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1 Chronicles 11:17

1 Chronicles 11:17 in Multiple Translations

David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!”

And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Beth-lehem, that is at the gate!

And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Beth-lehem, which is by the gate!

And David, moved by a strong desire, said, If only someone would give me a drink of the water from the water-hole of Beth-lehem by the doorway into the town!

David was feeling really thirsty, and he said, “If only someone could bring me a drink of water from the well beside the entrance gate to Bethlehem!”

And Dauid longed, and said, Oh, that one would giue me to drinke of the water of the well of Beth-lehem that is at the gate.

and David longeth, and saith, 'Who doth give me to drink water from the well of Beth-Lehem, that [is] at the gate!'

David longed, and said, “Oh, that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!”

And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Beth-lehem, that is at the gate!

And David longed, and said: O that some man would give me water of the cistern of Bethlehem, which is in the gate.

One day David was very thirsty and said, “I wish that someone would bring me some water from the well near the gate at Bethlehem!”

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Chronicles 11:17

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Chronicles 11:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB ו/יתאו וַ/יִּתְאָ֥יו דָּוִ֖יד וַ/יֹּאמַ֑ר מִ֚י יַשְׁקֵ֣/נִי מַ֔יִם מִ/בּ֥וֹר בֵּֽית לֶ֖חֶם אֲשֶׁ֥ר בַּ/שָּֽׁעַר
ו/יתאו ʼâvâh H183 to desire Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3ms
וַ/יִּתְאָ֥יו ʼâvâh H183 to desire Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3ms
דָּוִ֖יד Dâvid H1732 David N-proper
וַ/יֹּאמַ֑ר ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
מִ֚י mîy H4310 who? Part
יַשְׁקֵ֣/נִי shâqâh H8248 to water V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff
מַ֔יִם mayim H4325 Water (Gate) N-mp
מִ/בּ֥וֹר bôwr H953 pit Prep | N-ms
בֵּֽית Bêyth Lechem H1035 Bethlehem N-proper
לֶ֖חֶם Bêyth Lechem H1035 Bethlehem N-proper
אֲשֶׁ֥ר ʼăsher H834 which Rel
בַּ/שָּֽׁעַר shaʻar H8179 gate Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Chronicles 11:17

ו/יתאו ʼâvâh H183 "to desire" Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3ms
To desire means to strongly wish for something, and can be used to describe physical or emotional longings. This word is used in the Bible to describe feelings of coveting or lusting after something.
Definition: 1) desire, incline, covet, wait longingly, wish, sigh, want, be greedy, prefer 1a) (Piel) to desire, crave (food and drink) 1b) (Hithpael) to desire, long for, lust after (of bodily appetites)
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: covet, (greatly) desire, be desirous, long, lust (after). See also: Numbers 11:4; Psalms 132:13; Psalms 45:12.
וַ/יִּתְאָ֥יו ʼâvâh H183 "to desire" Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3ms
To desire means to strongly wish for something, and can be used to describe physical or emotional longings. This word is used in the Bible to describe feelings of coveting or lusting after something.
Definition: 1) desire, incline, covet, wait longingly, wish, sigh, want, be greedy, prefer 1a) (Piel) to desire, crave (food and drink) 1b) (Hithpael) to desire, long for, lust after (of bodily appetites)
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: covet, (greatly) desire, be desirous, long, lust (after). See also: Numbers 11:4; Psalms 132:13; Psalms 45:12.
דָּוִ֖יד Dâvid H1732 "David" N-proper
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N) Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138) § David = "beloved" youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 912 OT verses. KJV: David. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 27:9.
וַ/יֹּאמַ֑ר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
מִ֚י mîy H4310 "who?" Part
This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.
Definition: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever
Usage: Occurs in 342 OT verses. KJV: any (man), [idiom] he, [idiom] him, [phrase] O that! what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), [phrase] would to God. See also: Genesis 3:11; 2 Samuel 15:4; Psalms 4:7.
יַשְׁקֵ֣/נִי shâqâh H8248 "to water" V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff
This verb means to give water or a drink to someone or something, often used in stories like Genesis and Exodus. It describes providing sustenance and care, like God giving water to the Israelites in the desert.
Definition: : watering(ANIMALS/PLANTS) 1) to give to drink, irrigate, drink, water, cause to drink water 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to water, irrigate 1a2) to water, give drink to 1b) (Pual) to be watered 1c) (Niphal) variant
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: cause to (give, give to, let, make to) drink, drown, moisten, water. See H7937 (שָׁכַר), H8354 (שָׁתָה). See also: Genesis 2:6; 1 Chronicles 11:17; Psalms 36:9.
מַ֔יִם mayim H4325 "Water (Gate)" N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
מִ/בּ֥וֹר bôwr H953 "pit" Prep | N-ms
This word refers to a cistern or pit, often used to hold water or as a prison. In the Bible, it is used to describe a place of confinement, like a dungeon or well. It is a physical hole in the ground.
Definition: pit, well, cistern, dungeon, pit of the grave
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: cistern, dungeon, fountain, pit, well. See also: Genesis 37:20; Proverbs 5:15; Psalms 7:16.
בֵּֽית Bêyth Lechem H1035 "Bethlehem" N-proper
Beth-lehem means house of bread, a place in Zebulun. The name describes a location known for its food production, later becoming famous as Jesus' birthplace in the New Testament.
Definition: § Beth-lehem = "house of bread (food)" a place in Zebulun
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: Bethlehem. See also: Genesis 35:19; 1 Samuel 17:15; Jeremiah 41:17.
לֶ֖חֶם Bêyth Lechem H1035 "Bethlehem" N-proper
Beth-lehem means house of bread, a place in Zebulun. The name describes a location known for its food production, later becoming famous as Jesus' birthplace in the New Testament.
Definition: § Beth-lehem = "house of bread (food)" a place in Zebulun
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: Bethlehem. See also: Genesis 35:19; 1 Samuel 17:15; Jeremiah 41:17.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
בַּ/שָּֽׁעַר shaʻar H8179 "gate" Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a gate or door, often referring to city entrances or temple doors, like in Genesis and Exodus. It can also symbolize a meeting place or marketplace. The word is used to describe important locations in the Bible.
Definition: : gate 1) gate 1a) gate (of entrance) 1b) gate (of space inside gate, i.e. marketplace, public meeting place) 1b1) city, town 1c) gate (of palace, royal castle, temple, court of tabernacle) 1d) heaven
Usage: Occurs in 302 OT verses. KJV: city, door, gate, port ([idiom] -er). See also: Genesis 19:1; 1 Chronicles 9:18; Psalms 9:14.

Study Notes — 1 Chronicles 11:17

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 John 4:14 But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”
2 Isaiah 12:3 With joy you will draw water from the springs of salvation,
3 2 Samuel 23:15–16 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD,
4 John 4:10 Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”
5 Psalms 143:6 I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land. Selah
6 Numbers 11:4–5 Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat? We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic.
7 Psalms 63:1 O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water.
8 Psalms 42:1–2 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?

1 Chronicles 11:17 Summary

In 1 Chronicles 11:17, David expresses a simple desire for a drink of water from a well in his hometown of Bethlehem, showing his human side and vulnerability. This desire may have been a nostalgic longing for a place of comfort and familiarity, as Bethlehem was a significant place for David, as seen in 1 Samuel 16:1. David's expression of desire is a reminder that God cares about our everyday needs and desires, as seen in Matthew 6:25-34 and Philippians 4:19. As we reflect on this verse, we can be encouraged to bring our desires and needs to God, trusting in His provision and care for us, as promised in Psalm 23:1-4 and Jeremiah 29:11.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was David's desire in 1 Chronicles 11:17?

David longed for a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem, as stated in 1 Chronicles 11:17, showing his human side and desire for comfort in a time of distress, similar to how Jesus Christ was thirsty on the cross, as seen in John 19:28.

Why did David want water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem?

The Bible does not explicitly state why David wanted water from this specific well, but it may be because it was a familiar place to him, as Bethlehem was his hometown, mentioned in 1 Samuel 16:1, and the well may have held sentimental value or represented a connection to his past.

Is it significant that David's desire was for something from his hometown of Bethlehem?

Yes, it is significant because Bethlehem held importance for David, as it was his birthplace and the place where he was anointed king by Samuel, as seen in 1 Samuel 16:1-13, and this desire may have been a nostalgic longing for a place of comfort and familiarity.

How does this verse relate to David's character and faith?

This verse shows David's humanity and vulnerability, as he expresses a simple desire for a drink of water, but it also sets the stage for his expression of gratitude and humility in the following verses, where he refuses to drink the water obtained at great risk by his men, as seen in 1 Chronicles 11:18-19, demonstrating his dependence on God and his recognition of the value of human life, as emphasized in Genesis 9:6 and Exodus 20:13.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some desires or longings that I have been expressing to God lately, and how has He been responding to them?
  2. In what ways can I, like David, trust God to provide for my needs and desires, even in the midst of challenging circumstances, as seen in Psalm 23:1-4 and Matthew 6:25-34?
  3. How can I cultivate a sense of gratitude and humility, like David, when God provides for me or answers my prayers, as encouraged in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Psalm 100:4-5?
  4. What are some ways that I can, like the three mighty men, demonstrate my love and loyalty to God and to others, as seen in John 15:13 and 1 Corinthians 13:3?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Chronicles 11:17

[See comments on 1 Chronicles 11:1]

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Chronicles 11:17

And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate!

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 11:17

1 Chronicles 11:16 And David [was] then in the hold, and the Philistines’ garrison [was] then at Bethlehem. 1 Chronicles 11:17 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that [is] at the gate! Ver. 16-17. See on 2 Samuel 23:14-17.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 11:17

(17) That is at (in) the gate !—No such well is now known. The so-called “David’s well” is half a mile north-east of the town.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 11:17

Verse 17. David longed] See the notes on 2 Samuel 23:15-17.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Chronicles 11:17

17. give me drink of the water] R.V. give me water to drink. that is at] R.V. which is by (so Sam.).

Sermons on 1 Chronicles 11:17

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Richard Wurmbrand A Jug of Water by Richard Wurmbrand In this sermon, the preacher shares a story of a man who had forgotten his purpose in life and became consumed by worldly desires. The man had a happy life with a wealthy wife and
Norman Grubb From Negative to Positive by Norman Grubb In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of the "father's cup" and its connection to the devil. He emphasizes that going far in understanding this concept means recognizin
Norman Grubb The Meaning of Life - 6. I Will Do It Through You by Norman Grubb In this sermon, the speaker begins by expressing gratitude for the presence of God in their lives and the lives of others. They emphasize the importance of understanding and knowin
Alan Redpath How a Christian Gives Himself Away by Alan Redpath In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the need for a different approach to church programs and gatherings. He highlights the story of Gideon and how God used a small number of men
Joshua Harris Dating: God's Way by Joshua Harris In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of living differently in order to avoid negative consequences in relationships. He shares a story about a young boy who cheats
A.W. Tozer Unity That Brings Revival by A.W. Tozer In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being absorbed in Christ and His Word. He believes that God cannot bless or bring revival to a church unless its members ar

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