2 Samuel 5:8 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 5:8 mean?

2 Samuel 5:8 describes how David challenged his men to attack the Jebusites by climbing up a water shaft (called a "gutter" in the KJV) and defeating the defenders, including those the Jebusites mockingly called "the lame and the blind." The verse also explains why there was a saying that "the blind and the lame shall not come into the house."

David is speaking to his soldiers as they prepare to capture Jerusalem from the Jebusites, who had taunted David by claiming even their weakest defenders could keep him out. The verse records David’s strategy and the resulting proverb, showing both the challenge of the attack and the way the Jebusites’ insult became a saying among the people.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 5:8

• "Gutter" (צִנּוֹר, tsinnor): This word refers to a water shaft or tunnel. Understanding this helps clarify that David’s men entered the city through a secret or difficult route, not by a direct assault.
• "Lame" (פִּסֵּחַ, pisseach) and "blind" (עִוֵּר, iver): These words are used here because the Jebusites boasted that even their weakest could defend the city. The terms became part of a saying, not a literal command against disabled people.
• "Hated" (שָׂנֵא, sane): The phrase "hated of David’s soul" uses this word for strong dislike or rejection, reflecting the taunt rather than David’s personal feelings toward disabled people.

Why 2 Samuel 5:8 matters

• This verse clears up a common misunderstanding: David was not expressing hatred for disabled people, but responding to the Jebusites’ mocking claim that even "the lame and the blind" could defend Jerusalem.
• The verse highlights David’s boldness and strategic thinking, showing how he motivated his men to accomplish a difficult task by offering leadership to whoever succeeded.
• Understanding this verse helps explain the origin of a saying in Israel and connects to the larger story of how Jerusalem became the city of David.