2Sa 22:45-46 | NETfull | STEP | Foreigners are powerless before me; when they hear of my exploits, they submit to me.

2 Samuel 22:45-46

45 Foreigners are powerless before me; ^{▼▼ For the meaning “to be weak; to be powerless” for the verb כָּחַשׁ (kakhash), see Ps 109:24. Verse 46, which also mentions foreigners, favors this interpretation. Another option is to translate “cower in fear” (see Deut 33:29; Pss 66:3; 81:15).}
when they hear of my exploits, they submit to me. ^{▼▼ Heb “at a report of an ear they submit to me.” The report of David’s exploits is so impressive that those who hear it submit to his rulership without putting up a fight.}
46 Foreigners lose their courage; ^{▼▼ Heb “wither, wear out.”}
they shake with fear ^{▼▼ The translation assumes a reading וְיַחְרְגוּ (v^eyakhr^egu, “and they quaked”) rather than the MT וְיַחְגְּרוּ (v^eyakhg^eru, “and they girded themselves”). See the note at Ps 18:45.} as they leave ^{▼▼ Heb “from.”} their strongholds. ^{▼▼ Heb “prisons.” Their besieged cities are compared to prisons.}