2 Samuel 20:25
2 Samuel 20:25 in Multiple Translations
Sheva was the scribe; Zadok and Abiathar were priests;
And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
and Sheva was scribe; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests;
And Sheva was the scribe, and Zadok and Abiathar were priests;
Sheva was the secretary. Zadok and Abiathar were the priests,
And Sheia was Scribe, and Zadok and Abiathar the Priests,
and Sheva [is] scribe, and Zadok and Abiathar [are] priests,
Sheva was scribe, Zadok and Abiathar were priests,
And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
And Siva was scribe: and Sadoc and Abiathar, priests.
Sheva was the official secretary; Zadok and Abiathar were the priests;
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 20:25
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 20:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
ו/שיא
וּ/שְׁוָ֖א
סֹפֵ֑ר
וְ/צָד֥וֹק
וְ/אֶבְיָתָ֖ר
כֹּהֲנִֽים
ו/שיא
Shᵉyâʼ
H7864
Sheya
Conj | N-proper
וּ/שְׁוָ֖א
Shᵉvâʼ
H7724
Sheva
Conj | N-proper
סֹפֵ֑ר
çâphar
H5608
to recount
N-ms
וְ/צָד֥וֹק
Tsâdôwq
H6659
Zadok
Conj | N-proper
וְ/אֶבְיָתָ֖ר
ʼEbyâthâr
H54
Abiathar
Conj | N-proper
כֹּהֲנִֽים
kôhên
H3548
priest
N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 20:25
ו/שיא
Shᵉyâʼ
H7864
"Sheya"
Conj | N-proper
Sheya was an Israelite who served as a scribe for King David, also known as Shavsha or Seraiah. He was the father of Elihoreph and Ahijah. His name means Jehovah contends. He is mentioned in 2 Samuel 8:17 and 1 Chronicles 18:16.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.8.17; father of: Elihoreph (H0456) and Ahijah (H0281); also called Shavsha at 1Ch.18.16; Sheva(Ketiv: Sheya) at 2Sa.20.25; Shisha at 1Ki.4.3; Another name of se.ra.yah (שְׂרָיָהוּ "Seraiah" H8304G) § Sheva = "Jehovah contends" 1) the scribe of David 1a) also 'Seraiah', 'Shisha', and 'Shavsha'
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Sheva (from the margin). See also: 2 Samuel 20:25.
וּ/שְׁוָ֖א
Shᵉvâʼ
H7724
"Sheva"
Conj | N-proper
Sheva was an Israelite who lived during the United Monarchy, and his name means Jehovah contends. He was the father of Elihoreph and Ahijah, and is also known as Shavsha and Shisha. He is mentioned in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.8.17; father of: Elihoreph (H0456) and Ahijah (H0281); also called Shavsha at 1Ch.18.16; Sheva(Ketiv: Sheya) at 2Sa.20.25; Shisha at 1Ki.4.3; Another name of se.ra.yah (שְׂרָיָהוּ "Seraiah" H8304G) § Sheva = "Jehovah contends" Judaite, son of Caleb by his concubine Maachah and grandson of Hezron
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: Sheva. See also: 2 Samuel 20:25; 1 Chronicles 2:49.
סֹפֵ֑ר
çâphar
H5608
"to recount"
N-ms
This word refers to a scribe or secretary who records or inscribes information. It is used in the Bible to describe someone who counts or enumerates things. The KJV translates it as 'scribe, tell, writer'.
Definition: v 1) to count, recount, relate 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to count (things) 1a2) to number, take account of, reckon 1b) (Niphal) to be counted, be numbered 1c) (Piel) to recount, rehearse, declare 1c1) to recount (something), rehearse 1c2) to talk 1c3) to count exactly or accurately 1d) (Pual) to be recounted, be rehearsed, be related
Usage: Occurs in 154 OT verses. KJV: commune, (ac-) count; declare, number, [phrase] penknife, reckon, scribe, shew forth, speak, talk, tell (out), writer. See also: Genesis 15:5; Esther 8:9; Psalms 2:7.
וְ/צָד֥וֹק
Tsâdôwq
H6659
"Zadok"
Conj | N-proper
Zadok was a high priest in Israel who supported King David and anointed Solomon as king. His name means righteous and he is mentioned in 1 Kings and Nehemiah. Zadok was a key figure in Israel's history.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.13.13 § Zadok = "righteous" 1) the high priest, son of Ahitub of the house of Eleazar the son of Aaron, and 11th in descent from Aaron; joined David after Saul's death and supported him against Absalom and Adonijah; anointed Solomon as king 2) a priest, son of Meraioth, father of Meshullam of the house of Ahitub; apparently a nephew of 1 3) father of Jerusha, the wife of king Uzziah and mother of king Jotham of Judah 4) son of Baana and repairer of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah 5) son of Immer and repairer of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah 6) a leader of the people in the time of Nehemiah 7) a scribe appointed by Nehemiah as one of the treasurers over the storehouse 8) a valiant warrior of the tribe of Benjamin who joined David at Hebron. Same as 1?
Usage: Occurs in 50 OT verses. KJV: Zadok. See also: 2 Samuel 8:17; 1 Chronicles 5:34; Ezekiel 48:11.
וְ/אֶבְיָתָ֖ר
ʼEbyâthâr
H54
"Abiathar"
Conj | N-proper
Abiathar, an Israelite priest, was a faithful follower of David, but later rebelled with Adonijah, and is mentioned in 1 Samuel 22:20. His name means 'my father is great'.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.22.20; son of: Ahimelech (H0288); father of: Ahimelech (H0288I), Jonathan (H3083I) Also named: Abiathar (Ἀβιαθάρ "Abiathar" G0008) § Abiathar = "my father is great" priest, son of Ahitub (Ahimelech), faithful to David, but later rebelled with Adonijah
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: Abiathar. See also: 1 Samuel 22:20; 2 Samuel 20:25; 1 Chronicles 27:34.
כֹּהֲנִֽים
kôhên
H3548
"priest"
N-mp
In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.
Definition: 1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler 1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah) 1b) pagan priests 1c) priests of Jehovah 1d) Levitical priests 1e) Zadokite priests 1f) Aaronic priests 1g) the high priest Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Usage: Occurs in 653 OT verses. KJV: chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. See also: Genesis 14:18; Leviticus 13:33; Numbers 17:2.
Study Notes — 2 Samuel 20:25
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Samuel 20:25 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 20:25
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 20:25
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 20:25
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Samuel 20:25
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 20:25
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 20:25
- Sermons on 2 Samuel 20:25
Context — Sheba’s Rebellion
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 4:4 | Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of the army; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 8:17 | Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the scribe; |
| 3 | 1 Chronicles 18:16 | Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was the scribe; |
2 Samuel 20:25 Summary
This verse tells us about some of the important leaders in King David's kingdom, including Sheva the scribe and Zadok and Abiathar the priests. It shows us that David had a team of people who helped him make decisions and carry out his responsibilities, similar to how Jesus chose twelve apostles to help him minister to the people (Matthew 10:1-4). Just like David's kingdom, our churches and communities need people with different gifts and talents working together to serve God and others. By looking at this verse, we can appreciate the value of teamwork and leadership in God's kingdom, as seen in Romans 12:4-5, where Paul encourages believers to use their unique gifts to serve one another.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the role of a scribe in ancient Israel?
A scribe, like Sheva, was responsible for recording important documents and events, similar to the role of Baruch in Jeremiah 36:4, who wrote down the words of Jeremiah.
Why are there two priests mentioned, Zadok and Abiathar?
This may indicate that they served together as high priests, or that they represented different aspects of priestly ministry, as seen in 1 Chronicles 18:16, where Zadok is identified as a priest and Abiathar is also mentioned as a priest.
What can we learn from the fact that David had multiple priests and officials?
This shows that David recognized the importance of having various leaders and advisors to help him govern God's people, as seen in Proverbs 11:14, which says that where there is no guidance, a nation falls, but in the abundance of counselors there is victory.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the Bible?
This verse provides insight into the organizational structure of David's kingdom, which is also discussed in 1 Samuel 8:14-15, where Samuel warns the Israelites about the potential dangers of having a king, and in 1 Chronicles 28:1, where David organizes the leaders of Israel.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of organization and leadership in God's kingdom?
- How can we apply the principles of leadership and teamwork seen in this verse to our own lives and ministries?
- What can we learn from the fact that Sheva, a relatively unknown figure, is mentioned alongside prominent leaders like Zadok and Abiathar?
- How does this verse encourage us to appreciate the behind-the-scenes workers in our own churches and communities, like Sheva the scribe?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 20:25
And Sheva [was] scribe,.... Either the same with Benaiah, or he was dead or removed, and Sheva was put in his place, see 2 Samuel 8:17; and Zadok and Abiathar [were] the priests; as before; [See comments on 2 Samuel 8:17].
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 20:25
2 Samuel 20:25 And Sheva [was] scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar [were] the priests:Ver. 25. And Sheva was scribe.] The same with that Seraiah, or else some other succeeding him, being now dead.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 20:25
(25) Sheva.—This officer is called Seraiah in 2 Samuel 8:17. Nearly all the officers mentioned here are the same as in 2 Samuel 8:16-18, where see the Notes.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Samuel 20:25
Verse 25. Shevah was scribe] The king's secretary.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 20:25
25. Sheva] Or Sheya, apparently another name for the Seraiah of ch. 2 Samuel 8:17.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 20:25
25. Sheva — Called Shisha, 1 Kings 4:3, and Shavsha, 1 Chronicles 18:16; but these are all either corruptions or abbreviations of the name Seraiah, which appears in the earlier list. 2 Samuel 8:17.
Sermons on 2 Samuel 20:25
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(2 Samuel) Fighting to Keep Unity by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher discusses a story from the Bible about a wise woman who saves her city from a siege. The woman approaches Joab, a military leader, and proposes a solut |