2 Samuel 5:6 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 5:6 mean?

2 Samuel 5:6 describes how King David and his men went to Jerusalem, where the Jebusites lived. The Jebusites mocked David, saying he could not enter their city unless he removed even the blind and the lame, believing their city was too strong for him to conquer.

In this verse, David is leading his forces to take Jerusalem, which was still controlled by the Jebusites. The Jebusites taunt David, suggesting that their city is so secure that even people who are blind or lame could defend it against him. This sets the stage for David’s bold capture of Jerusalem, which becomes the capital city for Israel.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 5:6

• "king" (מֶלֶךְ, melek): This word makes it clear that David is acting in his official role as king, not just as a military leader or private citizen.
• "Jebusites" (יְבוּסִי, yevusi): Naming the Jebusites highlights that Jerusalem was not yet an Israelite city and was seen as unconquerable by its current inhabitants.
• "blind" (עִוֵּר, iver) and "lame" (פִּסֵּחַ, pisseach): These words are used in the Jebusites’ taunt, emphasizing their confidence that even their weakest could keep David out.
• "thinking" (אָמַר, amar): This word, often translated "saying" or "thinking," shows that the Jebusites truly believed David could not enter, not just that they were mocking him.

Why 2 Samuel 5:6 matters

• This verse helps clear up that Jerusalem was not always an Israelite city; it was a stronghold held by another people who doubted David’s ability to take it.
• The Jebusites’ taunt shows the high level of confidence they had in their city’s defenses, which makes David’s eventual victory more significant.
• Understanding the context of this verse helps explain why Jerusalem’s capture was such a turning point in David’s reign and in Israel’s history.