2 Samuel 5:20

“David came to Baal-perazim, and David struck them there; and he said, “YHWH has made a breach in my enemies before me, like a breach of waters.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim.”

2 Samuel 5:20 · direct translation from the Hebrew
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2 Samuel 5:20, word by word

Davidדָוִדdavid

David

David, youngest son of Jesse, of Bethlehem; the second king of Israel. The name means "beloved."

Where else “david” appears
cameיָּבֹאyavo

come

To come, arrive: "days are coming".

Where else “yavo” appears
to Baal-perazimבַעַלvaal

Baal-perazim

Baal-perazim: a place near the Valley of Rephaim where David defeated the Philistines (2 Samuel 5:20). It means "lord of breakthroughs".

Where else “vaal” appears
struck themיַּכֵּyake

defeat

To attack and beat in battle.

Where else “yake” appears
and he saidיֹּאמֶרyomer

say

To say with the mouth to someone what one thinks or wants, or to answer him.

Where else “yomer” appears
“YHWHיְהוָהyehva

YHWH

The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.

Where else “yehva” appears
has made a breachפָּרַץparats

breach

To smash a wall, burst in.

Where else “parats” appears
in my enemiesאֹיְבַoyva

enemy

Enemy, foe: one who hates and opposes another.

Where else “oyva” appears
before meפָנַfana

before

Literally "to the face of": in sight of someone, or on account of something.

Where else “fana” appears
like a breachפֶרֶץferets

breach

Breach, opening made by breaking through.

Where else “ferets” appears
of watersמָיִםmayim

water

Water: for drinking, of rivers or seas.

Where else “mayim” appears
he calledקָרָאkara

name

To give someone a name.

Where else “kara” appears
the nameשֵׁםshem

name

The word by which a person, place or thing is called and recognized.

Where else “shem” appears
placeמָּקוֹםmakom

place

A place, a spot.

Where else “makom” appears

Translation note

“Baal-perazim” means “lord of breaches.”

Parallel passages

Other books that tell the same thing or quote these words.

David defeats the Philistines

1 Chronicles 14:8-17

See them side by side

2 Samuel 5:17-25

17When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David as king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David; and David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. 18Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 19David inquired of YHWH, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” YHWH said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” 20David came to Baal-perazim, and David struck them there; and he said, “YHWH has made a breach in my enemies before me, like a breach of waters.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim. 21They abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them away. 22The Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 23David inquired of YHWH, and he said, “You shall not go up; circle around behind them and come at them opposite the balsam trees. 24And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then act decisively, for then YHWH will have gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” 25David did so, as YHWH had commanded him, and he struck the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.

1 Chronicles 14:8-17

8The Philistines heard that David had been anointed as king over all Israel, and all the Philistines went up to seek David; and David heard of it and went out before them. 9The Philistines had come and made a raid in the Valley of Rephaim. 10David inquired of Elohim, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” YHWH said to him, “Go up, and I will give them into your hand.” 11They went up to Baal-perazim, and David struck them there; and David said, “Elohim has made a breach in my enemies by my hand, like a breach of waters.” Therefore they called the name of that place Baal-perazim. 12They abandoned there their gods, and David gave the order, and they were burned with fire. 13Once more the Philistines made a raid in the valley. 14David inquired again of Elohim, and Elohim said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around away from them and come at them opposite the balsam trees. 15And it will be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall go out to war, for Elohim will have gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” 16David did as Elohim had commanded him, and they struck the camp of the Philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer. 17The name of David went out into all the lands, and YHWH put the dread of him on all the nations.

The context

19David inquired of YHWH, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” YHWH said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”

20 · This verse (above)

21They abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.

Read all of 2 Samuel 5

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