2 Samuel 2:29
2 Samuel 2:29 in Multiple Translations
And all that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, marched all morning, and arrived at Mahanaim.
And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.
And Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim.
And all that night Abner and his men went through the Arabah; they went over Jordan and through all Bithron and came to Mahanaim.
All through the night Abner and his men marched through the Jordan Valley. They crossed the Jordan River, and continued all morning until they arrived back at Mahanaim.
And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plaine, and went ouer Iorden, and past through all Bithron till they came to Mahanaim.
And Abner and his men have gone through the plain all that night, and pass over the Jordan, and go on [through] all Bithron, and come in to Mahanaim.
Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim.
And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.
And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plains: and they passed the Jordan, and having gone through all Beth-horon, came to the camp.
That night Abner and his soldiers went through the Jordan River Valley. They crossed the Jordan River and marched all the next morning, and they finally arrived at Mahanaim.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 2:29
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 2:29 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אַבְנֵ֣ר
וַֽ/אֲנָשָׁ֗י/ו
הָֽלְכוּ֙
בָּֽ/עֲרָבָ֔ה
כֹּ֖ל
הַ/לַּ֣יְלָה
הַ/ה֑וּא
וַ/יַּעַבְר֣וּ
אֶת
הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֗ן
וַ/יֵּֽלְכוּ֙
כָּל
הַ/בִּתְר֔וֹן
וַ/יָּבֹ֖אוּ
מַחֲנָֽיִם
וְ/אַבְנֵ֣ר
ʼAbnêr
H74
Abner
Conj | N-proper
וַֽ/אֲנָשָׁ֗י/ו
ʼîysh
H376
man
Conj | N-mp | Suff
הָֽלְכוּ֙
hâlak
H1980
to go
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
בָּֽ/עֲרָבָ֔ה
ʻărâbâh
H6160
plain
Prep | N-fs
כֹּ֖ל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
הַ/לַּ֣יְלָה
layil
H3915
night
Art | N-ms
הַ/ה֑וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Art | Pron
וַ/יַּעַבְר֣וּ
ʻâbar
H5674
to pass
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֗ן
Yardên
H3383
Jordan
Art | N-proper
וַ/יֵּֽלְכוּ֙
yâlak
H3212
to walk
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
הַ/בִּתְר֔וֹן
Bithrôwn
H1338
Bithron
Art | N-proper
וַ/יָּבֹ֖אוּ
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
מַחֲנָֽיִם
Machănayim
H4266
Mahanaim
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 2:29
וְ/אַבְנֵ֣ר
ʼAbnêr
H74
"Abner"
Conj | N-proper
Abner was a prominent Israelite, cousin of King Saul, and army captain, who played a key role in the book of 1 Samuel.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.14.50; son of: Ner (H5369); father of: Jaasiel (H3300H) § Abner = "my father is a lamp" Saul's cousin and army captain, treacherously slain by Joab
Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: Abner. See also: 1 Samuel 14:50; 2 Samuel 3:8; 1 Chronicles 27:21.
וַֽ/אֲנָשָׁ֗י/ו
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
Conj | N-mp | Suff
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.
הָֽלְכוּ֙
hâlak
H1980
"to go"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
Means to walk or go, used in many different contexts in the Bible. It can describe physical movement, but also spiritual or emotional journeys. Appears in various forms, such as 'to go' or 'to walk'.
Definition: : walk/move 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to walk 1b2) to walk (fig.) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to traverse 1c2) to walk about 1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 473 OT verses. KJV: (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl. See also: Genesis 2:14; Judges 4:9; 1 Kings 13:12.
בָּֽ/עֲרָבָ֔ה
ʻărâbâh
H6160
"plain"
Prep | N-fs
The Arabah is a desert plain near the Jordan River, stretching to the Red Sea, and is often translated as wilderness or desert in the Bible. It is mentioned in books like Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Definition: § desert plain, steppe, desert, wilderness
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: Arabah, champaign, desert, evening, heaven, plain, wilderness. See also H1026 (בֵּית הָעֲרָבָה). See also: Numbers 22:1; 1 Samuel 23:24; Psalms 68:5.
כֹּ֖ל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הַ/לַּ֣יְלָה
layil
H3915
"night"
Art | N-ms
Night refers to the time of darkness, opposed to day, and can also symbolize adversity or hardship. It is a period of rest, but also of potential danger or uncertainty.
Definition: 1) night 1a) night (as opposed to day) 1b) of gloom, protective shadow (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 223 OT verses. KJV: (mid-)night (season). See also: Genesis 1:5; 2 Samuel 17:16; Psalms 1:2.
הַ/ה֑וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
וַ/יַּעַבְר֣וּ
ʻâbar
H5674
"to pass"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This verb can mean to cross over or transition from one thing to another, and is sometimes used to describe being arrogant or crossing a boundary.
Definition: 1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over 1a2) to pass beyond 1a3) to pass through, traverse 1a3a) passers-through (participle) 1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant) 1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by 1a4a) passer-by (participle) 1a4b) to be past, be over 1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance 1a6) to pass away 1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory) 1a6b) to vanish 1a6c) to perish, cease to exist 1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree) 1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands 1b) (Niphal) to be crossed 1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to pass over, cause to bring over, cause to cross over, make over to, dedicate, devote 1d2) to cause to pass through 1d3) to cause to pass by or beyond or under, let pass by 1d4) to cause to pass away, cause to take away 1e) (Hithpael) to pass over
Usage: Occurs in 493 OT verses. KJV: alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath. See also: Genesis 8:1; Deuteronomy 27:2; 1 Samuel 25:19.
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.
הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֗ן
Yardên
H3383
"Jordan"
Art | N-proper
The Jordan River, which runs from Lebanon to the Dead Sea, is a key location in the Bible, including in the stories of Jesus and the Israelites.
Definition: Jordan = "descender" the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approx 200 miles (320 km) Also named: Iordanēs (Ἰορδάνης "Jordan" G2446)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: Jordan. See also: Genesis 13:10; Joshua 12:1; Psalms 42:7.
וַ/יֵּֽלְכוּ֙
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הַ/בִּתְר֔וֹן
Bithrôwn
H1338
"Bithron"
Art | N-proper
Bithron refers to a place east of the Jordan River, meaning a division or ravine in the valley. It appears in the Bible as a location. The name Bithron signifies a separated area.
Definition: § Bithron = "division" or "cleft" or "ravine" a territory or district in the Jordan valley east of the Jordan
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Bithron. See also: 2 Samuel 2:29.
וַ/יָּבֹ֖אוּ
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
מַחֲנָֽיִם
Machănayim
H4266
"Mahanaim"
N-proper
Mahanaim was a place in Palestine where Jacob met angels, and its name means 'two camps'. It's east of the Jordan River and is an important location in biblical history.
Definition: § Mahanaim = "two camps" a place east of the Jordan, named from Jacob's encounter with angels
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: Mahanaim. See also: Genesis 32:3; 2 Samuel 2:29; 1 Chronicles 6:65.
Study Notes — 2 Samuel 2:29
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Samuel 2:29 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 2:29
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:29
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:29
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:29
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:29
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 2:29
- Barnes' Notes on 2 Samuel 2:29
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:29
Context — The Battle of Gibeon
27“As surely as God lives,” Joab replied, “if you had not spoken up, the troops would have continued pursuing their brothers until morning.”
28So Joab blew the ram’s horn, and all the troops stopped; they no longer pursued Israel or continued to fight.
29And all that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, marched all morning, and arrived at Mahanaim.
30When Joab returned from pursuing Abner, he gathered all the troops. In addition to Asahel, nineteen of David’s servants were missing, 31but they had struck down 360 Benjamites who were with Abner.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 2:8 | Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim, |
| 2 | Song of Solomon 2:17 | Before the day breaks and shadows flee, turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of Bether. |
2 Samuel 2:29 Summary
In 2 Samuel 2:29, Abner and his men marched all night through the Arabah, a difficult and possibly treacherous terrain, to escape the pursuing troops of David. They crossed the Jordan River and arrived at Mahanaim, a city on the other side of the Jordan, where they could find safety and refuge, much like the Israelites did when they crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land in Joshua 3:1-17. This verse reminds us that sometimes we must take difficult journeys, either physically or spiritually, but with perseverance and loyalty, we can trust in God's guidance and provision, as seen in Psalm 23:4 and Isaiah 40:31. By trusting in God, we can find the strength to keep moving forward, even in the darkest of times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Abner and his men march all night in 2 Samuel 2:29?
Abner and his men marched all night to escape the pursuing troops of David, as seen in 2 Samuel 2:28 where Joab blew the ram's horn to stop the pursuit, and in 2 Samuel 2:30, Joab returned from pursuing Abner, indicating a long and potentially dangerous journey.
What is the significance of the Arabah in 2 Samuel 2:29?
The Arabah is a desert region or a low-lying area, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 1:1 and 2:8, which Abner and his men marched through, indicating a difficult and possibly treacherous terrain.
Why did Abner and his men cross the Jordan River in 2 Samuel 2:29?
Abner and his men crossed the Jordan River to reach the safety of Mahanaim, which was a city on the other side of the Jordan, as mentioned in 2 Samuel 2:29 and also in 2 Samuel 17:24, where it is noted as a place of refuge for David.
What can we learn from Abner's actions in 2 Samuel 2:29?
Abner's actions in 2 Samuel 2:29 demonstrate his loyalty to his leader and his people, as well as his desire to protect them, which is a key aspect of leadership, as seen in 1 Samuel 22:14 and Proverbs 27:6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in your life when you have had to make a difficult journey, either physically or spiritually, and how did you persevere?
- How can you apply the principle of perseverance and loyalty, as demonstrated by Abner in 2 Samuel 2:29, to your own relationships and challenges?
- What are some 'desert' experiences in your life, where you have had to trust in God's provision and guidance, as Abner and his men did in the Arabah?
- How can you use the example of Abner's leadership in 2 Samuel 2:29 to inform your own leadership decisions and actions, whether in your family, community, or workplace?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 2:29
And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain,.... The plain of Jordan.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:29
Bithron; otherwise called the mountains of Bether, , which were beyond Jordan; or some other country now not known by that name, which is the case of hundreds of places.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:29
2 Samuel 2:29 And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.Ver. 29. And went through all Bithron,] i.e., Through the separate or divided country: sundered from Canaan by the river Jordan, as Junius rendereth it. They went back to Mahanaim, by weeping cross. Dubia est Martis alea, nec raro utrique parti noxia.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:29
(29) Through the plain (or the Arabah).—The wilderness of Gibeon lay to the east of the town, and Abner’s flight had thus carried him towards the Jordan. He now passed up the valley of the Jordan (which the word here used generally designates), and, crossing at a ford, went “through all Bithron to Mahanaim.” Bithron is evidently the name of a district on the east of the Jordan, but is not further known.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:29
Verse 29. They came to Mahanaim.] So they returned to the place whence they set out. See 2 Samuel 2:12. This was the commencement of the civil wars between Israel and Judah, and properly the commencement of the division of the two kingdoms, through which both nations were deluged with blood.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 2:29
29. walked all that night] Fearing a renewal of hostilities they made good their retreat at once. through the plain] The Arâbâh, or “desert tract which extends along the valley of the Jordan from the Dead Sea to the Lake of Gennesareth, now called by the Arabs El-Ghor.” Stanley, Sinai and Pal. p. 487. through all Bithron] Probably, as the name (derived from a root meaning to cut) implies, some ravine, or district intersected by ravines, between the Jordan and Mahanaim.
Barnes' Notes on 2 Samuel 2:29
Through the plain - See 1 Samuel 23:24. Bithron is unknown. From the expression all (the) Bithron, it seems likely that it is a tract of country, intersected by ravines lying on the east side of Jordan.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 2:29
29. Through the plain — The valley of the Jordan. Bithron — Literally, the broken or divided place.