King James Version
2 Samuel 19:12 in the King James Version says “Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?”
2 Samuel 19:12 · KJV
And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back? speak: Heb. are ye silent?
And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house.
Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?
And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.
And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“Ye are my brethren”
H251a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
“ye are my bones”
H6106a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
“and my flesh”
H1320flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
“wherefore then are ye the last”
H314hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western
“to bring back”
H7725to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
2 Samuel 19:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to 2 Samuel 19:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge