And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.

2 SAMUEL 5:20KJV
Know the Bible

2 Samuel 5:20 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 5:20 mean?

2 Samuel 5:20 describes how David defeated his enemies at a place called Baalperazim and declared that the LORD had broken through against his enemies like a flood of water. David named the place Baalperazim to remember how powerfully God acted on his behalf.

In this verse, David is the speaker, and he has just won a battle against the Philistines. The scene takes place after David becomes king over all Israel, and the Philistines come to challenge his rule. David credits his victory not to his own strength, but to the LORD’s overwhelming intervention, comparing it to water breaking through a barrier. Naming the place Baalperazim serves as a memorial to this decisive moment.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 5:20

  • בַּעַל־פְּרָצִים (Baalperazim): This name means "Lord of Breakthroughs" or "Owner of Breakings." David gives this name to the place to highlight how God broke through his enemies like a sudden flood.
  • פָּרַץ (parats): This verb, translated as "broken forth," carries the sense of bursting out or breaking through forcefully. David uses this word to describe God’s action as unstoppable and overwhelming, like water breaching a dam.
  • פֶּרֶץ (perets): The word for "breach" refers to a gap or break, especially one made by force. The image is of water violently breaking through a barrier, which helps the reader picture the suddenness and power of God’s intervention.

Why 2 Samuel 5:20 matters

  • This verse emphasizes that David’s victory was not just a military achievement but was made possible by God’s direct and powerful action.
  • The vivid image of water breaking through a barrier helps the reader understand the overwhelming nature of God’s help, not just a small advantage but a decisive breakthrough.
  • Naming the place Baalperazim connects this event to the larger story of David’s kingship and God’s faithfulness, serving as a reminder for future generations of how God intervened for Israel.

Where else these words appear

“Baalperazim” Hebrew H1188 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 14:11 So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baalperazim.

“breach” Hebrew H6556 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 38:29 And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.
  • 1 Chronicles 14:11 So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baalperazim.
  • Isaiah 30:13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.

“forth” Hebrew H6555 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 28:14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
  • 1 Chronicles 4:38 These mentioned by their names were princes in their families: and the house of their fathers increased greatly.
  • Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.