And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.

2 SAMUEL 13:5KJV
Know the Bible

2 Samuel 13:5 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 13:5 mean?

In 2 Samuel 13:5, Jonadab gives Amnon a plan to get his sister Tamar near him by pretending to be sick. The request for food makes the visit appear to be an act of care, while serving Amnon’s desire to be with her.

Jonadab’s advice follows Amnon’s confession that he desires Tamar (verse 4). Amnon is to make the request through his father, King David. The plan calls for Tamar to prepare the food where Amnon can watch and then feed him herself.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 13:5

  • “meat” — לֶחֶם (leḥem): This word often means “bread” or food in general. In the KJV, “meat” here means food and need not mean animal flesh.
  • “meat” — בִּרְיָה (biryah): This word refers to food for someone who is ill. The second use of “meat” in the verse translates a different Hebrew word and fits Amnon’s appearance as a sick man.

Why 2 Samuel 13:5 matters

  • Jonadab’s plan uses David’s authority to arrange Tamar’s visit. Amnon is told to wait until his father comes and then ask him to send her.
  • The details of the meal create an opportunity for Amnon to be close to Tamar. His request that she prepare food “in my sight” and that he eat “at her hand” places her beside him.
  • The feigned sickness is part of a deception, not the reason Amnon wants Tamar there. The preceding verse gives the reason: Amnon desires her, and the later account shows him forcing himself on her (verse 14).

Where else these words appear

“meat” Hebrew H1279 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Samuel 13:7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat.
  • 2 Samuel 13:10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.

“Jonadab” Hebrew H3082 · used in 7 verses

  • 2 Kings 10:15 And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.
  • Jeremiah 35:8 Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters;
  • Jeremiah 35:16 Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me:

“give” Hebrew H1262 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Samuel 17:8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.
  • 2 Samuel 12:17 And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.
  • 2 Samuel 13:10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.

“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.