2 Samuel 4:3
2 Samuel 4:3 in Multiple Translations
because the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have lived there as foreigners to this day.
And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.)
and the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and have been sojourners there until this day).
But the people of Beeroth had gone in flight to Gittaim, where they have been living to this day.)
because the people who had lived in Beeroth before ran away to Gittaim and lived there as foreigners right up to the present.
Because the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and soiourned there, vnto this day).
and the Beerothites flee to Gittaim, and are there sojourners unto this day.
and the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and have lived as foreigners there until today).
And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and have been sojourners there until this day.)
And the Berothites fled into Gethaim, and were sojourners there until that time.
But the people of Beeroth had fled to Gittaim town, and they still live there.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 4:3
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 4:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּבְרְח֥וּ
הַ/בְּאֵרֹתִ֖ים
גִּתָּ֑יְמָ/ה
וַֽ/יִּהְיוּ
שָׁ֣ם
גָּרִ֔ים
עַ֖ד
הַ/יּ֥וֹם
הַ/זֶּֽה
וַ/יִּבְרְח֥וּ
bârach
H1272
to flee
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
הַ/בְּאֵרֹתִ֖ים
Bᵉʼêrôthîy
H886
Beerothite
Art | Ngmpa
גִּתָּ֑יְמָ/ה
Gittayim
H1664
Gittaim
N-proper | Suff
וַֽ/יִּהְיוּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
שָׁ֣ם
shâm
H8033
there
Adv
גָּרִ֔ים
gûwr
H1481
to sojourn
V-Qal
עַ֖ד
ʻad
H5704
till
Prep
הַ/יּ֥וֹם
yôwm
H3117
day
Art | N-ms
הַ/זֶּֽה
zeh
H2088
this
Art | Pron
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 4:3
וַ/יִּבְרְח֥וּ
bârach
H1272
"to flee"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
To flee means to run away quickly, as seen in the Bible when people escaped from danger or pursued others, like in the story of David and Absalom.
Definition: 1) to go through, flee, run away, chase, drive away, put to flight, reach, shoot (extend), hurry away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, pass through 1a2) to flee 1a3) to hasten, come quickly 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to pass through 1b2) to cause to flee, put to flight 1b3) to drive away
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: chase (away); drive away, fain, flee (away), put to flight, make haste, reach, run away, shoot. See also: Genesis 16:6; 1 Kings 11:17; Psalms 3:1.
הַ/בְּאֵרֹתִ֖ים
Bᵉʼêrôthîy
H886
"Beerothite"
Art | Ngmpa
A Beerothite was someone from Beeroth, a town in the tribe of Benjamin, with the name Beeroth meaning 'wells'. The town was named for its wells.
Definition: Group of be.e.rot (בְּאֵרוֹת "Beeroth" H0881) § Beerothite = "wells" an inhabitant of Beeroth (in Benjamin)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: Beerothite. See also: 2 Samuel 4:2; 2 Samuel 4:5; 2 Samuel 23:37.
גִּתָּ֑יְמָ/ה
Gittayim
H1664
"Gittaim"
N-proper | Suff
Gittaim is a place in Judah, meaning two winepresses, and is mentioned in the Bible as a location in Palestine. The town has a significant history in the biblical era.
Definition: § Gittaim = "two winepresses" a place in Judah
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: Gittaim. See also: 2 Samuel 4:3; Nehemiah 11:33.
וַֽ/יִּהְיוּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 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
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
שָׁ֣ם
shâm
H8033
"there"
Adv
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
גָּרִ֔ים
gûwr
H1481
"to sojourn"
V-Qal
This word means to fear or dread something, like the fear of God. It implies a sense of awe or reverence, like the fear that the disciples felt during the storm on the lake in Matthew 8:24. It can also mean to be a stranger or sojourner in a place.
Definition: 1) to sojourn, abide, dwell in, dwell with, remain, inhabit, be a stranger, be continuing, surely 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sojourn, dwell for a time 1a2) to abide, stay, temporarily dwell 1b) (Hithpolel) 1b1) to seek hospitality with 1b2) to assemble oneself
Usage: Occurs in 94 OT verses. KJV: abide, assemble, be afraid, dwell, fear, gather (together), inhabitant, remain, sojourn, stand in awe, (be) stranger, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 12:10; 1 Kings 17:20; Psalms 5:5.
עַ֖ד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
הַ/יּ֥וֹם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
הַ/זֶּֽה
zeh
H2088
"this"
Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.
Study Notes — 2 Samuel 4:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Samuel 4:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 4:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 4:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Samuel 4:3
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 4:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 4:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Samuel 4:3
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 4:3
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 4:3
Context — The Murder of Ish-bosheth
1Now when Ish-bosheth son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel was dismayed.
2Saul’s son had two men who were leaders of raiding parties. One was named Baanah and the other Rechab; they were sons of Rimmon the Beerothite of the tribe of Benjamin—Beeroth is considered part of Benjamin,
3because the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have lived there as foreigners to this day.
4And Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the report about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she was hurrying to escape, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth. 5Now Rechab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, set out and arrived at the house of Ish-bosheth in the heat of the day, while the king was taking his midday nap.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nehemiah 11:33 | Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 31:7 | When the Israelites along the valley and those on the other side of the Jordan saw that the army of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons had died, they abandoned their cities and ran away. So the Philistines came and occupied their cities. |
2 Samuel 4:3 Summary
This verse tells us that the Beerothites, a group of people from the tribe of Benjamin, fled to a place called Gittaim and have been living there as foreigners ever since. This means they had to leave their homes and start over in a new place, which can be very difficult, as we see in stories like Ruth 1:1-5. The Bible often talks about God's people being strangers in a new land, like in Hebrews 11:13-16, and how He cares for them and provides for them, even in hard times. We can trust that God is with us, no matter where we are or what challenges we face, just like He was with the Beerothites in Gittaim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Beerothites flee to Gittaim?
The Bible does not explicitly state why the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, but it is likely due to the turmoil and conflict that arose during the time of King Saul, as seen in 1 Samuel 31:7 and 2 Samuel 2:8-17.
What does it mean to live as foreigners?
To live as foreigners means to reside in a place without being native to it, often without the same rights and privileges as the native inhabitants, similar to the experience of the Israelites in Egypt, as described in Exodus 22:21 and Leviticus 19:34.
Is Gittaim still inhabited today?
The location of Gittaim is not certain, and it is not clear if it is still inhabited today, but the fact that the Beerothites lived there as foreigners 'to this day' suggests that it was a known location at the time of the writing of 2 Samuel.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
This verse provides background information on the Beerothites, including Baanah and Rechab, who play a significant role in the events that unfold in 2 Samuel 4:5-12, highlighting the complexities of the political and social landscape of Israel during this time.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be living as a 'foreigner' in my own community, and how can I seek to build connections with those around me?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty, even when faced with uncertainty and turmoil, like the Beerothites?
- In what ways can I seek to be a good neighbor and friend to those who may be feeling like 'foreigners' in my community?
- What can I learn from the experiences of the Beerothites about perseverance and adaptability in the face of challenging circumstances?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 4:3
And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until that day.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 4:3
And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Samuel 4:3
And, or, yet, or but; for this comes in to anticipate an objection against what he had now said. It is true, saith he, the Beerothites fled. as others did, upon the overthrow of Saul and his army, , to a place called Gittaim, ; not that in Benjamin, , but some other place of that name more remote from the Philistines; and so they were Gittaimites by their present habitation, but Beerothites by their original, and place of their birth.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 4:3
2 Samuel 4:3 And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.)Ver. 3. And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim.] A town of their own tribe, but of far greater security. Hither therefore they fled for fear of the Philistines. See 1 Samuel 31:7. Until this day.] Until the time that this story was written, the penners whereof were Gad and Nathan.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 4:3
(3) Fled to Gittaim.—Neither the cause of their flight, nor the place to which they fled, can be certainly determined. The Beerothites here appear as of the tribe of Benjamin, and it is probable that they fled from the incursions of the Philistines, and that Gittaim is the place mentioned in Nehemiah 11:35 as occupied by the Benjamites returning from Babylon. The expression “until this day” makes it likely that the time of the writer was not very far removed from the events which he relates.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Samuel 4:3
Verse 3. The Beerothites fled to Gittaim] Probably the same as Gath; as Ramathaim is the same as Ramah.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 4:3
3. Gittaim] A Benjamite town of this name is mentioned in Nehemiah 11:33, but if the reason suggested above for the flight of the Beerothites is the correct one, it can hardly be the same, as they would have chosen a more distant refuge. The name is the dual form of Gath, meaning “two wine-presses,” which suggests that it may possibly have been in Philistia.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 4:3
3. The Beerothites fled to Gittaim — We are nowhere told the cause of this flight, but it has been plausibly conjectured that it arose from Saul’s persecution of the Gibeonites, (2 Samuel 21:1-2,)