2 Samuel 22:6
2 Samuel 22:6 in Multiple Translations
The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.
The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
The cords of Sheol were round about me; The snares of death came upon me.
The cords of hell were round me: the nets of death came on me.
The grave wound its ropes around me; death set snares for me.
The sorowes of the graue compassed mee about: the snares of death ouertooke mee.
The cords of Sheol have surrounded me, Before me have been the snares of death.
The cords of Sheol were around me. The snares of death caught me.
The sorrows of hell encompassed me; the snares of death seized me;
The cords of hell compassed me: the snares of death prevented me.
I thought that I would die; it was as though death wrapped ropes around me; it was as though I was in a trap where I would surely die. [PRS, MET]
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 22:6
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 22:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
חֶבְלֵ֥י
שְׁא֖וֹל
סַבֻּ֑/נִי
קִדְּמֻ֖/נִי
מֹֽקְשֵׁי
מָֽוֶת
חֶבְלֵ֥י
chebel
H2256
cord
N-cp
שְׁא֖וֹל
shᵉʼôwl
H7585
hell
N-proper
סַבֻּ֑/נִי
çâbab
H5437
to turn
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff
קִדְּמֻ֖/נִי
qâdam
H6923
to meet
V-Piel-Perf-3cp | Suff
מֹֽקְשֵׁי
môwqêsh
H4170
snare
N-mp
מָֽוֶת
mâveth
H4194
death
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 22:6
חֶבְלֵ֥י
chebel
H2256
"cord"
N-cp
A cord or rope, also a measured area of land or a group of people tied together. In the Bible, it appears in books like Joshua and Psalms. It can also mean a company or region.
Definition: 1) a cord, rope, territory, band, company 1a) a rope, cord 1b) a measuring-cord or line 1c) a measured portion, lot, part, region 1d) a band or company § destruction
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: band, coast, company, cord, country, destruction, line, lot, pain, pang, portion, region, rope, snare, sorrow, tackling. See also: Deuteronomy 3:4; Psalms 119:61; Psalms 16:6.
שְׁא֖וֹל
shᵉʼôwl
H7585
"hell"
N-proper
Sheol refers to the underworld or grave, a place of no return where the dead reside, as seen in the Old Testament. It is often translated as hell or pit in the KJV. This concept is mentioned in various books, including Psalms and Isaiah.
Definition: Sheol, underworld, grave, hell, pit 1a) the underworld 1b) Sheol-the OT designation for the abode of the dead 1b1) place of no return 1b2) without praise of God 1b3) wicked sent there for punishment 1b4) righteous not abandoned to it 1b5) of the place of exile (fig) 1b6) of extreme degradation in sin
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: grave, hell, pit. See also: Genesis 37:35; Psalms 139:8; Psalms 6:6.
סַבֻּ֑/נִי
çâbab
H5437
"to turn"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff
To turn or surround is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can be used literally or figuratively. It appears in the Bible to describe changing direction or surrounding something.
Definition: : turn/bring_around 1) to turn, turn about or around or aside or back or towards, go about or around, surround, encircle, change direction 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn, turn about, be brought round, change 1a2) to march or walk around, go partly around, circle about, skirt, make a round, make a circuit, go about to, surround, encompass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to turn oneself, close round, turn round 1b2) to be turned over to 1c) (Piel) to turn about, change, transform 1d) (Poel) 1d1) to encompass, surround 1d2) to come about, assemble round 1d3) to march, go about 1d4) to enclose, envelop 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to turn, cause to turn, turn back, reverse, bring over, turn into, bring round 1e2) to cause to go around, surround, encompass 1f) (Hophal) 1f1) to be turned 1f2) to be surrounded
Usage: Occurs in 148 OT verses. KJV: bring, cast, fetch, lead, make, walk, [idiom] whirl, [idiom] round about, be about on every side, apply, avoid, beset (about), besiege, bring again, carry (about), change, cause to come about, [idiom] circuit, (fetch a) compass (about, round), drive, environ, [idiom] on every side, beset (close, come, compass, go, stand) round about, inclose, remove, return, set, sit down, turn (self) (about, aside, away, back). See also: Genesis 2:11; 1 Chronicles 16:43; Psalms 7:8.
קִדְּמֻ֖/נִי
qâdam
H6923
"to meet"
V-Piel-Perf-3cp | Suff
To meet or go before someone, often for help, as seen in the Bible when God meets his people in Exodus. This word can also mean to anticipate or hasten something. In the book of Psalms, it is used to describe God coming to the aid of his people.
Definition: 1) to meet, come or be in front, confront, go before 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to meet, confront, come to meet, receive 1a2) to go before, go in front, be in front 1a3) to lead, be beforehand, anticipate, forestall 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to come in front 1b2) to confront, anticipate
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: come (go, (flee)) before, [phrase] disappoint, meet, prevent. See also: Deuteronomy 23:5; Psalms 59:11; Psalms 17:13.
מֹֽקְשֵׁי
môwqêsh
H4170
"snare"
N-mp
A snare or trap, this word is used to describe a device to catch animals. In the Bible, it is also used figuratively to describe being trapped by sin or temptation, as seen in the book of Proverbs.
Definition: bait, lure, snare
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: be ensnared, gin, (is) snare(-d), trap. See also: Exodus 10:7; Psalms 69:23; Psalms 18:6.
מָֽוֶת
mâveth
H4194
"death"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word refers to death, whether natural or violent, and is used in books like Genesis and Isaiah. It can also mean the place of the dead, or a state of ruin. This concept is seen in the story of Moses, where death is a punishment for disobedience.
Definition: 1) death, dying, Death (personified), realm of the dead 1a) death 1b) death by violence (as a penalty) 1c) state of death, place of death Aramaic equivalent: mot (מוֹת "death" H4193)
Usage: Occurs in 153 OT verses. KJV: (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d). See also: Genesis 21:16; Job 38:17; Psalms 6:6.
Study Notes — 2 Samuel 22:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — David’s Song of Deliverance
4I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.
5For the waves of death engulfed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me.
6The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.
7In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried out to my God. And from His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for help reached His ears. 8Then the earth shook and quaked; the foundations of the heavens trembled; they were shaken because He burned with anger.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 116:3 | The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow. |
| 2 | Proverbs 13:14 | The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death. |
| 3 | Psalms 140:5 | The proud hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me. Selah |
| 4 | Job 36:8 | And if men are bound with chains, caught in cords of affliction, |
| 5 | Jonah 2:2 | saying: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the belly of Sheol I called for help, and You heard my voice. |
| 6 | Psalms 18:5 | The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. |
| 7 | Proverbs 5:22 | The iniquities of a wicked man entrap him; the cords of his sin entangle him. |
| 8 | Proverbs 14:27 | The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. |
| 9 | Acts 2:24 | But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for Him to be held in its clutches. |
2 Samuel 22:6 Summary
This verse means that David felt like he was trapped and in danger of death, like he was caught in a net that he couldn't escape. The 'cords of Sheol' and 'snares of death' are like strong ropes and traps that were holding him back. But, as we see in 2 Samuel 22:4, David called upon the Lord, and God saved him. This reminds us that, when we're feeling overwhelmed and trapped, we can cry out to God for help, just like David did, and trust that He will hear our voice and provide deliverance, as promised in Psalms 91:15.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sheol mean in this verse?
Sheol refers to the place of the dead, often associated with the afterlife, as seen in Psalms 9:17, where it is written that the wicked will return to Sheol. In 2 Samuel 22:6, it symbolizes a state of extreme distress and desperation.
How can we be entangled by the cords of Sheol if we are believers?
As believers, we are not bound for eternal death, but we can still experience spiritual and emotional struggles that feel like the snares of death, as described in 2 Samuel 22:6. This is why it's essential to call upon the Lord, as David did in 2 Samuel 22:4, and trust in His deliverance.
What are the snares of death mentioned in this verse?
The snares of death represent the traps and dangers that can lead to spiritual or physical death, as warned in Proverbs 21:6. In the context of 2 Samuel 22:6, these snares may refer to the overwhelming circumstances that David faced, which threatened to consume him.
How does this verse relate to our everyday struggles?
This verse reminds us that, just like David, we can face overwhelming challenges that feel like the cords of Sheol. However, as 2 Samuel 22:7 shows, we can cry out to God in our distress, and He will hear our voice, just as He heard David's, and provide deliverance, as promised in Psalms 34:17.
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'cords of Sheol' that you feel entangled by in your life right now, and how can you call upon the Lord for help?
- In what ways do you feel like you're facing the 'snares of death', and how can you trust in God's power to overcome them?
- How does this verse encourage you to trust in God's deliverance, even in the midst of overwhelming circumstances?
- What does this verse teach you about the importance of crying out to God in times of distress, as David did in 2 Samuel 22:7?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 22:6
The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me. [See comments on Psalms 18:5].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 22:6
The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me; The sorrows of hell compassed me , [ chebleey (H2256) Shª'owl (H7585)] - cords, noose of Sheol (Hades) enclosed me.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 22:6
6. the sorrows of hell] The word may no doubt mean pangs, as it is translated in the Sept. (ὠ ?äῖ ?íåò, cp. Acts 2:24); but is better explained of the cords or nets of the hunter. Hell is Sheôl (Gr. Hades), the mysterious unseen world, ready to seize and swallow up its victim. See note on 1 Samuel 2:6.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 22:6
6. Bands of Sheol — The dark under-world seemed to open upon him, and reach out those bands which bind and drag down mortals into its oblivion. Job 14:20-21.
Sermons on 2 Samuel 22:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Power of the Name of Jesus by Basilea Schlink | In this sermon, Basilio Shlink emphasizes the power of the name of Jesus in freeing us from the chains of sin. He encourages listeners to call upon the name of Jesus in prayer, as |
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Singing the Praises of God by Paul Bramsen | Paul Bramsen emphasizes the significance of singing in worship, tracing its roots back to biblical times when God's people praised Him through song. The Bible showcases believers i |
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They Repented Not by Harry Ironside | Harry Ironside emphasizes that while God's creation and goodness should lead humanity to repentance, many remain unresponsive, drifting further into sin despite experiencing His bl |
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(Proverbs) ch.12:22 - 14:4 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of fearing God's commandments and the rewards that come with it. He highlights the power of wise teachings, comparing them to |
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Words of Spirit and Life by H.J. Vine | H.J. Vine preaches on the profound impact of Jesus' words as spirit and life, emphasizing the necessity of His death for eternal life. Despite the miracles, many sought Jesus for p |
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To Friends in the Ministry in Pennsylvania and New Jersey by George Fox | The preacher delves into the significance of 'springs' (pege) in the Bible, highlighting how it symbolizes a source of living water, both physically and spiritually. Jesus used 'pe |
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The Proud Have Hid a Snare by Bob Jones Sr. | In this sermon, Dr. Bob Jones Sr. emphasizes the importance of being aware of the enemies we face when following God's path. He highlights the need to rely on the Bible for guidanc |