2 Samuel 2:16 Meaning and Explanation
“And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Each pair of combatants kills the other simultaneously, and the place is named Helkath-hazzurim, the field of sword-edges.
What Does 2 Samuel 2:16 Mean?
The combat is over almost as soon as it begins. Each man seizes his opponent by the head and drives a sword into his side, and all twenty-four fall together, none surviving. The mutual slaughter gives the place its lasting name, Helkath-hazzurim, the field of sword-edges or of the sharp blades.
The contest meant to settle the matter settles nothing; it only opens the floodgates to wider war. When men trust the sword to decide, the sword devours both sides alike, and a place of death keeps the memory long after. The futility carved into the very name of that field is Scripture's silent verdict on bloodshed chosen in place of peace.
2 Samuel 2:16 in the Original Language
Helkath-hazzurim (חֶלְקַת הַצֻּרִים) means 'the field of sword-edges' or 'the portion of the flints,' naming the ground by its slaughter.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 2:16
What does 2 Samuel 2:16 mean?
Each pair of combatants kills the other simultaneously, and the place is named Helkath-hazzurim, the field of sword-edges.