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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/7.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/7.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But that same night the LORD said to Nathan,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_samuel/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_samuel/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But it happened that night that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But in the same night, the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But in the same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But it came about in the same night that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_samuel/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now it happened in the same night, that the word of Yahweh came to Nathan, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_samuel/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But it happened that night that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_samuel/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan: &#8220<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_samuel/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And it came to pass the same night, that the word of Jehovah came unto Nathan, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_samuel/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />That night, the LORD told Nathan <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_samuel/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And it came to pass the same night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_samuel/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But that same night the LORD spoke his word to Nathan:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_samuel/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But that night the LORD said to Nathan, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_samuel/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But later that same night, this message came to Nathan from the LORD:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_samuel/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />That night the LORD told Nathan,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_samuel/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />It happened the same night, that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_samuel/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_samuel/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_samuel/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />That same night, Yahweh’s word came to Nathan, saying, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_samuel/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And it comes to pass in that night, that the word of YHWH is to Nathan, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_samuel/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And it cometh to pass in that night, that the word of Jehovah is unto Nathan, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_samuel/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And it will be in that night, and the word of Jehovah will be to Nathan, saying,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_samuel/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But it came to pass that night, that the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But it happened in that night, behold, the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_samuel/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan:<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And it came to pass that very night, the word of the LORD came to Nathan, the prophet, saying.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />In that night was the response of LORD JEHOVAH unto Nathan the Prophet saying:<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_samuel/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And it came to pass the same night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_samuel/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And it came to pass in that night, that the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_samuel/7-4.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=1706" 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/7.htm">God's Covenant with David</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>And Nathan replied to the king, “Go and do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.” <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: ha·hū (Art:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">But that</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3915.htm" title="3915: bal·lay·lāh (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Night. Or leyl; also laylah; from the same as luwl; properly, a twist, i.e. Night; figuratively, adversity.">night</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: də·ḇar- (N-msc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">the word</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">came</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/5416.htm" title="5416: nā·ṯān (N-proper-ms) -- The name of a number of Isr. From nathan; given; Nathan, the name of five Israelites.">Nathan,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">saying,</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>“Go and tell My servant David that this is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build for Me a house to dwell in?…<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="/1_chronicles/17-3.htm">1 Chronicles 17:3</a></span><br />But that night the word of God came to Nathan, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-18.htm">1 Kings 8:18-19</a></span><br />But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Since it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you have done well to have this in your heart. / Nevertheless, you are not the one to build it; but your son, your own offspring, will build the house for My Name.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/89-3.htm">Psalm 89:3-4</a></span><br />You said, “I have made a covenant with My chosen one, I have sworn to David My servant: / ‘I will establish your offspring forever and build up your throne for all generations.’” Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-3.htm">Isaiah 55:3</a></span><br />Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-22.htm">Acts 13:22-23</a></span><br />After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’ / From the descendants of this man, God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as He promised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/1-5.htm">Hebrews 1:5</a></span><br />For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father”? Or again: “I will be His Father, and He will be My Son”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-32.htm">Luke 1:32-33</a></span><br />He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, / and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-1.htm">Matthew 1:1</a></span><br />This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-3.htm">Romans 1:3</a></span><br />regarding His Son, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/22-16.htm">Revelation 22:16</a></span><br />“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-5.htm">Jeremiah 23:5</a></span><br />Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/37-24.htm">Ezekiel 37:24-25</a></span><br />My servant David will be king over them, and there will be one shepherd for all of them. They will follow My ordinances and keep and observe My statutes. / They will live in the land that I gave to My servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They will live there forever with their children and grandchildren, and My servant David will be their prince forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/6-12.htm">Zechariah 6:12-13</a></span><br />And you are to tell him that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Here is a man whose name is the Branch, and He will branch out from His place and build the temple of the LORD. / Yes, He will build the temple of the LORD; He will be clothed in splendor and will sit on His throne and rule. And He will be a priest on His throne, and there will be peaceful counsel between the two.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/132-11.htm">Psalm 132:11-12</a></span><br />The LORD swore an oath to David, a promise He will not revoke: “One of your descendants I will place on your throne. / If your sons keep My covenant and the testimony I will teach them, then their sons will also sit on your throne forever and ever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/9-6.htm">Isaiah 9:6-7</a></span><br />For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. / Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,</p><p class="hdg">that night</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/12-6.htm">Numbers 12:6</a></b></br> And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, <i>I</i> the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, <i>and</i> will speak unto him in a dream.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/17-3.htm">1 Chronicles 17:3</a></b></br> And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/amos/3-7.htm">Amos 3:7</a></b></br> Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/7-3.htm">Nathan</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-7.htm">Night</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-28.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/7-17.htm">Nathan</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-16.htm">Night</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-7.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">2 Samuel 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/7-1.htm">Nathan, first approving the purpose of David to build God a house</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/7-4.htm">After by the word of God forbids him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/7-12.htm">God promises him benefits and blessings in his seed</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/7-18.htm">David's prayer and thanksgiving</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 /> <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/7.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/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But that night</b><br>This phrase indicates a specific time when God chose to communicate with Nathan. The timing is significant as it follows David's desire to build a temple for the Lord, showing God's immediate response to David's intentions. In biblical narratives, nighttime often symbolizes a period of divine revelation or significant spiritual encounters, as seen in other instances like Jacob's dream (<a href="/genesis/28-11.htm">Genesis 28:11-12</a>) and Samuel's calling (<a href="/1_samuel/3-3.htm">1 Samuel 3:3-4</a>).<p><b>the word of the LORD</b><br>This phrase signifies divine communication, emphasizing that the message Nathan received was not of human origin but directly from God. The "word of the LORD" is a common biblical expression denoting God's authoritative and prophetic message, as seen throughout the Old Testament in the ministries of prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah. It underscores the reliability and sacredness of the message being conveyed.<p><b>came to Nathan</b><br>Nathan was a prophet during the reign of King David, serving as a spiritual advisor and intermediary between God and the king. His role is crucial in this context, as he is chosen to deliver God's message to David. Nathan's involvement highlights the importance of prophets in Israel as God's mouthpieces, providing guidance and correction to the leaders and people. Nathan's later confrontation with David over his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12) further illustrates his role as a courageous and faithful prophet.<p><b>saying,</b><br>This introduces the content of God's message, which follows in the subsequent verses. The use of "saying" indicates that what follows is a direct quotation from God, lending weight and authority to the message. This divine communication will address David's desire to build a temple and reveal God's covenant promises, which have significant theological implications for the Davidic line and the future coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is often seen as the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/n/nathan.htm">Nathan</a></b><br>A prophet during the reign of King David, Nathan served as a messenger of God's word. He played a significant role in advising David and later confronting him about his sin with Bathsheba.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The King of Israel, known for his heart after God, who desired to build a temple for the Lord. His reign is marked by both great triumphs and personal failures.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who communicates His will and plans through His prophets.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_word_of_the_lord.htm">The Word of the LORD</a></b><br>Represents God's direct communication, often delivered through prophets, which carries authority and purpose.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_night.htm">The Night</a></b><br>Symbolic of a time of revelation and divine intervention, often used in Scripture to denote a period when God speaks or acts.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_communication.htm">God's Sovereignty in Communication</a></b><br>God chooses the time and manner in which He reveals His plans. His communication is purposeful and often comes when least expected, as seen in His message to Nathan at night.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prophets.htm">The Role of Prophets</a></b><br>Prophets serve as God's mouthpieces, delivering His messages with authority. Nathan's role reminds us of the importance of listening to and discerning God's voice through His chosen vessels.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_interruption.htm">Divine Interruption</a></b><br>God's plans may interrupt our own, as seen in David's desire to build a temple. We must remain open to God's redirection and trust His greater wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>Nathan's willingness to deliver God's message, even when it may not align with human desires, underscores the importance of obedience to God's word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_to_his_promises.htm">God's Faithfulness to His Promises</a></b><br>The message to Nathan sets the stage for God's covenant with David, highlighting His faithfulness and the assurance that His promises will be fulfilled.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_samuel_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_couldn't_david_build_the_temple.htm">Why was David forbidden from building the temple?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_nathan_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Nathan in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_1_chr_17_3-4_reverse_nathan's_ok.htm">Why does 1 Chronicles 17:3–4 reverse Nathan’s initial approval (17:2) for David to build the temple, and does this indicate an inconsistency? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_1_sam_23's_ephod_use_differ.htm">How does God’s guidance through the ephod in 1 Samuel 23 contrast with other Old Testament passages that emphasize prophets rather than priestly objects for divine messages?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_samuel/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">That night.</span>--The night following Nathan's conversation with David, when the prophet's mind would have been full of what he had heard, and thus prepared for the Divine communication. That communication is distinctly marked as coming from a source external to the prophet himself, by its being in direct opposition to his own view already expressed.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_samuel/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The word of Jehovah came unto Nathan.</span> Not every word of a prophet was inspired, and only a very few of the prophets, and those only upon great and solemn occasions, spake under the direct influence of the Spirit of God. In his usual relations with the king, Nathan was simply a wise, thoughtful, and God-fearing man. In giving his approval he probably meant no more than that a permanent dwelling for Jehovah was what all pious men were hoping for. But from the days of Samuel to those of Ezra, there was never wanting one or even more holy men who were, on fit occasions, commissioned to bear a message from God to man; and as these generally belonged to the prophetic order, men too often now confound prophecy with prediction. So inveterate is this confusion that even in the Revised Version Amos is made to say, "I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son," whereas the Hebrew distinctly is, "I am no prophet, nor a prophet's son [that is, one trained in the prophetic schools], but I am a herdsman" (<a href="/amos/7-16.htm">Amos 7:16</a>). But though not a prophet by profession, yet Amos was discharging a prophet's higher duty in testifying against wickedness and impiety, and was acting under a special Divine call. Still, he did not belong to the prophetic order, nor wear the garment of black camel's hair, which was their professional dress. On the present occasion, Nathan, in approving, had spoken as a man, but now a Divine message comes to him. How we know not. but in ver. 17 it is called a "vision;" and it is also said that it came "that night." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/7-4.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">But that</span><br /><span class="heb">הַה֑וּא</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">night</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּלַּ֣יְלָה</span> <span class="translit">(bal·lay·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3915.htm">Strong's 3915: </a> </span><span class="str2">A twist, night, adversity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the word</span><br /><span class="heb">דְּבַר־</span> <span class="translit">(də·ḇar-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">came</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְהִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(way·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - 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">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Nathan,</span><br /><span class="heb">נָתָ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(nā·ṯān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5416.htm">Strong's 5416: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nathan -- the name of a number of Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saying,</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵאמֹֽר׃</span> <span class="translit">(lê·mōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/7-4.htm">2 Samuel 7:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/7-4.htm">2 Samuel 7:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_samuel/7-4.htm">2 Samuel 7:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/7-4.htm">2 Samuel 7:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/7-4.htm">2 Samuel 7:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/7-4.htm">2 Samuel 7:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/7-4.htm">2 Samuel 7:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/7-4.htm">2 Samuel 7:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/7-4.htm">2 Samuel 7:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_samuel/7-4.htm">2 Samuel 7:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_samuel/7-4.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 7:4 It happened the same night that (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/7-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 7:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 7:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/7-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 7:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 7:5" /></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>