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2 Samuel 12:2 The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle,
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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/12.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/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The rich man owned a great many sheep and cattle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_samuel/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The rich man had very many flocks and herds,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The rich <i>man</i> had exceeding many flocks and herds:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_samuel/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The rich <i>man</i> had exceedingly many flocks and herds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“The wealthy man had a great many flocks and herds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />“The rich man had a great many flocks and herds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“The rich man had a great many flocks and herds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_samuel/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The rich man had a great many flocks and herds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_samuel/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“The rich man had a very large number of flocks and herds,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_samuel/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The rich man had very large flocks and herds,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The rich man had a large number of sheep and cattle, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_samuel/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_samuel/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The rich man owned a lot of sheep and cattle, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_samuel/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_samuel/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cows,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_samuel/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The rich man had many cattle and sheep, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_samuel/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The rich man has many flocks and herds, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_samuel/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_samuel/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The rich man had a great many flocks and herds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_samuel/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The rich man had very many flocks and herds,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_samuel/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The rich man had very numerous flocks and herds:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_samuel/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The rich man had very many flocks and herds, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_samuel/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The rich has very many flocks and herds,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_samuel/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The rich hath flocks and herds very many;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_samuel/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />To the rich was sheep and oxen exceeding many:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_samuel/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The rich man had exceeding many sheep and oxen. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The wealthy man had very many sheep and oxen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_samuel/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The rich man had flocks and herds in great numbers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The rich man had very many flocks and herds;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The rich man had exceedingly many flocks and herds;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The rich man had sheep and very many oxen<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_samuel/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_samuel/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the rich <i>man</i> had very many flocks and herds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_samuel/12-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0ajZHUzMKw?start=2845" 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/12.htm">Nathan Rebukes David</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>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. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6223.htm" title="6223: lə·‘ā·šîr (Prep-l:: Adj-ms) -- Rich. From ashar; rich, whether literal or figurative.">The rich</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">man had</a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: har·bêh (V-Hifil-InfAbs) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">a great number of</a> <a href="/hebrew/3966.htm" title="3966: mə·’ōḏ (Adv) -- Muchness, force, abundance. From the same as 'uwd; properly, vehemence, i.e. vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6629.htm" title="6629: ṣōn (N-cs) -- Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock. Or tsaown; from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock; also figuratively.">sheep</a> <a href="/hebrew/1241.htm" title="1241: ū·ḇā·qār (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Cattle, herd, an ox. From baqar; beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender; collectively, a herd.">and cattle,</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>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.…<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="/exodus/22-1.htm">Exodus 22:1</a></span><br />“If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/6-4.htm">Leviticus 6:4-5</a></span><br />once he has sinned and becomes guilty, he must return what he has stolen or taken by extortion, or the deposit entrusted to him, or the lost property he found, / or anything else about which he has sworn falsely. He must make restitution in full, add a fifth of the value, and pay it to the owner on the day he acknowledges his guilt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-30.htm">Proverbs 6:30-31</a></span><br />Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger. / Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-8.htm">Luke 19:8</a></span><br />But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-23.htm">Matthew 18:23-35</a></span><br />Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. / As he began the settlements, a debtor owing ten thousand talents was brought to him. / Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-1.htm">James 5:1-6</a></span><br />Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/8-4.htm">Amos 8:4-6</a></span><br />Hear this, you who trample the needy, who do away with the poor of the land, / asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales. / Let us buy the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the chaff with the wheat!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/2-1.htm">Micah 2:1-2</a></span><br />Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands. / They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/3-14.htm">Isaiah 3:14-15</a></span><br />The LORD brings this charge against the elders and leaders of His people: “You have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses. / Why do you crush My people and grind the faces of the poor?” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-12.htm">Ezekiel 22:12-13</a></span><br />In you they take bribes to shed blood. You engage in usury, take excess interest, and extort your neighbors. But Me you have forgotten, declares the Lord GOD. / Now look, I strike My hands together against your unjust gain and against the blood you have shed in your midst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/22-13.htm">Jeremiah 22:13-17</a></span><br />“Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms without justice, who makes his countrymen serve without pay, and fails to pay their wages, / who says, ‘I will build myself a great palace, with spacious upper rooms.’ So he cuts windows in it, panels it with cedar, and paints it with vermilion. / Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went well with him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/5-1.htm">Nehemiah 5:1-13</a></span><br />About that time there was a great outcry from the people and their wives against their fellow Jews. / Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous. We must get grain in order to eat and stay alive.” / Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-1.htm">1 Kings 21:1-16</a></span><br />Some time after these events, Naboth the Jezreelite owned a vineyard in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. / So Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to use as a vegetable garden, since it is next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place—or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.” / But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">Matthew 21:33-41</a></span><br />Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. / When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit. / But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/12-1.htm">Mark 12:1-9</a></span><br />Then Jesus began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a wine vat, and built a watchtower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. / At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. / But they seized the servant, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:</p><p class="hdg">exceeding</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/12-8.htm">2 Samuel 12:8</a></b></br> And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if <i>that had been</i> too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/3-2.htm">2 Samuel 3:2-5</a></b></br> And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/5-13.htm">2 Samuel 5:13-16</a></b></br> And David took <i>him</i> more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/6-6.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/2_samuel/8-8.htm">Exceeding</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-20.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-1.htm">Great</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-20.htm">Herds</a> <a href="/2_samuel/8-8.htm">Large</a> <a href="/judges/16-24.htm">Numbers</a> <a href="/judges/7-12.htm">Numerous</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-1.htm">Rich</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-8.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-1.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/24-22.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-30.htm">Exceeding</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-27.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-13.htm">Great</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/27-29.htm">Herds</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-20.htm">Large</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-23.htm">Numbers</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-11.htm">Numerous</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-4.htm">Rich</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-23.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-11.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">2 Samuel 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/12-1.htm">Nathan's parable of the ewe lamb causes David to be his own judge.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/12-7.htm">David, reproved by Nathan, confesses his sin, and is pardoned</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/12-15.htm">David mourns and prays for the child while it lives</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/12-24.htm">Solomon is born, and named Jedidiah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/12-26.htm">David takes Rabbah, and tortures the people thereof</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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_samuel/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The rich man</b><br>In the context of <a href="/2_samuel/12.htm">2 Samuel 12</a>, the "rich man" represents King David. This parable, told by the prophet Nathan, is a metaphor for David's actions regarding Bathsheba and Uriah. The rich man's wealth symbolizes David's power and resources as king. In biblical times, wealth was often measured by livestock, which were essential for food, clothing, and sacrifices. This imagery highlights the disparity between David's abundance and Uriah's limited resources.<p><b>had a great number of sheep and cattle</b><br>Sheep and cattle were significant assets in ancient Israel, representing wealth and prosperity. The mention of a "great number" emphasizes the extent of the rich man's resources, contrasting with the poor man's single ewe lamb in the parable. This abundance is symbolic of David's many blessings and privileges as king. In a broader biblical context, sheep often symbolize God's people (<a href="/psalms/100-3.htm">Psalm 100:3</a>), and cattle can represent material wealth (<a href="/genesis/13-2.htm">Genesis 13:2</a>). The rich man's possession of many sheep and cattle underscores his responsibility to use his resources justly and compassionately, a responsibility David failed to uphold in his dealings with Uriah.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/r/rich_man.htm">Rich Man</a></b><br>Represents those with abundance and wealth. In the context of Nathan's parable to David, he symbolizes King David himself, who had many blessings and resources.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/sheep_and_cattle.htm">Sheep and Cattle</a></b><br>Symbolize wealth and abundance in ancient times. They are used in the parable to illustrate the rich man's vast resources compared to the poor man's single lamb.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/n/nathan.htm">Nathan</a></b><br>The prophet who delivers God's message to King David through this parable. He plays a crucial role in confronting David about his sin with Bathsheba.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The King of Israel, who is being indirectly addressed through Nathan's parable. His actions with Bathsheba and Uriah are the underlying issue being confronted.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/parable.htm">Parable</a></b><br>A teaching method used by Nathan to reveal a moral truth to David. It serves as a mirror to David's own actions, prompting self-reflection and repentance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/w/wealth_and_responsibility.htm">Wealth and Responsibility</a></b><br>The abundance of resources comes with a responsibility to act justly and compassionately. The rich man's failure to do so is a cautionary tale for those blessed with much.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-reflection_and_repentance.htm">Self-Reflection and Repentance</a></b><br>Like David, we must be open to recognizing our faults and seeking repentance. Nathan's parable serves as a tool for self-examination.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice.htm">God's Justice</a></b><br>The parable illustrates that God sees all actions and will hold individuals accountable. It is a reminder of divine justice and the importance of living righteously.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_parables.htm">The Power of Parables</a></b><br>Parables are effective in revealing truths and prompting change. They encourage listeners to see themselves in the account and reflect on their own lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_samuel_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_child's_death_with_god's_love.htm">In 2 Samuel 12:15-23, how can the moral or spiritual purpose of the child's death be reconciled with the idea of a loving and merciful God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_punish_a_child_for_david's_sin.htm">In 2 Samuel 12:7-14, why would a just God inflict punishment on an innocent child for David's sin, seemingly contradicting Ezekiel 18:20?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_tolerate_david's_polygamy.htm">In 2 Samuel 12:8, why does God appear to condone or at least tolerate David's multiple wives, despite other biblical condemnations of polygamy?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_many_famine_years_for_david.htm">God sent his prophet to threaten David with how many years of famine? Seven (2 Samuel 24:13) Three (I Chronicles 21:12)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_samuel/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">There were two men.</span>--The parable is designed to bring out David's indignation against the offender without being so clear as to awaken at first any suspicion of a personal application. It does not allude to the special crimes of David, but to the meanness and selfishness of the transaction--qualities which David was still in a condition to appreciate. For a similar use of parables see <a href="/context/2_samuel/14-2.htm" title="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:">2Samuel 14:2-11</a>; <a href="/context/1_kings/20-35.htm" title="And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said to his neighbor in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray you. And the man refused to smite him.">1Kings 20:35-41</a>.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/12-2.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">The rich</span><br /><span class="heb">לְעָשִׁ֗יר</span> <span class="translit">(lə·‘ā·šîr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6223.htm">Strong's 6223: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rich</span><br /><br /><span class="word">man had</span><br /><span class="heb">הָיָ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a great number of</span><br /><span class="heb">הַרְבֵּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(har·bêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become much, many or great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sheep</span><br /><span class="heb">צֹ֥אן</span> <span class="translit">(ṣōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6629.htm">Strong's 6629: </a> </span><span class="str2">Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and cattle,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבָקָ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇā·qār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1241.htm">Strong's 1241: </a> </span><span class="str2">Beef cattle, ox, a herd</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/12-2.htm">2 Samuel 12:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/12-2.htm">2 Samuel 12:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_samuel/12-2.htm">2 Samuel 12:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/12-2.htm">2 Samuel 12:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/12-2.htm">2 Samuel 12:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/12-2.htm">2 Samuel 12:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/12-2.htm">2 Samuel 12:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/12-2.htm">2 Samuel 12:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/12-2.htm">2 Samuel 12:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_samuel/12-2.htm">2 Samuel 12:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_samuel/12-2.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 12:2 The rich man had very many flocks (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/12-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 12:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 12:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/12-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 12:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 12:3" /></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>