2 Samuel 14:25

14:25 Now in all Israel everyone acknowledged that there was no man as handsome as Absalom. 1  From the sole of his feet to the top of his head he was perfect in appearance. 2 

2 Samuel 17:3

17:3 and will bring the entire army back to you. In exchange for the life of the man you are seeking, you will get back everyone. 3  The entire army will return unharmed.” 4 

1 tn Heb “Like Absalom there was not a handsome man in all Israel to boast exceedingly.”

2 tn Heb “there was not in him a blemish.”

3 tc Heb “like the returning of all, the man whom you are seeking.” The LXX reads differently: “And I will return all the people to you the way a bride returns to her husband, except for the life of the one man whom you are seeking.” The other early versions also struggled with this verse. Modern translations are divided as well: the NAB, NRSV, REB, and NLT follow the LXX, while the NASB and NIV follow the Hebrew text.

4 tn Heb “all of the people will be safe.”