1 Kings 20:31
ContextNET © | His advisers 1 said to him, “Look, we have heard that the kings of the Israelite dynasty are kind. 2 Allow us to put sackcloth around our waists and ropes on our heads 3 and surrender 4 to the king of Israel. Maybe he will spare our lives.” |
NIV © | His officials said to him, "Look, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful. Let us go to the king of Israel with sackcloth round our waists and ropes round our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life." |
NASB © | His servants said to him, "Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings, please let us put sackcloth on our loins and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will save your life." |
NLT © | Ben–hadad’s officers said to him, "Sir, we have heard that the kings of Israel are very merciful. So let’s humble ourselves by wearing sackcloth and putting ropes on our heads. Then perhaps King Ahab will let you live." |
MSG © | Then his advisors told him, "Look, we've heard that the kings of Israel play by the rules; let's dress in old gunnysacks, carry a white flag of truce, and present ourselves to the king of Israel on the chance that he'll let you live." |
BBE © | Then his servants said to him, It is said that the kings of Israel are full of mercy: let us then put on haircloth, and cords on our heads, and go to the king of Israel; it may be that he will give you your life. |
NRSV © | His servants said to him, "Look, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings; let us put sackcloth around our waists and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will spare your life." |
NKJV © | Then his servants said to him, "Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Please, let us put sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will spare your life." |
KJV | |
NASB © | His servants <05650> said <0559> to him, "Behold <02009> now <04994> , we have heard <08085> that the kings <04428> of the house <01004> of Israel <03478> are merciful <02617> kings <04428> , please <04994> let us put <07760> sackcloth <08242> on our loins <04975> and ropes <02256> on our heads <07218> , and go <03318> out to the king <04428> of Israel <03478> ; perhaps <0194> he will save <02421> your life ."<05315> |
HEBREW | |
LXXM | |
NET © [draft] ITL | His advisers <05650> said <0559> to <0413> him, “Look <02009> , we <04994> have heard <08085> that <03588> the kings <04428> of the Israelite <03478> dynasty <01004> are kind <01992> . kind <02617> . Allow us <04994> to put <07760> sackcloth <08242> around our waists <04975> and ropes <02256> on our heads <07218> and surrender <03318> to <0413> the king <04428> of Israel <03478> . Maybe <0194> he will spare <02421> our lives .”<05315> |
NET © | His advisers 1 said to him, “Look, we have heard that the kings of the Israelite dynasty are kind. 2 Allow us to put sackcloth around our waists and ropes on our heads 3 and surrender 4 to the king of Israel. Maybe he will spare our lives.” |
NET © Notes |
1 tn Or “servants.” 2 tn Or “merciful.” The word used here often means “devoted” or “loyal.” Perhaps the idea is that the Israelite kings are willing to make treaties with other kings. 3 sn Sackcloth was worn as a sign of sorrow and repentance. The precise significance of the ropes on the head is uncertain, but it probably was a sign of submission. These actions were comparable to raising a white flag on the battlefield or throwing in the towel in a boxing match. 4 tn Heb “go out.” |