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2 Samuel 13

2 Samuel 13:2

Amnon and Tamar · 2 Samuel 13:1–22
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Translations

Modern
Amnon was sick with frustration over his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed implausible for him to do anything to her.
Traditional
And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.
Literal
And Amnon was so distressed that he became sick over Tamar his sister, for she was a virgin, and it was improper in the eyes of Amnon to do anything to her.
Latin
…et deperiret eam valde, ita ut propter amorem ejus ægrotaret: quia cum esset virgo, difficile ei videbatur ut quippiam inhoneste ageret cum ea.

Original

Hebrew
English
Amnon was sick with frustration over his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed implausible for him to do anything to her.

Notes

2 Samuel 13:2

  • sick with frustration: The story shows that Amnon's "love" for Tamar (2 Samuel 13:4) was not healthy love. It was an unhealthy sexual obsession that made him emotionally distressed.

  • She was a virgin: Amnon’s fixation grew stronger because Tamar had not had sexual relations.

  • it seemed implausible for him to do anything to her: The law forbade marriage between a brother and a sister (Leviticus 18:9, 11; 20:17; Deuteronomy 27:22). However, Amnon did not seek marriage with Tamar. He wanted only to have sex with her.

Theme notes and profiles

Absalom David Family, Community, and Sexual Sin

Events

People

Amnon: David's firstborn son, killed by Absalom Tamar: David's daughter, raped by her half-brother Amnon

Glossary

Absalom Amnon David Incest Kings, Books of First and Second Nathan Samuel, Books of First and Second Tamar (Person)

Topics

Adultery: Amnon Lasciviousness: Amnon Seduction of Tamar Tamar: Daughter of David