2 Samuel 23:10 but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead.

Bible > 2 Samuel > Chapter 23 > Verse 10

◄ 2 Samuel 23:10 ►

New International Version
but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.

New Living Translation
He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and the LORD gave him a great victory that day. The rest of the army did not return until it was time to collect the plunder!

English Standard Version
He rose and struck down the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clung to the sword. And the LORD brought about a great victory that day, and the men returned after him only to strip the slain.

Berean Standard Bible
but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead.

King James Bible
He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.

New King James Version
He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder.

New American Standard Bible
He rose up and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary and it clung to the sword, and the LORD brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder the dead.

NASB 1995
He arose and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary and clung to the sword, and the LORD brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to strip the slain.

NASB 1977
He arose and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary and clung to the sword, and the LORD brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to strip the slain.

Legacy Standard Bible
He arose and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary and clung to the sword, and Yahweh brought about a great salvation that day; and the people returned after him only to strip the slain.

Amplified Bible
Eleazar stood up and struck down the Philistines until his hand was weary and clung to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day; the people returned after him only to take the spoil [of the slain].

Christian Standard Bible
but Eleazar stood his ground and attacked the Philistines until his hand was tired and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops came back to him, but only to plunder the dead.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
but Eleazar stood his ground and attacked the Philistines until his hand was tired and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops came back to him, but only to plunder the dead.

American Standard Version
He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword; and Jehovah wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to take spoil.

Contemporary English Version
except Eleazar. He killed Philistines until his hand was cramped, and he couldn't let go of his sword. When Eleazar finished, all the Israelite troops had to do was come back and take the enemies' weapons and armor. The LORD gave Israel a great victory that day.

English Revised Version
He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
he attacked and killed Philistines until his hand got tired and stuck to his sword. So the LORD won an impressive victory that day. The army returned to Eleazar, but they only returned to strip the dead.

Good News Translation
but he stood his ground and fought the Philistines until his hand was so cramped that he could not let go of his sword. The LORD won a great victory that day. After it was over, the Israelites returned to where Eleazar was and stripped the armor from the dead.

International Standard Version
but Eleazar remained standing right where he was and fought so hard against the Philistines that he became exhausted—he couldn't even let go of his sword! The LORD magnificently delivered them that day. After Eleazar had won the battle, the other soldiers returned, but only to strip the weapons and armor from the dead.

Majority Standard Bible
but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead.

NET Bible
he stood his ground and fought the Philistines until his hand grew so tired that it seemed stuck to his sword. The LORD gave a great victory on that day. When the army returned to him, the only thing left to do was to plunder the corpses.

New Heart English Bible
He arose, and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand froze to the sword; and the LORD worked a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to take spoil.

Webster's Bible Translation
He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand adhered to the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder.

World English Bible
He arose and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand froze to the sword; and Yahweh worked a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to take plunder.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
he has arisen, and strikes among the Philistines until his hand has been weary, and his hand cleaves to the sword, and YHWH works a great salvation on that day, and the people turn back after him only to strip off.

Young's Literal Translation
he hath arisen, and smiteth among the Philistines till that his hand hath been weary, and his hand cleaveth unto the sword, and Jehovah worketh a great salvation on that day, and the people turn back after him only to strip off.

Smith's Literal Translation
He arose, and he will strike against the rovers till that his hand will be weary, and his hand will cleave to the sword: and Jehovah will do a great salvation in that day; and they sat down behind him only to strip off.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And when the men of Israel were gone away, he stood and smote the Philistines till his hand was weary, and grew stiff with the sword: and the Lord wrought a great victory that day: and the people that were fled away, returned to take spoils of them that were slain.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when the men of Israel had gone up, he himself stood fast and struck down the Philistines, until his hand grew weak and stiff with the sword. And the Lord wrought a great salvation on that day. And the people who had fled returned to take up the spoils of the slain.

New American Bible
but he stood there and struck down the Philistines until his hand grew tired from clutching the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory on that day; the army turned back to rejoin Eleazar, but only to strip the slain.

New Revised Standard Version
but he stood his ground. He struck down the Philistines until his arm grew weary, though his hand clung to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the people came back to him—but only to strip the dead.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave to his sword; and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned with him only to strip the slain.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he arose and destroyed the Philistines until his hand was exhausted, and his hand stuck to the hilt of his sword, and LORD JEHOVAH performed salvation on that day, and the people returned after him to plunder the slain

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
he stood firm, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand did cleave unto the sword; and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to strip the slain.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He arose an smote the Philistines, until his hand was weary, and his hand clave to the sword: and the Lord wrought a great salvation in that day, and the people rested behind him only to strip the slain.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

David's Mighty Men
…9Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he went with David to taunt the Philistines who had gathered for battle at Pas-dammim. The men of Israel retreated, 10but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead. 11And after him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines had banded together near a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Chronicles 11:13-14
He was with David at Pas-dammim when the Philistines gathered there for battle. At a place with a field full of barley, the troops fled from the Philistines. / But Eleazar and David stationed themselves in the middle of the field and defended it. They struck down the Philistines, and the LORD brought about a great victory.

1 Samuel 14:23
So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle moved on beyond Beth-aven.

1 Samuel 17:9
If he is able to fight me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and work for us.”

1 Samuel 17:47
And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

1 Samuel 23:5
Then David and his men went to Keilah, fought against the Philistines, and carried off their livestock, striking them with a mighty blow. So David saved the people of Keilah.

1 Samuel 30:8
and David inquired of the LORD: “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD replied, “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.”

1 Samuel 30:18-19
So David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. / Nothing was missing, young or old, son or daughter, or any of the plunder the Amalekites had taken. David brought everything back.

2 Samuel 8:6
Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

2 Samuel 10:12
Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

2 Samuel 21:15-17
Once again the Philistines waged war against Israel, and David and his servants went down and fought against the Philistines. But David became exhausted. / Then Ishbi-benob, a descendant of Rapha, whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels and who was bearing a new sword, resolved to kill David. / But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You must never again go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel may not be extinguished.”

2 Kings 5:1
Now Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded, for through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. And he was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.

Psalm 18:32-34
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way clear. / He makes my feet like those of a deer and stations me upon the heights. / He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Psalm 144:1
Of David. Blessed be the LORD, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:13
For I am the LORD your God, who takes hold of your right hand and tells you: Do not fear, I will help you.

Treasury of Scripture

He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword: and the LORD worked a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.

the Lord

Joshua 10:10,42
And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah…

Joshua 11:8
And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining.

Judges 15:14,18
And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands…

and the people

Psalm 68:12
Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.

Isaiah 53:12
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

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2 Samuel 23

1. David, in his last words, professes his faith in God's promises
6. The different state of the wicked
8. A catalogue of David's mighty men

Berean Study Bible

but Eleazar stood his ground
The name "Eleazar" means "God has helped" in Hebrew, which is fitting given the context of divine assistance in battle. Eleazar's act of standing his ground is a testament to his faith and courage. In the historical context, standing one's ground in battle was a significant act of bravery, especially against formidable foes like the Philistines. This phrase highlights the importance of steadfastness and reliance on God in the face of overwhelming odds.

and struck down the Philistines
The Philistines were a constant threat to Israel during this period, often representing the forces of chaos and opposition to God's people. The act of striking them down symbolizes the triumph of God's chosen people over their enemies. This phrase underscores the theme of divine empowerment, where God enables His servants to achieve victory over seemingly insurmountable challenges.

until his hand grew weary and stuck to the sword
This vivid imagery of Eleazar's hand growing weary and sticking to the sword illustrates the intensity and duration of the battle. The Hebrew word for "stuck" can also imply a sense of cleaving or clinging, suggesting Eleazar's unwavering commitment to the fight. It serves as a metaphor for spiritual perseverance, where believers are called to hold fast to their faith and the Word of God, even when exhausted.

The LORD brought about a great victory that day
This phrase attributes the victory not to Eleazar's strength or skill, but to the LORD. It emphasizes the biblical principle that true success and triumph come from God. The "great victory" is a reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to deliver His people. Historically, such victories were seen as affirmations of God's favor and presence with Israel.

So the troops returned to Eleazar, but only to plunder the dead
The returning troops highlight the communal aspect of victory, where the spoils of war were shared among the people. However, the fact that they returned only to plunder suggests that Eleazar's initial stand was largely unsupported, further emphasizing his individual heroism and faith. This phrase can inspire believers to recognize that while individual acts of faith are crucial, the community of faith benefits from such acts and is called to participate in the blessings that follow.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(10) Clave unto the sword.--Instances are rare, but well authenticated, of a sort of cramp following excessive exertion, so that the hand could only be released from the sword by external appliances.

Returned after him.--Does not imply that they had at any time deserted him, but only that they turned wherever he went to gather the spoil of the men he slew.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 10. - Victory; Hebrew, salvation; and so also in ver. 12 and 1 Samuel 11:13; 1 Samuel 19:5. Returned after him. This does not imply that they had fled, but simply that they turned in whichever way he turned, and followed him. Battles in old time depended very much upon the prowess of the leaders.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

but Eleazar
ה֣וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

stood his ground
קָם֩ (qām)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

and struck
וַיַּ֨ךְ (way·yaḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

the Philistines
בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֜ים (bap·pə·liš·tîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

until
עַ֣ד ׀ (‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

his hand
יָד֗וֹ (yā·ḏōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

grew weary
יָגְעָ֣ה (yā·ḡə·‘āh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3021: To gasp, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil

and stuck
וַתִּדְבַּ֤ק (wat·tiḏ·baq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1692: To impinge, cling, adhere, to catch by pursuit

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

his sword.
הַחֶ֔רֶב (ha·ḥe·reḇ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

The LORD
יְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

brought about
וַיַּ֧עַשׂ (way·ya·‘aś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

a great
גְדוֹלָ֖ה (ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

victory
תְּשׁוּעָ֥ה (tə·šū·‘āh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8668: Deliverance, salvation

that
הַה֑וּא (ha·hū)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

day.
בַּיּ֣וֹם (bay·yō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

Then the troops
וְהָעָ֛ם (wə·hā·‘ām)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

returned
יָשֻׁ֥בוּ (yā·šu·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to him,
אַחֲרָ֖יו (’a·ḥă·rāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

but only
אַךְ־ (’aḵ-)
Adverb
Strong's 389: A particle of affirmation, surely

to plunder the dead.
לְפַשֵּֽׁט׃ (lə·p̄aš·šêṭ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6584: To strip off, make a dash, raid

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OT History: 2 Samuel 23:10 He arose and struck the Philistines until (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)