2 Samuel 23:12
New International Version
But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the LORD brought about a great victory.

New Living Translation
but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory.

English Standard Version
But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the LORD worked a great victory.

Berean Standard Bible
But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory.

King James Bible
But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.

New King James Version
But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory.

New American Standard Bible
But he took his stand in the midst of the plot, defended it, and struck the Philistines; and the LORD brought about a great victory.

NASB 1995
But he took his stand in the midst of the plot, defended it and struck the Philistines; and the LORD brought about a great victory.

NASB 1977
But he took his stand in the midst of the plot, defended it and struck the Philistines; and the LORD brought about a great victory.

Legacy Standard Bible
But he took his stand in the midst of that portion and delivered it and struck down the Philistines. So Yahweh brought about a great salvation.

Amplified Bible
But he took his stand in the center of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines; and the LORD brought about a great victory.

Christian Standard Bible
but Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
but Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory.

American Standard Version
But he stood in the midst of the plot, and defended it, and slew the Philistines; and Jehovah wrought a great victory.

Contemporary English Version
but Shammah stood in the middle of the field and killed the Philistines. The crops were saved, and the LORD gave Israel a great victory.

English Revised Version
But he stood in the midst of the plot, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
he stood in the middle of the field and defended it by killing Philistines. So the LORD won an impressive victory.

Good News Translation
but Shammah stood his ground in the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. The LORD won a great victory that day.

International Standard Version
but Shammah stood his ground in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. And the LORD brought about a great victory.

Majority Standard Bible
But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory.

NET Bible
But he made a stand in the middle of that area. He defended it and defeated the Philistines; the LORD gave them a great victory.

New Heart English Bible
But he stood in the midst of the plot, and defended it, and killed the Philistines; and the LORD worked a great victory.

Webster's Bible Translation
But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.

World English Bible
But he stood in the middle of the plot and defended it, and killed the Philistines; and Yahweh worked a great victory.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he stations himself in the midst of the portion, and delivers it, and strikes the Philistines, and YHWH works a great salvation.

Young's Literal Translation
and he stationeth himself in the midst of the portion, and delivereth it, and smiteth the Philistines, and Jehovah worketh a great salvation.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will stand in the midst of the portion, and he will take it away, and he will strike the rovers: and Jehovah will do a great salvation.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He stood in the midst of the field, and defended it, and defeated the Philistines: and the Lord gave a great victory.

Catholic Public Domain Version
he stood fast in the middle of the field, and it was protected by him. And he struck down the Philistines. And the Lord wrought a great salvation.

New American Bible
but he took his stand in the middle of the plot, kept it safe, and cut down the Philistines. Thus the LORD brought about a great victory. Such deeds as these the Three warriors performed.

New Revised Standard Version
But he took his stand in the middle of the plot, defended it, and killed the Philistines; and the LORD brought about a great victory.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He stood in the midst of the field and delivered the cattle and slew the Philistines; and the LORD wrought a great victory by his hand.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he stood inside the field and he saved the cattle and destroyed the Philistines, and LORD JEHOVAH performed great salvation by his hand
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But he stood in the midst of the plot, and defended it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD wrought a great victory.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he stood firm in the midst of the portion, and rescued it, and smote the Philistines; and the Lord wrought a great deliverance.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David's Mighty Men
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. 12But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory. 13At harvest time, three of the thirty chief men went down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a company of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 11:14
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.

Joshua 23:10
One of you can put a thousand to flight, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as He promised.

Judges 3:31
After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath. And he too saved Israel, striking down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad.

Judges 7:21
Each Israelite took his position around the camp, and the entire Midianite army fled, crying out as they ran.

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

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 19:5
He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?”

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 25:28
Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the LORD will surely make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because he fights the LORD’s battles. May no evil be found in you as long as you live.

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 21:12
he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the public square of Beth-shan where the Philistines had hung the bodies after they had struck down Saul at Gilboa.

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.

1 Chronicles 29:11-12
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in heaven and on earth belongs to You. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all. / Both riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler over all. In Your hands are power and might to exalt and give strength to all.

Psalm 44:3
For it was not by their sword that they took the land; their arm did not bring them victory. It was by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, because You favored them.

Psalm 60:12
With God we will perform with valor, and He will trample our enemies.


Treasury of Scripture

But he stood in the middle of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD worked a great victory.

the Lord

2 Samuel 23:10
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.

Psalm 3:8
Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

Psalm 44:2
How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.

Jump to Previous
Attack Bit Defended Deliverance Delivered Field Great Ground Kept Killed Middle Midst Philistines Plot Salvation Shammah Slew Smote Stand Stood Struck Victory Worked Wrought
Jump to Next
Attack Bit Defended Deliverance Delivered Field Great Ground Kept Killed Middle Midst Philistines Plot Salvation Shammah Slew Smote Stand Stood Struck Victory Worked Wrought
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














But Shammah
The name "Shammah" in Hebrew means "astonishment" or "desolation." Shammah was one of David's mighty warriors, a group of elite fighters who were renowned for their bravery and skill in battle. His inclusion in this passage highlights the importance of individual courage and faithfulness in the face of overwhelming odds. Shammah's actions serve as a reminder that God often uses seemingly ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary feats.

took his stand
The phrase "took his stand" indicates a deliberate and courageous decision to hold one's ground. In the Hebrew context, this implies a firm resolve and unwavering commitment. Shammah's decision to stand his ground in the face of the enemy is a powerful metaphor for spiritual steadfastness. It encourages believers to stand firm in their faith, even when faced with challenges or opposition.

in the middle of the field
The "middle of the field" suggests a place of vulnerability and exposure. Fields were often the sites of agricultural activity, and during times of conflict, they became battlegrounds. Shammah's position in the middle of the field symbolizes being at the heart of the conflict, where the battle is most intense. This can be seen as a call for Christians to engage actively in spiritual warfare, standing firm in the center of God's will.

He defended it
The act of defending the field signifies protection and preservation. In the Hebrew context, defending one's land was not only a matter of personal honor but also a duty to one's community and God. Shammah's defense of the field can be seen as an allegory for defending the faith and upholding God's truth in a world that often opposes it.

and struck down the Philistines
The Philistines were a perennial enemy of Israel, representing opposition and hostility. Shammah's victory over them is symbolic of overcoming spiritual adversaries. The act of striking down the Philistines can be interpreted as the triumph of good over evil, a theme that resonates throughout the Bible. It serves as an encouragement to believers that, with God's help, they can overcome any spiritual battles they face.

and the LORD brought about a great victory
This phrase attributes the victory not to Shammah's strength or skill, but to the LORD. The Hebrew word for "victory" here can also be translated as "deliverance" or "salvation," emphasizing that true victory comes from God. This underscores a central tenet of the Christian faith: that God is the ultimate source of strength and success. It is a reminder that, while human effort is important, it is ultimately God who grants victory. This encourages believers to rely on God's power and grace in all their endeavors.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But Shammah took his stand
וַיִּתְיַצֵּ֤ב (way·yiṯ·yaṣ·ṣêḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3320: To set or station oneself, take one's stand

in the middle
בְּתוֹךְ־ (bə·ṯō·wḵ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

of the field,
הַֽחֶלְקָה֙ (ha·ḥel·qāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2513: Smoothness, flattery, an allotment

defended it,
וַיַּצִּילֶ֔הָ (way·yaṣ·ṣî·le·hā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5337: To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver

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

the Philistines.
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים (pə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

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

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

a great
גְדוֹלָֽה׃ (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


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OT History: 2 Samuel 23:12 But he stood in the midst (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 23:11
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