2 Samuel 24:16
And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁלַח֩
stretched out
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַח֩
stretched out
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 24
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
יָדֶ֑ךָ
his hand
H3027
יָדֶ֑ךָ
his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
2 of 24
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וּמַלְאַ֤ךְ
And the angel
H4397
וּמַלְאַ֤ךְ
And the angel
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
3 of 24
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
יְֽרוּשָׁלִַם֮
upon Jerusalem
H3389
יְֽרוּשָׁלִַם֮
upon Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
4 of 24
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
הַמַּשְׁחִ֤ית
that destroyed
H7843
הַמַּשְׁחִ֤ית
that destroyed
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
5 of 24
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
וַיִּנָּ֤חֶם
repented
H5162
וַיִּנָּ֤חֶם
repented
Strong's:
H5162
Word #:
6 of 24
properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo
יְהוָה֙
it the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
it the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וּמַלְאַ֤ךְ
And the angel
H4397
וּמַלְאַ֤ךְ
And the angel
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
11 of 24
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
הַמַּשְׁחִ֤ית
that destroyed
H7843
הַמַּשְׁחִ֤ית
that destroyed
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
12 of 24
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
בָּעָם֙
the people
H5971
בָּעָם֙
the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
13 of 24
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
רַ֔ב
It is enough
H7227
רַ֔ב
It is enough
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
14 of 24
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
עַתָּ֖ה
H6258
הֶ֣רֶף
stay
H7503
הֶ֣רֶף
stay
Strong's:
H7503
Word #:
16 of 24
to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
יָדֶ֑ךָ
his hand
H3027
יָדֶ֑ךָ
his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
17 of 24
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וּמַלְאַ֤ךְ
And the angel
H4397
וּמַלְאַ֤ךְ
And the angel
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
18 of 24
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
יְהוָה֙
it the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
it the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
19 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הָיָ֔ה
H1961
הָיָ֔ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
20 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
21 of 24
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
גֹּ֖רֶן
was by the threshingplace
H1637
גֹּ֖רֶן
was by the threshingplace
Strong's:
H1637
Word #:
22 of 24
a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area
Cross References
Exodus 12:23For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.Genesis 6:6And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.Acts 12:23And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.2 Kings 19:35And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.2 Chronicles 3:1Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.1 Samuel 15:11It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.2 Chronicles 32:21And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.
Historical Context
The historical setting of 2 Samuel 24 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding pride, judgment, provision provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage deepen your understanding of pride, judgment, provision?
- What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
- In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.
This verse contributes to the narrative of Census and Plague, emphasizing pride, judgment, provision. David's census represents prideful self-reliance rather than dependence on God. The plague's devastation demonstrates sin's consequences extending beyond the sinner. David's purchase of Araunah's threshing floor and sacrifice there establishes the future temple location. Theological themes include the danger of pride, corporate consequences of leaders' sins, the necessity of proper sacrifice, God's mercy in limiting judgment, and divine purpose even in disciplinary actions.