Lexical Definition
עֲמָשָׂא ʻĂmâsâʼ (am-aw-saw') Amasa N:N-M-P
from עָמַס; burden
Amasa.
- § Amasa = "burden"
- Amasa, the name of two Israelites
1) son of Ithra or Jether by Abigail the sister of David and general of the army of Absalom
2) son of Hadlai and a prince of Ephraim in the reign of king Ahaz
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| עֲמָשָׂ֨א | Amasa | 2Sam.20.12 |
| עֲמָשָׂ֥א | Amasa | 1Kgs.2.32 |
| עֲמָשָׂ֗א | Amasa | 2Sam.17.25 |
| עֲמָשָׂ֖א | Amasa | 2Sam.20.5 • 2Sam.20.9 |
| עֲמָשָׂ֔א | Amasa | 2Sam.20.4 • 1Chr.2.17 |
| עֲמָשָׂ֑א | Amasa | 1Chr.2.17 |
| לַעֲמָשָׂ֔א | to Amasa | 2Sam.20.9 |
| וַעֲמָשָׂ֨א | and Amasa | 2Sam.20.10 |
| וַעֲמָשָׂ֣א | and Amasa | 2Sam.17.25 |
| וַעֲמָשָׂ֛א | and Amasa | 2Sam.20.12 |
| וַעֲמָשָׂ֖א | and Amasa | 2Sam.20.8 |
| וְלַעֲמָשָׂ֤א | and to Amasa | 1Kgs.2.5 |
| וְלַֽעֲמָשָׂא֙ | and to Amasa | 2Sam.19.13 |
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.17.25
- son of: Jether (יֶתֶר) and Abigail (אֲבִיגַיִל)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
עֲמָשָׂא proper name, masculine (compare עמס, ענשׂ ? or read עַמִּשַׂי (II. עַם + יִשַׂי), WeIsrael u. Jüd. Geschichte. 24, compare GrayProp. N. 44, 323); —
1. Absalom's general 2Sam 17:25 (twice in verse); 2Sam 19:14* + 8 t. 2Sam 20; 1Kgs 2:5; 1Kgs 2:32; 1Chr 2:17 (twice in verse), ᵐ5 Αμεσς(α)ει, ᵐ5L Αμεσσα.
2. Ephraimite 2Chr 28:12.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| 2 Samuel | 17:25 · 19:14* · Chapter 20 |
| 1 Kings | 2:5 · 2:32 |
| 1 Chronicles | 2:17 |
| 2 Chronicles | 28:12 |
Profile
Male • An Ishmaelite • Military commander, son of Abigail (David's sister), killed by Joab
Ishmaelite living at the time of United Monarchy
Amasa, the son of Jether and Abigail (David's sister), was a military commander who served under Absalom and later David, but was killed by Joab. (2Sa.17.25; 19.13; 20.4-12; 1Ki.2.5,32; 1Ch.2.17)
- An Ishmaelite living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.17.25;
- only referred to as Amasa עֲמָשָׂא;
- a son of Jether יֶתֶר and Abigail אֲבִיגַיִל.
Amasa was the son of Jether, an Ishmaelite, and Abigail, the sister of King David. He was a cousin of Joab, David's military commander. (2Sa.17.25; 1Ch.2.17)
During Absalom's rebellion against David, Amasa was appointed as the commander of Absalom's army. (2Sa.17.25) After Absalom's defeat and death, David sought to reconcile with the rebellious factions and offered Amasa the position of commander over his army, replacing Joab. (2Sa.19.13).
However, when David ordered Amasa to assemble the men of Judah to counter a revolt led by Sheba, Amasa took longer than the allotted time. David then dispatched Abishai to pursue Sheba, with Joab and his men following. (2Sa.20.4-7)
When Amasa caught up with them, Joab approached him as if to greet him, but instead killed him with a sword. Joab then continued the pursuit of Sheba. (2Sa.20.8-13)
Joab's murder of Amasa was likely motivated by jealousy and a desire to maintain his position as David's military commander. David, however, saw this act as a betrayal and later instructed his son Solomon to bring judgment upon Joab for the deaths of Amasa and Abner. (1Ki.2.5-6)
The story of Amasa highlights the complex relationships and power struggles within David's family and his kingdom. It also demonstrates the consequences of loyalty, betrayal, and the struggle for power in the royal court.
All entries for Amasa: עֲמָשָׂא