2 Samuel 12:22

What does 2 Samuel 12:22 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Samuel 12:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who knoweth whether Jehovah will not be gracious to me, that the child may live?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who knoweth whether Jehovah will not be gracious to me, that the child may live?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said, While the child was still living I went without food and gave myself up to weeping: for I said, Who is able to say that the Lord will not have mercy on me and give the child life?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he saith, `While the lad is alive I have fasted, and weep, for I said, Who knoweth? --Jehovah doth pity me, and the lad hath lived;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said: While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept for him: for I said: Who knoweth whether the Lord may not give him to me, and the child may live?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept; for I thought, Who knows? [perhaps] Jehovah will be gracious to me, that the child may live.

Context

v.21Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.

v.22This passage

v.23But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • James 4:9

    Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

  • Jonah 3:9

    Who knoweth whether God will not turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?

  • Isaiah 38:1

    In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Set thy house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.

  • Amos 5:15

    Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish justice in the gate: it may be that Jehovah, the God of hosts, will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.

  • Joel 2:14

    Who knoweth whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meal-offering and a drink-offering unto Jehovah your God?

  • Jonah 1:6

    So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

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