2 Samuel 18:10
2 Samuel 18:10 in Multiple Translations
When one of the men saw this, he told Joab, “I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!”
And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.
And a certain man saw it and said to Joab, I saw Absalom hanging in a tree.
One of David's men saw what happened, so he told Joab, “I just saw Absalom hanging from an oak tree!”
And one that sawe it, tolde Ioab, saying, Beholde, I sawe Absalom hanged in an oke.
And one man seeth, and declareth to Joab, and saith, 'Lo, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.'
A certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, “Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.”
And a certain man saw it , and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.
And one saw this and told Joab, saying: I saw Absalom hanging upon an oak.
One of David’s soldiers saw what happened, and went and told Joab, “I saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!”
One of David’s men saw him, and he went to the boss soldier, Joab, and said, “I just saw Absalom hanging from a tree.”
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 18:10
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Samuel 18:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּרְא֙
אִ֣ישׁ
אֶחָ֔ד
וַ/יַּגֵּ֖ד
לְ/יוֹאָ֑ב
וַ/יֹּ֗אמֶר
הִנֵּה֙
רָאִ֣יתִי
אֶת
אַבְשָׁלֹ֔ם
תָּל֖וּי
בָּ/אֵלָֽה
וַ/יַּרְא֙
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אִ֣ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
אֶחָ֔ד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Adj
וַ/יַּגֵּ֖ד
nâgad
H5046
to tell
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
לְ/יוֹאָ֑ב
Yôwʼâb
H3097
Joab
Prep | N-proper
וַ/יֹּ֗אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הִנֵּה֙
hinnêh
H2009
behold
Part
רָאִ֣יתִי
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
אַבְשָׁלֹ֔ם
ʼĂbîyshâlôwm
H53
Absalom
N-proper
תָּל֖וּי
tâlâh
H8518
to hang
V-Qal-Inf-c
בָּ/אֵלָֽה
ʼêlâh
H424
oak
Prep | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 18:10
וַ/יַּרְא֙
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
אִ֣ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
אֶחָ֔ד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
וַ/יַּגֵּ֖ד
nâgad
H5046
"to tell"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
To tell or declare something openly, as in Genesis 3:11 where God asks Adam to tell the truth. It means to stand boldly and announce something to someone present. In Exodus 32:27, Moses tells the Levites to declare their actions to the people.
Definition: 1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known 1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare 1a1) to tell, announce, report 1a2) to declare, make known, expound 1a3) to inform of 1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim 1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess 1a5a) messenger (participle) 1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. See also: Genesis 3:11; 1 Samuel 14:33; 2 Kings 9:15.
לְ/יוֹאָ֑ב
Yôwʼâb
H3097
"Joab"
Prep | N-proper
Joab was a prominent Israelite, his name means Jehovah is father. He was King David's nephew and army general, playing a key role in the Bible, including in the books of Samuel and Kings.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Ezr.8.9 § Joab = "Jehovah is father" 1) son of David's sister Zeruiah and general of David's army 2) a Judaite descendant of Kenaz 3) a post exilic family
Usage: Occurs in 124 OT verses. KJV: Joab. See also: 1 Samuel 26:6; 2 Samuel 19:2; Psalms 60:2.
וַ/יֹּ֗אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
הִנֵּה֙
hinnêh
H2009
"behold"
Part
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Definition: behold, lo, see, if
Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.
רָאִ֣יתִי
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
אַבְשָׁלֹ֔ם
ʼĂbîyshâlôwm
H53
"Absalom"
N-proper
Absalom was a son of King David, mentioned in 2 Samuel 3:3, and had several half-brothers. He is also referred to as Abishalom in some translations. Absalom played a significant role in the United Monarchy period.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.3.3; son of: David (H1732) and Maacah (H4601I); half-brother of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N); father of: Tamar (H8559I); also called Abishalom at 1Ki.15.2,10; § Absalom or Abishalom = "my father is peace" 1) father-in-law of Rehoboam 2) third son of David, killer of first-born son Amnon, also leader of revolt against his father-David
Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: Abishalom, Absalom. See also: 2 Samuel 3:3; 2 Samuel 16:16; Psalms 3:1.
תָּל֖וּי
tâlâh
H8518
"to hang"
V-Qal-Inf-c
To hang something or someone is what this Hebrew word means, often used to describe punishment or display. It can also mean to hang an object, like a curtain or a sign. The word is used in Exodus and Numbers.
Definition: 1) to hang 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hang 1a1a) to hang up (any object) 1a1b) to put to death by hanging 1b) (Niphal) to be hanged 1c) (Piel) to hang, hang up (for display)
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: hang (up). See also: Genesis 40:19; Esther 7:9; Psalms 137:2.
בָּ/אֵלָֽה
ʼêlâh
H424
"oak"
Prep | N-fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to a strong tree, like an oak or elm. It is the type of tree where David fought Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. The word is used to describe a sturdy and reliable tree.
Definition: 1) terebinth, terebinth tree 2) valley where David killed Goliath
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: elm, oak, teil-tree. See also: Genesis 35:4; 1 Kings 13:14; Isaiah 1:30.
Study Notes — 2 Samuel 18:10
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Absalom Killed
8The battle spread over the whole countryside, and that day the forest devoured more people than the sword.
9Now Absalom was riding on his mule when he met the servants of David, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s head was caught fast in the tree. The mule under him kept going, so that he was suspended in midair.
10When one of the men saw this, he told Joab, “I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!”
11“You just saw him!” Joab exclaimed. “Why did you not strike him to the ground right there? I would have given you ten shekels of silver and a warrior’s belt!” 12The man replied, “Even if a thousand shekels of silver were weighed out into my hands, I would not raise my hand against the son of the king. For we heard the king command you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for my sake. ’2 Samuel 18:10 Summary
[This verse tells us about a man who saw Absalom, the son of King David, hanging in a tree and reported it to Joab, the commander of David's army. The man was likely seeking guidance on what to do next, as Joab was in charge. This situation shows us the importance of following authority and considering the consequences of our actions, as seen in 1 Samuel 26:9-11 where David spares Saul's life. It also reminds us that our actions can have significant effects, just like the man's report to Joab led to Absalom's death, as seen in 2 Samuel 18:14.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the man report Absalom's situation to Joab instead of taking action himself?
The man likely reported to Joab because Joab was the commander of David's army, and the man may have been seeking guidance or permission to take action, as seen in 2 Samuel 18:11-12 where Joab responds to the man's report.
What can we learn from the man's decision to report Absalom's situation instead of taking matters into his own hands?
We can learn the importance of seeking guidance and following authority, as the man did by reporting to Joab, and also being mindful of God's sovereignty and the king's commands, as seen in 1 Samuel 26:9-11 where David spares Saul's life.
How does this verse relate to the larger story of David and Absalom?
This verse is a pivotal moment in the story, as it sets in motion the events that will lead to Absalom's death, and ultimately, David's response to that death, as seen in 2 Samuel 18:33 and 2 Samuel 19:1-4.
What does this verse reveal about the character of Joab and the man who reported to him?
This verse reveals Joab's eagerness for Absalom's death, as seen in his response to the man's report, and the man's hesitation and respect for the king's command to protect Absalom, as seen in 2 Samuel 18:12.
Reflection Questions
- What would you have done if you were in the man's position, and why?
- How does this verse challenge or reinforce your understanding of obedience to authority?
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of considering the consequences of our actions?
- How can we apply the lessons from this verse to our own lives, particularly in situations where we are faced with difficult decisions?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 18:10
And a certain man saw [it],.... Saw him in the above posture, one of David's soldiers: and told Joab, and said, behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak; caught by the neck in one, out of which he
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 18:10
And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 18:10
2 Samuel 18:10 And a certain man saw [it], and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.Ver. 10. Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.] Which oak, by the just judgment of God, this new king had for a throne, his twisted hair for a crown. He shall shortly have three darts in his heart for a sceptre, and Joab’ s ten armourbearers for a guard: but this in the text dared not meddle with him, because of the king’ s command to the contrary.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Samuel 18:10
Verse 10. I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.] He must have hung there a considerable time. this man saw him hanging; how long he had been hanging before he saw him, we cannot tell. He came and informed Joab; this must have taken up a considerable time. Joab went and pierced him through with three darts; this must have taken up still more time. It is therefore natural to conclude that his life must have been nearly gone after having been so long suspended, and probably was past recovery, even if Joab had taken him down.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 18:10
10. Saw Absalom hanged — Suspended by his head, hair, and arms, and probably struggling to disentangle himself.