2 Samuel 11:16
New International Version
So while Joab had the city under siege, he put Uriah at a place where he knew the strongest defenders were.

New Living Translation
So Joab assigned Uriah to a spot close to the city wall where he knew the enemy’s strongest men were fighting.

English Standard Version
And as Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew there were valiant men.

Berean Standard Bible
So as Joab besieged the city, he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew the strongest enemy soldiers were.

King James Bible
And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.

New King James Version
So it was, while Joab besieged the city, that he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew there were valiant men.

New American Standard Bible
So it was as Joab kept watch on the city, that he stationed Uriah at the place where he knew there were valiant men.

NASB 1995
So it was as Joab kept watch on the city, that he put Uriah at the place where he knew there were valiant men.

NASB 1977
So it was as Joab kept watch on the city, that he put Uriah at the place where he knew there were valiant men.

Legacy Standard Bible
So it was as Joab kept watch on the city, that he put Uriah at the place where he knew there were valiant men.

Amplified Bible
So it happened that as Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew the [enemy’s] valiant men were positioned.

Christian Standard Bible
When Joab was besieging the city, he put Uriah in the place where he knew the best enemy soldiers were.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Joab was besieging the city, he put Uriah in the place where he knew the best enemy soldiers were.

American Standard Version
And it came to pass, when Joab kept watch upon the city, that he assigned Uriah unto the place where he knew that valiant men were.

Contemporary English Version
Joab had been carefully watching the city of Rabbah, and he put Uriah in a place where he knew there were some of the enemy's best soldiers.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass, when Joab kept watch upon the city, that he assigned Uriah unto the place where he knew that valiant men were.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Since Joab had kept the city under observation, he put Uriah at the place where he knew the experienced warriors were.

Good News Translation
So while Joab was besieging the city, he sent Uriah to a place where he knew the enemy was strong.

International Standard Version
So as Joab began to attack the city, he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew valiant men would be stationed.

Majority Standard Bible
So as Joab besieged the city, he assigned Uriah to a place where he saw the strongest enemy soldiers.

NET Bible
So as Joab kept watch on the city, he stationed Uriah at the place where he knew the best enemy soldiers were.

New Heart English Bible
It happened, when Joab kept watch on the city, that he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew that valiant men were.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew that valiant men were.

World English Bible
When Joab kept watch on the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew that valiant men were.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass in Joab’s watching of the city, that he appoints Uriah to the place where he knew that valiant men [were];

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass in Joab's watching of the city, that he appointeth Uriah unto the place where he knew that valiant men are;

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be in Joab's watching the city, and he will give Uriah to the place where he knew that strong men were there.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Wherefore as Joab was besieging the city, he put Urias in the place where he knew the bravest men were.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, when Joab was besieging the city, he positioned Uriah in the place where he knew the strongest men to be.

New American Bible
So while Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew the defenders were strong.

New Revised Standard Version
As Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew there were valiant warriors.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So when Joab besieged the city, he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew that valiant men were.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And as Yuab camped by the city, he appointed Uriah to a place where he knew that mighty men were
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass, when Joab kept watch upon the city, that he assigned Uriah unto the place where he knew that valiant men were.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass while Joab was watching against the city, that he set Urias in a place where he knew that valiant men were.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Arranges Uriah's Death
15In the letter he wrote: “Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle; then withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and killed.” 16So as Joab besieged the city, he assigned Uriah to a place where he saw the strongest enemy soldiers. 17And when the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of David’s servants fell, and Uriah the Hittite also died.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 12:9
Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own. You have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites.

1 Kings 15:5
For David had done what was right in the eyes of the LORD and had not turned aside from anything the LORD commanded all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

Psalm 51:1-4
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. / Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. / For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. ...

Matthew 5:28
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

James 1:14-15
But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Proverbs 6:32-33
He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. / Wounds and dishonor will befall him, and his reproach will never be wiped away.

Genesis 3:6
When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.

Romans 6:12-13
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires. / Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.

Galatians 6:7-8
Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. / The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Exodus 20:13-14
You shall not murder. / You shall not commit adultery.

Matthew 5:21-22
You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.

Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?


Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew that valiant men were.

he assigned

2 Samuel 11:21
Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

2 Samuel 3:27
And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

2 Samuel 20:9,10
And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him…

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Appointeth Assigned Besieging Best City Clear Fighters Joab Jo'ab Joab's Kept Observed Siege Strongest Uriah Uri'ah Urijah Valiant Watch Watching
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2 Samuel 11
1. While Joab besieges Rabbah, David commits adultery with Bathsheba
6. Uriah, sent for by David to cover the adultery, would not go home.
14. He carries to Joab the letter of his death
18. Joab sends the news thereof to David
26. David takes Bathsheba as his wife














So as Joab besieged the city
The phrase "Joab besieged the city" refers to the military campaign led by Joab, King David's commander, against the Ammonite city of Rabbah. The Hebrew root for "besieged" is "tsur," which means to lay siege or to encircle. This action is a common military strategy in ancient warfare, where a city would be surrounded to cut off supplies and force surrender. Historically, sieges were prolonged and grueling, often leading to significant loss of life and resources. Joab's role as a military leader is crucial here, as he is executing the king's orders, albeit with a hidden agenda orchestrated by David himself.

he assigned Uriah
The word "assigned" comes from the Hebrew "sum," meaning to place or set. Joab's assignment of Uriah, a loyal and valiant soldier, to a dangerous position was not a random act but a calculated decision influenced by King David's instructions. Uriah, a Hittite by descent, was one of David's mighty men, known for his bravery and loyalty. This assignment was a betrayal of Uriah's trust and dedication, highlighting the moral decline in David's leadership at this point in the narrative.

to a place where he knew there were valiant men
The phrase "valiant men" is translated from the Hebrew "gibborim," which refers to mighty or strong warriors. These were seasoned fighters, known for their courage and skill in battle. By placing Uriah in such a location, Joab ensured that Uriah would be in the thick of the fiercest fighting, increasing the likelihood of his death. This strategic placement was not for military advantage but to fulfill David's ulterior motive of eliminating Uriah. The historical context here underscores the gravity of David's sin, as he manipulates his military resources for personal gain, leading to the unjust death of a faithful servant.

(16) Observed the city.--The word means watched, or blockaded. In the operations of the siege Joab so arranged some of his forces as to invite a sally from the city under circumstances in which it would be successful. It appears from 2Samuel 11:24 that Uriah's party had been sent so near as to come within reach of the archers on the wall.

Verse 16. - When Joab observed the city; Revised Version, kept watch upon the city. This does net mean, as some suppose, that Joab sent a body of men to examine the fortifications with a view to an assault, and so provoked a sally. The verb simply refers to the ordinary operations of a siege, which usually resolved itself into a long blockade, continued until starvation compelled a surrender; and to hasten this the people of the villages were forced into the town, by the rule that all left outside were put to the sword. To maintain the blockade, men were posted at all fit points round the city, and these were constantly assailed by the besieged. Joab then placed Uriah at a post which was especially the object of attack; and when the usual sally took place and was repulsed, Joab seems to have ordered Uriah to pursue them up to the very gate, where they would be exposed to a shower of arrows from the walls. Others fell besides Uriah, and that the loss was considerable, and the result of bad generalship, though designedly such, seems probable from the deprecation of the king's anger in ver. 20.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So as
וַיְהִ֕י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

Joab
יוֹאָ֖ב (yō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites

besieged
בִּשְׁמ֥וֹר (biš·mō·wr)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

the city,
הָעִ֑יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

he assigned
וַיִּתֵּן֙ (way·yit·tên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

Uriah
א֣וּרִיָּ֔ה (’ū·rî·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 223: Uriah -- 'flame of Yah', the name of a Hittite and of two Israelites

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

a place
הַמָּקוֹם֙ (ham·mā·qō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

where
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

he saw
יָדַ֔ע (yā·ḏa‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

the strongest enemy soldiers.
אַנְשֵׁי־ (’an·šê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person


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OT History: 2 Samuel 11:16 It happened when Joab kept watch (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 11:15
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