And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.

2 SAMUEL 13:20KJV
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2 Samuel 13:20 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 13:20 mean?

2 Samuel 13:20 shows Absalom comforting his sister Tamar after she has been abused by their brother Amnon, telling her to keep quiet about what happened and to stay with him. Tamar remains isolated and devastated in Absalom’s house, showing the deep impact of her trauma and the lack of justice or support.

Absalom (Tamar’s brother) speaks to Tamar after learning what Amnon has done, urging her not to dwell on the event and to keep silent because Amnon is their brother. The verse highlights the family’s attempt to handle the matter privately, leaving Tamar to live in desolation in Absalom’s home. This verse is part of a larger story about family conflict, injustice, and the consequences of unchecked wrongdoing.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 13:20

  • "Peace" — חָרֵשׁ (ḥāraš): This word is often understood as "be silent" or "hold your peace." Absalom tells Tamar to keep quiet about what happened, which adds to the sense of her isolation and the pressure to hide the wrongdoing.
  • "Regard" — שִׂים לֵב (śîm lēḇ): This phrase means "set your heart on" or "pay attention to." Absalom is telling Tamar not to let the event consume her thoughts, though the reality is that it deeply affects her.
  • "Desolate" — שָׁמֵם (shāmēm): This word means "ruined," "devastated," or "desolate." It describes Tamar’s emotional state and her isolated life after the incident, emphasizing the lasting damage done to her.

Why 2 Samuel 13:20 matters

  • This verse helps clarify that Tamar’s suffering was not just a momentary event but led to ongoing isolation and emotional pain, which is sometimes overlooked.
  • The verse highlights the failure of Tamar’s family to seek justice or provide real comfort, reflecting broader themes of silence and injustice in the narrative.
  • Understanding the original words for "peace," "regard," and "desolate" deepens the sense of Tamar’s abandonment and the seriousness of the situation, connecting her story to the larger consequences that unfold in David’s family.

Where else these words appear

“Amnon” Hebrew H550 · used in 22 verses

  • 2 Samuel 3:2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
  • 2 Samuel 13:8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.
  • 2 Samuel 13:28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

“Tamar” Hebrew H8559 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 38:6 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar.
  • 2 Samuel 13:4 And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.
  • 2 Samuel 13:22 And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

“peace” Hebrew H2790 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 24:21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
  • Esther 7:4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.
  • Proverbs 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

“regard” Hebrew H7896 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
  • Job 14:13 O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!
  • Psalms 88:8 Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.