2 samuel 10:4 - So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved off one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.
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What does "2 samuel 10:4" mean?
This verse describes a deeply humiliating and insulting act by Hanun, the king of Ammon, against David's messengers. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"So Hanun took David’s servants..." - David sent messengers (ambassadors) to Hanun to offer condolences after the death of his father (Nahash), who had shown kindness to David in the past. Hanun's advisors convinced him that David's messengers were actually spies.
"...shaved off one half of their beards..." - In ancient Middle Eastern culture, a beard was a symbol of honor, maturity, and dignity. Shaving off part of someone's beard was a severe public humiliation. The asymmetry of shaving only half made it even more conspicuous and insulting.
"...and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks..." - Clothing was also a symbol of status and respectability. Cutting the garments short, exposing their buttocks, was another form of public shame and dishonor. It effectively rendered them naked and ridiculous in the eyes of others.
"...and sent them away." - After the humiliation, Hanun sent the messengers back to David in this disgraceful state. This was not just a personal insult to the messengers but also a deliberate act of defiance and disrespect towards King David himself, essentially declaring an end to peaceful relations.
In essence, Hanun's actions were a grave insult designed to shame David and provoke a conflict. The act was a deliberate affront to the dignity and status of David and his kingdom, making war almost inevitable.
2 samuel 10:4 - So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved off one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.
What does "2 samuel 10:4" mean?
This verse describes a deeply humiliating and insulting act by Hanun, the king of Ammon, against David's messengers. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"So Hanun took David’s servants..." - David sent messengers (ambassadors) to Hanun to offer condolences after the death of his father (Nahash), who had shown kindness to David in the past. Hanun's advisors convinced him that David's messengers were actually spies.
"...shaved off one half of their beards..." - In ancient Middle Eastern culture, a beard was a symbol of honor, maturity, and dignity. Shaving off part of someone's beard was a severe public humiliation. The asymmetry of shaving only half made it even more conspicuous and insulting.
"...and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks..." - Clothing was also a symbol of status and respectability. Cutting the garments short, exposing their buttocks, was another form of public shame and dishonor. It effectively rendered them naked and ridiculous in the eyes of others.
"...and sent them away." - After the humiliation, Hanun sent the messengers back to David in this disgraceful state. This was not just a personal insult to the messengers but also a deliberate act of defiance and disrespect towards King David himself, essentially declaring an end to peaceful relations.
In essence, Hanun's actions were a grave insult designed to shame David and provoke a conflict. The act was a deliberate affront to the dignity and status of David and his kingdom, making war almost inevitable.