2 Samuel 10 16

2 Samuel 10:16 kjv

And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.

2 Samuel 10:16 nkjv

Then Hadadezer sent and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the River, and they came to Helam. And Shobach the commander of Hadadezer's army went before them.

2 Samuel 10:16 niv

Hadadezer had Arameans brought from beyond the Euphrates River; they went to Helam, with Shobak the commander of Hadadezer's army leading them.

2 Samuel 10:16 esv

And Hadadezer sent and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the Euphrates. They came to Helam, with Shobach the commander of the army of Hadadezer at their head.

2 Samuel 10:16 nlt

they were joined by additional Aramean troops summoned by Hadadezer from the other side of the Euphrates River. These troops arrived at Helam under the command of Shobach, the commander of Hadadezer's forces.

2 Samuel 10 verses

2 Samuel 10 16 Meaning

After suffering a significant initial defeat at the hands of Israel, the Arameans, led by Hadadezer, strategically regrouped and augmented their forces. They rallied not only their remaining troops but also summoned a large contingent from "beyond the River" (referring to the Euphrates), specifically integrating the elite army of Damascus. Shobach, Hadadezer's commander, then assumed direct leadership of this newly consolidated and powerful Aramean coalition, indicating their unwavering resolve for a decisive counter-offensive.

2 Samuel 10 16 Context

The verse immediately follows Israel's decisive victory over a combined Ammonite-Aramean force. David had sent envoys to the Ammonite king Hanun, who disgracefully humiliated them. In response, David engaged the Ammonites and their Aramean mercenaries from Beth-rehob and Zobah in battle, leading to their rout by Joab's forces (2 Sam 10:6-14). Rather than being utterly defeated, this verse describes the Arameans' determination to re-engage. They leveraged their significant regional power to rally a larger and more formidable force, specifically calling on distant Aramean contingents from beyond the Euphrates River and the substantial army of Damascus. This re-mobilization under Shobach, Hadadezer's commander, sets the stage for the crucial second battle at Helam, a pivotal moment in David's broader territorial consolidation and his ultimate military supremacy over surrounding nations.

2 Samuel 10 16 Word analysis

• וַיַּרְא (vayyar'): "And he saw" or "And they saw." This Hebrew verb ra'ah (ראה) in the waw-consecutive imperfect form emphasizes an immediate, active observation. It signifies not just seeing, but perceiving or understanding. The Arameans saw clearly the outcome of the battle.
• אֲרָם (Aram): "Aram" or "Arameans." This refers to the coalition of Aramean city-states, particularly those aligned with Hadadezer king of Zobah, a major regional power. Their collective identity as "Aram" highlights their solidarity and unified effort against Israel.
• כִּי נִגְּפוּ (ki niggəphu): "that they had been routed/defeated." The verb nagaf (נגף) means "to strike," often "to defeat" or "to smite." The Niphil perfect form "נִגְּפוּ" indicates that the defeat was definitively accomplished, often implying a heavy blow or plague. This conveys the severity of their previous loss.
• לִפְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (liphnei Yisra'el): "before Israel" or "by Israel." This prepositional phrase indicates both location (in front of Israel's forces) and agency (the defeat was at the hand of Israel).
• וַיִּתְקַבְּצוּ (vayyitqabṣu): "And they gathered themselves." The Hithpael imperfect form of qavats (קבץ) signifies a reflexive action, "to gather oneself" or "to assemble." This suggests a deliberate, self-initiated act of regrouping and consolidation, rather than merely being gathered by someone else. It highlights their internal resolve and strategic planning.
• יַחְדָּו (yachdaw): "together." This adverb emphasizes the unity and solidarity in their re-assembly, bringing all their scattered forces and new allies into one concentrated body.
• מֵעֵבֶר לַנָּהָר (me'ever lannāhār): "from beyond the River." "The River" (הַנָּהָר) is almost invariably a biblical reference to the great River Euphrates. This signifies that Hadadezer had the reach and influence to summon troops from considerable distances, underscoring the vastness and power of his kingdom and its alliances. It indicates drawing upon further reserves.
• אֶת חֵיל דַּמֶּשֶׂק (et cheyl Dammesheq): "even the army of Damascus" or "with the army of Damascus." "חיל" (cheyl) refers to an army or military force. Damascus was a prominent and powerful Aramean city-state. Its inclusion signals the drawing of core, probably elite, forces from a major regional power, reinforcing the strength of the renewed coalition.
• וַיּוֹלֵךְ (vayyolek): "and he led." The Hiphil imperfect of halak (הלך) indicates causation, "to cause to go" or "to lead." This specifies leadership and command over the assembled forces.
• שׁוֹבַךְ (Shobach): "Shobach." The name of Hadadezer's commander, indicating the specific military leader tasked with spearheading this re-gathered force.
• שַׂר־צְבָא (sar-tzəvā'): "commander of the army." "שר" (sar) means prince, chief, or commander; "צבא" (tzəvā') means army, host. This title denotes Shobach's senior military authority under Hadadezer.
• הֲדַדְעֶזֶר (Hadadc'ezer): "Hadadezer." The powerful King of Zobah, the chief Aramean adversary of David. The inclusion of his name ties this formidable re-assembly directly back to the most prominent Aramean king.
• לִפְנֵיהֶם (liphneihem): "before them" or "at their head." Indicates Shobach's position of leadership, marching at the front of the assembled troops.

2 Samuel 10 16 Bonus section

The discrepancy in length of 2 Samuel 10:16 across various English translations is notable. While some concise versions, like the NIV, only capture the first part ("When the Arameans saw that they had been routed by Israel, they reassembled"), the underlying Hebrew text, as seen in the JPS Tanakh and other more literal translations (like ESV or KJV), contains the fuller details about calling forces "from beyond the River," the explicit mention of "the army of Damascus," and the naming of "Shobach, commander of Hadadezer's army," who led them. Analyzing the full Hebrew verse thus reveals the extensive nature of the Aramean regrouping and their significant military resources, underscoring the seriousness of the ensuing conflict for Israel.

2 Samuel 10 16 Commentary

This verse paints a picture of resilient and determined opposition to Israel. Despite their initial setback, the Arameans did not simply retreat; they responded with strategic vigor and organizational prowess. The detailed description of their re-assembly – "from beyond the River" and the specific mention of "the army of Damascus" – emphasizes the extent of Hadadezer's influence and the significant military resources he could muster. This was not a minor skirmish but a clash of regional powers, and the Arameans were willing to commit vast resources for supremacy. The leadership of Shobach under Hadadezer underscores the severity of the threat and the enemy's commitment to reversal. For David, this meant that his victory would not be easily won but would require his personal leadership and a full national effort, setting the stage for one of the most crucial military encounters of his reign. It highlights the persistence of adversaries and the need for God's continued strength in Israel's battles.