2 Samuel 14:2
New International Version
So Joab sent someone to Tekoa and had a wise woman brought from there. He said to her, “Pretend you are in mourning. Dress in mourning clothes, and don’t use any cosmetic lotions. Act like a woman who has spent many days grieving for the dead.

New Living Translation
So he sent for a woman from Tekoa who had a reputation for great wisdom. He said to her, “Pretend you are in mourning; wear mourning clothes and don’t put on lotions. Act like a woman who has been mourning for the dead for a long time.

English Standard Version
And Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman and said to her, “Pretend to be a mourner and put on mourning garments. Do not anoint yourself with oil, but behave like a woman who has been mourning many days for the dead.

Berean Standard Bible
So Joab sent to Tekoa to bring a wise woman from there. He told her, “Please pretend to be a mourner; put on clothes for mourning and do not anoint yourself with oil. Act like a woman who has mourned for the dead a long time.

King James Bible
And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:

New King James Version
And Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman, and said to her, “Please pretend to be a mourner, and put on mourning apparel; do not anoint yourself with oil, but act like a woman who has been mourning a long time for the dead.

New American Standard Bible
So Joab sent a messenger to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there, and said to her, “Please follow mourning rites, and put on mourning garments now, and do not anoint yourself with oil but be like a woman who has been mourning for the dead for many days.

NASB 1995
So Joab sent to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there and said to her, “Please pretend to be a mourner, and put on mourning garments now, and do not anoint yourself with oil, but be like a woman who has been mourning for the dead many days;

NASB 1977
So Joab sent to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there and said to her, “Please pretend to be a mourner, and put on mourning garments now, and do not anoint yourself with oil, but be like a woman who has been mourning for the dead many days;

Legacy Standard Bible
So Joab sent to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there and said to her, “Please pretend to be a mourner, and put on mourning garments now, and do not anoint yourself with oil, but be like a woman who has been mourning for the dead many days;

Amplified Bible
So Joab sent word to Tekoa and had a wise woman brought from there and told her, “Please pretend to be a mourner, and put on mourning clothes, and do not anoint yourself with oil, but act like a woman who has for many days been in mourning for the dead.

Christian Standard Bible
So Joab sent someone to Tekoa to bring a wise woman from there. He told her, “Pretend to be in mourning: dress in mourning clothes and don’t put on any oil. Act like a woman who has been mourning for the dead for a long time.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So Joab sent someone to Tekoa to bring a clever woman from there. He told her, “Pretend to be in mourning: dress in mourning clothes and don’t put on any oil. Act like a woman who has been mourning for the dead for a long time.

American Standard Version
And Joab sent to Tekoa, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on mourning apparel, I pray thee, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that hath a long time mourned for the dead:

English Revised Version
And Joab sent to Tekoa, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on mourning apparel, I pray thee, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So Joab sent [someone] to Tekoa to get a clever woman from there. He told her, "Please act like a mourner, and dress in mourning clothes. Don't rub olive oil on yourself, but act like a woman who has been mourning for the dead for a long time.

Good News Translation
so he sent for a clever woman who lived in Tekoa. When she arrived, he said to her, "Pretend that you are in mourning; put on your mourning clothes, and don't comb your hair. Act like a woman who has been in mourning for a long time.

International Standard Version
so he sent messengers to Tekoa to bring a wise woman from there. He told her, "Please play the role of a mourner, wear the clothes of a mourner, and refrain from using makeup. Act like a woman who's been in mourning for the dead for many days.

Majority Standard Bible
So Joab sent to Tekoa to bring a wise woman from there. He told her, ?Please pretend to be a mourner; put on clothes for mourning and do not anoint yourself with oil. Act like a woman who has mourned for the dead a long time.

NET Bible
So Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman. He told her, "Pretend to be in mourning and put on garments for mourning. Don't anoint yourself with oil. Instead, act like a woman who has been mourning for the dead for some time.

New Heart English Bible
he sent to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there, and said to her, "Please pretend to be a mourner, and put on mourning clothing, and do not anoint yourself with oil, but behave as a woman who has been mourning for the dead a long time.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Joab sent to Tekoah, and brought thence a wise woman, and said to her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:

World English Bible
Joab sent to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there, and said to her, “Please act like a mourner, and put on mourning clothing, please, and don’t anoint yourself with oil; but be as a woman who has mourned a long time for the dead.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Joab sends to Tekoah, and takes a wise woman from there, and says to her, “Please feign yourself a mourner, and now put on garments of mourning, and do not anoint yourself with oil, and you have been as a woman mourning for the dead [for] these many days,

Young's Literal Translation
and Joab sendeth to Tekoah, and taketh thence a wise woman, and saith unto her, 'Feign thyself a mourner, I pray thee, and put on, I pray thee, garments of mourning, and anoint not thyself with oil, and thou hast been as a woman these many days mourning for the dead,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Joab will send to Tekoah and take from thence a wise woman, and he will say to her, Thou shalt mourn, and put on now garments of mourning, and thou shalt not be anointed with oil, and be thou as a woman this many days mourning for the dead:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Sent to Thecua, and fetched from thence a wise woman: and said to her: Feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on mourning apparel, and be not anointed with oil, that thou mayest be as a woman that had a long time been mourning for one dead.

Catholic Public Domain Version
so he sent to Tekoa, and he brought from there a wise woman. And he said to her: “Feign that you are in mourning, and put on the clothing of one who mourns. And do not anoint yourself with oil, so that you may be like a woman who is still grieving for someone who died some time ago.

New American Bible
Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman, to whom he said: “Pretend to be in mourning. Put on mourning apparel and do not anoint yourself with oil, that you may appear to be a woman who has long been mourning someone dead.

New Revised Standard Version
Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman. He said to her, “Pretend to be a mourner; put on mourning garments, do not anoint yourself with oil, but behave like a woman who has been mourning many days for the dead.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched from thence a wise woman and said to her, Pretend to be a mourner and put on mourning apparel, and do not anoint yourself with oil, but be as a woman who has been mourning many days for the dead;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yuab sent to Teqoa and he took from there a wise woman and he said to her: “Make lamentation and wear a garment of mourning and you shall not anoint yourself with oil, and be like a woman who has been mourning now many days over one who is dead
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Joab sent to Tekoa, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her: 'I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on mourning apparel, I pray thee, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Joab sent to Thecoe, and took thence a cunning woman, and said to her, Mourn, I pray thee, and put on mourning apparel, and anoint thee not with oil, and thou shalt be as a woman mourning for one that is dead thus for many days.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Absalom's Return to Jerusalem
1Now Joab son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart longed for Absalom. 2So Joab sent to Tekoa to bring a wise woman from there. He told her, “Please pretend to be a mourner; put on clothes for mourning and do not anoint yourself with oil. Act like a woman who has mourned for the dead a long time. 3Then go to the king and speak these words to him.” And Joab put the words in her mouth.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 12:1-7
Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. / The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle, / 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. ...

1 Kings 3:16-28
At that time two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. / One woman said, “Please, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth while she was in the house. / On the third day after I gave birth, this woman also had a baby. We were alone, with no one in the house but the two of us. ...

Proverbs 31:10-31
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. / The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. / She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. ...

Esther 5:1-8
On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace across from the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing the entrance. / As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she found favor in his sight. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter. / “What is it, Queen Esther?” the king inquired. “What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given to you.” ...

Genesis 27:15-17
And Rebekah took the finest clothes in the house that belonged to her older son Esau, and she put them on her younger son Jacob. / She also put the skins of the young goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. / Then she handed her son Jacob the tasty food and bread she had made.

1 Samuel 25:23-31
When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off the donkey, fell facedown, and bowed before him. / She fell at his feet and said, “My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant. / My lord should pay no attention to this scoundrel Nabal, for he lives up to his name: His name means Fool, and folly accompanies him. I, your servant, did not see my lord’s young men whom you sent. ...

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Luke 18:1-8
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: / “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. / And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ ...

John 7:24
Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly.”

Acts 23:6
Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”

Romans 16:19
Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.

1 Corinthians 14:20
Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

1 Peter 3:3-4
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, / but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.

1 Kings 1:11-14
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? / Now please, come and let me advise you. Save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. / 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?’ ...


Treasury of Scripture

And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched there a wise woman, and said to her, I pray you, feign yourself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not yourself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:

2 Chronicles 11:6
He built even Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,

2 Chronicles 20:20
And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

Nehemiah 3:5,27
And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord…

Tekoa

2 Samuel 11:26
And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.

Ruth 3:3
Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.

Psalm 104:15
And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.

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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














So Joab sent to Tekoa
Joab, the commander of King David's army, is a central figure in this narrative. His decision to send to Tekoa, a town in Judah, reflects his strategic and discerning nature. Tekoa was known for its wise inhabitants, as evidenced by the prophet Amos who hailed from there. The Hebrew root for "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach) implies a deliberate and purposeful action, indicating Joab's intention to resolve the tension between David and his estranged son Absalom. This action underscores the importance of wisdom and counsel in leadership, a theme prevalent throughout the Scriptures.

to bring a wise woman from there
The phrase "wise woman" (אִשָּׁה חֲכָמָה, ishah chachamah) highlights the cultural and historical recognition of women's roles in providing counsel and mediation. In ancient Israel, wisdom was highly esteemed, and women like the one from Tekoa were often sought for their insight and ability to influence outcomes. This reflects the biblical principle that wisdom is not confined to gender or status but is a gift from God, available to all who seek it earnestly.

He told her, 'Please pretend to be a mourner
Joab's instruction to the woman to "pretend" (הִתְאַבֵּל, hitabel) as a mourner is a strategic move to evoke empathy and reflection in King David. Mourning in ancient Israel was a deeply symbolic act, often involving specific attire and behavior to express grief and loss. This act of pretending serves a higher purpose, aiming to mirror David's own unresolved grief over his son Absalom, and to prompt reconciliation. It reminds us of the power of empathy and the importance of addressing unresolved emotional and relational issues.

and put on mourning clothes
Mourning clothes were a visible sign of sorrow and loss, often made of sackcloth or other coarse materials. The Hebrew culture placed significant emphasis on outward expressions of inner states, and clothing was a primary means of communication. By instructing the woman to wear mourning clothes, Joab is setting the stage for a powerful visual and emotional appeal to David. This act serves as a reminder of the biblical call to authenticity and the importance of aligning our outward expressions with our inner convictions.

Do not anoint yourself with oil
Anointing with oil was a common practice in ancient Israel, symbolizing joy, health, and consecration. By instructing the woman not to anoint herself, Joab emphasizes the depth of the mourning she is to portray. This abstention from oil highlights the contrast between mourning and celebration, underscoring the gravity of the situation. It serves as a metaphor for the spiritual anointing that believers seek, reminding us that true joy and consecration come from God, even in times of sorrow.

but act like a woman who has been mourning for the dead for a long time
The phrase "for a long time" (יָמִים רַבִּים, yamim rabbim) indicates an extended period of mourning, suggesting a deep and abiding grief. This prolonged mourning is meant to resonate with David's own long-standing sorrow over his estranged son. In the biblical context, extended mourning was a sign of profound loss and love, reflecting the enduring nature of relationships and the pain of separation. This narrative invites us to consider the enduring nature of God's love for us, even when we are estranged from Him, and the hope of reconciliation through His grace.

(2) Tekoah.--A village on a high hill five miles south of Bethlehem, the home of the prophet Amos. It was also the native place of Ira, one of David's thirty heroes (2Samuel 23:26), and was near enough to Bethlehem, the home of Joab, for him to have had personal knowledge of this "wise woman." There is no ground whatever for suspecting her of being a "witch," or in any way disreputable.

The parable that follows was contrived by Joab, yet also required skill and address on the part of the woman. It is purposely made not too closely parallel to the case of Absalom, lest it should defeat its own object. In general it needs no comment.

Verse 2. - Tekoah. This town, famous as the birthplace of the Prophet Amos, lay upon the borders of the great wilderness southeast of Jerusalem. As it was only five miles to the south of Bethlehem, Joab's birthplace, he had probably often heard tales of this woman's intelligence; and, though he contrived the parable himself, yet it would need tact and adroitness on the woman's part to give the tale with tragic effect, and answer the king's questions with all the signs of genuine emotion. If her acting was bad, the king would see through the plot, and only by great skill would his heart be so moved as to three him to some such expression of feeling as would serve Joab's purpose.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Joab
יוֹאָב֙ (yō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites

sent
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

to Tekoa
תְּק֔וֹעָה (tə·qō·w·‘āh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8620: Tekoa -- a city in Judah

to bring
וַיִּקַּ֥ח (way·yiq·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

a wise
חֲכָמָ֑ה (ḥă·ḵā·māh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2450: Wise

woman
אִשָּׁ֣ה (’iš·šāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

from there.
מִשָּׁ֖ם (miš·šām)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

He told her,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Please
נָ֞א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

pretend to be a mourner;
הִֽתְאַבְּלִי־ (hiṯ·’ab·bə·lî-)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 56: To bewail

put on
וְלִבְשִׁי־ (wə·liḇ·šî-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 3847: Wrap around, to put on a, garment, clothe

clothes
בִגְדֵי־ (ḇiḡ·ḏê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage

for mourning
אֵ֗בֶל (’ê·ḇel)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 60: Lamentation

and do not
וְאַל־ (wə·’al-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

anoint yourself
תָּס֙וּכִי֙ (tā·sū·ḵî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 5480: To pour (in anointing), anoint

with oil.
שֶׁ֔מֶן (še·men)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8081: Grease, liquid, richness

Act
וְהָיִ֕ית (wə·hā·yîṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

like a woman
כְּאִשָּׁ֗ה (kə·’iš·šāh)
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

who has mourned
מִתְאַבֶּ֖לֶת (miṯ·’ab·be·leṯ)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 56: To bewail

for
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the dead
מֵֽת׃ (mêṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

a long
רַבִּ֔ים (rab·bîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

time.
יָמִ֣ים (yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day


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OT History: 2 Samuel 14:2 Joab sent to Tekoa and fetched there (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 14:1
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