2 Samuel 5:8 net — David said on that day,“Whoever attacks the Jebusites must approach the‘lame’ and the‘blind’ who are David’s enemies by…

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.”"

— 2 Samuel 5:8, NET Bible

Read in Another Translation

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2 Samuel 5:8 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations
  • KJV

    “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.”

  • ASV

    “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. ”

  • WEB

    “David said on that day, "Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him get up to the watercourse, and strike the lame and the blind, who are hated by David's soul." Therefore they say, "The blind and the lame can't come into the house."”

  • DRB

    “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.”

  • BBE

    “And that day David said, Whoever makes an attack on the Jebusites, let him go up by the water-pipe, and put to death all the blind and feeble-footed who are hated by David. And this is why they say, The blind and feeble-footed may not come into the house.”

  • KJVA

    “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.”

2 Samuel 5 — Context

5

In Hebron he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned for thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

6

David Occupies Jerusalem Then the king and his men advanced to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who lived in the land. The Jebusites said to David,“You cannot invade this place! Even the blind and the lame will turn you back, saying,‘David cannot invade this place!’”

7

But David captured the fortress of Zion(that is, the City of David).

8

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.”

9

So David lived in the fortress and called it the City of David. David built all around it, from the terrace inwards.

10

David’s power grew steadily, for the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies was with him.

11

King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons. They built a palace for David.

2 Samuel 5:8 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 2 Samuel 5:8 say?
2 Samuel 5:8 in the NET Bible reads: “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.””
Where is 2 Samuel 5:8 in the Bible?
2 Samuel 5:8 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 2 Samuel, chapter 5, verse 8.
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 5:8.
What translation should I read 2 Samuel 5:8 in?
2 Samuel 5:8 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 5:8?
2 Samuel 5:8 reads (NET): “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.”” 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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