Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version After crossing the Jordan, they camped near Aroer, south of the town in the gorge, and then went through Gad and on to Jazer. New Living Translation First they crossed the Jordan and camped at Aroer, south of the town in the valley, in the direction of Gad. Then they went on to Jazer, English Standard Version They crossed the Jordan and began from Aroer, and from the city that is in the middle of the valley, toward Gad and on to Jazer. Berean Standard Bible They crossed the Jordan and camped near Aroer, south of the town in the middle of the valley, and proceeded toward Gad and Jazer. Berean Literal Bible And they passed over the Jordan and camped in Aroer, on the right side of the city which is in the midst of the valley, toward Gad and to Jazer. King James Bible And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer: New King James Version And they crossed over the Jordan and camped in Aroer, on the right side of the town which is in the midst of the ravine of Gad, and toward Jazer. New American Standard Bible They crossed the Jordan and camped in Aroer, on the right side of the city that is in the middle of the Valley of Gad and toward Jazer. NASB 1995 They crossed the Jordan and camped in Aroer, on the right side of the city that is in the middle of the valley of Gad and toward Jazer. NASB 1977 And they crossed the Jordan and camped in Aroer, on the right side of the city that is in the middle of the valley of Gad, and toward Jazer. Legacy Standard Bible And they crossed the Jordan and camped in Aroer, on the right side of the city that is in the middle of the valley of Gad and toward Jazer. Amplified Bible They crossed over the Jordan and camped in Aroer, on the south side of the city which is in the middle of the river valley [of the Arnon] toward Gad, and on toward Jazer. Berean Annotated Bible They crossed the Jordan (flowing down) and camped near Aroer (ruins), south of the town in the middle of the valley, and proceeded toward Gad (troop) and Jazer (helped). Christian Standard Bible They crossed the Jordan and camped in Aroer, south of the town in the middle of the valley, and then proceeded toward Gad and Jazer. Holman Christian Standard Bible They crossed the Jordan and camped in Aroer, south of the town in the middle of the valley, and then proceeded toward Gad and Jazer. American Standard Version And they passed over the Jordan, and encamped in Aroer, on the right side of the city that is in the middle of the valley of Gad, and unto Jazer: Contemporary English Version They crossed the Jordan River and began with Aroer and the town in the middle of the river valley. From there they went toward Gad and on as far as Jazer. English Revised Version And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that is in the middle of the valley of Gad, and unto Jazer. GOD'S WORD® Translation They crossed the Jordan River and camped at Aroer, south of the city in the middle of the valley. Then they went to Gad and to Jazer. Good News Translation They crossed the Jordan and camped south of Aroer, the city in the middle of the valley, in the territory of Gad. From there they went north to Jazer, International Standard Version They crossed the Jordan River, encamped at Aroer south of the town that is located in the river valley, proceeding through Gad and then on toward Jazer. NET Bible They crossed the Jordan and camped at Aroer, on the south side of the city, at the wadi of Gad, near Jazer. New Heart English Bible They crossed over the Jordan and began from Aroer, and from the city that is in the middle of the valley of Gad; then on to Jazer. Webster's Bible Translation And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and towards Jazer: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThey crossed the Jordan and camped near Aroer, south of the town in the middle of the valley, and proceeded toward Gad and Jazer. World English Bible They passed over the Jordan and encamped in Aroer, on the right side of the city that is in the middle of the valley of Gad, and to Jazer; Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand they pass over the Jordan, and encamp in Aroer, on the right of the city that [is] in the midst of the Brook of Gad, and to Jazer, Berean Literal Bible And they passed over the Jordan and camped in Aroer, on the right side of the city which is in the midst of the valley, toward Gad and to Jazer. Young's Literal Translation and they pass over the Jordan, and encamp in Aroer, on the right of the city that is in the midst of the brook of Gad, and unto Jazer, Smith's Literal Translation And they will pass over Jordan, and they will encamp in Aroer, the right hand of the city which is in the midst of the torrent of Gad, and towards Jazer: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when they had passed the Jordan, they came to Aroer to the right side of the city, which is in the vale of Gad. Catholic Public Domain Version And when they had passed across the Jordan, they arrived at Aroer, to the right of the city, which is in the Valley of Gad. New American Bible Crossing the Jordan, they began near Aroer, south of the city in the wadi, and turned in the direction of Gad toward Jazer. New Revised Standard Version They crossed the Jordan, and began from Aroer and from the city that is in the middle of the valley, toward Gad and on to Jazer. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd they crossed the Jordan and came to Sharob, which is on the right side of the city that lies in the midst of the valley of Gad and toward Eleazer; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And they crossed the Jordan and they came to Sharub that was on the right side of the city that was within the valley of Gad and of Eliazar OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And they passed over the Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that is in the middle of the valley of Gad, and unto Jazer; Brenton Septuagint Translation And they went over Jordan, and encamped in Aroer, on the right of the city which is in the midst of the valley of Gad and Eliezer. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David's Military Census…4Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab and against the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army departed from the presence of the king to count the troops of Israel. 5They crossed the Jordan and camped near Aroer, south of the town in the middle of the valley, and proceeded toward Gad and Jazer. 6Then they went to Gilead and the land of Tahtim-hodshi, and on to Dan-jaan and around to Sidon.… Cross References They crossed the Jordan Joshua 3:14-17 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of them. / Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, / the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. … Joshua 4:1-3 When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua, / “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, / and command them: ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan where the priests were standing, carry them with you, and set them down in the place where you spend the night.’” and camped near Aroer, Deuteronomy 2:36 From Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along with the city in the valley, even as far as Gilead, not one city had walls too high for us. The LORD our God gave us all of them. Joshua 12:2 Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon. He ruled from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along the middle of the valley, up to the Jabbok River (the border of the Ammonites), that is, half of Gilead, south of the town in the middle of the valley, Joshua 13:16 The territory from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along with the city in the middle of the valley, to the whole plateau beyond Medeba, Deuteronomy 3:12 So at that time we took possession of this land. To the Reubenites and Gadites I gave the land beyond Aroer along the Arnon Valley, and half the hill country of Gilead, along with its cities. and proceeded toward Gad Numbers 32:29-33 And Moses said to them, “If the Gadites and Reubenites cross the Jordan with you, with every man armed for battle before the LORD, and the land is subdued before you, then you are to give them the land of Gilead as a possession. / But if they do not arm themselves and go across with you, then they must accept their possession among you in the land of Canaan.” / The Gadites and Reubenites replied, “As the LORD has spoken to your servants, so we will do. … Joshua 13:24-28 This is what Moses had given to the clans of the tribe of Gad: / The territory of Jazer, all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the Ammonites as far as Aroer, near Rabbah; / the territory from Heshbon to Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim, and from Mahanaim to the border of Debir; … and Jazer. Numbers 21:32 After Moses had sent spies to Jazer, Israel captured its villages and drove out the Amorites who were there. Joshua 21:39 Heshbon, and Jazer—four cities in all, together with their pasturelands. 1 Chronicles 6:81 Heshbon, and Jazer, together with their pasturelands. 1 Chronicles 21:5 And Joab reported to David the total number of the troops. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, including 470,000 in Judah. Numbers 1:2-3 “Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. / You and Aaron are to number those who are twenty years of age or older by their divisions—everyone who can serve in Israel’s army. Numbers 26:2 “Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by the houses of their fathers—all those twenty years of age or older who can serve in the army of Israel.” Exodus 30:12 “When you take a census of the Israelites to number them, each man must pay the LORD a ransom for his life when he is counted. Then no plague will come upon them when they are numbered. 1 Samuel 11:8 And when Saul numbered them at Bezek, there were 300,000 Israelites and 30,000 men of Judah. Treasury of Scripture And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lies in the middle of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer: Aroer Deuteronomy 2:36 From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon, and from the city that is by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all unto us: Joshua 13:9,16 From Aroer, that is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain of Medeba unto Dibon; … 1 Samuel 30:28 And to them which were in Aroer, and to them which were in Siphmoth, and to them which were in Eshtemoa, river, or, valley Numbers 32:1,3,35 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle; … Isaiah 16:8,9 For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah: the lords of the heathen have broken down the principal plants thereof, they are come even unto Jazer, they wandered through the wilderness: her branches are stretched out, they are gone over the sea… Jump to Previous Aroer Aro'er Brook Camped City Crossed Crossing Direction Encamp Encamped Gad Gorge Jaazer Jazer Jordan Lieth Middle Midst Passed Pitched Ravine Right River Side South Starting Towards ValleyJump to Next Aroer Aro'er Brook Camped City Crossed Crossing Direction Encamp Encamped Gad Gorge Jaazer Jazer Jordan Lieth Middle Midst Passed Pitched Ravine Right River Side South Starting Towards Valley2 Samuel 24 1. David, tempted by Satan, forces Joab to number the people5. The captains, in nine months and twenty days, gather 1,300,000 fighting men 10. David repents, and having three plagues proposed by God, chooses pestilence 15. After the death of 70,000, David by prayer prevents the destruction of Jerusalem 18. David, by God's direction, purchases Araunah's threshing floor; 25. and the plague stops They crossed the Jordan Crossing the Jordan River is significant in Israel's history, symbolizing transition and conquest, as seen when Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land (Joshua 3). This act often represents a step of faith and obedience to God's commands. The Jordan River served as a boundary and a place of spiritual significance, marking the beginning of new phases in Israel's journey. and camped near Aroer south of the town in the middle of the valley and proceeded toward Gad and Jazer Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel who ordered the census of Israel and Judah, which led to this journey. 2. Joab The commander of David's army, tasked with carrying out the census despite his reservations. 3. Aroer A location on the northern bank of the Arnon River, marking the starting point of the census journey. 4. Gad A tribe of Israel whose territory was surveyed during the census. 5. Jazer A city in the territory of Gad, further along the route of the census. Teaching Points The Importance of ObedienceDavid's decision to conduct a census without God's command highlights the importance of seeking divine guidance in our actions. Consequences of Pride The census can be seen as an act of pride, reflecting a reliance on human strength rather than God's provision. God's Sovereignty Despite human errors, God's plan prevails, reminding us of His ultimate control over all events. Repentance and Restoration David's later repentance and God's mercy demonstrate the power of turning back to God after sin. Community Accountability Joab's initial resistance to the census serves as a reminder of the role of community in holding leaders accountable. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 24:5?2. How does 2 Samuel 24:5 demonstrate God's sovereignty over Israel's territories? 3. What lessons on obedience can we learn from David's actions in 2 Samuel 24? 4. How does 2 Samuel 24:5 connect with God's covenant promises to Israel? 5. What role does accountability play in leadership, as seen in 2 Samuel 24? 6. How can we apply the importance of repentance from 2 Samuel 24 in our lives? 7. Why did David order a census in 2 Samuel 24:5 despite God's disapproval? 8. How does 2 Samuel 24:5 align with God's sovereignty and human free will? 9. What is the significance of the locations mentioned in 2 Samuel 24:5? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 24? 11. In that count how many fighting men were found in Israel? Eight hundred thousand (2 Samuel 24:9) One million, one hundred thousand (I Chronicles 21:5) 12. How many fighting men were in Israel? (2 Samuel 24:9 vs. 1 Chronicles 21:5) 13. How many fighting men were found in Judah? Five hundred thousand (2 Samuel 24:9) Four hundred and seventy thousand (I Chronicles 21:5) 14. Why are the census figures in 1 Chronicles 21:5 different from those in 2 Samuel 24:9? What Does 2 Samuel 24:5 Mean They crossed the Jordan• The delegation led by Joab begins its census work by physically leaving the western side of the land and “crossing the Jordan.” The verse anchors their movement in real geography, affirming that God’s covenant people possess a tangible inheritance (Joshua 3:14–17; Psalm 114:3). • By starting on the east side, Joab covers territory belonging to Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh first (Numbers 32:33). This order underscores the thoroughness of the count—no tribe is overlooked. • The opening phrase also recalls earlier moments when Israel crossed this very river under Joshua, reinforcing that the same God who once led them into the land still oversees its boundaries and population (Joshua 4:23–24). and camped near Aroer, south of the town in the middle of the valley • Aroer sits on the northern edge of the Arnon Gorge (Deuteronomy 2:36; Joshua 13:9). Camping “south of the town” places Joab’s team in the central portion of the valley, an ideal staging point for visiting outlying settlements. • The text’s precise detail—“in the middle of the valley”—highlights deliberate planning. Nothing about God’s people is haphazard; even a census unfolds methodically (1 Corinthians 14:40). • Their encampment signals readiness to canvass the surrounding villages. While David’s motive for ordering the census was flawed (2 Samuel 24:10), the record still shows military diligence and administrative competence. Scripture reports the facts honestly, letting the later verses expose the heart issue. and proceeded toward Gad and Jazer • Moving northward, the party enters territory allotted to the tribe of Gad (Numbers 32:34–36). By naming Gad, the verse reminds us that each tribe matters individually, yet all belong to the unified nation. • Jazer, a Levitical city east of the Jordan (Joshua 21:38–39), was agriculturally rich (Numbers 32:1), making it a natural population center to survey. • The phrase “proceeded toward” shows momentum; the count presses on despite the spiritual peril underlying it. God’s Word records the route so later generations grasp both the geographic reach of the census and the sober lesson that follows when God judges David’s misplaced confidence (2 Samuel 24:12–15). summary 2 Samuel 24:5 simply traces Joab’s first steps in David’s ill-advised census, but its specifics teach larger truths: God’s land is literal, His people occupy real places, and every person counts in His sight. The verse shows a careful, ordered progression—crossing the Jordan, encamping strategically, pressing north through Gad to Jazer—yet it sits inside a narrative that exposes the danger of trusting numbers over the Lord. We learn that accuracy in detail does not excuse disobedience in motive, and that God still knows and loves each individual Israelite even when leadership errs. (5) Pitched in Aroer.--The census began on the east of Jordan, at the extreme south, thence passed northwards through the eastern tribes, and crossing the Jordan, passed southwards through the western tribes. Aroer is the city described in Deuteronomy 2:36; Joshua 13:16 as on the river Arnon, at the extreme southern border of the trans-Jordanie territory.Of Gad.--This follows the Masoretic reading. It is better to put a period after the word river, and for "of Gad" to read "towards Gad." Perhaps the words "and they came" (towards Gad) may have been lost from the text. Jazer.--A boundary city of Gad (Joshua 13:25). Thence they went to Gilead. Verse 5. - Aroer. There is some uncertainty as to the Aroer here meant. There is first a city of that name in the tribe of Gad facing Rabbah (Joshua 13:25), and this is apparently the city meant; for it is said that "Joab and his men pitched in Aroer, on the south side of the city situated in the middle of the valley of Gad, and unto Jazer." Now, Jazer is also in Gad, about seven miles west of Rabbah, and as Rabbah is on the extreme east of the Israelite territory towards Ammon, it would be a very convenient spot from which to commence the numbering, But there is another Aroer on the Arnon, to the south of Reuben, and many commentators think that this Aroer must be meant, as otherwise the tribe of Reuben would seem to have been omitted. But this Aroer is regularly called "Aroer on the brink of the valley of Arnon" (Deuteronomy 2:36; Deuteronomy 4:48; Joshua 12:2; Joshua 13:9, 16); or simply Aroer "in the valley of Arnon" (Deuteronomy 3:12; 2 Kings 10:33); and cannot possibly be "the city in the midst of the valley of Gad," nor can this Aroer be "toward Jazer." Really the difficulty is made by commentators whose idea of the method of the census is superficial. Joab, in commencing it, formed an encampment in the open country on the right-hand side, that is, on the south of Aroer in the tribe of Gad, as being central, with Reuben on the south, and Manasseh on the north. It was "toward Jazer," that is, it was on the Jazer side of Aroer, and not on the side opposite Rabbah. We, with our simpler way of describing the points of the compass, would merely say that Joab's camp was in the open pasture land southwest of Aroer. Joab probably selected this spot because, though on the eastern border, it was yet not too far from Jerusalem, was central, and because a brook from Jazer flowing eastward for some distance, and thence to the north past Rabbah, would supply his people with water; and from this camp he would direct the proceedings of those who were to take the census. And as probably there would be considerable opposition - for the people would see in an act which for four centuries had been in desuetude threats of heavier taxation, of heavier forced labour, and of longer service with the army - Joab would require the presence of a body of troops sufficiently powerful to overawe malcontents. And these would be of no use at Aroer on the Arnon, in the distant south, but must lie eneamped in some central position, whence detachments could rapidly be moved to any place where there was danger of resistance.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew They crossedוַיַּעַבְר֖וּ (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 הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן (hay·yar·dên) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3383: Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine and camped וַיַּחֲנ֣וּ (way·ya·ḥă·nū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 2583: To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp near Aroer, בַעֲרוֹעֵ֗ר (ḇa·‘ă·rō·w·‘êr) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 6177: Aroer -- three cities in Israel south יְמִ֥ין (yə·mîn) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 3225: The right hand, side, the south of the town הָעִ֛יר (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement in the middle בְּתוֹךְ־ (bə·ṯō·wḵ-) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre of the valley, הַנַּ֥חַל (han·na·ḥal) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5158: A stream, a winter torrent, a, valley, a shaft and proceeded toward Gad הַגָּ֖ד (hag·gāḏ) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1410: Gad -- a son of Jacob, also his tribe and its territory, also a prophet and Jazer. יַעְזֵֽר׃ (ya‘·zêr) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3270: Jazer -- a place East of the Jordan Links 2 Samuel 24:5 NIV2 Samuel 24:5 NLT 2 Samuel 24:5 ESV 2 Samuel 24:5 NASB 2 Samuel 24:5 KJV 2 Samuel 24:5 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 24:5 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 24:5 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 24:5 French Bible 2 Samuel 24:5 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 24:5 They passed over the Jordan and encamped (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
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