Verse Meaning2 SamuelComplex verse
2 Samuel 8:2: Meaning Explained
And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he...
2 Samuel 8:2
“He struck Moab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. The Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute.”
What Does This Verse Mean?
David defeated the people of Moab. He divided them into groups - some he killed and some he spared to become his servants and pay taxes to him.
What’s Happening Here
This was part of David expanding his kingdom by defeating the surrounding nations and making them serve him.
Key Words
Moaba neighboring country that fought against Israel
servantspeople who work for and obey a master
tributemoney or goods paid as tax
Why It Matters
As David's kingdom grew stronger, he made neighboring countries serve him and pay taxes.
Did You Know?
Making other nations into servants helped David build the strongest kingdom Israel had ever had.
Word Study
H5221
And he smoteוַיַּ֣ךְ
H4124
And so the Moabitesמוֹאָב֙
H4058
and measuredוַיְמַדֵּ֤ד
H2256
lineהַחֶ֖בֶל
H7901
casting them downהַשְׁכֵּ֣ב
H776
to the groundאַ֔רְצָה
H8147
even with twoשְׁנֵֽי
H4191
he to put to deathלְהָמִ֔ית
H4393
and with one fullוּמְלֹ֥א
H2421
to keep aliveלְהַֽחֲי֑וֹת
H1732
became David'sלְדָוִ֔ד
H5650
servantsלַֽעֲבָדִ֖ים
H5375
and broughtנֹֽשְׂאֵ֥י
H4503
giftsמִנְחָֽה׃
Cross References
Continue Exploring
Read 2 Samuel 8:2 in the Bible reader, or explore the full chapter summary.