Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.
Parallel translations
- WEB Then she spoke, saying, “They used to say in old times, ‘They shall surely ask counsel at Abel;’ and so they settled a matter.
- BSB Then the woman said, “Long ago they used to say, ‘Seek counsel at Abel,’ and that is how disputes were settled.
- NKJV So she spoke, saying, “They used to talk in former times, saying, ‘They shall surely seek guidance at Abel,’ and so they would end disputes.
- NASB Then she spoke, saying, “In the past they used to say, ‘They will undoubtedly ask advice at Abel,’ and that is how they ended a dispute.
- NLT Then she continued, “There used to be a saying, ‘If you want to settle an argument, ask advice at the town of Abel.’
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
The woman recalled an old saying that disputes were settled by seeking counsel at Abel. It matters because she appealed to her city's honored reputation for wisdom and peace.
Overview
She reminded Joab that Abel was famed as a place where wise counsel resolved conflicts. By invoking this proverb, she argued that destroying such a city would be a grave wrong. The verse highlights the value of a community known for peace and discernment in Israel.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 1
- Deut 20:10–11When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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.
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Original language
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