2 Samuel 22:38
2 Samuel 22:38 in Multiple Translations
I pursued my enemies and destroyed them; I did not turn back until they were consumed.
I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; Neither did I turn again till they were consumed.
I go after my haters and overtake them; not turning back till they are all overcome.
I chased my enemies, and caught up with them. I did not turn around until I had destroyed them.
I haue pursued mine enemies and destroyed them, and haue not turned againe vntill I had consumed them.
I pursue mine enemies and destroy them, And I turn not till they are consumed.
I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them. I didn’t turn again until they were consumed.
I have pursued my enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
I will pursue after my enemies, and crush them: and will not return again till I consume them.
“ pursued my enemies and defeated them; I did not stop fighting them until they were all killed.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 22:38
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 22:38 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֶרְדְּפָ֥ה
אֹיְבַ֖/י
וָ/אַשְׁמִידֵ֑/ם
וְ/לֹ֥א
אָשׁ֖וּב
עַד
כַּלּוֹתָֽ/ם
אֶרְדְּפָ֥ה
râdaph
H7291
to pursue
V-Qal-1cs
אֹיְבַ֖/י
ʼôyêb
H341
enemy
V-Qal | Suff
וָ/אַשְׁמִידֵ֑/ם
shâmad
H8045
to destroy
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff
וְ/לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
אָשׁ֖וּב
shûwb
H7725
to return
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
עַד
ʻad
H5704
till
Prep
כַּלּוֹתָֽ/ם
kâlâh
H3615
to end
V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 22:38
אֶרְדְּפָ֥ה
râdaph
H7291
"to pursue"
V-Qal-1cs
To pursue or chase after someone means to follow them with hostile intent. This can be a physical pursuit or a pursuit of someone's life or well-being, as seen in many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) to be behind, follow after, pursue, persecute, run after 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pursue, put to flight, chase, dog, attend closely upon 1a2) to persecute, harass (fig) 1a3) to follow after, aim to secure (fig) 1a4) to run after (a bribe) (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be pursued 1b2) one pursued (participle) 1c) (Piel) to pursue ardently, aim eagerly to secure, pursue 1d) (Pual) to be pursued, be chased away 1e) (Hiphil) to pursue, chase
Usage: Occurs in 135 OT verses. KJV: chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r). See also: Genesis 14:14; 2 Samuel 20:13; Psalms 7:2.
אֹיְבַ֖/י
ʼôyêb
H341
"enemy"
V-Qal | Suff
This Hebrew word means enemy or adversary, referring to someone who hates or opposes another person or nation. It is used to describe personal or national enemies in the Bible.
Definition: 1) (Qal) enemy 1a) personal 1b) national
Usage: Occurs in 275 OT verses. KJV: enemy, foe. See also: Genesis 22:17; 2 Samuel 22:1; Psalms 3:8.
וָ/אַשְׁמִידֵ֑/ם
shâmad
H8045
"to destroy"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff
The Hebrew word shâmad means to destroy or desolate something, used to describe annihilation or devastation. It is used in the Bible to describe the destruction of cities or nations, such as in the book of Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to destroy, exterminate, be destroyed, be exterminated 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be annihilated, be exterminated 1a2) to be destroyed, be devastated 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to annihilate, exterminate 1b2) to destroy Aramaic equivalent: she.mad (שְׁמַד "to destroy" H8046)
Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: destory(-uction), bring to nought, overthrow, perish, pluck down, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 34:30; 2 Samuel 22:38; Psalms 37:38.
וְ/לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
אָשׁ֖וּב
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
עַד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
כַּלּוֹתָֽ/ם
kâlâh
H3615
"to end"
V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff
This Hebrew word means to finish or end something, like completing a task or using up a resource, as seen in Genesis 2:2 where God finished creating the heavens and earth.
Definition: : finish 1) to accomplish, cease, consume, determine, end, fail, finish, be complete, be accomplished, be ended, be at an end, be finished, be spent 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be complete, be at an end 1a2) to be completed, be finished 1a3) to be accomplished, be fulfilled 1a4) to be determined, be plotted (bad sense) 1a5) to be spent, be used up 1a6) to waste away, be exhausted, fail 1a7) to come to an end, vanish, perish, be destroyed 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to complete, bring to an end, finish 1b2) to complete (a period of time) 1b3) to finish (doing a thing) 1b4) to make an end, end 1b5) to accomplish, fulfil, bring to pass 1b6) to accomplish, determine (in thought) 1b7) to put an end to, cause to cease 1b8) to cause to fail, exhaust, use up, spend 1b9) to destroy, exterminate 1c) (Pual) to be finished, be ended, be completed
Usage: Occurs in 199 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine, destroy (utterly), be (when... were) done, (be an) end (of), expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, [idiom] fully, [idiom] have, leave (off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make clean riddance, spend, quite take away, waste. See also: Genesis 2:1; 2 Chronicles 29:17; Psalms 18:38.
Study Notes — 2 Samuel 22:38
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Samuel 22:38 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 22:38
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 22:38
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 22:38
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 22:38
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 22:38
- Sermons on 2 Samuel 22:38
Context — David’s Song of Deliverance
36You have given me Your shield of salvation, and Your gentleness exalts me.
37You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not give way.
38I pursued my enemies and destroyed them; I did not turn back until they were consumed.
39I devoured and crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet. 40You have armed me with strength for battle; You have subdued my foes beneath me.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 21:8–9 | Your hand will apprehend all Your enemies; Your right hand will seize those who hate You. You will place them in a fiery furnace at the time of Your appearing. In His wrath the LORD will engulf them, and the fire will consume them. |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 5:18–25 | Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.” So David went to Baal-perazim, where he defeated the Philistines and said, “Like a bursting flood, the LORD has burst out against my enemies before me.” So he called that place Baal-perazim. There the Philistines abandoned their idols, and David and his men carried them away. Once again the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. So David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has marched out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” So David did as the LORD had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 10:14 | When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they too fled before Abishai, and they entered the city. So Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem. |
| 4 | Romans 8:37 | No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. |
| 5 | 2 Samuel 8:13–14 | And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went. |
| 6 | 2 Samuel 8:1–2 | Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines. David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute. |
2 Samuel 22:38 Summary
In Second Samuel 22:38, King David says he pursued his enemies and destroyed them, trusting in God's power and strength to overcome them. This means that when we face challenges or adversaries in our lives, we can trust God to help us overcome them, just as He helped David (Psalm 23:4). We can apply this to our own lives by putting on the full armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6:10-18, and trusting in His power to help us stand against the schemes of the devil. By trusting in God, we can have confidence that He will help us overcome our enemies and emerge victorious.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'pursue' enemies in a spiritual context?
In Second Samuel 22:38, pursuing enemies refers to King David's trust in God to overcome his adversaries, as seen in Psalm 23:4, where God is our Shepherd who guides us through the valley of the shadow of death.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives as Christians?
As followers of Christ, we can apply this verse by trusting in God's power and strength to overcome our spiritual enemies, just as Ephesians 6:10-18 teaches us to put on the full armor of God to stand against the schemes of the devil.
What does it mean for enemies to be 'consumed'?
In this context, being consumed means being completely defeated or destroyed, as seen in Isaiah 41:11-12, where God promises to help and uphold those who trust in Him, while their enemies will be ashamed and humiliated.
How does this verse relate to God's character?
This verse showcases God's character as a powerful and just Deliverer, who helps His people overcome their enemies, as seen in Exodus 14:13-14, where God parts the Red Sea to save the Israelites from the pursuing Egyptian army.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I feel like I'm being 'pursued' by enemies, and how can I trust God to help me overcome them?
- In what ways can I 'pursue' my spiritual growth and maturity, just as King David pursued his enemies?
- How can I balance the idea of 'destroying' my enemies with the command to 'love my enemies' in Matthew 5:44?
- What are some spiritual 'enemies' that I need to be aware of and actively resist in my life, such as fear, doubt, or temptation?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 22:38
I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them. [See comments on Psalms 18:37].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 22:38
I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them. I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 22:38
(38) Destroyed them.—In the psalm, “overtaken them,” an expression intended to suggest the same thing as the plain expression here. The second clauses are identical in the original.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 22:38
38–43. David’s destruction of his enemies 38. destroyed them] In Psalms 18:37, “overtaken them,” an echo of Exo 15:9.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 22:38
38. I pursue… destroy — These verbs are in the future tense in the Hebrew, but we translate them in the present tense as designating not so much what David expects or threatens to do, as the
Sermons on 2 Samuel 22:38
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The King Will Be Exalted in Strength by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher begins by reading from Psalm 21, which speaks of the joy and gladness that comes from being in the presence of the Lord. The passage emphasizes the tru |
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The Portion of the Wicked by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards preaches about the justice of God in allotting indignation, wrath, tribulation, and anguish to wicked men, emphasizing that their sinful nature and refusal to repe |
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(The Glory of God) in Ministering to the Lord by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the book of Romans and its significance in understanding the Christian life. He emphasizes the faithfulness of God and how He fulfills all Hi |
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Reality in the Christian Life by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the precious and magnificent promises that God has given us in the scriptures. He explains that these promises are not meant to solely bring |
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Victory Over One's Worst Enemy by Paris Reidhead | Paris Reidhead emphasizes that our greatest enemy is ourselves, revealing his personal struggles with spirituality and critical attitudes during his missionary work in Africa. He s |
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A Target of Satan's Envy by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher begins by encouraging the congregation to seek strength and guidance from God in their spiritual battles. He acknowledges that despite hearing numerous |
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Ministering to the Lord by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the book of Romans, particularly chapters 1-11. He highlights how Paul, empowered by the Holy Spirit, condemns the entire human race through |