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Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
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Read the Bible

New Century Version

2 Samuel 17:25

Absalom had made Amasa captain of the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Jether the Ishmaelite. Amasa's mother was Abigail daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Abigail;   Amasa;   Amnesty;   Armies;   Captain;   Clemency;   David;   Ithra;   Jether;   Joab;   Nahash;   Zeruiah;   Thompson Chain Reference - Amasa;   Zeruiah;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Armies of Israel, the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Ahithophel;   Hushai;   Nahash;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Abigail;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Amasa;   David;   Jether;   Mahanaim;   Murder;   Nahash;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Amasa;   David;   Ithra;   Joab;   Nahash;   Tehinnah;   Zeruiah;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Abigail;   Amasa;   Ithra;   Jether;   Mahanaim;   Nahash;   Zeruiah;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Abigail,;   Abishai;   Amasa;   Ithra;   Mahanaim;   Nahash;   Samuel, Books of;   Zeruiah;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Abigail ;   Amasa ;   Jether ;   Nahash ;   Zeruiah ;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Nahash;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Abigail;   Absalom;   Amasa;   David;   Nahash;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Ab'igail;   Am'asa;   Is'raelite;   Ith'ra;   Je'ther;   Na'hash;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Amasa;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Hebrew Monarchy, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Abigail;   Absalom (1);   Amasa;   David;   Ithra;   Jether;   Nahash;   Samuel, Books of;   Serpent;   Zeruiah;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Amasa;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Abigail;   Amasa;   Ammon, Ammonites;   Nahash;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Now Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in Joab’s place. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Israelite; Ithra had married Abigail daughter of Nahash. Abigail was a sister to Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.
Hebrew Names Version
Avshalom set `Amasa over the host instead of Yo'av. Now `Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Yitra the Yisra'elite, who went in to Avigayil the daughter of Nachash, sister to Tzeru'yah, Yo'av's mother.
King James Version
And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.
Lexham English Bible
Absalom had appointed Amasa in place of Joab over the army. Now Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who had married Abigail the daughter of Nahash the sister of Zeruiah, the mother of Joab.
English Standard Version
Now Absalom had set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Ishmaelite, who had married Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother.
New English Translation
Absalom had made Amasa general in command of the army in place of Joab. (Now Amasa was the son of an Israelite man named Jether, who had married Abigail the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother.)
Amplified Bible
Absalom put Amasa in command of the army instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Israelite, who had married Abigail the daughter of Nahash, [the half sister of David and] the sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother.
New American Standard Bible
Absalom put Amasa in command of the army in place of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who had relations with Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And Absalom made Amasa captaine of the hoste in the stead of Ioab: which Amasa was a mans sonne named Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Ioabs mother.
Legacy Standard Bible
And Absalom set Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother.
Contemporary English Version
Absalom put Amasa in Joab's place as commander of the army. Amasa's father was Ithra from the family of Ishmael, and his mother was Abigal, the daughter of Nahash and the sister of Joab's mother Zeruiah.
Complete Jewish Bible
Avshalom had put ‘Amasa in charge of the army in place of Yo'av. ‘Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Yitra the Isra'eli, who had had sexual relations with Avigal the daughter of Nachash, Tz'ruyah's sister and Yo'av's mother.
Darby Translation
And Absalom set Amasa over the host instead of Joab; which Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Jithra the Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab's mother.
Easy-to-Read Version
Absalom and the Israelites made their camp in the land of Gilead. Absalom had made Amasa the new captain of the army. He took Joab's place. Amasa was the son of Ithra the Ishmaelite. His mother was Abigail, the daughter of Nahash, the sister of Joab's mother, Zeruiah.
George Lamsa Translation
And Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of an Israelite whose name was Ithra, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zoriah Joabs mother.
Good News Translation
(Absalom had put Amasa in command of the army in the place of Joab. Amasa was the son of Jether the Ishmaelite; his mother was Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and the sister of Joab's mother Zeruiah.)
Literal Translation
And Absalom had set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. And Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who had gone in to Abigail, the daughter of Nahash, the sister of Zeruiah, the brother of Joab.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And Absalom had set Amasa ouer the hoost in Ioabs steade. Amasa was the sonne of a man, whose name was Iethra a Iesraelite, which laye with Abigail the doughter of Nahas the sister of Zeru Ia Ioabs mother.
American Standard Version
And Absalom set Amasa over the host instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Ithra the Israelite, that went in to Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab's mother.
Bible in Basic English
And Absalom put Amasa at the head of the army in place of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Ishmaelite, who had been the lover of Abigail, the daughter of Jesse, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And Absalom made Amasa captaine of the hoast in stede of Ioab: which Amasa, was a mans sonne named Iethra an Israelite, that went into Abigail the daughter of Nahas, sister to Zaruia Ioabs mother.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And Absalom had set Amasa over the host instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Ithra the Jesraelite, that went in to Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.
King James Version (1611)
And Absalom made Amasa captaine of the hoste in stead of Ioab: which Amasa was a mans sonne whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Ioabs mother.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And Abessalom appointed Amessai in the room of Joab over the host. And Amessai was the son of a man whose name was Jether of Jezrael: he went in to Abigaia the daughter of Naas, the sister of Saruia the mother of Joab.
English Revised Version
And Absalom set Amasa over the host instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Ithra the Israelite, that went in to Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab’s mother.
Berean Standard Bible
Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Forsothe Absolon ordeynede Amasan for Joab on the oost; forsothe Amasan was the sone of a man that was clepid Jethra of Jeyrael, which entride to Abigail, douyter of Naas, the sistir of Saruye, that was the modir of Joab.
Young's Literal Translation
and Amasa hath Absalom set instead of Joab over the host, and Amasa [is] a man's son whose name is Ithra the Israelite who hath gone in unto Abigail, daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, mother of Joab;
Update Bible Version
And Absalom set Amasa over the host instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Ithra the Israelite, that went in to Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab's mother.
Webster's Bible Translation
And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa [was] a man's son, whose name [was] Ithra, an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab's mother.
World English Bible
Absalom set Amasa over the host instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab's mother.
New King James Version
And Absalom made Amasa captain of the army instead of Joab. This Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Jithra, 1 Chronicles 2:17 and elsewhere">[fn] an Israelite, 1 Chronicles 2:17); Vulgate reads of Jezrael.">[fn] who had gone in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother.
New Living Translation
Absalom had appointed Amasa as commander of his army, replacing Joab, who had been commander under David. (Amasa was Joab's cousin. His father was Jether, an Ishmaelite. His mother, Abigail daughter of Nahash, was the sister of Joab's mother, Zeruiah.)
New Life Bible
Absalom made Amasa captain of the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Jithra the Israelite, who went in to Nahash's daughter Abigal, the sister of Joab's mother Zeruiah.
New Revised Standard
Now Absalom had set Amasa over the army in the place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Ishmaelite, who had married Abigal daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Now Absolom had appointed, Amasa, instead of Joab, over the army, - Amasa, being the son of a man whose name was Ithra the Ishmaelite, who went in unto Abigail, daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, mother of Joab.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now Absalom appointed Amasa in Joab’s stead over the army: and Amasa was the son of a man who was called Jethra, of Jezrael, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Naas, the sister of Sarvia who was the mother of Joab.
Revised Standard Version
Now Ab'salom had set Ama'sa over the army instead of Jo'ab. Ama'sa was the son of a man named Ithra the Ish'maelite, who had married Ab'igal the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeru'iah, Jo'ab's mother.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Absalom set Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother.

Contextual Overview

22 So David and all his people crossed the Jordan River. By dawn, everyone had crossed the Jordan. 23 When Ahithophel saw that the Israelites did not accept his advice, he saddled his donkey and went to his hometown. He left orders for his family and property, and then he hanged himself. He died and was buried in his father's tomb. 24 David arrived at Mahanaim. And Absalom and all his Israelites crossed over the Jordan River. 25 Absalom had made Amasa captain of the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Jether the Ishmaelite. Amasa's mother was Abigail daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother. 26 Absalom and the Israelites camped in the land of Gilead. 27 Shobi, Makir, and Barzillai were at Mahanaim when David arrived. Shobi son of Nahash was from the Ammonite town of Rabbah. Makir son of Ammiel was from Lo Debar, and Barzillai was from Rogelim in Gilead. 28 They brought beds, bowls, clay pots, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, small peas, 29 honey, milk curds, sheep, and cheese made from cows' milk for David and his people. They said, "The people are hungry and tired and thirsty in the desert."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Amasa: 2 Samuel 19:13, 2 Samuel 20:4, 2 Samuel 20:9-12

Ithra: 1 Chronicles 2:16, 1 Chronicles 2:17, Jether the Ishmaelite

Abigail: Heb. Abigal

Nahash: or, Jesse. 1 Chronicles 2:13, 1 Chronicles 2:16

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 20:12 - General 1 Kings 2:5 - Jether 1 Kings 2:32 - Jether 1 Chronicles 12:18 - came upon Amasai

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab,.... Who was along with David:

which Amasa [was] a man's son whose name [was] Ithra, an Israelite; he is called Jether the Ishmaelite, 1 Chronicles 2:17; either because he was an Ishmaelite by birth, and being proselyted to the Jewish religion, was called an Israelite; or rather he was an Israelite by birth, and having sojourned in the land of Ishmael some time, was called an Ishmaelite, as Uriah the Hittite, and others; and when Amasa is called a "man's son", it means a great man, as Kimchi observes:

that went in to Abigail, the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah,

Joab's mother: so that Joab and Amasa, the generals of David and Absalom, were own cousins, sisters' children, and David uncle to them both; for Abigail and Zeruiah were David's sisters, 1 Chronicles 2:16; children of Jesse, whose name is here called Nahash, having two names, or this was his surname; though others think Nahash is the name of a woman, the wife of Jesse, and that these two sisters had two mothers, but one father; it seems by this expression, "went in to", as if Amasa was not begotten in the conjugal state, but was illegitimate.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Ithra an Israelite - Or “Jether the Ishmeelite” 1 Chronicles 2:17. “Ithra” and “Jether” are practically the same names. “Israelite” in the text is wrong. It should be either “Ishmaelite” or “Jezreelite” 2 Samuel 3:2.

Abigail the daughter of Nahash - If Zeruiah and Abigail were Jesse’s daughters, the only probable way of reconciling our text with 1 Chronicles 2:16-17, is to suppose that Nahash was Jesse’s wife. If Zeruiah and Abigail were only sisters of David by the mother, then Nahash might be the name of her first husband.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Samuel 17:25. Amasa captain of the host — From the account in this verse, it appears that Joab and Amasa were sisters' children, and both nephews to David.


 
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