King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Now Barzillai was a very aged man, [even] fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he [was] a very great man.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Barzillai was a very old man, eighty years old; he had provided for the king's needs when he was staying at Machanayim; for he was a wealthy man.
Berean Standard Bible:
Barzillai was quite old, eighty years of age, and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the king while he stayed in Mahanaim.
American Standard Version:
Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king with sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Now Barzillai{H1271} was a very{H3966} aged{H2204} man, even fourscore{H8084} years{H8141} old{H1121}: and he had provided the king{H4428} of sustenance{H3557} while he lay{H7871} at Mahanaim{H4266}; for he was a very{H3966} great{H1419} man{H376}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Samuel 25:2
- ¶ And [there was] a man in Maon, whose possessions [were] in Carmel; and the man [was] very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.
Proverbs 16:31
- ¶ The hoary head [is] a crown of glory, [if] it be found in the way of righteousness.
Job 1:3
- His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
Deuteronomy 34:7
- And Moses [was] an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.
Genesis 9:29
- And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.
Genesis 47:28
- And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years.
Genesis 25:7
- And these [are] the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 2 Samuel 19:32
2 Samuel 19:32 is set within the broader narrative of King David's return to power after his son Absalom's rebellion. The verse introduces Barzillai the Gileadite, a wealthy and elderly man who played a significant role in supporting David during his flight from Jerusalem. Specifically, the verse highlights two key points: Barzillai's advanced age, being "fourscore years old" (which means 80 years old), and his generous provision of sustenance to King David when David was in exile at Mahanaim, a city east of the Jordan River.
The historical context of this verse is rooted in the tumultuous period following Absalom's attempt to usurp the throne from his father, David. During this time, David was forced to flee across the Jordan to Mahanaim, where he mustered his forces to confront Absalom's army. Barzillai's support was crucial during this time of need, demonstrating his loyalty to David and contributing to David's eventual victory and restoration as king.
The themes present in this verse include loyalty, generosity, and the importance of allies in times of crisis. Barzillai's actions reflect a deep commitment to David's cause, despite the risks involved in aiding a king in exile. His generosity is emphasized by his provision of food and other necessities, which would have been critical for maintaining the morale and strength of David's forces. Additionally, the verse underscores the significance of Barzillai's status as a "very great man," suggesting that his influence and reputation were well-established, and his support for David carried considerable weight. This act of kindness and support would later be remembered and honored by David, illustrating the value placed on such loyal friendship within the cultural and historical setting of ancient Israel.
*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: H1271
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּרְזִלַּי
Transliteration: Barzillay
Pronunciation: bar-zil-lah'-ee
Description: from בַּרְזֶל; iron-hearted; Barzillai, the name of three Israelites; Barzillai. - Strong's Number: H3966
There are 278 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְאֹד
Transliteration: mᵉʼôd
Pronunciation: meh-ode'
Description: from the same as אוּד; properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or superlative; especially when repeated); diligently, especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), [idiom] louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very ([phrase] much, sore), well. - Strong's Number: H2204
There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זָקֵן
Transliteration: zâqên
Pronunciation: zaw-kane'
Description: a primitive root; to be old; aged man, be (wax) old (man). - Strong's Number: H8084
There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁמֹנִים
Transliteration: shᵉmônîym
Pronunciation: shem-o-neem'
Description: or שְׁמוֹנִים; multiple from שְׁמֹנֶה; eighty, also eightieth; eighty(-ieth), fourscore. - Strong's Number: H8141
There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁנֶה
Transliteration: shâneh
Pronunciation: shaw-neh'
Description: (in plural or (feminine) שָׁנָה; from שָׁנָה; a year (as a revolution of time); [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H4428
There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: melek
Pronunciation: meh'-lek
Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal. - Strong's Number: H3557
There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כּוּל
Transliteration: kûwl
Pronunciation: kool
Description: a primitive root; properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses); (be able to, can) abide, bear, comprehend, contain, feed, forbearing, guide, hold(-ing in), nourish(-er), be present, make provision, receive, sustain, provide sustenance (victuals). - Strong's Number: H7871
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שִׁיבָה
Transliteration: shîybâh
Pronunciation: shee-baw'
Description: from יָשַׁב; residence; while...lay. - Strong's Number: H4266
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַחֲנַיִם
Transliteration: Machănayim
Pronunciation: makh-an-ah'-yim
Description: dual of מַחֲנֶה; double camp; Machanajim, a place in Palestine; Mahanaim. - Strong's Number: H1419
There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּדוֹל
Transliteration: gâdôwl
Pronunciation: gaw-dole'
Description: or גָּדֹל; (shortened) from גָּדַל; great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent; [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. - Strong's Number: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.