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.
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.
- BSB But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the count, because the king’s command was detestable to him.
- 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.
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 the son of Zeruiah began to take a census, but didn’t finish; and wrath came on Israel for this. The number wasn’t put into the account in the chronicles of king David.
- Num 1:47–49But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not counted among them.
- 2 Sam 20:9–10Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?” Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.
- 2 Sam 11:15–21He wrote in the letter, saying, “Send Uriah to the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck, and die.”
- 2 Sam 3:27When Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the middle of the gate to speak with him quietly, and struck him there in the body, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
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The genealogies and the everlasting covenant with David trace the single thread of promise running through the generations straight to the Christ in whom the line reaches its goal.
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Original language
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