Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the field on fire.

2 SAMUEL 14:30KJV
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2 Samuel 14:30 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 14:30 mean?

2 Samuel 14:30 describes how Absalom, frustrated that Joab would not respond to his requests, ordered his servants to set Joab’s barley field on fire to get his attention. Absalom’s servants carried out his command and burned the field.

In this verse, Absalom is speaking to his own servants about Joab, who lived nearby and owned a field of barley. Absalom had tried to contact Joab multiple times without success, so he resorted to a drastic action—burning Joab’s crops—to force a response. This action sets up a confrontation and shows Absalom’s determination to be noticed.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 14:30

  • "servants" (עֶבֶד, ʿeved): This word is used both for Absalom’s and Joab’s servants, highlighting the social structure and the way orders were carried out by those in service.
  • "set...on fire" (יָצַת, yatsat; אֵשׁ, esh): The verb and noun together make clear that Absalom’s command was not just to damage but to completely burn the barley field, showing the seriousness of his intent.
  • "field" (חֶלְקָה, chelqah): The specific mention of a barley field emphasizes the loss and the personal nature of the offense, since barley was a valuable crop.

Why 2 Samuel 14:30 matters

  • This verse clears up that Absalom’s act was intentional and calculated, not a random outburst, but a deliberate way to force Joab’s attention after being ignored.
  • The detail about the barley field being “near mine” shows the close proximity and personal connection between Absalom and Joab, making the act even more direct and confrontational.
  • Understanding this event helps explain the tension and maneuvering in the relationship between Absalom, Joab, and King David throughout this chapter.

Where else these words appear

“field” Hebrew H2513 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 27:16 And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:
  • 2 Samuel 23:12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
  • Job 24:18 He is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards.

“set” Hebrew H3341 · used in 28 verses

  • Joshua 8:8 And it shall be, when ye have taken the city, that ye shall set the city on fire: according to the commandment of the LORD shall ye do. See, I have commanded you.
  • Isaiah 33:12 And the people shall be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire.
  • Jeremiah 46:19 O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity: for Noph shall be waste and desolate without an inhabitant.

“barley” Hebrew H8184 · used in 32 verses

  • Exodus 9:31 And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.
  • Ruth 3:17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:15 Now therefore the wheat, and the barley, the oil, and the wine, which my lord hath spoken of, let him send unto his servants:

“near” Hebrew H413 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 1:9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
  • Exodus 8:25 And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.
  • 1 Samuel 4:19 And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.