1 Samuel 25:2
New International Version
A certain man in Maon, who had property there at Carmel, was very wealthy. He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel.

New Living Translation
There was a wealthy man from Maon who owned property near the town of Carmel. He had 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats, and it was sheep-shearing time.

English Standard Version
And there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. The man was very rich; he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. He was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

Berean Standard Bible
Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. He was a very wealthy man with a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel.

King James Bible
And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

New King James Version
Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel, and the man was very rich. He had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. And he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

New American Standard Bible
Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel; and the man was very rich, and he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. And it came about while he was shearing his sheep in Carmel

NASB 1995
Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel; and the man was very rich, and he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. And it came about while he was shearing his sheep in Carmel

NASB 1977
Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel; and the man was very rich, and he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. And it came about while he was shearing his sheep in Carmel

Legacy Standard Bible
Now there was a man in Maon whose work was in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep and one thousand goats. And it happened, while he was shearing his sheep in Carmel

Amplified Bible
Now there was a man in Maon whose business and possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very rich. He had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats, and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel

Christian Standard Bible
A man in Maon had a business in Carmel; he was a very rich man with three thousand sheep and one thousand goats and was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A man in Maon had a business in Carmel; he was a very rich man with 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats and was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

American Standard Version
And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

English Revised Version
And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Now, there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. He was a very rich man. He had 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats. And he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

International Standard Version
Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel of Judah, and the man was very rich. He had 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats, and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

Majority Standard Bible
Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. He was a very wealthy man with a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel.

NET Bible
There was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. This man was very wealthy; he owned three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. At that time he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

New Heart English Bible
There was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

Webster's Bible Translation
And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

World English Bible
There was a man in Maon whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great. He had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats; and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And [there is] a man in Maon, and his work [is] in Carmel; and the man [is] very great, and he has three thousand sheep and one thousand goats; and he is shearing his flock in Carmel.

Young's Literal Translation
And there is a man in Maon, and his work is in Carmel; and the man is very great, and he hath three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats; and he is shearing his flock in Carmel.

Smith's Literal Translation
And a man in Maon and his work in Carmel; and the man very great, and to him three thousand sheep and a thousand goats: and he will be in shearing his sheep in Carmel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now there was a certain man in the wilderness of Maon, and his possessions were in Carmel, and the man was very great: and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and it happened that he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now there was a certain man in the wilderness of Maon, and his possessions were at Carmel. And this man was exceedingly great. And three thousand sheep, and one thousand goats were his. And it happened that he was shearing his sheep at Carmel.

New American Bible
There was a man of Maon who had property in Carmel; he was very wealthy, owning three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. At the time, he was present for the shearing of his flock in Carmel.

New Revised Standard Version
There was a man in Maon, whose property was in Carmel. The man was very rich; he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. He was shearing his sheep in Carmel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And there was a man in Maon whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very wealthy; he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats; and it came to pass, that he sheared his sheep in Carmel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And there was a man in Meun and his work was in Karmela, and the man was very great and he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats, and it happened that he sheared his flock in Karmela
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats; and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And there was a man in Maon, and his flocks were in Carmel, and he was a very great man; and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand she-goats: and he happened to be shearing his flock in Carmel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David, Nabal, and Abigail
2Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. He was a very wealthy man with a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. 3His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings.…

Cross References
Proverbs 31:10-31
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. / The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. / She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. ...

Luke 12:16-21
Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ / Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and will build bigger ones, and there I will store up all my grain and my goods. ...

1 Kings 21:1-16
Some time after these events, Naboth the Jezreelite owned a vineyard in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. / So Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to use as a vegetable garden, since it is next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place—or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.” / But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” ...

Matthew 19:23-24
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. / Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

2 Samuel 19:32-39
Barzillai was quite old, eighty years of age, and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the king while he stayed in Mahanaim. / The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me, and I will provide for you at my side in Jerusalem.” / But Barzillai replied, “How many years of my life remain, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? ...

James 5:1-6
Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ...

Genesis 13:2
And Abram had become extremely wealthy in livestock and silver and gold.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-12
He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. / When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes? / The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep.

2 Chronicles 17:5
So the LORD established the kingdom in his hand, and all Judah brought him tribute, so that he had an abundance of riches and honor.

Mark 10:23-25
Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” / And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! / It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Job 1:3
and he owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very large number of servants. Job was the greatest man of all the people of the East.

1 Timothy 6:17-19
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. / Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, / treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Genesis 24:35
“The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become rich. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, camels and donkeys.

Luke 16:19-31
Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor. / And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores / and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. ...

2 Samuel 12:2-3
The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle, / but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him.


Treasury of Scripture

And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

Maon

1 Samuel 23:24
And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.

possessions were.

man

Genesis 26:13
And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:

2 Samuel 19:32
Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.

Psalm 17:14
From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

three thousand

Genesis 13:2
And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

Job 1:3
His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

Job 42:12
So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.

Genesis 38:13
And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep.

2 Samuel 13:23,24
And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons…

Carmel

1 Samuel 30:5
And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.

Joshua 15:55
Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah,

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Business Carmel Cutting Maon Ma'on Possessions Property Rich Shearing Sheep Thousand Three Wealthy Wool Work
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Business Carmel Cutting Maon Ma'on Possessions Property Rich Shearing Sheep Thousand Three Wealthy Wool Work
1 Samuel 25
1. Samuel dies
2. David in Paran sends to Nabal
10. Provoked by Nabal's rudeness, he minds to destroy him
14. Abigail understanding thereof
18. takes a present
23. and by her wisdom
32. pacifies David
36. Nabal hearing thereof, dies
39. David takes Abigail and Ahinoam to be his wives
44. Michal is given to Phalti














Now there was a man in Maon
Maon was a town in the hill country of Judah, near the wilderness of Paran. It is mentioned in Joshua 15:55 as part of the inheritance of the tribe of Judah. The region was known for its rugged terrain and was suitable for pastoral activities. The mention of Maon sets the geographical context for the narrative, indicating a location that was somewhat remote and conducive to the pastoral lifestyle.

whose business was in Carmel
Carmel, in this context, refers to a town in Judah, not to be confused with Mount Carmel in the north. This area was known for its fertile land, making it ideal for agriculture and livestock. The mention of business suggests that the man was engaged in significant economic activities, likely involving trade and livestock management, which were common in ancient Israelite society.

He was a very wealthy man
Wealth in ancient Israel was often measured by the possession of livestock, land, and servants. The description of the man as very wealthy indicates his high social status and influence within the community. Wealth was seen as a sign of God's blessing, though it also brought responsibilities, such as caring for the poor and acting justly.

with a thousand goats and three thousand sheep
The specific numbers highlight the extent of his wealth. Goats and sheep were valuable assets, providing milk, meat, wool, and hides. The large number of animals suggests that he was a major figure in the local economy. This wealth would have required a significant number of servants and shepherds to manage the herds, indicating a well-organized operation.

which he was shearing in Carmel
Shearing was a significant event in the agricultural calendar, often associated with feasting and celebration. It was a time of economic gain, as the wool was a valuable commodity. The act of shearing in Carmel suggests that the man utilized the fertile lands for his operations, and it sets the stage for the events that follow in the narrative, where David's men seek provisions during this time of abundance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Maon
A town in the hill country of Judah, known for its pastoral lands. It is the home of the wealthy man mentioned in this verse.

2. Carmel
A region known for its fertile lands and agricultural productivity. It is here that the wealthy man conducts his business and shears his sheep.

3. The Wealthy Man
Although not named in this verse, he is later identified as Nabal. He is described as very wealthy, owning a significant number of livestock, which indicates his high social and economic status.

4. Sheep Shearing
An event that was not only a time of labor but also a festive occasion in ancient Israel. It was a time of celebration and hospitality.
Teaching Points
The Illusion of Security in Wealth
Wealth can create a false sense of security and self-sufficiency. Nabal's wealth is substantial, yet it does not protect him from the consequences of his actions or his character flaws.

The Importance of Character Over Wealth
While Nabal is wealthy, his character is later revealed to be lacking. This serves as a reminder that true value lies in one's character and relationship with God, not in material possessions.

Hospitality and Generosity
The cultural context of sheep shearing as a time of hospitality challenges us to consider how we use our resources to bless others and honor God.

The Role of Women in Biblical Narratives
Abigail's later actions in this chapter highlight the significant impact women can have in biblical accounts, often acting with wisdom and courage.(2) Maon.--Maon mentioned above was in the hill country of Judah. The Carmel here mentioned is not the famous Mount Carmel in the north, but the small town, the modern Kurmeel, near Maon, of which we read in 1Samuel 15:12, when Saul set up a place or monument after the war with Amalek.

And the man was very great.--The wealthy chief--the subject of the story--was a descendant of Caleb, the friend and comrade of Joshua, who at the time of the conquest of Canaan obtained vast possessions in the valley of Hebron and in the south of Judah. The tradition even has preserved to us the exact number of his flocks, probably to enhance the churlishness of his reply to David when he asked him for some return for the protection his armed bands had afforded to these vast flocks in their pasturage on the edge of the desert. The occasion of David's mission to Nabal was the annual sheep-shearing of the rich sheep-master--always a great occasion, and accompanied usually on large estates by festivities.

Verse 2. - A man in Maon. Though strictly by descent belonging to Maon (for which see on 1 Samuel 23:24), his possessions - rather, "his business," "occupation" (see Genesis 47:3, and Ecclesiastes 4:3, where it is translated work) - were in Carmel, the small town just north of Maon, where Saul set up a trophy at the end of the Amalekite war (1 Samuel 15:12), and to which Abigail belonged (1 Samuel 27:3). He is described as very great because of his wealth arising from his large flocks of sheep and goats, which fed upon the pasture land which forms the elevated plateau of Carmel, where he was shearing his sheep, usually a time of lavish hospitality (2 Samuel 13:23, 24).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now [there was] a man
וְאִ֨ישׁ (wə·’îš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

in Maon
בְּמָע֜וֹן (bə·mā·‘ō·wn)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4584: Maon -- 'habitation', a place in Judah, also a man of Judah, also an enemy of Israel

whose business
וּמַעֲשֵׂ֣הוּ (ū·ma·‘ă·śê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4639: An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property

was in Carmel;
בַכַּרְמֶ֗ל (ḇak·kar·mel)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3760: Carmel -- a mountain promontory on the Mediterranean, also a city near Hebron

he was a very
מְאֹ֔ד (mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily

wealthy
גָּד֣וֹל (gā·ḏō·wl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

man
וְהָאִישׁ֙ (wə·hā·’îš)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

with a thousand
וְאֶ֣לֶף (wə·’e·lep̄)
Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 505: A thousand

goats
עִזִּ֑ים (‘iz·zîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5795: Female goat

and three
שְׁלֹֽשֶׁת־ (šə·lō·šeṯ-)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

thousand
אֲלָפִ֖ים (’ă·lā·p̄îm)
Number - masculine plural
Strong's 505: A thousand

sheep,
צֹ֥אן (ṣōn)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

which he was
וַיְהִ֛י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

shearing
בִּגְזֹ֥ז (biḡ·zōz)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1494: To cut off, to shear a, flock, shave the hair, to destroy an enemy

in Carmel.
בַּכַּרְמֶֽל׃ (bak·kar·mel)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3760: Carmel -- a mountain promontory on the Mediterranean, also a city near Hebron


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OT History: 1 Samuel 25:2 There was a man in Maon whose (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
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