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2 Samuel 19:1 — Word Study

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WLCוַיֻּגַּ֖ד לְיוֹאָ֑ב הִנֵּ֨ה הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ בֹּכֶ֛ה וַיִּתְאַבֵּ֖ל עַל־ אַבְשָׁלֹֽם׃

BSAThe kingmelek [royal person, monarch] is weepingbâkâh [crying, shedding tears] overʻal [because of, for the loss of] AbsalomʼĂbîyshâlôwm [his son, the rebellious prince]

Word
Listen & take away2 Samuel 19
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 1 opens the chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration ('av.sha.Lom) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
2 Samuel 19:1quick helps
In a sentenceJoab is informed that King David is deeply grieving for his son Absalom.
Who is speakingA messenger reporting to Joab.
Where we areIn the aftermath of Absalom's death during a tumultuous time for David.
The hard wordוַיֻּגַּ֖ד
Take awayThe king's grief is profound and public.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbרָגַז The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

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 19:1

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 — The Mourning of King Davidgenerated

1Then it was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning over Absalom.”
2And that day’s victory was turned into mourning for all the people, because on that day they were told, “The king is grieving over his son.”
3So they returned to the city quietly that day, as people steal away in humiliation after fleeing a battle.
4But the king covered his face and cried out at the top of his voice, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”

2 Samuel 19:1 describes the moment when Joab learns of King David's sorrow over the death of his son Absalom. This event occurs after a significant military conflict, highlighting the personal and political turmoil faced by David. The context reveals the depth of David's feelings and the impact of Absalom's actions on his family and kingdom, as seen in the following verses that continue to explore the consequences of this tragedy.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
12 Samuel 18:5–12Now the king had commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake.” And all the people heard the king’s orders to each of the commanders regarding Absalom.
2Proverbs 17:25A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.2 Samuel 18:5–12 Proverbs 17:25

The Key Word וַיֻּגַּ֖ד, vai.yu.Gadgenerated

The verb וַיֻּגַּ֖ד (vai.yu.Gad) is a Hophal form of נָגַד (nagad), meaning 'to tell' or 'to declare.' It indicates that something is being reported or announced, emphasizing the act of making information known to someone present.

This form is passive, suggesting that the action of telling is done to the subject. In this context, it conveys the sense that Joab is receiving important news about the king's emotional state, which is a significant moment in the narrative.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations generally agree on the meaning of the verse.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb וַיֻּגַּ֖ד (was told) governs the sentence, with a noun phrase as the subject and two clauses describing the king's actions. The structure indicates a clear reporting of information followed by the emotional response of the king.

The Hebrew word order emphasizes the reporting of the news first, which sets the stage for the emotional turmoil that follows, highlighting the gravity of the situation.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates וַיֻּגַּ֖ד as ἐταράξθη (etaraxthē), meaning 'was disturbed' or 'was troubled.' This choice suggests a focus on the emotional impact of the news rather than just the act of reporting.

This translation indicates a deeper interpretation of the king's state, emphasizing the turmoil that the news brings to David.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

2 Samuel 19:1 tells us that Joab received news that King David was weeping and mourning for his son Absalom. This moment highlights the deep sorrow David felt after the conflict with his son, showing the personal pain amid the political struggles of his reign.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that David is weeping and mourning?

David's weeping and mourning signify his profound grief over the loss of Absalom, reflecting the complex relationship he had with his son.

Why is Joab receiving this news significant?

Joab's role as David's military commander makes this news significant, as it affects both the personal and political landscape of Israel.

How does this moment reflect David's leadership?

This moment shows David's vulnerability and humanity, reminding us that even leaders experience deep personal loss.

What can we learn from David's mourning for Absalom?

David's mourning teaches us about the complexities of familial relationships and the weight of loss, even amidst conflict.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are some ways we express grief in our own lives?
  2. How can we support others who are mourning, as Joab did by bringing news to David?
  3. What lessons can we learn about leadership from David's response to his son's death?
  4. In what ways can we reconcile complex relationships in our own lives?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Augustine of Hippo references this verse to discuss David's mourning for Absalom, illustrating the king's deep emotional pain in the face of his son's rebellion.

Augustine of HippoCHRISTIAN INSTRUCTION 3.21 354–430
But when king David had suffered this injury at the hands of his impious and unnatural son, he not only bore with him in his mad passion but mourned over him in his death.
Early Church Fathers on 2 Samuel 19 →

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 2 Samuel 19:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And it was told Joab,.... When returned to Mahanaim, or on his way to it; perhaps by the messengers he sent; and this report he had before he saw the king: behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for

Read John Gill on 2 Samuel 19 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Read Robert Jamieson on 2 Samuel 19 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

2 SAMUEL CHAPTER 19. Joab by hard words moveth the king to cease his mourning, and show himself to the people, . The king is brought back by the men of Judah, and Amasa put in Joab’ s place, . Shimei sueth for mercy, and obtaineth it, . Mephibosheth meeting the king, recovers half his estate, . Barzillai is dismissed; Chimham his son is taken into the king’ s family, . The Israelites expostulate with Judah for bringing home the king without them, . It was told Joab, by his messengers, upon their return.

Read Matthew Poole on 2 Samuel 19 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

2 Samuel 19:1 And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.Ver. 1. And it was told Joab.] By Ahimaaz and Cushi, likely. And mourneth.] Showeth his sorrow by habit and gesture, as Exodus 33:4.

Read John Trapp on 2 Samuel 19 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

CHAPTER XIX David continues his lamentation for his son, and the people are greatly discouraged, 1-4. Joab reproves and threatens him with the general defection of the people, 5-7. David lays aside his mourning, and shows himself to the people, who are thereby encouraged, 8. The tribes take counsel to bring the king back to Jerusalem, 9-12. He makes Amasa captain of the host in place of Joab, 13. The king, returning, is met by Judah at Gilgal, 14, 15. Shimei comes to meet David, and entreats for his life, which David grants, 16-23. Mephibosheth also meets him, and shows how he had been slandered by Ziba, 24-30. David is met by Barzillai, and between them there is an affecting interview…

Read AdamClarke on 2 Samuel 19 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Ch. 2 Samuel 19:1-8. David roused from his grief by Joab 2. the victory] The Heb. word means literally the salvation or deliverance. Cp. 1 Samuel 9:16; 1 Samuel 11:3; 2 Samuel 3:18, &c.

Read Cambridge on 2 Samuel 19 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

DAVID BY JOAB, 2 Samuel 19:1-8.The stern and chivalrous Joab was highly indignant at the king’s grief.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on 2 Samuel 19 →

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

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Then it was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning over Absalom.”

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Joab was told, “Behold, the king weeps and mourns for Absalom.”

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Then it was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning over Absalom.”

NETBNew English Translation2006

Joab was told, “The king is weeping and mourning over Absalom.”

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And it was told to Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And it was tolde Ioab, Behold, the King weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weeps and mourns for Absalom.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And it is declared to Joab, 'Lo, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom;'

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And it is declared to Joab, “Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom”;

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(19:2) And it was told unto Joab, Behold, the king is weeping and he mourneth for Abshalom.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Joab was told, “Look, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.”

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And it was told Joab, that the king wept and mourned for his son:

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Soon Joab was told, “The king is crying and mourning for Absalom.”

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And word was given to Joab that the king was weeping and sorrowing for Absalom.

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.

וַandclauseverbיֻּגַּ֖דit.was.toldprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְtoיוֹאָ֑בJoabclauseclauseהִנֵּ֨הhere!clauseclausenoun phrase · subjectהַtheמֶּ֧לֶךְkingverbבֹּכֶ֛ה[is].weepingוַandclauseverbיִּתְאַבֵּ֖לhe.mournedprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַלonאַבְשָׁלֹֽםAbsalom

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 largely agree in their wording, with only minor differences in structure. The Septuagint's word order and choice of the verb for reporting reflect a slightly different emphasis on the emotional state of the king.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

וַיֻּגַּ֖ד לְיוֹאָ֑ב הִנֵּ֨ה הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ בֹּכֶ֛ה וַיִּתְאַבֵּ֖ל עַל־ אַבְשָׁלֹֽם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיֻּגַּ֖דἐταράξθηלְיוֹאָ֑בβασιλεὺςהִנֵּ֨הκαὶהַמֶּ֧לֶךְεἰςוַיִּתְאַבֵּ֖לπύληςעַל־καὶאַבְשָׁלֹֽם׃ἔκλαυσεν

7 of the 8 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.

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.

2 Samuel 19:1נָגַדand it was and it was toldנָגַדיוֹאָבto Joabto Joabיוֹאָבהִנֵּהhere!here!הִנֵּהמֶ֫לֶךְthe kingthe kingמֶ֫לֶךְבָּכָה[is] weepin[is] weepingבָּכָהאָבַלand he mourand he mournedאָבַלעַלononעַלאֲבִישָׁלוֹםAbsalomAbsalomאֲבִישָׁלוֹםיהוהThe LordThe Lordיהוהמָלַךְto reignto reignמָלַךְאָבfatherfatherאָבהֵןlook!look!הֵןעַלheightheightעַלקָרָאto encountto encounter: mקָרָאצְרוּיָהZeruiahZeruiahצְרוּיָהעֲשָׂהאֵלAsahelAsahelעֲשָׂהאֵלנֶ֫גַעplagueplagueנֶ֫גַעחֲלוֹםdreamdreamחֲלוֹםנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּרNebuchadneNebuchadnezzarנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּראַשּׁוּרAsshurAsshurאַשּׁוּרבְּכִיweepingweepingבְּכִיאָמַלto weakento weakenאָמַלנָאָהhabitationhabitationנָאָהכִּפֶּרto atoneto atoneכִּפֶּרכִּסֵּאthronethroneכִּסֵּאחוּשַׁיHushaiHushaiחוּשַׁי
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in 2 Samuel 19:1

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.

and it was told to Joab here! the king [is] weeping and he mourned on Absalom
וַיֻּגַּ֖דvai.yu.Gad and it was told H5046 Verb · Hophal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
371× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To tell or declare something openly, as in Genesis 3:11 where God asks Adam to tell the truth. It means to stand boldly and announce something to someone present. In Exodus 32:27, Moses tells the Levites to declare their actions to the people.
Tyndale gloss
to tell
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָגַד (nagad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to declare or tell, with implications of being conspicuous or manifesting something. It covers a range of meanings including to announce, report, and make known, often through spoken word. The entries indicate that it can also mean to expose or predict, and in the Hophil form, it refers to something being told or reported.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָגַד] 363 vb. be conspicuous

Hiph. declare, tell

Hoph. be told, announced, reported

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5046 נָגַד be conspicuous . declare, tell

. be told, announced, reported

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5046 nagad naw-gad'

a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out

opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest;

figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one

present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain,

praise:--bewray, X certainly, certify, declare(-ing),

denounce, expound, X fully, messenger, plainly, profess,

rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, X surely, tell, utter.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָגַד (na.gad) — to tell.

1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known

1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare

1a1) to tell, announce, report

1a2) to declare, make known, expound

1a3) to inform of

1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim

1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess

1a5a) messenger (participle)

1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Hc/VHw3ms — Verb · Hophal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/VHw3ms
and it was told to Joab here! the king [is] weeping and he mourned on Absalom
לְיוֹאָ֑בle.yo.'Av to Joab H3097 Preposition · noun proper masculine
145× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Joab was a prominent Israelite, his name means Jehovah is father. He was King David's nephew and army general, playing a key role in the Bible, including in the books of Samuel and Kings.
Tyndale gloss
Joab
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יוֹאָב (Yow'ab) means 'Jehovah is father' and refers to several individuals in the Old Testament, primarily Joab, the nephew of King David and commander of his army. The name is built from elements meaning 'Jehovah' and 'father.' Joab is first mentioned in 1 Samuel 26:6, and other references include genealogical mentions during and after the exile.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יוֹאָב n.pr.m. (י׳ is father)

David’s sister’s son & captain of host

a descendant of Judah

a family-name after exile

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3097 יוֹאָב

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3097 Yow'ab yo-awb'

from 3068 and 1; Jehovah-fathered; Joab, the name of three

Israelites:--Joab.

see HEBREW for 03068

see HEBREW for 01

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יוֹאָב (yo.av) — Joab.

A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.26.6; his mother was Zeruiah (H6870);

brother of: Abishai (H0052) and Asahel (H6214)

§ Joab = "Jehovah is father"

1) son of David's sister Zeruiah and general of David's army

2) a Judaite descendant of Kenaz

3) a post exilic family

יוֹאָב (yo.av) — Joab.

A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.14;

son of: Seraiah (H8304J)

§ Joab = "Jehovah is father"

1) son of David's sister Zeruiah and general of David's army

2) a Judaite descendant of Kenaz

3) a post exilic family

יוֹאָב (yo.av) — Joab.

A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.2.6;

son of: Pahath-moab (H6355);

brother of: Jeshua (H3442I)

§ Joab = "Jehovah is father"

1) son of David's sister Zeruiah and general of David's army

2) a Judaite descendant of Kenaz

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Npm — Preposition · noun proper masculine
HR/Npm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

jo'-ab (yo'-abh, "Yahweh is father"; Ioab):

(1) Son of Zeruiah, David's sister. He was "captain of the host" (compare 2Sa 19:13) under David.

1. Joab and Abner:

(a) Joab is first introduced in the narrative of the war with Abner, who supported the claims of Ishbosheth to the throne against those of David (2Sa 2:8-3:1). The two armies met, and on Abner's suggestion a tournament took place between 12 men from each side; a general engagement follows, and in this Joab's army is victorious. Asahel, Joab's brother, is killed in his pursuit of Abner, but the latter's army is sorely pressed, and he appeals to Joab for a cessation of hostilities. Joab calls a halt, but declares that he would not cease had Abner not made his plea.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Joab

Jehovah is his father. (1.) One of the three sons of Zeruiah, David’s sister, and “captain of the host” during the whole of David’s reign (2 Sam. 2:13; 10:7; 11:1; 1 Kings 11:15). His father’s name is nowhere mentioned, although his sepulchre at Bethlehem is mentioned (2 Sam. 2:32). His two brothers were Abishai and Asahel, the swift of foot, who was killed by Abner (2 Sam. 2:13-32), whom Joab afterwards treacherously murdered (3:22-27). He afterwards led the assault at the storming of the fortress on Mount Zion, and for this service was raised to the rank of “prince of the king’s army” (2 Sam. 5:6-10;

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Son of Zeruiah, David’s sister, and brother of Abishai and Asahel, was the commander of David’s army during almost the whole of his reign, 2Sa 5:6-10. He was a valiant warrior, and an able general; and his great influence on public affairs was often exerted for good, as in the rebellion of Absalom, and the numbering of Israel, 2Sa 18:1-19:42 24:1-25. But as a man he was imperious, revengeful, and unscrupulous: witness his treacherous assassination of Abner, and of his cousin Amasa, 2Sa 3:27 20:9-10; his bearing towards David, 2Sa 3:39 19:5, and connivance with him in the matter of Uriah; his slaying Absalom, and conspiring with Adonijah against the divinely appointed heir to…

and it was told to Joab here! the king [is] weeping and he mourned on Absalom
הִנֵּ֨הhi.Neh here! H2009 Particle
843× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Tyndale gloss
behold
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הִנֵּה (hinneh) is a Hebrew word meaning 'behold' or 'lo!' It serves as a demonstrative particle used to draw attention, appearing in contexts such as Genesis 19:2. The word is derived from a prolongation of another Hebrew term, but the entries do not provide further details on its usage beyond this.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הִנֵּה, once הִנֶּה־ Gn 19:2, demonstr.part. lo!, behold!

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2009 הִנֵּה, הִנֶּה־ lo!, behold!

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2009 hinneh hin-nay'

prolongation for 2005; lo!:--behold, lo, see.

see HEBREW for 02005

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הִנֵּה (hin.neh) — behold.

behold, lo, see, if

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTj — Particle
HTj
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

her, in composition:

and it was told to Joab here! the king [is] weeping and he mourned on Absalom
הַמֶּ֧לֶךְha.Me.lekh the king H4428 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
2,526× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Amplified meaning
royal person, monarch
Tyndale gloss
King's
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word מֶ֫לֶךְ (*melek*) means 'king.' It is derived from a root that suggests royalty. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific kings and locations, such as the 'King's Highway' in Numbers 20:17 and the 'King's Valley' in Genesis 14:17. The lexicons note its Aramaic equivalent and mention its use in the context of individuals like Hammelech in Jeremiah.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4428 מֶ֫לֶךְ king

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4428 melek meh'-lek

from 4427; a king:--king, royal.

see HEBREW for 04427

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.

1) king

Aramaic equivalent: me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4430)

הַמֶּלֶךְ (me.lekh) — `the king`.

'the king' or a name, Hammelech in KJV of Jer.36.26; 38.6- a man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;

father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";

§ A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;

father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.

King's (Highway) (Num.20.17)

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.

Another name of she.lach (שֶׁ֫לַח "Shelah" H7975A)

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — Milcom.

Another name of mo.lekh (מֹ֫לֶךְ "Molech" H4432)

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.

King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

King

Is in Scripture very generally used to denote one invested with authority, whether extensive or limited. There were thirty-one kings in Canaan (Josh. 12:9, 24), whom Joshua subdued. Adonibezek subdued seventy kings (Judg. 1:7). In the New Testament the Roman emperor is spoken of as a king (1 Pet. 2:13, 17); and Herod Antipas, who was only a tetrarch, is also called a king (Matt. 14:9; Mark 6:22).

This title is applied to God (1 Tim. 1:17), and to Christ, the Son of God (1 Tim. 6:15, 16;

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Called KING OF KINGS Ezr 7:12; Eze 26:7; Da 2:37

→ Divinely authorized De 17:15; 1Sa 9:16,17; 16:12; 1Ch 22:10; 2Ch 2:11,12; Pr 8:15; Da 2:21,37; 4:17; 5:20; Ho 8:4; 13:11

→ How chosen

By divine appointment, Saul 1Sa 10:1

and it was told to Joab here! the king [is] weeping and he mourned on Absalom
בֹּכֶ֛הbo.Kheh [is] weeping H1058 Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
114× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To weep means to cry or shed tears, often in grief or sadness. In the Bible, weeping is a common expression of emotion, as seen in the stories of David and Jeremiah, who both wept bitterly in times of sorrow and repentance.
Amplified meaning
crying, shedding tears
Tyndale gloss
to weep
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּכָה (bakah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to weep or bewail. It encompasses various forms of weeping, including expressions of grief, humiliation, or joy, and can denote lamentation or crying bitterly. The entries highlight its use in both the Qal and Piel stems, indicating different nuances of weeping.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בָּכָה 114 vb. weep, bewail

Qal

weep

weep bitterly

weep upon

bewail

in sense of burden, annoy with weeping

of penitent weeping

Pi. lament; bewail

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1058 בָּכָה weep, bewail

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1058 bakah baw-kaw'

a primitive root; to weep; generally to bemoan:--X at all,

bewail, complain, make lamentation, X more, mourn, X sore, X

with tears, weep.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּכָה (ba.khah) — to weep.

1) to weep, bewail, cry, shed tears

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to weep (in grief, humiliation, or joy)

1a2) to weep bitterly (with cognate acc.)

1a3) to weep upon (embrace and weep)

1a4) to bewail

1b) (Piel) participle

1b1) lamenting

1b2) bewailing

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singular
HVqrmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wep'-ing.

See BURIAL, IV, 4, 5, 6.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See FUNERAL.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ General scriptures concerning Ro 12:15; 1Co 7:30

→ In destruction Mt 8:12; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30

→ None in heaven Re 7:17

→ Penitential Jer 50:4; Joe 2:12

→ Instances of penitential

The Israelites Jud 2:4,5

→ Peter Mt 26:75; Mr 14:72; Lu 22:62

→ While doing good Ps 126:5,6

Thompson Chain Reference topics

(1) In Grief

Ge 21:16; 27:38; 1Sa 1:7; 11:4; 2Sa 3:16; 15:30; 2Ki 8:11; 20:3

Ezr 3:12; Ps 137:1; Ac 20:37

--SEE Grief, SORROW

Lamentations, SORROW

Mourning, SORROW

Sorrow, SORROW

Tears, TEARS

(2) Caused by Sin

Ge 27:34; De 1:45; Isa 15:3; Jer 3:21; Mr…

and it was told to Joab here! the king [is] weeping and he mourned on Absalom
וַיִּתְאַבֵּ֖לvai.yit.'a.Bel and he mourned H56 Verb · Hithpael · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
39× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To mourn or lament, as seen in human and inanimate objects, like gates or land, and used in various forms in the Bible.
Tyndale gloss
to mourn
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָבַל (abal) is a primitive root meaning to mourn or lament. It covers various forms of mourning, including for humans and inanimate objects like gates and land. The verb can appear in different stems, such as Qal (to mourn), Hiphil (to cause to mourn), and Hithpael (to play the mourner).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָבַל 39 vb. mourn

Qal mourn, lament

Hithp. mourn (mostly prose)

Hiph. cause to mourn

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H56 אָבַל mourn

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

56 'abal aw-bal'

a primitive root; to bewail:--lament, mourn.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָבַל (a.val) — to mourn.

1) to mourn, lament

1a) (Qal) to mourn, lament

1a1) of humans

1a2) of inanimate objects (fig.)

1a2a) of gates

1a2b) of land

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to mourn, cause to mourn (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to mourn

1c2) play the mourner

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Hc/Vtw3ms — Verb · Hithpael · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vtw3ms
and it was told to Joab here! the king [is] weeping and he mourned on Absalom
עַל־'al- on H5921 Preposition
5,774× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Amplified meaning
because of, for the loss of
Tyndale gloss
upon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

עַל, עָ֑ל

subst. height

As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed

of clothing, etc., which any one wears

With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears

. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it

. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him

. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him

. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him

. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5921 `al al

properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the

singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a

particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always

in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great

variety of applications (as follow):--above, according

to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because

of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both

and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in

(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,

through(-out), to, touching, X with.

see HEBREW for 05920

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַל (al) — upon.

prep

1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against

1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards

1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)

1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)

1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)

1e) over (of suspension or extension)

1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)

1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)

1h) to (as a dative)

[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.

conj

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

On

Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See HELIOPOLIS.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

pain; force; iniquity

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and it was told to Joab here! the king [is] weeping and he mourned on Absalom
אַבְשָׁלֹֽם׃'av.sha.Lom Absalom H53 Noun proper masculine
111× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Absalom was a son of King David, mentioned in 2 Samuel 3:3, and had several half-brothers. He is also referred to as Abishalom in some translations. Absalom played a significant role in the United Monarchy period.
Amplified meaning
his son, the rebellious prince
Tyndale gloss
Absalom
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֲבִישָׁלוֹם (Abiyshalowm) means 'my father is peace.' It refers to Absalom, the third son of David, known for his revolt against his father and the murder of his half-brother Amnon. The name is also associated with his father-in-law, Rehoboam. The entries note that Absalom is sometimes called Abishalom.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲבִישָׁלוֹם n.pr.m. (my father is peace)

Rehob.’s father-in-law

3rd son of Dvd

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H53 אֲבִישָׁלוֹם (my father is peace) . Rehob.’s father-in-law

. 3rd son of Dvd

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

53 'Abiyshalowm ab-ee-shaw-lome'

or (shortened) bAbshalowm {ab-shaw- lome'}; from 1 and 7965;

father of peace (i.e. friendly); Abshalom, a son of David;

also (the fuller form) a later Israelite:--Abishalom,

Absalom.

see HEBREW for 01

see HEBREW for 07965

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲבִישָׁלוֹם (a.vi.sha.lom) — Absalom.

A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.3.3;

son of: David (H1732) and Maacah (H4601I);

half-brother of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), 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);

father of: Tamar (H8559I); also called Abishalom at 1Ki.15.2,10;

§ Absalom or Abishalom = "my father is peace"

1) father-in-law of Rehoboam

2) third son of David, killer of first-born son Amnon, also leader of revolt against his father-David

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Absalom

Father of peace; i.e., “peaceful” David’s son by Maacah (2 Sam. 3:3; comp. 1 Kings 1:6). He was noted for his personal beauty and for the extra-ordinary profusion of the hair of his head (2 Sam. 14:25,26). The first public act of his life was the blood-revenge he executed against Amnon, David’s eldest son, who had basely wronged Absalom’s sister Tamar. This revenge was executed at the time of the festivities connected with a great sheep-shearing at Baal-hazor. David’s other sons fled from the place in horror, and brought the tidings of the death of Amnon to Jerusalem. Alarmed for the consequences of the act, Absalom fled to his grandfather at Geshur, and there abode for three years (

Only son of David by Maacah, 2Sa 3:3. He was remarkable for his beauty and for his fine head of hair, 2Sa 14:25, which being cut from time to time when it incommoded him, used to weigh 200 shekels by the king’s standard, that is, probable about thirty ounces, an extraordinary, but not incredible weight. Ammon, another of the king’s sons, having violated his sister Tamar, Absalom caused him to be slain, and then fled to Geshur, where Talmai his grandfather was king. After three years, at the intercession of Joab, David permitted him to return to Jerusalem, and at length received him again into favor, 2Sa 14:1-33. Absalom, however, grossly abused his father’s kindness; he soon began to play the demagogue, and by many artful…

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

father of peace

Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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