2 Samuel 22 27

2 Samuel 22:27 kjv

With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt show thyself unsavory.

2 Samuel 22:27 nkjv

With the pure You will show Yourself pure; And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd.

2 Samuel 22:27 niv

to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.

2 Samuel 22:27 esv

with the purified you deal purely, and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous.

2 Samuel 22:27 nlt

To the pure you show yourself pure,
but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.

2 Samuel 22 verses

2 Samuel 22 27 Meaning

This verse conveys the principle of God's reciprocal interaction with humanity, demonstrating that His character is revealed and His dealings are calibrated in direct response to the moral disposition and conduct of individuals towards Him. To those who walk in purity and integrity, God demonstrates His own pure and upright nature, acting faithfully and justly. Conversely, with those who are perverse and morally crooked, God engages in a manner that confronts, exposes, or allows their crookedness to entangle them, ultimately revealing His righteous judgment against their perversion. It highlights divine consistency: God meets each person according to their own spiritual orientation.

2 Samuel 22 27 Context

2 Samuel 22 is a psalm of thanksgiving uttered by David "on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul." This chapter is nearly identical to Psalm 18. It is a triumphant ode praising God for His might, justice, and faithfulness in protecting David throughout his tumultuous life. David reflects on God's active involvement in his deliverances from powerful adversaries, portraying God as his fortress, shield, and deliverer. The immediate verses (21-25) prior to verse 27 establish David's declaration of his own integrity and righteousness before God, which he attributes to God's rewarding response. Verse 27, therefore, articulates a broader principle of divine justice that grounds David's personal experience, explaining why God dealt with David purely and favorably and conversely how He deals with David's crooked enemies. Historically, this song encapsulates David's life, from his persecution by Saul to his many battles as king, ultimately proclaiming God's unwavering character and governance over all human actions.

2 Samuel 22 27 Word analysis

• With (עִם - ’im): This preposition denotes accompaniment, association, or a relational engagement. It suggests a manner of dealing that is "in relation to" or "corresponding to" the individual.

• the pure (בָּרִיר - barir): Derived from the root בָּרַר (barar), meaning to purify, to be clear, clean, or distinct. It refers to someone morally and ethically clean, upright, sincere, and without duplicity. This term often appears in wisdom literature and Psalms, signifying integrity of heart and conduct before God. It implies walking in alignment with God's revealed will.

• you show yourself pure (תִּתְבָּרַר - titbarar): This is a Hithpael imperfect verb from בָּרַר. The Hithpael stem often conveys reflexive, reciprocal, or intensive action. Here, it indicates God demonstrating or proving Himself pure in His interaction with the pure. It’s not that God becomes pure, for He is eternally pure, but rather He reveals or confirms His purity, clarity, and faithfulness in His dealings with those who are pure. His actions towards them validate their purity by responding with pure blessing, protection, and discernment.

• and with (וְעִם - v’im): The conjunction "and" links the contrasting thought, establishing an antithetical parallelism. The preposition is repeated to emphasize the dual relational aspect.

• the crooked (עִקֵּשׁ - 'iqqesh): This adjective means twisted, perverse, crooked, or devious. It refers to one who is morally and ethically bent, deceitful, and goes against the straight path of truth and righteousness. This contrasts sharply with "pure." It implies a heart inclined to mischief and opposition to God's ways.

• you show yourself twisted (תִּתְפַּתָּל - titpatthal): This is a Hithpael imperfect verb from the root פָּתַל (patal), meaning to twist, wrestle, contort, or entangle. Similar to titbarar, the Hithpael suggests a reflexive or reciprocal action. Here, it does not mean God becomes crooked or immoral; rather, it indicates that God deals with the perverse in a way that mirrors their own deviousness or causes them to be entangled in their own twisted schemes. Some scholarly interpretations suggest "to make yourself appear subtle, astute, or even baffling." God might bring complex, difficult circumstances upon them, allowing their own deceit to become their undoing. This is divine wisdom applied to judgment: He uses their own means of corruption to ensnare them, or He "twists" circumstances in a way that confounds their evil intentions and reveals His righteous opposition to their wickedness. This principle is often seen as polemic against the arbitrary nature of pagan gods, where Yahweh's actions are principled, based on a moral universe.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "With the pure you show yourself pure": This phrase asserts God's consistent character of holiness and integrity. His relationship with those who are righteous is marked by transparent truthfulness and faithfulness. This resonates with the Abrahamic covenant's promises to bless those who bless Abraham and curse those who curse him, but on a more personal, ethical level.
  • "and with the crooked you show yourself twisted": This second part presents the divine response to perversity. God’s dealings with the wicked are often characterized by confounding their plans, leading them into their own traps, or administering judgment in a way that feels complex and difficult, reflecting the very nature of their crooked paths. It's a powerful statement of divine retribution and God's sovereign hand in bringing justice by allowing evil to unravel itself. This demonstrates God's commitment to righteousness and His ultimate control over the destiny of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

2 Samuel 22 27 Bonus section

This verse beautifully illustrates antithetical parallelism, a common poetic device in Hebrew literature, where two lines express contrasting ideas. The structure vividly highlights the direct opposition between the "pure" and the "crooked," and consequently, between God's reciprocal dealings with each. The Hithpael verb forms are crucial here, indicating a reflexive or reciprocal action, meaning God shows Himself to them in a manner consistent with how they are. It's not a change in God's immutable character but a dynamic demonstration of His attributes based on human moral agency. This also implies an ongoing process rather than a static state – as long as one remains pure or crooked, God's dealings will correspond. The wisdom tradition within the Bible frequently reiterates this principle of divine equity, showing how God's moral governance of the universe consistently responds to human actions and attitudes, assuring that ultimately, righteousness is vindicated and wickedness is brought to naught.

2 Samuel 22 27 Commentary

2 Samuel 22:27 is a profound declaration of God's character as a righteous and discerning judge. It underscores the principle that God interacts with individuals according to their inherent moral and spiritual orientation towards Him. It’s not a statement of God’s nature changing, but of His manifestation adapting to the moral object of His dealings. For the "pure" (those who walk in integrity and sincerity before God), God reveals His own pure nature through His blessings, protection, and consistent faithfulness. He acts righteously towards them, confirming their uprightness through His favorable hand. For the "crooked" (those who are deceitful, perverse, and opposed to God's ways), God deals with them in a way that is just yet challenging. He is not morally "twisted," but He cleverly outwits them, exposes their hidden wickedness, and often allows their own evil schemes to ensnare them, thus appearing "twisted" or complex in their undoing. This verse serves as both an encouragement for those who strive for purity and a stark warning for those who choose a path of deceit. It emphasizes divine justice, where individuals face consequences that align with their chosen path, highlighting God’s active role in maintaining moral order in His creation. This teaching is fundamental to understanding God's interactions with humanity throughout Scripture, demonstrating His holy, just, and unswerving commitment to righteousness.

• Practical Usage Examples:
  • For the pure: A person who consistently seeks integrity in their business dealings will find that God provides clarity, fair outcomes, and trust in their relationships, reflecting His own pure nature.
  • For the crooked: Someone who continually practices deception will find their plans unraveling, encountering unexpected obstacles or exposure through seemingly intricate circumstances, demonstrating how God "twists" their path.