2 Samuel 13:13
New International Version
What about me? Where could I get rid of my disgrace? And what about you? You would be like one of the wicked fools in Israel. Please speak to the king; he will not keep me from being married to you.”

New Living Translation
Where could I go in my shame? And you would be called one of the greatest fools in Israel. Please, just speak to the king about it, and he will let you marry me.”

English Standard Version
As for me, where could I carry my shame? And as for you, you would be as one of the outrageous fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.”

Berean Standard Bible
Where could I ever take my shame? And you would be like one of the fools in Israel! Please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.”

King James Bible
And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.

New King James Version
And I, where could I take my shame? And as for you, you would be like one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.”

New American Standard Bible
As for me, where could I get rid of my shame? And as for you, you will be like one of the fools in Israel. Now then, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.”

NASB 1995
“As for me, where could I get rid of my reproach? And as for you, you will be like one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.”

NASB 1977
“As for me, where could I get rid of my reproach? And as for you, you will be like one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.”

Legacy Standard Bible
As for me, where could I get rid of my reproach? And as for you, you will be like one of the wicked fools in Israel. So now, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.”

Amplified Bible
As for me, how could I get rid of my shame and disgrace? And you, you will be considered one of the fools in Israel. So now, just speak to the king [about taking me as your wife], for he will not withhold me from you.”

Christian Standard Bible
Where could I ever go with my humiliation? And you—you would be like one of the outrageous fools in Israel! Please, speak to the king, for he won’t keep me from you.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Where could I ever go with my disgrace? And you—you would be like one of the immoral men in Israel! Please, speak to the king, for he won’t keep me from you.”

American Standard Version
And I, whither shall I carry my shame? and as for thee, thou wilt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.

Contemporary English Version
Think of me. I'll be disgraced forever! And think of yourself. Everyone in Israel will say you're nothing but trash! Just ask the king, and he will let you marry me."

English Revised Version
And I, whither shall I carry my shame? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Where could I go in my disgrace? And you will be considered one of the godless fools in Israel! Speak to the king. He won't refuse your request to marry me."

Good News Translation
How could I ever hold up my head in public again? And you--you would be completely disgraced in Israel. Please, speak to the king, and I'm sure that he will give me to you."

International Standard Version
And what about me? Where will I go to escape this disgrace? And as for you, you'll be known as one of Israel's greatest fools! So please talk to the king, because he won't withhold me from you!"

Majority Standard Bible
Where could I ever take my shame? And you would be like one of the fools in Israel! Please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.?

NET Bible
How could I ever be rid of my humiliation? And you would be considered one of the fools in Israel! Just speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you."

New Heart English Bible
I, where would I carry my shame? And as for you, you will be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you."

Webster's Bible Translation
And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou wilt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.

World English Bible
As for me, where would I carry my shame? And as for you, you will be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I—to where do I cause my reproach to go? And you are as one of the fools in Israel; and now, please speak to the king; for he does not withhold me from you.”

Young's Literal Translation
And I -- whither do I cause my reproach to go? and thou -- thou art as one of the fools in Israel; and now, speak, I pray thee, unto the king; for he doth not withhold me from thee.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And I, whither shall I cause my reproach to go? and thou wilt be as one of the foolish in Israel. And now, speak now, to the king, and he will not withhold me from thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For I shall not be able to bear my shame, and thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel: but rather speak to the king, and he will not deny me to thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For I will not be able to bear my shame. And you will be like one of the foolish in Israel. For it is better to speak to the king, and he will not deny me to you.”

New American Bible
Where would I take my shame? And you would be labeled a fool in Israel. So please, speak to the king; he will not keep me from you.”

New Revised Standard Version
As for me, where could I carry my shame? And as for you, you would be as one of the scoundrels in Israel. Now therefore, I beg you, speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And as for me, where shall I carry my shame? And as for you, you would be reckoned as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Where shall I bear my reproach and you will be considered as but one of the fools in Israel! Now speak to the King and he will not withhold me from you!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And I, whither shall I carry my shame? and as for thee, thou wilt be as one of the base men in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I, whither shall I remove my reproach? and thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. And now, speak, I pray thee, to the king, for surely he will not keep me from thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Amnon and Tamar
12“No, my brother!” she cried. “Do not humiliate me, for such a thing should never be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing! 13Where could I ever take my shame? And you would be like one of the fools in Israel! Please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.” 14But Amnon refused to listen to her, and being stronger, he violated her and lay with her.…

Cross References
Genesis 34:7
When Jacob’s sons heard what had happened, they returned from the field. They were filled with grief and fury, because Shechem had committed an outrage in Israel by lying with Jacob’s daughter—a thing that should not be done.

Deuteronomy 22:21
she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house, and there the men of her city will stone her to death. For she has committed an outrage in Israel by being promiscuous in her father’s house. So you must purge the evil from among you.

Judges 19:23-24
The owner of the house went out and said to them, “No, my brothers, do not do this wicked thing! After all, this man is a guest in my house. Do not commit this outrage. / Look, let me bring out my virgin daughter and the man’s concubine, and you can use them and do with them as you wish. But do not do such a vile thing to this man.”

Leviticus 18:9
You must not have sexual relations with your sister, either your father’s daughter or your mother’s daughter, whether she was born in the same home or elsewhere.

Leviticus 20:17
If a man marries his sister, whether the daughter of his father or of his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off in the sight of their people. He has uncovered the nakedness of his sister; he shall bear his iniquity.

Deuteronomy 27:22
‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

1 Corinthians 5:1
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; / each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, / not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;

Ephesians 5:3
But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed.

Romans 1:24-27
Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. / They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen. / For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. ...

1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. / Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; / you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

Galatians 5:19
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;

Colossians 3:5
Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.

1 Timothy 5:2
older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.


Treasury of Scripture

And I, where shall I cause my shame to go? and as for you, you shall be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray you, speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.

Now therefore

Genesis 19:8
Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.

Judges 19:24
Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing.

Jump to Previous
Base Carry Cause Disgrace Disgust Fools Infamous Israel Please Reproach Request Rid Shame Speak Wanton Whither Wilt Withhold Wouldest
Jump to Next
Base Carry Cause Disgrace Disgust Fools Infamous Israel Please Reproach Request Rid Shame Speak Wanton Whither Wilt Withhold Wouldest
2 Samuel 13
1. Amnon loving Tamar, by Jonadab's counsel feigning himself sick, ravishes her.
15. He hates her, and shamefully turns her away
19. Absalom entertains her, and conceals his purpose
23. At a sheep-shearing among all the king's sons, he kills Amnon
31. David grieving at the news, is comforted by Jonadab
37. Absalom flies to Talmai at Geshur














Where could I ever take my shame?
This phrase reflects the deep cultural and personal implications of shame in ancient Israel. The Hebrew word for "shame" here is "חֶרְפָּה" (cherpah), which denotes disgrace or reproach. In the context of the ancient Near Eastern society, a woman's honor was closely tied to her sexual purity, and losing it outside of marriage could lead to social ostracism. Tamar's question underscores her desperation and the irreversible damage to her reputation and future prospects. It highlights the gravity of Amnon's intended sin, not just as a personal violation but as a societal transgression with lasting consequences.

And you would be like one of the fools in Israel
The term "fools" is translated from the Hebrew word "נָבָל" (nabal), which implies more than mere foolishness; it suggests moral and spiritual bankruptcy. In the biblical context, a "fool" is someone who acts without regard for God or His laws. Tamar's use of this term indicates that Amnon's actions would not only harm her but also degrade his own standing, reducing him to someone who is despised and rejected by the community. This reflects the biblical principle that sin not only affects the victim but also corrupts the perpetrator, leading to a loss of honor and respect.

Please speak to the king
Tamar's plea to "speak to the king" reveals her hope for a legitimate resolution within the bounds of the law and family structure. In ancient Israel, the king held the authority to make decisions regarding family matters, and Tamar believed that King David, her father, would not deny Amnon's request for marriage. This appeal to authority underscores the importance of seeking righteous and lawful solutions to personal and familial conflicts, rather than resorting to sinful actions.

for he will not withhold me from you
This phrase suggests Tamar's belief in the possibility of a lawful marriage, which would have been a socially acceptable solution to Amnon's desires. It reflects the cultural norms of the time, where arranged marriages within the royal family were not uncommon. Tamar's statement also highlights her willingness to comply with societal expectations, despite the personal cost, in order to preserve her dignity and honor. It serves as a poignant reminder of the lengths to which individuals might go to uphold social and familial integrity, even in the face of personal violation.

(13) Speak unto the king.--The marriage of half-brothers and sisters was strictly forbidden in the Law (Leviticus 18:9; Leviticus 18:11; Leviticus 20:17), and it is not to be supposed that Tamar really thought David would violate its provisions for Amnon; but she made any and every suggestion to gain time and escape the pressing danger. Amnon, however, knew the Law too well to have any hope of a legitimate marriage with Tamar, and, therefore, persisted in his violence.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Where
אָ֤נָה (’ā·nāh)
Interrogative
Strong's 575: Where?, whither?, when?, hither and thither

could I
וַאֲנִ֗י (wa·’ă·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

ever take
אוֹלִיךְ֙ (’ō·w·lîḵ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

my shame?
חֶרְפָּתִ֔י (ḥer·pā·ṯî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2781: Contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

And as for you,
וְאַתָּ֗ה (wə·’at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

you would be
תִּהְיֶ֛ה (tih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

like one
כְּאַחַ֥ד (kə·’a·ḥaḏ)
Preposition-k | Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 259: United, one, first

of the fools
הַנְּבָלִ֖ים (han·nə·ḇā·lîm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 5036: Foolish, senseless

in Israel!
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (bə·yiś·rā·’êl)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

Please
נָ֣א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

speak
דַּבֶּר־ (dab·ber-)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

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

for
כִּ֛י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he will not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

withhold me
יִמְנָעֵ֖נִי (yim·nā·‘ê·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 4513: To debar, from benefit, injury

from you.”
מִמֶּֽךָּ׃ (mim·me·kā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of


Links
2 Samuel 13:13 NIV
2 Samuel 13:13 NLT
2 Samuel 13:13 ESV
2 Samuel 13:13 NASB
2 Samuel 13:13 KJV

2 Samuel 13:13 BibleApps.com
2 Samuel 13:13 Biblia Paralela
2 Samuel 13:13 Chinese Bible
2 Samuel 13:13 French Bible
2 Samuel 13:13 Catholic Bible

OT History: 2 Samuel 13:13 I where shall I carry my shame? (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 13:12
Top of Page
Top of Page