Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Whoever touches thorns uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear; they are burned up where they lie.” New Living Translation One must use iron tools to chop them down; they will be totally consumed by fire.” English Standard Version but the man who touches them arms himself with iron and the shaft of a spear, and they are utterly consumed with fire.” Berean Standard Bible The man who touches them must be armed with iron or with the shaft of a spear. The fire burns them to ashes in the place where they lie.” King James Bible But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place. New King James Version But the man who touches them Must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear, And they shall be utterly burned with fire in their place.” New American Standard Bible Instead, the man who touches them Must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear, And they will be completely burned with fire in their place.” NASB 1995 But the man who touches them Must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear, And they will be completely burned with fire in their place.” NASB 1977 But the man who touches them Must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear, And they will be completely burned with fire in their place.” Legacy Standard Bible But the man who touches them Must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear, And they will be completely burned with fire where they sit.” Amplified Bible But the man who touches them Must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear, And they are utterly burned and consumed by fire in their place.” Christian Standard Bible The man who touches them must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear. They will be completely burned up on the spot. Holman Christian Standard Bible The man who touches them must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear. They will be completely burned up on the spot. American Standard Version But the man that toucheth them Must be armed with iron and the staff of a spear: And they shall be utterly burned with fire in their place. Contemporary English Version but with a sharp spear and are burned on the spot. English Revised Version But the man that toucheth them must be armed with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in their place. GOD'S WORD® Translation A person who touches them uses iron [tools] or the shaft of a spear. Fire will burn them up completely wherever they are." Good News Translation You must use an iron tool or a spear; they will be burned completely. International Standard Version Whoever handles them wears heavy duty clothing, carries strong tools, and burns them to ashes on the spot! NET Bible The one who touches them must use an iron instrument or the wooden shaft of a spear. They are completely burned up right where they lie!" New Heart English Bible But the man who touches them must be armed with iron and the staff of a spear. They shall be utterly burned with fire in their place." Webster's Bible Translation But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe man who touches them must be armed with iron or with the shaft of a spear. The fire burns them to ashes in the place where they lie.” World English Bible The man who touches them must be armed with iron and the staff of a spear. They will be utterly burned with fire in their place.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the man who comes against them "" Is filled with iron and the staff of a spear, "" And they are utterly burned with fire "" In the cessation.” Young's Literal Translation And the man who cometh against them Is filled with iron and the staff of a spear, And with fire they are utterly burnt In the cessation.' Smith's Literal Translation And the man laboring in them shall be filled with iron and the wood of a spear; and in fire burning they shall burn in the dwelling. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd if a man will touch them, he must be armed with iron and with the staff of a lance: but they shall be set on fire and burnt to nothing. Catholic Public Domain Version And if anyone wishes to touch them, he must be armed with iron and a wooden lance. And they shall be set ablaze and burned to nothing.” New American Bible One wishing to touch them must be armed with iron or the shaft of a spear. They must be utterly consumed by fire. New Revised Standard Version to touch them one uses an iron bar or the shaft of a spear. And they are entirely consumed in fire on the spot. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut when a man comes near them, he gathers them with the handle of an axe and with iron; and they are utterly burned with fire in the same place. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And whenever a man comes near to them, with handle of an ax and with iron he gathers them and they burn in the fire for a resting place” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But the man that toucheth them Must be armed with iron and the staff of a spear; And they shall be utterly burned with fire in their place. Brenton Septuagint Translation and a man shall not labour among them; and one shall have that which is fully armed with iron, and the staff of a spear, an he shall burn them with fire, and they shall be burnt in their shame. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David's Last Song…6But the worthless are all like thorns raked aside, for they can never be gathered by hand. 7The man who touches them must be armed with iron or with the shaft of a spear. The fire burns them to ashes in the place where they lie.” Cross References Isaiah 27:4 I am not angry. If only thorns and briers confronted Me, I would march and trample them, I would burn them to the ground. Isaiah 33:12 The peoples will be burned to ashes, like thorns cut down and set ablaze. Ezekiel 28:24 For the people of Israel will no longer face a pricking brier or a painful thorn from all around them who treat them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD.’ Micah 7:4 The best of them is like a brier; the most upright is sharper than a hedge of thorns. The day for your watchmen has come, the day of your visitation. Now is the time of their confusion. Psalm 58:9 Before your pots can feel the burning thorns—whether green or dry—He will sweep them away. Psalm 118:12 They swarmed around me like bees, but they were extinguished like burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off. Isaiah 9:18 For wickedness burns like a fire that consumes the thorns and briers and kindles the forest thickets, which roll upward in billows of smoke. Isaiah 10:17 And the Light of Israel will become a fire, and its Holy One a flame. In a single day it will burn and devour Assyria’s thorns and thistles. Isaiah 30:33 For Topheth has long been prepared; it has been made ready for the king. Its funeral pyre is deep and wide, with plenty of fire and wood. The breath of the LORD, like a torrent of burning sulfur, sets it ablaze. Matthew 3:12 His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat into my barn.’” Luke 3:17 His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Hebrews 6:8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned. Revelation 14:18-19 Still another angel, with authority over the fire, came from the altar and called out in a loud voice to the angel with the sharp sickle, “Swing your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the vine of the earth, because its grapes are ripe.” / So the angel swung his sickle over the earth and gathered the grapes of the earth, and he threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath. Revelation 19:15 And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. Treasury of Scripture But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place. fenced [heb] filled 2 Samuel 22:8-10 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth… Isaiah 27:4 Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together. Matthew 3:10-12 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire… Jump to Previous Armed Arms Burned Burnt Cessation Completely Consumed Fenced Filled Fire Iron Provideth Rod Shaft Spear Staff Thorns Tool Touch Touches Toucheth Touching Uses UtterlyJump to Next Armed Arms Burned Burnt Cessation Completely Consumed Fenced Filled Fire Iron Provideth Rod Shaft Spear Staff Thorns Tool Touch Touches Toucheth Touching Uses Utterly2 Samuel 23 1. David, in his last words, professes his faith in God's promises6. The different state of the wicked 8. A catalogue of David's mighty men The man who touches them must be armed with iron or with the shaft of a spear. This phrase refers to the necessity of being equipped with strong and effective tools to handle dangerous or harmful elements. In the context of 2 Samuel 23, David is speaking about the wicked, comparing them to thorns that cannot be easily handled without proper protection. The use of "iron" and "spear" signifies strength and readiness for battle, reflecting the military culture of ancient Israel. Iron was a significant advancement in weaponry during this period, marking the transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age, which allowed for more durable and effective weapons. The imagery of needing a spear or iron to deal with the wicked can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual armor needed to confront evil, as echoed in Ephesians 6:10-18, where believers are encouraged to put on the full armor of God. The fire burns them to ashes in the place where they lie. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe speaker of this passage, King David, is reflecting on his life and reign, providing his final words and insights. 2. Mighty Men The context of this chapter includes the listing of David's mighty men, who were renowned warriors and loyal supporters of David. 3. Thorns Symbolically referenced in this verse, representing wicked or unrighteous people who are difficult to handle and ultimately destined for destruction. 4. Iron and Spear Tools mentioned as necessary for dealing with the "thorns," symbolizing strength and preparedness in confronting evil. 5. Fire Represents judgment and purification, indicating the ultimate fate of the wicked. Teaching Points Preparedness in Spiritual WarfareJust as one must be armed with iron and a spear to handle thorns, Christians must be spiritually equipped to confront evil. This involves putting on the full armor of God. The Consequences of Wickedness The imagery of thorns being burned highlights the ultimate judgment awaiting those who live in opposition to God's ways. It serves as a warning to pursue righteousness. The Role of Judgment Fire as a symbol of judgment reminds believers of God's justice. It encourages self-examination and repentance to avoid the fate of the wicked. The Importance of Discernment Recognizing the "thorns" in our lives—whether they be influences, habits, or relationships—is crucial. We must discern and address these with wisdom and strength. God's Sovereignty and Justice This passage reassures believers of God's control over evil and His promise to ultimately deal with it, providing hope and encouragement in times of trial. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 23:7?2. How does 2 Samuel 23:7 illustrate consequences of opposing God's anointed leaders? 3. What does "touch them" in 2 Samuel 23:7 imply about divine protection? 4. How can we apply the warning in 2 Samuel 23:7 to our lives today? 5. What other scriptures emphasize the importance of respecting God's chosen leaders? 6. How does 2 Samuel 23:7 encourage us to trust in God's ultimate justice? 7. What does 2 Samuel 23:7 mean by "they must be burned with fire"? 8. How does 2 Samuel 23:7 reflect God's judgment and justice? 9. Why are thorns used as a metaphor in 2 Samuel 23:7? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 23? 11. Why does 1 Samuel 8 conflict with later passages that seem to affirm kingship, such as 2 Samuel 7? 12. The chief of the mighty men of David lifted up his spear and killed how many men at one time? Eight hundred (2 Samuel 23:8) Three hundred (I Chronicles 11: 11) 13. (2 Samuel 23:2-3) If these are David's 'last words,' why do other chapters describe David speaking afterward? 14. How do we reconcile the differences between 1 Chronicles 17 and 2 Samuel 7 regarding the details of God's covenant with David? What Does 2 Samuel 23:7 Mean The man who touches them“The man who touches them…” (2 Samuel 23:7) • David has just called the wicked “thorns” (v. 6). Thorns hurt anyone who tries to handle them casually, so David warns that even approaching such people is dangerous. • God’s people may be required to confront evil (Psalm 101:8; Romans 13:3-4), yet we do so aware of the harm sin can inflict. • The phrase reminds us to exercise discernment—friendship with the unrepentant hard-hearted exposes us to spiritual wounds (Proverbs 13:20; 1 Corinthians 15:33). must be armed with iron “…must be armed with iron…” • Iron is a sturdy, unyielding metal. It pictures strength that cannot be bent by the thorn’s barbs. • Practically, the righteous confront evil only with God-given, uncompromising fortitude—His “iron” (Ephesians 6:13-17; Psalm 18:34). • The Lord’s standards are not flexible tools; they are solid weapons, ensuring that sin’s prick cannot penetrate the believer who stands firm (2 Timothy 2:3-4). or with the shaft of a spear “…or with the shaft of a spear.” • A spear’s shaft creates distance. David illustrates that engagement with wickedness must maintain clear separation (2 Corinthians 6:17; Jude 23). • The picture echoes Israel’s warriors who kept opponents at arm’s length (1 Samuel 17:7). Likewise, believers wield the “sword of the Spirit” while avoiding intimate entanglement with evil practices (Ephesians 6:17; 1 Peter 1:14-16). The fire burns them to ashes “…The fire burns them to ashes…” • Thorns were routinely piled and burned (Isaiah 33:12). David says the ultimate end of the wicked is sure judgment by divine fire (Malachi 4:1; Matthew 13:40-42). • Scripture consistently links fire with God’s consuming justice (Hebrews 12:29; Revelation 20:14-15). • The language is literal regarding thorns and prophetic regarding the destiny of unrepentant sinners—total, irreversible ruin (Hebrews 6:8; John 15:6). in the place where they lie “…in the place where they lie.” • Thorns are burned right where they grow; they are not worth relocating. Similarly, the wicked receive judgment precisely where their rebellion is practiced (Genesis 19:24-25; Revelation 18:8). • There is no escape hatch or neutral ground. God’s righteousness reaches every heart and every location (Psalm 139:7-12; Amos 9:2-4). • For the believer, this reinforces the urgency of repentance and of proclaiming salvation while there is time (2 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 3:13). summary David’s closing words contrast God’s enduring covenant with the certain, fiery end of the wicked. The thorns depict those who reject the Lord: dangerous to touch, requiring uncompromising strength and distance, destined for consuming judgment where they stand. Believers confront evil only with the ironclad armor of God and the Spirit-wrought spear of His Word, confident that the Judge of all the earth will do right and ultimately burn away every thorn that defies His rule. (7) Fenced with iron.--The thorns are to be handled with an iron hook on the end of a spear staff. The phrase, "in the same place," is used only here, and its meaning is quite uncertain. The Vulg. translates, to nothing, meaning to utter destruction; the LXX. substitutes the word shame. The English rendering is as well sustained as any.The Chaldee Targum upon these verses is very interesting, as giving the ancient Jewish interpretation of the prophecy. It is a much enlarged paraphrase, but gives a Messianic application to the whole. The following is a close translation of 2Samuel 23:1-3 : "(1) These are the words of the prophecy of David, which he prophesied concerning the end of the age, concerning the days of consolation which are to come. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was exalted to the kingdom said, the anointed by the word of the God of Jacob, and appointed that he might preside over the sweetness of the praises of Israel. (2) David said, In the spirit of prophecy of the Lord I speak these things, and the words of His holiness do I order in my mouth. (3) David said, The God of Israel spake concerning me, the Strong One of Israel who ruleth over the sons of men, the true Judge, said that He would appoint for me a king; He is the Messiah, who shall arise and rule in the fear of the Lord." Hebrew The manוְאִישׁ֙ (wə·’îš) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person [who] touches יִגַּ֣ע (yig·ga‘) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5060: To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike them בָּהֶ֔ם (bā·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew must be armed יִמָּלֵ֥א (yim·mā·lê) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of with iron בַרְזֶ֖ל (ḇar·zel) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1270: Iron, an iron implement or with the shaft וְעֵ֣ץ (wə·‘êṣ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood of a spear. חֲנִ֑ית (ḥă·nîṯ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2595: A lance The fire וּבָאֵ֕שׁ (ū·ḇā·’êš) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 784: A fire will burn them to ashes שָׂר֥וֹף (śā·rō·wp̄) Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute Strong's 8313: To be, on fire in [the] place [where they lie].” בַּשָּֽׁבֶת׃ (baš·šā·ḇeṯ) Preposition-b, Article | Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 7675: Session, an abode, locality Links 2 Samuel 23:7 NIV2 Samuel 23:7 NLT 2 Samuel 23:7 ESV 2 Samuel 23:7 NASB 2 Samuel 23:7 KJV 2 Samuel 23:7 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 23:7 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 23:7 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 23:7 French Bible 2 Samuel 23:7 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 23:7 But the man who touches them must (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
    |