2 Samuel 24:1
New International Version
Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.”

New Living Translation
Once again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and he caused David to harm them by taking a census. “Go and count the people of Israel and Judah,” the LORD told him.

English Standard Version
Again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go, number Israel and Judah.”

Berean Standard Bible
Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He stirred up David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.”

King James Bible
And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.

New King James Version
Again the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, “Go, number Israel and Judah.”

New American Standard Bible
Now the anger of the LORD burned against Israel again, and He incited David against them to say, “Go, count Israel and Judah.”

NASB 1995
Now again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and it incited David against them to say, “Go, number Israel and Judah.”

NASB 1977
Now again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and it incited David against them to say, “Go, number Israel and Judah.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And again the anger of Yahweh burned against Israel, and it incited David against them to say, “Go, number Israel and Judah.”

Amplified Bible
Now again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He incited David against them to say, “Go, count [the people of] Israel and Judah.”

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD’s anger burned against Israel again, and he stirred up David against them to say, “Go, count the people of Israel and Judah.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD’s anger burned against Israel again, and He stirred up David against them to say: “Go, count the people of Israel and Judah.”

American Standard Version
And again the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them, saying, Go, number Israel and Judah.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD was angry with Israel again, and he made David think it would be a good idea to count the people in Israel and Judah.

English Revised Version
And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them, saying, Go, number Israel and Judah.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD became angry with Israel again, so he provoked David to turn against Israel. He said, "Go, count Israel and Judah."

Good News Translation
On another occasion the LORD was angry with Israel, and he made David bring trouble on them. The LORD said to him, "Go and count the people of Israel and Judah."

International Standard Version
Later, God's anger blazed forth against Israel, so he incited David to move against them by telling him, "Go take a census of Israel and Judah."

Majority Standard Bible
Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He stirred up David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.”

NET Bible
The LORD's anger again raged against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, "Go count Israel and Judah."

New Heart English Bible
Now again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and he moved David against them, saying, "Go, number Israel and Judah."

Webster's Bible Translation
And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go number Israel and Judah.

World English Bible
Again Yahweh’s anger burned against Israel, and he moved David against them, saying, “Go, count Israel and Judah.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the anger of YHWH adds to burn against Israel, and [an adversary] moves David about them, saying, “Go, number Israel and Judah.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the anger of Jehovah addeth to burn against Israel, and an adversary moveth David about them, saying, 'Go, number Israel and Judah.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the anger of Jehovah will add to kindle against Israel, and he stimulated David against them, saying, Go, number Israel and Judah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the anger of the Lord was again kindled against Israel, and stirred up David among them, saying: Go, number Israel and Juda.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the fury of the Lord was again kindled against Israel, and he stirred up David among them, saying: “Go, number Israel and Judah.”

New American Bible
The LORD’s anger against Israel flared again, and he incited David against them: “Go, take a census of Israel and Judah.”

New Revised Standard Version
Again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go, count the people of Israel and Judah.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
AND again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them and said to him, Go, number Israel and Judah.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the anger of LORD JEHOVAH increased greatly in Israel and provoked David against them and he said to him: “Go number Israel and Yehuda”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and He moved David against them, saying: 'Go, number Israel and Judah.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord caused his anger to burn forth again in Israel, and Satan stirred up David against them, saying, Go, number Israel and Juda.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David's Military Census
1Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He stirred up David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.” 2So the king said to Joab the commander of his army, who was with him, “Go now throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and register the troops, so that I may know their number.”…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 21:1
Then Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.

Exodus 30:12
“When you take a census of the Israelites to number them, each man must pay the LORD a ransom for his life when he is counted. Then no plague will come upon them when they are numbered.

Numbers 14:11
And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them?

1 Kings 11:14
Then the LORD raised up against Solomon an adversary, Hadad the Edomite, from the royal line of Edom.

1 Kings 22:20-22
And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab to march up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one suggested this, and another that. / Then a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ ‘By what means?’ asked the LORD. / And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’

Job 1:6-12
One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. / “Where have you come from?” said the LORD to Satan. “From roaming through the earth,” he replied, “and walking back and forth in it.” / Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.” ...

Job 2:1-6
On another day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before Him. / “Where have you come from?” said the LORD to Satan. “From roaming through the earth,” he replied, “and walking back and forth in it.” / Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil. He still retains his integrity, even though you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.” ...

Psalm 106:29-30
So they provoked the LORD to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them. / But Phinehas stood and intervened, and the plague was restrained.

Isaiah 45:7
I form the light and create the darkness; I bring prosperity and create calamity. I, the LORD, do all these things.

Jeremiah 32:29
And the Chaldeans who are fighting against this city will come in, set it on fire, and burn it, along with the houses of those who provoked Me to anger by burning incense to Baal on their rooftops and by pouring out drink offerings to other gods.

Ezekiel 14:9
But if the prophet is enticed to speak a message, then it was I the LORD who enticed him, and I will stretch out My hand against him and destroy him from among My people Israel.

Amos 3:6
If a ram’s horn sounds in a city, do the people not tremble? If calamity comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?

Matthew 4:1
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Matthew 6:13
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

Matthew 26:41
“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”


Treasury of Scripture

And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.

A.

2 Samuel 21:1
Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.

1 Chronicles 21:1
And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.

James 1:13,14
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: …

moved

2 Samuel 12:11
Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.

2 Samuel 16:10
And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?

Genesis 45:5
Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

Go, number

1 Chronicles 27:23,24
But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens…

Jump to Previous
Addeth Adversary Anger Burn Burned Burning Census David Incited Israel Judah Kindled Moved Moveth Moving Wrath
Jump to Next
Addeth Adversary Anger Burn Burned Burning Census David Incited Israel Judah Kindled Moved Moveth Moving Wrath
2 Samuel 24
1. David, tempted by Satan, forces Joab to number the people
5. The captains, in nine months and twenty days, gather 1,300,000 fighting men
10. David repents, and having three plagues proposed by God, chooses pestilence
15. After the death of 70,000, David by prayer prevents the destruction of Jerusalem
18. David, by God's direction, purchases Araunah's threshing floor;
25. and the plague stops














Again the anger of the LORD burned
The phrase "Again the anger of the LORD burned" indicates a recurring theme in the Old Testament where God's righteous indignation is kindled against His people due to their disobedience or sin. The Hebrew word for "anger" here is "אַף" (aph), which often conveys a sense of intense displeasure or wrath. This reflects God's holiness and justice, reminding us that He cannot tolerate sin. Historically, Israel had repeatedly turned away from God, and this verse sets the stage for another instance where divine discipline is necessary to bring the nation back to righteousness.

against Israel
"Against Israel" signifies that the entire nation was the object of God's displeasure. Israel, chosen as God's covenant people, was expected to live according to His statutes. The historical context suggests that Israel's actions, possibly idolatry or neglect of God's laws, had provoked this divine response. This serves as a sobering reminder of the collective responsibility of a nation to uphold God's standards and the consequences of failing to do so.

and He incited David against them
The phrase "and He incited David against them" is intriguing and has been the subject of much theological discussion. The Hebrew verb "סוּת" (sut) can mean to incite or provoke. In a conservative Christian perspective, this does not imply that God causes sin, but rather that He permits circumstances that reveal the heart's intentions. David, as king, was God's appointed leader, and his actions would have significant implications for the nation. This highlights the sovereignty of God in using human leaders to fulfill His divine purposes, even when their actions are flawed.

saying, 'Go, take a census of Israel and Judah.'
The command "Go, take a census of Israel and Judah" seems straightforward but carries deep implications. In the ancient Near East, censuses were often conducted for military or taxation purposes. However, in the biblical context, numbering the people without God's explicit command was seen as an act of pride or self-reliance, suggesting a lack of trust in God's provision and protection. This act would later lead to consequences for David and Israel, underscoring the importance of seeking God's guidance in all decisions. The division of "Israel and Judah" also foreshadows the eventual split of the united kingdom, reminding readers of the unity that God desires among His people.

(1) Kindled against Israel.--This was not in consequence of the numbering of the people, but in consequence of that which ultimately led to that act. We are not told why the anger of the Lord was kindled, but doubtless because He saw both in king and people that rising spirit of earthly pride and reliance on earthly strength which led to the sin.

He moved.--The pronoun here stands for "the Lord," yet in 1Chronicles 21:1, the temptation is attributed to Satan, and Satan is clearly meant of the devil, and not simply of "an adversary." This is a striking instance of attributing directly to God whatever comes about under His permission. And yet it is more than that. God has established immutable spiritual as well as material laws, or rather those laws themselves are but the expression of His unchanging will. Whatever comes about under the operation of those laws is said to be His doing. Now David's numbering the people was the natural consequence of the condition of worldliness and pride into which he had allowed himself to fall. God then moved him, because He had from the first so ordered the laws of the spirit that such a sinful act should be the natural outcome of such a sinful state. Of other interpretations: that which makes the verb impersonal--"one moved"--is hardly tenable grammatically; and that which makes the nominative a sort of compound word--"the wrath of the Lord" (as in some of the ancient versions)--leads to substantially the same explanation as that given above.

The word "number" in this verse is a different one from that used in the rest of the chapter, and means simply to count, while the other conveys the idea of a military muster.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Again
וַיֹּ֙סֶף֙ (way·yō·sep̄)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3254: To add, augment

the anger
אַף־ (’ap̄-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire

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

burned
לַחֲר֖וֹת (la·ḥă·rō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2734: To glow, grow warm, to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

against 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

and He stirred up
וַיָּ֨סֶת (way·yā·seṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5496: To prick, stimulate, to seduce

David
דָּוִ֤ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

against them,
בָּהֶם֙ (bā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

saying,
לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Go,
לֵ֛ךְ (lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

take a census
מְנֵ֥ה (mə·nêh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 4487: To weigh out, to allot, constitute officially, to enumerate, enroll

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

and Judah.”
יְהוּדָֽה׃ (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites


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OT History: 2 Samuel 24:1 Again the anger of Yahweh was kindled (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 23:39
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