2 Samuel 11:3
New International Version
and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.”

New Living Translation
He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.”

English Standard Version
And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?”

Berean Standard Bible
So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.”

King James Bible
And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

New King James Version
So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?”

New American Standard Bible
So David sent servants and inquired about the woman. And someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?”

NASB 1995
So David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?”

NASB 1977
So David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?”

Legacy Standard Bible
So David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?”

Amplified Bible
David sent word and inquired about the woman. Someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?”

Christian Standard Bible
So David sent someone to inquire about her, and he said, “Isn’t this Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam and wife of Uriah the Hethite? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So David sent someone to inquire about her, and he reported, “This is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam and wife of Uriah the Hittite.”

American Standard Version
And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

English Revised Version
And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
David sent someone to ask about the woman. The man said, "She's Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam and wife of Uriah the Hittite."

Good News Translation
So he sent a messenger to find out who she was, and learned that she was Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.

International Standard Version
David sent word to inquire about her, and someone told him, "This is Eliam's daughter Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, isn't it?"

Majority Standard Bible
So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.”

NET Bible
So David sent someone to inquire about the woman. The messenger said, "Isn't this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?"

New Heart English Bible
And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, "Isn't this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hethite?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

World English Bible
David sent and inquired after the woman. One said, “Isn’t this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, Uriah the Hittite’s wife?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and David sends and inquires about the woman, and [someone] says, “Is this not Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, wife of Uriah the Hittite?”

Young's Literal Translation
and David sendeth and inquireth about the woman, and saith, 'Is not this Bath-Sheba, daughter of Eliam, wife of Uriah the Hittite?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will send and seek for the woman, and say, Is not this Bath-Sheba, daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king sent, and inquired who the woman was. And it was told him, that she was Bethsabee the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Urias the Hethite.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, the king sent and inquired who the woman might be. And it was reported to him that she was Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah, the Hittite.

New American Bible
David sent people to inquire about the woman and was told, “She is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, and wife of Uriah the Hittite, Joab’s armor-bearer.”

New Revised Standard Version
David sent someone to inquire about the woman. It was reported, “This is Bathsheba daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Ahinam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David sent and inquired about the woman, and they said: “This is Barthsheba, daughter of Akhinam, the wife of Uriah the Khitite”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said: 'Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And David sent and enquired about the woman: and one said, Is not this Bersabee the daughter of Eliab, the wife of Urias the Chettite?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David and Bathsheba
2One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. 3So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4Then David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. (Now she had just purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned home.…

Cross References
Matthew 1:6
and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,

1 Chronicles 3:5
and these sons were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. These four were born to him by Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel.

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 51:1-2
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.

Psalm 32:1-5
Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. / Blessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him, in whose spirit there is no deceit. / When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. ...

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.

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.

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.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13
So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall. / 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.

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 John 2:16
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.

Genesis 39:7-10
and after some time his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph and said, “Sleep with me.” / But he refused. “Look,” he said to his master’s wife, “with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in his house, and he has entrusted everything he owns to my care. / No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?” ...

Proverbs 7:6-27
For at the window of my house I looked through the lattice. / I saw among the simple, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking judgment, / crossing the street near her corner, strolling down the road to her house, ...

Galatians 5:16-17
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. / For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.

Ephesians 5:3-5
But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. / Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. / For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.


Treasury of Scripture

And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

sent

Jeremiah 5:8
They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife.

Hosea 7:6,7
For they have made ready their heart like an oven, whiles they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire…

James 1:14,15
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed…

Bath-sheba.

1 Chronicles 3:5
And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel:

Uriah

2 Samuel 23:39
Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.

1 Chronicles 11:41
Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,

Jump to Previous
Bathsheba Bath-Sheba Bathshe'ba Daughter David Eliam Eli'am Find Hittite Inquired Someone Uriah Uri'ah Urijah Wife
Jump to Next
Bathsheba Bath-Sheba Bathshe'ba Daughter David Eliam Eli'am Find Hittite Inquired Someone Uriah Uri'ah Urijah Wife
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 David sent and inquired about the woman
This phrase marks the beginning of a pivotal moment in King David's life. The Hebrew root for "sent" is שָׁלַח (shalach), which often implies a deliberate action or mission. David's sending of messengers to inquire reflects a moment of decision that would lead to significant consequences. In the context of ancient Israel, kings had the authority to send and command, yet this action reveals a lapse in David's moral judgment. The act of inquiring, from the Hebrew דָּרַשׁ (darash), suggests a seeking or searching, indicating David's growing interest and desire, which contrasts with his duty to uphold righteousness.

and he was told
This phrase introduces the response David receives, highlighting the role of communication and the importance of counsel. The Hebrew word for "told" is נָגַד (nagad), meaning to declare or make known. This implies that the information was presented clearly and openly, leaving David without excuse. In a broader biblical context, being told or informed often serves as a moment of truth, where one must choose between right and wrong.

Isn't this Bathsheba
The mention of Bathsheba by name personalizes the narrative and introduces her as a key figure. The name Bathsheba, בַּת־שֶׁבַע (Bath-Sheva), means "daughter of the oath" or "daughter of abundance." Her introduction by name signifies her importance in the unfolding events and foreshadows her significant role in Israel's history. The narrative does not initially describe her character or virtues, focusing instead on her identity and relationships.

the daughter of Eliam
This phrase provides Bathsheba's lineage, linking her to Eliam, whose name means "God is my kinsman." Eliam was one of David's mighty men (2 Samuel 23:34), suggesting that Bathsheba came from a family of notable standing and loyalty to David. This connection underscores the gravity of David's actions, as they betray not only Uriah but also a family loyal to him.

and the wife of Uriah the Hittite
Identifying Bathsheba as Uriah's wife emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and the seriousness of David's impending sin. Uriah, a Hittite, was also one of David's mighty men, highlighting his dedication and valor. The term "Hittite" indicates Uriah's ethnic background, showing the diversity within David's army and the integration of foreigners into Israelite society. This phrase serves as a stark reminder of the covenant of marriage and the betrayal that David's actions would entail.

(3) Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam.--Her name is spelt in Chronicles Bath-shua, and her father's name is said to be Ammiel. Ammiel and Eliam are the same name with its component parts transposed, as Scripture names are often varied: God's people and the people of God.

Wife of Uriah the Hittite.--His name appears (2Samuel 23:39) in the list of David's thirty chief heroes, and the whole story represents him as a brave and noble-minded soldier. David had now given rein to his guilty passion so far that the knowledge of Bath-sheba's being a married woman, and the wife of one of his chief warriors, does not check him.

Verse 3. - Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam. In 2 Samuel 23:34 Eliam is said to be the son of Ahithophel, and thus Bathsheba would be his granddaughter. Mr. Blunt, in his 'Undesigned Coincidences,' p. 143, et seq., sees in this the explanation of the adherence to the side of Absalom of a man so high in King David's service. It was the result of his indignation at David's profligate treat-meat of so near a relative. In 1 Chronicles 3:5 she is called "Bathshua, the daughter of Ammiel." The latter is a transposition of Eliam, both names being compounded of Am, people, and El, God. Uriah the Hittite. We read in 2 Samuel 23:39 that he was one of David's "mighties," and it is remarkable that we should thus find high in rank in David's army a member of that grand race who had disputed with Egypt and Assyria the empire of the East. Their head now was Toi, King of Hamath.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So David
דָּוִ֔ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

sent
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

and inquired
וַיִּדְרֹ֖שׁ (way·yiḏ·rōš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship

about the woman,
לָֽאִשָּׁ֑ה (lā·’iš·šāh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

and he was told,
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“This
זֹאת֙ (zōṯ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

is Bathsheba,
שֶׁ֣בַע (še·ḇa‘)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1339: Bathsheba -- perhaps 'daughter of oath', the mother of Solomon

the daughter
בַּת־ (baṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

of Eliam
אֱלִיעָ֔ם (’ĕ·lî·‘ām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 463: Eliam -- 'God is kinsman', an Israelite name

and the wife
אֵ֖שֶׁת (’ê·šeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

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

the Hittite.”
הַחִתִּֽי׃ (ha·ḥit·tî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2850: Hittite -- a Chittite


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OT History: 2 Samuel 11:3 David send and inquired after the woman (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 11:2
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