2 Samuel 12:3
New International Version
but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.

New Living Translation
The poor man owned nothing but one little lamb he had bought. He raised that little lamb, and it grew up with his children. It ate from the man’s own plate and drank from his cup. He cuddled it in his arms like a baby daughter.

English Standard Version
but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him.

Berean Standard Bible
but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him.

King James Bible
But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

New King James Version
But the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb which he had bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and with his children. It ate of his own food and drank from his own cup and lay in his bosom; and it was like a daughter to him.

New American Standard Bible
“But the poor man had nothing at all except one little ewe lamb Which he bought and nurtured; And it grew up together with him and his children. It would eat scraps from him and drink from his cup and lie in his lap, And was like a daughter to him.

NASB 1995
“But the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb Which he bought and nourished; And it grew up together with him and his children. It would eat of his bread and drink of his cup and lie in his bosom, And was like a daughter to him.

NASB 1977
“But the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb Which he bought and nourished; And it grew up together with him and his children. It would eat of his bread and drink of his cup and lie in his bosom, And was like a daughter to him.

Legacy Standard Bible
But the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb Which he bought and nourished; And it grew up together with him and his children. It would eat his morsel of bread and drink of his cup and lie in his bosom, And was like a daughter to him.

Amplified Bible
But the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb Which he had purchased and nourished; And it grew up together with him and his children. It ate his food, drank from his cup, it lay in his arms, And was like a daughter to him.

Christian Standard Bible
but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised her, and she grew up with him and with his children. From his meager food she would eat, from his cup she would drink, and in his arms she would sleep. She was like a daughter to him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up, living with him and his children. It shared his meager food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him.

American Standard Version
but the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own morsel, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

Contemporary English Version
but the poor man had only one little lamb that he had bought and raised. The lamb became a pet for him and his children. He even let it eat from his plate and drink from his cup and sleep on his lap. The lamb was like one of his own children.

English Revised Version
but the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own morsel, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
but the poor man had only one little female lamb that he had bought. He raised her, and she grew up in his home with his children. She would eat his food and drink from his cup. She rested in his arms and was like a daughter.

Good News Translation
while the poor man had only one lamb, which he had bought. He took care of it, and it grew up in his home with his children. He would feed it some of his own food, let it drink from his cup, and hold it in his lap. The lamb was like a daughter to him.

International Standard Version
but the poor man had nothing except for one little ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It used to share his food and drink from his own cup. It even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.

Majority Standard Bible
but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him.

NET Bible
But the poor man had nothing except for a little lamb he had acquired. He raised it, and it grew up alongside him and his children. It used to eat his food, drink from his cup, and sleep in his arms. It was just like a daughter to him.

New Heart English Bible
but the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and raised. It grew up together with him, and with his children. It ate of his own food, drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was to him like a daughter.

Webster's Bible Translation
But the poor man had nothing save one little ewe-lamb, which he had bought and nourished: and it grew up together with him, and with his children: it fed of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was to him as a daughter.

World English Bible
but the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and raised. It grew up together with him and with his children. It ate of his own food, drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was like a daughter to him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
but the poor one has nothing, except one little ewe-lamb which he has bought and keeps alive. And it grows up together with him and with his sons. It eats of his morsel, and it drinks from his cup, and it lies in his bosom, and it is as a daughter to him.

Young's Literal Translation
And the poor one hath nothing, Except one little ewe-lamb, Which he hath bought, and keepeth alive, And it groweth up with him, And with his sons together; Of his morsel it eateth, And from his cup it drinketh, And in his bosom it lieth, And it is to him as a daughter;

Smith's Literal Translation
And to the poor, not anything except one little ewe lamb which he found, and he will save it alive: and it will grow with him and with his sons together; it will eat from his morsel and will drink from his cup, and will lie in his bosom, and be to him as a daughter.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But the poor man had nothing at all but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up, and which had grown up in his house together with his children, eating of his bread, and drinking of his cup, and sleeping in his bosom: and it was unto him as a daughter.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the poor man had nothing at all, except one little sheep, which he had bought and nourished. And she had grown up before him, together with his children, eating from his bread, and drinking from his cup, and sleeping in his bosom. And she was like a daughter to him.

New American Bible
But the poor man had nothing at all except one little ewe lamb that he had bought. He nourished her, and she grew up with him and his children. Of what little he had she ate; from his own cup she drank; in his bosom she slept; she was like a daughter to him.

New Revised Standard Version
but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. He brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children; it used to eat of his meager fare, and drink from his cup, and lie in his bosom, and it was like a daughter to him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb which he had bought; and it lived together with him and with his children; it did eat of his food and drink from his cup and lie in his bosom, and it was to him like a daughter.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the poor man had nothing except only one little ewe lamb which he had bought, and she had lived with him and with his children as one. From his food she would eat and she was drinking from his cup, and she was sleeping on his chest, and she had become like a daughter to him
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
but the poor man had nothing save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and reared; and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own morsel, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But the poor man had only one little ewe lamb, which he had purchased, and preserved, and reared; an it grew up with himself and his children in common; it ate of his bread and drank of his cup, and slept in his bosom, and was to him as a daughter.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Nathan Rebukes David
2The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle, 3but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him. 4Now a traveler came to the rich man, who refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for his guest.”…

Cross References
Luke 15:4-7
“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? / And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, / comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’ ...

John 10:11-15
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. / The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep. ...

Matthew 18:12-14
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? / And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. / In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

Isaiah 40:11
He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.

Ezekiel 34:11-16
For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out. / As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. / I will bring them out from the peoples, gather them from the countries, and bring them into their own land. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines, and in all the settlements of the land. ...

Psalm 23:1-4
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. / He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. / He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name. ...

John 21:15-17
When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.” / Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.” / Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

1 Peter 5:2-4
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. / And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Micah 2:2
They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance.

Proverbs 28:13
He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

Matthew 25:34-40
Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. / For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ ...

Jeremiah 23:1-4
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. / Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD. / Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock from all the lands to which I have banished them, and I will return them to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and multiply. ...

Zechariah 11:16
For behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will neither care for the lost, nor seek the young, nor heal the broken, nor sustain the healthy, but he will devour the flesh of the choice sheep and tear off their hooves.

Genesis 4:9-10
And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” / “What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.

Amos 3:12
This is what the LORD says: “As the shepherd snatches from the mouth of the lion two legs or a piece of an ear, so the Israelites dwelling in Samaria will be rescued having just the corner of a bed or the cushion of a couch.


Treasury of Scripture

But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was to him as a daughter.

one little

2 Samuel 11:3
And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

Proverbs 5:18,19
Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth…

meat [heb] morsel

Deuteronomy 13:6
If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;

Micah 7:5
Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.

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Ate Bosom Bought Children Cup Daughter Drank Eat Ewe Ewe-Lamb Except Fed Food Grew Little Meat Morsel Nourished Poor Raised Reared Save Together
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Ate Bosom Bought Children Cup Daughter Drank Eat Ewe Ewe-Lamb Except Fed Food Grew Little Meat Morsel Nourished Poor Raised Reared Save Together
2 Samuel 12
1. Nathan's parable of the ewe lamb causes David to be his own judge.
7. David, reproved by Nathan, confesses his sin, and is pardoned
15. David mourns and prays for the child while it lives
24. Solomon is born, and named Jedidiah
26. David takes Rabbah, and tortures the people thereof














but the poor man
The phrase "the poor man" highlights the socioeconomic status of the individual in Nathan's parable to King David. In Hebrew, the word for "poor" is "רָשׁ" (rash), which conveys not just a lack of wealth but also vulnerability and dependence on others. This sets the stage for understanding the deep emotional and relational value the ewe lamb holds for him, contrasting with the rich man's abundance.

had nothing except
This phrase emphasizes the man's lack of material possessions, underscoring the significance of the ewe lamb in his life. The Hebrew word "אֵין" (ayin) for "nothing" is absolute, indicating a complete absence of wealth or resources, which heightens the injustice of the rich man's actions later in the narrative.

one small ewe lamb
The "one small ewe lamb" is central to the parable, symbolizing innocence, purity, and the deep personal attachment the poor man has to it. In Hebrew, "כִּבְשָׂה" (kivsah) refers to a female lamb, often used in sacrificial contexts, which may foreshadow the sacrificial nature of the poor man's loss. The lamb's smallness suggests vulnerability and endearment.

that he had bought
The act of purchasing the lamb indicates a deliberate choice and investment by the poor man, suggesting a sense of ownership and responsibility. The Hebrew verb "קָנָה" (qanah) means to acquire or purchase, often implying a significant personal sacrifice given the man's poverty.

He raised it
This phrase indicates a nurturing relationship, akin to that of a parent and child. The Hebrew verb "גָּדַל" (gadal) means to grow or bring up, suggesting care, attention, and a deepening bond over time. This nurturing aspect highlights the emotional depth of the man's attachment to the lamb.

and it grew up with him and his children
The lamb's integration into the family unit is emphasized here, suggesting it was more than just livestock; it was a beloved member of the household. The Hebrew word "גָּדַל" (gadal) is repeated, reinforcing the idea of growth and familial bonds, which makes the rich man's later actions even more egregious.

It shared his meager food
This phrase illustrates the extent of the man's poverty and his willingness to share what little he had with the lamb. The Hebrew word "פַּת" (pat) for "food" often refers to a small portion, highlighting the sacrificial nature of the man's care and the lamb's importance in his life.

and drank from his cup
The imagery of the lamb drinking from the man's cup suggests intimacy and equality, as sharing a cup was a sign of close relationship and trust. This act further cements the lamb's status as a cherished companion rather than mere property.

it slept in his arms
This phrase conveys a sense of protection, warmth, and affection. The Hebrew word "חֵיק" (cheq) for "arms" can also mean "bosom," indicating a place of safety and love. This intimate image underscores the depth of the man's attachment to the lamb.

and was like a daughter to him
The comparison of the lamb to a daughter elevates its status to that of a family member, highlighting the profound emotional bond. In Hebrew culture, daughters were cherished and protected, and this analogy underscores the gravity of the rich man's later actions in the parable. The lamb's role as a daughter emphasizes the personal and emotional violation experienced by the poor man.

(3) It grew up together.--"All these circumstances are exquisitely contrived to heighten the pity of the hearer for the oppressed, and his indignation against the oppressor."--Speaker's Commentary.

Verse 3. - Was unto him as a daughter. The Orientals are excessively fond of pet animals, and, as the dog is with them unclean, its place is taken by fawns, kids, or lambs. The description, therefore, is not overcharged, for in many an English home the dog or cat takes its place as one of the family. The Revised Version preserves the tenderness of the original in translating "it did eat of his own morsel."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
but the poor
וְלָרָ֣שׁ (wə·lā·rāš)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7326: To be in want or poor

man had nothing
אֵֽין־ (’ên-)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

except
כִּי֩ (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

one
אַחַ֤ת (’a·ḥaṯ)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 259: United, one, first

small
קְטַנָּה֙ (qə·ṭan·nāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 6996: Small, young, unimportant

ewe lamb
כִּבְשָׂ֨ה (kiḇ·śāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3535: Ewe lamb

that
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

he had bought.
קָנָ֔ה (qā·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7069: To erect, create, to procure, by purchase, to own

He raised it,
וַיְחַיֶּ֕הָ (way·ḥay·ye·hā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive

and it grew up
וַתִּגְדַּ֥ל (wat·tiḡ·dal)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1431: To grow up, become great

with him
עִמּ֛וֹ (‘im·mōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

and his children.
בָּנָ֖יו (bā·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

It shared
יַחְדָּ֑ו (yaḥ·dāw)
Adverb
Strong's 3162: A unit, unitedly

his food
מִפִּתּ֨וֹ (mip·pit·tōw)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6595: Fragment, bit, morsel

and drank
תִשְׁתֶּה֙ (ṯiš·teh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

from his cup;
וּמִכֹּס֤וֹ (ū·mik·kō·sōw)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3563: A cup, a lot, some unclean bird, an owl

it slept
תִשְׁכָּ֔ב (ṯiš·kāḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7901: To lie down

in his arms
וּבְחֵיק֣וֹ (ū·ḇə·ḥê·qōw)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2436: The bosom

and was
וַתְּהִי־ (wat·tə·hî-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

like a daughter
כְּבַֽת׃ (kə·ḇaṯ)
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1323: A daughter

to him.
ל֖וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 0: 0


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OT History: 2 Samuel 12:3 But the poor man had nothing except (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 12:2
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