King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto [his] house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?
Complete Jewish Bible:
Then Yo'av got up, went to Avshalom at his house and asked him, "Why did your servants set my field on fire?"
Berean Standard Bible:
Then Joab came to Absalom’s house and demanded, “Why did your servants set my field on fire?”
American Standard Version:
Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Then Joab{H3097} arose{H6965}, and came{H935} to Absalom{H53} unto his house{H1004}, and said{H559} unto him, Wherefore have thy servants{H5650} set{H3341} my field{H2513} on fire{H784}?
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for 2 Samuel 14:31
2 Samuel 14:31 is a verse set within the broader narrative of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David, in the Hebrew Bible. The verse captures a moment of direct confrontation between Joab, David's military commander, and Absalom, who is seeking to usurp the throne. The historical context is that Absalom had been living in exile due to his involvement in the murder of his half-brother Amnon. Later, through the machinations of Joab, Absalom was allowed to return to Jerusalem, but not to see King David.
In this verse, Joab confronts Absalom about the burning of his field, an act that Absalom's servants had carried out as part of a strategy to force Joab to intercede for Absalom with King David. Absalom was desperate to be reconciled with his father, and by setting Joab's field on fire, he hoped to provoke Joab into action. This act of arson was a calculated move to get Joab's attention and to manipulate him into facilitating a meeting with David, which Absalom had been denied for two years.
The themes present in this verse include the complexity of family dynamics, the use of indirect methods to achieve political ends, and the lengths to which individuals will go to gain power or restore damaged relationships. It also highlights the tension between loyalty to one's kin and loyalty to one's king, as Joab is caught between his allegiance to David and the pressure to support Absalom's cause. The verse reflects the intricate web of personal and political conflicts that characterized the succession crisis during David's reign.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3097
There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹאָב
Transliteration: Yôwʼâb
Pronunciation: yo-awb'
Description: from יְהֹוָה and אָב; Jehovah-fathered; Joab, the name of three Israelites; Joab. - Strong's Number: H6965
There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קוּם
Transliteration: qûwm
Pronunciation: koom
Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). - Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H53
There are 2955 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲבִישָׁלוֹם
Transliteration: ʼĂbîyshâlôwm
Pronunciation: ab-ee-shaw-lome'
Description: or (shortened) אַבְשָׁלוֹם ; from אָב and שָׁלוֹם; father of peace (i.e. friendly); Abshalom, a son of David; also (the fuller form) a later Israelite; Abishalom, Absalom. - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H5650
There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶבֶד
Transliteration: ʻebed
Pronunciation: eh'-bed
Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. - Strong's Number: H3341
There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָצַת
Transliteration: yâtsath
Pronunciation: yaw-tsath'
Description: a primitive root; to burn or set on fire; figuratively, to desolate; burn (up), be desolate, set (on) fire (fire), kindle. - Strong's Number: H2513
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֶלְקָה
Transliteration: chelqâh
Pronunciation: khel-kaw'
Description: feminine of חֵלֶק; properly, smoothness; figuratively, flattery; also an allotment; field, flattering(-ry), ground, parcel, part, piece of land (ground), plat, portion, slippery place, smooth (thing). - Strong's Number: H784
There are 549 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֵשׁ
Transliteration: ʼêsh
Pronunciation: aysh
Description: a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively); burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot.