New International Version But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand. New Living Translation But the godless are like thorns to be thrown away, for they tear the hand that touches them. English Standard Version But worthless men are all like thorns that are thrown away, for they cannot be taken with the hand; Berean Standard Bible But the worthless are all like thorns raked aside, for they can never be gathered by hand. Berean Literal Bible And the worthless, like a thorn are all thrust away, because not in the hand can they be taken. King James Bible But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands: New King James Version But the sons of rebellion shall all be as thorns thrust away, Because they cannot be taken with hands. New American Standard Bible “But the worthless, every one of them, are like scattered thorns, Because they cannot be taken in hand; NASB 1995 “But the worthless, every one of them will be thrust away like thorns, Because they cannot be taken in hand; NASB 1977 “But the worthless, every one of them will be thrust away like thorns, Because they cannot be taken in hand; Legacy Standard Bible But the vile men, every one of them will be thrust away like thorns, Because they cannot be taken in hand; Amplified Bible “But the wicked and worthless are all to be thrown away like thorns, Because they cannot be taken with the hand; Berean Annotated Bible But the worthless are all like thorns raked aside, for they can never be gathered by hand. Christian Standard Bible But all the wicked are like thorns raked aside; they can never be picked up by hand. Holman Christian Standard Bible But all the wicked are like thorns raked aside; they can never be picked up by hand. American Standard Version But the ungodly shall be all of them as thorns to be thrust away, Because they cannot be taken with the hand; Contemporary English Version But evil people are pulled up like thornbushes. They are not dug up by hand, English Revised Version But the ungodly shall be all of them as thorns to be thrust away, for they cannot be taken with the hand: GOD'S WORD® Translation "Worthless people are like thorns. All of them are thrown away, because they cannot be picked by hand. Good News Translation But godless people are like thorns that are thrown away; no one can touch them barehanded. International Standard Version But ungodly men are like thorns that are discarded because they cannot be safely handled. NET Bible But evil people are like thorns--all of them are tossed away, for they cannot be held in the hand. New Heart English Bible But all of the ungodly shall be as thorns to be thrust away, because they can't be taken with the hand, Webster's Bible Translation But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut the worthless are all like thorns raked aside, for they can never be gathered by hand. World English Bible But all the ungodly will be as thorns to be thrust away, because they can’t be taken with the hand. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAs for the worthless—All of them [are] driven away as a thorn, "" For they are not taken away by hand; Berean Literal Bible And the worthless, like a thorn are all thrust away, because not in the hand can they be taken. Young's Literal Translation As to the worthless -- As a thorn driven away are all of them, For -- not by hand are they taken; Smith's Literal Translation And Belial as the thorn thrusting out are all they, for they will not be taken by the hand. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut transgressors shall all of them be plucked up as thorns: which are not taken away with hands. Catholic Public Domain Version But all prevaricators shall be plucked out like thorns, yet they are not taken away by hands. New American Bible But the wicked are all like thorns to be cast away; they cannot be taken up by hand. New Revised Standard Version But the godless are all like thorns that are thrown away; for they cannot be picked up with the hand; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut the ungodly are all like hard thorns, for they cannot be gathered with hands; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And all of the evil ones are like hard thorns, because it is not with hands they are all taken OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But the ungodly, they are as thorns thrust away, all of them, For they cannot be taken with the hand; Brenton Septuagint Translation All these are as a thorn thrust forth, for they shall not be taken with the hand, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context David's Last Song…5Is not my house right with God? For He has established with me an everlasting covenant, ordered and secured in every part. Will He not bring about my full salvation and my every desire? 6But the worthless are all like thorns raked aside, for they can never be gathered by hand. 7The man who touches them must be armed with iron or with the shaft of a spear. The fire burns them to ashes in the place where they lie.”… Cross References But the worthless are all like thorns raked aside, Isaiah 33:12 The peoples will be burned to ashes, like thorns cut down and set ablaze. Psalm 58:9 Before your pots can feel the burning thorns—whether green or dry—He will sweep them away. 1 Samuel 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD for they can never be gathered by hand. Luke 6:44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. Indeed, figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor grapes from brambles. Matthew 7:16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Hebrews 6:8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned. Psalm 1:4 Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind. Matthew 3:12 His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Malachi 4:1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.” Job 21:18 Are they like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a storm? Psalm 37:20 But the wicked and enemies of the LORD will perish like the glory of the fields. They will vanish; like smoke they will fade away. Isaiah 5:24 Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes the straw, and as dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will decay and their blossoms will blow away like dust; for they have rejected the instruction of the LORD of Hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat into my barn.’” Isaiah 40:24 No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner have their stems taken root in the ground, than He blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like stubble. Hosea 13:3 Therefore they will be like the morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes, like chaff blown from a threshing floor, like smoke through an open window. Luke 3:17 His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Treasury of Scripture But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands: the sons 2 Samuel 20:1 And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel. Deuteronomy 13:13 Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known; 1 Samuel 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD. thorns Genesis 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; Song of Solomon 2:2 As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. Isaiah 33:12 And the people shall be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire. Jump to Previous Belial Cast Driven Evil Evil-Doers Gathered Godless Gripped Hand Hands Pushed Thorn Thorns Thrown Thrust Ungodly WorthlessJump to Next Belial Cast Driven Evil Evil-Doers Gathered Godless Gripped Hand Hands Pushed Thorn Thorns Thrown Thrust Ungodly Worthless2 Samuel 23 1. David, in his last words, professes his faith in God's promises6. The different state of the wicked 8. A catalogue of David's mighty men But the worthless are all like thorns raked aside, Those who reject the rule of God are compared to thorns—harmful, unfruitful, and unfit for the place of blessing described for the righteous king. Like thornbushes cleared from a field, they are removed rather than cultivated among God’s people. Isa 33:12 The peoples will be burned to ashes, like thorns cut down… for they can never be gathered by hand. Thorns cannot be handled safely or brought in as something useful. Their removal requires care and strength, pointing to God’s final judgment on persistent rebellion. David’s words distinguish the lasting security of God’s covenant from the certain end of those who oppose His ways. Luk 6:44 For each tree is known by its own fruit.… Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe speaker of this verse, King David, is delivering his final words, reflecting on his life and reign as the king of Israel. He is considered a man after God's own heart and a central figure in the Old Testament. 2. Worthless Men This term refers to individuals who are morally and spiritually corrupt, often causing harm and disruption within the community of God's people. 3. Thorns Used metaphorically to describe the worthless, thorns are a common biblical symbol for things that are harmful, painful, and ultimately destructive. 4. Israel The nation over which David reigned, representing God's chosen people and the context in which these teachings are applied. 5. The Final Words of David This event marks a significant moment where David reflects on his life, leadership, and the nature of righteousness versus wickedness. Teaching Points The Nature of WorthlessnessWorthlessness in God's eyes is not about lack of ability but a lack of moral and spiritual integrity. We must evaluate our lives to ensure we are not living in a way that is spiritually unproductive or harmful. The Consequences of Wickedness Just as thorns are raked aside and discarded, those who live in opposition to God's ways will face separation from His blessings. This serves as a warning to pursue righteousness. The Importance of Discernment Believers are called to discern between what is valuable and what is worthless in their lives, relationships, and communities. This discernment is crucial for spiritual growth and alignment with God's will. The Role of Leadership David's reflection as a leader highlights the responsibility of those in authority to guide others towards righteousness and away from worthlessness. Leaders must model integrity and godliness. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 23:6?2. How does 2 Samuel 23:6 describe the fate of the wicked? 3. What practical steps can we take to avoid being "worthless" like thorns? 4. How does this verse connect with Psalm 1's depiction of the wicked? 5. In what ways can we ensure our lives bear good fruit for God? 6. How can we apply the warning in 2 Samuel 23:6 to modern life? 7. What does 2 Samuel 23:6 imply about the fate of the wicked? 8. How does 2 Samuel 23:6 fit into the context of David's last words? 9. What historical evidence supports the events described in 2 Samuel 23? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 23? (6) The sons of Belial.--According to the Masoretic punctuation, Belial is not here in the common form, but in the stronger abstract form=worthlessness. The coming in of Divine righteousness leads not only to the assimilation of that which is holy, but also to the rejection of that which is evil, by a law as necessary and immutable as that of action and reaction in the material world. The figures used are to show that, although the wicked injure whatever touches them, means will yet be found by which they may safely be put out of the way.Verses 6, 7. - The sons of Belial; Hebrew, belial; not a proper name, but a word signifying "worthlessness," and especially vicious worthlessness (see note on 1 Samuel 1:16). It is from this worthlessness that opposition arises to the just king, and he recognizes it as that which thwarts his efforts. The words may be rendered ? "But the ungodly are as thorns, to be all of them thrust away; Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But the worthlessוּבְלִיַּ֕עַל (ū·ḇə·lî·ya·‘al) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1100: Without profit, worthlessness, destruction, wickedness are all כֻּלָּ֑הַם (kul·lā·ham) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every like thorns כְּק֥וֹץ (kə·qō·wṣ) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6975: A thorn, thornbush raked aside, מֻנָ֖ד (mu·nāḏ) Verb - Hofal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5074: To wave to and fro, to rove, flee, to drive away for כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction they can never לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no be gathered יִקָּֽחוּ׃ (yiq·qā·ḥū) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3947: To take by hand. בְיָ֖ד (ḇə·yāḏ) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 3027: A hand Additonal Resources 2 Samuel 23:6 Blue Letter Bible2 Samuel 23:6 Bible Gateway 2 Samuel 23:6 Bible.com 2 Samuel 23:6 NIV |
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