2 Samuel 13 17

2 Samuel 13:17 kjv

Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.

2 Samuel 13:17 nkjv

Then he called his servant who attended him, and said, "Here! Put this woman out, away from me, and bolt the door behind her."

2 Samuel 13:17 niv

He called his personal servant and said, "Get this woman out of my sight and bolt the door after her."

2 Samuel 13:17 esv

He called the young man who served him and said, "Put this woman out of my presence and bolt the door after her."

2 Samuel 13:17 nlt

He shouted for his servant and demanded, "Throw this woman out, and lock the door behind her!"

2 Samuel 13 verses

2 Samuel 13 17 Meaning

This verse chillingly reveals Amnon's utter depravity and the immediate, cruel aftermath of his sexual assault on Tamar. Having satisfied his lust, his desire transformed into intense hatred, and he summarily ordered her forceful expulsion from his presence. The command to "bolt the door after her" signified a complete, dehumanizing rejection and an attempt to seal off his heinous act, denying Tamar any dignity, solace, or avenue for immediate public recourse within his domain. It exposes a profound level of self-serving contempt and an effort to erase the painful reality of his crime from his sight.

2 Samuel 13 17 Context

This verse occurs immediately following Amnon's horrific rape of his half-sister Tamar in 2 Samuel 13. Amnon, obsessed with Tamar, feigned illness to lure her to his chambers under the pretense of wanting her to prepare food for him. After she came and served him, he overpowered her, committing the unthinkable act of incestuous rape. The cultural context of ancient Israel was an honor-shame society, where a woman's honor, deeply intertwined with her virginity and the sanctity of family, was paramount. Such a defilement not only shamed the individual woman but also her entire family, rendering her socially disgraced and typically unmarriageable. Amnon's subsequent command in verse 17 is the ultimate act of contempt, escalating the physical violation with psychological and social devastation. It demonstrates that his initial "love" (verse 1) was pure lust, which, once sated, turned into a violent repulsion, as his victim's presence became a tangible reminder of his heinous sin. This rejection precipitates a series of tragic events within David's household, fulfilling prophecies of judgment upon his house.

2 Samuel 13 17 Word analysis

• Then he called: The Hebrew is wa-yiqra (וַיִּקְרָא), a consecutive imperfect indicating immediate action. It highlights Amnon's quick, decisive shift from lustful predator to cruel dismisser, showcasing his cold calculation and authority.
• his servant: The Hebrew na'ar (נַעַר) typically refers to a young man, often in a position of service. This servant is at his ready command, signifying Amnon's power and lack of moral check within his household.
• who attended him: The verb m'shar'to (מְשָׁרְתוֹ) means to minister or serve. It implies a trusted and constant attendant, underscoring Amnon's expectation of unquestioning obedience even in his villainy.
• 'Put this woman out': The imperative hotse' na' (הוֹצִאִי נָא), from yatza (יָצָא) "to go out," used causatively "cause to go out." The phrase "this woman" (ha'ishshah hazzo'th, הָאִשָּׁה הַזֹּאת) is profoundly dehumanizing. He does not use her name, Tamar, which he had used just moments before (v. 7). This reduction to a generic "this woman" stripped her of her identity, her relationship, and any vestige of her humanity in his eyes. It underscores his desire to remove her from his consciousness as quickly as possible.
• 'of my presence': The Hebrew me'alai (מֵעָלַי) means "from upon me" or "from my sight/presence." It emphasizes Amnon's profound disgust and his desire to remove her from his physical space as a defiled and repulsive object. This echoes God removing Adam and Eve from His presence after sin (Gen 3:24) or Cain being hidden from God's face (Gen 4:14).
• 'and bolt the door after her': The verb u'n'ol (וּנְעֹל), from na'al (נָעַל), means "to shut, to lock, to bolt." This is a forceful, definite action. It serves multiple purposes:
  • Finality: It seals off Tamar's hope for immediate dignity or aid.
  • Imprisonment: Though physical, it highlights her emotional and social entrapment.
  • Concealment: It is an attempt to conceal his heinous act, ensuring no one sees her immediately after her defilement and public rejection, thus delaying accountability.
  • Reinforced Rejection: It adds a layer of absolute dismissal, leaving no doubt about his contempt.

2 Samuel 13 17 Bonus section

Amnon's "great hatred" in the preceding verse (2 Sam 13:15) and his action in 2 Sam 13:17 mirror a common psychological phenomenon in victims of violence, where perpetrators sometimes project their shame and guilt onto their victim, turning previous "affection" (no matter how twisted) into revulsion. The public expulsion of Tamar in an honor-shame society guaranteed her permanent public disgrace and removed any possibility of a private, hidden "mistake." It solidified her status as "damaged goods" (Lev 21:14; Deut 22:29), reinforcing the catastrophic social consequences of her rape and emphasizing the irreversible nature of Amnon's betrayal. This act of violence was not merely physical; it was a comprehensive destruction of Tamar's present life and future prospects within Israelite society.

2 Samuel 13 17 Commentary

This verse stands as a stark and horrific depiction of sin's depravity. Amnon's action transforms from predatory lust to profound, unfeeling hatred upon its consummation. His command is a cold, calculated dismissal, reducing Tamar from an object of illicit desire to a source of loathing and a shameful reminder of his transgression. The phrase "Put this woman out" highlights the dehumanization of the victim, robbing her of identity and intrinsic worth, a common response from perpetrators seeking to distance themselves from their evil deeds. The final command to "bolt the door after her" is intensely symbolic, sealing her immediate fate of isolation and despair. It represents Amnon's attempt to compartmentalize and forget his crime, creating a barrier between his inner depravity and any potential outward consequence, though ultimately, it becomes a literal sealing of Tamar's physical shame and the spiritual and relational brokenness within David's house. It illustrates the destructive power of unchecked lust and hatred, turning a familial bond into a vehicle for unspeakable cruelty and paving the way for further tragedy.