Howbeit

Lore & Background

In Judges, "howbeit" introduces exceptions: Sisera's escape to Jael's tent (Judges 4:17), the king of Ammon's refusal to heed Jephthah (Judges 11:28), Samson's hair regrowing (Judges 16:22), the renaming of Laish to Dan (Judges 18:29), and the oath forbidding wives to Benjamin (Judges 21:18). In Ruth, it marks a nearer kinsman (Ruth 3:12). In Samuel, it highlights refusals: the people's demand for a king (1 Samuel 8:9), Asahel's refusal to turn aside (2 Samuel 2:23), David's sin and its consequence (2 Samuel 12:14), Amnon's rape of Tamar (2 Samuel 13:14), Absalom's refusal to go with the king (2 Samuel 13:25), and a warrior's lesser rank (2 Samuel 23:19). In Kings, it appears in Adonijah's claim (1 Kings 2:15), the Queen of Sheba's amazement (1 Kings 10:7), God's partial mercy to Solomon (1 Kings 11:13, 34), Hadad's request to leave (1 Kings 11:22), the siege of Kirharaseth (2 Kings 3:25), Elisha's prophecy of death (2 Kings 8:10), Jehu's retention of Jeroboam's sins (2 Kings 10:29), the lack of temple vessels (2 Kings 12:13), the persistence of high places (2 Kings 14:4; 15:35), the nations' own gods (2 Kings 17:29), Israel's disobedience (2 Kings 17:40), and the faithful workers (2 Kings 22:7). In Chronicles, it repeats the warrior's rank (1 Chronicles 11:21) and David's election (1 Chronicles 28:4).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray "howbeit" as a pivot word that undercuts a prior statement or introduces a limiting reality. In Judges, it often marks a turn from expected victory to complication (Sisera's flight, Judges 4:17) or from divine action to human stubbornness (Ammon's king, Judges 11:28). In Samuel and Kings, it frequently introduces divine judgment or human refusal: David's child must die (2 Samuel 12:14), Amnon will not listen (2 Samuel 13:14), and the kingdom is taken from Solomon but not entirely (1 Kings 11:13). The word also signals incomplete reform: high places remain (2 Kings 14:4; 15:35), Jehu keeps golden calves (2 Kings 10:29), and the people persist in old ways (2 Kings 17:40). In positive contexts, it notes faithful stewardship (2 Kings 22:7) and David's election (1 Chronicles 28:4). Overall, "howbeit" functions as a narrative hinge, showing that God's plans, human actions, and historical outcomes often include exceptions, delays, or partial fulfillments.

Did You Know?

• The word 'howbeit' appears 24 times across the passages, most often in 2 Kings (7 times) and 2 Samuel (5 times).
• In 2 Samuel 12:14, 'howbeit' introduces the consequence of David's sin: the child's death, despite David's repentance.
• In 1 Kings 11:13 and 11:34, 'howbeit' marks God's decision not to tear away the entire kingdom from Solomon's line.
• In Judges 16:22, 'howbeit' signals the beginning of Samson's hair regrowing after being shaven, a turning point in his story.