2 Samuel 17:25
New International Version
Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of Jether, an Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab.

New Living Translation
Absalom had appointed Amasa as commander of his army, replacing Joab, who had been commander under David. (Amasa was Joab’s cousin. His father was Jether, an Ishmaelite. His mother, Abigail daughter of Nahash, was the sister of Joab’s mother, Zeruiah.)

English Standard Version
Now Absalom had set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Ishmaelite, who had married Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.

Berean Standard Bible
Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab.

King James Bible
And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.

New King James Version
And Absalom made Amasa captain of the army instead of Joab. This Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Jithra, an Israelite, who had gone in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.

New American Standard Bible
Absalom put Amasa in command of the army in place of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who had relations with Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.

NASB 1995
Absalom set Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.

NASB 1977
And Absalom set Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Absalom set Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.

Amplified Bible
Absalom put Amasa in command of the army instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Israelite, who had married Abigail the daughter of Nahash, [the half sister of David and] the sister of Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.

Christian Standard Bible
Now Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in Joab’s place. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Israelite; Ithra had married Abigail daughter of Nahash. Abigail was a sister to Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in Joab’s place. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Israelite; Ithra had married Abigail daughter of Nahash. Abigail was a sister to Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.

American Standard Version
And Absalom set Amasa over the host instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Ithra the Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab's mother.

Contemporary English Version
Absalom put Amasa in Joab's place as commander of the army. Amasa's father was Ithra from the family of Ishmael, and his mother was Abigal, the daughter of Nahash and the sister of Joab's mother Zeruiah.

English Revised Version
And Absalom set Amasa over the host instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Ithra the Israelite, that went in to Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Absalom appointed Amasa to take Joab's place as commander of the army. (Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, a descendant of Ishmael. His mother was Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Joab's mother Zeruiah.)

Good News Translation
Absalom had put Amasa in command of the army in the place of Joab. Amasa was the son of Jether the Ishmaelite; his mother was Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and the sister of Joab's mother Zeruiah.)

International Standard Version
Absalom had installed Amasa in place of Joab over the army. (Amasa was the son of a man named Jether the Ishmaelite. His mother was Abigail, a daughter of Nahash and a sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother.)

Majority Standard Bible
Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab.

NET Bible
Absalom had made Amasa general in command of the army in place of Joab. (Now Amasa was the son of an Israelite man named Jether, who had married Abigail the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother.)

New Heart English Bible
And Absalom had put Amasa over the army in place of of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Jether the Ishmaelite, who had married Abigail the daughter of Jesse, sister to Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son, whose name was Ithra, an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab's mother.

World English Bible
Absalom set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Absalom has set Amasa over the host instead of Joab, and Amasa [is] a man’s son whose name is Ithra the Israeli who has gone in to Abigail, daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, mother of Joab;

Young's Literal Translation
and Amasa hath Absalom set instead of Joab over the host, and Amasa is a man's son whose name is Ithra the Israelite who hath gone in unto Abigail, daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, mother of Joab;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Absalom set Amasa instead of Joab over the army: and Amasa a man's son, and his name Ithra, the Israelite, who went in to Abigail, daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, mother of Joab.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now Absalom appointed Amasa in Joab's stead over the army: and Amasa was the son of a man who was called Jethra of Jezrael, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Naas, the sister of Sarvia who was the mother of Joab.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Truly, Absalom appointed Amasa in place of Joab over the army. Now Amasa was the son of a man who was called Ithra of Jezrael, who entered to Abigail, the daughter of Nahash, the sister of Zeruiah, who was the mother of Joab.

New American Bible
Absalom had put Amasa in command of the army in Joab’s place. Amasa was the son of an Ishmaelite named Ithra, who had married Abigail, daughter of Jesse and sister of Joab’s mother Zeruiah.

New Revised Standard Version
Now Absalom had set Amasa over the army in the place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Ishmaelite, who had married Abigal daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of an Israelite whose name was Ithra, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zoriah Joab's mother.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Amasa appointed Abishlum in the place of Yuab over the army, and Amasa was son of an Israelite man, and his name was Ithra, who had gone in upon Abigel, daughter of Nakhash, the sister of Tsuria, the mother of Yuab
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Absalom had set Amasa over the host instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Ithra the Jesraelite, that went in to Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abessalom appointed Amessai in the room of Joab over the host. And Amessai was the son of a man whose name was Jether of Jezrael: he went in to Abigaia the daughter of Naas, the sister of Saruia the mother of Joab.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Hushai's Warning Saves David
24Then David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. 25 Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab. 26So the Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 2:16-17
Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel. / Abigail was the mother of Amasa, whose father was Jether the Ishmaelite.

1 Chronicles 2:13-15
Jesse was the father of Eliab his firstborn; Abinadab was born second, Shimea third, / Nethanel fourth, Raddai fifth, / Ozem sixth, and David seventh.

1 Chronicles 27:34
Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah, then by Abiathar. Joab was the commander of the king’s army.

2 Samuel 19:13
And say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me, and ever so severely, if from now on you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!’”

2 Samuel 3:27
When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.

2 Samuel 8:16
Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;

2 Samuel 20:23
Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites;

1 Kings 2:5-6
Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. / So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.

1 Kings 2:32
The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army.

1 Kings 1:7
So Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, who supported him.

1 Kings 1:19
And he has sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the other sons of the king, as well as Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army. But he has not invited your servant Solomon.

1 Kings 1:25
For today he has gone down and sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the sons of the king, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

1 Kings 1:42
As he was speaking, suddenly Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest arrived. “Come in,” said Adonijah, “for you are a man of valor. You must be bringing good news.”

1 Kings 1:50
But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, got up and went to take hold of the horns of the altar.

1 Kings 2:28-34
When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. / 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.” ...


Treasury of Scripture

And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.

Amasa

2 Samuel 19:13
And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.

2 Samuel 20:4,9-12
Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present…

Ithra

1 Chronicles 2:16,17
Whose sisters were Zeruiah, and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah; Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three…

Jether the ishmaelite

1 Chronicles 2:13,16
And Jesse begat his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimma the third, …

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Abigail Absalom Amasa Army Captain Daughter Host Instead Israelite Joab Joab's Mother Nahash Sister Zeruiah
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Abigail Absalom Amasa Army Captain Daughter Host Instead Israelite Joab Joab's Mother Nahash Sister Zeruiah
2 Samuel 17
1. Ahithophel's counsel is overthrown by Hushai's
15. Secret intelligence is sent unto David
23. Ahithophel hangs himself
25. Amasa is made captain
27. David at Mahanaim is furnished with provisions














Now Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army
In this phrase, we see Absalom, David's son, making a strategic decision to appoint Amasa as the commander of his forces. The Hebrew root for "appointed" (שׂוּם, sum) implies setting or placing someone in a position of authority. This decision reflects Absalom's attempt to consolidate power and establish his own leadership distinct from his father, King David. Historically, this move signifies a shift in military allegiance, as Amasa was chosen over Joab, David's loyal commander. This choice may have been intended to secure loyalty from those who were discontent with Joab's leadership or to strengthen Absalom's claim to the throne by aligning with different factions within Israel.

in place of Joab
Joab, a seasoned and formidable military leader, had been a key figure in David's reign. The phrase "in place of Joab" indicates a significant change in military leadership. Joab's removal could be seen as a political maneuver by Absalom to distance himself from his father's administration and to assert his own authority. Joab's reputation for ruthlessness and his close ties to David might have made him a liability for Absalom's rebellion. This change also highlights the tension and division within the kingdom, as loyalties were tested and realigned during this period of civil strife.

Amasa was the son of a man named Jether the Ishmaelite
The mention of Amasa's lineage is significant. "Jether the Ishmaelite" connects Amasa to the broader narrative of Israel's history. The Ishmaelites were descendants of Ishmael, Abraham's son with Hagar, and were often seen as outsiders to the covenant community of Israel. This detail may suggest that Amasa's appointment was a strategic move to garner support from groups outside the traditional Israelite tribes, reflecting the complex social and political landscape of the time.

who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash
Abigail's mention provides insight into the familial connections that influenced political alliances. The name "Nahash" is intriguing, as it is associated with a king of the Ammonites, suggesting possible ties or alliances with neighboring nations. Abigail's marriage to Jether and her connection to Nahash may have played a role in Amasa's rise to power, as marriages often served to strengthen political alliances and secure loyalty among different groups.

and sister of Zeruiah, the mother of Joab
This phrase highlights the intricate family dynamics at play. Zeruiah, David's sister, was the mother of Joab, making Amasa and Joab cousins. This familial relationship adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, as it underscores the personal and familial conflicts that were intertwined with the political struggles of the time. The mention of these family ties serves to remind readers of the deeply personal nature of the conflict, as it was not just a battle for power but also a struggle within a family.

(25) Amasa.--Joab having adhered to David and gone away with him, Absalom chose his cousin to succeed him as commander-in-chief.

Ithra an Israelite.--Called in 1Chronicles 2:17. Jether the Ishmeelite. Jether and Ithra are merely different forms of the same name; but Israelite is probably an error for Ishmeelite. The LXX. has, in the Alexandrian copy, Ishmaelite, and in the Vatican, Jezreelite.

Abigail the daughter of Nahash.--Since this Abigail is said to be "sister to Zeruiah," and in 1Chronicles 2:16 both Abigail and Zeruiah are said to be the sisters of Jesse's sons, it follows, either that sister is used in the sense of half-sister, or else that Nahash, usually a man's name, was the name of Jesse's wife. It is impossible to decide certainly. The Jewish tradition that Nahash is another name for Jesse has no support.

Verse 25. - Ithra an Israelite. In 1 Chronicles 2:17 he is called "Jether the Ishmeelite." The first name is the same, Ithra being the emphatic form of Jether; and as it is difficult to find a reason for mentioning so ordinary a fact as that his father was an Israelite, we may conclude that "Ishmeelite" is the correct reading. Bishop Wordsworth, however, suggests that "Israelite" was in contrast to "Judahite;" but this distinction did not come into use until after the disruption of the kingdom. The Vatican text of the Septuagint has "Jezreelite," which is probably a conjecture to get rid of the obvious error of calling him an Israelite. Amasa was an illegitimate son, which confirms the reading "Ishmeelite" in 1 Chronicles 2:17, as a marriage between Abigail and a foreigner would be sure to be opposed by all the members of Jesse's family. Nahash. Jewish interpreters regard Nahash (equivalent to "serpent") as another name for Jesse, quoting in proof, "Out of the root of Nahash (the serpent) shall come forth the basilisk" (Isaiah 14:29), which in the Chaldee Paraphrase is explained as meaning, "out of the root of Jesse shall come forth the Messiah." This conceit would scarcely have deserved mention, had it not found a place in the margin of the Authorized Version. Some few commentators regard Nahash as a woman's name, and think that she was a wife of Jesse, and mother of Abigail and Zerniah, but not of David. But Nahash is so constantly a man's name that it is easier to believe that Nahash was the first husband of David's mother, and Abigail and Zerniah his half-sisters, not on the father's, but on the mother's side. Joab and his brothers are always described as sons of Zeruiah, both to mark their relationship to David, and also because the rank was on her side. Amasa was probably the Amasai mentioned in 1 Chronicles 12:18 as bringing a powerful reinforcement to David while at Ziklag; but the ambition of supplanting Joab made him now forget David's long friendship.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Absalom
אַבְשָׁלֹ֛ם (’aḇ·šā·lōm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 53: Absalom -- 'my father is peace', two Israelites

had appointed
שָׂ֧ם (śām)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

Amasa
עֲמָשָׂ֗א (‘ă·mā·śā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6021: Amasa -- two Israelites

over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the army
הַצָּבָ֑א (haṣ·ṣā·ḇā)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

in place
תַּ֥חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

of Joab.
יוֹאָ֖ב (yō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites

Amasa
וַעֲמָשָׂ֣א (wa·‘ă·mā·śā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6021: Amasa -- two Israelites

was the son
בֶן־ (ḇen-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

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

named
וּשְׁמוֹ֙ (ū·šə·mōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

Ithra,
יִתְרָ֣א (yiṯ·rā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3501: Ithra -- father of Amasa

the Ishmaelite
הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִ֔י (hay·yiś·rə·’ê·lî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3481: Israel -- descendant of Israel

who
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

had married
בָּא֙ (bā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

Abigail
אֲבִיגַ֣ל (’ă·ḇî·ḡal)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 26: Abigail -- 'my father is joy', two Israelite women

daughter
בַּת־ (baṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

of Nahash
נָחָ֔שׁ (nā·ḥāš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5176: Nahash -- the name of several non-Israelites

and sister
אֲח֥וֹת (’ă·ḥō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 269: Sister -- a sister

of Zeruiah
צְרוּיָ֖ה (ṣə·rū·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6870: Zeruiah -- an Israelite woman

the mother
אֵ֥ם (’êm)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 517: A mother, )

of Joab.
יוֹאָֽב׃ (yō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites


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OT History: 2 Samuel 17:25 Absalom set Amasa over the army instead (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 17:24
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