2 Samuel 23:17 web — He said, "Be it far from me, Yahweh, that I should do this! Isn't it the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their…

World English Bible

"He said, "Be it far from me, Yahweh, that I should do this! Isn't it the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?" Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things."

— 2 Samuel 23:17, World English Bible

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2 Samuel 23:17 in Other Translations

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2 Samuel 23 — Context

14

David was then in the stronghold; and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

15

David longed, and said, "Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!"

16

The three mighty men broke through the army of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but he would not drink of it, but poured it out to Yahweh.

17

He said, "Be it far from me, Yahweh, that I should do this! Isn't it the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?" Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things.

18

Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the three. He lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them, and had a name among the three.

19

Wasn't he most honorable of the three? therefore he was made their captain: however he didn't attain to the [first] three.

20

Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he killed the two [sons of] Ariel of Moab: he went down also and killed a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.

2 Samuel 23:17 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 2 Samuel 23:17 say?
2 Samuel 23:17 in the World English Bible reads: “He said, "Be it far from me, Yahweh, that I should do this! Isn't it the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?" Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things.”
Where is 2 Samuel 23:17 in the Bible?
2 Samuel 23:17 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 2 Samuel, chapter 23, verse 17.
Who wrote 2 Samuel?
2 Samuel is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Nathan and Gad). It was written c. 930–722 BC.
What is the book of 2 Samuel about?
2 Samuel records David's reign — his rise to the throne, the conquest of Jerusalem, the eternal covenant God makes with his house, and the moral failure with Bathsheba that fractures his family. From the highs of triumph to the depths of repentance, David remains the messianic prototype.
What are the major themes of 2 Samuel?
2 Samuel explores themes including Davidic Covenant, Sin & Repentance, Kingdom, Mercy, Consequences. These themes shape the meaning and context of 2 Samuel 23:17.
What translation should I read 2 Samuel 23:17 in?
2 Samuel 23:17 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 2 Samuel 23:17?
2 Samuel 23:17 reads (WEB): “He said, "Be it far from me, Yahweh, that I should do this! Isn't it the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?" Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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