2 Samuel 24 5

2 Samuel 24:5 kjv

And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer:

2 Samuel 24:5 nkjv

And they crossed over the Jordan and camped in Aroer, on the right side of the town which is in the midst of the ravine of Gad, and toward Jazer.

2 Samuel 24:5 niv

After crossing the Jordan, they camped near Aroer, south of the town in the gorge, and then went through Gad and on to Jazer.

2 Samuel 24:5 esv

They crossed the Jordan and began from Aroer, and from the city that is in the middle of the valley, toward Gad and on to Jazer.

2 Samuel 24:5 nlt

First they crossed the Jordan and camped at Aroer, south of the town in the valley, in the direction of Gad. Then they went on to Jazer,

2 Samuel 24 verses

2 Samuel 24 5 Meaning

2 Samuel 24:5 describes the initial phase of David's nationwide census, which was undertaken despite Joab's reservations. It details the starting point of the census operation by Joab and the military commanders, signifying the careful and systematic coverage of David's kingdom. The verse pinpoints the expedition's geographical commencement: crossing the Jordan River and establishing an encampment in Aroer, a strategically important city in Transjordan, specifically located near the River of Gad and heading towards Jazer. This precise geographical detail highlights the methodical and thorough nature of the count that would encompass all able-bodied men in Israel.

2 Samuel 24 5 Context

Chapter 24 concludes the book of 2 Samuel with David's final significant recorded transgression: numbering Israel. This act is introduced as a result of God's "anger" against Israel (2 Sam 24:1), prompting Him to move David to initiate the census. The parallel account in 1 Chronicles 21 attributes the incitement directly to Satan, revealing a deeper theological perspective on how God allows even evil to serve His ultimate purposes. Joab, David's loyal but often ruthless general, recognizes the grave nature of this command and expresses strong opposition (2 Sam 24:3-4).

Despite Joab's clear warnings, David's royal decree prevailed. Verse 5 begins the practical execution of this ill-fated command, outlining the itinerary. Historically, the purpose of such a census was often for military conscription, taxation, or a display of national power and wealth, reflecting a king's reliance on human resources rather than complete dependence on God. This act was seen as an expression of pride or distrust, incurring divine displeasure.

2 Samuel 24 5 Word analysis

• And they passed over Jordan: (וַיַּעַבְרוּ֙ אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּן֮ wayya‘abə•rū ’eṯ-hayyar•dēn)

  • "passed over" (‘abar): To cross over, go through. Signifies movement, traversal, and the crossing of a significant geographical boundary, leaving the heartland west of Jordan for the eastern territories. This action of crossing the Jordan is highly symbolic in Israel's history (e.g., Joshua's crossing into the Promised Land, Judg 3:28 control of the fords).
  • "Jordan" (Yardan): The primary river of the land of Israel, separating Cisjordan (western Israel) from Transjordan (eastern Israel). Its mention signals the beginning of the comprehensive census operation from the furthest boundaries of the kingdom.

• and pitched in Aroer: (וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙ בַּעֲרֹועֵר֙ wayyaḥănû ba‘ărô‘ēr)

  • "pitched" (ḥanâ): To encamp, make a temporary stop. This indicates the establishment of a base or the first point of formal registration in their extensive journey.
  • "Aroer" (‘Ărô‘ēr): An important border town, typically identifying one of several cities. The context (river of Gad) points to Aroer on the Arnon River (Deut 2:36, Josh 12:2), situated on the southern boundary of the tribes of Reuben and Gad. Beginning the census from this far southern-eastern point underscores the exhaustive nature of David's command—counting every eligible man throughout the entire extent of his dominion. It highlights a deliberate, systematic survey.

• on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad: (יְמִ֨ין הָעִ֤יר אֲשֶׁר֙ בְּת֣וֹךְ הַנַּ֔חַל הַגָּ֖ד yəmîn hā‘îr ’ăšer bəṯôḵ hannaḥal haggāḏ)

  • "right side" (yemîn): Literally 'right hand.' In Hebrew geographical orientation (facing east), "right" refers to the south. Thus, it further specifies Aroer's location relative to its surrounding features, placing it to the south of a major point, or emphasizing the approach.
  • "city that lieth in the midst of the river": This clarifies which Aroer, precisely identifying it with its proximity to a specific wadi.
  • "river of Gad" (naḥal haggad): Likely refers to the Arnon River, a significant wadi that formed a crucial southern boundary for the Transjordanian tribes of Reuben and Gad, extending the southern reach of David's kingdom. This reinforces the territorial extent covered by the census.

• and toward Jazer: (וְאֶל־יַעְזֵֽר wə’el-ya‘ăzēr)

  • "toward" (’el): In the direction of.
  • "Jazer" (Ya‘ăzēr): A town located to the north/northeast of Aroer, also in the territory of Gad (Josh 13:25). Mentioning Jazer suggests the subsequent direction of the census operation after the south, indicating a northerly movement through the Transjordanian lands. Jazer was known for its pasturage and strategic importance (Num 21:32).

2 Samuel 24 5 Bonus section

The very precision of the itinerary laid out in 2 Samuel 24:5 subtly enhances the sense of human autonomy and meticulous planning behind the census. This contrasts sharply with reliance on divine provision and strength. While military campaigns often require detailed logistics, the context of the census as a "sin" (2 Sam 24:10) turns these otherwise impressive logistical details into part of the evidence of David's deviation. The exact geographical coordinates also illustrate the ancient kingdom's administrative reach and control over its extensive territories, serving as a reminder of the sheer human effort required to manage such an empire, which ultimately paled in comparison to divine power.

2 Samuel 24 5 Commentary

2 Samuel 24:5 serves as the geographical starting line for David's controversial census. It depicts the military's methodical and comprehensive approach, leaving no part of the kingdom uncounted. Joab and his men begin their arduous nine-month task by crossing the significant Jordan River into Transjordan, specifically commencing from Aroer on the Arnon (River of Gad) in the southern reaches of Gad/Reuben territory, then moving towards Jazer in the north. This meticulous detail underscores the human effort, organization, and geographic scope of the king's command.

The sin was not in the act of numbering people per se, as censuses had been divinely commanded before (Num 1). Rather, the sin stemmed from David's motivation, implying a reliance on national strength and military potential over the living God (Psa 20:7; 33:16-17). The detailed journey outlined here contrasts this human pride with God's view, which ultimately judged the very strength David sought to enumerate. This physical progression of the census takers foreshadowed the spiritual judgment that would systematically sweep across the land. The locations mentioned – Aroer and Jazer – highlight the full geographical and administrative reach of David's reign, confirming that this census was intended to be comprehensive across his vast dominion.