2 Samuel 5 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: MT 5:8
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
2 Samuel 5
David anointed: the kingship proclaimed at Christ’s cross
Published selection L1 places 5:1–3 beside Luke 23:35–43 on Christ the King, Year C. The complete anointing account remains in both columns.
5:1–3 | The tribes, the covenant, and the anointing
L1: 2 Samuel 5:1–3; verified for 24 November 2019.
Verse MT 5:1 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:1
All Israel’s tribes came to David at Hebron and said, “Look, we are your bone and your flesh.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:1
All Israel’s tribes came to David at Hebron and said to him, “Look, we are your bones and your flesh.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both appeal to shared kinship through the bone-and-flesh idiom. The Greek plurals are rendered naturally in English, without turning the collective relationship into a different claim.
Verse MT 5:2 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:2
In days past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in. YHWH said to you, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over Israel.’”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:2
In days past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in. The Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over Israel.’”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The earlier leadership and reported shepherd commission agree. Hebrew’s displayed written/read spelling distinction in the leading-out expression does not alter this English sense [Q5]. The commission is not expanded with a later title for Christ.
Verse MT 5:3 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:3
All Israel’s elders came to the king at Hebron. King David made a covenant with them in Hebron before YHWH, and they anointed David king over Israel.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:3
All Israel’s elders came to the king at Hebron. King David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over all Israel.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek explicitly repeats all Israel in the anointing clause. Both describe the elders’ covenant and anointing before God, extending the rule previously held over Judah.
Saints: The Christ the King reading pairs this anointing with Jesus’ crucifixion and the promise to the repentant criminal. The liturgical juxtaposition is verified; it does not alter the historical identity of David [L1, Luke 23:35–43].
Jerusalem and the royal house in Christian hope
Editorial continuation of the kingship theme [NT1]. The conquest and household lists retain their own wording and difficult details.
5:4–10 | The reign and the capture of Jerusalem
Verse MT 5:4 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:4
David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:4
David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years,
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The age and total reign correspond. Greek continues the chronological sentence into verse 5.
Verse MT 5:5 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:5
In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months. In Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:5
seven years and six months he reigned in Hebron over Judah, and thirty-three years he reigned over all Israel and Judah in Jerusalem.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The two reign periods, places, and peoples agree. The six months are retained alongside verse 4’s forty-year total without silently changing either figure.
Verse MT 5:6 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:6
The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites inhabiting the land. They said to David, “You will not come in here unless you remove the blind and the lame,” saying, “David will not come in here.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:6
David and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites inhabiting the land. David was told, “You will not come in here,” for the blind and the lame resisted, saying, “David will not come in here.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew’s difficult condition is rendered unless you remove; an alternative takes the blind and lame as those repelling David. Greek explicitly makes them resist. Their role within the taunt remains uncertain; no later story about statues or individual defenders is inserted.
Verse MT 5:7 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:7
David captured the stronghold of Zion, which is the city of David.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:7
David captured the stronghold of Zion, which is the city of David.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The capture and identification agree. Neither version names a water route in this verse.
Verse MT 5:8 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:8
David said that day, “Whoever strikes a Jebusite—let him reach the water channel, and the lame and the blind, hated by David’s soul.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame shall not enter the house.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:8
David said that day, “Everyone striking a Jebusite, let him attack with a dagger both the lame and the blind and those who hate David’s soul.” Therefore they will say, “The blind and the lame shall not enter the Lord’s house.”
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Text: The difficult Hebrew channel clause [D3] differs from Greek’s dagger command. Hebrew follows the checked passive qere hated [Q5]; Greek has active haters. Greek also specifies the Lord’s house where Hebrew says the house. These changes materially affect agency, action, and scope; the Hebrew syntax remains elliptical.
Verse MT 5:9 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:9
David settled in the stronghold and called it the city of David. David built around it, from the Millo inward.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:9
David settled in the stronghold, and it was called the city of David. He built the city around from the citadel, and his own house.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew names the Millo and an inward direction. Greek gives the citadel and separately adds his house as an object of building. The exact building sequence is not reconstructed from the compressed clauses.
Verse MT 5:10 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:10
David grew greater and greater, and YHWH, God of hosts, was with him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:10
David grew greater and greater, and the Lord Almighty was with him.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew God of hosts and Greek Almighty retain their distinct titles. The description of David’s growth and divine presence otherwise corresponds.
5:11–16 | The house built and the children named
Greek 5:16a follows verse 16 once, with no invented Hebrew counterpart.
Verse MT 5:11 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:11
Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, cedar wood, woodworkers, and workers in stone for walls. They built a house for David.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:11
Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, cedar wood, woodworkers, and stoneworkers. They built a house for David.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Hebrew explicitly includes wall in the stoneworkers’ description. Both identify the sender, materials, craftspeople, and house built for David.
Verse MT 5:12 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:12
David knew that YHWH had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:12
David knew that the Lord had prepared him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been exalted for the sake of his people Israel.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Hebrew gives the active exalted; Greek the passive had been exalted. The possessive in his people is left lowercase because its relation to God or David is not decided by capitalization. Both connect royal establishment with Israel’s welfare.
Verse MT 5:13 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:13
David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem after coming from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:13
David took more wives and concubines from Jerusalem after coming from Hebron, and David had more sons and daughters.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The two marital categories appear in reversed order, but the persons, location, and additional children correspond. Neither category is silently merged into the other.
Verse MT 5:14 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:14
These are the names of those born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon;
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:14
These are the names of those born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon;
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The four corresponding names are represented by familiar forms, including Greek Sammous / Hebrew Shammua. The genealogy continues in the following rows.
Verse MT 5:15 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:15
Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, and Japhia;
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:15
Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, and Japhia;
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: These four names occupy corresponding positions; familiar forms represent Greek Ebear, Elisous, Naphek, and Iephies. Ordinary transcription differences are not counted as additional persons.
Verse MT 5:16 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:16
Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:16
Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet;
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The final three names in the shared list correspond. This publisher Greek text continues with an additional list at 16a, represented in its own row.
Verse 5:16a Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
No MT counterpart
[No corresponding Hebrew verse in the declared text.]
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:16a
Samae, Iessibath, Nathan, Galamaan, Iebaar, Theesous, Elphalat, Naged, Naphek, Ianatha, Leasamys, Baalimath, Eliphalath.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: The publisher’s Greek 16a adds thirteen names without a Hebrew counterpart here. Their forms are retained rather than forcing a one-to-one identification with the preceding list or Chronicles.
Deliverance sought before battle
Editorial Christian reading of dependence on God within David’s story. The two inquiries are military narratives, not a Christian battle prescription.
5:17–21 | The first inquiry and the breach
Verse MT 5:17 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:17
The Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, and all the Philistines went up to seek David. David heard and went down to the stronghold.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:17
The foreigners heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, and all the foreigners went up to seek David. David heard and went down to the stronghold.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The response to David’s anointing and his movement agree. Greek foreigners denotes the Philistines in this context; neither source explicitly locates the stronghold here.
Verse MT 5:18 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:18
The Philistines came and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:18
The foreigners arrived and gathered in the Valley of the Titans.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek renders the valley with Titans rather than the Hebrew people-name Rephaim, and describes gathering where Hebrew has spreading out. Its image is retained without importing a developed Greek myth into the narrative.
Verse MT 5:19 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:19
David inquired of YHWH, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand?” YHWH said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:19
David inquired through the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against the foreigners? Will You deliver them into my hands?” The Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly deliver the foreigners into your hands.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The inquiry and emphatic promise agree. Singular hand / plural hands and the corresponding giving-over verbs do not change the promised outcome.
Verse MT 5:20 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:20
David came to Baal-perazim, and David struck them there. He said, “YHWH has broken through my enemies before me like a breakthrough of waters.” Therefore he called that place Baal-perazim.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:20
David came from the Upper Breaches and struck the foreigners there. David said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies, the foreigners, before me as waters break through.” Therefore that place was named Upper Breaches.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew gives arrival at Baal-perazim; Greek movement from the Upper Breaches and a translated place-name. Greek twice names the foreigners expressly. Both connect the name with a water-breach image; the direction is not harmonized.
Verse MT 5:21 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:21
They abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:21
They abandoned their gods there, and David and the men with him took them.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew calls the objects idols; Greek calls them gods. Both state their removal, not their burning. The burning reported in 1 Chronicles 14:12 is not inserted here.
5:22–25 | The second inquiry and the sign in the trees
Verse MT 5:22 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:22
The Philistines came up again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:22
The foreigners came up again and gathered in the Valley of the Titans.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: The second incursion repeats the valley and movement differences of verse 18. The recurring wording is preserved independently in each column.
Verse MT 5:23 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:23
David inquired of YHWH, and He said, “Do not go up. Circle around behind them and come upon them opposite the baka trees.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:23
David inquired through the Lord, and the Lord said, “Do not go up to meet them. Turn away from them, and you will come upon them near the place of weeping.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew directs movement behind the enemy and names baka trees, whose species is uncertain. Greek adds to meet them and gives the place of weeping. Neither mulberry nor balsam is imposed as a certain species identification.
Verse MT 5:24 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:24
When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the baka trees, act decisively, for then YHWH will have gone out before you to strike the Philistine camp.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:24
When you hear the sound of the closing together of the grove of weeping, then go down against them, for then the Lord will go out before you to strike in the battle with the foreigners.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew has marching in treetops and an urgent action command; Greek has a difficult closing-together sound in a grove and a descent command. Camp and battle also differ. The Greek sound is left provisional rather than supplied with Hebrew marching or an unmentioned angelic army.
Verse MT 5:25 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 5:25
David did as YHWH commanded him and struck the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 5:25
David did as the Lord commanded him and struck the foreigners from Gibeon as far as the land of Gezer.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew begins the pursuit at Geba; Greek at Gibeon and adds the land of Gezer. Both connect David’s action with the preceding instruction.