1 Samuel 11:8
1 Samuel 11:8 in Multiple Translations
And when Saul numbered them at Bezek, there were 300,000 Israelites and 30,000 men of Judah.
And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
And he numbered them in Bezek; and the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
And he had them numbered in Bezek: the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
When Saul counted them at Bezek, there were 300,000 men from Israel and 30,000 men from Judah.
And when he nombred them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundreth thousande men: and the men of Iudah thirtie thousand.
And he inspecteth them in Bezek, and the sons of Israel are three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
He counted them in Bezek; and the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
And he numbered them in Bezec: and there were of the children of Israel three hundred thousand: and of the men of Juda thirty thousand.
When Saul gave them all weapons at Bezek, he saw that there were 300,000 Israeli men there, as well as 30,000 men from the tribe of Judah.
Saul gathered them all together at a place called Bezek. 300,000 men came from the Israel mob and 30,000 came from the Judah mob.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 11:8
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 Samuel 11:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַֽ/יִּפְקְדֵ֖/ם
בְּ/בָ֑זֶק
וַ/יִּהְי֤וּ
בְנֵֽי
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
שְׁלֹ֣שׁ
מֵא֣וֹת
אֶ֔לֶף
וְ/אִ֥ישׁ
יְהוּדָ֖ה
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים
אָֽלֶף
וַֽ/יִּפְקְדֵ֖/ם
pâqad
H6485
to reckon
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
בְּ/בָ֑זֶק
Bezeq
H966
Bezek
Prep | N-proper
וַ/יִּהְי֤וּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
בְנֵֽי
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
שְׁלֹ֣שׁ
shâlôwsh
H7969
three
Adj
מֵא֣וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
hundred
Adj
אֶ֔לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
וְ/אִ֥ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
Conj | N-ms
יְהוּדָ֖ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
Judah
N-proper
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים
shᵉlôwshîym
H7970
thirty
Adj
אָֽלֶף
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 11:8
וַֽ/יִּפְקְדֵ֖/ם
pâqad
H6485
"to reckon"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
This word means to visit or oversee, and can imply a range of actions, from friendly to hostile. It is used in various contexts, including appointing, avenging, or delivering something into someone's care. The KJV translates it in many ways, including appoint, avenge, or commit.
Definition: : list/count 1) to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pay attention to, observe 1a2) to attend to 1a3) to seek, look about for 1a4) to seek in vain, need, miss, lack 1a5) to visit 1a6) to visit upon, punish 1a7) to pass in review, muster, number 1a8) to appoint, assign, lay upon as a charge, deposit 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be sought, be needed, be missed, be lacking 1b2) to be visited 1b3) to be visited upon 1b4) to be appointed 1b5) to be watched over 1c) (Piel) to muster, call up 1d) (Pual) to be passed in review, be caused to miss, be called, be called to account 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to set over, make overseer, appoint an overseer 1e2) to commit, entrust, commit for care, deposit 1f) (Hophal) 1f1) to be visited 1f2) to be deposited 1f3) to be made overseer, be entrusted 1g) (Hithpael) numbered 1h) (Hothpael) numbered
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: appoint, [idiom] at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, [idiom] by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, [idiom] surely, visit, want. See also: Genesis 21:1; Numbers 26:47; Psalms 8:5.
בְּ/בָ֑זֶק
Bezeq
H966
"Bezek"
Prep | N-proper
Bezek is a place in Palestine where Israel rallied under Saul, named for its lightning-fast battles. It was also the home of Adonibezek. In the Bible, Bezek is mentioned as a significant location in the book of 1 Samuel.
Definition: § Bezek = "lightning" the home of Adonibezek, the place where Israel rallied under Saul
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: Bezek. See also: Judges 1:4; Judges 1:5; 1 Samuel 11:8.
וַ/יִּהְי֤וּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
בְנֵֽי
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
שְׁלֹ֣שׁ
shâlôwsh
H7969
"three"
Adj
This Hebrew word means three or thrice, and is used to describe quantities or repetitions in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including three, third, and thirteen.
Definition: 1) three, triad 1a) 3, 300, third Aramaic equivalent: te.lat (תְּלָת "three" H8532)
Usage: Occurs in 381 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:22; Joshua 1:11; 2 Kings 9:32.
מֵא֣וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
"hundred"
Adj
Means a hundred, used as a simple number or part of a larger number in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including fractions like one one-hundredth. Found in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) hundred 1a) as simple number 1b) as part of larger number 1c) as a fraction-one one-hundredth (1/100) Aramaic equivalent: me.ah (מְאָה "hundred" H3969)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore. See also: Genesis 5:3; Numbers 2:6; Judges 18:17.
אֶ֔לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
וְ/אִ֥ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
יְהוּדָ֖ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
"Judah"
N-proper
Judah is the name of the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob. It is also the name of the region where the tribe lived. The name means 'praised' and is first mentioned in Genesis.
Definition: § Judah = "praised" the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob
Usage: Occurs in 754 OT verses. KJV: Judah. See also: Genesis 29:35; 1 Samuel 23:3; 2 Kings 14:13.
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים
shᵉlôwshîym
H7970
"thirty"
Adj
Thirty is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also be used as an ordinal to describe something as thirtieth. It is used to count quantities in the Bible.
Definition: thirty, thirtieth Aramaic equivalent: te.la.tin (תְּלָתִין "thirty" H8533)
Usage: Occurs in 163 OT verses. KJV: thirty, thirtieth. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:3; 1 Samuel 11:8; Jeremiah 38:10.
אָֽלֶף
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 11:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 11:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 11:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 11:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 11:8
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 11:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 11:8
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 11:8
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 11:8
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 11:8
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 11:8
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 11:8
Context — Saul Defeats the Ammonites
6When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he burned with great anger.
7He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent them by messengers throughout the land of Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not march behind Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out together as one man.
8And when Saul numbered them at Bezek, there were 300,000 Israelites and 30,000 men of Judah.
9So they said to the messengers who had come, “Tell the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Deliverance will be yours tomorrow by the time the sun is hot.’” And when the messengers relayed this to the men of Jabesh, they rejoiced. 10Then the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Tomorrow we will come out, and you can do with us whatever seems good to you.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges 1:4–5 | When Judah attacked, the LORD delivered the Canaanites and Perizzites into their hands, and they struck down ten thousand men at Bezek. And there they found Adoni-bezek and fought against him, striking down the Canaanites and Perizzites. |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 24:9 | And Joab reported to the king the total number of the troops. In Israel there were 800,000 men of valor who drew the sword, and in Judah there were 500,000. |
| 3 | 2 Chronicles 17:12–19 | Jehoshaphat grew stronger and stronger, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah and kept vast supplies in the cities of Judah. He also had warriors in Jerusalem who were mighty men of valor. These are their numbers according to the houses of their fathers: From Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, and with him 300,000 mighty men of valor; next to him, Jehohanan the commander, and with him 280,000; and next to him, Amasiah son of Zichri, the volunteer for the LORD, and with him 200,000 mighty men of valor. From Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, and with him 200,000 armed with bows and shields; and next to him, Jehozabad, and with him 180,000 armed for battle. These were the men who served the king, besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah. |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 15:4 | So Saul summoned the troops and numbered them at Telaim—200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah. |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 13:15 | Then Samuel set out from Gilgal and went up to Gibeah in Benjamin. And Saul numbered the troops who were with him, about six hundred men. |
| 6 | Judges 20:2 | The leaders of all the people and all the tribes of Israel presented themselves in the assembly of God’s people: 400,000 men on foot, armed with swords. |
1 Samuel 11:8 Summary
In 1 Samuel 11:8, Saul counts the Israelites and finds there are 300,000 of them, plus 30,000 men from the tribe of Judah. This shows that the people are united and ready to follow Saul and Samuel into battle, much like how the Israelites were united under Moses in Exodus 12:37. It's a reminder that when we come together in faith and unity, we can accomplish great things, just as the Israelites did when they followed God's commands in Joshua 1:8. By trusting in God's plan and following His leaders, we can experience victory and success, just like the Israelites did in their battle against the Ammonites, as seen in 1 Samuel 11:9-10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the location Bezek in 1 Samuel 11:8?
Bezek is the location where Saul numbered the Israelites, which marked a significant moment in their preparation for battle, as seen in 1 Samuel 11:8, and it highlights the importance of organization and strategy in achieving their goals, much like in Exodus 18:25 where Moses organized the Israelites into a more manageable structure.
Why were the men of Judah counted separately from the rest of the Israelites in 1 Samuel 11:8?
The men of Judah were counted separately to possibly reflect their distinct tribal identity or to signify their unique role in the battle, similar to how different tribes had different roles in Numbers 2:1-34, where each tribe had its own position in the wilderness.
How does the large number of Israelites and men of Judah in 1 Samuel 11:8 relate to their faith in God?
The large number of Israelites and men of Judah gathering to support Saul and Samuel demonstrates their faith and trust in God's plan, as seen in 1 Samuel 11:6-7, where the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul and the terror of the Lord fell upon the people, prompting them to unite as one man, much like in Joshua 1:18 where the Israelites were united in their commitment to following God's commands.
What does the numbering of the Israelites in 1 Samuel 11:8 signify in terms of leadership?
The numbering of the Israelites signifies Saul's emerging leadership role, as he takes charge and prepares the people for battle, demonstrating a sense of responsibility and authority, similar to how Moses led the Israelites in Numbers 1:1-54, where he numbered the people to prepare them for their journey to the Promised Land.
Reflection Questions
- What role does unity play in our lives as believers, and how can we apply the example of the Israelites in 1 Samuel 11:8 to our own relationships and communities?
- How does the concept of being 'counted' or 'numbered' relate to our sense of identity and purpose as followers of God, and what can we learn from the Israelites' experience in 1 Samuel 11:8?
- In what ways can we, like the Israelites in 1 Samuel 11:8, demonstrate our trust and faith in God's plan, even when the circumstances seem uncertain or challenging?
- What can we learn from Saul's leadership in 1 Samuel 11:8, and how can we apply those lessons to our own roles and responsibilities as leaders or followers in our communities?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 11:8
And when he numbered them at Bezek,.... Which was the place appointed to meet at, the same with that in Jude 1:4, [See comments on Jude 1:4] though some take the word to be an appellative, and not,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 11:8
And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 11:8
This great terror drew so many forth; which is not so strange to him that knows what none deny, that the land of Canaan contained vast numbers of people in a little compass. The men of Judah are numbered apart to their honour, to show how readily they, to whom the kingdom was promised, , submitted to their king, though of another and far meaner tribe; and how willing they were to hazard themselves for their brethren’ s rescue, although they might have excused themselves from the necessity of defending their own country from their dangerous neighbours the Philistines.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 11:8
1 Samuel 11:8 And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.Ver. 8. And the men of Judah thirty thousand.] All which yielded, now that God had signified his will, to be commanded by Benjamin, the least of the tribes.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 11:8
(8) Bezek.—Bezek was in the tribe of Issachar, in the plain of Jezreel, an open district, well adapted for the assembling of the great host which so promptly obeyed the peremptory summons of the war-signal of King Saul. The children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.—It has been suggested that this verse was the addition of some late reviser of the book, who lived in the northern kingdom after the final separation of Israel and Judah, but such a supposition is not necessary to account for the separate mention of Judah and Israel, or for the apparently great disproportion in the numbers supplied by the great southern tribe. The chronicler, with pardonable exultation, specially mentions the splendid result of the young hero’s first summons to the tribes, adding, with perhaps an undertone of sadness, that the rich and populous Judah to that great host only contributed 30,000. There is no doubt, as Dean Payne Smith well observes, that “as a matter of fact Judah always stood apart until there was a king who belonged to itself. Then, in David’s time, it first took an active interest in the national welfare, and it was its vast power and numbers which made the shepherd-king, who sprang from Judah, so powerful.” In the reign of King Asa of Judah, the numbers of the men of war of that proud tribe amounted to 300,000. It is, however, to be remembered that in the Old Testament Books, owing to the mistakes of copyists, numbers are not always to be strictly relied upon.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 11:8
Verse 8. The children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.] This was a vast army, but the Septuagint make it even more: "All the men of Israel were ἑξακοσιαςχιλιαδας, SIX HUNDRED thousand; and the men of Judah ̔βδομηκονταχιλιαδας, SEVENTY thousand." Josephus goes yet higher with the number of the Israelites: "He found the number of those whom he had gathered together to be ̔βδομηκονταμυριαδας SEVEN HUNDRED thousand." Those of the tribe of Judah he makes seventy thousand, with the Septuagint. These numbers are not all right; and I suspect even the Hebrew text to be exaggerated, by the mistake or design of some ancient scribe.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 11:8
8. in Bezek] Probably to be identified with Ibzîk, about half way between Shechem and Beth-shan, and 7 miles W. of the Jordan. It was within a day’s march of Jabesh. three hundred thousand, &c.] The numbers seem large, but not too large for a general levy of the nation. Cp. Judges 20:2. The separate numbering of Israel and Judah has been taken to mark the date of the book as posterior to the Division of the Kingdom. It may however be only an indication of a tendency on the part of Judah to isolation which was confirmed by the separation in the early part of David’s reign, and prepared the way for the Disruption.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 11:8
He numbered them - This was done to see who was absent (compare Judges 21:9). Bezek has been conjectured to be the name of a district rather than of a town.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 11:8
8. Bezek — At this place Judah had defeated Adoni-bezek. Judges 1:4.
Sermons on 1 Samuel 11:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Introduction to Judges by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the book of Judges and the lessons it teaches. The main lesson highlighted is that God uses weak things to achieve his victories. The preach |
|
(Pdf Book) Much Business by Bakht Singh | Bakht Singh emphasizes the story of King Jehoshaphat, who initially ruled with a fear of God and sought to teach His commandments to the people of Judah. However, as he became pros |
|
(1 Samuel) Blessings to a Bold Faith by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having bold trust in God and being willing to work hard for His purposes. He uses the story of Jonathan and his armor beare |