2 Samuel 10:6
New International Version
When the Ammonites realized that they had become obnoxious to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth Rehob and Zobah, as well as the king of Maakah with a thousand men, and also twelve thousand men from Tob.

New Living Translation
When the people of Ammon realized how seriously they had angered David, they sent and hired 20,000 Aramean foot soldiers from the lands of Beth-rehob and Zobah, 1,000 from the king of Maacah, and 12,000 from the land of Tob.

English Standard Version
When the Ammonites saw that they had become a stench to David, the Ammonites sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, 20,000 foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with 1,000 men, and the men of Tob, 12,000 men.

Berean Standard Bible
When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob.

King James Bible
And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.

New King James Version
When the people of Ammon saw that they had made themselves repulsive to David, the people of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand foot soldiers; and from the king of Maacah one thousand men, and from Ish-Tob twelve thousand men.

New American Standard Bible
Now when the sons of Ammon saw that they had become repulsive to David, the sons of Ammon sent messengers and hired the Arameans of Beth-rehob and the Arameans of Zobah, twenty thousand foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with a thousand men, and the men of Tob with twelve thousand men.

NASB 1995
Now when the sons of Ammon saw that they had become odious to David, the sons of Ammon sent and hired the Arameans of Beth-rehob and the Arameans of Zobah, 20,000 foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with 1,000 men, and the men of Tob with 12,000 men.

NASB 1977
Now when the sons of Ammon saw that they had become odious to David, the sons of Ammon sent and hired the Arameans of Beth-rehob and the Arameans of Zobah, 20,000 foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with 1,000 men, and the men of Tob with 12,000 men.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the sons of Ammon saw that they had become odious to David. So the sons of Ammon sent and hired the Arameans of Beth-rehob and the Arameans of Zobah, 20,000 foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with 1,000 men, and the men of Tob with 12,000 men.

Amplified Bible
When the Ammonites saw that they had become an object of hatred to David, they sent word and hired the Arameans (Syrians) of Beth-rehob and the Arameans of Zobah, 20,000 foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with 1,000 men, and the men of Tob with 12,000 men [to fight for them].

Christian Standard Bible
When the Ammonites realized they had become repulsive to David, they hired twenty thousand foot soldiers from the Arameans of Beth-rehob and Zobah, one thousand men from the king of Maacah, and twelve thousand men from Tob.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the Ammonites realized they had become repulsive to David, they hired 20,000 foot soldiers from the Arameans of Beth-rehob and Zobah, 1,000 men from the king of Maacah, and 12,000 men from Tob.

American Standard Version
And when the children of Ammon saw that they were become odious to David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Maacah with a thousand men, and the men of Tob twelve thousand men.

Contemporary English Version
The Ammonites realized that they had made David very angry, so they hired more foreign soldiers. Twenty thousand of them were foot soldiers from the Aramean cities of Beth-Rehob and Zobah, 1,000 were from the king of Maacah, and 12,000 were from the region of Tob.

English Revised Version
And when the children of Ammon saw that they were become odious to David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Maacah with a thousand men, and the men of Tob twelve thousand men.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Ammonites realized that they had made themselves offensive to David. So they hired the Arameans from Beth Rehob and Zobah the king of Maacah

Good News Translation
The Ammonites realized that they had made David their enemy, so they hired twenty thousand Syrian soldiers from Bethrehob and Zobah, twelve thousand men from Tob, and the king of Maacah with a thousand men.

International Standard Version
When the Ammonites realized that they had created quite a stink with David, they hired 20,000 Aramean mercenaries from Beth-rehob and Zobah, along with the king of Maacah and 1,000 men, and 12,000 men from Tob.

Majority Standard Bible
When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob.

NET Bible
When the Ammonites realized that David was disgusted with them, they sent and hired 20,000 foot soldiers from Aram Beth Rehob and Aram Zobah, in addition to 1,000 men from the king of Maacah and 12,000 men from Ish-tob.

New Heart English Bible
When the people of Ammon saw that they were become odious to David, the people of Ammon sent and hired the Arameans of Beth Rehob, and the Arameans of Zobah, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Maacah with one thousand men, and the men of Tob twelve thousand men.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ish-tob twelve thousand men.

World English Bible
When the children of Ammon saw that they had become odious to David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob and the Syrians of Zobah, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Maacah with one thousand men, and the men of Tob twelve thousand men.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the sons of Ammon see that they have been abhorred by David, and the sons of Ammon send and hire Aram of Beth-Rehob, and Aram of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Maacah [with] one thousand men, and Ish-Tob [with] twelve thousand men;

Young's Literal Translation
And the Bene-Ammon see that they have been abhorred by David, and the Bene-Ammon send and hire Aram of Beth-Rehob, and Aram of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Maacah with a thousand men, and Ish-Tob with twelve thousand men;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the sons of Ammon will see that they became loathsome before David, and the sons of Ammon will send and hire Aram of the house of Rehob, and Aram of Zobah, twenty thousand footmen, and king Maacah a thousand men, and Ish-Tob two thousand men.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the children of Ammon seeing that they had done an injury to David, Bent and hired the Syrians of Rohob, and the Syrians of Soba, twenty thousand footmen, and of the king of Maacha a thousand men, and of Istob twelve thousand men.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now the sons of Ammon, seeing that they had done an injury to David, sent for, and paid wages to, the Syrians of Rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, twenty thousand foot soldiers, and from the king of Maacah, one thousand men, and from Tob, twelve thousand men.

New American Bible
When the Ammonites realized that they were in bad odor with David, they sent for and hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zobah, as well as the king of Maacah with one thousand men, and twelve thousand men from Tob.

New Revised Standard Version
When the Ammonites saw that they had become odious to David, the Ammonites sent and hired the Arameans of Beth-rehob and the Arameans of Zobah, twenty thousand foot soldiers, as well as the king of Maacah, one thousand men, and the men of Tob, twelve thousand men.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when the Ammonites saw that they had acted foolishly toward David, the Ammonites sent and hired the Arameans of the son of Rehob and the Arameans of the son of Zobah, twenty thousand footmen, and of the king of Maacah a thousand men and of Ish-tob twelve thousand footmen.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the sons of Amun saw that they had offended against David, and the sons of Amun sent and they hired Adum, son of Rakhub, and Adum, son of Tsuba, twenty thousand infantry, and a thousand men from the King of Makah, and twelve thousand footmen of Ashitub
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And when the children of Ammon saw that they were become odious to David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Arameans of Beth-rehob, and the Arameans of Zobah, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Maacah with a thousand men, and the men of Tob twelve thousand men.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the children of Ammon saw that the people of David were ashamed; and the children of Ammon sent, and hired the Syrians of Baethraam, and the Syrians of Suba, and Roob, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Amalec with a thousand men, and Istob with twelve thousand men.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David's Messengers Disgraced
5When this was reported to David, he sent messengers to meet the men, since they had been thoroughly humiliated. The king told them, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return.” 6When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob. 7On hearing this, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men.…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 19:6-7
When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire for themselves chariots and horsemen from Aram-naharaim, Aram-maacah, and Zobah. / So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, as well as the king of Maacah with his troops, who came and camped near Medeba while the Ammonites were mustered from their cities and marched out for battle.

2 Samuel 8:5-6
When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of their men. / Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

1 Kings 11:23-25
And God raised up against Solomon another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his master, Hadadezer king of Zobah, / and had gathered men to himself. When David killed the Zobaites, Rezon captained a band of raiders and went to Damascus, where they settled and gained control. / Rezon was Israel’s enemy throughout the days of Solomon, adding to the trouble caused by Hadad. So Rezon ruled over Aram with hostility toward Israel.

Psalm 83:5-8
For with one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against You— / the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, / of Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, of Philistia with the people of Tyre. ...

Isaiah 7:1-2
Now in the days that Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, Rezin king of Aram marched up to wage war against Jerusalem. He was accompanied by Pekah son of Remaliah the king of Israel, but he could not overpower the city. / When it was reported to the house of David that Aram was in league with Ephraim, the hearts of Ahaz and his people trembled like trees in the forest shaken by the wind.

Judges 3:13
After enlisting the Ammonites and Amalekites to join forces with him, Eglon attacked and defeated Israel, taking possession of the City of Palms.

1 Samuel 11:1-11
Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.” / But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you on one condition, that I may put out everyone’s right eye and bring reproach upon all Israel.” / “Hold off for seven days,” replied the elders of Jabesh, “and let us send messengers throughout Israel. If there is no one to save us, we will surrender to you.” ...

2 Kings 7:6-7
For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us.” / Thus the Arameans had arisen and fled at twilight, abandoning their tents and horses and donkeys. The camp was intact, and they had run for their lives.

Ezekiel 25:10
I will give it along with the Ammonites as a possession to the people of the East, so that the Ammonites will no longer be remembered among the nations.

Jeremiah 49:1-2
Concerning the Ammonites, this is what the LORD says: “Has Israel no sons? Is he without heir? Why then has Milcom taken possession of Gad? Why have his people settled in their cities? / Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will sound the battle cry against Rabbah of the Ammonites. It will become a heap of ruins, and its villages will be burned. Then Israel will drive out their dispossessors, says the LORD.

Joshua 13:11-13
also Gilead and the territory of the Geshurites and Maacathites, all of Mount Hermon, and all Bashan as far as Salecah— / the whole kingdom of Og in Bashan, who had reigned in Ashtaroth and Edrei and had remained as a remnant of the Rephaim. Moses had struck them down and dispossessed them, / but the Israelites did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maacathites. So Geshur and Maacath dwell among the Israelites to this day.

1 Chronicles 18:5-6
When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of their men. / Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

Isaiah 16:6-7
We have heard of Moab’s pomposity, his exceeding pride and conceit, his overflowing arrogance. But his boasting is empty. / Therefore let Moab wail; let them wail together for Moab. Moan for the raisin cakes of Kir-hareseth, you who are utterly stricken.

Amos 1:13-15
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of the Ammonites, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead in order to enlarge their territory. / So I will kindle a fire in the walls of Rabbah to consume its citadels amid war cries on the day of battle and a violent wind on the day of tempest. / Their king will go into exile—he and his princes together,” says the LORD.

Matthew 4:24-25
News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and He healed them. / Large crowds followed Him, having come from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.


Treasury of Scripture

And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.

stank

Genesis 34:30
And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.

Exodus 5:21
And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.

1 Samuel 13:4
And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.

Syrians of Beth-rehob

2 Samuel 8:3,5,12
David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates…

Zobah

Proverbs 25:8
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

Isaiah 8:9,10
Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces…

Maacah

Joshua 13:11-13
And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salcah; …

Ish-tob.

Judges 11:3,5
Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him…

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Ammon Beth Bethrehob Beth-Rehob Children David Footmen Hired Ishtob Maacah Odious Rehob Stank Syrians Themselves Thousand Tob Twelve Twenty Zoba Zobah
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Ammon Beth Bethrehob Beth-Rehob Children David Footmen Hired Ishtob Maacah Odious Rehob Stank Syrians Themselves Thousand Tob Twelve Twenty Zoba Zobah
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














When the Ammonites saw
The Ammonites, descendants of Lot, were often in conflict with Israel. The phrase indicates a realization or acknowledgment of their standing with David, the king of Israel. Historically, the Ammonites occupied a region east of the Jordan River, and their interactions with Israel were marked by both conflict and diplomacy. This moment of realization is pivotal, as it sets the stage for their subsequent actions.

that they had become a stench to David
The term "stench" metaphorically represents something detestable or offensive. In Hebrew, the word used here can imply a deep-seated animosity or disgust. This phrase suggests that the Ammonites' actions, likely their mistreatment of David's envoys, had severely damaged their relationship with Israel, making reconciliation difficult.

they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers
The hiring of mercenaries indicates the Ammonites' recognition of their military inadequacy against Israel. The Arameans, from regions in modern-day Syria, were known for their skilled warriors. This action reflects a common ancient Near Eastern practice where smaller nations would hire external forces to bolster their military strength.

from Beth-rehob and Zobah
Beth-rehob and Zobah were Aramean city-states. Zobah, in particular, was a significant Aramean kingdom during this period, often mentioned in the context of military campaigns. The mention of these locations highlights the geopolitical landscape of the time, where alliances and enmities were fluid and often dictated by immediate military needs.

as well as the king of Maacah with a thousand men
Maacah was a small kingdom located near the Golan Heights. The inclusion of the king of Maacah and his men underscores the Ammonites' desperation to gather as much military support as possible. It also reflects the interconnectedness of the region's political entities, where even minor players could influence larger conflicts.

and twelve thousand men from Tob
Tob was a region east of the Jordan River, possibly linked to the area where Jephthah, a judge of Israel, had previously found refuge. The recruitment of men from Tob further illustrates the Ammonites' extensive efforts to prepare for the impending conflict with Israel. This coalition of forces from various regions demonstrates the widespread impact of David's growing power and the fear it instilled in neighboring nations.

(6) Saw that they stank.--The Hebrew, translated literally, shows that they were conscious that this was by their own fault--"that they had made themselves stink," and is so rendered in 1Chronicles 19:6.

Hired.--Chronicles gives the amount of the subsidy, 1,000 talents of silver, a sum variously estimated at from 125,000 to twice that amount. It shows at once the wealth of Ammon, the importance of the auxiliaries, and the grave character of the war.

Syrians of Beth-rehob.--Called simply Rehob in 2Samuel 10:8. This has been understood of several different places. It can hardly have been the Rehob (or Beth-rehob) of Numbers 13:21; Judges 18:28, since that was near Laish, and within the territory of the Israelites. Some identify it with "Ruhaibeh," twenty-five miles N.E. of Damascus; but it is more likely to have been "Rehoboth by the river" (i.e., near the Euphrates) of Genesis 36:37, as this corresponds with "out of Mesopotamia' in the parallel passage 1Chronicles 19:6, the situation of which is not more definitely known. . . .

Verse 6. - That they stank (see notes on 1 Samuel 13:4; 27:12). As the Hebrew literally means, had made themselves stink, the Revised Version rightly translates "had made themselves odious." The children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians. From 1 Chronicles 19:6 we learn that his mercenaries from Aram cost Hanun a thousand talents of silver, or nearly five hundred thousand pounds - a vast sum, especially considering the great relative value of silver in those days. The mercenaries, moreover, were gathered out of numerous districts of Aram - from Rehob, Zoba, Beth-Maacah, and Tob; the margin being right in rendering "the men of Tob," instead of "Ish-tob." So, too, the Revised Version, "The men of Tob twelve thousand men." It was to this land that Jephthah fled (Judges 11:3). The whole number of the allies was thirty-three thousand, with which total the parallel place agrees, as they are described there as "thirty-two thousand, and the King of Maacah and his people," who are here said to have been a thousand strong. The text, however, there must be corrupt, as it describes them all as horsemen (Authorized Version, "chariots;" 1 Chronicles 19:7); here footmen only are mentioned, with which the narrative agrees (see note on ver. 18).

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

realized that
וַיִּרְאוּ֙ (way·yir·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

they had become a stench
נִבְאֲשׁ֖וּ (niḇ·’ă·šū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 887: To smell bad, to be offensive

to David,
בְּדָוִ֑ד (bə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

they
בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

hired
וַיִּשְׂכְּרוּ֩ (way·yiś·kə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7936: To hire

twenty
עֶשְׂרִ֥ים (‘eś·rîm)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 6242: Twenty, twentieth

thousand
אֶ֙לֶף֙ (’e·lep̄)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 505: A thousand

Aramean
אֲרַ֨ם (’ă·ram)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 758: Aram -- Syria

foot soldiers
רַגְלִ֔י (raḡ·lî)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 7273: A footman

from Beth-rehob
רְח֜וֹב (rə·ḥō·wḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1050: Beth-rehob -- 'place of a street', a place near Dan

and
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

Zoba,
צוֹבָ֗א (ṣō·w·ḇā)
Number - common plural
Strong's 6678: Zobah -- an Aramean (Syrian) kingdom

as well as
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

a thousand
אֶ֣לֶף (’e·lep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 505: A thousand

men
אִ֔ישׁ (’îš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

from the king
מֶ֤לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

of Maacah
מַֽעֲכָה֙ (ma·‘ă·ḵāh)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4601: Maacah -- an Israelite name, also a non-Israelite name, also a region in Syria

and twelve
שְׁנֵים־ (šə·nêm-)
Number - md
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

thousand
אִֽישׁ׃ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 505: A thousand

men
וְאִ֣ישׁ (wə·’îš)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

from Tob.
ט֔וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2897: Tob -- a region East of the Jordan


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OT History: 2 Samuel 10:6 When the children of Ammon saw that (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 10:5
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