Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Whenever he cut the hair of his head—he used to cut his hair once a year because it became too heavy for him—he would weigh it, and its weight was two hundred shekels by the royal standard. New Living Translation He cut his hair only once a year, and then only because it was so heavy. When he weighed it out, it came to five pounds! English Standard Version And when he cut the hair of his head (for at the end of every year he used to cut it; when it was heavy on him, he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head, two hundred shekels by the king’s weight. Berean Standard Bible And 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. Berean Literal Bible And he cut the hair of his head, and it was at the end of every year that he cut it, because it was heavy on him; and he cut it, and he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, according to the standard of the king. King James Bible And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight. New King James Version And when he cut the hair of his head—at the end of every year he cut it because it was heavy on him—when he cut it, he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels according to the king’s standard. New American Standard Bible And when he cut the hair of his head (and it was at the end of every year that he cut it, because it was heavy on him, so he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels by the king’s weight. NASB 1995 When he cut the hair of his head (and it was at the end of every year that he cut it, for it was heavy on him so he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head at 200 shekels by the king’s weight. NASB 1977 And when he cut the hair of his head (and it was at the end of every year that he cut it, for it was heavy on him so he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head at 200 shekels by the king’s weight. Legacy Standard Bible When he shaved the hair of his head (and it was at the end of every year that he shaved it, for it was heavy on him so he shaved it), he weighed the hair of his head at 200 shekels by the king’s weight. Amplified Bible When he cut the hair of his head (for at the end of each year he cut it, because its weight was heavy on him) he weighed the hair of his head at 200 shekels by the king’s weight. Berean Annotated Bible And 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 <5 lb / 2.3 kg>, according to the royal standard. Christian Standard Bible When he shaved his head—he shaved it at the end of every year because his hair got so heavy for him that he had to shave it off—he would weigh the hair from his head and it would be five pounds according to the royal standard. Holman Christian Standard Bible When he shaved his head—he shaved it every year because his hair got so heavy for him that he had to shave it off—he would weigh the hair from his head and it would be five pounds according to the royal standard. American Standard Version And when he cut the hair of his head (now it was at every year's end that he cut it; because it was heavy on him, therefore he cut it); he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, after the king's weight. Contemporary English Version His hair grew so thick and heavy that when he got it cut once a year, it weighed over two kilograms. English Revised Version And when he polled his head, (now it was at every year's end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, after the king's weight. GOD'S WORD® Translation At the end of every year, he used to cut his hair because it became heavy for him. When he cut the hair on his head and weighed it, it weighed five pounds according to the royal standard. Good News Translation His hair was very thick, and he had to cut it once a year, when it grew too long and heavy. It would weigh about five pounds according to the royal standard of weights. International Standard Version Whenever he cut his hair —he cut it at the end of every year, because it grew thick on his head, which is why he cut it—his hair weighed in at 200 shekels measured by the royal standard. NET Bible When he would shave his head--at the end of every year he used to shave his head, for it grew too long and he would shave it--he used to weigh the hair of his head at three pounds according to the king's weight. New Heart English Bible When he cut the hair of his head – now it was at the end of every year that he cut it, because it became too heavy, therefore he cut it – he weighed the hair of his head at one hundred shekels by the king's weight. Webster's Bible Translation And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd 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. World English Bible When he cut the hair of his head (now it was at every year’s end that he cut it; because it was heavy on him, therefore he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, after the king’s weight. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand in his shaving his head—and it has been at the end of year by year that he shaves [it], for it [is] heavy on him, and he has shaved it—he has even weighed out the hair of his head—two hundred shekels by the king’s weight. Berean Literal Bible And he cut the hair of his head, and it was at the end of every year that he cut it, because it was heavy on him; and he cut it, and he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, according to the standard of the king. Young's Literal Translation and in his polling his head -- and it hath been at the end of year by year that he polleth it, for it is heavy on him, and he hath polled it -- he hath even weighed out the hair of his head -- two hundred shekels by the king's weight. Smith's Literal Translation And in his shaving his head (and it was from the end of days to days that he will shave, for it was heavy upon him;) and he shaved and weighed the hair of his head, two hundred shekels by the stone of the king. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when he polled his hair (now he was polled once a year, because his hair was burdensome to him) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred sicles, according to the common weight. Catholic Public Domain Version And when he shaved off his hair, for he shaved it off once a year, because his long hair was burdensome to him, he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, by the public weights. New American Bible When he shaved his head—as he used to do at the end of every year, because his hair became too heavy for him—the hair weighed two hundred shekels according to the royal standard. New Revised Standard Version When he cut the hair of his head (for at the end of every year he used to cut it; when it was heavy on him, he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head, two hundred shekels by the king’s weight. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when he had his hair shorn (he used to cut it once a year because it was heavy on him, therefore he cut it), the hair of his head weighed two hundred shekels by the king's weight. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And whenever his head was sheared, from time to time he was sheared because his hair was heavy on him, he was sheared for it and the hair of his head was weighed at two hundred shekels by the shekel of the King OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And when he polled his head--now it was at every year's end that he polled it; because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it--he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, after the king's weight. Brenton Septuagint Translation And when he polled his head, (and it was at the beginning of every year that he polled it, because it grew, heavy upon him,) even when he polled it, he weighed the hair of his head, two hundred shekels according to the royal shekel. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Absalom's Return to Jerusalem…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. 27Three sons were born to Absalom, and a daughter named Tamar, who was a beautiful woman.… Cross References And when he cut the hair of his head— 2 Samuel 18:9 Now Absalom was riding on his mule when he met the servants of David, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s head was caught fast in the tree. The mule under him kept going, so that he was suspended in midair. Judges 16:17 Samson told her all that was in his heart: “My hair has never been cut, because I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, my strength will leave me, and I will become as weak as any other man.” Numbers 6:5 For the entire period of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. He must be holy until the time of his separation to the LORD is complete; he must let the hair of his head grow long. he shaved it every year because his hair got so heavy— Numbers 6:18 Then at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the Nazirite is to shave his consecrated head, take the hair, and put it on the fire under the peace offering. Acts 18:18 Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time before saying goodbye to the brothers. He had his head shaved in Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made, and then he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Ezekiel 44:20 They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but must carefully trim their hair. he would weigh it out to be two hundred shekels, Jeremiah 32:9-10 So I bought the field in Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel, and I weighed out seventeen shekels of silver. / I signed and sealed the deed, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales. Zechariah 11:12 Then I told them, “If it seems right to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” So they weighed out my wages, thirty pieces of silver. Genesis 23:16 Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the standard of the merchants. according to the royal standard. Exodus 30:13 Everyone who crosses over to those counted must pay a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the LORD. Leviticus 27:25 Every valuation will be according to the sanctuary shekel, twenty gerahs to the shekel. Numbers 3:47 you are to collect five shekels for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel of twenty gerahs. 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 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 1:52 And Solomon replied, “If he is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground. But if evil is found in him, he will die.” Treasury of Scripture And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight. when he polled 2 Samuel 18:9 And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away. Isaiah 3:24 And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty. 1 Corinthians 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? two hundred shekels. Genesis 23:16 And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant. Leviticus 19:36 Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt. Ezekiel 45:9-14 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD… Jump to Previous Cut End Hair Head Heavy Hundred King's Polled Royal Shekels Time Used Weigh Weighed Weight Whenever Year'sJump to Next Cut End Hair Head Heavy Hundred King's Polled Royal Shekels Time Used Weigh Weighed Weight Whenever Year's2 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 And when he cut the hair of his head— This phrase introduces the practice of Absalom cutting his hair, which was notable due to its exceptional weight and volume. In ancient Israel, hair was often seen as a symbol of strength and vitality. Absalom's hair was a source of pride and a symbol of his attractiveness and charisma, which played a role in his influence over the people. The act of cutting his hair annually suggests a ritualistic or customary practice, possibly linked to vows or personal grooming habits of the time. 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. Persons / Places / Events 1. AbsalomThe son of King David, known for his striking appearance and long hair. His hair is a symbol of his pride and vanity, which plays a significant role in his account. 2. King David The father of Absalom, who is the reigning king of Israel during this time. His relationship with Absalom is complex and filled with tension. 3. Jerusalem The capital city of Israel and the center of political and religious life during King David's reign. It is the backdrop for much of the account involving Absalom. 4. Royal Standard Refers to the official system of weights and measures used in the kingdom, indicating the significant weight of Absalom's hair. 5. Hebron Although not directly mentioned in this verse, it is relevant as the place where Absalom later declares himself king, showing his ambition and rebellion. Teaching Points The Danger of Pride and VanityAbsalom's focus on his hair symbolizes his pride. As Christians, we must guard against allowing our appearance or achievements to become sources of pride that lead us away from God. The Importance of Inner Character While Absalom was admired for his looks, his character was flawed. We should prioritize developing a Christ-like character over external appearances. The Consequences of Rebellion Absalom's account is a cautionary tale about the consequences of rebelling against God's established order. Submission to God's will is crucial for a life of peace and blessing. The Role of Family Dynamics The strained relationship between David and Absalom highlights the importance of addressing family conflicts with grace and wisdom, seeking reconciliation and understanding. Weighing Our Priorities Just as Absalom weighed his hair, we should regularly evaluate our priorities to ensure they align with God's purposes for our lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 14:26?2. Why is Absalom's hair length significant in 2 Samuel 14:26? 3. How does Absalom's appearance reflect his character in 2 Samuel 14? 4. What does 1 Samuel 16:7 teach about focusing on outward appearances? 5. How can we avoid vanity in our own lives today? 6. What lessons on humility can we learn from Absalom's story? 7. Why does 2 Samuel 14:26 emphasize Absalom's hair and its weight? 8. What cultural significance did hair have in ancient Israel according to 2 Samuel 14:26? 9. How does Absalom's hair in 2 Samuel 14:26 relate to his character and downfall? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 14? 11. 1 Chronicles 14:8-17 - How do we reconcile any discrepancies between this account of David's battles with the Philistines and the parallel text in 2 Samuel 5? 12. How did Absalom become caught by his head or hair in the oak tree (2 Samuel 18:9), and does this detail conflict with scientific plausibility? 13. 2 Samuel 14:14: If 'God does not take away life,' how does this verse reconcile with other biblical passages where God sanctions or orders death? 14. (Psalm 26:3) Does his certainty of always walking in God's truth contradict biblical accounts of David's moral failures? What Does 2 Samuel 14:26 Mean And when he cut the hair of his head• The verse centers on Absalom, David’s third son, noted earlier for his striking appearance (2 Samuel 14:25). • Scripture draws attention to Absalom’s physical traits to foreshadow their role in his story—just as Saul’s height (1 Samuel 9:2) and Samson’s hair (Judges 16:17) became pivotal. • Cutting his hair signals a moment worth recording; God’s Word rarely highlights bodily details without purpose (Psalm 139:16). he shaved it every year • An annual haircut suggests a set practice rather than a mere whim. – Regularity hints at personal discipline and perhaps vanity; both ideas resurface in Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15:1–6). – Annual cycles also echo Israel’s calendar of feasts and vows (Leviticus 23; Numbers 6:13), reminding us that even personal habits can reflect deeper loyalties—or self-interest. because his hair got so heavy • “Heavy” points to unusual abundance. Instead of being a blessing, it became burdensome—an early signal that what captivates the eye can weigh down the soul (Proverbs 11:28). • Absalom’s luxuriant hair later contributes to his downfall when it catches in an oak (2 Samuel 18:9). The Bible often links pride with eventual ruin (Proverbs 16:18; Isaiah 2:11). he would weigh it out to be two hundred shekels • Two hundred shekels equals roughly five pounds (about 2.3 kg). – The Holy Spirit records the weight to underscore Absalom’s exceptional looks and to contrast inner character with outward glory (1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Peter 3:3-4). • Weighing the hair highlights Absalom’s self-congratulation. Displaying the amount parallels later acts of self-promotion, such as setting up a monument to himself (2 Samuel 18:18). according to the royal standard • “Royal standard” affirms an official weight, verifying the figure and stressing that Absalom’s hair was measured in the king’s court. – This ties his vanity directly to the palace culture and foreshadows his political ambitions (2 Samuel 15:10). • It also reminds us that worldly systems often celebrate external splendor; yet God measures by a higher, unchanging standard (Psalm 62:9; James 2:1-4). summary Absalom’s yearly haircut, its remarkable weight, and its royal verification illustrate how outward beauty and personal pride can captivate a heart and, unchecked, prepare it for downfall. God records these details to contrast fleeting human glory with lasting inner righteousness, urging readers to pursue humility before the Lord who “does not see as man sees” (1 Samuel 16:7). (26) Two hundred shekels.--The value of the shekel "after the king's weight" is unknown. If it was the same with the shekel of the sanctuary, the weight mentioned would be about six pounds; if only half as much, the weight would still be very extraordinary. Some clerical error has probably arisen in copying the number in the MSS.Verse 26. - Two hundred shekels after the king's weight. Unless the royal shekel was smaller than the shekel of the sanctuary, the weight of Absalom's hair would be six pounds. But we cannot believe that the king's shekel was not full weight; for to imagine this is to suppose that the king had tampered with the coinage; for the shekel was a coin as well as a weight, being originally a fixed quantity of silver. As a matter of fact, David had amassed too much silver to have need of resorting to what is the expedient of feeble and impoverished princes. Nor can we grant an error in the number; for the versions all agree with the Hebrew, so that any mistake must, at all events, be of great antiquity. Josephus says that Solomon's body guard wore long hair powdered with gold dust, and undoubtedly Absalom's hair was something extraordinary (2 Samuel 18:9). But six pounds is so enormous a weight that it is just possible that some ancient copyist has enlarged the number, to make it accord with a legend current among the people, in which this feature of Absalom's beauty had been exaggerated.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And when he cut the hairוּֽבְגַלְּחוֹ֮ (ū·ḇə·ḡal·lə·ḥōw) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1548: To be bald, to shave, to lay waste of אֶת־ (’eṯ-) Direct object marker Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case his head— רֹאשׁוֹ֒ (rō·šōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7218: The head he shaved יְגַלֵּ֔חַ (yə·ḡal·lê·aḥ) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1548: To be bald, to shave, to lay waste it every year מִקֵּ֨ץ (miq·qêṣ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7093: An extremity, after because כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction his hair got so heavy— כָבֵ֥ד (ḵā·ḇêḏ) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 3513: To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome he would weigh וְשָׁקַל֙ (wə·šā·qal) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 8254: To suspend, poise [it] שְׂעַ֣ר (śə·‘ar) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 8181: Hair [to be] two hundred מָאתַ֥יִם (mā·ṯa·yim) Number - fd Strong's 3967: A hundred shekels שְׁקָלִ֖ים (šə·qā·lîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8255: A weight, a commercial standard according to the royal הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king standard. בְּאֶ֥בֶן (bə·’e·ḇen) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 68: A stone Links 2 Samuel 14:26 NIV2 Samuel 14:26 NLT 2 Samuel 14:26 ESV 2 Samuel 14:26 NASB 2 Samuel 14:26 KJV 2 Samuel 14:26 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 14:26 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 14:26 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 14:26 French Bible 2 Samuel 14:26 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 14:26 When he cut the hair of his (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
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