2 Samuel 23:6 Meaning and Explanation
“But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →In contrast to the covenant blessing, the worthless and wicked are like thorns that cannot be gathered by hand.
What Does 2 Samuel 23:6 Mean?
David draws a sharp contrast. Over against the sure covenant stand the sons of Belial, the lawless and worthless, who are compared to thorns. Thorns cannot be picked up bare-handed; they wound anyone who tries, and so they are simply thrust aside.
Wickedness that refuses all restraint becomes useless and dangerous, fit only to be cleared away. The image is sober, but it underlines the dividing line that runs through Scripture: the way of covenant life and the way of thorns. The choice set before every reader is which the heart will be.
2 Samuel 23:6 in the Original Language
Belial (בְּלִיַּעַל), 'worthless' -- a term for ruin or lawlessness, those who throw off all moral restraint.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 23:6
What does 2 Samuel 23:6 mean?
In contrast to the covenant blessing, the worthless and wicked are like thorns that cannot be gathered by hand.