But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

2 SAMUEL 12:3KJV
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2 Samuel 12:3 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 12:3 mean?

2 Samuel 12:3 describes a poor man who owned nothing except a single small female lamb that he had bought and raised. The lamb grew up with him and his children, ate his food, drank from his cup, slept in his arms, and was cherished like a daughter.

In this verse, the prophet Nathan is telling King David a story to illustrate a point. Nathan paints a vivid picture of the poor man's deep affection for the lamb, showing how it was treated as part of the family. The details highlight the closeness and tenderness between the man and the lamb, setting up a strong emotional contrast for the lesson Nathan is about to deliver.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 12:3

  • "poor" (רָשׁ, rash): This word means someone who is destitute or lacking resources, emphasizing the man's vulnerability and dependence on what little he has.
  • "little" (קָטָן, qatan): The word for "little" underscores the lamb’s smallness and innocence, making its loss more poignant.
  • "bosom" (חֵיק, kheq): This word refers to the chest or lap area, showing the lamb was held close, like a beloved child, not just an animal.
  • "daughter" (בַּת, bat): Calling the lamb a "daughter" shows the depth of the relationship, suggesting the lamb was loved as a family member, not just property.

Why 2 Samuel 12:3 matters

  • This verse sets up the emotional weight of Nathan’s parable, helping the listener feel the poor man’s attachment to the lamb before revealing the injustice done to him.
  • The details about the lamb’s care and place in the family highlight the seriousness of taking it away, making the coming accusation against David more powerful.
  • Understanding the depth of the poor man’s loss helps clarify why Nathan’s story is such a piercing rebuke to David’s actions with Bathsheba and Uriah.