2 Samuel 3:34

Authorized King James Version

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Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.

Original Language Analysis

יָדֶ֣ךָ Thy hands H3027
יָדֶ֣ךָ Thy hands
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 1 of 17
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
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 2 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֲסֻר֗וֹת were not bound H631
אֲסֻר֗וֹת were not bound
Strong's: H631
Word #: 3 of 17
to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle
וְרַגְלֶ֙יךָ֙ nor thy feet H7272
וְרַגְלֶ֙יךָ֙ nor thy feet
Strong's: H7272
Word #: 4 of 17
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 5 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לִנְחֻשְׁתַּ֣יִם into fetters H5178
לִנְחֻשְׁתַּ֣יִם into fetters
Strong's: H5178
Word #: 6 of 17
copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)
הֻגָּ֔שׁוּ put H5066
הֻגָּ֔שׁוּ put
Strong's: H5066
Word #: 7 of 17
to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati
נָפָ֑לְתָּ as a man falleth H5307
נָפָ֑לְתָּ as a man falleth
Strong's: H5307
Word #: 8 of 17
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
לִפְנֵ֥י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 9 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בְנֵֽי men H1121
בְנֵֽי men
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 10 of 17
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
עַוְלָ֖ה wicked H5766
עַוְלָ֖ה wicked
Strong's: H5766
Word #: 11 of 17
(moral) evil
נָפָ֑לְתָּ as a man falleth H5307
נָפָ֑לְתָּ as a man falleth
Strong's: H5307
Word #: 12 of 17
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
וַיֹּסִ֥פוּ again H3254
וַיֹּסִ֥פוּ again
Strong's: H3254
Word #: 13 of 17
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
כָל H3605
כָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 14 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֖ם thou And all the people H5971
הָעָ֖ם thou And all the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 15 of 17
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לִבְכּ֥וֹת wept H1058
לִבְכּ֥וֹת wept
Strong's: H1058
Word #: 16 of 17
to weep; generally to bemoan
עָלָֽיו׃ H5921
עָלָֽיו׃
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 17 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

Analysis & Commentary

Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Abner Defects and Dies, emphasizing political maneuvering, revenge consequences. This chapter illustrates the complexity of political transition and personal revenge. Abner's defection using covenant language (brit, בְּרִית) contrasts with Joab's treacherous murder, demonstrating how personal vengeance undermines national purposes. The text develops themes of legitimate vs illegitimate authority, the corrupting power of revenge, and maintaining integrity when others act unethically.

Historical Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 3 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 political maneuvering, revenge consequences 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.

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