But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.

2 SAMUEL 23:7KJV
Know the Bible

2 Samuel 23:7 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 23:7 mean?

2 Samuel 23:7 says that anyone who tries to handle or deal with certain dangerous people—compared to thorns—must use strong protection, like iron tools or the shaft of a spear, because these people are so harmful that they must be completely destroyed by fire where they stand. The verse uses vivid imagery to warn against trying to deal with wicked people without proper caution, showing that they are not to be handled lightly.

This verse is part of King David’s final words, where he describes the fate of the ungodly. David is speaking about the kind of people who oppose God’s ways, comparing them to thorns that are not gathered by hand but are instead burned. The context is a poetic reflection on leadership, righteousness, and the consequences for those who resist what is good.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 23:7

  • "man" (אִישׁ, ish): This word is used for a person in general, emphasizing that anyone—no matter who—who tries to handle these people faces danger.
  • "touch" (נָגַע, naga‘): This word means to reach out or come into contact with, highlighting the risk even in approaching such people.
  • "fenced" (מָלֵא, male’): Often means "to be filled" or "equipped," but here it carries the sense of being armed or protected, showing that special measures are needed.
  • "utterly burned" (שָׂרַף, saraph): This word means to completely burn up, stressing that the only way to deal with these harmful people is total destruction by fire.

Why 2 Samuel 23:7 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that wickedness can be managed or tolerated without consequence; it must be decisively dealt with.
  • The imagery connects to the wider passage, where David contrasts the righteous ruler with those who oppose God, emphasizing the seriousness of resisting what is right.
  • The language of burning "in the same place" shows the finality and completeness of the judgment described, underlining the danger of evil influences.

Where else these words appear

“place” Hebrew H7675 · used in 4 verses

  • 2 Samuel 23:8 These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.
  • 1 Kings 10:19 The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.
  • Amos 6:3 Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near;

“spear” Hebrew H2595 · used in 40 verses

  • 1 Samuel 13:19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
  • 1 Samuel 26:8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:23 And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.

“iron” Hebrew H1270 · used in 70 verses

  • Genesis 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
  • 1 Kings 6:7 And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.
  • Psalms 107:16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.

“utterly” Hebrew H8313 · used in 107 verses

  • Genesis 11:3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
  • Joshua 7:15 And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel.
  • Psalms 46:9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.