2 Samuel 5:8

Authorized King James Version

PDF

And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.

Original Language Analysis

יֹֽאמְר֔וּ he shall be chief and captain Wherefore they said H559
יֹֽאמְר֔וּ he shall be chief and captain Wherefore they said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 25
to say (used with great latitude)
דָּוִ֑ד And David H1732
דָּוִ֑ד And David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 2 of 25
david, the youngest son of jesse
בַּיּ֣וֹם on that day H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם on that day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 3 of 25
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַה֗וּא H1931
הַה֗וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 4 of 25
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 5 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַכֵּ֤ה and smiteth H5221
מַכֵּ֤ה and smiteth
Strong's: H5221
Word #: 6 of 25
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
יְבֻסִי֙ the Jebusites H2983
יְבֻסִי֙ the Jebusites
Strong's: H2983
Word #: 7 of 25
a jebusite or inhabitant of jebus
וְיִגַּ֣ע Whosoever getteth up H5060
וְיִגַּ֣ע Whosoever getteth up
Strong's: H5060
Word #: 8 of 25
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
בַּצִּנּ֔וֹר to the gutter H6794
בַּצִּנּ֔וֹר to the gutter
Strong's: H6794
Word #: 9 of 25
a culvert
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 10 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּפִסֵּ֔חַ and the lame H6455
וּפִסֵּ֔חַ and the lame
Strong's: H6455
Word #: 11 of 25
lame
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 12 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עִוֵּ֣ר The blind H5787
עִוֵּ֣ר The blind
Strong's: H5787
Word #: 13 of 25
blind (literally or figuratively)
שְׂנֻאֵ֖ו that are hated H8130
שְׂנֻאֵ֖ו that are hated
Strong's: H8130
Word #: 14 of 25
to hate (personally)
נֶ֣פֶשׁ soul H5315
נֶ֣פֶשׁ soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 15 of 25
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
דָּוִ֑ד And David H1732
דָּוִ֑ד And David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 16 of 25
david, the youngest son of jesse
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 17 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּן֙ H3651
כֵּן֙
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 18 of 25
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יֹֽאמְר֔וּ he shall be chief and captain Wherefore they said H559
יֹֽאמְר֔וּ he shall be chief and captain Wherefore they said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 19 of 25
to say (used with great latitude)
עִוֵּ֣ר The blind H5787
עִוֵּ֣ר The blind
Strong's: H5787
Word #: 20 of 25
blind (literally or figuratively)
וּפִסֵּ֔חַ and the lame H6455
וּפִסֵּ֔חַ and the lame
Strong's: H6455
Word #: 21 of 25
lame
לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 22 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָב֖וֹא shall not come H935
יָב֖וֹא shall not come
Strong's: H935
Word #: 23 of 25
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 24 of 25
near, with or among; often in general, to
הַבָּֽיִת׃ into the house H1004
הַבָּֽיִת׃ into the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 25 of 25
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

Analysis & Commentary

And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.

This verse contributes to the narrative of David Becomes King of Israel, emphasizing God establishing His chosen king. David's anointing as king over all Israel fulfills promises made years earlier (1 Samuel 16:13). The conquest of Jerusalem and establishment of it as capital demonstrates God's blessing. Military victories over Philistines show divine enablement. Theological themes include God's faithfulness to promises, the importance of proper locations for worship, and divine empowerment for tasks God assigns.

Historical Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 5 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 God establishing His chosen king 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

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources