Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, July 24th, 2025
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
Attention!
Take your personal ministry to the Next Level by helping StudyLight build churches and supporting pastors in Uganda.
Click here to join the effort!

Read the Bible

Complete Jewish Bible

2 Samuel 10:9

When Yo'av saw that he would be fighting on two fronts, ahead and behind, he chose the best troops of Isra'el to deploy against Aram;

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Joab;   Zobah;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Ammonites, the;   Armies of Israel, the;   Syria;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Beard;   Hadadezer or Hadarezer;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Abishai;   Ammon;   Joab;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Government;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Ammonite;   Hanun;   Joab;   Medeba;   Nahash;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Hadarezer;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Ammonites;   Disciples;   Hadad-Ezer;   Samuel, Books of;   Syria;   Tob;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Abishai;   Ammon, Ammonites;   Joab;   Maacah;   War;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Ambassador;   Ammon, Ammonites, Children of Ammon;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Hanun;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Da'vid;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - War;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Hebrew Monarchy, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Choose;   Joab;   Zobah;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Hanun;   Joab;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
When Joab saw that there was a battle line in front of him and another behind him, he chose some of Israel’s finest young men and lined up in formation to engage the Arameans.
Hebrew Names Version
Now when Yo'av saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Yisra'el, and put them in array against the Aram:
King James Version
When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:
Lexham English Bible
When Joab saw that the battle was to be fought on two fronts, he chose from all the members of the elite troops of Israel and lined them up for battle to meet Aram.
English Standard Version
When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Syrians.
New Century Version
Joab saw that there were enemies both in front of him and behind him. So he chose some of the best soldiers of Israel and sent them out to fight the Arameans.
New English Translation
When Joab saw that the battle would be fought on two fronts, he chose some of Israel's best men and deployed them against the Arameans.
Amplified Bible
Now when Joab saw that the battlefront was against him in front and in the rear, he selected some of all the choice men in Israel and set them in battle formation to meet the Arameans (Syrians).
New American Standard Bible
Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him at the front and at the rear, he selected warriors from all the choice men in Israel, and lined them up against the Arameans.
Geneva Bible (1587)
When Ioab saw that the front of the battel was against him before and behinde, he chose of all the choyse of Israel, and put them in aray against the Aramites.
Legacy Standard Bible
Then Joab saw that the battle was set against him from the front and from the rear. So he chose from all the choice men of Israel, and they arranged themselves to meet the Arameans.
Contemporary English Version
Joab saw that he had to fight in front and behind at the same time, and he picked some of the best Israelite soldiers to fight the Arameans.
Darby Translation
And Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind; and he chose out of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians;
Easy-to-Read Version
Joab saw that there were enemies in front of him and behind him. So he chose some of the best Israelite soldiers and lined them up for battle against the Arameans.
George Lamsa Translation
When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in the front and in the rear, he selected the choice men of Israel and put them in array against Aram;
Good News Translation
Joab saw that the enemy troops would attack him in front and from the rear, so he chose the best of Israel's soldiers and put them in position facing the Syrians.
Literal Translation
And Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind. And he chose from all the chosen in Israel, and set them in order to meet the Syrians.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Now whan Ioab sawe that the battayll was set vpo him before and behynde, he chose of all the best yonge men in Israel, & prepared him selfe agaynst the Syrians.
American Standard Version
Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:
Bible in Basic English
Now when Joab saw that their forces were in position against him in front and at his back, he took the best of the men of Israel and put them in line against the Aramaeans;
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Whe Ioab sawe that the front of the battaile was against him before and behinde, he chose of all the choyse of Israel, and put them in aray against the Syrians.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Arameans;
King James Version (1611)
When Ioab saw that the front of the battell was against him, before and behind, he chose of all the choise men of Israel, and put them in aray against the Syrians.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him from that which was opposed in front and from behind, and he chose out some of all the young men of Israel, and they set themselves in array against Syria.
English Revised Version
Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:
Berean Standard Bible
When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Therfor Joab siy, that batel was maad redi ayens hym, bothe euene ayens and bihynde the bak; and he chees to hym silf of alle the chosun men of Israel, and ordeynede scheltrun ayens Sirus.
Young's Literal Translation
and Joab seeth that the front of the battle hath been unto him before and behind, and he chooseth of all the chosen in Israel, and setteth in array to meet Aram,
Update Bible Version
Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:
Webster's Bible Translation
When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he selected of all the choice [men] of Israel, and put [them] in array against the Syrians:
World English Bible
Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:
New King James Version
When Joab saw that the battle line was against him before and behind, he chose some of Israel's best and put them in battle array against the Syrians.
New Living Translation
When Joab saw that he would have to fight on both the front and the rear, he chose some of Israel's elite troops and placed them under his personal command to fight the Arameans in the fields.
New Life Bible
Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and behind him. So he chose all the best men of Israel and dressed them for battle against the Syrians.
New Revised Standard
When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the picked men of Israel, and arrayed them against the Arameans;
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, when Joab saw that the front of the battle was towards him, before and behind, he chose out of all the chosen men of Israel, and set them in array against the Syrians;
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then Joab seeing that the battle was prepared against him, both before and behind, chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:
Revised Standard Version
When Jo'ab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the picked men of Israel, and arrayed them against the Syrians;
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him in front and in the rear, he selected from all the choice men of Israel, and arrayed them against the Arameans.

Contextual Overview

6 Aware that they were utterly abhorrent to David, the people of ‘Amon sent and hired 20,000 Aram foot soldiers from Beit-Rechov and Tzovah, the king of Ma‘akhah with 1,000 men, and 12,000 soldiers from Tov. 7 When David heard of it, he sent Yo'av with his entire army of trained soldiers. 8 The army of ‘Amon came out and went into battle formation at the entrance to the city gate; the men of Aram from Tzovah and Rechov and the men of Tov and Ma‘akhah were by themselves in the open countryside. 9 When Yo'av saw that he would be fighting on two fronts, ahead and behind, he chose the best troops of Isra'el to deploy against Aram; 10 while the rest of the army he put under the command of Avishai his brother to deploy against the army of ‘Amon. 11 He said, "If Aram is too strong for me, you help me; but if the army of ‘Amon is too strong for you, then I will come and help you. 12 Take courage, and let's be strong for the sake of our people and the cities of our God. May Adonai do what seems good to him." 13 So Yo'av and the people with him went to battle Aram, and they fled before him. 14 When the people of ‘Amon saw that Aram had fled, they likewise fled before Avishai and retreated into the city. Yo'av returned from the people of ‘Amon and went to Yerushalayim.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Joshua 8:21, Joshua 8:22, Judges 20:42, Judges 20:43

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 20:6 - Abishai 1 Chronicles 19:10 - when Joab 1 Chronicles 26:28 - Joab Jeremiah 50:14 - in array

Cross-References

Genesis 6:4
The N'filim were on the earth in those days, and also afterwards, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them; these were the ancient heroes, men of renown.
Genesis 6:11
The earth was corrupt before God, the earth was filled with violence.
Genesis 13:13
Now the men of S'dom were evil, committing great sins against Adonai .
Genesis 25:27
The boys grew; and ‘Esav became a skillful hunter, an outdoorsman; while Ya‘akov was a quiet man who stayed in the tents.
Genesis 27:30
But as soon as Yitz'chak had finished giving his blessing to Ya‘akov, when Ya‘akov had barely left his father's presence, ‘Esav his brother came in from his hunting.
2 Chronicles 28:22
During his time of distress this same King Achaz added to his treachery against Adonai
Psalms 52:7
This is why God will strike you down, seize you, pluck you from your tent and uproot you from the land of the living. (Selah)
Jeremiah 16:16
"‘Look,' says Adonai , ‘I will send for many fishermen, and they will fish for them. Afterwards, I will send for many hunters; and they will hunt them from every mountain and hill and out of caves in the rocks.
Ezekiel 13:18
tell them that Adonai Elohim says, ‘Woe to the women who sew magic pads for all arm joints and put veils over people of all sizes, in order to hunt human lives! Will you hunt down the lives of my people while you keep your own lives safe?
Micah 7:2
The godly have been destroyed from the land, there is no one upright among humankind. They all lie in wait for blood, each hunts his brother with a net.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind,.... Or "the face" of it w; armies appeared both before and behind, about to attack him both in front and rear; the Targum is,

"and Joab saw that the warriors, or those that made war, were strong against him before and behind:''

he chose of all the choice [men] of Israel; the most eminent for strength, and valour, and military skill, who had been tried, and were famous for warlike exploits, the flower of the army:

and put [them] in array against the Syrians; who might be the strongest party, and the best soldiers; though being but mercenaries, if hard beset, would sooner give way, as he might suppose, upon which the Ammonites would do the same.

w פני "facies", Pagninus, Montanus.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The two armies of the Ammonites and the Syrians were drawn up facing one another; the Ammonites supported by the city Rabbah behind them; the Syrians in great force, with numerous chariots able to manoeuvre in the plain in front of Medeba. If Joab advanced against either, he would have the other in his rear.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Samuel 10:9. Before and behind — It is probable that one of the armies was in the field, and the other in the city, when Joab arrived. When he fronted this army, the other appears to have issued from the city, and to have taken him in the rear; he was therefore obliged to divide his army as here mentioned; one part to face the Syrians commanded by himself, and the other to face the Ammonites commanded by his brother Abishai.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile