2 Kings 11:8 You must surround the king with weapons in hand, and anyone who approaches the ranks must be put to death. You must stay close to the king wherever he goes."

◄ 2 Kings 11:8 ►

New International Version
Station yourselves around the king, each of you with weapon in hand. Anyone who approaches your ranks is to be put to death. Stay close to the king wherever he goes.”

New Living Translation
Form a bodyguard around the king and keep your weapons in hand. Kill anyone who tries to break through. Stay with the king wherever he goes.”

English Standard Version
shall surround the king, each with his weapons in his hand. And whoever approaches the ranks is to be put to death. Be with the king when he goes out and when he comes in.”

Berean Standard Bible
You must surround the king with weapons in hand, and anyone who approaches the ranks must be put to death. You must stay close to the king wherever he goes.”

King James Bible
And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand: and he that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain: and be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he cometh in.

New King James Version
But you shall surround the king on all sides, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whoever comes within range, let him be put to death. You are to be with the king as he goes out and as he comes in.”

New American Standard Bible
Then you shall surround the king, each with his weapons in his hand; and whoever comes within the ranks shall be put to death. And you are to be with the king when he goes out and when he comes in.”

NASB 1995
“Then you shall surround the king, each with his weapons in his hand; and whoever comes within the ranks shall be put to death. And be with the king when he goes out and when he comes in.”

NASB 1977
“Then you shall surround the king, each with his weapons in his hand; and whoever comes within the ranks shall be put to death. And be with the king when he goes out and when he comes in.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And you shall surround the king, each with his weapons in his hand; and whoever comes within the ranks shall be put to death. And be with the king when he goes out and when he comes in.”

Amplified Bible
You shall surround the [young] king, each man with weapons in his hand; and whoever comes through the ranks shall be put to death. You are to be with the king when he goes out and when he comes in.”

Christian Standard Bible
Completely surround the king with weapons in hand. Anyone who approaches the ranks is to be put to death. Be with the king in all his daily tasks.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You must completely surround the king with weapons in hand. Anyone who approaches the ranks is to be put to death. You must be with the king in all his daily tasks.”

American Standard Version
And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and he that cometh within the ranks, let him be slain: and be ye with the king when he goeth out, and when he cometh in.

Contemporary English Version
Make sure they follow him wherever he goes, and tell them to keep their swords ready to kill anyone who tries to get near him.

English Revised Version
And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and he that cometh within the ranks, let him be slain: and be ye with the king when he goeth out, and when he cometh in.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Surround the king. Each man should have his weapons in his hand. Kill anyone who tries to break through your ranks. Stay with the king wherever he goes."

Good News Translation
You are to guard King Joash with drawn swords and stay with him wherever he goes. Anyone who comes near you is to be killed."

International Standard Version
guarding the king and surrounding him with weapons in hand. Whoever comes within range is to be killed. Stay with the king wherever he goes, coming or going."

Majority Standard Bible
You must surround the king with weapons in hand, and anyone who approaches the ranks must be put to death. You must stay close to the king wherever he goes.?

NET Bible
You must surround the king. Each of you must hold his weapon in his hand. Whoever approaches your ranks must be killed. You must accompany the king wherever he goes."

New Heart English Bible
You shall surround the king, every man with his weapons in his hand; and he who comes within the ranks, let him be slain. Be with the king when he goes out, and when he comes in."

Webster's Bible Translation
And ye shall compass the king around, every man with his weapons in his hand: and he that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain. And be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he cometh in.

World English Bible
You shall surround the king, every man with his weapons in his hand; and he who comes within the ranks, let him be slain. Be with the king when he goes out, and when he comes in.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and you have surrounded the king all around, each with his weapons in his hand, and he who is coming to the ranges is put to death; and be with the king in his going out and in his coming in.”

Young's Literal Translation
and ye have compassed the king round about, each with his weapons in his hand, and he who is coming unto the ranges is put to death; and be ye with the king in his going out and in his coming in.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And surround upon the king round about, a man and his weapon in, his hand: and he coming into the ranks shall be slain. And be ye with, the king in his going forth and in his coming.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And you shall compass him round about, having weapons in your hands: and if any man shall enter the precinct of the temple, let him be slain: and you shall be with the king coming in and going out.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you shall surround him, having weapons in your hands. But if anyone will have entered the precinct of the temple, let him be killed. And you shall be with the king, entering and departing.”

New American Bible
You shall surround the king, each with drawn weapons, and anyone who tries to approach the guard detail is to be killed; stay with the king, wherever he goes.”

New Revised Standard Version
shall surround the king, each with weapons in hand; and whoever approaches the ranks is to be killed. Be with the king in his comings and goings.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And you shall surround the king, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever comes within range, let him be slain; and you be with the king as he goes out and as he comes in.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And surround the King, each man with his weapon in his hand, and he who enters the ranks shall die, and be with the King in his going out and in his entering.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and he that cometh within the ranks, let him be slain; and be ye with the king when he goeth out, and when he cometh in.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And do ye compass the king about every man with his weapon in his hand, and he that goes into the ranges shall die: and they shall be with the king in his going out and in his coming in.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Joash Anointed King in Judah
…7the two divisions that would go off duty on the Sabbath are to guard the house of the LORD for the king. 8You must surround the king with weapons in hand, and anyone who approaches the ranks must be put to death. You must stay close to the king wherever he goes.” 9So the commanders of hundreds did everything that Jehoiada the priest had ordered. Each of them took his men—those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off duty—and came to Jehoiada the priest.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Chronicles 23:7
The Levites must surround the king with weapons in hand, and anyone who enters the temple must be put to death. You must stay close to the king wherever he goes.”

1 Kings 1:38-40
Then Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites, went down and set Solomon on King David’s mule, and they escorted him to Gihon. / Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the ram’s horn, and all the people proclaimed, “Long live King Solomon!” / All the people followed him, playing flutes and rejoicing with such a great joy that the earth was split by the sound.

1 Kings 1:50-53
But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, got up and went to take hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to Solomon: “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, and he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon first swear to me not to put his servant to the sword.’” / And Solomon replied, “If he is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground. But if evil is found in him, he will die.” ...

2 Samuel 15:1-6
Some time later, Absalom provided for himself a chariot with horses and fifty men to run ahead of him. / He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask, “What city are you from?” And if he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,” / Absalom would say, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.” ...

1 Samuel 22:17
Then the king ordered the guards at his side, “Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they too sided with David. For they knew he was fleeing, but they did not tell me.” But the king’s servants would not lift a hand to strike the priests of the LORD.

1 Samuel 25:13
And David said to his men, “Strap on your swords!” So David and all his men strapped on their swords, and about four hundred men followed David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.

1 Samuel 26:15-16
So David said to Abner, “You are a man, aren’t you? And who in Israel is your equal? Why then did you not protect your lord the king when one of the people came to destroy him? / This thing you have done is not good. As surely as the LORD lives, all of you deserve to die, since you did not protect your lord, the LORD’s anointed. Now look around. Where are the king’s spear and water jug that were by his head?”

2 Samuel 20:6-10
And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord’s servants and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and elude us.” / So Joab’s men, along with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men, marched out of Jerusalem in pursuit of Sheba son of Bichri. / And while they were at the great stone in Gibeon, Amasa joined them. Now Joab was dressed in military attire, with a dagger strapped to his belt. And as he stepped forward, he slipped the dagger from its sheath. ...

2 Samuel 23:23
He was most honored among the Thirty, but he did not become one of the Three. And David appointed him over his guard.

1 Kings 2:29-30
It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!” / And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.”

1 Kings 2:34
So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up, struck down Joab, and killed him. He was buried at his own home in the wilderness.

2 Chronicles 23:10
He stationed all the troops, with their weapons in hand, surrounding the king by the altar and the temple, from the south side to the north side of the temple.

2 Chronicles 23:14
And Jehoiada the priest sent out the commanders of hundreds in charge of the army, saying, “Bring her out between the ranks, and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the house of the LORD.”

2 Chronicles 23:19
He stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the house of the LORD, so that no one who was in any way unclean could enter.

Matthew 26:47
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people.

Treasury of Scripture

And you shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand: and he that comes within the ranges, let him be slain: and be you with the king as he goes out and as he comes in.

he that cometh

2 Kings 11:15
But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD.

Exodus 21:14
But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.

1 Kings 2:28-31
Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar…

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Approaches Circle Compass Compassed Death Encompass Goes Hand Inside Lines Ranges Ranks Round Slain Station Surround Weapon Weapons Within Yourselves

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Approaches Circle Compass Compassed Death Encompass Goes Hand Inside Lines Ranges Ranks Round Slain Station Surround Weapon Weapons Within Yourselves

2 Kings 11

1. Jehoash, being saved by Jehosheba his aunt from Athaliah's massacre,
3. is hidden six years in the house of God
13. Jehoiada, giving order to the captains, in the seventh year anoints him king
17. Jehoiada restores the worship of God

Berean Study Bible

You are to surround the king on all sides
This phrase emphasizes the importance of protection and loyalty to the king, who in this context is Joash, a young boy at the time. The Hebrew root for "surround" is "סָבַב" (sabab), which conveys the idea of encircling or encompassing. This action signifies not only physical protection but also a spiritual and covenantal duty to safeguard the Davidic line, which is crucial in the biblical narrative as it leads to the Messiah. Historically, this reflects the turbulent times in Judah, where the monarchy was under threat, and the need for divine and human intervention to preserve God's chosen lineage.

every man with his weapons in hand
The phrase underscores the readiness and vigilance required of the guards. The Hebrew word for "weapons" is "כְּלִי" (keli), which can refer to tools or instruments of war. This readiness is not just physical but also spiritual, as it symbolizes the preparedness to defend God's anointed against any threat. In a broader biblical context, it reminds believers of the spiritual armor described in Ephesians 6, highlighting the need for constant vigilance in the spiritual battle.

Anyone who approaches your ranks must be put to death
This severe command reflects the seriousness of the situation. The Hebrew word for "approaches" is "נָגַשׁ" (nagas), meaning to draw near or come close. The command to put to death any intruder underscores the sanctity and inviolability of the king's presence, a reflection of God's holiness and the need to protect His anointed. This also serves as a deterrent against treachery and emphasizes the gravity of maintaining divine order in the kingdom.

You must stay close to the king wherever he goes
The phrase highlights the constant and unwavering loyalty required of the guards. The Hebrew root for "stay close" is "דָּבַק" (dabaq), which means to cling or adhere. This is not just a physical proximity but a deeper commitment to the king's well-being and mission. It reflects the biblical theme of covenant faithfulness, where God's people are called to cling to Him and His anointed. This loyalty is a model for believers, illustrating the call to remain steadfast in faith and devotion to Christ, the ultimate King.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 8. - And ye shall compass the king round about; every man with his weapons in his hand. The guard was to take up a position, partly in front of the king, and partly behind him; interposing themselves between his person and any danger, and at the same time extending themselves across the entire court of the temple (ver. 11) from one wall to the other. They were, of course, to have their weapons in their hands, ready for use. And he that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain; rather, within the ranks. The order was that if any one entered the temple, and attempted to break through the ranks of the guard, either in front of the king or behind him, he should instantly be put to death. No attempt of the kind was made; and so the order re-rosined a dead letter. And be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he cometh in; accompany him, i.e. in all his movements - let him never for a moment stray outside your ranks - continue to surround him whithersoever he goes. Boys are restless, and curiosity would lead the young prince to move from place to place in order to see what was going on.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

You must surround
וְהִקַּפְתֶּ֨ם (wə·hiq·qap̄·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5362: To strike, to knock together, surround, circulate

the king
הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

with weapons
וְכֵלָ֣יו (wə·ḵê·lāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus

in hand,
בְּיָד֔וֹ (bə·yā·ḏōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

and anyone
אִ֚ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

who approaches
וְהַבָּ֥א (wə·hab·bā)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the ranks
הַשְּׂדֵר֖וֹת (haś·śə·ḏê·rō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 7713: Row, rank (of soldiers)

must be put to death.
יוּמָ֑ת (yū·māṯ)
Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

You must stay
וִהְי֥וּ (wih·yū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

close
אֶת־ (’eṯ-)
Preposition
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

to the king
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

wherever he goes.”
בְּצֵאת֥וֹ (bə·ṣê·ṯōw)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

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OT History: 2 Kings 11:8 You shall surround the king every man (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)