2 Samuel 2:29
New International Version
All that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, continued through the morning hours and came to Mahanaim.

New Living Translation
All that night Abner and his men retreated through the Jordan Valley. They crossed the Jordan River, traveling all through the morning, and didn’t stop until they arrived at Mahanaim.

English Standard Version
And Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, and marching the whole morning, they came to Mahanaim.

Berean Standard Bible
And all that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, marched all morning, and arrived at Mahanaim.

King James Bible
And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.

New King James Version
Then Abner and his men went on all that night through the plain, crossed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron; and they came to Mahanaim.

New American Standard Bible
Abner and his men then went through the Arabah all that night; so they crossed the Jordan, walked all morning, and came to Mahanaim.

NASB 1995
Abner and his men then went through the Arabah all that night; so they crossed the Jordan, walked all morning, and came to Mahanaim.

NASB 1977
Abner and his men then went through the Arabah all that night; so they crossed the Jordan, walked all morning, and came to Mahanaim.

Legacy Standard Bible
But Abner and his men then went through the Arabah all that night; so they crossed the Jordan, walked all morning, and came to Mahanaim.

Amplified Bible
Then Abner and his men went through the Arabah (desert region) all that night, crossed the Jordan, went through Bithron and walked the whole morning and came to Mahanaim [where Ish-bosheth ruled Israel].

Christian Standard Bible
So Abner and his men marched through the Arabah all that night. They crossed the Jordan, marched all morning, and arrived at Mahanaim.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So Abner and his men marched through the Arabah all that night. They crossed the Jordan, marched all morning, and arrived at Mahanaim.

American Standard Version
And Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim.

Contemporary English Version
Abner and his troops marched through the Jordan River valley all that night. Then they crossed the river and marched all morning until they arrived back at Mahanaim.

English Revised Version
And Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Abner and his men marched through the plains all that night. They crossed the Jordan River and passed through the entire Bithron until they came to Mahanaim.

Good News Translation
Abner and his men marched through the Jordan Valley all that night; they crossed the Jordan River, and after marching all the next morning, they arrived back at Mahanaim.

International Standard Version
Abner and his army traveled through the Arabah by night, crossed the Jordan, and arrived at Mahanaim after marching all morning.

Majority Standard Bible
And all that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, marched all morning, and arrived at Mahanaim.

NET Bible
Abner and his men went through the Arabah all that night. They crossed the Jordan River and went through the whole region of Bitron and came to Mahanaim.

New Heart English Bible
Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over the Jordan, and marched the whole morning, and came to Mahanaim.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.

World English Bible
Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Abner and his men have gone through the plain all that night, and pass over the Jordan, and go on [through] all Bithron, and come to Mahanaim.

Young's Literal Translation
And Abner and his men have gone through the plain all that night, and pass over the Jordan, and go on through all Bithron, and come in to Mahanaim.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Abner and his men went in the sterile region all that night, and they will pass over Jordan and will go to all Bithron, and will come to the two camps.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plains: and they passed the Jordan, and having gone through all Beth-horon, came to the camp.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Abner and his men went away, all that night, through the plains. And they crossed the Jordan, and having roamed throughout all of Beth-horon, they arrived in the camp.

New American Bible
Abner and his men marched all night long through the Arabah, crossed the Jordan, marched all through the morning, and came to Mahanaim.

New Revised Standard Version
Abner and his men traveled all that night through the Arabah; they crossed the Jordan, and, marching the whole forenoon, they came to Mahanaim.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Abner and his men walked all that night in the desert, and crossed the Jordan, and went toward Geshur, and they came to Mahanaim.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abnir and his Servants walked in the desert all that night, and they did not cross the Jordan, and they went to the face of Geshur and they came to Makhnim
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abenner and his men departed at evening, and went all that night, and crossed over Jordan, and went along the whole adjacent country, and they come to the camp.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
War Between the Houses of David and Saul
28So Joab blew the ram’s horn, and all the troops stopped; they no longer pursued Israel or continued to fight. 29And all that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, marched all morning, and arrived at Mahanaim. 30When Joab returned from pursuing Abner, he gathered all the troops. In addition to Asahel, nineteen of David’s servants were missing,…

Cross References
1 Samuel 30:1-2
On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag, and the Amalekites had raided the Negev, attacked Ziklag, and burned it down. / They had taken captive the women and all who were there, both young and old. They had not killed anyone, but had carried them off as they went on their way.

2 Samuel 3:1
Now the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was protracted. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

1 Kings 2:32
The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army.

Judges 20:42-45
So they fled before the men of Israel toward the wilderness, but the battle overtook them, and the men coming out of the cities struck them down there. / They surrounded the Benjamites, pursued them, and easily overtook them in the vicinity of Gibeah on the east. / And 18,000 Benjamites fell, all men of valor. ...

1 Samuel 14:47-48
After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he routed them. / He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of its plunderers.

1 Samuel 31:1-2
Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa. / The Philistines hotly pursued Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.

2 Samuel 5:17-25
When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went down to the stronghold. / Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. / So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go up,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.” ...

1 Chronicles 12:19-22
Some from Manasseh defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. (They did not help the Philistines because the Philistine rulers consulted and sent David away, saying, “It will cost us our heads if he defects to his master Saul.”) / When David went to Ziklag, these men of Manasseh defected to him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, chiefs of thousands in Manasseh. / They helped David against the raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor and commanders in the army. ...

1 Kings 15:16
Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their days.

2 Kings 14:12
And Judah was routed before Israel, and every man fled to his home.

Psalm 18:37-42
I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back until they were consumed. / I crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet. / You have armed me with strength for battle; You have subdued my foes beneath me. ...

Isaiah 10:26
And the LORD of Hosts will brandish a whip against them, as when He struck Midian at the rock of Oreb. He will raise His staff over the sea, as He did in Egypt.

Jeremiah 46:5
Why am I seeing this? They are terrified, they are retreating; their warriors are defeated, they flee in haste without looking back; terror is on every side!” declares the LORD.

Matthew 24:16-18
then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak.

Mark 13:14-16
So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop go back inside to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak.


Treasury of Scripture

And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.

Bithron.

2 Samuel 2:22
And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?

2 Samuel 2:20
Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.

Song of Solomon 2:17
Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.

Bether

2 Samuel 2:12
And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

Jump to Previous
Abner Arabah Continued Crossed Jordan Mahanaim Mahana'im Marched Marching Morning Night Passed Plain Walked Whole
Jump to Next
Abner Arabah Continued Crossed Jordan Mahanaim Mahana'im Marched Marching Morning Night Passed Plain Walked Whole
2 Samuel 2
1. David, by God's direction, with his company goes up to Hebron
4. where he is made king of Judah
5. He commends them of Jabesh Gilead for their king of Israel
8. Abner makes Ishbosheth king of Israel
12. A mortal skirmish between twelve of Abner's and twelve of Joab's men.
18. Asahel is slain
25. At Abner's motion, Joab sounds a retreat
32. Asahel's burial














And all that night
The phrase "all that night" indicates a continuous and determined effort by Abner and his men. In the Hebrew context, night often symbolizes a time of trial or testing. Abner's journey through the night can be seen as a metaphor for perseverance through difficult circumstances. This reflects the Christian call to remain steadfast in faith, even when the path is dark and uncertain.

Abner and his men
Abner, the son of Ner, was a significant military leader and the commander of Saul's army. His leadership is crucial in the narrative of Israel's early monarchy. Historically, Abner's role underscores the importance of strong leadership and loyalty, even amidst political turmoil. His men, loyal to him, represent the unity and strength found in following a righteous leader, a theme echoed throughout Scripture.

marched through the Arabah
The Arabah is a desert region, a challenging terrain that requires resilience and endurance. In biblical symbolism, the desert often represents a place of testing and purification. Abner's march through the Arabah can be seen as a journey of purification and preparation, much like the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. It serves as a reminder of the spiritual growth that occurs through trials.

They crossed the Jordan
Crossing the Jordan River is a significant biblical motif, symbolizing transition and new beginnings. Historically, the Jordan River was a boundary marker, and crossing it often signified entering into a new phase or territory. For Abner and his men, this crossing could represent a strategic move in the ongoing conflict, but spiritually, it echoes the Christian journey of faith, moving from the old life into the new life in Christ.

continued all morning
The phrase "continued all morning" suggests persistence and the dawning of a new day. Morning in Scripture often symbolizes hope, renewal, and divine favor. Abner's relentless pursuit through the night into the morning can inspire believers to press on through their darkest hours, trusting that God's mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

and came to Mahanaim
Mahanaim, meaning "two camps" in Hebrew, was a place of refuge and strategic importance. It was a city east of the Jordan, historically significant as a place where Jacob encountered angels (Genesis 32:1-2). For Abner, reaching Mahanaim signifies a temporary haven and a strategic stronghold. Spiritually, it represents the believer's refuge in God, a place of divine encounter and protection amidst life's battles.

(29) Through the plain (or the Arabah).--The wilderness of Gibeon lay to the east of the town, and Abner's flight had thus carried him towards the Jordan. He now passed up the valley of the Jordan (which the word here used generally designates), and, crossing at a ford, went "through all Bithron to Mahanaim." Bithron is evidently the name of a district on the east of the Jordan, but is not further known.

Verse 29. - And Abner and his men walked all that night. At the end of the chapter we learn that Joab did the same. Each army had about twenty-six miles to march, and the night was less exhausting for a long walk than the day. As soon, then, as Abner saw Joab and his men occupied with the removal of Asahel's body, he withdrew from the hill of Ammah, and, passing through the Arabah, or plain of Jordan, crossed the river by the same ford which he had used when starting on his unfortunate errand, and so returned home. The phrase, all Bithron, shows that this was a district, but nothing more of it is known.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And all
כֹּ֖ל (kōl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

that
הַה֑וּא (ha·hū)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

night
הַלַּ֣יְלָה (hal·lay·lāh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity

Abner
וְאַבְנֵ֣ר (wə·’aḇ·nêr)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 74: Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name

and his men
וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֗יו (wa·’ă·nā·šāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 582: Man, mankind

marched
הָֽלְכוּ֙ (hā·lə·ḵū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

through the Arabah.
בָּֽעֲרָבָ֔ה (bā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6160: Arabah -- a steppe or desert plain, also a desert valley running south from the Sea of Galilee

They crossed
וַיַּעַבְר֣וּ (way·ya·‘aḇ·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

the Jordan,
הַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן (hay·yar·dên)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3383: Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine

marched
וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙ (way·yê·lə·ḵū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

morning,
הַבִּתְר֔וֹן (hab·biṯ·rō·wn)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1338: Forenoon

and arrived
וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

at Mahanaim.
מַחֲנָֽיִם׃ (ma·ḥă·nā·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4266: Mahanaim -- 'two camps', a place East of the Jordan


Links
2 Samuel 2:29 NIV
2 Samuel 2:29 NLT
2 Samuel 2:29 ESV
2 Samuel 2:29 NASB
2 Samuel 2:29 KJV

2 Samuel 2:29 BibleApps.com
2 Samuel 2:29 Biblia Paralela
2 Samuel 2:29 Chinese Bible
2 Samuel 2:29 French Bible
2 Samuel 2:29 Catholic Bible

OT History: 2 Samuel 2:29 Abner and his men went all that (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 2:28
Top of Page
Top of Page