2 Samuel 20:26 — Word Study
WLCוְגַ֗ם עִירָא֙ הַיָּ֣אִרִ֔י הָיָ֥ה כֹהֵ֖ן לְדָוִֽד׃ ס
BSAandgam IraʻÎyrâʼ the JairiteYâʼirîy△ [a descendant of Jair] washâyâh■ David’sDâvid [king of Israel, a leader of God's people] priestkôhên [a spiritual leader, one who serves God and leads others in worship]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְגַ֗ם | and also | Conjunction, adverb |
| עִירָא֙ | Ira | Noun proper masculine |
| הַיָּ֣אִרִ֔י | the Jairite | Particle, noun gentilic masculine singular absolute |
| הָיָ֥ה | he was | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| כֹהֵ֖ן | a priest | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לְדָוִֽד׃ ס | of David | Preposition, noun proper masculine |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | and Ira the Jairite was David’s priest. |
| KJV | And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David. |
| ASV | and also Ira the Jairite was chief minister unto David. |
| YLT | and also, Ira the Jairite hath been minister to David. |
| WEB | and Ira the Jairite was chief minister to David. |
| BBE | And in addition, Ira the Jairite was a priest to David. |
Where they part company is in the emphasis on Ira's identity and role as a priest.
The sentence has a main clause with a conjunction introducing the subject and its role, creating a clear and straightforward statement.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Poole, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
verbהָיָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 6 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 2 Samuel 20:26
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — David's Officialsgenerated
2 Samuel 20:26 lists Ira the Jairite as one of David's priests, highlighting the roles of various officials in David's administration. This verse follows a description of other key figures in David's court, emphasizing the importance of both military and religious leadership during his reign.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 23:38 | Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, |
| 2 | 1 Chronicles 11:40 | Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, |
| 3 | Judges 10:4–5 | He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys. And they had thirty towns in the land of Gilead, which to this day are called Havvoth-jair. |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 8:18 | Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders. |
| 5 | Genesis 41:43–45 | He had Joseph ride in his second chariot, with men calling out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he placed him over all the land of Egypt. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — כֹהֵן, kho.Hengenerated
The word כֹּהֵן (kohen) means 'priest' and refers to someone who serves in a religious capacity. It encompasses various types of priests, including those who perform sacrifices and lead worship.
In this verse, Ira is identified specifically as a priest to David, indicating his role as a spiritual leader within the king's court. The term is significant in the context of Israel's worship and religious practices.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the term priest to describe Ira's role.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb הָיָה (he was) governs the sentence, linking the subject 'Ira the Jairite' to his role as 'David’s priest.' This structure emphasizes the identity and function of Ira within the narrative.
The sentence follows a straightforward subject-verb-object order, with the conjunction וְגַם (and also) introducing Ira as an additional figure in the list of David's officials.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates כֹהֵן as ἱερεὺς (hiereus), which also means 'priest.' This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the religious significance of Ira's role.
The use of ἱερεὺς in the Septuagint reflects the same priestly function, indicating continuity in the understanding of religious roles across the Hebrew and Greek texts.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
2 Samuel 20:26 tells us that Ira the Jairite was a priest for David, showing the important role of religious leaders in King David's court. This verse is part of a larger passage that lists various officials in David's administration.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It indicates that Ira held a significant religious role, serving as a spiritual leader and helping to guide the worship practices of the people.
Other officials mentioned in the surrounding verses include Joab, Benaiah, and Zadok, who held various military and administrative roles.
Priests played a crucial role in maintaining the spiritual health of the nation, leading worship, and ensuring that the people followed God's laws.
Ira is one of several priests in David's time, but his specific mention highlights his importance within the king's inner circle and the administration of worship.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does it mean to serve as a spiritual leader in today's context?
- How can we learn from the roles of officials in David's court in our own communities?
- What qualities do you think made Ira a suitable priest for David?
- In what ways can we support our spiritual leaders today?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 2 Samuel 20:26 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd Ira also the Jairite,.... Which some take to be the same with Ira the Ithrite, 2 Samuel 23:38; a son of Jether or Ithra the Israelite, 2 Samuel 17:25; though others suppose he was Ira the son of
Read John Gill on 2 Samuel 20 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe Jairite; so called from his birth or dwelling in the country of Jair in Gilead, . A chief ruler; either the president of the king’ s council; or his chief minister (as the Hebrew word cohen signifies) of state, instead of Ahithophel; or in some other very high place near the king’ s person. Compare , where this title is given to David’ s sons, the chief of which were now cut off. And these things are here repeated with some alteration to show that David was now fully re-established in his former estate.
Read Matthew Poole on 2 Samuel 20 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments2 Samuel 20:26 And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.Ver. 26. Was a chief ruler about David,] Heb., A prince, or a priest: whence some make him president of the council; others, the king’ s chaplain or his almoner; others, his peculiar and familiar friend. Amicus intimus et consiliarius. - Vat.
Read John Trapp on 2 Samuel 20 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(26) Ira also the Jairite.—He is not mentioned in the other lists of the king’s officers; Ira, an Ithrite, is found in the list of David’s “thirty and seven” heroes in 2 Samuel 23:38, but there is no ground for identifying the two persons. On the office of “chief ruler,” or cohen, see Note on 2 Samuel 8:18. Earlier in David’s reign the office had been occupied by his own sons, but the murder of the eldest, the rebellion and death of Absalom, and other disorders in his household had led apparently to a change.
Read Charles John Ellicott on 2 Samuel 20 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 26. Ira - was a chief ruler about David.] The Hebrew is לדויד כהן cohen ledavid, a priest to David; and so the Vulgate, Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic. The Chaldee has רב rab, a prince, or chief. He was probably a sort of domestic chaplain to the king. We know that the kings of Judah had their seers, which is nearly the same: Gad was David's seer, 2 Samuel 24:11, and Jeduthun was the seer of King Josiah, 2 Chronicles 35:16. The conclusion of this chapter is very similar to the conclusion of 2 Samuel 8:16-18, where see the notes.
Read AdamClarke on 2 Samuel 20 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges26. a chief ruler about David] Minister to David. The post formerly held by David’s sons. See on ch. 2 Samuel 8:18.
Read Cambridge on 2 Samuel 20 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleIra the Jairite - Not mentioned before: perhaps the same as “Ira an Ithrite” (marginal reference), i. e., an inhabitant of Jattir in the hill country of Judah Joshua 15:48; 1 Samuel 30:27.
Read Albert Barnes on 2 Samuel 20 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible26. Ira the Jairite — He either took the place of David’s sons, or was added to their number as a private counsellor. See on chap. 2 Samuel 8:18. Of his personal history we know nothing beyond this single fact.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on 2 Samuel 20 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
and Ira the Jairite was David’s priest.
and Ira the Jairite was chief minister to David.
and Ira the Jairite was David’s priest.
Ira the Jairite was David’s personal priest.
Tyndale line
And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.
and also Ira the Jairite was chief minister unto David.
and Ira also the Jairite was priest unto David.
And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.
And also Ira the Iairite was chiefe about Dauid.
Strictly literal
and Ira also, the Jairite, was David's chief ruler.
and also, Ira the Jairite hath been minister to David.
and also, Ira the Jairite has been minister to David.
And 'Ira also the Yairite was an officer of state unto David.
Ira the Jairite was chief minister to David.
From the Latin
And Ira the Jairite was the priest of David.
Simplified
and Ira the Jairite was David's priest.
And in addition, Ira the Jairite was a priest to David.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all six words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain the same six concepts, though some words are restored by an editor due to damage.
וְגַ֗ם עִירָא֙ הַיָּ֣אִרִ֔י הָיָ֥ה כֹהֵ֖ן לְדָוִֽד׃ ס
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[וגם] [עירא] [היאירי] [היה] [כוהן] [לדויד]
nothing on the leather here — 6 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 2 Samuel 20:26
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
גַּם (gam) is an adverb meaning 'also' or 'moreover,' indicating addition or emphasis. It can express various nuances, such as 'even,' 'indeed,' or 'but.' The term is often used in a correlational manner, as in 'both...and.' It appears in contexts that require clarification or reinforcement of a statement.
גַּם 768 adv. denoting addition, also, moreover, yea
base
H1571 גַּם denoting addition, also, moreover, yea
1571 gam gam
by contraction from an unused root meaning to gather;
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea,
though; often repeated as correl. both...and:--again, alike,
also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and , but, either...or,
even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover,
nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea.
גַּם (gam) — also.
1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea
1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis)
1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative)
1c) even (for stress)
1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax)
1e) also (of correspondence or retribution)
1f) but, yet, though (adversative)
1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case)
2) (TWOT) again, alike
Conj | DirObjM — Conjunction · adverbHC/D
ol'-so: In the Greek kai, when it is equivalent to "also" or "even," is always placed before the word or phrase which it is intended to emphasize (e.g. Ac 12:3; 1 Joh 4:21). Mt 6:14 should therefore read, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you also"; Lu 6:13, "Whom also he named apostles"; Heb 8:6, "The mediator of a better covenant also"; and 1Th 4:14, `If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also (we believe that) those who are fallen asleep in Jesus, God will bring with Him.'
עִירָא (Iyra') refers to a name meaning 'watchful of a city.' It is associated with three individuals from the time of the United Monarchy, all of whom were notable figures in King David's circle, including one of his great officers and two of his mighty warriors. The name is derived from the root meaning 'wakefulness.'
עִירָא n.pr.m.
of David
heroes of David
base
H5896 עִירָא
5896 `Iyra' ee-raw'
from 5782; wakefulness; Ira, the name of three
Israelites:--Ira.
see HEBREW for 05782
עִירָא (i.ra) — Ira.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at 2Sa.20.26
§ Ira = "watchful of a city"
1) the Jairite, one of David's great officers
2) one of David's mighty warriors
3) a Tekoite, son of Ikkesh, and another of David's mighty warriors
עִירָא (i.ra) — Ira.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.23.26;
son of: Ikkesh (H6142)
§ Ira = "watchful of a city"
1) the Jairite, one of David's great officers
2) one of David's mighty warriors
3) a Tekoite, son of Ikkesh, and another of David's mighty warriors
עִירָא (i.ra) — Ira.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.23.38
§ Ira = "watchful of a city"
1) the Jairite, one of David's great officers
2) one of David's mighty warriors
3) a Tekoite, son of Ikkesh, and another of David's mighty warriors
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
i'-ra (`ira'; Eiras):
(1) A person referred to in 2Sa 20:26 as "priest" (so the Revised Version (British and American) correctly; the King James Version "a chief ruler," the American Standard Revised Version "chief minister") unto David. The translation of the Revised Version (British and American) is the only possible one; but, according to the text, Ira was "a Jairite," and thus of the tribe of Manasseh (Nu 32:41) and not eligible to the priesthood. On the basis of the Peshitta some would correct "Jairite" of 2Sa 20:26 into "Jattirite," referring to Jattir, a priestly city within the territory of Judah (Jos 21:14). Others point to
Ira
Citizen; wakeful. (1.) A Tekoite, one of David’s thirty warriors (2 Sam. 23:26).
(2.) An Ithrite, also one of David’s heroes (2 Sam. 23:38).
(3.) A Jairite and priest, a royal chaplain (2 Sam. 20:26) or confidential adviser (comp. 2 Sam. 8:18; 1 Chr. 18:17).
(watchful of a city). "The Jairite," named in the catalogue of David’s great officers. (2 Samuel 20:26) One of the heroes of David’s guard. (2 Samuel 23:38; 1 Chronicles 11:40) Another of David’s guard, a Tekoite, son of Ikkesh- (2 Samuel 23:26; 1 Chronicles 11:28) (B.C. 1046-1014.)
watchman; making bare; pouring out
יָאִירִי (Ya'iriy) means 'Jairite,' referring to a descendant of Jair, a figure from the tribe of Judah. The word is built from the root יָאִיר (ya'ir), which signifies a familial connection. It appears in contexts related to Jair's lineage, such as in Numbers 32:41, and is noted in 2 Samuel 20:26.
יָאִירִי adj.gent. Jairite 2 S 20:26.
done
H2972 יָאִירִי
2972 Ya'iriy yaw-ee-ree'
patronymically from 2971; a Jairite or descendant of
Jair:--Jairite.
see HEBREW for 02971
יָאִרִי (ya.i.ri) — Jairite.
Someone descended from Jair who was a man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Num.32.41;
son of: Segub (H7687H)
Group of ya.ir (יָאִיר "Jair" H2971)
§ Jairite = "descendant of Jair"
1) a descendant of Jair
1a) Ira the Jairite was a priest to David
Art | Ngmsa — Particle · noun gentilic masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ngmsa
ja'-er-it (ya'iri, "of Jair"): In 2Sa 20:26, Ira the Jairite is "chief minister unto David." He was a descendant of Jair who was a Manassite (Nu 32:41, etc.) and whose territory was in Gilead. Septuagint, Lucian, and Syriac suggest yattiri, "Jattirite," i.e. a native of Jattir mentioned in 1Sa 30:27 as one of the towns friendly to David when he was in Ziklag. It is not improbable that a native of Jattir would be given such a post by David.
See IRA, and compare 2Sa 23:38.
(descendant of Jair). The IRA THE JAIRITE was a priest (Authorized Version "chief ruler") to David (2 Samuel 20:26)
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularHVqp3ms
ha: The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "h." It came also to be used for the number 5. For name, etc., see ALPHABET.
כֹּהֵן (kohen) means 'priest' and is derived from the active participle of a related root. It encompasses various types of priests, including Levitical, Aaronic, and even pagan priests, as well as chief rulers or principal officers. The term is used in contexts referring to both Jewish and non-Jewish priestly roles.
כֹּהֵן 750 n.m. priest
base
H3548 כֹּהֵן priest
3548 kohen ko-hane'
active participle of 3547; literally, one officiating, a
priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a
layman):--chief ruler, X own, priest, prince, principal
officer.
see HEBREW for 03547
כֹּהֵן (ko.hen) — priest.
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)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
prest (kohen, "priest," "prince," "minister"; hiereus archiereus; for hiereus megas, of Heb 10:21, see Thayer's Lexicon, under the word hiereus:
I. NATURE OF THE PRIESTLY OFFICE
1. Implies Divine Choice
2. Implies Representation
3. Implies Offering Sacrifice
4. Implies Intercession
II. THE TWO GREAT PRIESTS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, MELCHIZEDEK AND AARON
III. PRIESTLY FUNCTIONS AND CHARACTER
1. A Strictly Religious Order
2. Priestism Denied
3. The High Priest's Qualifications
4. Symbolism of Aaron's Rod
IV. CONSECRATION OF AARON AND HIS SONS (EXODUS 29; LEVITICUS 8)
1. Symbolism of Consecration
2. Type and Archetype
LITERATURE
A priest is one who is duly authorized to minister in sacred things, particularly to offer sacrifices at the altar, and who acts as mediator between men and God. In the New Testament the term is applied to priests of the Gentiles…
Priest
The Heb. kohen, Gr. hierus, Lat. sacerdos, always denote one who offers sacrifices.
At first every man was his own priest, and presented his own sacrifices before God. Afterwards that office devolved on the head of the family, as in the cases of Noah (Gen. 8:20), Abraham (12:7; 13:4), Isaac (26:25), Jacob (31:54), and Job (Job 1:5).
The name first occurs as applied to Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18). Under the Levitical arrangements the office of the priesthood was limited to the tribe of Levi, and to only one family of that tribe, the family of Aaron. Certain laws respecting the qualifications of priests are given in Lev. 21:16-23. There are ordinances also regarding the…
The English word is derived from the Greek presbyter , signifying an "elder" (Heb. cohen). Origin. --The idea of a priesthood connects itself in all its forms, pure or corrupted, with the consciousness, more or less distinct of sin. Men feel that they have broken a law. The power above them is holier than they are, and they dare not approach it. They crave for the intervention of some one of whom they can think as likely to be more acceptable than themselves. He must offer up their prayers, thanksgivings, sacrifices. He becomes their representative in "things pertaining unto God." He may become also (though this does not always follow) the representative of God to man. The functions of the priest and prophet may exist in the same person. No trace of a hereditary or caste priesthood meets us in the worship of the patriarchal age. Once and once only does the word cohen meet us as…
One who officiated in the public worship of God, especially in making expiation for sin, being "ordained for men in things pertaining to God, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins." In the Old Testament, the priesthood was not annexed to a certain family till after the promulgation of the law by Moses. Before that time, the firstborn of each family, the fathers, the princes, the kings, were priests in their own cities and in their own houses. Cain and Abel, Noah, Abraham, and Job, Abimelech and Laban, Isaac and Jacob offered personally their own sacrifices. In the solemnity of the covenant made by the Lord with his people, at the foot of Mount Sinai, Moses performed the office of mediator, and young men were chosen from among Israel to perform the office of priests, Ex 24:5. But after the Lord had chosen the tribe of Levi to…
דָּוִד (David) refers to the second king of Israel, known as the youngest son of Jesse. The name means 'beloved' and is associated with a significant lineage, including many siblings and notable descendants like Solomon. The entries highlight his familial connections and historical context, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
דָּוִד, דָּוִיד 1066 n.pr.m. David
base
H1732 דָּוִד, דָּוִיד David
1732 David daw-veed'
rarely (fully); Daviyd {daw-veed'}; from the same as 1730;
loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse:--David.
see HEBREW for 01730
דָּוִד (da.vid) — David.
A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17;
son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I);
brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339);
father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), 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)
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculineHR/Npm
da'-vid (dawidh, or dawidh, "beloved"; Daueid, also in New Testament, Dauid, Dabid; see Thayer's Lexicon):
I. NAME AND GENEALOGY
II. EARLY YEARS
1. Shepherd
2. Slinger
3. Harpist
4. Poet
5. Psalmist
6. Tribesman
III. IN THE SERVICE OF SAUL
1. David First Meets Saul
2. His First Exploit
3. Envy of Saul and Flight of David
4. Jonathan and David
IV. DAVID IN EXILE
1. David as Outlaw
2. David Joins the Philistines
V. DAVID AS KING
1. Civil War
2. Conquests Abroad
3. Political Situation
4. The Ark
VI. DOMESTIC LIFE
1. His Wives and Children
2. Domestic Troubles
VII. HIS OFFICIALS
1. Prophets
2. Priests
3. Military Officers
4. Other Officials
5. Mutual Rivalry
VIII. PERSONAL CHARACTER OF DAVID
1. Chronicles
2. Psalms
3. Complex Character
4. Physical Courage
5. Moral Courage
6. Prudence
7. Strategy
8. Nobility
9. David in Relation to His Family
10. David in Relation to His Friends
11. His Success
12. His Foreign Friends
13. Nemesis
David
Beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother’s name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25. As to his personal appearance, we only know that he was red-haired, with beautiful eyes and a fair face (1 Sam. 16:12; 17:42).
His early occupation was that of tending his father’s sheep on the uplands of Judah. From what we know of his after history, doubtless he frequently beguiled his time, when thus engaged, with his shepherd’s flute, while he drank in the many lessons taught him by the varied scenes spread around him. His first recorded exploits were his encounters with the wild beasts of the field. He mentions that with his own unaided hand he slew a lion and also a…
(well-beloved), the son of Jesse. His life may be divided into three portions: His youth before his introduction to the court of Saul; His relations with Saul; His reign. The early life of David contains in many important respects the antecedents of his future career. It appears that David was the youngest son, probably the youngest child, of a family of ten, and was born in Bethlehem B.C. 1085. The first time that David appears in history at once admits us to the whole family circle. The annual sacrificial feast is being held when Samuel appears, sent by God to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as they pass before him, (1 Samuel 16:6-10) Samuel sends for the youngest, David, who was "keeping the sheep," and anoints him. (1 Samuel 16:11-13) As David stood before Samuel we are enabled to…
Beloved, the youngest son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah, born in Bethlehem B. C. 1085; one of the most remarkable men in either sacred of secular history. His life is fully recorded in 1Sa 16:1 1Ki 2:46. He was "the Lord’s anointed," chosen by God to be king of Israel instead of Saul, and consecrated to that office by the venerable prophet Samuel long before he actually came to the throne, 1Sa 16:1-13, for which God prepared him by the gift of his Spirit, and a long course of vicissitudes and dangers. In his early pastoral life he distinguished himself by his boldness, fidelity, and faith in God; and while yet a youth was summoned to court, as one expert in music, valiant, prudent in behavior, and comely in person. He…