2 Samuel 18 · Verse 23

2 Samuel 18:23

But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
2 Samuel 18:23, King James Version

2 Samuel 18:23 in other translations

BSB“No matter what, I want to run!” he replied. “Then run!” Joab told him. So Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite.
WEB“But come what may,” he said, “I will run.” He said to him, “Run!” Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite.
ASVBut come what may, said he, I will run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite.
YLT‘And, whatever it be, said he, let me run.' And he saith to him, ‘Run;' and Ahimaaz runneth the way of the circuit, and passeth by the Cushite.
DARBY— But, come what may, let me run. And he said to him, Run. And Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outstripped the Cushite.
BBEWhatever may come of it, he said, I will go. Then he said to him, Go. So Ahimaaz went running by the lowland road and overtook the Cushite.
WebsterBut however, said he, let me run. And he said to him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran Cushi.

What does 2 Samuel 18:23 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
23. by the way of the plain--or ciccar, "circle." This word is only used elsewhere in connection with the valley of the Jordan. It is possible that there may have been a place or region so called on the tablelands of Gilead, as the Septuagint seems to indicate. Or Mahanaim may have been so situated, with the regard to the battlefield, as to be more easily accessible by a descent to the plain of the Jordan, than over the hills themselves. Or the word may signify (as Ewald explains) a manner of quick running [Stanley].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Samuel 18:19-33

By directing David to give God thanks for his victory, Ahimaaz prepared him for the news of his son's death. The more our hearts are fixed and enlarged, in thanksgiving to God for our mercies, the better disposed we shall be to bear with patience the afflictions mixed with them. Some think David's wish arose from concern about Absalom's everlasting state; but he rather seems to have spoken without due thought. He is…

Read the full comment on 2 Samuel 18:19-33 →

2 Samuel 18:23 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וִיהִי\־vi.hi-and may it beH1961
מָ֣הmahwhateverH4100
אָר֔וּץ'a.RutzI will runH7323
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרvai.Yo.merand he saidH559
ל֖וֹloto <the> him
ר֑וּץRutzrunH7323
וַיָּ֤רָץvai.Ya.rotzand he ranH7323
אֲחִימַ֙עַץ֙'a.chi.Ma.'atzAhimaazH290
דֶּ֣רֶךְDe.rekh[the] way ofH1870
הַכִּכָּ֔רha.ki.Karthe plainH3603
וַֽיַּעֲבֹ֖רvai.ya.'a.Vorand he passed byH5674
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
הַכּוּשִֽׁי\׃ha.ku.Shithe CushiteH3569

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Samuel 18:23

  • John 20:4

    So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
overran Cushi.
Joh 20:4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Samuel 18:22

    Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?

  • 2 Samuel 18:23

    But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.

  • 2 Samuel 18:24

    And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.

Read all of 2 Samuel 18

2 Samuel 18:23 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Mas él respondió: Sea lo que fuere, yo correré. Entonces le dijo: Corre. Corrió pues Ahimaas por el camino de la llanura, y pasó delante de Cusi.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		– Et quoi qu’il arrive, je veux courir. Et Joab lui dit: Cours! Et Akhimaats courut par le chemin de la plaine, et dépassa le Cushite.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Was auch geschehen möge, ich will laufen. -Und er sprach zu ihm: Laufe! Und Achimaaz lief den Weg des Jordankreises und kam dem Kuschiten zuvor.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui respondit: Quid enim si cucurrero? Et ait ei: Curre. Currens ergo Achimaas per viam compendii, transivit Chusi.