2-Samuel - 20:17



17 He came near to her; and the woman said, "Are you Joab?" He answered, "I am." Then she said to him, "Hear the words of your handmaid." He answered, "I do hear."

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of 2-Samuel 20:17.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
And when he was come near to her, she said to him: Art thou Joab? And he answered: I am. And she spoke thus to him: Hear the words of thy handmaid. He answered: I do hear.
And he came near to her; and the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he said, I am he. And she said to him, Listen to the words of thy handmaid. And he said, I am listening.
And he cometh near unto her, and the woman saith, 'Art thou Joab?' and he saith, 'I am.' And she saith to him, 'Hear the words of thy handmaid;' and he saith, 'I am hearing.'
And he came near, and the woman said, Are you Joab? And he said in answer, I am. Then she said, Give ear to your servant's words. And he said, I am giving ear.
And when he had drawn near to her, she said to him, "Are you Joab?" And he responded, "I am." And she spoke in this way to him, "Listen to the words of your handmaid." He responded, "I am listening."

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

And when he was come near unto her,.... As he did, upon the information of his men, that a woman on the wall had something to say to him:
the woman said, art thou Joab? she was willing to be satisfied that he was really the general, before she would impart her mind to him:
and he answered, I am he; the very person you ask after:
and she said unto him, hear the words of thine handmaid; though a woman, vouchsafe to hear what I have to say:
and he answered, I do hear: am ready to hear, and shall patiently and attentively hear whatever may be spoken; which was giving her leave and encouragement to proceed.

*More commentary available at chapter level.


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