Lexical Summary Bachurim: Bahurim Original Word: בּחֻרִים Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Bahurim Or Bachuwriym {bakh-oo-reem'}; masculine plural of bachuwr; young men; Bachurim, a place in Palestine -- Bahurim. see HEBREW bachuwr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originmasc. pl. of bachur Definition "young men's village," a city in Benjamin NASB Translation Bahurim (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs בַּחֻרִים proper name, of a location (young men's village) of a small town of Benjamin beyond the Mt. of Olives on the way to Jericho (compare RobBR i. 433; KasterenZPV 1890, 100 ff.) 2 Samuel 3:16; 2 Samuel 16:5; 2 Samuel 17:18; 2 Samuel 19:17; 1 Kings 2:8 (= עַלְמוֺן according to ᵑ7Jon Schwarz Marti-SchickZPV iii. 8 f. Topical Lexicon Geographical SettingBahurim was a Benjaminite village situated on the east side of Jerusalem along the road that descends the Kidron Valley toward the Jordan River and Jericho. Its location placed it just beyond the Mount of Olives, making it a natural waypoint for travelers entering or leaving the city from the east. The proximity to both Jerusalem and the tribal heartland of Benjamin explains why members of Saul’s household are repeatedly connected with the place. Biblical Narrative Overview The name appears five times, all in the historical narratives clustered around the reigns of David and Solomon (2 Samuel 3:16; 2 Samuel 16:5; 2 Samuel 17:18; 2 Samuel 19:16; 1 Kings 2:8). Each reference enriches the unfolding account of covenant kingship, loyalty, and justice in Israel. Bahurim and the House of Saul Bahurim’s population was predominately Benjaminite, and therefore sympathetic to the fallen dynasty of Saul. This explains why Paltiel, the man given Michal when Saul separated her from David, follows her “weeping all the way to Bahurim” (2 Samuel 3:16). It was the last safe margin for a loyalist before entering David-controlled territory, underlining the emotional rupture caused by shifting royal allegiances. David’s Flight and Public Humiliation The village comes to prominence when David fled from Absalom. “As King David was approaching Bahurim, a man from the family of Saul’s house named Shimei son of Gera came out, and he shouted curses as he approached” (2 Samuel 16:5). The scene encapsulates David’s humiliation: stones and dust hurled by a resentful subject while the rightful king ascends the Mount of Olives in tears. Yet David restrains Abishai from retaliation, entrusting his vindication to the LORD. Bahurim thus becomes a stage where covenant faith triumphs over personal vengeance, prefiguring later teaching on blessing one’s persecutors. A Place of Hiding and Providence During Absalom’s rebellion, Jonathan and Ahimaaz sought refuge “in a man’s house in Bahurim… and they climbed down into a well” (2 Samuel 17:18). The unnamed household protected the spies at great personal risk, reminiscent of Rahab’s sheltering of Israelite scouts. Bahurim therefore illustrates how quiet faithfulness within seemingly insignificant locations advances God’s larger redemptive plan. Shimei’s Repentance and Conditional Clemency On David’s victorious return, “Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down… to meet King David” (2 Samuel 19:16), confessing his sin and seeking mercy. David spares him, displaying royal grace while reserving ultimate justice for the LORD. Years later, David reminds Solomon, “Remember Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse” (1 Kings 2:8). Solomon’s measured handling of Shimei (requiring him to remain in Jerusalem under oath) underscores that patience in mercy does not nullify eventual accountability. Theological Themes 1. Sovereign Providence: In every Bahurim episode, God silently governs outcomes—whether in the reversal of Michal’s wrongful marriage, preservation of David’s spies, or restrained judgment upon Shimei. 2. Testing of Hearts: Bahurim exposes the motives of individuals under pressure. Paltiel’s grief, Shimei’s rage and later remorse, and David’s forbearance all reveal spiritual character. 3. Mercy and Justice in Balance: David models gracious restraint; Solomon later balances that mercy with firm justice. The two generations together foreshadow the Messiah, who offers grace yet will judge righteously. Later Historical and Geographical Considerations Though Bahurim vanishes from post-exilic records, many scholars locate it at modern Ras et-Tumein or Abu Dis, about three kilometers east of the Temple Mount. Archaeological confirmation remains elusive, yet the biblical text alone secures its historical reality and theological importance. Applications for Ministry Today • Leadership under Criticism: David’s response at Bahurim instructs pastors and elders to absorb unjust reproach without retaliation, trusting God for vindication. • Hospitality and Risk: The anonymous household that hid Jonathan and Ahimaaz challenges believers to open their homes when the stakes are high. • Deferred Judgment: David’s treatment of Shimei warns against hasty condemnation while affirming that sin, if unrepented or repeated, will finally be addressed. • Surrendered Journey: Bahurim lies on the ascent of the Mount of Olives—the same ridge where the greater Son of David would agonize before His own rejection. The village thus whispers of Christ’s humility and the ultimate triumph that follows obedient suffering. Forms and Transliterations בְּבַחוּרִ֗ים בַּֽחֻרִ֑ים בַּֽחוּרִ֑ים בבחורים בחורים בחרים מִבַּֽחוּרִ֑ים מִבַּחֻרִים֒ מבחורים מבחרים ba·ḥu·rîm ba·ḥū·rîm bachuRim baḥurîm baḥūrîm bə·ḇa·ḥū·rîm bəḇaḥūrîm bevachuRim mib·ba·ḥu·rîm mib·ba·ḥū·rîm mibbachuRim mibbaḥurîm mibbaḥūrîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 3:16 HEB: אַחֲרֶ֖יהָ עַד־ בַּֽחֻרִ֑ים וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלָ֥יו NAS: her as far as Bahurim. Then Abner KJV: behind her to Bahurim. Then said INT: and followed far Bahurim said then 2 Samuel 16:5 2 Samuel 17:18 2 Samuel 19:16 1 Kings 2:8 5 Occurrences |
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