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 5:20KJVWhat 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.