2 Samuel 3:29 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 3:29 mean?

2 Samuel 3:29 is a curse spoken against Joab and his family, calling for ongoing suffering and misfortune to fall on his descendants because of Joab’s actions. The verse lists specific troubles—illness, disability, violent death, and poverty—that are wished upon Joab’s household, so that the consequences of his wrongdoing would not end with him.

In this scene, David is speaking after Joab secretly killed Abner, an act that David did not approve of. David wants to make it clear to everyone that he does not share in Joab’s guilt, so he calls down these curses on Joab’s family. The verse uses vivid language to show the seriousness of Joab’s crime and David’s desire for justice.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 3:29

• "rest" (חוֹלָה, ḥolāh): This word often means "to remain" or "to settle upon," emphasizing that the curse is not just a passing wish but something meant to stay on Joab’s family.
• "issue" (זוּב, zûv): This refers to a chronic bodily discharge, which in ancient Israel made a person ritually unclean and socially isolated.
• "leper" (צָרַע, tsāra‘): Leprosy was a dreaded skin disease that also led to exclusion from the community, highlighting the severity of the curse.
• "leaneth on a staff" (מַשְׁעֵן, mash‘ēn): This phrase points to physical weakness or disability, showing that the curse covers a range of hardships.
• "falleth on the sword" (חֶרֶב, ḥerev): This means dying by violence, especially in battle, underlining the wish for ongoing tragedy.
• "lacketh bread" (לֶחֶם, lechem): This is a direct way to say "goes hungry," pointing to poverty and need.

Why 2 Samuel 3:29 matters

• This verse makes clear that David publicly distances himself from Joab’s violent act, which is important for his reputation as a just and innocent king.
• The specific list of curses shows the seriousness with which ancient Israel viewed bloodshed and personal vengeance, especially when it threatened peace.
• Understanding this curse helps explain later tensions between David and Joab, and why Joab’s family faces ongoing trouble in the story.