2 Samuel 5:8
New International Version
On that day David had said, “Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft to reach those ‘lame and blind’ who are David’s enemies.” That is why they say, “The ‘blind and lame’ will not enter the palace.”

New Living Translation
On the day of the attack, David said to his troops, “I hate those ‘lame’ and ‘blind’ Jebusites. Whoever attacks them should strike by going into the city through the water tunnel.” That is the origin of the saying, “The blind and the lame may not enter the house.”

English Standard Version
And David said on that day, “Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack ‘the lame and the blind,’ who are hated by David’s soul.” Therefore it is said, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.”

Berean Standard Bible
On that day he said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must use the water shaft to reach the lame and blind who are despised by David.” That is why it is said, “The blind and the lame will never enter the palace.”

King James Bible
And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.

New King James Version
Now David said on that day, “Whoever climbs up by way of the water shaft and defeats the Jebusites (the lame and the blind, who are hated by David’s soul), he shall be chief and captain.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.”

New American Standard Bible
And David said on that day, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites is to reach those who limp and those who are blind, who are hated by David’s soul, through the water tunnel.” For that reason they say, “People who are blind and people who limp shall not come into the house.”

NASB 1995
David said on that day, “Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him reach the lame and the blind, who are hated by David’s soul, through the water tunnel.” Therefore they say, “The blind or the lame shall not come into the house.”

NASB 1977
And David said on that day, “Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him reach the lame and the blind, who are hated by David’s soul, through the water tunnel.” Therefore they say, “The blind or the lame shall not come into the house.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And David said on that day, “Whoever would strike down the Jebusites, let him reach the lame and the blind, who are hated by David’s soul, through the water tunnel.” Therefore they say, “The blind or the lame shall not come into the house.”

Amplified Bible
Then David said on that day, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him go up through the [underground] water shaft to strike the lame and the blind, who are detested by David’s soul [because of their arrogance].” So [for that reason] they say, “The blind or the lame (Jebusites) shall not come into the [royal] house [of Israel].”

Christian Standard Bible
He said that day, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must go through the water shaft to reach the lame and the blind who are despised by David.” For this reason it is said, “The blind and the lame will never enter the house.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He said that day, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must go through the water shaft to reach the lame and the blind who are despised by David.” For this reason it is said, “The blind and the lame will never enter the house.”

American Standard Version
And David said on that day, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites, let him get up to the watercourse, and smite the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's soul. Wherefore they say, There are the blind and the lame; he cannot come into the house.

English Revised Version
And David said on that day, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites, let him get up to the watercourse, and smite the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's soul. Wherefore they say, There are the blind and the lame; he cannot come into the house.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
That day David said, "Whoever wants to defeat the Jebusites must reach the lame and the blind who hate me by using the water shaft." So there is a saying, "The blind and the lame will not get into the palace."

Good News Translation
That day David said to his men, "Does anybody here hate the Jebusites as much as I do? Enough to kill them? Then go up through the water tunnel and attack those poor blind cripples." (That is why it is said, "The blind and the crippled cannot enter the LORD's house.")

International Standard Version
At that time, David had said, "Whoever intends to attack the Jebusites will have to climb up the water shaft to attack the lame and blind, who hate David." Therefore they say, "The blind and lame are never to come into the house."

Majority Standard Bible
On that day he said, ?Whoever attacks the Jebusites must use the water shaft to reach the lame and blind who are despised by David.? That is why it is said, ?The blind and the lame will never enter the palace.?

NET Bible
David said on that day, "Whoever attacks the Jebusites must approach the 'lame' and the 'blind' who are David's enemies by going through the water tunnel." For this reason it is said, "The blind and the lame cannot enter the palace."

New Heart English Bible
David said on that day, "Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him get up to the watercourse, and strike the lame and the blind, those who hate the soul of David." Therefore they say, "The blind and the lame can't come into the palace."

Webster's Bible Translation
And David said on that day, Whoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated by David's soul, he shall be chief and captain: Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.

World English Bible
David said on that day, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him go up to the watercourse and strike those lame and blind, who are hated by David’s soul.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame can’t come into the house.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And on that day David says, “Anyone striking the Jebusite, let him go up by the watercourse (and the lame and the blind—the hated of David’s soul).” Therefore they say, “The blind and lame—he does not come into the house.”

Young's Literal Translation
And David saith on that day, 'Any one smiting the Jebusite, (let him go up by the watercourse), and the lame and the blind -- the hated of David's soul,' -- because the blind and lame say, 'He doth not come into the house.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will say in that day, Every one striking the Jebusite, and shall reach upon the cataract, and the lame and the blind hating David's soul; for this they will say, The blind and the lame shall not come in to the house.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For David had offered that day a reward to whosoever should strike the Jebusites and get up to the gutters of the tops of the houses, and take away the blind and the lame that hated the soul of David: therefore it is said in the proverb: The blind and the lame shall not come into the temple.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For David had proposed, on that day, a reward to him who had struck the Jebusites and who had reached to the gutters of the rooftops, and who had taken away the blind and the lame that hated the soul of David. Therefore, it is said in the proverb, “The blind and the lame shall not enter into the temple.”

New American Bible
On that day David said: “All who wish to strike at the Jebusites must attack through the water shaft. The lame and the blind shall be the personal enemies of David.” That is why it is said, “The blind and the lame shall not enter the palace.”

New Revised Standard Version
David had said on that day, “Whoever would strike down the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack the lame and the blind, those whom David hates.” Therefore it is said, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And David said on that day, Whosoever smites a Jebusite and whosoever strikes with a weapon the blind and the lame, he is a hater of David's soul. Therefore they say, The blind and the lame shall not come into the temple.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David said on that day: “Everyone who strikes the Yebusites and whoever comes with shields against the blind and to the lame hates the soul of David!” Because of this, the blind and the lame said: “He shall not enter the house!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And David said on that day: 'Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites, and getteth up to the gutter, and [taketh away] the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's soul--.' Wherefore they say: 'There are the blind and the lame; he cannot come into the house.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And David said on that day, Every one that smites the Jebusite, let him attack with the dagger both the lame and the blind, and those that hate the soul of David. Therefore they say, The lame and the blind shall not enter into the house of the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Conquers Jerusalem
7Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David). 8On that day he said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must use the water shaft to reach the lame and blind who are despised by David.” That is why it is said, “The blind and the lame will never enter the palace.” 9So David took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built it up all the way around, from the supporting terraces inward.…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 11:6
Now David had said, “Whoever is the first to strike down a Jebusite will become chief commander.” And Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and he became the chief.

Matthew 21:14
The blind and the lame came to Him at the temple, and He healed them.

John 9:1-7
Now as Jesus was passing by, He saw a man blind from birth, / and His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” / Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him. ...

Mark 10:46-52
Next, they came to Jericho. And as Jesus and His disciples were leaving Jericho with a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting beside the road. / When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” / Many people admonished him to be silent, but he cried out all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” ...

Luke 18:35-43
As Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting beside the road, begging. / When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. / “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,” they told him. ...

John 5:2-9
Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool with five covered colonnades, which in Hebrew is called Bethesda. / On these walkways lay a great number of the sick, the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed. / For from time to time an angel descended into the pool and stirred the water. As soon as the water was stirred, the first to enter the pool would be healed of his disease. ...

Matthew 9:27-31
As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” / After Jesus had entered the house, the blind men came to Him. “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” He asked. “Yes, Lord,” they answered. / Then He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you.” ...

Isaiah 35:5-6
Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. / Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy. For waters will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.

Leviticus 21:18
No man who has any defect may approach—no man who is blind, lame, disfigured, or deformed;

Deuteronomy 23:1
No man with crushed or severed genitals may enter the assembly of the LORD.

Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Psalm 146:8
the LORD opens the eyes of the blind, the LORD lifts those who are weighed down, the LORD loves the righteous.

Isaiah 29:18
On that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of the deep darkness the eyes of the blind will see.

Isaiah 42:7
to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house.

Jeremiah 31:8
Behold, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, including the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor. They will return as a great assembly!


Treasury of Scripture

And David said on that day, Whoever gets up to the gutter, and smites the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Why they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.

Whosoever

Joshua 15:16,17
And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife…

1 Samuel 17:25
And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.

he shall be

1 Chronicles 11:6-9
And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief…

Wherefore, etc.

Jump to Previous
Blind Captain Chief David David's Enter Getteth Gutter Hated House Jebusites Lame Palace Reach Smiteth Soul Strike Strikes Tunnel Water Watercourse
Jump to Next
Blind Captain Chief David David's Enter Getteth Gutter Hated House Jebusites Lame Palace Reach Smiteth Soul Strike Strikes Tunnel Water Watercourse
2 Samuel 5
1. The tribes come to Hebron and anoint David over Israel,
4. David's age
6. Taking Zion from the Jebusites, he dwells in it
11. Hiram sends to David,
13. Eleven sons are born to him in Jerusalem
17. David, directed by God, smites the Philistines at Baal-perazim
22. And again at the mulberry trees














On that day he said
This phrase marks a specific moment in time, a pivotal day in the history of Israel. The context is the capture of Jerusalem, a significant event as it becomes the City of David. The phrase indicates a decisive action and proclamation by David, reflecting his leadership and strategic mind. Historically, this day signifies the unification of the tribes under David's rule and the establishment of Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of Israel.

Whoever conquers the Jebusites
The Jebusites were the original inhabitants of Jerusalem, a Canaanite tribe. Their stronghold in Jerusalem was considered impregnable, yet David's challenge to conquer them demonstrates his faith and determination. Theologically, this conquest symbolizes the triumph of God's chosen people over pagan nations, fulfilling God's promises to Israel. The Jebusites' defeat marks the transition of Jerusalem into a holy city, central to God's covenant with David.

must use the water shaft
The "water shaft" refers to a strategic entry point into the city, likely a tunnel or conduit used to access the city's water supply. This detail highlights David's military ingenuity and the importance of resourcefulness in overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Archaeologically, this may refer to Warren's Shaft, a vertical shaft discovered in Jerusalem, which supports the historical accuracy of the biblical account. Spiritually, it underscores the idea that God provides a way where there seems to be none.

to reach the lame and blind
This phrase is often interpreted metaphorically, referring to the Jebusites' taunt that even the "lame and blind" could defend the city against David. It reflects the arrogance and false security of those who oppose God's plans. In a broader spiritual sense, it serves as a reminder that human strength and defenses are futile against God's purposes. Theologically, it can also be seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus' ministry, where the physically and spiritually "lame and blind" are healed and restored.

who are despised by David
This phrase indicates David's disdain for the Jebusites' mockery and their spiritual blindness to God's sovereignty. It reflects a righteous indignation against those who oppose God's anointed king. From a conservative Christian perspective, it emphasizes the importance of aligning with God's will and the futility of resisting His chosen leaders. It also serves as a reminder of the spiritual battle against forces that oppose God's kingdom.

That is why it is said
This phrase introduces a proverbial saying, indicating that the events of that day left a lasting impact on the cultural memory of Israel. It suggests that the capture of Jerusalem and the defeat of the Jebusites became a significant and instructive account for future generations. It highlights the importance of remembering God's victories and the lessons learned from them.

The blind and the lame will never enter the palace
This saying reflects the outcome of the Jebusites' taunt and serves as a lasting reminder of their defeat. It symbolizes the exclusion of those who oppose God's kingdom from His presence and blessings. In a spiritual sense, it underscores the necessity of spiritual sight and strength to enter into God's promises. For Christians, it serves as a call to spiritual vigilance and alignment with God's purposes, ensuring that nothing hinders our access to His presence and blessings.

(8) Getteth up to the gutter.--The sense of this passage is obscure, partly from the difficulty of the Hebrew construction, partly from the uncertainty of the meaning of the word translated gutter. This word occurs elsewhere only in Psalm 42:7, where it is translated waterspouts. The ancient versions differ in their interpretations, but the most probable sense is watercourses, such as were connected with the precipices around Mount Zion. The two clauses also are unnecessarily transposed in our version, and the word getteth, by a very slight change in the Masoretic vowels, becomes cast or hurl. The whole clause will then read, "Whosoever smites the Jebusites, let him hurl into the watercourses (i.e., down the precipice) the lame and the blind." David thus applies to all the Jebusites the expression they had just used of those who would suffice to resist his attack. The clause "that are hated of David's soul," shows that in this siege no quarter was to be given; the Jebusites were under the old ban resting upon all the Canaanites, and were to be destroyed. The English version inserts the clause, "he shall be chief and captain," which is not in the original, and is here obscure. In 1Chronicles 11:6, however, the same statement is made more fully and is important: "David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up and was chief." It thus appears that David promised the command of his army to the man who should successfully lead the forlorn hope; Joab did this, and won the place in the armies of all Israel which he had hitherto filled in that of Judah. This fact helps to explain the sense of obligation and restraint which David afterwards felt towards Joab.

Wherefore they said.--Rather, they say. This became a proverbial expression: no intercourse is to be had with such people as the Jebusites, here again called "the blind and the lame."

Verse 8. - Whosoever getteth up to the gutter. The word rendered "gutter" occurs elsewhere only in Psalm 42:7, where it is translated "waterspout." Josephus thinks that it was an underground passage or drain. Ewald argues that it was a precipice, and others that it was a dent or hollow in the rocky face of the ravine, which David had noticed and thought practicable. The view of Josephus, suggested to him probably by his knowledge of the way in which the site of Jerusalem is honeycombed by tunnels, has been wonderfully confirmed by the discoveries made by Sir C. Warren ('Recovery of Jerusalem,' pp. 240, sqq.). At the northern end of the Pool of Siloam he found an arched passage gradually narrowing down from a considerable height, till finally there was a passage of only fourteen inches, and as there was a depth of ten inches of water, there were left but four inches of space for breathing. But through this his men struggled, and, at the end of four hours' labour, they reached the light of day at the spring called the Virgin's Fount. Beginning here on a subsequent day, they went along a passage sixty-seven feet in length, and came to a perpendicular shaft leading up through the solid stone of the hill; and, having scaled this, they next came upon a sloping passage, which finally conducted them to a spot on the hill of Ophel within the fortifications. Now, there are reasons for believing that this passage is older than the wall built by Solomon, and through it, or some such tunnel, Joab and a few men may have worked their way, and so have effected an entrance into the city, which otherwise was impregnable. It was probably the entrance near the Virgin's Fountain which they had observed, and David's words mean, "Whoever will undertake this dangerous enterprise, let him try this underground passage, and when he has entered the fortifications by its means, let him smite the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's soul," because of the boast of the Jebusites, that their cripples were a match for his heroes. It must be noticed, however, that the K'tib, or written text, has "who hate David's soul;" and as this is what the Jewish Massorites found in the manuscripts, it has more authority than their correction. These Jebusites had probably, in their boastful insult, spoken of David with contempt, and even said, like Goliath, that they would give his flesh to the vultures (1 Samuel 17:44). We learn from 1 Chronicles 11:6 that David promised the office of commander of the host to the man who undertook this exploit; and when Joab had volunteered and succeeded, he regained thereby the post which he had forfeited by the murder of Abner. The blind and the lame shall not some into the house. The proverb is one of contempt for these poor cripples, and forbids the exercise of hospitality to them. Such people, if they took to mendicancy, were to meet with refusal, though at their own homes they were fit objects of charity. This way of describing tramps as "the blind and lame" arose, we are here told, from this Jebusite taunt.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
On that
הַה֗וּא (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

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

said,
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Whoever attacks
מַכֵּ֤ה (mak·kêh)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5221: To strike

the Jebusites
יְבֻסִי֙ (yə·ḇu·sî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2983: Jebusite -- inhabitant of Jebus

must use the water shaft
בַּצִּנּ֔וֹר (baṣ·ṣin·nō·wr)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6794: A culvert

to reach
וְיִגַּ֣ע (wə·yig·ga‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5060: To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike

the lame
הַפִּסְחִים֙ (hap·pis·ḥîm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6455: Lame

and blind
הַ֣עִוְרִ֔ים (ha·‘iw·rîm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 5787: Blind

who are despised
שְׂנֻאֵ֖י (śə·nu·’ê)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8130: To hate

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

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

it is said,
יֹֽאמְר֔וּ (yō·mə·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“The blind
עִוֵּ֣ר (‘iw·wêr)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5787: Blind

and the lame
וּפִסֵּ֔חַ (ū·p̄is·sê·aḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6455: Lame

will never
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

enter
יָב֖וֹא (yā·ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the palace.”
הַבָּֽיִת׃ (hab·bā·yiṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house


Links
2 Samuel 5:8 NIV
2 Samuel 5:8 NLT
2 Samuel 5:8 ESV
2 Samuel 5:8 NASB
2 Samuel 5:8 KJV

2 Samuel 5:8 BibleApps.com
2 Samuel 5:8 Biblia Paralela
2 Samuel 5:8 Chinese Bible
2 Samuel 5:8 French Bible
2 Samuel 5:8 Catholic Bible

OT History: 2 Samuel 5:8 David said on that day Whoever strikes (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 5:7
Top of Page
Top of Page