2 Samuel 12:21-23

12:21 His servants said to him, “What is this that you have done? While the child was still alive, you fasted and wept. Once the child was dead you got up and ate food!” 12:22 He replied, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept because I thought, ‘Perhaps the Lord will show pity and the child will live. 12:23 But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Am I able to bring him back? I will go to him, but he cannot return to me!’”


tc For the MT בַּעֲבוּר (baavur, “for the sake of”) we should probably read בְּעוֹד (bÿod, “while”). See the Lucianic Greek recension, the Syriac Peshitta, and the Targum.

tn Heb “said.”

tn Heb “Who knows?”