2 Samuel 14:33 Meaning and Explanation
“So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Joab relays the request, and David at last receives Absalom, who bows low, and the king kisses him.
What Does 2 Samuel 14:33 Mean?
Joab carries the message to David, who calls for Absalom. The prince bows to the ground before his father, and the king kisses him, ending the long estrangement with a sign of welcome and pardon.
The royal kiss restores Absalom to his father's face, a tender close to a tense chapter. Yet such an outward embrace, given without a true change of heart, leaves the deeper rift unhealed, as later events will show. It stands against the perfect reconciliation God offers in Christ, who not only welcomes the wanderer but makes the returning heart new.
2 Samuel 14:33 in the Original Language
nashaq (נָשַׁק), 'kissed' -- a kiss of welcome and reconciliation, here restoring the son to his father's presence.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 14:33
What does 2 Samuel 14:33 mean?
Joab relays the request, and David at last receives Absalom, who bows low, and the king kisses him.