2 Samuel 24:5 Meaning and Explanation
“And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Joab's company crosses the Jordan and begins the count in the territory east of the river.
What Does 2 Samuel 24:5 Mean?
The narrative traces the route of the census-takers. They cross the Jordan and pitch camp near Aroer, by the city in the river valley of Gad, moving toward Jazer. These are landmarks in the tribal lands east of the Jordan, where the counting begins.
The careful geography shows this was no small undertaking but a sweeping, methodical survey of the whole nation. Even in a chapter heavy with judgment, the text grounds the story in real places and real labor. God's dealings with His people unfold not in the abstract but in the actual land He had given them, among towns and rivers that could be named and walked.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 24:5
What does 2 Samuel 24:5 mean?
Joab's company crosses the Jordan and begins the count in the territory east of the river.