2 samuel 5:8 - David said on that day, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him go up to the watercourse and strike those lame and blind, who are hated by David’s soul.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame can’t come into the house.”
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What does "2 samuel 5:8" mean?
This verse in 2 Samuel 5:8 is a notoriously difficult and debated passage. Let's break it down and explore the different interpretations:
Context:
David is about to conquer Jerusalem, which is held by the Jebusites.
David wants to offer a reward to the warrior who leads the attack.
The Verse Itself:
"David said on that day, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him go up to the watercourse..." This part is relatively straightforward. David is offering a challenge: whoever leads the attack on the Jebusites can do so by going up the watercourse. The "watercourse" (Hebrew: tsinnor) is the key to the difficulty. Its precise meaning is unknown.
"...and strike those lame and blind, who are hated by David’s soul.” This is the most problematic part. The text implies that there are lame and blind people associated with the Jebusites whom David wants specifically targeted. The phrase "hated by David's soul" is strong language and raises ethical questions.
"Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame can’t come into the house.”" This seems to be a proverb or saying that arose because of David's command. It's a consequence or interpretation of his action. The "house" likely refers to David's royal palace, and possibly the temple later.
Interpretations and Problems:
The interpretations of this verse are diverse, largely due to the uncertainty of the tsinnor and the meaning of targeting the lame and blind. Here are some common views:
1. Literal Water Shaft:
The tsinnor as a literal water shaft: This is the most common interpretation. The assumption is that Jerusalem had an underground water system. The tsinnor would be a tunnel or shaft providing access to the city's water supply.
Conquering Jerusalem: David's instruction would then be to attack by infiltrating the city through the water system, surprising the defenders. Joab is traditionally credited with being the first to do so.
The Lame and Blind: The question remains, why target them? Some suggest the Jebusites taunted David by placing the lame and blind on the walls as a symbolic defense, implying that even the weakest members of their society could defend the city. David's command would be a direct response to this insult.
2. Figurative Interpretation:
The tsinnor as a metaphor: Some scholars believe tsinnor might refer to a stronghold, a key strategic point, or even a symbol of Jebusite power.
The Lame and Blind as Idols: Some propose that the "lame and blind" weren't actual people, but rather idols worshipped by the Jebusites, which were considered flawed and thus "lame and blind." David's hatred would be directed towards idolatry.
David's Motivation: David's command could be interpreted as a call to eliminate anything that hindered the complete conquest of Jerusalem, whether literal weaknesses or symbolic representations of Jebusite resistance.
3. The Proverb as a Justification:
Later Rationalization: Some argue that the saying "The blind and the lame can't come into the house" isn't directly connected to David's command. Instead, it's a later rationalization or justification for excluding people with disabilities from certain positions or places of honor. It's a way to make sense of a difficult historical event.
Problems and Considerations:
Ethical Issues: David's command to strike the "lame and blind" raises serious ethical questions. It seems cruel and unjust to target vulnerable people. The interpretation that they were being used as a symbol of defiance helps mitigate this somewhat, but doesn't fully resolve the issue.
The Meaning of Tsinnor: The ambiguity of the Hebrew word tsinnor makes any interpretation uncertain. Archaeological evidence related to Jerusalem's water system is relevant, but doesn't provide a definitive answer.
The Proverb's Connection: The relationship between David's command and the proverb is unclear. Did the command cause the proverb, or did the proverb exist independently?
In Conclusion:
2 Samuel 5:8 is a complex verse with no easy answers. The most common interpretation involves a literal attack through Jerusalem's water system, but the meaning of targeting the "lame and blind" remains debated. Other interpretations suggest a figurative meaning related to idols or a later justification for excluding people with disabilities. Regardless of the interpretation, the verse raises important ethical and historical questions. It requires careful consideration of the context, the language, and the various scholarly perspectives.
2 samuel 5:8 - David said on that day, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him go up to the watercourse and strike those lame and blind, who are hated by David’s soul.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame can’t come into the house.”
What does "2 samuel 5:8" mean?
This verse in 2 Samuel 5:8 is a notoriously difficult and debated passage. Let's break it down and explore the different interpretations:
Context:
David is about to conquer Jerusalem, which is held by the Jebusites.
David wants to offer a reward to the warrior who leads the attack.
The Verse Itself:
"David said on that day, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him go up to the watercourse..." This part is relatively straightforward. David is offering a challenge: whoever leads the attack on the Jebusites can do so by going up the watercourse. The "watercourse" (Hebrew: tsinnor) is the key to the difficulty. Its precise meaning is unknown.
"...and strike those lame and blind, who are hated by David’s soul.” This is the most problematic part. The text implies that there are lame and blind people associated with the Jebusites whom David wants specifically targeted. The phrase "hated by David's soul" is strong language and raises ethical questions.
"Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame can’t come into the house.”" This seems to be a proverb or saying that arose because of David's command. It's a consequence or interpretation of his action. The "house" likely refers to David's royal palace, and possibly the temple later.
Interpretations and Problems:
The interpretations of this verse are diverse, largely due to the uncertainty of the tsinnor and the meaning of targeting the lame and blind. Here are some common views:
1. Literal Water Shaft:
The tsinnor as a literal water shaft: This is the most common interpretation. The assumption is that Jerusalem had an underground water system. The tsinnor would be a tunnel or shaft providing access to the city's water supply.
Conquering Jerusalem: David's instruction would then be to attack by infiltrating the city through the water system, surprising the defenders. Joab is traditionally credited with being the first to do so.
The Lame and Blind: The question remains, why target them? Some suggest the Jebusites taunted David by placing the lame and blind on the walls as a symbolic defense, implying that even the weakest members of their society could defend the city. David's command would be a direct response to this insult.
2. Figurative Interpretation:
The tsinnor as a metaphor: Some scholars believe tsinnor might refer to a stronghold, a key strategic point, or even a symbol of Jebusite power.
The Lame and Blind as Idols: Some propose that the "lame and blind" weren't actual people, but rather idols worshipped by the Jebusites, which were considered flawed and thus "lame and blind." David's hatred would be directed towards idolatry.
David's Motivation: David's command could be interpreted as a call to eliminate anything that hindered the complete conquest of Jerusalem, whether literal weaknesses or symbolic representations of Jebusite resistance.
3. The Proverb as a Justification:
Later Rationalization: Some argue that the saying "The blind and the lame can't come into the house" isn't directly connected to David's command. Instead, it's a later rationalization or justification for excluding people with disabilities from certain positions or places of honor. It's a way to make sense of a difficult historical event.
Problems and Considerations:
Ethical Issues: David's command to strike the "lame and blind" raises serious ethical questions. It seems cruel and unjust to target vulnerable people. The interpretation that they were being used as a symbol of defiance helps mitigate this somewhat, but doesn't fully resolve the issue.
The Meaning of Tsinnor: The ambiguity of the Hebrew word tsinnor makes any interpretation uncertain. Archaeological evidence related to Jerusalem's water system is relevant, but doesn't provide a definitive answer.
The Proverb's Connection: The relationship between David's command and the proverb is unclear. Did the command cause the proverb, or did the proverb exist independently?
In Conclusion:
2 Samuel 5:8 is a complex verse with no easy answers. The most common interpretation involves a literal attack through Jerusalem's water system, but the meaning of targeting the "lame and blind" remains debated. Other interpretations suggest a figurative meaning related to idols or a later justification for excluding people with disabilities. Regardless of the interpretation, the verse raises important ethical and historical questions. It requires careful consideration of the context, the language, and the various scholarly perspectives.