2 Samuel 23 6

2 Samuel 23:6 kjv

But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:

2 Samuel 23:6 nkjv

But the sons of rebellion shall all be as thorns thrust away, Because they cannot be taken with hands.

2 Samuel 23:6 niv

But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand.

2 Samuel 23:6 esv

But worthless men are all like thorns that are thrown away, for they cannot be taken with the hand;

2 Samuel 23:6 nlt

But the godless are like thorns to be thrown away,
for they tear the hand that touches them.

2 Samuel 23 verses

2 Samuel 23 6 Meaning

2 Samuel 23:6 presents a sharp contrast to the ideal righteous ruler, revealing the grim, unavoidable destiny of the ungodly, termed "Belial." These individuals, who embody worthlessness and active wickedness, are likened to dangerous, troublesome thorns. Such thorns are inherently useless and painful to touch directly, thus they cannot be carefully managed or contained by human hands. Instead, they are destined to be violently thrust away and eliminated through decisive, often destructive means, pointing to the certainty of divine judgment and the necessary purging of all that opposes God's righteous order.

2 Samuel 23 6 Context

This verse is embedded in "David's last words" (2 Sam 23:1-7), an inspired oracle delivered at the culmination of his life. Following David's poignant acknowledgement of God as his rock and deliverer, verses 3-5 articulate the ideal nature of a just and righteous ruler – one who governs in the fear of God, brings forth light and sustenance like dawn and rain, and operates under God's unbreakable, eternal covenant. Verse 6 stands as a powerful antithesis to this blessed picture, shifting abruptly to describe the contrasting nature and fate of the ungodly. It underscores the foundational theological principle that a divinely established kingdom cannot tolerate inherent wickedness; thus, the purging of all unrighteousness is essential for its perpetual stability and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises, ultimately pointing towards the reign of the Messiah.

2 Samuel 23 6 Word analysis

• But (və-): This is a strong adversative conjunction, emphasizing a sharp, immediate contrast to the blessed and righteous governance described just prior.
• the ungodly (beliya‘al / בְּלִיַּעַל): This Hebrew term signifies "worthlessness," "profitless," "wickedness," or "destruction." It describes individuals who are fundamentally rebellious against God and His law, lacking moral integrity, and actively hostile. In later biblical tradition and Jewish thought, "Belial" became associated with ultimate evil, even personified.
• are all of them (kullam / כֻּלָּם): An emphatic and all-inclusive particle, stressing that this fate applies universally to every single individual defined as "Belial." There are no exceptions for those aligned with such profound wickedness.
• as thorns (kəqotz / כְּקוֹץ): "Thorn" (Hebrew qotz) serves as a common biblical metaphor for trouble, pain, uselessness, and ultimately, a harmful obstacle. Thorns impede growth, provide no useful yield, and signify cursed ground or unproductive living.
• thrust away (munad yiddaḥu / מֻנָד יִדָּחוּ): This powerful double expression combines munad (passive participle from nadah, meaning to put aside, banish) with yiddaḥu (imperfect future tense from daḥah, meaning to push, thrust, expel, or cast out). Together, they convey a forceful, deliberate, and certain expulsion or rejection, implying divine agency in their violent removal and doom.
• because (ki / כִּי): Introduces the underlying reason or justification for their inevitable and harsh expulsion, clarifying why they must be dealt with so definitively.
• they cannot be taken with hands (lo vʻyad yiqqaḥu / לֹא בְיָד יִקָּחוּ): This imagery highlights the intrinsically dangerous and unmanageable nature of the wicked. Just as one cannot safely gather thorns with bare hands, indicating they inflict pain and cannot be brought into a positive realm, the ungodly are inherently detrimental and resistant to normal handling. This suggests that only a severe, decisive action, typically referring to disposal by burning, is appropriate for their complete eradication.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "But the ungodly are all of them as thorns thrust away": This striking opening establishes the ultimate contrast. While the righteous kingdom fosters life, the "ungodly" (worthless and dangerous like thorns) are actively purged. The "thrust away" implies a deliberate, divine judgment rather than a mere fading.
• "because they cannot be taken with hands": This phrase elucidates why their fate is so absolute. Their intrinsic nature is so harmful and recalcitrant that they cannot be managed or redeemed by human effort. This impossibility necessitates a final, absolute removal, often symbolized by fire, as a just consequence and necessary cleansing.

2 Samuel 23 6 Bonus section

The juxtaposition of verses 3-5 with verse 6 creates a profound theological statement within David's last words. The idyllic scene of the righteous king bringing blessing and growth (like "the tender grass spring out of the earth by clear shining after rain") is immediately followed by the jarring image of "thorns thrust away." This stark contrast highlights that the establishment and full flourishing of God's covenantal kingdom inherently necessitates the utter destruction and removal of all that is antagonistic to His perfect reign. The emphasis on the inability to handle the wicked "with hands" stresses their irreparable state and resistance to reconciliation, mandating a divine intervention of final judgment. This serves as a powerful testament to the necessity of God's sovereign hand not just in establishing righteousness but in violently purging wickedness to secure the everlasting order of His covenant.

2 Samuel 23 6 Commentary

In David's inspired farewell, 2 Samuel 23:6 presents a somber yet critical truth: the inevitable downfall of those defined as "Belial," or utterly wicked. Following the serene imagery of a righteous ruler fostering peace and light, this verse introduces the sharp antithesis. The ungodly are metaphorically portrayed as thorns – unproductive, painful, and dangerous. Their harmful nature means they cannot be gently managed or assimilated into a divine order; instead, they must be forcibly expelled or consumed, underscoring the absolute and decisive nature of divine judgment. This powerful imagery not only foreshadows God's judgment against all rebellion and lawlessness but also implies a cleansing, foundational work necessary for the establishment of a perfectly righteous and secure kingdom under the future Messianic King, echoing how God deals with His enemies to secure His reign.