What Does 2 Samuel 22:48 Mean in the King James?
It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me,
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
God gives the vengeance and brings the peoples beneath the speaker, making God the agent of both acts.
THE MEANING
When you are wronged and pressed beneath others, this verse names God as the one who answers with vengeance and brings those peoples beneath the speaker. It holds justice in a fierce, public image: the injury is answered and the power relation is overturned.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that a wrong can be answered only if the injured person personally takes revenge.
THE ROOT
נְקָמוֹת
neqāmōt
GROWS FROM
נ־ק־ם
N-Q-M
To avenge; to answer a wrong with retribution.
The Hebrew presents “vengeances” as what God gives to the speaker, while God remains the one who acts. English compresses that image into “avengeth,” concealing the forceful transfer of vengeance into God’s hands.
ALSO GROWS
nāqam: To avenge or exact retribution.
נָקַם
This verb shares the seed of the verse’s noun and makes clear that vengeance is an act, not merely a feeling.
neqāmāh: Vengeance or retribution.
נְקָמָה
This singular noun makes visible the same root meaning carried here in the plural: the verse speaks of vengeance given by God.
THE PATTERN
The text locates vengeance in God’s agency, where wrong is answered and power can be overturned.
To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.THE THREAD
The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.The Hebrew root נ־ק־ם (N-Q-M) for vengeance appears in both verses. Here it is paired with “mine hand shall not be upon thee,” showing the distinction between God’s vengeance and the speaker’s own hand.
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