2 Samuel 14 25

2 Samuel 14:25 kjv

But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

2 Samuel 14:25 nkjv

Now in all Israel there was no one who was praised as much as Absalom for his good looks. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

2 Samuel 14:25 niv

In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him.

2 Samuel 14:25 esv

Now in all Israel there was no one so much to be praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

2 Samuel 14:25 nlt

Now Absalom was praised as the most handsome man in all Israel. He was flawless from head to foot.

2 Samuel 14 verses

2 Samuel 14 25 Meaning

2 Samuel 14:25 describes Absalom, the son of King David, as being unparalleled in his physical attractiveness throughout all Israel. His beauty was so striking that he was praised for it above everyone else. The verse emphasizes this perfection by stating that from the very bottom of his feet to the top of his head, he possessed no physical defect or flaw whatsoever, presenting a picture of complete bodily flawlessness.

2 Samuel 14 25 Context

2 Samuel chapter 14 describes the efforts of Joab, David's commander, to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem after Absalom had murdered his half-brother Amnon and fled. After two years in exile in Geshur, Absalom is finally allowed to return, initially confined to his own house without seeing his father, David's face. Verse 25, placed within this period, serves to reintroduce Absalom to the narrative, emphasizing his striking physical attributes before he actively plots his rebellion. It highlights the basis of his public appeal and popularity which he would later skillfully exploit to "steal the hearts of the men of Israel" (2 Sam 15:6) and incite a revolt against his father. This description of his unmatched physical beauty provides a crucial background for understanding how he managed to attract such widespread support.

2 Samuel 14 25 Word analysis

• Now in all Israel: Emphasizes the scope of his distinction, covering the entire nation.
• there was no one so much to be praised: Hebrew הוּלַ֥ל (hulal), a Piel participle of הלל (halal), meaning "to praise," "to commend," or "to shine." Here in the passive sense, it conveys that he was praised, not that he merely praised himself, indicating public acknowledgment of his attributes. The construction "no one... so much" signifies his unparalleled nature.
• for his beauty: Hebrew יֹ֔פִי (yophi), refers to physical attractiveness, comeliness, or splendor. This highlights the primary reason for his widespread acclaim.
• as Absalom: Specifies the individual uniquely possessing this quality. Absalom (אַבְשָׁל֣וֹם, Avshalom) means "father of peace," which becomes deeply ironic given his role in dividing David's kingdom and causing civil war.
• From the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head: This is a merism, a literary device that uses two contrasting parts to represent a whole. It signifies Absalom's physical perfection from his absolute lowest point to his absolute highest, covering his entire body comprehensively. It's a statement of totality.
• there was no blemish in him: Hebrew מ֥וּם אֵֽין־ בּוֹ (mum ein bo). "Blemish" (mum) is often used in the Torah to describe physical defects in sacrificial animals that would render them unacceptable (e.g., Lev 22:21). Applied to Absalom, it signifies complete physical flawlessness. This term implicitly raises a question of character; though his body was without blemish, his spirit was far from it.

2 Samuel 14 25 Bonus section

The complete physical perfection described for Absalom, lacking any "blemish" (מ֥וּם), creates an unspoken yet profound contrast with figures chosen by God who often appear unassuming or ordinary (like David himself, or later, the Suffering Servant in Isa 53:2 who had no "beauty" or "majesty"). This subtly critiques the human tendency to favor superficial qualities for leadership, highlighting a false standard of worth. Furthermore, the description might also hint at Absalom's pride—a common consequence of extraordinary gifts or appearance—which, as Scripture frequently warns, precedes destruction.

2 Samuel 14 25 Commentary

2 Samuel 14:25 serves as a crucial descriptive statement in the narrative of Absalom, portraying him as physically perfect, admired, and possessing a captivating charisma. This outward splendor directly contributed to his ability to charm and manipulate the people of Israel, preparing the ground for his eventual rebellion against his father, David. The stark contrast between his unblemished physical form and his deeply flawed, treacherous character (his desire for power, murder of Amnon, usurpation attempt) underscores a biblical theme: outward appearance is often deceptive and does not reflect true inner worth or God's perspective (1 Sam 16:7). The irony of his physical perfection set against his destructive actions speaks volumes about the vanity of purely external attributes when unsupported by righteousness. This verse emphasizes a worldly standard of greatness, which God often subverts.