But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the count, because the king’s command was detestable to him.
Parallel translations
- WEB But he didn’t count Levi and Benjamin among them; for the king’s word was abominable to Joab.
- KJV But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them: for the king’s word was abominable to Joab.
- ESV But he did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, for the king’s command was abhorrent to Joab.
- NKJV But he did not count Levi and Benjamin among them, for the king’s word was abominable to Joab.
- NASB But he did not count Levi and Benjamin among them, because the king’s command was abhorrent to Joab.
- NLT But Joab did not include the tribes of Levi and Benjamin in the census because he was so distressed at what the king had made him do.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Joab omits Levi and Benjamin because the command was abhorrent to him. It shows his lingering disapproval of the census.
Overview
Joab leaves the tribes of Levi and Benjamin uncounted, perhaps sparing the Levites (set apart for God) and Benjamin (home to the future temple area), or simply registering his distaste for the order. His partial obedience signals that he never embraced the sinful task. The detail underscores how clearly wrong the census was.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- 1 Chr 27:24Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. For because of this census wrath came upon Israel, and the number was not entered in the Book of the Chronicles of King David.
- Num 1:47–49The Levites, however, were not numbered along with them by the tribe of their fathers.
- 2 Sam 20:9–10“Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him.
- 2 Sam 11:15–21In the letter he wrote: “Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle; then withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and killed.”
- 2 Sam 3:27When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.
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Original language
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