2 Samuel 17:10

2 Samuel 17:10 Meaning and Explanation

And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men.

King James Version (KJV)

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Even the bravest soldier, Hushai says, will lose heart, for all Israel knows David and his men are mighty.

What Does 2 Samuel 17:10 Mean?

Hushai completes his picture of dread: even the lion-hearted will 'utterly melt' at the first bad news, because David's reputation as a warrior, and his veterans' valor, is known to all Israel. Fear, he argues, will undo Absalom's army from within.

The melting heart is the language Scripture uses for courage that drains away before the Lord's purposes. Hushai turns David's fame into a weapon of persuasion. Reputation can shield as surely as a sword, and here God uses the very name David earned in faithful service to guard him in his hour of need.

2 Samuel 17:10 in the Original Language

masah (מָסַס), 'melt' -- to dissolve away, used of courage that fails in fear.

Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 17:10

What does 2 Samuel 17:10 mean?

Even the bravest soldier, Hushai says, will lose heart, for all Israel knows David and his men are mighty.

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