Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
Parallel translations
- WEB However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to Yahweh’s enemies to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you will surely die.”
- BSB Nevertheless, because by this deed you have shown utter contempt for the word of the LORD, the son born to you will surely die.”
- NKJV However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.”
- NASB However, since by this deed you have shown utter disrespect for the Lord, the child himself who is born to you shall certainly die.”
- NLT Nevertheless, because you have shown utter contempt for the word of the Lord by doing this, your child will die.”
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
Because David's deed gave God's enemies cause to blaspheme, the child born to him will die. Forgiveness does not cancel this grievous consequence.
Overview
David's sin has dishonored the LORD's name before the watching nations, and the death of the child will follow. The penalty shows that sin by God's people brings reproach on His name and real, painful consequences. Even forgiven sin can leave deep wounds, a sobering counterpart to the assurance of pardon just given.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Rom 2:24For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
- Isa 52:5Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.
- Ps 89:31–33If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;
- Heb 12:6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
- Rev 3:19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
- Prov 3:11–12My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
- Ps 94:12Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
- Ps 74:10O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?
- Ezek 36:20–23And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land.
- Neh 5:9Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?
- Amos 3:2You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
- Matt 18:7Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
- 1 Cor 11:32But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 12:14 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.