"It was he who ordered Elath to be rebuilt" or "It was he who supervised the rebuilding of Elath"
Elath
a city in Judah
restored it to Judah
"returned it to Judah." His army captured the city so that now it belonged to Judah again.
lay down with his ancestors
"died."
2 Chronicles 26:4
what was right in the eyes of Yahweh
"what Yahweh judges to be right" or "what Yahweh considers to be right". See a similar phrase in 2 Chronicles 14:2.
2 Chronicles 26:5
He set himself to seek God
"He was determined to obey God". Seeking God represents choosing to know, worship, and obey him.
in the days of Zechariah
"when Zechariah was priest"
As long as he sought Yahweh
"During the whole time that he sought Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 26:6
Uzziah went out and fought against the Philistines
"Uzziah led his army out to fight against the Philistines"
He broke down ... he built cities
"Uzziah and his army broke down ... they built cities"
Jabneh
This was a town in northern Judah.
the country of Ashdod
"near Ashdod"
2 Chronicles 26:7
God helped him
"God helped them"
Gurbaal
This was a town in Arabia.
Meunites
This is likely people who moved to that area from the kingdom of Maon near Mount Seir.
2 Chronicles 26:8
his fame spread, even to the entrance of Egypt
"people who lived even as far away as the border of Egypt learned about the things he was doing"
2 Chronicles 26:9
Uzziah built towers
"Uzziah had his workers build towers" or "Uzziah's workers built towers"
2 Chronicles 26:10
He built watchtowers ... and dug many cisterns
"He had his workers build watchtowers ... and dig many cisterns"
the soil
"farming"
2 Chronicles 26:12
the leaders of the families who led the mighty warriors
"the family leaders who led the mighty warriors"
2 Chronicles 26:13
Under their hand was an army
"Under their authority was an army" or "They commanded an army"
2 Chronicles 26:14
body armor
This is a covering for the body made of metal links or chains.
2 Chronicles 26:15
he built machines ... by skillful men
"his workers built machines that were designed by skillful men"
the battlements
These were the corners of the city walls where soldiers could fight from.
he was greatly helped
"God greatly helped him"
2 Chronicles 26:16
his heart was lifted up
"he became proud"
2 Chronicles 26:17
with him eighty priests of Yahweh, who were brave men
"with him went eighty priests of Yahweh, who were brave men"
2 Chronicles 26:18
It is not for you ... incense to Yahweh
"Uzziah, you do not have the right to burn incense to Yahweh"
who are consecrated to burn incense
"whom God has chosen to burn incense"
2 Chronicles 26:19
censer
This is a special pan or bowl used for burning incense. Uzziah was powerful when he followed Yahweh. When he entered the temple to burn incense like a priest, God made him a leper. Lepers could not properly worship Yahweh because they were always unclean.
2 Chronicles 26:20
behold, he had become leprous
"behold" shows that the priests were surprised by what they saw.
They quickly drove him out of there
"They quickly forced him out of there" or "They quickly made him leave"
Yahweh had struck him
"Yahweh had made him ill"
2 Chronicles 26:21
to the day of his death
"until he died" or "the rest of his life"
lived in a separate house
He lived away from other houses and other people.
he was cut off from the house of Yahweh
"he was excluded from the house of Yahweh" or "he was not allowed to go to the temple"
Jotham, his son, was over the king's house
"Jotham, his son, was responsible for the king's house" or "Jotham, his son, was in charge of the palace"
the king's house
This refers to the king's palace, which the king was no longer living in.
2 Chronicles 26:22
The other matters concerning Uzziah, ... recorded by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz
"As for the other matters concerning Uzziah, from the beginning of his reign to the end of his reign, the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz recorded them"
Amoz
This is the name of a man.
2 Chronicles 26:23
So Uzziah lay down with his ancestors
"So Uzziah died"
they buried him with his ancestors
"the people buried him near his ancestors"
Jotham, his son, became king in his place
"Jotham, his son, became king after Uzziah"
Chapter 27
1
Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jerushah; she was the daughter of Zadok.
2
He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, just as his father Uzziah had done. He also refrained from going into the temple of Yahweh. But the people were still behaving corruptly.
3
He built the upper gate of the house of Yahweh, and on the hill of Ophel he built much.
4
Moreover he built cities in the hill country of Judah, and in the forests he built fortresses and towers.
5
He fought also with the king of the people of Ammon and defeated them. In that same year, the people of Ammon gave him one hundred talents of silver, ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand measures of barley. The people of Ammon gave him the same in the second and third years.
6
So Jotham became powerful because he walked firmly before Yahweh his God.
7
As for the other matters concerning Jotham, all his wars, and his ways, see, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
8
He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem.
9
Jotham lay down with his ancestors, and they buried him in the city of David. Ahaz, his son, became king in his place.
2 Chronicles 27:2
He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh
"He did what Yahweh judged to be right" or "He did what Yahweh considered to be right". See 2 Chronicles 14:2.
2 Chronicles 27:3
He built the upper gate ... he built much
"He had his workers build the upper gate ... he had his workers build many things"
the hill of Ophel
This is a hill in Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 27:5
He fought also with the king of the people of Ammon
"He also led his army to fight with the king of the people of Ammon". Jotham was able to conquer the people of Ammon because he obeyed the Lord. For Yahweh, trust in Yahweh is the key to victory in battle.
with the king of the people of Ammon
"with the king of Ammon and his army"
one hundred talents of silver
"3,300 kilograms of silver". A "talent" is equivalent to 33 kilograms.
ten thousand measures of wheat
"2,200 kiloliters of wheat". The word translated here as "measure" is "cor" and is equivalent to 220 liters.
ten thousand measures of barley
"2,200 kiloliters of barley"
in the second and third years
"in the second and third years after he defeated them"
2 Chronicles 27:6
he walked firmly before Yahweh his God
"he faithfully obeyed Yahweh his God"
2 Chronicles 27:7
his ways
"the things that he did"
see, they are written in the book ... Judah
"anyone can read of them in the book ... Judah and see that they are written there"
the book of the kings of Israel and Judah
This is a book that no longer exists.
2 Chronicles 27:9
Jotham lay down with his ancestors
"Jotham died"
they buried him
"people buried him"
became king in his place
"became king instead of Jotham"
Chapter 28
1
Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not do what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, as David his ancestor had done.
2
Instead, he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel; he also made cast metal figures for the Baals.
3
In addition, he burned incense in the Valley of Ben Hinnom and he caused his children to pass through the fire, according to the idolatrous practices of the people that Yahweh forced out of their land before the people of Israel.
4
He sacrificed and burned incense at the high places and on the hills and under every green tree.
5
Therefore Yahweh the God of Ahaz gave him into the hand of the king of Aram. The Arameans defeated him and carried away from him a great crowd of captives, bringing them to Damascus. Ahaz was also given into the hand of the king of Israel who defeated him in a great slaughter.
6
For Pekah son of Remaliah in one day killed 120,000 soldiers in Judah and all of them were powerful men, because they had abandoned Yahweh the God of their ancestors.
7
Zikri, a powerful man from Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the king's son, Azrikam, the official over the palace, and Elkanah, who was next to the king.
8
The army of Israel took captive from their relatives 200,000 wives, sons, and daughters. They also took much plunder, which they carried back to Samaria.
9
But a prophet of Yahweh was there, his name was Oded. He went out to meet the army coming into Samaria. He said to them, "Because Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, was angry with Judah, he gave them into your hand. But you have slaughtered them in a rage that reached up to heaven.
10
And now you, people of Judah and Jerusalem, intend to make them your male slaves and female slaves. But are you not guilty of sins of your own against Yahweh your God?
11
Now then, listen to me: Send the captives back, those whom you have captured of your own brothers, for Yahweh's burning anger is on you."
12
Then certain leaders of the people of Ephraim—Azariah son of Jehohanan, Berekiah son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah son of Shallum, and Amasa son of Hadlai, stood up against those who came back from the war.
13
They said to them, "You must not bring the captives here, for you intend something that will bring on us sin against Yahweh, to add to our sins and trespasses, for our trespass is great, and there is burning anger against Israel."
14
So the armed men left the captives and the plunder before the leaders and all the assembly.
15
The men who were assigned by name got up and took the captives, and clothed all who were naked among them with the plunder. They clothed them and gave them sandals. They gave them food to eat and drink. They anointed them and put the weak ones on donkeys. They took them back to their families in Jericho, (called the City of Palms). Then they returned to Samaria.
16
At that time King Ahaz sent messengers to the kings of Assyria to ask them to help him.
17
For once again the Edomites had come and attacked Judah, carrying captives away.
18
The Philistines also invaded the cities of the lowlands and of the Negev of Judah. They took Beth Shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Soko with its villages, Timnah with its villages, and also Gimzo with its villages. They went to live in those places.
19
For Yahweh humbled Judah because of Ahaz, king of Israel; for he had acted wickedly in Judah and had been very faithless against Yahweh.
20
Tiglath-Pileser, king of Assyria, came to him and troubled him instead of strengthening him.
21
For Ahaz plundered the house of Yahweh and the houses of the king and the leaders, to give the valuable things to the kings of Assyria. But doing this did not benefit him.
22
This same King Ahaz became even more faithless against Yahweh in his time of suffering.
23
For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, gods that had defeated him. He said, "Because the gods of the kings of Aram helped them, I will sacrifice to them, so that they might help me." But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel.
24
Ahaz gathered together the furnishings of the house of God and cut them to pieces. He shut the doors of the house of Yahweh and he made for himself altars in every corner of Jerusalem.
25
In every city of Judah he made high places to burn sacrifices to other gods. He provoked Yahweh, the God of his ancestors, to anger.
26
Now the rest of his deeds, and all his ways, first and last, see, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
27
Ahaz lay down with his ancestors, and they buried him in the city, in Jerusalem, but they did not bring him into the tombs of the kings of Israel. Hezekiah, his son, became king in his place.
2 Chronicles 28:1
what was right in the eyes of Yahweh
"what Yahweh judged to be right" or "what Yahweh considered to be right". See 2 Chronicles 14:2.
2 Chronicles 28:2
he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel
"he acted the same way that the kings of Israel had acted" or "he did the things that the kings of Israel had done"
he also made cast metal figures for the Baals
"he even made cast metal figures for worshiping the Baals".
2 Chronicles 28:3
the Valley of Ben Hinnom
This is a valley in Jerusalem.
before the people of Israel
"before the people of Israel who moved into the land" or "as the people of Israel moved into the land"
2 Chronicles 28:4
the high places and on the hills and under every green tree
"under many green trees around the country". Places where other nations worshiped their false gods.
2 Chronicles 28:5
Yahweh the God of Ahaz gave him into the hand of the king of Aram
"Yahweh the God of Ahaz enabled the king of Aram to defeat Ahaz". Judah was defeated by all of the neighboring countries because King Ahaz was worshiping all sorts of foreign gods.
carried away from him
"carried away from Ahaz's army"
Ahaz was also given ... who defeated him
"Yahweh also enabled the king of Israel to defeat Ahaz"
2 Chronicles 28:6
Pekah son of Remaliah
This was the king of Israel. "Pekah" and "Remaliah" are the names of men.
2 Chronicles 28:7
a powerful man
"a mighty warrior"
who was next to the king
"who was the king's second in command"
2 Chronicles 28:8
The army of Israel took captive from their relatives
"From their own relatives, the army of Israel took captive."
2 Chronicles 28:9
he gave them into your hand
"God enabled you to defeat them"
you have slaughtered them in a rage that reached up to heaven
"you have slaughtered them in such great rage that Yahweh himself has noticed and will take vengeance"
2 Chronicles 28:10
But are you not guilty of sins of your own against Yahweh your God?
"But you yourselves are guilty of sins of your own against Yahweh your God."
2 Chronicles 28:11
Yahweh's burning anger is on you
"Yahweh is extremely angry with you". "burning anger"... See how you translated this in 2 Chronicles 28:11.
2 Chronicles 28:12
stood up against those who came back from the war
"confronted those who came back from the war" or "opposed those who came back from the war"
2 Chronicles 28:13
something that will bring on us sin
"something that will cause us to be guilty of sinning"
2 Chronicles 28:15
The men who were assigned by name
"The men whom the leaders assigned by name"
anointed them
This probably means that they gave them oil to put on their wounds.
put the weak ones on donkeys
"put the weak ones who were too weak to walk on donkeys"
2 Chronicles 28:18
They took Beth Shemesh
"The Philistines captured Beth Shemesh"
Beth Shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Soko ... Timnah ... Gimzo
These are the names of places.
2 Chronicles 28:19
Yahweh humbled Judah because of Ahaz
"Yahweh humiliated the people of Judah because of Ahaz"
2 Chronicles 28:20
Tiglath-Pileser
This is Tiglath-Pileser III, also known as Pul.
troubled him instead of strengthening him
"caused him trouble instead of helping him"
2 Chronicles 28:22
in his time of suffering
"when he was suffering."
2 Chronicles 28:23
the gods of Damascus
"the gods whom the Syrians worshiped in Damascus". They believed Damascus to be the city where their gods dwelt.
gods that had defeated him
"gods whom he believed had enabled the Syrian army to defeat him"
they were the ruin of him and of all Israel
"those gods ruined him and all Israel"
all Israel
"Israel" represents the southern kingdom of Judah.
2 Chronicles 28:24
the house of God ... the house of Yahweh
"the temple of God ... the temple of Yahweh"
in every corner of Jerusalem
"on every street corner in Jerusalem" or "in every part of Jerusalem"
he made for himself altars
"he had his workers make altars for him"
2 Chronicles 28:25
he made high places to burn sacrifices
"he had his workers make high places to burn sacrifices"
2 Chronicles 28:26
all his ways, first and last
"all that he did from the beginning of his reign to the end of his reign"
see, they are written in the book ... Israel
"anyone can look at the book ... Israel and see that they are written there"
they are written in the book
"someone has written them in the book" or "you can read of them in the book"
the book of the kings of Judah and Israel
This is a book that no longer exists.
2 Chronicles 28:27
Ahaz lay down with his ancestors
"Ahaz died"
they buried him
"people buried him"
became king in his place
"became king instead of Ahaz"
Chapter 29
1
Hezekiah began to reign when he was twenty-five years old; he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abijah; she was the daughter of Zechariah.
2
He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, just as David his father had done.
3
In the first year of his reign, in the first month, Hezekiah opened the doors of the house of Yahweh and repaired them.
4
He brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the courtyard on the east side.
5
He said to them, "Listen to me, you Levites! Consecrate yourselves, and consecrate the house of Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, and carry away the filthiness from the holy place.
6
For our ancestors were faithless and did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh our God; they abandoned him, turned away their faces from the place where Yahweh lives, and turned their backs on it.
7
Also they shut up the doors of the porch and put out the lamps; they did not burn incense or offer burnt offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel.
8
Therefore the wrath of Yahweh had fallen on Judah and Jerusalem, and he has made them to be an object of terror, of horror, and of scorn, as you can see with your own eyes.
9
This is why our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons, our daughters, and our wives are in captivity for this.
10
Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with Yahweh, the God of Israel, so that his burning anger may turn away from us.
11
My sons, do not be lazy now, for Yahweh has chosen you to stand before him, to worship him, and that you should be his servants and burn incense."
12
Then the Levites arose: Mahath son of Amasai, and Joel son of Azariah, of the people of the Kohathites; and of the people of Merari, Kish son of Abdi, and Azariah son of Jehallelel; and of the Gershonites, Joah son of Zimmah, and Eden son of Joah;
13
of the descendants of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeuel; and of the descendants of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah;
14
of the descendants of Heman, Jehuel and Shimei; and of the descendants of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel.
15
They gathered their brothers, they consecrated themselves, and they went in, as the king commanded, following the words of Yahweh, to cleanse the house of Yahweh.
16
The priests went in to the inner part of the house of Yahweh to cleanse it; they brought out everything unclean that they found in the temple of Yahweh into the courtyard of the house. The Levites took it to carry it out to the Kidron Brook.
17
Now they began the consecration on the first day of the first month. By the eighth day of the month they reached the porch of Yahweh. Then for eight more days they consecrated the house of Yahweh. On the sixteenth day of the first month they finished.
18
Then they went to Hezekiah, the king, inside the palace and said, "We have cleansed all the house of Yahweh, the altar for burnt offerings with all its implements, and the table of the bread of the presence, with all its implements.
19
So we have prepared and we have consecrated all the items that King Ahaz removed when he acted unfaithfully during his reign. See, they are in front of the altar of Yahweh."
20
Then Hezekiah the king rose early in the morning and gathered the leaders of the city; he went up to the house of Yahweh.
21
They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats as a sin offering for the kingdom, for the sanctuary, and for Judah. He commanded the priests, the descendants of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of Yahweh.
22
So they killed the bulls, and the priests received the blood and sprinkled it on the altar. Then they killed the rams and sprinkled their blood on the altar; and they also killed the lambs and sprinkled their blood on the altar.
23
They brought the male goats for the sin offering before the king and the assembly; they laid their hands on them.
24
The priests killed them, and they made a sin offering with their blood on the altar to make atonement for all Israel, for the king had commanded that a burnt offering and a sin offering should be made for all Israel.
25
Hezekiah placed the Levites in the house of Yahweh with cymbals, lutes and harps, arranging them by the command of David, Gad, the king's seer, and Nathan, the prophet, for the command was from Yahweh by means of his prophets.
26
The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets.
27
Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song of Yahweh began also, with the trumpets, together with the instruments of David, king of Israel.
28
All the assembly worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters played; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.
29
When they had finished the offerings, the king and all who were present with him bowed and worshiped.
30
Moreover, Hezekiah, the king, and the leaders commanded the Levites to sing praises to Yahweh with the words of David and of Asaph, the seer. They sang praises with gladness, and they bowed down and worshiped.
31
Then Hezekiah said, "Now you have consecrated yourselves to Yahweh. Come here and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of Yahweh." The assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all who had a willing heart brought burnt offerings.
32
The number of the burnt offerings that the assembly brought was seventy bulls, one hundred rams, and two hundred male lambs. All these were for a burnt offering to Yahweh.
33
The consecrated offerings were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep.
34
But the priests were too few to skin all the burnt offerings, so their brothers, the Levites, helped them until the work was done, and until the priests could consecrate themselves, for the Levites had been more careful to consecrate themselves than the priests.
35
In addition, there were very many burnt offerings; they were performed with the fat of the fellowship offerings, and there were drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the service of the house of Yahweh was set in order.
36
Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people also, because of what God had prepared for the people, for the work had been done quickly.
2 Chronicles 29:1
General Information
This chapter begins the story of King Hezekiah. (2 Chronicles 29-32). He was a great king who cleaned and rededicated the temple. This was a sign that he wanted the people to return to worshiping Yahweh.
2 Chronicles 29:2
what was right in the eyes of Yahweh
"what Yahweh judged to be right" or "what Yahweh considered to be right". See a similar phrase in 2 Chronicles 14:1.
2 Chronicles 29:3
in the first month
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar and the last part of March and the first part April on Western calendars.
the house of Yahweh
"the temple of Yahweh"
Hezekiah opened the doors ... and repaired them
"Hezekiah ordered his workers to open the doors ... and to repair them"
2 Chronicles 29:4
on the east side
"on the east side of the temple"
2 Chronicles 29:5
carry away the filthiness from the holy place
"remove the things that make the holy place unacceptable to Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 29:6
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh our God
"what Yahweh our God judged to be evil" or "what Yahweh our God considered to be evil"
turned away their faces from the place where Yahweh lives, and turned their backs on it
"abandoned Yahweh's temple and stopped worshiping him"
the place where Yahweh lives
"the temple where Yahweh lives"
2 Chronicles 29:8
the wrath of Yahweh had fallen on Judah and Jerusalem
"because Yahweh was angry, he had punished the people of Judah and Jerusalem"
an object of terror, of horror, and of scorn
"something that terrifies and horrifies people, and something that people scorn"
as you can see with your own eyes
"as you can see for yourselves"
2 Chronicles 29:9
our fathers have fallen by the sword
"our fathers have died in battle"
2 Chronicles 29:10
it is in my heart
"it is my intention" or "I have decided"
2 Chronicles 29:11
to stand before him
"to stand in his presence" or "to serve him"
2 Chronicles 29:12
General Information:
The names of the men (Levites) who began to do the work that Hezekiah had ordered them to do.
the Levites arose
"the Levites began to work"
2 Chronicles 29:15
following the words of Yahweh
"in obedience to the word of Yahweh" or "because of what Yahweh had said"
to cleanse the house of Yahweh
A place that is fit to be used for God's purposes is spoken of as if it were physically clean.
the house of Yahweh
"the temple of Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 29:16
they brought out everything unclean that they found in the temple of Yahweh
"they brought out all the things that they found in the temple of Yahweh that made it unacceptable to Yahweh"
Kidron Brook
A small body of water that flows on the east side of Jerusalem. At times it was used as a trash dump.
2 Chronicles 29:17
the eighth day of the month
This is near the end of March on Western calendars.
they reached the porch of Yahweh
"they had begun to cleanse the porch of Yahweh's temple"
sixteenth day of the first month
This is near the beginning of April on Western calendars.
2 Chronicles 29:18
the bread of the presence
The 12 loaves of bread that were placed in front of the altar. See how you translated this in 2 Chronicles 2:4.
2 Chronicles 29:19
See, they are
"Look at them. You can see for yourself that they are."
2 Chronicles 29:22
they killed the bulls, and the priests received the blood
"the priests killed the bulls, and took the blood"
2 Chronicles 29:23
they laid their hands on them
"the king and people in the assembly laid their hands on them."
2 Chronicles 29:24
that a burnt ... should be made for all Israel
"that the priests should make a burnt offering and a sin offering for all Israel"
2 Chronicles 29:25
cymbals
two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound. See 2 Chronicles 5:12.
arranging them by the command of David, Gad, the king's seer, and Nathan, the prophet
"arranging the Levites as David, Gad, the king's seer, and Nathan, the prophet had commanded"
for the command was from Yahweh by means of his prophets
"for Yahweh had commanded this through his prophets"
2 Chronicles 29:27
the song of Yahweh began also
"the people began to sing a song to Yahweh also"
2 Chronicles 29:28
until the burnt offering was finished
"until the priests finished offering the burnt offering"
2 Chronicles 29:29
When they had finished the offerings
"When the priests had finished the offerings"
bowed and worshiped
"bowed and worshiped Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 29:31
thank offerings
These were offerings of thanksgiving.
who had a willing heart
"who were willing" or "who desired"
2 Chronicles 29:34
to skin all the burnt offerings
"to remove the skins from all the burn offerings"
until the work was done
"until they had finished the work"
until the priests could consecrate themselves
"until more of the priests could consecrate themselves"
had been more careful to consecrate themselves
This implies there were not enough priests because they were not careful to consecrate themselves.
2 Chronicles 29:35
they were performed with the fat of the fellowship offerings
"the priests performed the burnt offerings with the fat of the fellowship offerings"
the service of the house of Yahweh was set in order
"Hezekiah set the service of the house of Yahweh in order"
was set in order
"was restored" or "began again"
2 Chronicles 29:36
the work had been done quickly
"the people had done the work quickly"
Chapter 30
1
Hezekiah sent messengers to all Israel and Judah, and also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of Yahweh in Jerusalem, to celebrate the Passover to Yahweh, the God of Israel.
2
For the king, his leaders, and all the assembly in Jerusalem had consulted together, deciding to celebrate the Passover in the second month.
3
They could not celebrate at the regular time, because not enough priests had consecrated themselves for the celebration and the people had not gathered together in Jerusalem.
4
This proposal seemed right in the eyes of the king and of all the assembly.
5
So they agreed to make a proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, that the people should come to celebrate the Passover to Yahweh, the God of Israel, in Jerusalem. For they had not observed it with large numbers of people according to what was written.
6
So couriers went with the letters from the king and his leaders throughout all Israel and Judah, by the command of the king. They said, "You people of Israel, turn back to Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, so that he may turn back to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria.
7
Do not be like your ancestors or your brothers, who were faithless against Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, so that he made them an object of horror, as you see.
8
Now do not stiffen your necks, as your ancestors did; instead, give yourselves to Yahweh and come into his holy place, which he has consecrated forever, and worship Yahweh your God, so that his burning anger may turn away from you.
9
For if you turn back to Yahweh, your brothers and children will find compassion before those who led them away as prisoners, and they will come back into this land. For Yahweh your God, is gracious and merciful, and will not turn his face away from you, if you return to him."
10
So the couriers passed from city to city throughout the regions of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the way to Zebulun, but the people laughed at them and mocked them.
11
However, certain men of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.
12
The hand of God also came on Judah, to give them one heart, to carry out the command of the king and leaders by the word of Yahweh.
13
Many people, a very great assembly, gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread in the second month.
14
They rose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense; they threw them into the Kidron Brook.
15
Then they killed the Passover lambs on the fourteenth day of the second month. The priests and Levites were ashamed, so they consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings into the house of Yahweh.
16
They stood in their place by their divisions, following the directions given in the law of Moses, the man of God. The priests sprinkled the blood that they received from the hand of the Levites.
17
For there were many in the assembly who had not consecrated themselves. Therefore the Levites slaughtered the Passover lambs for everyone who was not purified and could not consecrate their sacrifice to Yahweh.
18
For a great many of the people, many of them from Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover meal, against the written instructions. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, "May the good Yahweh pardon everyone
19
who sets his heart to seek God, Yahweh, the God of his ancestors, even though he is not purified by the purification standards of the holy place."
20
So Yahweh listened to Hezekiah and healed the people.
21
The people of Israel who were present in Jerusalem kept the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy. The Levites and the priests praised Yahweh day after day, singing with loud instruments to Yahweh.
22
Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who understood the service of Yahweh. So they ate throughout the festival for the seven days, offering sacrifices of fellowship offerings, and making confession to Yahweh, the God of their ancestors.
23
The whole assembly then decided to celebrate for another seven days, and they did so with joy.
24
For Hezekiah king of Judah gave the assembly one thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep as an offering; and the leaders gave to the assembly one thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep and goats. A large number of priests consecrated themselves.
25
All the assembly of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the people who came together from Israel, as well as the foreigners who came from the land of Israel and those who lived in Judah—they all rejoiced.
26
So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon son of David, king of Israel, there had not been anything like it in Jerusalem.
27
Then the priests, the Levites, rose and blessed the people. Their voice was heard, and their prayer went up to heaven, the holy place where God lives.
2 Chronicles 30:1
all Israel and Judah
The nation of Israel. Earlier the nation had been split into two kingdoms called by these names.
Ephraim and Manasseh
"the northern tribes of Israel". The people who belonged to all ten of the northern tribes of Israel.
2 Chronicles 30:2
deciding to celebrate the Passover in the second month
The Israelites normally celebrated the Passover during the first month of the Hebrew calendar, last part of March and the first part of April on Western calendars. Hezekiah invited everyone in Judah and in Israel to come to Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover. It had not been celebrated since King Solomon's day.
second month
The second month of the Hebrew calendar, during the last part of April and the first part of May on Western calendars.
2 Chronicles 30:4
This proposal
The proposal to celebrate the Passover in the second month instead of in the first month.
in the eyes of the king and of all the assembly
"in the judgment of the king and all the assembly" or "to the king and all the assembly"
2 Chronicles 30:5
from Beersheba to Dan
"from Beersheba in the south to Dan in the north". The writer emphasizes that all of Israel was included.
according to what was written
"as Moses had written that they should observe it"
2 Chronicles 30:6
couriers
people who carry messages
all Israel and Judah
"the southern tribes of Israel"
turn back to Yahweh
"submit again to Yahweh"
so that he may turn back to the remnant of you
"so that he may again protect the remnant of you"
who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria
"who have escaped from the power of the kings of Assyria"
2 Chronicles 30:7
your brothers
"your people"
he made them an object of horror
"he made them something that people would be horrified to see" or "he punished them horribly"
2 Chronicles 30:8
do not stiffen your necks
"do not become stubborn"
give yourselves to Yahweh
"submit to Yahweh" or "dedicate yourselves to Yahweh"
come into his holy place
"come to his temple in Jerusalem for it is holy" or "come to his temple in Jerusalem"
his burning anger may turn away from you
"he may no longer be very angry with you" or "he may turn his great anger away from you". See 2 Chronicles 28:11.
2 Chronicles 30:9
if you turn back to Yahweh
"if you submit again to Yahweh"
your brothers and children will find compassion before those who led them away as prisoners
"your brothers and children will experience compassion from those who led them away as prisoners" or "those who led your brothers and children away as prisoners will be kind to them"
will not turn his face away from you
"will not reject you"
if you return to him
"if you submit again to him"
2 Chronicles 30:10
all the way to Zebulun
Zebulun was one of the tribes farthest in the north of Israel, but there were three other tribes that reached farther north.
2 Chronicles 30:12
The hand of God also came on Judah
"God guided the people of Judah"
to give them one heart
"causing them to agree"
to carry out the command
"to obey the command"
the command of the king and leaders by the word of Yahweh
"the command that the king and leaders gave them in obedience to the word of Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 30:14
They rose and took away the altars
"They began to work and took away the altars" or "They took away the altars"
the altars that ... the altars for incense
The altars that people had built to false gods.
2 Chronicles 30:15
the fourteenth day of the second month
This is near the beginning of May on Western calendars.
2 Chronicles 30:16
They stood in their place by their divisions
"They stood in their appointed places"
the blood that they received from the hand of the Levites
"the blood that they received from the Levites" or "the lambs' blood that the Levites gave to them"
2 Chronicles 30:17
the Passover lambs
"the lambs for the Passover,"
2 Chronicles 30:18
Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun
The names of some of the tribes that lived in the northern part of Israel. See 2 Chronicles 30:10.
against the written instructions
"even though the written instructions said that they must purify themselves first"
the good Yahweh
"Yahweh, who is good"
2 Chronicles 30:19
who sets his heart to seek God
"everyone who is determined to obey God" or "everyone who truly wants to honor God"
2 Chronicles 30:20
So Yahweh listened to Hezekiah
"So Yahweh responded favorably to Hezekiah" or "So Yahweh did what Hezekiah asked"
healed the people
"forgave the people" or "did not punish the people"
2 Chronicles 30:21
kept the Festival of Unleavened Bread
"celebrate the festival"
singing with loud instruments to Yahweh
"singing and playing loud musical instruments to Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 30:22
who understood the service of Yahweh
"because they understood the service of Yahweh" or "because they served Yahweh skillfully"
So they ate throughout the festival
The people of Israel.
making confession to Yahweh
"praising Yahweh" or "confessing their sins to Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 30:24
Hezekiah ... gave the assembly ... bulls and ... sheep as an offering
Hezekiah gave the animals to the people as an offering to the Lord for the people to eat.
2 Chronicles 30:25
All the assembly of Judah
Here "Judah" probably refers to the southern tribes of Israel.
all the people who came together from Israel
"all the people who came together from Israel in the north"
the foreigners who came from the land of Israel
"the foreigners who came from the land of Israel in the north"
2 Chronicles 30:26
since the time of Solomon son of David, king of Israel
"since the time when Solomon son of David ruled as king of Israel”
there had not been anything like it in Jerusalem
"there had not been any Passover Festival in Jerusalem like this Passover Festival"
2 Chronicles 30:27
Their voice was heard ... their prayer went up to heaven, the holy place where God lives
"God responded favorably to their prayer, which he heard in heaven, the holy place where he lives"
Their voice was heard
"God heard their voice" or "God heard what they said to him"
their prayer went up to heaven
Their prayer represents God in heaven paying attention to them praying on earth.
Chapter 31
1
Now when all this was finished, all the people of Israel who were there went out to the cities of Judah and broke to pieces the stone pillars and they cut down the Asherah poles, and they broke down the high places and the altars in all of Judah and Benjamin, and in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the people of Israel returned, every one to his own possession and his own city.
2
Hezekiah assigned the divisions of the priests and the Levites organized by their divisions, each man assigned to his work, both the priests and the Levites. He assigned them to make the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, to serve, to give thanks, and to praise at the gates of the house of Yahweh.
3
He also assigned the king's portion for the burnt offerings from his own possessions, that is, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbath days, the new moons, and the fixed festivals, as it was written in the law of Yahweh.
4
Moreover, he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion for the priests and the Levites, so that they might concentrate on obeying the law of Yahweh.
5
As soon as the command was sent out, the people of Israel generously gave the firstfruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey, and from all their harvest of the field. They brought in a tithe of everything, which was a great quantity.
6
The people of Israel and Judah who lived in the cities of Judah also brought in the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of the holy things that were set apart to Yahweh their God, and they piled them up in heaps.
7
It was in the third month when they began piling up their contribution in heaps, and they finished in the seventh month.
8
When Hezekiah and the leaders came and saw the heaps, they blessed Yahweh and his people Israel.
9
Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites about the heaps.
10
Azariah, the chief priest, of the house of Zadok, answered him and said, "Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of Yahweh, we have eaten and had enough, and have plenty left over, for Yahweh has blessed his people. What was left over is this large amount here."
11
Then Hezekiah commanded storerooms to be prepared in the house of Yahweh, and they prepared them.
12
Then they faithfully brought in the offerings, the tithes and the things that belonged to Yahweh. Konaniah the Levite was the manager in charge of them, and his brother Shimei was second to him.
13
Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismakiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were managers under the hand of Konaniah and Shimei his brother, by appointment of Hezekiah, the king, and Azariah, the official over the house of God.
14
Kore son of Imnah the Levite, the porter at the east gate, was over the freewill offerings of God, in charge of distributing the offerings to Yahweh and the most holy offerings.
15
Under him were Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shekaniah, in the cities of the priests. They filled offices of trust, in order to give these offerings to their brothers division by division, to both the important and the unimportant.
16
They also gave to those males three years old and up, who were recorded in the genealogies of their ancestors who entered the house of Yahweh, as required by the daily schedule, to do the work in their offices and their divisions.
17
They distributed to the priests who were recorded in the genealogies of their ancestors, and the same to the Levites twenty years old and more, according to their offices and their divisions.
18
They recorded in the genealogy all their little ones, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, through the whole community, for they were faithful in keeping themselves holy.
19
For the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who were in the fields of the villages belonging to their cities, or in every city, there were men assigned by name to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all who were recorded in the genealogies of their ancestors as being among the Levites.
20
Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah. He accomplished what was good, right, and faithful before Yahweh, his God.
21
In every work that he began in the service of the house of God, the law, and the commandments, to seek his God, he performed it with all his heart, and he succeeded.
2 Chronicles 31:1
who were there
"who were in Jerusalem"
to his own possession
"to his own property" or "to his own home"
2 Chronicles 31:2
Hezekiah assigned the divisions ... both the priests and the Levites
"Hezekiah organized the priests and the Levites into groups. He assigned each priest and Levite to their duties"
2 Chronicles 31:3
the new moons
A festival coinciding with the movement of the moon.
the fixed festivals
Festivals which occur on specific dates.
as it was written in the law of Yahweh
"just as Moses wrote in the law of Yahweh" or "just as Yahweh commanded in his law"
2 Chronicles 31:5
As soon as the command was sent out
"As soon as the people heard the command"
a tithe of everything
"a tenth of all their crops"
2 Chronicles 31:7
third month
This is the third month of the Hebrew calendar. It is at the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dry season. It is during the last part of May and the first part of June on Western calendars.
seventh month
This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. This is during the early rain season, which would soften the land for sowing. It is during the last part of September and the first part of October on Western calendars.
2 Chronicles 31:10
of the house of Zadok
"a descendant of Zadok"
What was left over is this large amount here
The chief priest would have been pointing to the large heaps.
2 Chronicles 31:11
Hezekiah commanded storerooms to be prepared
"Hezekiah commanded the priests and Levites to prepare storerooms"
2 Chronicles 31:13
Jehiel, Azaziah ... Mahath, and Benaiah
These are names of men.
were managers under the hand of Konaniah and Shimei his brother
"were managers whom Konaniah and Shimei his brother supervised"
the official over the house of God
"the official in charge of everyone who served in the house of God"
2 Chronicles 31:14
Kore ... Imnah
These are names of men.
the porter at the east gate
"the gatekeeper at the east gate of the temple"
2 Chronicles 31:15
Eden, Miniamin ... and Shekaniah
These are names of men.
Under him were Eden ... in the cities of the priests
"Eden ... assisted Kore in the cities of the priests"
They filled offices of trust, in order to give
"Their duty was to give" or "They faithfully gave"
to their brothers
"to their fellow priests"
division by division
"group by group"
to both the important and the unimportant
"to everyone, including those who are old and those who are young"
2 Chronicles 31:16
They also gave
"They also gave freewill offerings"
three years old and up
"three years old and older"
who were recorded in the genealogies
"whose names were in the records"
as required by the daily schedule, to do the work in their offices and their divisions
"to do the daily work that they were supposed to do"
2 Chronicles 31:17
They distributed
"They distributed freewill offerings"
twenty years old and more
"20 years old and older"
2 Chronicles 31:19
there were men assigned by name to give portions
"there were men responsible for giving portions"
2 Chronicles 31:21
to seek his God
"to obey his God". He really wanted to do what God wanted and expresses Hezekiah's desire to please God.
he performed it with all his heart
"he performed it with all his will" or "he was completely committed to what he did"
Chapter 32
1
After these things and these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came and entered Judah. He camped to attack the fortified cities, which he intended to capture for himself.
2
When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and that he intended to fight against Jerusalem,
3
he consulted with his leaders and his powerful men to stop up the waters of the springs that were outside the city; they helped him do so.
4
So many people gathered together and stopped up all the springs and the stream that was flowing through the middle of the land. They said, "Why should the kings of Assyria come and find a lot of water?"
5
Hezekiah took courage and built up all the wall that was broken down. He built the towers higher, and also the other wall outside. He also strengthened the Millo in the city of David, and he made large amounts of weapons and shields.
6
He placed military commanders over the people. He gathered them together to him in the broad place at the city gate and spoke to their hearts. He said,
7
"Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid or dismayed because of the king of Assyria and all the army that is with him, for someone is with us who is greater than those with him.
8
With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is Yahweh, our God, to help us, and to fight our battles." Then the people comforted themselves with the words of Hezekiah, king of Judah.
9
After this, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, sent his servants to Jerusalem (now he was in front of Lachish, and all his army was with him), to Hezekiah, king of Judah, and to all of Judah who were in Jerusalem. He said,
10
"This is what Sennacherib, king of Assyria, says: What are you trusting in so you can endure a siege in Jerusalem?
11
Is not Hezekiah misleading you, that he may give you over to die by famine and by thirst, when he tells you, 'Yahweh our God will rescue us from the hand of the king of Assyria'?
12
Has not this same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, 'On one altar you must worship, and on it you must burn your sacrifices'?
13
Do you not know what I and my ancestors have done to all the peoples of the other lands? Were the gods of the peoples of the surrounding lands able in any way to rescue their land from my power?
14
Among all the gods of those nations that my ancestors completely destroyed, was there any god who could rescue his people out of my hand? Why should your God be able to rescue you from my power?
15
Now do not let Hezekiah deceive you or persuade you in this way. Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to rescue his people out of my hand, or out of the hand of my ancestors. How much less will your God rescue you from my hand?"
16
Sennacherib's servants spoke even more against Yahweh God and against his servant Hezekiah.
17
Sennacherib also wrote letters in order to mock Yahweh, the God of Israel, and to speak against him. He said, "As the gods of the nations of the lands have not rescued their people out of my hand, so the God of Hezekiah will not rescue his people out of my hand."
18
They cried out in the language of the Jews to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten them and trouble them, in order that they might capture the city.
19
They spoke of the God of Jerusalem as they had spoken of the gods of the other peoples of the earth, which are merely the work of men's hands.
20
Hezekiah, the king, and Isaiah son of Amoz, the prophet, prayed because of this matter and he cried out to heaven.
21
Yahweh sent an angel, who killed the mighty warriors, the commanders, and the officers of the king of Assyria in the camp. So Sennacherib returned to his own land with shame on his face. When he had gone into the house of his god, some of his own children killed him there with the sword.
22
In this way, Yahweh saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all others, and gave them rest on every side.
23
Many were bringing offerings to Yahweh in Jerusalem, and precious gifts to Hezekiah king of Judah, so that he was lifted up in the eyes of all nations from that time forward.
24
In those days Hezekiah was sick to the point of dying. He prayed to Yahweh, who spoke to him and gave him a sign that he would be healed.
25
But Hezekiah did not pay back Yahweh for the help given to him, for his heart was lifted up. So anger came on him, and on Judah and Jerusalem.
26
Nevertheless, Hezekiah later humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that Yahweh's anger did not come on them during Hezekiah's days.
27
Hezekiah had very many riches and much honor. He provided himself with storerooms for silver, gold, precious stones, and for spices, as well as for shields and for all kinds of valuable objects.
28
He also had storehouses for the harvest of grain, new wine, and oil, and stalls for various kinds of livestock. He also had flocks in their pens.
29
In addition, he provided himself with cities and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance, for God had given him very much wealth.
30
It was this same Hezekiah who also stopped up the upper spring of the waters of Gihon, and who brought them straight down on the west side of the city of David. Hezekiah succeeded in all his works.
31
However, in the matter of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent to him to ask questions of those who knew, about the miraculous sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him, and to know all that was in his heart.
32
As for the other matters concerning Hezekiah, including his actions of covenant loyalty, you can see that they are written in the vision of the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
33
Hezekiah lay down with his ancestors, and they buried him on the hill of the tombs of the descendants of David. All Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem honored him at his death. Manasseh his son became king in his place.
2 Chronicles 32:1
After these things and these acts of faithfulness
"After Hezekiah faithfully did all the things Yahweh commanded him to do"
Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came ... He camped
"Sennacherib, king of Assyria, and his army came ... They camped"
came and entered Judah
"went and entered Judah"
2 Chronicles 32:2
that Sennacherib had come and that he intended
"that Sennacherib and his army had come and that they intended"
to fight against Jerusalem
"to fight against the people of Jerusalem" or "to fight against the army of Jerusalem"
2 Chronicles 32:3
to stop up the waters ... outside the city
The people of the city would fill up wells and fountain springs with earth and rocks, hiding the water from the Assyrians, but the people would cause the water to flow into the city through secret pathways.
2 Chronicles 32:4
Why should the kings ... find a lot of water?
"We do not want the kings of Assyria to come here and find a lot of water."
the kings of Assyria
"the king of Assyria" or "the king and the other leaders of Assyria"
2 Chronicles 32:5
Hezekiah took courage and built ... he made
"Hezekiah took courage and commanded the people to build up ... They built ... They also ... they made"
Hezekiah took courage and built up
"Hezekiah strengthened the city by building up" or "Hezekiah became encouraged and built up"
the Millo
This is a part of the wall on the north side of Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 32:6
He placed military commanders over the people
"He put military commanders in charge of the people"
2 Chronicles 32:7
for someone ... greater than those with him
"for our God is with us and is more powerful than those with the king of Assyria"
2 Chronicles 32:8
is only an arm of flesh
"are only those with human power". Because Hezekiah trusted God, God rescued Jerusalem from the attack of the Assyrian army and healed Hezekiah when he was very sick.
2 Chronicles 32:9
now he was ... with him
This marks a stop in the main story, telling background information about the location of Sennacherib and his army.
Lachish
This was a city in Judah.
2 Chronicles 32:10
What are you trusting in so ... siege in Jerusalem?
"These people you are trusting in cannot make you able to endure a siege in Jerusalem."
2 Chronicles 32:11
Is not Hezekiah misleading you ... king of Assyria'?
"Hezekiah is misleading you ... king of Assyria.'"
that he may give you over to die by famine and by thirst
"so that you will die from lack of food and water"
from the hand of the king of Assyria
"from the power of the king of Assyria" or "from the king of Assyria"
2 Chronicles 32:12
Has not this same Hezekiah ... sacrifices'?
"This is the same Hezekiah who has taken away ... sacrifices.'" or "Hezekiah has taken away ... sacrifices.'"
commanded Judah and Jerusalem
"commanded the people of Judah and Jerusalem"
2 Chronicles 32:13
Do you not know what ... lands?
"You know very well what ... lands!"
Were the gods ... power?
"There was no god ... power!"
2 Chronicles 32:14
Among all the gods ... was ... hand?
"There was no god among all the gods ... who ... hand!"
out of my hand
"from my power" or "from me"
Why should your God be able ... power?
"There is no reason your God should be able ... power!"
2 Chronicles 32:15
How much less will your God rescue you from my hand?
"Your God will certainly not be able to rescue you from my hand!"
2 Chronicles 32:17
out of my hand
"from my power" or "from me"
2 Chronicles 32:18
They cried out
"Sennacherib's servants shouted loudly"
to frighten them and trouble them
"to make them very afraid"
they might capture
"the Assyrian army might capture"
2 Chronicles 32:19
They spoke of the God of Jerusalem ... of the earth
"They mocked the God of Jerusalem as they had mocked the gods of the other peoples of the earth"
which are merely the work of men's hands
"which are merely idols that men have made"
2 Chronicles 32:20
cried out to heaven
"cried to Yahweh for help" or "pleaded to Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 32:21
with shame on his face
"embarrassed." or "ashamed."
the house of his god
"the temple of his god"
2 Chronicles 32:22
from the hand of Sennacherib ... all others
"from the power of Sennacherib ... from the power of all others" or "from Sennacherib ... from all others"
gave them rest on every side
"caused them to live peacefully with all the people of the nations around them"
2 Chronicles 32:23
he was lifted up in the eyes of all nations
"the people of all the nations honored him"
2 Chronicles 32:24
that he would be healed
"that he would heal Hezekiah"
2 Chronicles 32:25
But Hezekiah did not pay back Yahweh ... to him
"But Hezekiah did not act in a grateful way after Yahweh helped him"
his heart was lifted up
"he became proud"
So anger came on him, and ... Jerusalem
"So Yahweh became angry and punished him and the people of Judah and Jerusalem"
2 Chronicles 32:26
during Hezekiah's days
"during Hezekiah's lifetime." or "during Hezekiah's reign as king."
2 Chronicles 32:28
stalls
This is a small enclosure where horses are kept. See 2 Chronicles 9:25.
pens
a storage place for small animals
2 Chronicles 32:30
Hezekiah who also stopped up ... straight down
"Hezekiah who ordered his workers to stop up ... and to build a tunnel so that the water would flow down"
waters of Gihon
This is a stream near Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 32:31
the miraculous sign ... done in the land
"the miracle that Yahweh had performed in the land"
to know all that was in his heart
"to reveal Hezekiah's true character"
2 Chronicles 32:33
Hezekiah lay down with his ancestors
"Hezekiah died". See how you translated this in 2 Chronicles 9:31.
Chapter 33
1
Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem.
2
He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, like the disgusting things of the nations whom Yahweh had driven out before the people of Israel.
3
For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had torn down, and he built altars for the Baals, he made Asherah poles, and he bowed down to all the host of heaven and worshiped them.
4
Manasseh built altars in the house of Yahweh, although Yahweh had commanded, "It is in Jerusalem that my name will be forever."
5
He built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courtyards of the house of Yahweh.
6
In the Valley of Ben Hinnom he caused his sons to pass through the fire. He practiced sorcery, divination and he read omens, and he consulted with sorcerers and spiritists. Manasseh did much evil in the sight of Yahweh, and he provoked him to anger.
7
The carved figure he had made, he placed it in the house of God. It was about this house that God had spoken to David and Solomon his son; he had said, "It is in this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel, that I will put my name forever.
8
I will not move the people of Israel any more out of the land that I assigned to their ancestors, if they will only be careful to keep all that I have commanded them, following all the law, statutes, and decrees which I gave them through Moses."
9
Manasseh led Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do evil even more than the nations that Yahweh had destroyed before the people of Israel.
10
Yahweh spoke to Manasseh, and to his people, but they paid no attention.
11
So Yahweh brought on them the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh in chains, bound him with fetters, and took him off to Babylon.
12
When Manasseh was in distress, he implored Yahweh, his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors.
13
He prayed to him; and God was moved by his plea, and God heard his humble request and brought him back to Jerusalem, into his kingship. Then Manasseh knew that Yahweh was God.
14
After this, Manasseh built an outer wall to the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, to the entrance at the Fish Gate. He surrounded the hill of Ophel with it and raised the wall up to a very great height. He put courageous commanders in all the fortified cities of Judah.
15
He took away the foreign gods, the idol out of the house of Yahweh, and all the altars that he had built on the mount of the house of Yahweh and in Jerusalem, and threw them out of the city.
16
He rebuilt the altar of Yahweh and offered on it sacrifices of fellowship offerings and thank offerings; he commanded Judah to serve Yahweh, the God of Israel.
17
However, the people still sacrificed at the high places, but only to Yahweh, their God.
18
As to the other matters concerning Manasseh, his prayer to his God, and the words of the seers who spoke to him in the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel, behold, they are written among the deeds of the kings of Israel.
19
In that account there is history of his prayer, and how God was moved by his plea. There is also an account of all his sin and his trespasses, and the places where he had built high places and set up the Asherah poles and the carved figures, before he humbled himself—they are written about in the Chronicles of the Seers.
20
So Manasseh lay down with his ancestors, and they buried him in his own house. Amon, his son, became king in his place.
21
Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign; he reigned two years in Jerusalem.
22
He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as Manasseh, his father, had done. Amon sacrificed to all the carved figures that Manasseh his father had made, and he worshiped them.
23
He did not humble himself before Yahweh, as Manasseh his father had done. Instead, Amon trespassed more and more.
24
His servants conspired against him and put him to death in his own house.
25
But the people of the land killed all those who had conspired against King Amon, and they made Josiah, his son, king in his place.
2 Chronicles 33:1
General Information:
Manasseh angered God more than any other king of Judah. He worshiped the sun, stars and many foreign gods and even sacrificed his sons to the sun.
2 Chronicles 33:2
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh
"things that Yahweh said were evil" or "the things that Yahweh considers evil". See a similar phrase in 2 Chronicles 14:2.
like the disgusting things
"including the disgusting things."
2 Chronicles 33:3
he rebuilt the high places ... he made Asherah poles
"he had his workers rebuild the high places ... he had them build altars ... he had them make Asherah poles"
2 Chronicles 33:4
It is in Jerusalem that my name will be forever
"Jerusalem is where I will forever make known who I am"
2 Chronicles 33:5
He built altars ... of the house of Yahweh
"He had his workers build altars in the two courtyards of the house of Yahweh so that the people could worship the stars and offer them sacrifices"
2 Chronicles 33:6
Valley of Ben Hinnom
The name of a place near Jerusalem that is also known as Gehenna.
he caused his sons to pass through the fire
"he burned his sons to death as an offering to his gods"
he provoked him to anger
"Manasseh made Yahweh very angry"
2 Chronicles 33:7
he had made
"Manasseh had ordered his servants to make"
that I will put my name forever
"where I want people to worship me forever"
2 Chronicles 33:8
that I assigned to their ancestors
"that I gave to their ancestors,"
2 Chronicles 33:9
Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem
"the people of Judah and Jerusalem"
even more than the nations ... before the people of Israel
"even more than the people whom Yahweh had destroyed as the people of Israel advanced through the land"
2 Chronicles 33:11
brought on them
"brought about an attack on them by"
the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria
"the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria and their soldiers"
took Manasseh in chains, ... him off to Babylon
"seized Manasseh, bound him in chains, and took him as a prisoner to Babylon". Fetters were chains placed around the feet.
2 Chronicles 33:12
implored
To beg for help.
2 Chronicles 33:13
He prayed to him; and God was moved by his plea
"He prayed to God; and God heard his plea and changed his mind"
into his kingship
"to rule again as king"
2 Chronicles 33:14
Manasseh built ... He surrounded ... He put
"Manasseh commanded his workers to build ... They surrounded ... and raised ... He commanded his workers to put"
Gihon
"the waters of Gihon". The name of a spring and a stream. See 2 Chronicles 32:30.
the hill of Ophel
Translate the name of this hill as you did in 2 Chronicles 27:3.
raised the wall up
"built the wall up"
the fortified cities
This refers to cities with walls around them.
2 Chronicles 33:15
the foreign gods
"the false gods from other countries"
2 Chronicles 33:16
he commanded Judah
"he commanded the people of Judah"
2 Chronicles 33:18
behold, they are written among the deeds ... of Israel
"anyone can look among the deeds ... Israel and see that they are written there"
they are written
"men have written them”
the deeds of the kings of Israel
This in account of the history of Israel that no longer exists.
2 Chronicles 33:19
the places where he had ... and the carved figures
"the place where he had the high places built and the Asherah poles and the carved figures set up" or "the places where he commanded his workers to build the high places and to set up the Asherah poles and carved figures"
the Chronicles of the Seers
This is a book that no longer exists.
2 Chronicles 33:20
So Manasseh lay down with his ancestors
"So Manasseh died"
in his own house
"in his palace"
king in his place
"became the next king" or "became the king of Judah"
2 Chronicles 33:23
Amon trespassed more and more
"Amon increased his guilt." or "Amon continued to sin."
2 Chronicles 33:24
conspired against him
"planned in secret to kill him"
put him to death
"killed him"
2 Chronicles 33:25
king in his place
"became the next king" or "became the king of Judah"
Chapter 34
1
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem.
2
He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, and walked in the ways of David his ancestor, and did not turn away either to the right or to the left.
3
For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek after the God of David, his ancestor. In the twelfth year, he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, the Asherah poles, and the carved figures and the cast metal figures.
4
The people broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence; he cut apart the incense altars that were above them. He broke the Asherah poles and the carved figures. He crushed the cast metal figures to dust and scattered the dust on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them.
5
He burned the bones of their priests on their altars. In this way, he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.
6
He did the same in the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, all the way to Naphtali, and in the ruins that surrounded them.
7
He broke down the altars, crushed the Asherah poles and the carved images into powder, and cut apart all the incense altars throughout all the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem.
8
Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, after Josiah had cleansed the land and the temple, he sent Shaphan son of Azaliah, Maaseiah, the governor of the city, and Joah son of Joahaz the secretary, to repair the house of Yahweh his God.
9
They went to Hilkiah, the high priest, and entrusted to him the money that had been brought into the house of God, that the Levites, the guards of the doors, had gathered from Manasseh and Ephraim, from all the remnant of Israel, from all Judah and Benjamin, and from the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
10
They entrusted the money to the men who supervised the work on the temple of Yahweh. These men paid the workers who repaired and restored the temple.
11
They paid it to the carpenters and builders to buy cut stone and timber for braces, and to make beams for the structures that some kings of Judah had allowed to become ruined.
12
The men did the work faithfully. Their supervisors Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, from the sons of the Kohathites. Other Levites, all of whom were very good musicians, closely directed the workmen.
13
These Levites supervised those who carried building material and all other men who worked in any way. There were also Levites who were secretaries, administrators, and gate guards.
14
When they brought out the money that was brought into the house of Yahweh, Hilkiah the priest found the book of the law of Yahweh that had been given through Moses.
15
Hilkiah said to Shaphan the scribe, "I have found the book of the law in the house of Yahweh." Hilkiah brought the book to Shaphan.
16
Shaphan took the book to the king, and also reported to him, saying, "Your servants are doing everything that has been entrusted to them.
17
They have emptied out the money that was found in the house of Yahweh, and they gave it into the hand of the supervisors and to the workmen."
18
Shaphan the scribe told the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." Then Shaphan read in it to the king.
19
It came about that when the king had heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes.
20
The king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah, his own servant, saying,
21
"Go and ask Yahweh's will for me, and for those who are left in Israel and in Judah, because of the words of the book that has been found. For it is great, the anger of Yahweh that has been poured out on us.
It is great, because our ancestors have not listened to the words of this book so as to obey all that was written in it."
22
So Hilkiah, and those whom the king had commanded, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe (she lived in Jerusalem in the Second District), and they spoke with her in this way.
23
She said to them, "This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me,
24
'This is what Yahweh says: See, I am about to bring disaster on this place and on its inhabitants, all the curses that have been written in the book that they have read before the king of Judah.
25
This will happen because they have abandoned me and have burned incense to other gods, and they have provoked me to anger by all the works of their hands. Therefore, my anger will be poured out on this place, and it will not be extinguished.'
26
But to the king of Judah, who sent you to ask Yahweh what he should do, this is what you will say to him, 'Yahweh, the God of Israel says this: About the words that you heard,
27
because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and its inhabitants, and because you have humbled yourself before me and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have listened to you—this is Yahweh's declaration—
28
see, I will gather you to your ancestors. You will be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes will not see any of the disaster I will bring on this place and its inhabitants.'" The men took this message back to the king.
29
Then the king sent messengers and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
30
Then the king went up to the house of Yahweh, and all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, Levites, and all the people, from great to small. He then read in their hearing all the words of the book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of Yahweh.
31
The king stood in his place and made a covenant before Yahweh, to walk after Yahweh, and to keep his commandments, his regulations, and his statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to obey the words of the covenant that were written in this book.
32
He caused all who were found in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand by the covenant. The inhabitants of Jerusalem acted in obedience to the covenant of God, the God of their ancestors.
33
Josiah took away all the disgusting things from the lands that belonged to the people of Israel. He made everyone in Israel worship Yahweh, their God. For all of his days, they did not turn away from following Yahweh, the God of their ancestors.
2 Chronicles 34:1
General Information
This chapter is the beginning of the story of King Josiah.
2 Chronicles 34:2
what was right in the eyes of Yahweh
"the things that Yahweh said were right" or "the things that Yahweh considers right". See 2 Chronicles 14:2.
walked in the ways of David his ancestor
"lived the way David his ancestor had lived" or "followed the example of David his ancestor"
did not turn away either to the right or to the left
"did not do anything that would displease Yahweh" or "fully obeyed the laws of Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 34:3
he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem from ... the cast metal figures
"he began to make Judah and Jerusalem acceptable again to Yahweh by having his workers remove from them the high places, the Asherah poles, the craved figures, and the cast metal figures". Josiah worshiped Yahweh and cleaned out the idols and shrines from Judah. The people returned to worship Yahweh again.
2 Chronicles 34:4
in his presence
"in Josiah's presence"
he cut apart ... He broke ... and scattered
"he and his workers cut apart ... He and his workers broke ... He and his workers crushed ... and scattered"
2 Chronicles 34:5
He burned
"He commanded them to burn" or "He and his workers burned"
He burned the bones ... on their altars
The bones of the priests who offered sacrifices on the altars to the false gods were burned on the altars that the priests had previously made sacrifices on.
he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem
"he caused Judah and Jerusalem to be acceptable again to Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 34:7
into powder
"into dust."
2 Chronicles 34:8
Josiah had cleansed the land and the temple
"Josiah had caused the land and the temple to become acceptable again to Yahweh"
Azaliah ... Maaseiah ... Joahaz
These are the names of men.
2 Chronicles 34:9
entrusted to him
"gave to him the responsibility of using the money"
that had been brought into the house of God, that the Levites, ... had gathered
"that the Levites who guarded the doors had brought into the house of God all that they had gathered"
2 Chronicles 34:10
They entrusted
"Then Hilkiah entrusted".
the money
"some of the money". This is some of the money that was entrusted to Hilkiah.
2 Chronicles 34:11
braces
pieces used to connect large beams
had allowed to become ruined
"had allowed to rot"
2 Chronicles 34:12
Kohathites
Translate the name of the clan as you did in 2 Chronicles 20:19.
Obadiah ... Zechariah
Translate these men's names as you did in 2 Chronicles 17:7.
2 Chronicles 34:13
These Levites supervised those who carried building material and all other men ... any way
"These Levites were in charge of all of the men who did any kind of building work"
2 Chronicles 34:14
When they brought out the money ... brought into
"When they brought out the money for the supervisors from"
that had been given through Moses
"that Yahweh had given to the people through Moses"
the book of the law
Most likely these laws were written on a scroll; made of one long, rolled-up sheet of papyrus or leather.
2 Chronicles 34:15
Shaphan
This is the name of a man.
2 Chronicles 34:16
everything that has been entrusted to them
"everything that you gave them the responsibility to do"
2 Chronicles 34:17
They have emptied out
"They have gathered all"
into the hand of the supervisors ... the workmen
"to the supervisors and the workmen"
2 Chronicles 34:19
he tore his clothes
"he tore his clothes because he was very upset"
2 Chronicles 34:20
Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan ... Asaiah
These are the names of men.
2 Chronicles 34:21
ask Yahweh's will for me
"Ask Yahweh what he wants me to do". The men are to go to the prophetess of Yahweh. (2 Chronicles 34:22)
because of the words
"concerning the words"
the words of the book that has been found
"the laws in the book that Hilkiah has found"
For it is great, the anger of Yahweh ... It is great
"For Yahweh's anger towards us is great, like water that could totally wash us away"
all that was written in it
"all that is written in it" or "all that is in this book"
2 Chronicles 34:22
Hasrah
This the name of a man.
keeper of the wardrobe
This refers to Shallum. The person who took care of the clothing that priests wore or took care of the king's clothing.
the Second District
"The Second Part". This may have been a newer part of Jerusalem.
they spoke with her in this way
"they had the following conversation with her"
2 Chronicles 34:24
I am about to bring disaster on ... inhabitants
"I will soon cause terrible things to happen to this place and to those who live there"
on this place
"to Jerusalem" or "on Judah". This refers to Jerusalem, which represents the whole land of Judah.
all the curses that have been written
"all the curses written" or "all the curses"
on this place
"on these people"
2 Chronicles 34:25
they have provoked me to anger
"they have made me angry"
my anger will be poured out
"I will pour out my anger"
2 Chronicles 34:26
About the words that you heard
"About the message that you heard,"
2 Chronicles 34:27
because your heart was tender
"because you felt sorry" or "because you repented"
2 Chronicles 34:28
see, I will gather you to ... your grave in peace
"so I will allow you to die and be buried peacefully"
You will be gathered to your grave
"I will gather you to your grave"
your eyes will not see
"you will not experience"
the disaster I will bring on this place
"the terrible things I will cause to happen to this place"
2 Chronicles 34:30
all the men of Judah and ... of Jerusalem
"many other people"
from great to small
"from the most important to the least important"
He then read in their hearing
"Then the king read aloud so that they could hear"
that had been found
"that Hilkiah had found" or "that they had found"
2 Chronicles 34:31
stood in his place
"stood where he was supposed to stand at the entrance to the temple"
walk after Yahweh
"live obeying Yahweh"
his commandments, ... and his statutes
Together these words emphasize everything that Yahweh had commanded in the law.
with all his heart and all his soul
"with all his being" or "with all his energy"
that were written in this book
"that this book contained"
2 Chronicles 34:32
all who were found in Jerusalem and Benjamin
"all who lived in Jerusalem and Benjamin"
stand by the covenant
"promise to obey the covenant"
2 Chronicles 34:33
Josiah took away all
"Josiah commanded his workers to take away all"
the disgusting things
"the disgusting idols"
For all of his days
"For all of his life" or "As long as Josiah was alive"
Chapter 35
1
Josiah kept a Passover to Yahweh in Jerusalem, and they killed the Passover lambs on the fourteenth day of the first month.
2
He placed the priests in their positions and encouraged them in the service of the house of Yahweh.
3
He said to the Levites who taught all Israel and who were set apart to Yahweh, "Put the holy ark in the house that Solomon son of David, king of Israel built. It will be a burden on your shoulders no longer. Now worship Yahweh your God, and serve his people Israel.
4
Organize yourselves by your clans and your divisions, following the written instructions of David, king of Israel, and those of Solomon, his son.
5
Stand in the holy place, taking your position with your divisions within the clans of your brothers, the descendants of the people, and taking your places with your divisions within the clans of the Levites.
6
Kill the Passover lambs, consecrate yourselves, prepare the lambs for your brothers, to do according to the word of Yahweh that was given by the hand of Moses."
7
Josiah gave thirty thousand lambs and kids from flocks for the Passover offerings to all the people who were present, and he also gave three thousand head of cattle—all of these were from the king's own possessions.
8
His leaders gave a freewill offering to the people, priests, and Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, the officials in charge of the house of God, gave to the priests 2,600 Passover offerings and three hundred head of cattle.
9
Also Konaniah, and Shemaiah and Nethanel, his brothers, and Hashabiah, Jeiel, and Jozabad, the chiefs of the Levites, gave five thousand Passover offerings to the Levites and five hundred head of cattle.
10
So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their places, with the Levites by their divisions, in response to the king's command.
11
They killed the Passover lambs, and the priests sprinkled the blood that they received from the Levites' hand, and the Levites skinned the lambs.
12
They removed the burnt offerings, in order to distribute them to the divisions of the clans of the people, to offer them to Yahweh, as it is written in the Book of Moses. They did the same with the cattle.
13
They roasted the Passover lambs with fire following the instructions. As for the consecrated offerings, they boiled them in pots, cauldrons, and pans, and they quickly carried them to all the people.
14
They later prepared offerings for themselves and for the priests, because the priests, the descendants of Aaron, were occupied in offering the burnt offerings and the fat until nightfall, so the Levites prepared the offerings for themselves and for the priests, the descendants of Aaron.
15
The singers, the descendants of Asaph, were in their place, according to the command of David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer, and the guards were at every gate. They did not have to leave their labors because their brothers the Levites made preparations for them.
16
So, at that time the entire service of Yahweh was carried out for the celebration of the Passover and to offer burnt offerings on the altar of Yahweh, as King Josiah commanded.
17
The people of Israel who were present kept the Passover at that time, and then the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days.
18
Such a Passover celebration had never been held in Israel from the days of the prophet Samuel, nor had any of the other kings of Israel ever celebrated such a Passover as Josiah did, along with the priests, Levites, and all the people of Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
19
This Passover was kept in the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah.
20
After all this, after Josiah had set the temple in order, Necho, king of Egypt, went up to fight against Carchemish at the Euphrates River, and Josiah went to fight against him.
21
But Necho sent ambassadors to him, saying, "What have I to do with you, king of Judah? I am not coming against you today, but against the house with which I am making war. God has commanded me to hurry, so refrain from interfering with God, who is with me, or he might destroy you."
22
However, Josiah refused to turn away from him. He disguised himself in order to fight with him. He did not listen to the words of Necho that had come from the mouth of God; so he went to fight in the Valley of Megiddo.
23
Archers shot King Josiah, and the king said to his servants, "Take me away, for I am badly wounded."
24
So his servants took him out of the chariot, and put him in his extra chariot. They took him to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried in the tombs of his ancestors. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.
25
Jeremiah lamented for Josiah; all the male and female singers lament about Josiah to this day. These songs became customary in Israel; behold, they are written in the songs of lament.
26
As for the other matters concerning Josiah, and his good deeds done in obedience to what is written in the law of Yahweh—
27
his deeds, from beginning to end, are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
2 Chronicles 35:1
Josiah kept a Passover to Yahweh
Josiah organized a large Passover celebration and people shared their animals with those without animals to sacrifice. The celebration of Passover was a sign of proper worship by the people.
in Jerusalem
Yahweh had commanded Moses that all the people of Israel were to go to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover.
the fourteenth day of the first month
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. The fourteenth day is near the beginning of April on Western calendars.
2 Chronicles 35:2
He placed the priests in their positions
"He had people tell the priests which jobs to do"
in the service of
"as they served in" or "to serve well in"
2 Chronicles 35:3
that Solomon son of David, king of Israel built
"that Solomon, king of Israel, commanded the people to build"
2 Chronicles 35:4
by your clans and your divisions
"according to the names of your clans and your divisions."
divisions
groups into which the people had divided the priests and Levites
the written instructions of David ... and those of Solomon, his son
"the instructions that David ... and Solomon, his son, wrote"
2 Chronicles 35:5
Stand in the holy place, taking your position
"Take your positions in the temple area"
2 Chronicles 35:6
consecrate yourselves
This probably refers to the priests and Levites washing themselves before they did work in the temple.
to do ... to the word of Yahweh ... hand of Moses
"to obey all of the commands that Yahweh gave to the people through Moses"
2 Chronicles 35:7
kids
baby goats
these were from the king's own possessions
"all these lambs, kids, and bulls that he gave were ones that he himself owned"
2 Chronicles 35:8
Hilkiah ... Zechariah ... Jehiel
These are the names of men.
2 Chronicles 35:9
Konaniah ... Shemaiah ... Jeiel ... Jozabad
These are the names of men.
2 Chronicles 35:10
the service was prepared
"they prepared everything they needed so they could perform the Passover"
2 Chronicles 35:11
the blood ... received from the Levites' hand
"the blood that the Levites gave them"
2 Chronicles 35:13
General Information:
All instances of "they" and "themselves" refer to the Levites 2 Chronicles 35:10.
They roasted the Passover lambs with fire
"They cooked the Passover lambs over fires"
they boiled them in pots, cauldrons, and pans
"they cooked them in water in containers of different sizes"
2 Chronicles 35:14
They ... prepared ... for ... and for the priests
"They ... prepared the offerings that they would eat and the offerings that the priests would eat"
2 Chronicles 35:15
according to the command of David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer
"as David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer had commanded them"
Heman ... Jeduthun
These are the names of men.
2 Chronicles 35:16
the entire service of Yahweh was carried out
"they did everything that needed to be done to serve Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 35:17
kept the Passover
"observed the Passover" or "celebrated the Passover"
then the Festival of Unleavened Bread
"then they kept the Festival of Unleavened Bread" or "then celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread"
2 Chronicles 35:18
Such a Passover celebration ... in Israel
"There had never been such a Passover celebration in Israel"
held in Israel
The nation of Israel as a whole, as it was before the northern kingdom and southern king split.
from the days
"from the time"
the other kings of Israel
Here "Israel" refers specifically to the northern kingdom of Israel.
2 Chronicles 35:19
This Passover was kept
"They observed this Passover"
was kept
"was observed" or "was celebrated"
2 Chronicles 35:20
set the temple in order
"restored proper worship to the temple"
Necho, king of Egypt, went up
"Necho, king of Egypt, went up with his army"
against Carchemish
"against the people of Carchemish". This is the name of a city.
Josiah went to fight against him
"Josiah and his army went to fight against Necho and his army"
2 Chronicles 35:21
What have I to do with you, king of Judah?
"You have no reason to attack me, king of Judah."
I am not coming against you
"I am not fighting your kingdom"
against the house with which
"against the house of Babylon, with whom"
2 Chronicles 35:22
fight with him
"fight with the army of Egypt"
that had come from the mouth of God
"that had come from God" or "that God had said to him"
so he went
"so he and his army went"
the Valley of Megiddo
This is the name of a place.
2 Chronicles 35:24
All Judah and Jerusalem
"All the people of Judah and Jerusalem"
2 Chronicles 35:25
to this day
This means the day on which the writer wrote. See 2 Chronicles 5:9.
behold, they
"this is where they are: they" or "they still exist: they."
the songs of lament
This was an ancient scroll of funeral songs.
2 Chronicles 35:26
his good deeds done
"the good deeds that he did"
what is written
"the words"
2 Chronicles 35:27
his deeds ... are written in the book
"men have written of all his deeds ... in the book"
his deeds, from beginning to end,
"all of his deeds" or "everything he did from the beginning of his reign to when he died"
the book of the kings of Judah and Israel
This is a book that no longer exists.
Chapter 36
1
Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah, and made him king in his father's place in Jerusalem.
2
Jehoahaz
was twenty-three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem.
3
The king of Egypt removed him at Jerusalem, and forced him to pay a fine on the land of one hundred talents of silver and one talent of gold.
4
The king of Egypt made Eliakim, who was the brother of Jehoahaz, king over Judah and Jerusalem (and changed Eliakim's name to Jehoiakim). Then Necho took Eliakim's brother Jehoahaz and brought him to Egypt.
5
Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh his God.
6
Then Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, attacked him and bound him in chains to lead him away to Babylon.
7
Nebuchadnezzar also carried some of the objects in the house of Yahweh to Babylon, and put them in his palace at Babylon.
8
As for the other matters concerning Jehoiakim, the disgusting things that he did, and what was found against him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. Then Jehoiachin, his son, became king in his place.
9
Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign; he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh.
10
In the spring of the year, King Nebuchadnezzar sent men and brought him to Babylon, with the valuable things from the house of Yahweh, and made Zedekiah, his relative, king over Judah and Jerusalem.
11
Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign; he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.
12
He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh his God. He did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of Yahweh.
13
Zedekiah also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear loyalty to him by God. But Zedekiah stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to Yahweh, the God of Israel.
14
Moreover, all the leaders of the priests and the people were extremely unfaithful, and they followed the disgusting practices of the nations. They polluted the house of Yahweh which he had consecrated in Jerusalem.
15
Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them by his messengers again and again, because he had compassion on his people and on the place where he lives.
16
But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until the wrath of Yahweh arose against his people, until there was no help for it.
17
So God brought on them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the sanctuary, and had no compassion on young men or virgins, old men or the gray-haired. God gave them all into his hand.
18
All the furnishings of the house of God, great and small, the treasures of the house of Yahweh, and the treasures of the king and his officials—all these he took to Babylon.
19
They burned down the house of God, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all its palaces, and destroyed all the valuable things in it.
20
The king carried away to Babylon those who had escaped the sword. They became servants for him and his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia.
21
This happened to fulfill the word of Yahweh by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land should have enjoyed its Sabbath rests. It observed its Sabbath for all the time of its desolation so that it might pass seventy years in this way.
22
Now in the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, so that the word of Yahweh by the mouth of Jeremiah might be carried out, Yahweh motivated the spirit of Cyrus, king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing. He said,
23
"This is what Cyrus, king of Persia, says: Yahweh, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has commanded me to build a house for him in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you from all his people, may Yahweh your God, be with you. Let him go up to the land."
2 Chronicles 36:1
in his father's place
"instead of his father"
2 Chronicles 36:2
General Information
This is the end of the story of Judah as an independent country.
2 Chronicles 36:3
The king of Egypt removed him at Jerusalem
"The king of Egypt removed him from being king in Jerusalem"
forced him to pay a fine on the land
"land" represents the people who lived there.
one hundred talents of silver ... talent of gold
"about 3,300 kilograms of silver and 33 kilograms of gold". A talent was about 33 kilograms.
2 Chronicles 36:5
what was evil in the sight of Yahweh his God
"what Yahweh judged to be evil" or "what Yahweh considered to be evil"
2 Chronicles 36:6
attacked him
"attacked Jerusalem" or "attacked Judah". Jehoiakim represents either Jerusalem or the nation of Judah.
2 Chronicles 36:7
Nebuchadnezzar also carried
"Nebuchadnezzar also had his soldiers carry"
the house of Yahweh
"the temple of Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 36:8
the disgusting things that he did
This usually refers to worshiping false gods, which Yahweh hated.
what was found against him
"what people found against him" or "things that he did for which people could accuse him"
behold, they are written
"anyone can look in the book ... Israel and see they are written there" or "someone has written them in the book" or "you can read of them in the book"
the book of the kings of Judah and Israel
This is a book that no longer exists. See 2 Chronicles 35:27.
became king in his place
"became king instead of Jehoiakim"
2 Chronicles 36:10
brought him to Babylon
"brought Jehoiachin to Babylon"
his relative
"Jehoiachin's relative"
2 Chronicles 36:12
who spoke from the mouth of Yahweh
"who spoke the words that Yahweh spoke to him". God warned the people through the prophets, that he would punish them if they did not worship Yahweh. The people refused to listen to the prophets or to stop their evil deeds. God finally punished them by letting the Babylonians conquer them.
2 Chronicles 36:13
Zedekiah stiffened ... against turning to Yahweh
"Zedekiah stubbornly refused to worship Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 36:14
they followed ... practices of the nations
"they did the disgusting things that the nations did"
disgusting practices
This phrase refers to worshiping other gods.
They polluted the house of Yahweh
"They polluted the temple of Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 36:15
the place where he lives
This refers to the temple.
2 Chronicles 36:16
the wrath of Yahweh arose against his people
"in his wrath, Yahweh began to punish his people"
there was no help for it
"there was no way to avoid it"
2 Chronicles 36:17
God brought on them the king ... who
"God caused the king of the Chaldeans to attack them, and he"
who killed their young ... the sword
"whose army killed their young men with swords"
God gave them all into his hand
"God allowed the Chaldean army to defeat them"
2 Chronicles 36:18
the house of God ... the house of Yahweh
"the temple of God ... the temple of Yahweh"
2 Chronicles 36:19
They burned down
The Babylonian soldiers.
2 Chronicles 36:20
The king carried away to Babylon
"The king had his army forcefully take to Babylon"
until the rule of the kingdom of Persia
"until the kingdom of Persia came to power"
2 Chronicles 36:21
the word of Yahweh by ... Jeremiah
"what Yahweh spoke through Jeremiah" or "the word from Yahweh that Jeremiah spoke"
until the land should ... its Sabbath rests
"until the land had rested according to the Sabbath law". The people were supposed to obey the Sabbath law by not farming the land every seventh year.
It observed its Sabbath for all ... desolation
"The requirements of the Sabbath law were fulfilled as long as the land lay desolate"
so that ... seventy years in this way
"so that 70 years might pass while the land lay desolate"
2 Chronicles 36:22
in the first year
This refers to the beginning of the reign of King Cyrus.
so that the word of Yahweh by ... Jeremiah might be carried out
"so that what Yahweh spoke through Jeremiah might happen"
Yahweh motivated the ... king of Persia
"Yahweh made Cyrus, king of Persia, want to act"
2 Chronicles 36:23
all the kingdoms of the earth
This is an exaggeration, as there were kingdoms over which Cyrus did not rule.
to build a house for him
"to build a temple for him"
his people
"Yahweh's people"
Let him go up to the land
"Let that person go up to the land of Judah"
