The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Kingdoms (2 Samuel) 13:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And he said to him: Why dost thou grow so lean from day to day, O son of the king? why dost thou not tell me the reason of it? And Ammon said to him: I am in love with Thamar the sister of my brother Absalom.

Douay-Rheims

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ מַדּ֣וּעַ אַ֠תָּה כָּ֣כָה דַּ֤ל בֶּן־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ בַּבֹּ֣קֶר בַּבֹּ֔קֶר הֲל֖וֹא תַּגִּ֣יד לִ֑י וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ אַמְנ֔וֹן אֶת־תָּמָ֗ר אֲח֛וֹת אַבְשָׁלֹ֥ם אָחִ֖י אֲנִ֥י אֹהֵֽב׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Fructuosus of Braga

7th centuryChurch Father

No one ought to place their trust in past purity, for even David, the epitome of righteousness, and Solomon, renowned for his wisdom, had their hearts led astray by women. To prevent anyone from feeling secure in their virtue around female relatives, one should recall the incident of Tamar, who was wronged by Amnon, who feigned illness. Therefore, both monks and nuns are called to lead such a pure existence that they can honestly bear witness not only before God but also among people, offering their followers an example of holiness.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.