2 Samuel 18:23

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

But Ahimaaz insisted, 'Let me run, no matter what!' So Joab said, 'Run!' Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

וִיהִי־מָ֣ה אָר֔וּץ וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ל֖וֹ ר֑וּץ וַיָּ֤רָץ אֲחִימַ֙עַץ֙ דֶּ֣רֶךְ הַכִּכָּ֔ר וַֽיַּעֲבֹ֖ר אֶת־הַכּוּשִֽׁי׃

Transliteration

And-yehî-what ʾārûṣ and-yōʾmer to-him rûṣ and-yārāṣ ʾĂḥîmaʿaṣ dereḵ the-kikkār and-yaʿăḇōr ʾeṯ-the-Kûšî.

Grammar Details

• *yehî*: third person masculine singular qal jussive - let it be
• *ʾārûṣ*: first person singular qal imperfect - I will run
• *yōʾmer*: third person masculine singular qal imperfect consecutive - and he said
• *rûṣ*: masculine singular qal imperative - run
• *yārāṣ*: third person masculine singular qal imperfect consecutive - and he ran
• *ʾĂḥîmaʿaṣ*: proper noun - Ahimaaz
• *dereḵ*: masculine singular construct - way of
• *kikkār*: feminine singular noun with definite article - the plain/circle/district
• *yaʿăḇōr*: third person masculine singular qal imperfect consecutive - and he passed/overtook
• *ʾeṯ*: direct object marker
• *Kûšî*: masculine singular gentilic adjective with definite article - the Cushite

Word Meanings

• *yehî*: let it be/whatever happens/come what may
• *ʾārûṣ*: I will run/I shall run
• *rûṣ*: run/go quickly
• *dereḵ*: way/road/path
• *kikkār*: plain/valley/Jordan Valley
• *yaʿăḇōr*: passed/overtook/outran

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  But however, he said, let me run. And he said to him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran Cushi.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  But come what may, [said]{H559} [he], I will run.{H7323} And he said{H559} unto him, Run.{H7323} Then Ahimaaz{H290} ran{H7323} by the way{H1870} of the Plain,{H3603} and outran the Cushite.{H3569}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  But howsoever, said he, let me run{H7323}{(H8799)}. And he said{H559}{(H8799)} unto him, Run{H7323}{(H8798)}. Then Ahimaaz{H290} ran{H7323}{(H8799)} by the way{H1870} of the plain{H3603}, and overran{H5674}{(H8799)} Cushi{H3569}.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  He saide vnto him: Renne on yi waye then. So Ahimaas ranne the straight waye, and came before Chusi.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Yet what if I runne? Then he saide vnto him, Runne. So Ahimaaz ranne by the way of the plaine, and ouerwent Cushi.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  Yet what if I runne? He said vnto him: Runne. Then Ahimaaz ranne by the way of the playne, & came before Chusi.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  But howsoever, [said he], let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  But come what may, [said he], I will run. He said to him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  `And, whatever it be, `said he,' let me run.' And he saith to him, `Run;' and Ahimaaz runneth the way of the circuit, and passeth by the Cushite.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  But come what may, `said he', I will run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  But come what may, [said he], I will run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  Whatever may come of it, he said, I will go. Then he said to him, Go. So Ahimaaz went running by the lowland road and overtook the Cushite.

• World English Bible (2000)

  "But come what may," he said, "I will run." He said to him, "Run!" Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  But he said,“Whatever happens, I want to go!” So Joab said to him,“Then go!” So Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Jordan plain, and he passed the Cushite.

Referenced Verses

• John 20:4 : 4 The two of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.