2 Samuel 22:18 — Word Study
WLCיַצִּילֵ֕נִי מֵאֹיְבִ֖י עָ֑ז מִשֹּׂ֣נְאַ֔י כִּ֥י אָמְצ֖וּ מִמֶּֽנִּי׃
BSAHe rescued menâtsal▸ [delivered, saved] from my powerfulʻaz [strong, mighty] enemyʼôyêb [adversary, one who hates me] from foessânêʼ [those who hated me] too mightyʼâmats■ [strong, fierce] for memin [because they were stronger than I]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יַצִּילֵ֕נִי | he rescued me | Verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| מֵאֹיְבִ֖י | from enemy my | Preposition, verb qal participle (active) masculine singular common, suffix |
| עָ֑ז | mighty | Adj |
| מִשֹּׂ֣נְאַ֔י | from [those who] hate me | Preposition, verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common, suffix |
| כִּ֥י | for | Particle |
| אָמְצ֖וּ | they were [too] strong | Verb, Qal, perfect third person common plural |
| מִמֶּֽנִּי׃ | for me | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from foes too mighty for me. |
| KJV | He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me. |
| ASV | He delivered me from my strong enemy, From them that hated me; for they were too mighty for me. |
| YLT | He delivereth me from my strong enemy, From those hating me, For they were stronger than I. |
| WEB | He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. |
| BBE | He made me free from my strong hater, from those who were against me, because they were stronger than I. |
Where they part company is עָ֑ז — see How Translations Differ.
The structure centers around the main action of rescue, with additional details specifying the nature of the threats faced.


3 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Whedon & more — read them ›
clause
verbאָמֵץ
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 22:18
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 22:18 reflects a moment of deliverance where David expresses gratitude for God's intervention against his enemies. This passage is part of a larger song where David recounts his struggles and God's faithfulness in times of trouble, emphasizing the theme of divine rescue throughout his life.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 22:1 | And David sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. |
| 2 | Psalm 3:7 | Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. |
| 3 | Psalm 56:9 | Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side. |
| 4 | 2 Corinthians 1:10 | He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. In Him we have placed our hope that He will yet again deliver us, |
| 5 | 2 Timothy 4:17 | But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יַצִּילֵ֕נִי, ya.tzi.Le.nigenerated
The verb יַצִּילֵ֕נִי (ya.tzi.Le.ni) is a hiphil imperfect form meaning 'he rescued me.' It is derived from the root נָצַל (natsal), which conveys the idea of snatching away or delivering from danger.
This verb indicates an action performed by God, highlighting His role as the deliverer from perilous situations. The use of the suffix indicates a personal connection, showing that the rescue is directed specifically at the speaker.
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 has rescued, which is consistent with the KJV and ASV, both of which emphasize the act of delivering.
Where translations differ is primarily in the rendering of עָ֑ז — mighty (BSB, ASV, WEB) versus strong (KJV, YLT). This distinction reflects subtle nuances in the interpretation of the strength of the enemies faced.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יַצִּילֵ֕נִי governs the sentence, indicating the action of rescue. The structure includes a prepositional phrase indicating the source of danger and a participial phrase describing the enemies as too strong.
The arrangement emphasizes the act of rescue, with the enemies described in a way that highlights their might and the speaker's vulnerability.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יַצִּילֵ֕נִי as με (me), indicating a direct and personal deliverance. This choice reflects the translators' understanding of the intimate relationship between the speaker and God's saving action.
The Greek word ἰσξύος is used for עָ֑ז, which means 'strong' or 'mighty.' This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but may carry slightly different connotations in the Greek context.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
2 Samuel 22:18 shows David praising God for rescuing him from powerful enemies. He acknowledges that these foes were too strong for him, emphasizing his reliance on God's strength for deliverance.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies God's intervention in David's life, providing protection and deliverance from those who sought to harm him.
This highlights David's vulnerability and the overwhelming nature of his foes, underscoring the miraculous nature of God's rescue.
It reflects a common theme in the scriptures where God delivers His people from danger, as seen in various psalms and narratives.
It teaches the importance of recognizing and acknowledging God's help in our lives, especially in times of trouble.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's rescue in my own life?
- How can I express gratitude for the times God has delivered me from difficult situations?
- What does it mean to rely on God's strength when facing challenges?
- How can I support others who are struggling against powerful adversaries?
Commentators on this verse — 3 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 2 Samuel 22:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe delivered me from my strong enemy, [and] from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me. [See comments on Psalms 18:17].
Read John Gill on 2 Samuel 22 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHe delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me. He delivered me from my strong enemy.
Read Robert Jamieson on 2 Samuel 22 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible18. Strong enemy… haters — Not only Saul, but all those bitter enemies that first and last hated the soul of David, (2 Samuel 5:8, note,) not at all excepting Goliath.
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
He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from foes too mighty for me.
He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.
He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from foes too mighty for me.
He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hate me, for they were too strong for me.
Tyndale line
He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
He delivered me from my strong enemy, From them that hated me; for they were too mighty for me.
He delivered me from my strong enemy, from them that hated me; for they were too mighty for me.
He delivered me from my strong enemy, from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
He deliuered me from my strong enemie, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
Strictly literal
He delivered me from my strong enemy, From them that hated me; For they were mightier than I.
He delivereth me from my strong enemy, From those hating me, For they were stronger than I.
He delivers me from my strong enemy, || From those hating me, || For they were stronger than me.
He delivered me from my enemy, the strong, from those that hated me, when they were too mighty for me.
He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me.
From the Latin
He delivered me from my most mighty enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
Simplified
He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and who were much stronger than me.
He made me free from my strong hater, from those who were against me, because they were stronger than I.
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 and the Septuagint agree closely in this verse, with the Septuagint providing a word-for-word correspondence to the Hebrew. The Dead Sea Scrolls also align with the Masoretic Text, though some words are restored by an editor due to damage.
יַצִּילֵ֕נִי מֵאֹיְבִ֖י עָ֑ז מִשֹּׂ֣נְאַ֔י כִּ֥י אָמְצ֖וּ מִמֶּֽנִּי׃
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.
[יציל׳ני] [מאויב׳י] [עז] [משונא׳י] [כי] [אמצו] [ממ׳ני]
nothing on the leather here — 7 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 22:18
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.
The Hebrew word נָצַל (natsal) is built from a primitive root meaning to snatch away, with various usages across different stems. It covers a range of meanings including to rescue, deliver, plunder, and strip. The word appears in contexts of delivering oneself or being delivered, as well as rescuing from enemies or sin.
[נָצַל] 212 vb. not in Qal; Pi. strip, plunder; Niph. deliver oneself, be delivered Hiph. snatch away, deliver
Niph.
reflex. tear oneself away, deliver oneself
passive, be torn out or away
Pi.
strip off, spoil
deliver
Hiph.
take away, snatch away
rescue, recover
deliver from
deliver from sin and guilt
Hoph. as a brand plucked out of the burning
Hithp. and they stripped themselves of their ornaments.
base
H5337 נָצַל not in Qal; Pi. strip, plunder; Niph. deliver oneself, be delivered Hiph. snatch away, deliver
5337 natsal naw-tsal'
a primitive root; to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad
sense:- X at all, defend, deliver (self), escape, X without
fail, part, pluck, preserve, recover, rescue, rid, save,
spoil, strip, X surely, take (out).
נָצַל (na.tsal) — to rescue.
1) to snatch away, deliver, rescue, save, strip, plunder
1a)(Niphal)
1a1) to tear oneself away, deliver oneself
1a2) to be torn out or away, be delivered
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to strip off, spoil
1b2) to deliver
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to take away, snatch away
1c2) to rescue, recover
1c3) to deliver (from enemies or troubles or death)
1c4) to deliver from sin and guilt
1d) (Hophal) to be plucked out
1e) (Hithpael) to strip oneself
Aramaic equivalent: ne.tsal (נְצַל "to rescue" H5338)
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff — Verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHVhi3ms/Sp1bs
אֹיֵב (oyeb) means 'enemy' or 'foe,' indicating hostility. It can refer to personal or national adversaries. The word is derived from the active participle of another root, אָיַב (ayab), which also conveys the sense of being hostile.
[אָיַב] 283 vb. be hostile to (enemy = אֹיֵב)
base
H341 אָיַב be hostile to (enemy = אֹיֵב)
341 'oyeb o-yabe'
or (fully) owyeb {o-yabe'}; active participle of 340;
hating; an adversary:--enemy, foe.
see HEBREW for 0340
אֹיֵב (o.yev) — enemy.
1) (Qal) enemy
1a) personal
1b) national
Prep | V-Qal | Suff — Preposition · verb qal participle (active) masculine singular common · suffixHR/Vqrmsc/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word עַז (az) is built from the root associated with strength. It covers meanings such as strong, mighty, and fierce, indicating power and intensity. The entries consistently highlight its connotations of strength and harshness.
עַז adj. strong, mighty, fierce
base
H5794 עַז strong, mighty, fierce
5794 `az az
from 5810; strong, vehement, harsh:--fierce, + greedy,
mighty, power, roughly, strong.
see HEBREW for 05810
עַז (az) — strong.
strong, mighty, fierce
Adj — AdjHAamsa
שָׂנֵא (sane') is a primitive root meaning 'to hate.' It covers various forms of hatred, including personal animosity and enmity, and can refer to both humans and God. The word appears in different grammatical forms, with uses in Qal, Niphal, and Piel, indicating actions of hating or being hated. Its Aramaic equivalent is שְׂנָא.
שָׂנֵא 145 vb. hate
Qal 128 hate
Niph. is hated
Pi. enemy
base
H8130 שָׂנֵא hate
8130 sane' saw-nay'
a primitive root; to hate (personally):--enemy, foe, (be)
hate(-ful, -r), odious, X utterly.
שָׂנֵא (sa.ne) — to hate.
1) to hate, be hateful
1a) (Qal) to hate
1a1) of man
1a2) of God
1a3) hater, one hating, enemy (participle) (subst)
1b) (Niphal) to be hated
1c) (Piel) hater (participle)
1c1) of persons, nations, God, wisdom
Aramaic equivalent: se.ne (שְׂנָא "to hate" H8131)
Prep | V-Qal | Suff — Preposition · verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common · suffixHR/Vqrmpc/Sp1bs
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,
where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,
even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +
nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,
therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,
whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
כִּי (ki) — for.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if
1f) but rather, but
1g) except that
1h) only, nevertheless
1i) surely
1j) that is
1k) but if
1l) for though
1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
HTc — ParticleHTc
for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.
In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…
אָמֵץ (amats) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be strong, bold, or alert. It encompasses a range of actions such as strengthening oneself, being determined, and exhibiting courage. The word can also imply making firm or obstinate. Various forms of the verb express different nuances, including the Qal (to be strong), Piel (to strengthen), and Hithpael (to make oneself alert).
[אָמֵץ] vb. be stout, strong, bold, alert
Qal
be strong
Imv. be bold
Pi.
make firm, strengthen
assure, secure for oneself
harden, make obstinate
Hithp.
strengthen oneself
confirm oneself in a purpose, be determined
make oneself alert, make haste
Hiph. exhibit strength, be strong
base
H553 אָמֵץ be stout, strong, bold, alert .. be strong
. Imv. be bold
. . make firm, strengthen
. assure, secure for oneself
. harden, make obstinate
. . strengthen oneself
. confirm oneself in a purpose, be determined
. make oneself alert, make haste
. exhibit strength, be strong
553 'amats aw-mats'
a primitive root; to be alert, physically (on foot) or
mentally (in courage):--confirm, be courageous (of good
courage, stedfastly minded, strong, stronger), establish,
fortify, harden, increase, prevail, strengthen (self), make
strong (obstinate, speed).
אָמֵץ (a.mats) — to strengthen.
1) to be strong, alert, courageous, brave, stout, bold, solid, hard
1a) (Qal) to be strong, brave, bold
1b) (Piel) to strengthen, secure (for oneself), harden (heart), make firm, make obstinate, assure
1c) (Hithpael) to be determined, to make oneself alert, strengthen oneself, confirm oneself, persist in, prove superior to
1d) (Hiphil) to exhibit strength, be strong, feel strong
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common pluralHVqp3cp
The Hebrew word מִן־ (*min*) is a preposition meaning 'from' or 'out of,' indicating separation or origin. It covers various uses, including temporal references, comparisons, and causal relationships. Additionally, it can denote a portion when used as a noun מֵן (*men*). The entries highlight its versatility in expressing different nuances of separation and position.
מִן־, and מִ, before יְ, prep. expressing the idea of separation, hence out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not
with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal
from, against
מן also, without a verb of similar significance, sometimes expresses the idea of separation, away from, far from
of position, off, on the side of, on
Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex
Partitively
Of time—
as marking the terminus a quo, the anterior limit of a continuous period from, since
as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after
towards, to
(וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to
In comparisons, beyond, above
מן is prefixed to an infin.:
with causal force, from, on account of, through
after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.
with a temporal force, since, after
Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that
In compounds:
base
H4480a מִן־, מִ, prep. expressing the idea of separation, hence out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not . with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal . from, against
. מן also, without a verb of similar significance, sometimes expresses the idea of separation, away from, far from
. of position, off, on the side of, on
. Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex
. Partitively
. Of time— . as marking the terminus a quo, the anterior limit of a continuous period from, since
. as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after
. towards, to
. (וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to
. In comparisons, beyond, above
. מן is prefixed to an infin.: . with causal force, from, on account of, through
. after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.
. with a temporal force, since, after
. Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that
4480 min min
or minniy {min-nee'}; or minney (constructive plural)
{min-nay'}; (Isaiah 30:11); for 4482; properly, a part of;
hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses (as
follows):--above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason
of), from (among), in, X neither, X nor, (out) of, over,
since, X then, through, X whether, with.
see HEBREW for 04482
מִן־ (min) — from.
prep
1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than
1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of
1b) out of
1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling)
1b2) (of material from which something is made)
1b3) (of source or origin)
1c) out of, some of, from (partitively)
1d) from, since, after (of time)
1e) than, more than (in comparison)
1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or
1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons)
1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive)
conj
2) that
Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
מֵן (men) — portion.
n.m.
portion
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp1bs
