2 Samuel 14:25
New International Version
In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him.

New Living Translation
Now Absalom was praised as the most handsome man in all Israel. He was flawless from head to foot.

English Standard Version
Now in all Israel there was no one so much to be praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

Berean Standard Bible
Now there was not a man in all Israel as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw.

King James Bible
But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

New King James Version
Now in all Israel there was no one who was praised as much as Absalom for his good looks. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

New American Standard Bible
Now in all Israel there was no one as handsome as Absalom, so highly praised; from the sole of his foot to the top of his head there was no impairment in him.

NASB 1995
Now in all Israel was no one as handsome as Absalom, so highly praised; from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no defect in him.

NASB 1977
Now in all Israel was no one as handsome as Absalom, so highly praised; from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no defect in him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now in all Israel was no one as handsome as Absalom, so highly praised; from the sole of his foot to the top of his head there was no defect in him.

Amplified Bible
Now in all Israel there was no man as handsome as Absalom, so highly praised [for that]; from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

Christian Standard Bible
No man in all Israel was as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
No man in all Israel was as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw.

American Standard Version
Now in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

Contemporary English Version
No one in all Israel was as handsome and well-built as Absalom.

English Revised Version
Now in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Now, no one in all Israel was praised for his good looks as much as Absalom was. He had no blemish from head to toe.

Good News Translation
There was no one in Israel as famous for his good looks as Absalom; he had no defect from head to toe.

International Standard Version
Now throughout all of Israel no one was as handsome as Absalom or so highly praised, from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there wasn't a single thing wrong about him.

Majority Standard Bible
Now there was not a man in all Israel as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw.

NET Bible
Now in all Israel everyone acknowledged that there was no man as handsome as Absalom. From the sole of his feet to the top of his head he was perfect in appearance.

New Heart English Bible
Moreover, Absalom ? in Israel no one was so much admired as he for his fine appearance. From the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

Webster's Bible Translation
But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

World English Bible
Now in all Israel there was no one to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty. From the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no defect in him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And there was no man [so] beautiful in all Israel like Absalom, to praise greatly; from the sole of his foot even to his crown there was no blemish in him;

Young's Literal Translation
And like Absalom there was no man so fair in all Israel, to praise greatly; from the sole of his foot even unto his crown there was no blemish in him;

Smith's Literal Translation
And as Absalom there was not a fair man in all Israel to praise greatly: from the sole of his foot and even to his crown, there was not a blemish in him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But in all Israel there was not a man so comely, and so exceedingly beautiful as Absalom: from the sole of the foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now in all of Israel, there was no man so handsome, and so very stately as Absalom. From the sole of the foot to the top of the head, there was no blemish in him.

New American Bible
In all Israel there was no man more praised for his beauty than Absalom, flawless from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.

New Revised Standard Version
Now in all Israel there was no one to be praised so much for his beauty as Absalom; from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now in all Israel there was no man so much praised for his beauty as Absalom; from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And there was not was a man who was found in Israel like Abishlum, handsome from the sole of his foot and unto his head, there was not a blemish on him
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty; from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And there was not a man in Israel so very comely as Abessalom: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Absalom's Return to Jerusalem
24But the king added, “He may return to his house, but he must not see my face.” So Absalom returned to his own house, but he did not see the king. 25Now there was not a man in all Israel as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw. 26And when he cut the hair of his head—he shaved it every year because his hair got so heavy—he would weigh it out to be two hundred shekels, according to the royal standard.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 9:2
And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.

1 Kings 1:6
(His father had never once reprimanded him by saying, “Why do you act this way?” Adonijah was also very handsome, born next after Absalom.)

1 Kings 11:6
So Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD; unlike his father David, he did not follow the LORD completely.

1 Kings 1:25
For today he has gone down and sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the sons of the king, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

1 Kings 1:9
And Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened calves near the stone of Zoheleth, which is next to En-rogel. He invited all his royal brothers and all the men of Judah who were servants of the king.

1 Kings 1:19
And he has sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the other sons of the king, as well as Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army. But he has not invited your servant Solomon.

1 Kings 1:5
At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him.

1 Kings 1:7
So Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, who supported him.

1 Kings 1:10
But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or his brother Solomon.

1 Kings 1:11
Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David does not know it?

1 Kings 1:13
Go at once to King David and say, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant, “Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’

1 Kings 1:17
“My lord,” she replied, “you yourself swore to your maidservant by the LORD your God: ‘Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne.’

1 Kings 1:20
And as for you, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are upon you to tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

1 Kings 1:24
“My lord the king,” said Nathan, “did you say, ‘Adonijah will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne’?

1 Kings 1:28
Then King David said, “Call in Bathsheba for me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before him.


Treasury of Scripture

But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

But in all Israel, etc.

1 Samuel 9:2
And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Proverbs 31:30
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

from the sole.

Deuteronomy 28:35
The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head.

Job 2:7
So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

Isaiah 1:6
From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

Jump to Previous
Absalom Ab'salom Appearance Beautiful Beauty Blemish Completely Crown Defect Fair Feet Foot Form Greatly Handsome Head Highly Israel Praise Praised Sole Top
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Absalom Ab'salom Appearance Beautiful Beauty Blemish Completely Crown Defect Fair Feet Foot Form Greatly Handsome Head Highly Israel Praise Praised Sole Top
2 Samuel 14
1. Joab, suborning a widow of Tekoah to incline the king's heart to fetch Absalom,
21. brings him home to Jerusalem
25. Absalom's beauty, hair, and children
28. After two years, Absalom is brought into the king's presence by Joab














Now in all Israel
This phrase sets the stage by emphasizing the scope of Absalom's renown. The entire nation of Israel, God's chosen people, is the context here. Historically, Israel was a united kingdom under David, and this phrase underscores the widespread recognition of Absalom's attributes. The Hebrew word for "Israel" (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisra'el) signifies "God prevails," reminding us of the divine heritage and covenantal identity of the people among whom Absalom was so admired.

there was no one as handsome as Absalom
The focus on Absalom's physical appearance highlights the cultural value placed on beauty and charisma. The Hebrew root for "handsome" (יָפֶה, yafeh) conveys not just physical attractiveness but also a sense of favor and grace. Absalom's beauty is a double-edged sword, as it draws people to him but also foreshadows his tragic downfall. In a spiritual sense, this serves as a reminder that external beauty can be deceptive and that true worth is found in one's heart and character.

so highly praised
Absalom's praise among the people indicates his popularity and the admiration he commanded. The Hebrew word for "praised" (הִלֵּל, hillel) is often associated with glory and commendation. This acclaim, however, is superficial and contrasts with the deeper, more enduring praise that comes from God. It serves as a cautionary tale about the fleeting nature of human approval compared to divine favor.

from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head
This phrase paints a picture of complete and perfect physical form, suggesting that Absalom's beauty was all-encompassing. The imagery of "sole" (כַּף, kaph) and "crown" (קָדְקוֹד, qodqod) emphasizes totality, from the lowest to the highest part of his body. In biblical symbolism, the head often represents leadership and authority, while the feet can symbolize one's path or journey. Absalom's flawless appearance is thus a metaphor for his potential and the high expectations placed upon him.

he was flawless
The term "flawless" (תָּם, tam) in Hebrew conveys completeness and integrity. While Absalom's physical form was without blemish, this external perfection is contrasted with his internal moral and spiritual flaws. This dichotomy serves as a powerful reminder that God looks beyond outward appearances to the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Absalom's account is a poignant illustration of the dangers of valuing external perfection over inner righteousness.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now there was
הָיָ֧ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

a man
אִישׁ־ (’îš-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

in all
בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

as handsome
יָפֶ֛ה (yā·p̄eh)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3303: Fair, beautiful

and highly
מְאֹ֑ד (mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily

praised
לְהַלֵּ֣ל (lə·hal·lêl)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1984: To shine

as Absalom.
וּכְאַבְשָׁל֗וֹם (ū·ḵə·’aḇ·šā·lō·wm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 53: Absalom -- 'my father is peace', two Israelites

From the sole
מִכַּ֤ף (mik·kap̄)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3709: Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan

of his foot
רַגְלוֹ֙ (raḡ·lōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

to
וְעַ֣ד (wə·‘aḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the top of his head,
קָדְקֳד֔וֹ (qā·ḏə·qo·ḏōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6936: Head, crown of the head

he did not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

have
הָ֥יָה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a single flaw.
מֽוּם׃ (mūm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3971: To stain, a blemish


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OT History: 2 Samuel 14:25 Now in all Israel there was none (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 14:24
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