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Wednesday, May 14th, 2025
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Read the Bible

New Century Version

2 Samuel 19:13

And say to Amasa, ‘You are part of my own family. May God punish me terribly if I don't make you commander of the army in Joab's place!'"

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Amasa;   Amnesty;   Armies;   Clemency;   David;   Enemy;   Joab;   Judah;   Nepotism;   Treason;   Thompson Chain Reference - Amasa;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Judah, the Tribe of;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Amasa;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - David;   Joab;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Sexuality, Human;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Prophet;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Amasa;   Joab;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Adonijah;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Amasa;   Samuel, Books of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Amasa;   Samuel, Books of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Joram;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Amasa ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Amasa;   Captain;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Am'asa;   Brother;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Amasa;   Flesh;   Joab;   Samuel, Books of;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Amasa;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Brother;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
And tell Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me and do so severely if you don’t become commander of my army from now on instead of Joab!’”
Hebrew Names Version
Say you to `Amasa, Aren't you my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you aren't captain of the host before me continually in the room of Yo'av.
King James Version
And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.
Lexham English Bible
To Amasa you shall say: ‘Are you not my bones and my flesh? May God punish me if you are not the commander of my army before me forever, in place of Joab.'"
English Standard Version
And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me and more also, if you are not commander of my army from now on in place of Joab.'"
New English Translation
Say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my flesh and blood? God will punish me severely, if from this time on you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!'"
Amplified Bible
"Say to Amasa [the commander of Absalom's troops], 'Are you not my bone and my flesh? May God do so to me, and more also, if you will not be commander of my army from now on in place of Joab.'"
New American Standard Bible
"And say to Amasa, 'Are you not my bone and my flesh? May God do so to me, and more so, if you will not be commander of the army for me continually, in place of Joab.'"
Geneva Bible (1587)
Also say ye to Amasa, Art thou not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me and more also, if thou be not captaine of the hoste to me for euer in the roume of Ioab.
Legacy Standard Bible
And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? May God do so to me, and more also, if you will not be commander of the army before me continually in place of Joab.'"
Contemporary English Version
And tell Amasa, "You're my nephew, and with God as a witness, I swear I'll make you commander of my army instead of Joab."
Complete Jewish Bible
You are my kinsmen, my flesh and bone; so why are you the last to bring back the king?'
Darby Translation
And say to Amasa, Art thou not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually instead of Joab.
Easy-to-Read Version
Also tell Amasa, ‘You are part of my family. I swear that I will make you captain of the army in Joab's place.'"
George Lamsa Translation
And he said to Amasa, Behold, you are my flesh and my bone. God do so to me, and more also, if you are not commander of my army permanently instead of Joab.
Good News Translation
David also told them to say to Amasa, "You are my relative. From now on I am putting you in charge of the army in place of Joab. May God strike me dead if I don't!"
Literal Translation
And say to Amasa, Are you not my bone and my flesh? So shall God do to me, and more so He shall do, if you are not commander of the army before me all the days, instead of Joab.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And saye vnto Amasa: Art not thou my bone and my flesh? God do this & that vnto me, yf thou shalt not be the chefe captayne before me in Ioabs steade, as longe as thou lyuest.
American Standard Version
And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.
Bible in Basic English
And say to Amasa, Are you not my bone and my flesh? May God's punishment be on me, if I do not make you chief of the army before me at all times in place of Joab!
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And say ye to Amasa: Art thou not of my bone and of my fleshe? God do so to me and more also, if thou be not captayne of the hoast to me for euer in the roome of Ioab.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Ye are my brethren, ye are my bone and my flesh; wherefore then should ye be the last to bring back the king?
King James Version (1611)
And say ye to Amasa: Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captaine of the hoste before me continually in the roome of Ioab.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And ye shall say to Amessai, Art thou not my bone and my flesh? and now God do so to me, and more also, if thou shalt not be commander of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.
English Revised Version
And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.
Berean Standard Bible
And say to Amasa, 'Aren't you my flesh and blood? May God punish me, and ever so severely, if from this time you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!'"
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And seie ye to Amasa, Whether thou art not my boon and my fleisch? God do these thingis to me, and adde these thingis, if thou schalt not be maistir of chyualrye bifore me in al tyme aftir Joab.
Young's Literal Translation
And to Amasa say ye, Art not thou my bone and my flesh? Thus doth God do to me, and thus He doth add, if thou art not head of the host before me all the days instead of Joab.'
Update Bible Version
And say to Amasa, Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you are not captain of the host before me continually in the place of Joab.
Webster's Bible Translation
And say ye to Amasa, [Art] thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.
World English Bible
Say you to Amasa, Aren't you my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you aren't captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.
New King James Version
And say to Amasa, "Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you are not commander of the army before me continually in place of Joab."'
New Living Translation
And David told them to tell Amasa, "Since you are my own flesh and blood, like Joab, may God strike me and even kill me if I do not appoint you as commander of my army in his place."
New Life Bible
And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? May God do so to me, and more also, if you will not be the captain of my army at all times instead of Joab.'"
New Revised Standard
And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? So may God do to me, and more, if you are not the commander of my army from now on, in place of Joab.'"
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, unto Amasa, shall ye say, Art not, thou, my bone and my flesh? So, let God do to me, and, so, let him add, if thou become not, prince of the army, before me continually, instead of Joab.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And say ye to Amasa: Art not thou my bone, and my flesh? So do God to me and add more, if thou be not the chief captain of the army before me always in the place of Joab.
Revised Standard Version
And say to Ama'sa, 'Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you are not commander of my army henceforth in place of Jo'ab.'"
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Say to Amasa, 'Are you not my bone and my flesh? May God do so to me, and more also, if you will not be commander of the army before me continually in place of Joab.'"

Contextual Overview

9 People in all the tribes of Israel began to argue, saying, "The king saved us from the Philistines and our other enemies, but he left the country because of Absalom. 10 We appointed Absalom to rule us, but now he has died in battle. We should make David the king again." 11 King David sent a message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, that said, "Speak to the elders of Judah. Say, ‘Even in my house I have heard what all the Israelites are saying. So why are you the last tribe to bring the king back to his palace? 12 You are my brothers, my own family. Why are you the last tribe to bring back the king?' 13 And say to Amasa, ‘You are part of my own family. May God punish me terribly if I don't make you commander of the army in Joab's place!'" 14 David touched the hearts of all the people of Judah at once. They sent a message to the king that said, "Return with all your men." 15 Then the king returned as far as the Jordan River. The men of Judah came to Gilgal to meet him and to bring him across the Jordan.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Amasa: 2 Samuel 17:25, 1 Chronicles 2:16, 1 Chronicles 2:17, 1 Chronicles 12:18

God: Ruth 1:17, 1 Kings 19:2

room of Joab: 2 Samuel 19:5-7, 2 Samuel 3:29, 2 Samuel 3:30, 2 Samuel 8:16, 2 Samuel 18:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:23 - bone Genesis 29:14 - art my Judges 9:2 - your bone 1 Samuel 3:17 - God 1 Samuel 14:44 - God 1 Samuel 20:13 - The Lord do 2 Samuel 3:9 - So do God 2 Samuel 3:39 - too hard 2 Samuel 5:1 - we 2 Samuel 20:4 - Amasa 2 Samuel 20:5 - So Amasa 1 Kings 2:23 - God 2 Kings 4:13 - to the captain 2 Kings 6:31 - God do so 1 Chronicles 11:1 - Behold

Cross-References

Genesis 13:13
Now the people of Sodom were very evil and were always sinning against the Lord .
Genesis 18:20
Then the Lord said, "I have heard many complaints against the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. They are very evil.
Genesis 19:1
The two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting near the city gate. When he saw them, he got up and went to them and bowed facedown on the ground.
Genesis 19:5
They called to Lot, "Where are the two men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so we can have sexual relations with them."
Genesis 19:6
Lot went outside to them, closing the door behind him.
Genesis 19:8
Look! I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. I will give them to you, and you may do anything you want with them. But please don't do anything to these men. They have come to my house, and I must protect them."
Genesis 19:9
The men around the house answered, "Move out of the way!" Then they said to each other, "This man Lot came to our city as a stranger, and now he wants to tell us what to do!" They said to Lot, "We will do worse things to you than to them." They started pushing him back and were ready to break down the door.
Genesis 19:12
The two men said to Lot, "Do you have any other relatives in this city? Do you have any sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or any other relatives? If you do, tell them to leave now,
Genesis 19:15
At dawn the next morning, the angels begged Lot to hurry. They said, "Go! Take your wife and your two daughters with you so you will not be destroyed when the city is punished."
Genesis 19:16
But Lot delayed. So the two men took the hands of Lot, his wife, and his two daughters and led them safely out of the city. So the Lord was merciful to Lot and his family.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And say ye to Amasa,.... Who was the general of Absalom's army, and who might fear he should never be pardoned, whoever was, and looked upon his case as desperate; who had led on the army with Absalom against the king's threes, and fought them:

[art] thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? nearly related to him, being his sister's son:

God do so to me, and more also: than he had done to Absalom; or he imprecates the greatest evil upon himself that could be thought of or named:

if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab; signifying that he would not only pardon the treason he had been guilty of, but raise him to the highest post in the army; and to assure him of it, of which he might be doubtful, considering what he had done to merit his displeasure, he makes this oath or imprecation. Joab had got his ill will by many instances, as by the murder of Abner, and now by slaying Absalom against his orders; and by his rude and insolent behaviour to him when lamenting the death of his son; he wanted to be rid of him, and now, having an opportunity of putting a valiant man into his place, and thereby attaching him to his interest, he was determined to make use of it.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Of my bone ... - Render as in preceding verse, “art thou not my bone and my flesh?” It is curious to note how the phrase is used in 2 Samuel 5:1 of common descent from Israel, in 2 Samuel 19:12 of the closer kindred of the tribe of Judah, and in this verse of the yet nearer kindred between David and Amasa his sister’s son.

Captain ... in the room of Joab - It is very plain that David felt the weight of Joab’s overbearing influence to be very oppressive (compare 2 Samuel 19:22; 2 Samuel 3:39; 2 Samuel 16:10). He was, at this time, very angry with Joab for killing Absalom; and so, thinking it of vital importance to win over Amasa and the army of Judah, he did not scruple to offer him Joab’s high post.


 
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