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So this place, which is in Gibeon, is called Helkath-hazzurim.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_samuel/2-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/10_2Sa_02_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Samuel 2:16 - War Between the Houses of David and Saul" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_samuel/2-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_samuel/2-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_samuel/">2 Samuel</a> > <a href="/2_samuel/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_samuel/2-15.htm" title="2 Samuel 2:15">◄</a> 2 Samuel 2:16 <a href="/2_samuel/2-17.htm" title="2 Samuel 2:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/2_samuel/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his dagger into his opponent&#8217s side, and they fell down together. So that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_samuel/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and <i>thrust</i> his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which <i>is</i> in Gibeon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_samuel/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And each one grasped his opponent by the head and <i>thrust</i> his sword in his opponent’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called the Field of Sharp Swords, which <i>is</i> in Gibeon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And each one of them seized his opponent by the head and <i>thrust</i> his sword in his opponent’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Each one of them seized his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent&#8217s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And each one of them seized his opponent by the head, and <i>thrust</i> his sword in his opponent’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_samuel/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And each one of them seized his opponent by the head and <i>thrust</i> his sword in his opponent’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_samuel/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Each one of them seized his opponent by the head and <i>thrust</i> 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_samuel/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his opponent&#8217s side so that they all died together. So this place, which is in Gibeon, is named Field of Blades. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_samuel/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_samuel/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />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." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_samuel/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_samuel/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_samuel/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />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." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_samuel/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_samuel/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_samuel/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_samuel/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_samuel/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_samuel/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />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. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_samuel/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And 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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_samuel/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_samuel/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />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.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_samuel/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And 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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_samuel/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />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<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_samuel/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_samuel/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they seized every one the head of his neighbour with his hand, and his sword <i>was thrust</i> 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_samuel/2-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0ajZHUzMKw?start=411" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/2.htm">War Between the Houses of David and Saul</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>So they got up and were counted off—twelve for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth son of Saul, and twelve for David. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">Then each man</a> <a href="/hebrew/2388.htm" title="2388: way·ya·ḥă·zi·qū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong, obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer.">grabbed</a> <a href="/hebrew/7453.htm" title="7453: rê·‘ê·hū (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Friend, companion, fellow. Or reya2; from ra'ah; an associate.">his opponent</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: bə·rōš (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">by the head</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: wə·ḥar·bōw (Conj-w:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">and thrust his sword</a> <a href="/hebrew/7453.htm" title="7453: rê·‘ê·hū (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Friend, companion, fellow. Or reya2; from ra'ah; an associate.">into his opponent’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/6654.htm" title="6654: bə·ṣaḏ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- A side. Contr. From an unused root meaning to sidle off; a side; figuratively, an adversary.">side,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5307.htm" title="5307: way·yip·pə·lū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To fall, lie. A primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications.">and they all fell</a> <a href="/hebrew/3162.htm" title="3162: yaḥ·dāw (Adv) -- Unitedness. From yachad; properly, a unit, i.e. unitedly.">together.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: ha·hū (Art:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">So this</a> <a href="/hebrew/4725.htm" title="4725: lam·mā·qō·wm (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- Or maqom; also mqowmah; or mqomah; from quwm; properly, a standing, i.e. A spot; but used widely of a locality; also of a condition.">place,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">which</a> <a href="/hebrew/1391.htm" title="1391: bə·ḡiḇ·‘ō·wn (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs) -- A Levitical city in Benjamin. From the same as Geba'; hilly; Gibon, a place in Palestine.">is in Gibeon,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: way·yiq·rā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">is called</a> <a href="/hebrew/2521.htm" title="2521: ḥel·qaṯFrom Chelqath and the plural of tsuwr, with the article inserted; smoothness of the rocks; Chelkath Hats-tsurim, a place in Palestine."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2521.htm" title="2521: haṣ·ṣu·rîm (N-proper-fs) -- From Chelqath and the plural of tsuwr, with the article inserted; smoothness of the rocks; Chelkath Hats-tsurim, a place in Palestine.">Helkath-hazzurim.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>The battle that day was intense, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the servants of David.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/7-22.htm">Judges 7:22</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-20.htm">1 Samuel 14:20</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/3-1.htm">2 Samuel 3:1</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-5.htm">1 Kings 2:5</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/12-1.htm">1 Chronicles 12:1-2</a></span><br />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):<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/9-19.htm">Isaiah 9:19-21</a></span><br />By the wrath of the LORD of Hosts the land is scorched, and the people are fuel for the fire. No man even spares his brother. / They carve out what is on the right, but they are still hungry; they eat what is on the left, but they are still not satisfied. Each one devours the flesh of his own offspring. / Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; together they turn against Judah. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/25-15.htm">Jeremiah 25:15-16</a></span><br />This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from My hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink from it. / And they will drink and stagger and go out of their minds, because of the sword that I will send among them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/38-21.htm">Ezekiel 38:21</a></span><br />And I will summon a sword against Gog on all My mountains, declares the Lord GOD, and every man’s sword will be against his brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-7.htm">Matthew 24:7</a></span><br />Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/13-8.htm">Mark 13:8</a></span><br />Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-10.htm">Luke 21:10</a></span><br />Then He told them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/18-36.htm">John 18:36</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-26.htm">Acts 7:26</a></span><br />The next day he came upon two Israelites who were fighting, and he tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why are you mistreating each other?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-23.htm">Romans 7:23</a></span><br />But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-3.htm">1 Corinthians 3:3</a></span><br />for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">{Helkath-hazzurim}.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/17-35.htm">Caught</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-20.htm">Driving</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-4.htm">Fell</a> <a href="/1_samuel/29-4.htm">Fellow</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-21.htm">Fellow's</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-11.htm">Field</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-13.htm">Gibeon</a> <a href="/judges/15-15.htm">Grabbed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-8.htm">Head</a> <a href="/joshua/21-31.htm">Helkath</a> <a href="/titus/2-8.htm">Opponent</a> <a href="/galatians/6-2.htm">Other's</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-1.htm">rim</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-9.htm">Seized</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-13.htm">Side</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-3.htm">Sides</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-22.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-4.htm">Thrust</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-13.htm">Together</a> <a href="/1_samuel/29-10.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/18-9.htm">Caught</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-23.htm">Driving</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-23.htm">Fell</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-7.htm">Fellow</a> <a href="/john/9-28.htm">Fellow's</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-18.htm">Field</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-24.htm">Gibeon</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-11.htm">Grabbed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-8.htm">Head</a> <a href="/joshua/19-25.htm">Helkath</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-20.htm">Opponent</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-9.htm">Other's</a> <a href="/joshua/15-9.htm">rim</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-4.htm">Seized</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-22.htm">Side</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-24.htm">Sides</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-26.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-14.htm">Thrust</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-25.htm">Together</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-22.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">2 Samuel 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/2-1.htm">David, by God's direction, with his company goes up to Hebron </a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/2-4.htm">where he is made king of Judah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/2-5.htm">He commends them of Jabesh Gilead for their king of Israel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/2-8.htm">Abner makes Ishbosheth king of Israel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/2-12.htm">A mortal skirmish between twelve of Abner's and twelve of Joab's men.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/2-18.htm">Asahel is slain</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/2-25.htm">At Abner's motion, Joab sounds a retreat</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/2-32.htm">Asahel's burial</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/2_samuel/2.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Then each man</b><br />This phrase sets the stage for a personal and direct confrontation. The Hebrew word for "man" here is "אִישׁ" (ish), which often denotes an individual of valor or significance. In the context of ancient Israel, this highlights the personal bravery and the tragic nature of civil conflict, as these were not just soldiers but men of the same nation, emphasizing the gravity of internal strife.<p><b>grabbed his opponent by the head</b><br />The act of grabbing by the head signifies a close and personal combat style, indicative of the brutal and intimate nature of ancient warfare. The Hebrew root "תָּפַשׂ" (taphas) implies seizing or grasping firmly, suggesting determination and the intensity of the struggle. This reflects the desperation and the personal vendettas that often fueled such conflicts in Israel's history.<p><b>and thrust his sword into his opponent’s side</b><br />The sword, or "חֶרֶב" (chereb) in Hebrew, is a symbol of judgment and warfare throughout the Bible. The act of thrusting into the side is a lethal move, indicating the deadly seriousness of the encounter. This phrase underscores the tragic consequences of division among God's people, as brother turns against brother in a cycle of violence that only leads to mutual destruction.<p><b>so that they all fell together</b><br />The phrase "fell together" is poignant, as it illustrates the futility and the equal loss on both sides. The Hebrew "נָפַל" (naphal) means to fall, often used in the context of death or defeat. This collective fall serves as a somber reminder of the cost of disunity and the shared fate of those who engage in fratricidal conflict.<p><b>So this place, which is in Gibeon</b><br />Gibeon holds historical significance as a city of the Gibeonites, who had a complex relationship with Israel, as seen in <a href="/joshua/9.htm">Joshua 9</a>. The mention of Gibeon situates the event in a real geographical and historical context, reminding readers of the tangible consequences of Israel's internal divisions. It also serves as a backdrop for the unfolding narrative of David's rise to power amidst national turmoil.<p><b>is called the Field of Swords</b><br />The naming of the place as the "Field of Swords" (Hebrew: "חֶלְקַת הַצֻּרִים", chelqat ha-tzurim) serves as a lasting memorial to the bloodshed and the tragic events that transpired. In biblical tradition, naming a place often signifies its importance and the lessons to be learned from it. This name stands as a testament to the destructive power of conflict and the need for unity under God's covenant.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_samuel/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Helkath ? hazzurim</span> 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."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_samuel/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">His sword in his fellow's side.</span> 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. <span class="cmt_word">Helkath-hazzurim.</span> Literally this means "the field of flints;" but as the flint is constantly used for any hard rock (<a href="/psalms/78-20.htm">Psalm 78:20</a>), 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 <a href="/isaiah/26-4.htm">Isaiah 26:4</a> "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 (<a href="/joshua/5-2.htm">Joshua 5:2</a>); and in course of time the sharp or whetted edge of a weapon was called its flint. Thus in <a href="/psalms/89-43.htm">Psalm 89:43</a> 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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/2-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then each man</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֣ישׁ ׀</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">grabbed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיַּחֲזִ֜קוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·ḥă·zi·qū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2388.htm">Strong's 2388: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his opponent</span><br /><span class="heb">רֵעֵ֗הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(rê·‘ê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7453.htm">Strong's 7453: </a> </span><span class="str2">Friend, companion, fellow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by the head</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּרֹ֣אשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·rōš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> </span><span class="str2">The head</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and thrust his sword</span><br /><span class="heb">וְחַרְבּוֹ֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḥar·bōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">into his opponent’s</span><br /><span class="heb">רֵעֵ֔הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(rê·‘ê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7453.htm">Strong's 7453: </a> </span><span class="str2">Friend, companion, fellow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">side,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּצַ֣ד</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṣaḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6654.htm">Strong's 6654: </a> </span><span class="str2">A side, an adversary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and they all fell</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיִּפְּל֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yip·pə·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5307.htm">Strong's 5307: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall, lie</span><br /><br /><span class="word">together.</span><br /><span class="heb">יַחְדָּ֑ו</span> <span class="translit">(yaḥ·dāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3162.htm">Strong's 3162: </a> </span><span class="str2">A unit, unitedly</span><br /><br /><span class="word">So this</span><br /><span class="heb">הַה֔וּא</span> <span class="translit">(ha·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">place,</span><br /><span class="heb">לַמָּק֣וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(lam·mā·qō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4725.htm">Strong's 4725: </a> </span><span class="str2">A standing, a spot, a condition</span><br /><br /><span class="word">which</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is in Gibeon,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּגִבְעֽוֹן׃</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḡiḇ·‘ō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1391.htm">Strong's 1391: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gibeon -- a Levitical city in Benjamin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is called</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקְרָא֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Field of Swords.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַצֻּרִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(haṣ·ṣu·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2521.htm">Strong's 2521: </a> </span><span class="str2">Helkath-hazzurim -- a place near the pool of Gibeon</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/2-16.htm">2 Samuel 2:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/2-16.htm">2 Samuel 2:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_samuel/2-16.htm">2 Samuel 2:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/2-16.htm">2 Samuel 2:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/2-16.htm">2 Samuel 2:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/2-16.htm">2 Samuel 2:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/2-16.htm">2 Samuel 2:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/2-16.htm">2 Samuel 2:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/2-16.htm">2 Samuel 2:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_samuel/2-16.htm">2 Samuel 2:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_samuel/2-16.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 2:16 They caught everyone his fellow by (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/2-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 2:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 2:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/2-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 2:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 2:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>