2 Samuel 21:10
And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.
2 Samuel 21:10 · King James Version
Meaning
In 2 Samuel 21:10, the verse describes Rizpah's incredible act of devotion and mourning over the bodies of her two sons who were among the seven sons of Saul handed over to the Gibeonites for retribution. Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, took sackcloth and spread it upon a rock, where she stayed from the beginning of harvest until water dropped from heaven. This act symbolizes her unwavering dedication to honoring and protecting the bodies of her sons, even in the face of great hardship. By not allowing the birds of the air to rest on them by day and the beasts of the field by night, she demonstrated her love and respect for her children, ensuring that they received a proper burial and were not defiled. This poignant story serves as a reminder of the depths of a mother's love and the lengths she will go to honor and remember her children, even in the face of tragedy and loss.
Theological Overview
When examining the theological interpretation of the verse from 2 Samuel 21:10, we can see a powerful display of loyalty and devotion by Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. Rizpah's act of spreading sackcloth upon the rock and guarding the bodies of her sons for an extended period emphasizes her unwavering commitment to her children, even in death. This act can be seen as a symbol of mourning and reverence, as she protected their remains from birds of the air by day and beasts of the field by night. Rizpah's actions demonstrate a deep sense of love and respect for her sons, highlighting the importance of honoring and remembering the deceased. This verse serves as a reminder of the human capacity for love and sacrifice, as well as the significance of grieving rituals in honoring the deceased.
2 Samuel 21:10 in other translations
American Standard Version
And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water was poured upon them from heaven; and she suffered neither the birds of the heavens to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.
World English Bible
Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water was poured on them from the sky. She allowed neither the birds of the sky to rest on them by day, nor the animals of the field by night.
Douay-Rheims
And Respha the daughter of Aia took haircloth, and spread it under her upon the rock from the beginning of the harvest, till water dropped upon them out of heaven: and suffered neither the birds to tear them by day, nor the beasts by night.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then Rizpah the daughter of Aiah tooke sackecloth and hanged it vp for her vpon the rocke, from the beginning of haruest, vntill water dropped vpon them from the heauen, and suffered neither the birdes of the aire to light on the by day, nor beasts of the fielde by night.