Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his dagger into his opponent’s side, and they fell down together. So that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim. New Living Translation Each one grabbed his opponent by the hair and thrust his sword into the other’s side so that all of them died. So this place at Gibeon has been known ever since as the Field of Swords. English Standard Version And each caught his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side, so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is at Gibeon. Berean Standard Bible Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his opponent’s side, and they all fell together. So this place, which is in Gibeon, is called Helkath-hazzurim. Berean Literal Bible And each one grasped by the head his opponent, and thrust his sword in the side of his opponent, and they fell down together. And that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon. King James Bible And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon. New King James Version And each one grasped his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called the Field of Sharp Swords, which is in Gibeon. New American Standard Bible And each one of them seized his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon. NASB 1995 Each one of them seized his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon. NASB 1977 And each one of them seized his opponent by the head, and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon. Legacy Standard Bible And each one of them seized his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon. Amplified Bible Each one of them seized his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his opponents side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim [that is, the Field of Sides], which is in Gibeon. Berean Annotated Bible Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his opponent’s side, and they all fell together. So this place, which is in Gibeon (hill city), is called Helkath-hazzurim (field of swords). Christian Standard Bible Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his opponent’s side so that they all died together. So this place, which is in Gibeon, is named Field of Blades. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his opponent’s side so that they all died together. So this place, which is in Gibeon, is named Field of Blades. American Standard Version And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon. Contemporary English Version They grabbed each other by the hair and stabbed each other in the side with their daggers. They all died right there! That's why the place in Gibeon is called "Field of Daggers." English Revised Version And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon. GOD'S WORD® Translation Each one grabbed his opponent by the head, stuck his sword into his opponent's side, and they fell down together. Therefore, that place in Gibeon is called the Field of Enemies. Good News Translation Each man caught his opponent by the head and plunged his sword into his opponent's side, so that all twenty-four of them fell down dead together. And so that place in Gibeon is called "Field of Swords." International Standard Version Each man grabbed his opponent by the head, plunged his sword into his opponent's side, and then they both fell together. That's why the place at Gibeon was named The Field of Swords. NET Bible As they grappled with one another, each one stabbed his opponent with his sword and they fell dead together. So that place is called the Field of Flints; it is in Gibeon. New Heart English Bible They each caught his opponent by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Field of Blades, which is in Gibeon. Webster's Bible Translation And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side: so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his opponent’s side, and they all fell together. So this place, which is in Gibeon, is called Helkath-hazzurim. World English Bible They each caught his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd they each lay hold on the head of his companion, and his sword [is] in the side of his companion, and they fall together, and [one] calls that place Helkath-Hazzurim, which [is] in Gibeon, Berean Literal Bible And each one grasped by the head his opponent, and thrust his sword in the side of his opponent, and they fell down together. And that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon. Young's Literal Translation And they lay hold, each on the head of his companion, and his sword is in the side of his companion, and they fall together, and one calleth that place Helkath-Hazzurim, which is in Gibeon, Smith's Literal Translation And they will seize each upon the head of his neighbor, and his sword in the side of his neighbor, and they will fall together: and he will call, that place Helkath-Hazurim, which is in Gibeon. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd every one catching his fellow, by the head, thrust his sword into the side of his adversary, and they fell down together: and the name of the place was called: The field of the valiant, in Gabaon. Catholic Public Domain Version And each one, taking hold of his peer by the head, fixed a sword into the side of his adversary, and they fell down together. And the name of that place was called: The Field of the Valiant in Gibeon. New American Bible Then each one grasped his opponent’s head and thrust his sword into his opponent’s side, and they all fell down together. And so that place was named the Field of the Sides; it is in Gibeon. New Revised Standard Version Each grasped his opponent by the head, and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is at Gibeon. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd every man caught his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in the other's side; so they fell down together; therefore they called that place Haklath-zadan, which is in Gibeon. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And they caught each man his neighbor by the head and his sword entered the side of his neighbor, and they fell as one, and they called that place Khaqlath Tsaran, which is in Gebuun OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together; wherefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon. Brenton Septuagint Translation And they seized every one the head of his neighbour with his hand, and his sword was thrust into the side of his neighbour, and they fall down together: and the name of that place was called The portion of the treacherous ones, which is in Gabaon. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context War Between the Houses of David and Saul…15So they got up and were counted off—twelve for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth son of Saul, and twelve for David. 16Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his opponent’s side, and they all fell together. So this place, which is in Gibeon, is called Helkath-hazzurim. 17The battle that day was intense, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the servants of David.… Cross References Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head Judges 5:26 She reached for the tent peg, her right hand for the workman’s hammer. She struck Sisera and crushed his skull; she shattered and pierced his temple. Judges 4:21 But as he lay sleeping from exhaustion, Heber’s wife Jael took a tent peg, grabbed a hammer, and went silently to Sisera. She drove the peg through his temple and into the ground, and he died. 1 Samuel 17:51 David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword and pulled it from its sheath and killed him, and he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. and thrust his sword into his opponent’s side, 2 Samuel 20:10 Amasa was not on guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach and spilled out his intestines on the ground. And Joab did not need to strike him again, for Amasa was dead. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri. 2 Samuel 3:27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel. Judges 3:21-22 And Ehud reached with his left hand, pulled the sword from his right thigh, and plunged it into Eglon’s belly. / Even the handle sank in after the blade, and Eglon’s fat closed in over it, so that Ehud did not withdraw the sword from his belly. And Eglon’s bowels emptied. and they all fell together. 1 Samuel 31:4-6 Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. / When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his own sword and died with him. / So Saul, his three sons, his armor-bearer, and all his men died together that same day. Judges 16:30 Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people in it. So in his death he killed more than he had killed in his life. So this place, which is in Gibeon, is called Helkath-hazzurim. 1 Samuel 7:12 Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” Joshua 7:26 And they heaped over Achan a large pile of rocks that remains to this day. So the LORD turned from His burning anger. Therefore that place is called the Valley of Achor to this day. 1 Kings 3:4 Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for it was the great high place. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar there. Judges 7:22 And when the three hundred rams’ horns sounded, the LORD set all the men in the camp against one another with their swords. The army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath. 1 Samuel 14:20 Then Saul and all his troops assembled and marched to the battle, and they found the Philistines in total confusion, with each man wielding the sword against his neighbor. 2 Samuel 3:1 Now the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was protracted. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. 1 Kings 2:5 Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. 1 Chronicles 12:1-2 Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish (they were among the mighty men who helped him in battle; / they were archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin): Treasury of Scripture And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: why that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon. {Helkath-hazzurim}. Jump to Previous Caught Driving Fell Fellow Fellow's Field Gibeon Grabbed Head Helkath Opponent Other's rim Seized Side Sides Sword Thrust Together WhereforeJump to Next Caught Driving Fell Fellow Fellow's Field Gibeon Grabbed Head Helkath Opponent Other's rim Seized Side Sides Sword Thrust Together Wherefore2 Samuel 2 1. David, by God's direction, with his company goes up to Hebron 4. where he is made king of Judah 5. He commends them of Jabesh Gilead for their king of Israel 8. Abner makes Ishbosheth king of Israel 12. A mortal skirmish between twelve of Abner's and twelve of Joab's men. 18. Asahel is slain 25. At Abner's motion, Joab sounds a retreat 32. Asahel's burial Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head This phrase describes a brutal and intimate form of combat, reflecting the intense personal nature of ancient warfare. The act of grabbing the opponent by the head signifies close-quarters combat, which was common in battles of this era. This encounter is part of a larger conflict between the forces of David and Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, highlighting the division within Israel after Saul's death. The personal nature of this combat can be seen as a microcosm of the larger civil strife within the nation. and thrust his sword into his opponent’s side and they all fell together So this place, which is in Gibeon, is called Helkath-hazzurim Persons / Places / Events 1. Joab- The commander of David's forces, representing the tribe of Judah and David's interests. 2. Abner - The commander of Saul's army, representing the northern tribes of Israel and the house of Saul. 3. Gibeon - A significant city in the territory of Benjamin, serving as the setting for this confrontation. 4. Helkath-hazzurim - The name given to the field where the battle took place, meaning "Field of Swords" or "Field of Strong Men." 5. The Duel - A deadly contest between twelve men from each side, representing the larger conflict between the house of David and the house of Saul. Teaching Points The Futility of ViolenceThe mutual destruction in this passage underscores the tragic consequences of violence and the cycle of retribution. Leadership and Responsibility Leaders like Joab and Abner bear responsibility for the actions and outcomes of their followers, reminding us of the weight of leadership. The Cost of Division The conflict between the houses of David and Saul illustrates the destructive nature of division within God's people. God's Sovereignty in Conflict Despite human conflict, God's purposes prevail, as seen in the eventual unification of Israel under David. The Importance of Reconciliation This passage invites reflection on the need for reconciliation and peace-making efforts within communities and families. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 2:16?2. What does 2 Samuel 2:16 reveal about the nature of conflict among brethren? 3. How can we apply the lessons from 2 Samuel 2:16 to resolve disputes today? 4. What does "each man grabbed his opponent" teach about human pride and rivalry? 5. How does 2 Samuel 2:16 connect to Jesus' teachings on peace and reconciliation? 6. In what ways can we promote unity in our church, avoiding conflicts like 2 Samuel 2:16? 7. What is the significance of the battle described in 2 Samuel 2:16? 8. How does 2 Samuel 2:16 reflect the broader conflict between Israel and Judah? 9. What does the phrase "each man grabbed his opponent by the head" symbolize in 2 Samuel 2:16? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 2? 11. (2 Samuel 16) Are there any independent historical or archaeological records confirming these specific events and people mentioned in this chapter? 12. In 2 Samuel 2:12–16, is the description of men killing each other simultaneously around the pool of Gibeon historically plausible or exaggerated? 13. Who killed Saul? Saul took his own sword and fell upon it.... Thus Saul died... (I Samuel 31:4-6) An Amalekite slew him (2 Samuel 1:1- 16) 14. (2 Samuel 16:5-8) How could God supposedly endorse Shimei's hostile cursing of David if God is just and fair? What Does 2 Samuel 2:16 Mean Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head• What began as a “contest” between twelve representatives of Abner and twelve of Joab (2 Samuel 2:14–15) instantly turned deadly. • Grabbing the head shows total commitment to overpower the other—no half-measures, no escape routes. • The tragedy is that all twenty-four are Israelites, brothers by blood, separated only by divided loyalties to Saul’s house and David’s (cf. Judges 20:12–13; James 4:1). • Scripture repeatedly warns that internal strife destroys a people (Matthew 12:25; Galatians 5:15). What happens in this verse illustrates that warning in stark, literal fashion. and thrust his sword into his opponent’s side • The “sport” Abner proposed (2 Samuel 2:14) becomes mutual slaughter. What begins in the flesh ends in blood (Romans 8:6). • The side is a vulnerable spot; the strike here guarantees death, showing the ruthless seriousness of civil war. • Violence against one’s own covenant family foreshadows the greater violence humanity would later inflict on Christ, whose side was also pierced (John 19:34). • God’s Word never sanitizes sin; it records it truthfully so we will heed the consequences (1 Corinthians 10:11). and they all fell together • No victor emerges—only corpses. Civil conflict produces shared loss (2 Samuel 18:7). • “Both will fall into a pit” when the blind lead the blind (Luke 6:39); here, the commanders’ pride leads to collective ruin. • Their simultaneous fall preaches the futility of fleshly rivalry (Philippians 2:3). If brothers refuse humility, they share defeat (Proverbs 16:18). • The fallen bodies lying in one place create a silent witness that disunity is deathly business. So this place, which is in Gibeon, is called Helkath-hazzurim • The battlefield receives a name, fixing the memory of needless bloodshed in Israel’s geography. Other tragic events are likewise memorialized (Genesis 28:19; Joshua 7:26). • Naming the field ensures parents can warn future generations when passing by: “Here is where brother killed brother” (Deuteronomy 6:20–21). • God allows such memorials so His people remember both His justice and the cost of ignoring His will for unity (Psalm 133:1; Ephesians 4:3). summary 2 Samuel 2:16 records a moment when Israelite brothers, acting in pride and rivalry, seize one another by the head, drive swords into one another’s sides, and all collapse together. The place is forever marked by that tragedy. The verse teaches that internal strife among God’s people is deadly, futile, and unforgettable—an enduring call to pursue humility, unity, and obedience to the Lord’s anointed rather than the destructive impulses of the flesh. (16) Helkath ? hazzurim is interpreted in the margin "the field of strong men," but the etymology is very doubtful. Most modern expositors understand it as meaning "the field of sharp edges."Verse 16. - His sword in his fellow's side. The absence of the verb in the original sets powerfully before us the rapidity of the whole action. But what an action! Twenty-four experienced men each take the other by the head, and, without any attempt at self-defence, thrust their swords into their opponents' side, and leave their own sides exposed to a similar thrust. Were they, then, unskilful in the use of weapons? Impossible. Were they blinded by hatred of one another? But no rancour would make a man forget his skill in defence. Here there is no variety, no checkered fortune of the combatants, but all twenty-four do and suffer just the same; and it is remarkable that they had swords only, and no shields. With shields on their arms, they could not have seized one another by the hair. It seems certain, therefore, that this mutual butchery was the "play;" nor can we conceive of a more murderous and savage proceeding. Abner, at the head of his fierce Benjamites, thought, perhaps, that Joab had no men among his followers willing to throw life away in so senseless a manner. But Joab was as ready as Abner, and possibly some code of false honour, such as used to make men practise duelling, required the acceptance of the challenge. And so, with their appetite for blood whetted by the sight of twenty-four murders, they hastened to begin the fight. Helkath-hazzurim. Literally this means "the field of flints;" but as the flint is constantly used for any hard rock (Psalm 78:20), the Authorized Version has admitted into the margin a paraphrase taken from the Vulgate, which supposes that by flints are meant "strong men," and renders, "the field of strong men." So in Isaiah 26:4 "the flint," or rock, "of ages," is even translated "everlasting strength." Flints, however, were constantly used by the Israelites for knives whenever extreme sharpness was required. Thus for the circumcising of Israel, Jehovah commanded Joshua to prepare knives of flint (Joshua 5:2); and in course of time the sharp or whetted edge of a weapon was called its flint. Thus in Psalm 89:43 we read, "Thou hast turned back the flint of his sword." The name therefore probably means "the field of the sharp knives" (see margin of the Revised Version), and refers to the short swords with which they murdered one another.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then each manאִ֣ישׁ ׀ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person grabbed וַֽיַּחֲזִ֜קוּ (way·ya·ḥă·zi·qū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer his opponent רֵעֵ֗הוּ (rê·‘ê·hū) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow by the head בְּרֹ֣אשׁ (bə·rōš) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7218: The head and thrust his sword וְחַרְבּוֹ֙ (wə·ḥar·bōw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword into his opponent’s רֵעֵ֔הוּ (rê·‘ê·hū) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow side, בְּצַ֣ד (bə·ṣaḏ) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6654: A side, an adversary and they all fell וַֽיִּפְּל֖וּ (way·yip·pə·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5307: To fall, lie together. יַחְדָּ֑ו (yaḥ·dāw) Adverb Strong's 3162: A unit, unitedly So this הַה֔וּא (ha·hū) Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are place, לַמָּק֣וֹם (lam·mā·qō·wm) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition which אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that is in Gibeon, בְּגִבְעֽוֹן׃ (bə·ḡiḇ·‘ō·wn) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1391: Gibeon -- a Levitical city in Benjamin is called וַיִּקְרָא֙ (way·yiq·rā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read the Field of Swords. הַצֻּרִ֖ים (haṣ·ṣu·rîm) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 2521: Helkath-hazzurim -- a place near the pool of Gibeon Links 2 Samuel 2:16 NIV2 Samuel 2:16 NLT 2 Samuel 2:16 ESV 2 Samuel 2:16 NASB 2 Samuel 2:16 KJV 2 Samuel 2:16 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 2:16 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 2:16 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 2:16 French Bible 2 Samuel 2:16 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 2:16 They caught everyone his fellow by (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
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