2 Samuel 10:11
New International Version
Joab said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you are to come to my rescue; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to rescue you.

New Living Translation
“If the Arameans are too strong for me, then come over and help me,” Joab told his brother. “And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will come and help you.

English Standard Version
And he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.

Berean Standard Bible
“If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue.

King James Bible
And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.

New King James Version
Then he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.

New American Standard Bible
And he said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come to help you.

NASB 1995
He said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come to help you.

NASB 1977
And he said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come to help you.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall save me, but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come to save you.

Amplified Bible
Joab said [to Abishai], “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will come to help you.

Christian Standard Bible
“If the Arameans are too strong for me,” Joab said, “then you will be my help. However, if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I’ll come to help you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If the Arameans are too strong for me,” Joab said, “then you will be my help. However, if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I’ll come to help you.

American Standard Version
And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me; but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.

Contemporary English Version
Joab told his brother, "If the Arameans are too much for me to handle, you can come and help me. If the Ammonites are too strong for you, I'll come and help you.

English Revised Version
And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Joab said, "If the Arameans are too strong for my [troops], be ready to help me. And if the Ammonites are too strong for your [troops], I'll come to help you.

Good News Translation
Joab said to him, "If you see that the Syrians are defeating me, come and help me, and if the Ammonites are defeating you, I will go and help you.

International Standard Version
He said, "If the Arameans prove too strong for me, then you are to help me. If the Ammonites prove too strong for you, then I will come help you.

Majority Standard Bible
?If the Arameans are too strong for me,? said Joab, ?then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue.

NET Bible
Joab said, "If the Arameans start to overpower me, you come to my rescue. If the Ammonites start to overpower you, I will come to your rescue.

New Heart English Bible
He said, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, If the Syrians shall be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon shall be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.

World English Bible
He said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he says, “If Aram is stronger than I, then you have been for salvation to me, and if the sons of Ammon are stronger than you, then I have come to give salvation to you;

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith, 'If Aram be stronger than I, then thou hast been to me for salvation, and if the Bene-Ammon be stronger than thou, then I have come to give salvation to thee;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say, If Aram shall be strong above me, and be thou to me for deliverance: and if the sons of Ammon shall be strong above thee, and I came for deliverance to thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Joab said: If the Syrians are too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon are too strong for thee, then I will help thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Joab said: “If the Syrians prevail against me, then you shall assist me. But if the sons of Ammon prevail against you, then I will assist you.

New American Bible
And he said, “If the Arameans prove too strong for me, you must come and save me; and if the Ammonites prove too strong for you, I will come to save you.

New Revised Standard Version
He said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said to Abishai his brother, If the Arameans prove too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the Ammonites prove too strong for you, then I will come and help you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to Abishi his brother: “If Adum will be stronger than I, be a helper to me, and if the sons of Amun will be stronger than you, I shall come and I shall help you
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said: 'If the Arameans be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me, but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said, If Syria be too strong for me, then shall ye help me: and if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then will we be ready to help thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Defeats Ammon and Aram
10And he placed the rest of the forces under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites. 11“If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue. 12Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 19:12
“If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. / For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!

Philippians 1:27
Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending together as one for the faith of the gospel,

Joshua 1:14-15
Your wives, your young children, and your livestock may remain in the land that Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But all your mighty men of valor must be armed for battle to cross over ahead of your brothers and help them, / until the LORD gives them rest as He has done for you, and your brothers also possess the land that the LORD your God is giving them. Then you may return to the land of your inheritance and take possession of that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the east side of the Jordan.”

Nehemiah 4:20
Wherever you hear the sound of the horn, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!”

Galatians 6:2
Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:25-26
so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another. / If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Romans 15:1
We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

Judges 20:11
So all the men of Israel gathered as one man, united against the city.

1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.

Exodus 17:12
When Moses’ hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on each side, so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down.

Ephesians 6:10-11
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. / Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. / Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Isaiah 41:6
Each one helps the other and says to his brother, “Be strong!”

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.


Treasury of Scripture

And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then you shall help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for you, then I will come and help you.

1 Chronicles 19:9-12
And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array before the gate of the city: and the kings that were come were by themselves in the field…

Nehemiah 4:20
In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.

Luke 22:32
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Jump to Previous
Ammon Ammonites Aram Aramaeans Arameans Bene-Ammon Better Children Help Joab Rescue Salvation Strong Stronger Syrians
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Ammon Ammonites Aram Aramaeans Arameans Bene-Ammon Better Children Help Joab Rescue Salvation Strong Stronger Syrians
2 Samuel 10
1. David's messengers, sent to comfort Hanun are villainously treated
6. The Ammonites, strengthened by the Syrians, overcome by Joab and Abishai
15. Shobuch, making a new supply of the Syrains at Helam, is slain by David














If the Arameans are too strong for me
This phrase highlights the strategic military alliance between Joab and his brother Abishai. The Arameans, also known as Syrians, were a formidable force in the ancient Near East. The Hebrew root for "strong" (חָזַק, chazaq) implies not just physical strength but also the idea of prevailing or overpowering. Historically, the Arameans were known for their chariots and skilled warriors, making them a significant threat. Joab's acknowledgment of their potential strength demonstrates humility and wisdom, recognizing the need for mutual support in the face of a powerful enemy.

then you shall help me
The concept of mutual assistance is central to this phrase. The Hebrew word for "help" (עָזַר, azar) conveys the idea of support and aid. This reflects a biblical principle of brotherhood and unity, as seen in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, which emphasizes the strength found in companionship. Joab's directive to his brother Abishai underscores the importance of standing together in times of adversity, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture as a call to support one another in the body of Christ.

but if the Ammonites are too strong for you
The Ammonites were descendants of Lot and often in conflict with Israel. The repetition of the phrase "too strong" emphasizes the potential threat posed by these enemies. The historical context reveals that the Ammonites had hired the Arameans to bolster their forces, indicating their own recognition of Israel's military prowess. This phrase serves as a reminder of the ever-present challenges faced by God's people and the need for vigilance and preparedness in spiritual warfare.

I will come to help you
Joab's promise to assist Abishai if needed reflects a commitment to reciprocal support. The assurance "I will come" is a pledge of presence and action, echoing the faithfulness expected among God's people. This mirrors the divine promise found in Deuteronomy 31:6, where God assures His people of His constant presence and aid. Joab's leadership exemplifies the biblical model of servant leadership, where leaders are called to serve and support those under their care.

Verse 11. - And he said, etc. Thenius remarks, "We have here the briefest of warlike exhortations, but one most full of point and meaning." Joab recognized the full danger of their situation; for should he meet with any check in his attack on this vast host of mercenaries, he was well aware that the Ammonites, watching the battle with eager interest, would, on the first news of victory, rush upon Abishai with exulting fury; and the men with him, being only ordinary troops, would be disheartened by Joab's failure, so that without extraordinary bravery on their leader's part, they would give way, and all would be lost.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

the Arameans
אֲרָם֙ (’ă·rām)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 758: Aram -- Syria

are too strong
תֶּחֱזַ֤ק (te·ḥĕ·zaq)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

for me,”
מִמֶּ֔נִּי (mim·men·nî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

said Joab,
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“then you will come
וְהָיִ֥תָה (wə·hā·yi·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

to my rescue.
לִֽישׁוּעָ֑ה (lî·šū·‘āh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor

And if
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

the Ammonites
בְּנֵ֤י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

are too strong
יֶחֱזְק֣וּ (ye·ḥĕz·qū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

for you,
מִמְּךָ֔ (mim·mə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

then I will come
וְהָלַכְתִּ֖י (wə·hā·laḵ·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to your rescue.
לְהוֹשִׁ֥יעַֽ (lə·hō·wō·šî·a‘)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor


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OT History: 2 Samuel 10:11 He said If the Syrians are too (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
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