2 Samuel 22:26 — Word Study
WLCעִם־ חָסִ֖יד תִּתְחַסָּ֑ד עִם־ גִּבּ֥וֹר תָּמִ֖ים תִּתַּמָּֽם׃
BSAToʻim the faithfulchâçîyd [pious, kind, and holy] You show Yourself faithfulchâçad▸ [being loyal, trustworthy, and true] toʻim the blamelesstâmîym [unblemished, perfect, and upright] You show Yourself blamelesstâmam▸ [without fault, innocent, and righteous]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| עִם־ | with | Preposition |
| חָסִ֖יד | a faithful [person] | Adj |
| תִּתְחַסָּ֑ד | you show yourself faithful | Verb, Hithpael, imperfect second person masculine singular |
| עִם־ | with | Preposition |
| גִּבּ֥וֹר | a mighty [man] | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| תָּמִ֖ים | blameless | Adj |
| תִּתַּמָּֽם׃ | you show yourself blameless | Verb, Hithpael, imperfect second person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless; |
| KJV | With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright. |
| ASV | With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful; With the perfect man thou wilt show thyself perfect; |
| YLT | With the kind Thou shewest Thyself kind, With the perfect man Thou shewest Thyself perfect, |
| WEB | With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man you will show yourself perfect. |
| BBE | On him who has mercy you will have mercy; to the upright you will be upright; |
Where they part company is תָּמִ֖ים — see How Translations Differ.
Two main clauses, each with a prepositional phrase indicating the recipients of God's actions. The parallel structure emphasizes the reciprocity between God and His people.
4 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Cambridge, Whedon & more — read them ›
clause
verbחָסַד
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
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 22:26
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 Song of Praisegenerated
2 Samuel 22:26 is part of David's song of praise to the Lord, where he recounts how God has been faithful to him throughout his life. David emphasizes that God responds to the character of His people, showing faithfulness to the faithful and blamelessness to the blameless. This theme of divine reciprocity is echoed in other parts of Scripture, highlighting God's justice and mercy as seen in Psalm 18:25.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 5:7 | Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. |
| 2 | James 2:13 | For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חָסִיד, cha.Sidgenerated
The word חָסִיד (cha.Sid) is an adjective that describes a person who is pious and faithful, reflecting a deep commitment to God. It encompasses qualities such as kindness and mercy, indicating a relationship with the divine that is characterized by devotion and righteousness.
This word appears frequently in the Old Testament, often in contexts that highlight God's attributes and how they relate to His people. The parsing indicates that it functions as an adjective, describing the nature of a person who is devoted to God.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against. The BSB uses blameless for תָּמִ֖ים, which is also rendered as perfect in the ASV, DRA, LSV, RVA, WEB, and YLT.
Where they part company is תָּמִ֖ים — see How Translations Differ.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse contains two main clauses that are parallel in structure, each beginning with a prepositional phrase: עִם־ ('im-) introduces both clauses, emphasizing the relationship between God and His people. The finite verbs תִּתְחַסָּ֑ד and תִּתַּמָּֽם express God's actions in relation to the faithful and the blameless.
The structure highlights the reciprocity in God's character, showing how His faithfulness and blamelessness are responses to the qualities of those who seek Him.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates חָסִיד as ὁσίου — holy or pious — which aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning but may carry a slightly broader connotation of moral purity.
The translation of תָּמִ֖ים as τελείου suggests completeness or perfection, emphasizing the integrity of those who are blameless before God.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
2 Samuel 22:26 tells us that God shows His faithfulness to those who are faithful and His blamelessness to those who are blameless. This reflects a principle of divine justice where God's actions correspond to the character of His people.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God responds positively to those who are loyal and devoted to Him, demonstrating His trustworthiness in their lives.
This verse highlights God's justice and righteousness, showing that He treats people according to their character and actions.
Being blameless implies integrity and moral uprightness, indicating a person who lives in accordance with God's standards.
Yes, similar themes are found in passages like Psalm 18:25 and Matthew 5:7, where God's treatment of individuals reflects their character.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's faithfulness in my own life?
- How can I strive to be more faithful and blameless in my actions?
- What does it mean for me to reflect God's character in my relationships with others?
- How can I encourage others to seek a faithful and blameless life before God?
Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 2 Samuel 22:26 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWith the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful, [and] with the upright man thou wilt show thyself upright. [See comments on Psalms 18:25].
Read John Gill on 2 Samuel 22 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWith the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.
Read Robert Jamieson on 2 Samuel 22 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges26–28. The law of God’s dealings with men The truth here enunciated is that God’s attitude towards men is regulated by men’s attitude towards God (cp. 1 Samuel 2:30; 1 Samuel 15:23); not (though this is also true) that men’s conceptions of God are the reflection of their own characters.
Read Cambridge on 2 Samuel 22 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible26. With the kind thou… kind — The statements of 2 Samuel 22:26-28 are an expansion of the proposition of 2 Samuel 22:25, that God rewards men according to their righteousness.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on 2 Samuel 22 →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
To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless;
With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man you will show yourself perfect.
To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless;
You prove to be loyal to one who is faithful; you prove to be trustworthy to one who is innocent.
Tyndale line
With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.
With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful; With the perfect man thou wilt show thyself perfect;
With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, with the perfect man thou wilt shew thyself perfect;
With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt show thyself upright.
With the godly thou wilt shewe thy selfe godly: with the vpright man thou wilt shew thy selfe vpright.
Strictly literal
With the gracious thou dost shew thyself gracious; With the upright man thou dost shew thyself upright;
With the kind Thou shewest Thyself kind, With the perfect man Thou shewest Thyself perfect,
With the kind You show Yourself kind, || With the perfect man You show Yourself perfect,
With the kind thou wilt show thyself kind; with the upright mighty man thou wilt show thyself upright.
To one who is faithful, you show yourself to be faithful; to a man who is blameless, you show yourself to be blameless.
From the Latin
With the holy one thou wilt be holy: and with the valiant perfect.
Simplified
You show trust to those who are trusting; you show integrity to those with integrity,
On him who has mercy you will have mercy; to the upright you will be upright;
Word by word, the decisions they made
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 states, "עִם־ חָסִ֖יד תִּתְחַסָּ֑ד עִם־ גִּבּ֥וֹר תָּמִ֖ים תִּתַּמָּֽם׃" which translates to, "To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless." The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text, matching all seven words, though it presents them in a different order and with its own articles. The Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q51) preserve parts of the verse, with one word fully intact and others partly restored or supplied by an editor, but they align with the Masoretic Text's meaning, indicating a consistent tradition across these witnesses.
עִם־ חָסִ֖יד תִּתְחַסָּ֑ד עִם־ גִּבּ֥וֹר תָּמִ֖ים תִּתַּמָּֽם׃
7 of the 7 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.
[עם] חסיד תתחסד [ועם] [גבר] [תמים] [תתמם]
1 word on the leather — 1 partly restored, 5 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 22:26
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.
עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.
עִם prep. with
of fellowship and companionship
of aid
Of actions done jointly with another
If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against
Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another
Of a common lot together with the wicked
Of equality or resemblance generally aid
Of time, as long as
Of a locality, close to, beside
Of persons, עִם is spec.
in the house or family or service of
In possession of
In the custody or care of
Beside = except
With = friendly with
Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
base
מֵעִם 72 from with or beside
base
H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship
. Of a locality, close to, beside
. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of
. In possession of
. In the custody or care of
. Beside = except
. With = friendly with
. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside
5973 `im eem
from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction
with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;
often with prepositional prefix (and then usually
unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X
long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from
(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,
with(-al).
see HEBREW for 06004
עִם (im) — with.
1) with
1a) with
1b) against
1c) toward
1d) as long as
מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.
1a) beside, except
1b) in spite of
Prep — PrepositionHR
חָסִיד (chaciyd) means kind or pious, referring to someone who is religiously devoted or merciful. It encompasses terms like saint, godly, and faithful. The word is rooted in the concept of kindness, often associated with God's attributes in contexts like Jeremiah 3:12 and Psalm 145:17.
חָסִיד adj.m. kind, pious (so, as denoting active practice of חֶסֶד, kindness, Thes MV De and most, cf. קָצִיר, פָּקִיד etc.; > Hup on ψ 4:4 RVm who expl. as passive reception of י׳’s חֶסֶד, cf. שָׂכִיר, אָסִיר etc.; its used as attribute of God Je 3:12 ψ 145:17, and the context ψ 12:1 Mi 7:2 etc., favour active sense)—
kind
pious, godly
base
H2623 חָסִיד kind, pious
2623 chaciyd khaw-seed'
from 2616; properly, kind, i.e. (religiously) pious (a
saint):--godly (man), good, holy (one), merciful, saint, (un-
)godly.
see HEBREW for 02616
חָסִיד (cha.sid) — pious.
1) faithful, kind, godly, holy one, saint, pious
1a) kind
1b) pious, godly
1c) faithful ones (subst)
Adj — AdjHAamsa
חָסַד (chacad) is a Hebrew verb that means to be good or kind, particularly in the Hithpael form, which indicates showing kindness to oneself. It can also mean to be reproached or ashamed, primarily in the Piel form. The entries suggest a connection to humility and courtesy, with a reference to Proverbs 25:10 regarding shame.
[חָסַד] vb. be good, kind—only Hithp. Impf.
base
[חָסַד] vb. be reproached, ashamed—only Pi. Impf. Pr 25:10
ref
H2616a חָסַד be good, kind—only Hithp. Impf. H2616b חָסַד be reproached, ashamed—only Pi. Impf.
2616 chacad khaw-sad'
a primitive root; properly, perhaps to bow (the neck only
(compare 2603) in courtesy to an equal), i.e. to be kind; also
(by euphem. (compare l288), but rarely) to reprove:--shew self
merciful, put to shame.
see HEBREW for 02603
see HEBREW for 0l288
חָסַד (cha.sad) — be kind.
1) to be good, be kind
1a) (Hithpael) to show kindness to oneself
חָסַד (cha.sad) — to shame.
1) to be reproached, be ashamed
1a) (Piel) to be put to shame, be reproached
V-Hithpael-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Hithpael · imperfect second person masculine singularHVti2ms
Faithful
As a designation of Christians, means full of faith, trustful, and not simply trustworthy (Acts 10:45; 16:1; 2 Cor. 6:15; Col. 1:2; 1 Tim. 4:3, 12; 5:16; 6:2; Titus 1:6; Eph. 1:1; 1 Cor. 4:17, etc.).
It is used also of God’s word or covenant as true and to be trusted (Ps. 119:86, 138; Isa. 25:1; 1 Tim. 1:15;
In many passages in the Bible, means "believing." Thus in Ga 3:9, believers are said to be blessed with Abraham, because of his preeminent distinction above all man for steadfast faith in God. This appellation is given in Scripture to true Christians, to indicate not only their saving faith in Christ, but their trustworthy and consistent Christian character, Ac 16:15 1Co 4:17 Eph 6:21 Col 4:9 1Pe 5:12. "A faithful saying" is one that cannot prove false, 1Ti 1:15 2Ti…
עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.
עִם prep. with
of fellowship and companionship
of aid
Of actions done jointly with another
If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against
Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another
Of a common lot together with the wicked
Of equality or resemblance generally aid
Of time, as long as
Of a locality, close to, beside
Of persons, עִם is spec.
in the house or family or service of
In possession of
In the custody or care of
Beside = except
With = friendly with
Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
base
מֵעִם 72 from with or beside
base
H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship
. Of a locality, close to, beside
. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of
. In possession of
. In the custody or care of
. Beside = except
. With = friendly with
. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside
5973 `im eem
from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction
with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;
often with prepositional prefix (and then usually
unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X
long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from
(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,
with(-al).
see HEBREW for 06004
עִם (im) — with.
1) with
1a) with
1b) against
1c) toward
1d) as long as
מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.
1a) beside, except
1b) in spite of
Prep — PrepositionHR
גִּבּוֹר (gibbor) means strong or mighty, and can refer to a powerful person, such as a warrior or chief. It is built from a root that implies strength and valor, covering meanings related to strength and bravery. The entries consistently emphasize its use to describe a strong man or mighty figure.
גִּבּוֹר 159 adj. strong, mighty
base
H1368 גִּבּוֹר strong, mighty
1368 gibbowr ghib-bore'
or (shortened) gibbor {ghib-bore'}; intensive from the same
as 1397; powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant:--
champion, chief, X excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one),
strong (man), valiant man.
see HEBREW for 01397
גִּבּוֹר (gib.bor) — mighty man.
adj
1) strong, mighty
n m
2) strong man, brave man, mighty man
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
See ANTHROPOLOGY.
Man
(1.) Heb. ‘Adam, used as the proper name of the first man. The name is derived from a word meaning “to be red,” and thus the first man was called Adam because he was formed from the red earth. It is also the generic name of the human race (Gen. 1:26, 27; 5:2; 8:21; Deut. 8:3). Its equivalents are the Latin homo and the Greek anthropos (Matt. 5:13, 16). It denotes also man in opposition to woman (Gen. 3:12; Matt. 19:10).
(2.) Heb. ‘ish, like the Latin vir and Greek aner, denotes properly a man in opposition to a woman (1 Sam. 17:33;
Four Hebrew terms are rendered "man" in the Authorized Version: Adam, the name of the man created in the image of God. It appears to be derived from adam , "he or it was red or ruddy," like Edom. This was the generic term for the human race. Ish , "man," as distinguished from woman, husband. Geber , "a man," from gabar , "to be strong," generally with reference to his strength. Methim , "men," always masculine. Perhaps it may be derived from the root muth , "he died."
The Hebrew word תָּמִים (*tamiym*) means complete, sound, or whole. It encompasses notions of integrity, truth, and being unblemished or innocent. The word can function as both an adjective and a noun, referring to what is entire or in accord with truth. It is derived from a root that conveys the idea of being entire or perfect.
תָּמִים 91 adj. complete, sound
complete, whole, entire
whole, sound, healthful
complete, entire, of time
sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity
as neuter adj. = subst. what is complete, entirely in accord with truth and fact
base
H8549 תָּמִים complete, sound . complete, whole, entire
. whole, sound, healthful
. complete, entire, of time
. sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity
. as neuter adj. = subst. what is complete, entirely in accord with truth and fact
8549 tamiym taw-meem'
from 8552; entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also
(as noun) integrity, truth:--without blemish, complete, full,
perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled,
upright(-ly), whole.
see HEBREW for 08552
תָּמִים (ta.mim) — unblemished.
: unblemished/perfect
1) complete, whole, entire, sound
1a) complete, whole, entire
1b) whole, sound, healthful
1c) complete, entire (of time)
1d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity
1e) what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact (neuter adj/subst)
תָּמִים (ta.mim) — unblemished: blameless.
: blameless
1) complete, whole, entire, sound
1a) complete, whole, entire
1b) whole, sound, healthful
1c) complete, entire (of time)
1d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity
1e) what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact (neuter adj/subst)
תָּמִים (ta.mim) — unblemished: complete.
: complete
1) complete, whole, entire, sound
1a) complete, whole, entire
1b) whole, sound, healthful
1c) complete, entire (of time)
1d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity
Adj — AdjHAamsa
תָּמַם (tamam) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be complete or finished. It encompasses a range of meanings, including to accomplish, cease, be consumed, or be sound and upright. The word can be used in various forms, such as Qal, Hiphil, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances of completion or integrity.
[תָּמַם], תַּם vb. be complete, finished
Qal
be finished, completed
be finished, come to an end, cease
be complete, of number
be consumed, exhausted, spent
be finished, consumed, destroyed
be complete, sound, unimpaired
twice, very strangely
Hiph.
finish, complete, perfect, a matter
finish, cease doing a thing
complete, sum up
destroy uncleanness
causative: make sound thy ways.
Hithp. deal in integrity with
base
H8552 [תָּמַם], תַּם be complete, finished
8552 tamam taw-mam'
a primitive root; to complete, in a good or a bad sense,
literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive (as
follows):--accomplish, cease, be clean (pass-)ed, consume,
have done, (come to an, have an, make an) end, fail, come to
the full, be all gone, X be all here, be (make) perfect, be
spent, sum, be (shew self) upright, be wasted, whole.
תָּמַם (ta.mam) — to finish.
1) to be complete, be finished, be at an end
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be finished, be completed
1a1a) completely, wholly, entirely (as auxiliary with verb)
1a2) to be finished, come to an end, cease
1a3) to be complete (of number)
1a4) to be consumed, be exhausted, be spent
1a5) to be finished, be consumed, be destroyed
1a6) to be complete, be sound, be unimpaired, be upright (ethically)
1a7) to complete, finish
1a8) to be completely crossed over
1b) (Niphal) to be consumed
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to finish, complete, perfect
1c2) to finish, cease doing, leave off doing
1c3) to complete, sum up, make whole
1c4) to destroy (uncleanness)
1c5) to make sound
1d) (Hithpael) to deal in integrity, act uprightly
V-Hithpael-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Hithpael · imperfect second person masculine singularHVti2ms