2 Samuel 17:23

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey, set out for his house in his hometown, set his house in order, and then hanged himself. He died and was buried in his father's tomb.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

וַאֲחִיתֹ֣פֶל רָאָ֗ה כִּ֣י לֹ֣א נֶעֶשְׂתָה֮ עֲצָתוֹ֒ וַיַּחֲבֹ֣שׁ אֶֽת־הַחֲמ֗וֹר וַיָּ֜קָם וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ אֶל־בֵּיתוֹ֙ אֶל־עִיר֔וֹ וַיְצַ֥ו אֶל־בֵּית֖וֹ וַיֵּחָנַ֑ק וַיָּ֕מָת וַיִּקָּבֵ֖ר בְּקֶ֥בֶר אָבִֽיו׃

Transliteration

And-wa-ʾĂḥîtōpel rāʾâ that not neʿeśtâ his-ʿăṣâtô and-wayyaḥăbōš ʾet-the-ḥămôr and-wayyāqām and-wayyēlek to-his-house to-his-city and-wayṣaw to-his-house and-wayyēḥānaq and-wayyāmāt and-wayyiqqābēr in-grave-of his-father

Grammar Details

• *wa-ʾĂḥîtōpel*: waw conjunction + proper noun, masculine - and Ahithophel
• *rāʾâ*: perfect, 3rd masculine singular - he saw
• *neʿeśtâ*: niphal perfect, 3rd feminine singular - was done/followed
• *ʿăṣâtô*: noun, feminine singular + 3rd masculine singular suffix - his counsel
• *wayyaḥăbōš*: waw consecutive + imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - and he saddled
• *ʾet*: direct object marker
• *ḥămôr*: noun, masculine singular - donkey
• *wayyāqām*: waw consecutive + imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - and he arose
• *wayyēlek*: waw consecutive + imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - and he went
• *wayṣaw*: waw consecutive + imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - and he gave orders
• *wayyēḥānaq*: waw consecutive + imperfect, 3rd masculine singular, niphal - and he hanged himself
• *wayyāmāt*: waw consecutive + imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - and he died
• *wayyiqqābēr*: waw consecutive + imperfect, 3rd masculine singular, niphal - and he was buried

Word Meanings

• *neʿeśtâ*: was done/was carried out/was followed
• *wayṣaw*: he ordered/he arranged/he put in order/he set his house in order

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey, and arose, and went home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in his father's sepulchre.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home, unto his city, and set his house in order, and hanged himself; and he died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  Whan Achitophel sawe that his coucell wente not forth, he sadled his asse, gat him vp, and wete home in to his cite and put his house to poynte, and hanged him selfe, and dyed, and was buried in his fathers graue.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Nowe when Ahithophel sawe that his counsell was not followed, he sadled his asse, and arose, and he went home vnto his citie, and put his houshold in order, & hanged him selfe, and dyed, and was buryed in his fathers graue.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  And when Ahithophel sawe that his counsel was not folowed, he sadled his Asse, and arose and gate him home to his owne house, and to his owne citie, & put his housholde in order, and hanged him selfe, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled [his] ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey, and arose, and got him home, to his city, and set his house in order, and hanged himself; and he died, and was buried in the tomb of his father.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  And Ahithophel hath seen that his counsel was not done, and he saddleth the ass, and riseth and goeth unto his house, unto his city, and giveth charge unto his household, and strangleth himself, and dieth, and he is buried in the burying-place of his father.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home, unto his city, and set his house in order, and hanged himself; and he died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home, unto his city, and set his house in order, and hanged himself; and he died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  Now when Ahithophel saw that his suggestion was not acted on, he got his ass ready, and went back to his house, to the town where he came from, and having put his house in order, he put himself to death by hanging; so he came to his end and was put in the resting-place of his father.

• World English Bible (2000)

  When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey, and arose, and went home, to his city, and set his house in order, and hanged himself; and he died, and was buried in the tomb of his father.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  When Ahithophel realized that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and returned to his house in his hometown. After setting his household in order, he hanged himself. So he died and was buried in the grave of his father.

Referenced Verses

• 2 Sam 15:12 : 12 While he was offering the sacrifices, Absalom also sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his hometown of Giloh. And the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing.
• 2 Kgs 20:1 : 1 In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, "This is what the LORD says: Set your house in order, for you are going to die; you will not recover."
• Matt 27:5 : 5 Then, throwing the silver pieces into the temple, he left. He went and hanged himself.
• 1 Kgs 16:18 : 18 When Zimri saw that the city was captured, he went into the citadel of the royal palace, set it on fire around him, and died.
• 1 Sam 31:4-5 : 4 Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, 'Draw your sword and pierce me with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and abuse me.' But his armor-bearer was too afraid and refused. So Saul took his sword and fell on it. 5 When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword and died with him.
• 2 Sam 15:31 : 31 Then someone told David, 'Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.' So David prayed, 'O LORD, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.'
• Job 31:3 : 3 Is it not disaster for the wicked and calamity for those who do evil?
• Ps 5:10 : 10 For there is no truth in their mouths; their hearts are filled with destruction. Their throats are open graves; they flatter with their tongues.
• Ps 55:23 : 23 Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous be shaken.
• Prov 16:18 : 18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
• Prov 19:3 : 3 A man’s foolishness twists his way, and his heart rages against the LORD.