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Green's Literal Translation

2 Samuel 17:8

And Hushai said, You have known your father and his men, that they are mighty men. And they are bitter of soul, like a bear bereaved of cubs in the field. And your father is a man of war, and shall not stay the night with the people.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Ahithophel;   Armies;   Bear;   Council;   Diplomacy;   Falsehood;   Friendship;   Spies;   Strategy;   War;   Thompson Chain Reference - Animals;   Bears;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Bear, the;   Beasts;   Prudence;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Ahithophel;   Amasa;   Bear;   Hushai;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Absalom;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Animals;   Friend, Friendship;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Ahithophel;   Bear;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Soul;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Bear;   Samuel, Books of;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Ahithophel ;   Bear,;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Absalom;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Ahith'ophel;   Bear;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Chafed;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Bear;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Hebrew Monarchy, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Bear;   Chafe;   Swine;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Bear;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Absalom;   Bear;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Hushai continued, “You know your father and his men. They are warriors and are desperate like a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Your father is an experienced soldier who won’t spend the night with the people.
Hebrew Names Version
Hushai said moreover, You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are fierce in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field; and your father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
King James Version
For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
Lexham English Bible
Hushai continued, "You know your father and his men, that they are mighty warriors and they are enraged as a bear robbed of her offspring in the field. Your father is a man of war, so he will not spend the night with the troops.
English Standard Version
Hushai said, "You know that your father and his men are mighty men, and that they are enraged, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. Besides, your father is expert in war; he will not spend the night with the people.
New Century Version
Hushai added, "You know your father and his men are strong. They are as angry as a bear that is robbed of its cubs. Your father is a skilled fighter. He won't stay all night with the army.
New English Translation
Hushai went on to say, "You know your father and his men—they are soldiers and are as dangerous as a bear out in the wild that has been robbed of her cubs. Your father is an experienced soldier; he will not stay overnight with the army.
Amplified Bible
And Hushai said, "You know your father and his men, that they are brave men, and they are enraged and fierce, like a bear deprived of her cubs in the field. Your father is a [shrewd] man of war, and will not spend the night with the people [knowing that you seek his life].
New American Standard Bible
Then Hushai said, "You yourself know your father and his men, that they are warriors and they are fierce, like a bear deprived of her cubs in the field. And your father is an expert in warfare, and he will not spend the night with the people.
Geneva Bible (1587)
For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father, and his men, that they be strong men, and are chafed in minde as a beare robbed of her whelps in the fielde: also thy father is a valiant warrier, and will not lodge with the people.
Legacy Standard Bible
Then Hushai said, "You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men and they are bitter of soul, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. And your father is a man of war, and will not spend the night with the people.
Contemporary English Version
You know that your father and his followers are real warriors. Right now they are as fierce as a mother bear whose cubs have just been killed. Besides, your father has a lot of experience in fighting wars, and he won't be spending the night with the others.
Complete Jewish Bible
You know," continued Hushai, "that your father and his men are powerful men, and that they are as bitter as a bear deprived of her cubs in the wild. Moreover, your father is a military man, and he won't camp with the rest of the people —
Darby Translation
And Hushai said, Thou knowest thy father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are of exasperated spirit, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field; and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
Easy-to-Read Version
Hushai added, "You know that your father and his men are strong men. They are as dangerous as a wild bear when something has taken its cubs. Your father is a skilled fighter. He will not stay all night with the people.
George Lamsa Translation
For said Hushai to Absalom. You know well that your father and his servants are mighty men, and they are furious as a bear that devours the prey in the field; moreover, your father is a man of war, and will not spend the night with the people.
Good News Translation
You know that your father David and his men are hard fighters and that they are as fierce as a mother bear robbed of her cubs. Your father is an experienced soldier and does not stay with his men at night.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And Chusai sayde morouer: Thou knowest thy father well and his men, that they are stronge and of a wrothfull stomack, euen as a Beer that is robbed of hir yonge ones in the felde, Thy father also is a man of warre, and wyl not be necliget with the people.
American Standard Version
Hushai said moreover, Thou knowest thy father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field; and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
Bible in Basic English
Hushai said further, You have knowledge of your father and his men, that they are men of war, and that their feelings are bitter, like those of a bear in the field whose young ones have been taken from her: and your father is a man of war, and will not take his night's rest with the people;
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For sayde Husai, thou knowest thy father & his men howe that they be strong men, and they be chased in their mindes, and are euen as a Beare robbed of her whelpes in the fielde: Thy father is a man also practised in warre, and wil not lodge with the people.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Hushai said moreover: 'Thou knowest thy father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are embittered in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field; and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
King James Version (1611)
For, (said Hushai,) thou knowest thy father and his men, that they bee mightie men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a beare robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of warre, and will not lodge with the people.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And Chusi said, Thou knowest thy father and his men, that they are very mighty, and bitter in their spirit, as a bereaved bear in the field, [[and as a wild boar in the plain]]: and thy father is a man of war, and will not give the people rest.
English Revised Version
Hushai said moreover, Thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
Berean Standard Bible
He continued, "You know your father and his men. They are mighty men, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Moreover, your father is a man of war who will not spend the night with the troops.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And eft Chusi seide, Thou knowist, that thi fadir, and the men that ben with him, ben moost stronge, and in bitter soule, as if a femal bere is fers in the forest, whanne the whelpis ben rauyschid; but also thi fader is a man werriour, and he schal not dwelle with the puple.
Young's Literal Translation
And Hushai saith, `Thou hast known thy father and his men, that they [are] heroes, and they are bitter in soul as a bereaved bear in a field, and thy father [is] a man of war, and doth not lodge with the people;
Update Bible Version
Hushai said moreover, You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field; and your father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
Webster's Bible Translation
For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they [are] mighty men, and they [are] chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father [is] a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
World English Bible
Hushai said moreover, You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are fierce in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field; and your father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
New King James Version
For," said Hushai, "you know your father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are enraged in their minds, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field; and your father is a man of war, and will not camp with the people.
New Living Translation
You know your father and his men; they are mighty warriors. Right now they are as enraged as a mother bear who has been robbed of her cubs. And remember that your father is an experienced man of war. He won't be spending the night among the troops.
New Life Bible
Hushai said, "You know your father and his men. They are powerful and angry, like a bear robbed of her young ones in the field. And your father is a very able man of war. He will not stay with the people during the night.
New Revised Standard
Hushai continued, "You know that your father and his men are warriors, and that they are enraged, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. Besides, your father is expert in war; he will not spend the night with the troops.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And Hushai said - Thou, knowest thy father and his men - that, men of might, they are, and, embittered in soul, they are, like a bear bereaved of her young, in the field, - thy father also, is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And again Chusai said: Thou knowest thy father, and the men that are with him, that they are very valiant, and bitter in their mind, as a bear raging in the wood when her whelps are taken away: and thy father is a warrior, and will not lodge with the people.
Revised Standard Version
Hushai said moreover, "You know that your father and his men are mighty men, and that they are enraged, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. Besides, your father is expert in war; he will not spend the night with the people.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Moreover, Hushai said, "You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men and they are fierce, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. And your father is an expert in warfare, and will not spend the night with the people.

Contextual Overview

1 And Ahithophel said to Absalom, Please let me choose twelve thousand men, and I shall rise up and pursue David tonight. 2 And I shall come on him, and he shall be weary and feeble handed. And I will make him tremble, and the people with him shall flee. And I shall strike the king by himself. 3 And I shall bring all the people back to you when all return, except the man whom you are seeking. All the people shall be in peace. 4 And the thing was pleasing in Absalom's eyes, and in the eyes of all the elders of Israel. 5 And Absalom said, Please call for Hushai the Archite also. And we shall hear what is in his mouth, also he. 6 And Hushai came in to Absalom. And Absalom spoke to him, saying, Ahithophel has spoken according to this word. Shall we do this word? If not, you speak. 7 And Hushai said to Absalom, The counsel Ahithophel counseled is not good at this time. 8 And Hushai said, You have known your father and his men, that they are mighty men. And they are bitter of soul, like a bear bereaved of cubs in the field. And your father is a man of war, and shall not stay the night with the people. 9 Behold, now he is hidden in one of the pits, or in one of the places. And it shall be, at the falling among them at the beginning, that whoever hears even shall say, There has been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom. 10 And also he, the son of valor, whose heart is as the heart of the lion, shall utterly melt. For all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and those with him sons of valor.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

mighty men: 2 Samuel 15:18, 2 Samuel 21:18-22, 2 Samuel 23:8, 2 Samuel 23:9, 2 Samuel 23:16, 2 Samuel 23:18, 2 Samuel 23:20-22, 1 Samuel 16:18, 1 Samuel 17:34-36, 1 Samuel 17:50, 1 Chronicles 11:25-47, Hebrews 11:32-34

chafed in their minds: Heb. bitter of soul, Judges 18:25

as a bear: 2 Kings 2:24, Proverbs 17:12, Proverbs 28:15, Daniel 7:5, Hosea 13:8

thy father is: 1 Samuel 23:23

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 1:10 - in bitterness of soul 1 Samuel 18:25 - thought 1 Samuel 22:2 - discontented 1 Samuel 30:6 - grieved Job 21:25 - in the bitterness

Cross-References

Genesis 13:15
For all the land which you see I will give to you, and to your seed always.
Genesis 13:17
Rise up! Walk through the land, in its length and in its breadth, for I will give it to you.
Genesis 17:7
And I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and your seed after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God to you and to your seed after you.
Genesis 17:16
and I have blessed her and have also given to you a son from her. Yea, I have blessed her and she shall become nations; kings of people shall be from her.
Genesis 17:17
And Abraham fell on his face and laughed. And he said in his heart, Shall one be born to a son of a hundred years? And shall Sarah bear, a daughter of ninety years?
Genesis 17:21
And I will establish My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.
Genesis 23:4
I am an alien and a visitor with you. Give to me a possession among you, so that I may bury my dead from before the eyes.
Genesis 28:4
And may He give to you the blessing of Abraham, to you and to your seed with you, for you to possess the land of your travels, which God gave to Abraham.
Genesis 48:4
and said to me, Behold, I will make you fruitful and will multiply you, and will make you a multitude of peoples. And I will give this land to your seed after you as a continual possession.
Exodus 6:7
And I will take you for Myself for a people, and I will be a God for you. And you shall know that I am Jehovah your God, the One bringing you out from under the burdens of Egypt.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For (said Hushai) thou knowest thy father and his men, that they [be] mighty men,.... Men of courage and valour, and not such weak-handed and weak-hearted men, and so easily intimidated, as Ahithophel suggests:

and they [be] chafed in their minds; or "bitter in soul" f; not merely filled with trouble and anguish, and depressed in their spirits, on account of that, as the phrase sometimes signifies; but enraged and full of wrath at the rebellion raised against their prince, which obliged them with him to leave their habitations; and now being desperate, their all lying at stake, their wives and children, their families and estates, they would fight furiously in the defence of the king and themselves, and not so soon flee as Ahithophel had represented:

as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field; a bear is a very furious creature, especially a she bear, and the more when it has whelps, and more so when deprived of them g, when it ranges about in the field, and in its fury attacks whomsoever it meets with;

:-;

and thy father [is] a man of war; not only bold and courageous, but expert and skilful in all the arts of war and not easy to be surprised and circumvented, as Ahithophel intimated:

and will not lodge with the people; in the camp, but at some distance from it; partly to prevent any traitorous design upon him in it, and partly that he might not be surprised by the enemy, knowing that their chief view was to seize his person; and therefore as it would not be easy to find him where he was, he could not be smitten alone, as Ahithophel proposed.

f מרי נפש "amari animo", Pagninus, Montanus; "amaro animo", V. L. Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. g Aristot. Hist. Animal. l. 6. c. 18. & 9. 1.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Samuel 17:8. As a bear robbed of her whelps — All wild beasts are very furious when robbed of their young; but we have some remarkable instances of the maternal affection of the bear in such circumstances; see one at the end of the chapter. 2 Samuel 17:28.


 
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