Christian Family Services Ministry

1-2-2024 – A Word to the Wise – Exploring scripture often leads to surprising interpretation particularly when the language is an euphemism. One of the more popular examples come in Genesis 4: “Adam knew his wife…” in other words he had sexual relations with her. Sometimes the euphemism is unusual, difficult to see and rare. But once understood it changes the whole meaning. This example comes from 2 Samuel 10.

After this the king of the Ammonites died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place. 2 And David said, “I will deal loyally[a] with Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father dealt loyally with me.” So David sent by his servants to console him concerning his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the Ammonites. 3 But the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “Do you think, because David has sent comforters to you, that he is honoring your father? Has not David sent his servants to you to search the city and to spy it out and to overthrow it?” 4 So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved off half the beard of each and cut off their garments in the middle, at their hips, and sent them away. 5 When it was told David, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, “Remain at Jericho until your beards have grown and then return.”

Now it is that little phrase “4 So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved off half the beard of each and cut off their garments in the middle, at their hips, and sent them away. 5 When it was told David, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, “Remain at Jericho until your beards have grown and then return.”

What does that mean? All of the versions use similar wording however they miss the point because it’s a euphemism. The two Hebrew words being translated beard and hip mean something different. Knowing tells you why what Hanun does is so contemptible, for it is pubic hair, and cutting off their garments above the hip so they were completely exposed. Knowing this greatly impacts the whole situation.

Digging deeper into OT and NT Testament language reveals and paints deeply colored pictures of what is being talked about. Consider making the new year one of intense biblical study.