2 Samuel 12:5

12:4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.

And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: shall: or, is worthy to die, or, is a son of death

KJV

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David’s anger burned hot against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As Yahweh lives, the man who has done this deserves to die!

And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:

And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD lives, the man that has done this thing shall surely die:

12:6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

What does 2 Samuel 12:5 mean?

2 Samuel 12:5 is a verse in the book of 2 Samuel, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include דָּוִד (Dâvid), אַף (ʼaph), מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd). It connects to 5 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

And

David'sדָּוִדDâvid/daw-veed'/H1732David, the youngest son of Jesse

angerאַףʼaph/af/H639properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

was

greatlyמְאֹדmᵉʼôd/meh-ode'/H3966properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or superlative; especially when repeated)

kindledחָרָהchârâh/khaw-raw'/H2734to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

against

the

man;אִישׁʼîysh/eesh/H376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

and

saidאָמַרʼâmar/aw-mar'/H559to say (used with great latitude)

Nathan,נָתָןNâthân/naw-thawn'/H5416Nathan, the name of five Israelites

the

LORDיְהֹוָהYᵉhôvâh/yeh-ho-vaw'/H3068Jehovah, Jewish national name of God

liveth,חַיchay/khah'-ee/H2416alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively

the

manאִישׁʼîysh/eesh/H376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

that

hath

doneעָשָׂהʻâsâh/aw-saw'/H6213to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

this

thing

shall

surelyבֵּןbên/bane/H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)

die:מָוֶתmâveth/maw'-veth/H4194death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

shall:

or,

worthy

die,

or,

son

death

Commentary on 2 Samuel 12:5

HENRY_FULL · 2 Samuel 12:5

When Abner was slain David was at a loss for a friend to perfect the reduction of those tribes that were yet in Ish-bosheth's interest. Which way to adopt for the accomplishment of it he could not tell; but here Providence brings it about by the removal of Ish-bosheth. I. Two of his own servants slew him, and brought his head to David, ver. 1-8 . II. David, instead of rewarding them, put them to death for what they had done, ver. 9-12 .

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Joshua 9:17

And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim.

Joshua 18:25

Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth,

2 Samuel 3:22

And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.

2 Kings 5:2

And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife. waited: Heb. was before

2 Kings 6:23

And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.

Topics

Parables Poor, the Prophets

People & places in this verse

People

David Nathan

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with 2 Samuel 12:5.

Genesis 4:1

And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. Cain: that is, Gotten, or, Acquired

Genesis 4:6

And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

Deuteronomy 11:17

And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.

Deuteronomy 6:15

(For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.

Deuteronomy 7:4

For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.

Exodus 22:24

And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

Exodus 32:10

Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.

Exodus 32:11

And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? the LORD: Heb. the face of the LORD

Frequently asked questions

What does 2 Samuel 12:5 say?

2 Samuel 12:5 (King James Version) reads: "And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: shall: or, is worthy to die, or, is a son of death"

Is 2 Samuel 12:5 in the Old or New Testament?

2 Samuel 12:5 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of 2 Samuel.

Reflect

As you read 2 Samuel 12:5, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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