2 Samuel 8:13 And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

◄ 2 Samuel 8:13 ►

New International Version
And David became famous after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

New Living Translation
So David became even more famous when he returned from destroying 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

English Standard Version
And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

Berean Standard Bible
And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

King James Bible
And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.

New King James Version
And David made himself a name when he returned from killing eighteen thousand Syrians in the Valley of Salt.

New American Standard Bible
So David made a name for himself when he returned from killing eighteen thousand Arameans in the Valley of Salt.

NASB 1995
So David made a name for himself when he returned from killing 18,000 Arameans in the Valley of Salt.

NASB 1977
So David made a name for himself when he returned from killing 18,000 Arameans in the Valley of Salt.

Legacy Standard Bible
So David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Arameans in the Valley of Salt.

Amplified Bible
So David made a name for himself when he returned from killing 18,000 Arameans (Syrians) in the Valley of Salt.

Christian Standard Bible
David made a reputation for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in Salt Valley.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
David made a reputation for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

American Standard Version
And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting the Syrians in the Valley of Salt, even eighteen thousand men.

Contemporary English Version
David fought the Edomite army in Salt Valley and killed 18,000 of their soldiers. When he returned, he built a monument.

English Revised Version
And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the Valley of Salt, even eighteen thousand men.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
David made a name for himself by killing 18,000 Edomites in the Dead Sea region as he returned [to Jerusalem].

Good News Translation
David became even more famous when he returned from killing eighteen thousand Edomites in Salt Valley.

International Standard Version
David made a name for himself when he returned from killing 18,000 Edomites in the Salt Valley.

Majority Standard Bible
And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

NET Bible
David became famous when he returned from defeating the Arameans in the Valley of Salt, he defeated 18,000 in all.

New Heart English Bible
And David made a name for himself when he returned from defeating the Arameans. And Abishai son of Zeruiah defeated the Edomites in the Valley of Salt--eighteen thousand.

Webster's Bible Translation
And David made him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of Salt, being eighteen thousand men.

World English Bible
David earned a reputation when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand men of the Syrians in the Valley of Salt.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And David makes a name in his turning back from his striking Aram in the Valley of Salt—eighteen thousand;

Young's Literal Translation
And David maketh a name in his turning back from his smiting Aram in the valley of Salt -- eighteen thousand;

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will make a name in his turning back from his smiting Aram in the valley of salt, eighteen thousand.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
David also made himself a name, when he returned after taking Syria in the valley of the saltpits, killing eighteen thousand:

Catholic Public Domain Version
David also made a name for himself when he returned from seizing Syria, in the Valley of the Salt Pits, having cut down eighteen thousand.

New American Bible
On his return, David made a name for himself by defeating eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

New Revised Standard Version
David won a name for himself. When he returned, he killed eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And David fought there when he returned, after he had defeated Edom in the Valley of Salt, killing eighteen thousand men.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David did battle there when he returned after he had defeated Adum in the Valley of Salt, putting to the sword eighteen thousand

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And David got him a name when he returned from smiting the Arameans in the Valley of Salt, even eighteen thousand men.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And David made himself a name: and when he returned he smote Idumea in Gebelem to the number of eighteen thousand.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

David's Triumphs
…12from Edom and Moab, from the Ammonites and Philistines and Amalekites, and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah. 13And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 14He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Chronicles 18:12-13
Moreover, Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. / He placed garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

Psalm 60:1-12
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A Miktam of David for instruction. When he fought Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck down 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. You have rejected us, O God; You have broken us; You have been angry; restore us! / You have shaken the land and torn it open. Heal its fractures, for it is quaking. / You have shown Your people hardship; we are staggered from the wine You made us drink. ...

Psalm 108:1-13
A song. A Psalm of David. My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my being. / Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. / I will praise You, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing Your praises among the peoples. ...

1 Kings 11:15-16
Earlier, when David was in Edom, Joab the commander of the army had gone to bury the dead and had struck down every male in Edom. / Joab and all Israel had stayed there six months, until he had killed every male in Edom.

1 Samuel 18:7
And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

1 Samuel 23:5
Then David and his men went to Keilah, fought against the Philistines, and carried off their livestock, striking them with a mighty blow. So David saved the people of Keilah.

1 Samuel 30:26-31
When David arrived in Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to his friends, the elders of Judah, saying, “Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the LORD’s enemies.” / He sent gifts to those in Bethel, Ramoth Negev, and Jattir; / to those in Aroer, Siphmoth, and Eshtemoa; ...

2 Samuel 7:9
I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make for you a name like that of the greatest in the land.

2 Samuel 10:18
But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, who died there.

2 Samuel 22:1
And David sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

2 Kings 14:7
Amaziah struck down 10,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He took Sela in battle and called it Joktheel, which is its name to this very day.

1 Chronicles 11:14
But Eleazar and David stationed themselves in the middle of the field and defended it. They struck down the Philistines, and the LORD brought about a great victory.

1 Chronicles 11:20
Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the Three, and he wielded his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three.

1 Chronicles 19:18
But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach the commander of their army.

Isaiah 9:4
For as in the day of Midian You have shattered the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor.

Treasury of Scripture

And David got him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.

gat him

2 Samuel 7:9
And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.

1 Chronicles 18:12
Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand.

Psalm 60:1
To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.

smiting [heb] his smiting

2 Kings 14:7
He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day.

2 Chronicles 25:11
And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.

being.

Jump to Previous

Aram Arameans David Destruction Edom Edomites E'domites Eighteen Famous Gat Great Honour Killing Maketh Salt Slew Smiting Smitten Striking Syrians Thousand Turning Valley Won

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Aram Arameans David Destruction Edom Edomites E'domites Eighteen Famous Gat Great Honour Killing Maketh Salt Slew Smiting Smitten Striking Syrians Thousand Turning Valley Won

2 Samuel 8

1. David subdues the Philistines and the Moabites
3. He smites Hadadezer, and the Syrians
9. Toi sends Joram with presents to bless him
11. David dedicates the presents and the spoil to God
14. He puts garrisons in Edom
16. David's officers

Berean Study Bible

And David made a name for himself
This phrase signifies the establishment of David's reputation and legacy. In the Hebrew context, "made a name" (וַיַּעַשׂ דָּוִד שֵׁם) implies achieving fame and honor. David's victories were not just military successes but were seen as divine endorsements of his kingship. Historically, making a name was crucial for ancient Near Eastern kings, as it ensured their legacy and the stability of their reign. David's actions here are a fulfillment of God's promise to make his name great (2 Samuel 7:9).

when he returned
This indicates a successful campaign and safe return, which was significant in ancient warfare. The Hebrew word used here (בְּשׁוּבוֹ) suggests a triumphant return, emphasizing God's protection and favor over David. The return from battle was often a time of celebration and thanksgiving, acknowledging God's role in the victory.

from striking down
The phrase highlights the decisive nature of David's victory. The Hebrew root (נָכָה) conveys a sense of inflicting a severe blow or defeat. This was not a mere skirmish but a significant military triumph. In the biblical narrative, such victories were often attributed to divine intervention, reinforcing the idea that David was God's chosen king.

eighteen thousand Edomites
The specific number underscores the magnitude of the victory. In the ancient world, numbers often had symbolic meanings, and large numbers like eighteen thousand would indicate a comprehensive and overwhelming defeat. The Edomites were descendants of Esau and often in conflict with Israel, making this victory significant in establishing Israel's dominance and security.

in the Valley of Salt
This location is historically and geographically significant. The Valley of Salt is believed to be near the Dead Sea, an area known for its harsh and barren landscape. Victories in such challenging terrains were seen as even more impressive and were a testament to the military prowess and divine favor upon David. The Valley of Salt would later become a symbol of God's judgment and victory over Israel's enemies, as seen in other biblical references (e.g., 2 Kings 14:7).

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(13) When he returned from smiting of the Syrians.--Possibly, from the similarity in the original between Syria and Edom (see 2Samuel 8:3; 2Samuel 8:12), the words "he smote Edom" have dropped out of the text, but this supposition is not necessary. The course of affairs appears to have been as follows:--the war was originally undertaken against the Ammonites (2Samuel 10:1-12), who had obtained the aid of the Syrians. In the first campaign their combined armies were defeated (2Samuel 10:13-14), and they sought aid from every quarter, from the tribes beyond the Euphrates, on the north (2Samuel 10:16), and from the Edomites on the south. David first inflicted a crushing defeat upon the allies near Hamath, and then "returned" to the south, where he again met them in "the valley of salt"--the Arabalt south of the Dead Sea, this latter army being naturally chiefly composed of Edomites, and so called in 1Chronicles 18:12, and in the title of Psalms 60, but here spoken of as Syrians because the whole confederacy is called by the name of its most powerful member. David himself returned from the southern campaign; but what was done by his general, Abishai, under his orders, is naturally said to have been done by him. Meantime, when this first battle, attended with the slaughter of 18,000 men, had been won by Abishai, Joab, the general-in-chief, being set free by the victories in the north, gained another battle in the same locality, killing 12,000 (Psalms 60, title). The power of Edom was now completely broken, and the whole forces of Israel were mustered under Joab to overrun their country and destroy all its male inhabitants (1Kings 11:15-16), certain of them, however, excepted (1Kings 11:17), and their descendants in after ages were relentless foes of Israel. (Comp. the prophecy of Isaac, Genesis 27:40.) . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 13. - From smiting of the Syrians; Hebrew, of Aram. Here "Edom" is certainly right (see 1 Chronicles 18:12), unless we accept Keil's conjecture, and suppose that "he smote Edom" has dropped out of the text, and must be inserted. In the superscription of Psalm we find the wars with Aram-Naharaim (Mesopotamia) and Aram-Zobah coupled with this smiting of Edom in the valley of salt, which lay to the south of the Dead Sea, and was a fatal place to the Edomitos in their war subsequently with Amaziah (2 Kings 14:7). Such a double victory over the Arameans first, and immediately afterwards over Edom, would account for the "name," that is, the reputation, which David gained. The course of events seems to have been as follows. The Edomites, believing that David was engaged in a struggle beyond his powers with the Syrians, took the opportunity to invade Israel. But the campaign in Aram was quickly decided, and David was able to send Abishai with a detachment of his forces to repel the Edomites. On hearing of his approach, they retired before him, and, making a stand in their own territories, were defeated in the valley of salt, with the loss of eighteen thousand men (1 Chronicles 18:12). In this place the victory is ascribed to David, because it was won by his general acting under his orders. For some unexplained reason, the feelings of the Israelites against Edom were very vindictive, and Joab followed with larger forces, and not only slew twelve thousand in a second battle (Psalm 60, title), but remained six months in the country, ruthlessly putting every male to death (1 Kings 11:15, 16). From this time the Edomites and Israelites were implacable foes, and in later Jewish literature the Jews gave vent to their intense hatred of the Roman empire by giving it the name of Edom.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

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

made
וַיַּ֤עַשׂ (way·ya·‘aś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

a name for himself
שֵׁ֔ם (šêm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

when he returned
בְּשֻׁב֕וֹ (bə·šu·ḇōw)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

from striking down
מֵהַכּוֹת֥וֹ (mê·hak·kō·w·ṯōw)
Preposition-m | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

eighteen
שְׁמוֹנָ֥ה (šə·mō·w·nāh)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 8083: A cardinal number, eight, eighth

thousand
אָֽלֶף׃ (’ā·lep̄)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 505: A thousand

Edomites
אֲרָ֖ם (’ă·rām)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 758: Aram -- Syria

in the Valley of Salt.
בְּגֵיא־ (bə·ḡê-)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1516: A valley

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OT History: 2 Samuel 8:13 David got him a name when he (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)