1 Samuel 14:31
1 Samuel 14:31 in Multiple Translations
That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, the people were very faint.
And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.
And they smote of the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. And the people were very faint;
That day they overcame the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were feeble from need of food.
After defeating the Philistines that day, killing them from Michmash to Aijalon, the Israelites were totally exhausted.
And they smote the Philistims that day, from Michmash to Aiialon: and the people were exceeding faint.
And they smite on that day among the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, and the people are very weary,
They struck the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. The people were very faint;
And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Ajalon: and the people were very faint.
So they smote that day the Philistines from Machmas to Ailon. And the people were wearied exceedingly.
The Israelis pursued and killed Philistia soldiers all that day, from Micmash town west to Aijalon. But they continued to become weaker from being hungry.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 14:31
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 14:31 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּכּ֞וּ
בַּ/יּ֤וֹם
הַ/הוּא֙
בַּ/פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
מִ/מִּכְמָ֖שׂ
אַיָּלֹ֑נָ/ה
וַ/יָּ֥עַף
הָ/עָ֖ם
מְאֹֽד
וַ/יַּכּ֞וּ
nâkâh
H5221
to smite
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp
בַּ/יּ֤וֹם
yôwm
H3117
day
Prep | N-ms
הַ/הוּא֙
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Art | Pron
בַּ/פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
Pᵉlishtîy
H6430
Philistines
Prep | Ngmpa
מִ/מִּכְמָ֖שׂ
Mikmâç
H4363
Michmash
Prep | N-proper
אַיָּלֹ֑נָ/ה
ʼAyâlôwn
H357
Aijalon
N-proper | Suff
וַ/יָּ֥עַף
ʻûwph
H5774
to fly
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הָ/עָ֖ם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
Art | N-ms
מְאֹֽד
mᵉʼôd
H3966
much
Adv
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 14:31
וַ/יַּכּ֞וּ
nâkâh
H5221
"to smite"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
בַּ/יּ֤וֹם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
הַ/הוּא֙
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
בַּ/פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
Pᵉlishtîy
H6430
"Philistines"
Prep | Ngmpa
A Philistine is a person from the region of Philistia, which was inhabited by immigrants from other places. The Philistines were known for their conflicts with the Israelites, as recorded in the Bible. They were a distinct ethnic group.
Definition: Philistine = "immigrants" an inhabitant of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan Another name of ga.dol (גָּדוֹל "Great( Sea)" H1419J)
Usage: Occurs in 244 OT verses. KJV: Philistine. See also: Genesis 10:14; 1 Samuel 17:8; 1 Chronicles 10:1.
מִ/מִּכְמָ֖שׂ
Mikmâç
H4363
"Michmash"
Prep | N-proper
Mikmash was a city in ancient Palestine, near Ramah and about 10 miles north of Jerusalem. Its name means 'hidden' and it's mentioned in the Bible as a place in the tribe of Benjamin. Today, it's likely the site of modern Mukhmas.
Definition: § Michmas or Michmash = "hidden" a city in Benjamin lying near Ramah and approximately 10 miles (16 km) north of Jerusalem; probably modern 'Mukhmas'
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: Mikmas, Mikmash. See also: 1 Samuel 13:2; 1 Samuel 14:5; Isaiah 10:28.
אַיָּלֹ֑נָ/ה
ʼAyâlôwn
H357
"Aijalon"
N-proper | Suff
Aijalon is a city in Palestine, meaning field of deer. It was a Levitical city in Dan, later ruled by various groups including the Amorites and Philistines.
Definition: § Ajalon or Aijalon = "field of deer" Levitical city in Dan, 14 miles or 25 km NW of Jerusalem, later ruled by the Amorites, then the Benjamites of Judah, then by the Philistines
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: Aijalon, Ajalon. See also: Joshua 10:12; 1 Samuel 14:31; 2 Chronicles 28:18.
וַ/יָּ֥עַף
ʻûwph
H5774
"to fly"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This word can mean flying or fainting, often due to darkness or gloom. It appears in books like Isaiah and Jeremiah, describing dramatic scenes.
Definition: v 1) to fly, fly about, fly away 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to fly, hover 1a2) to fly away 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to fly, light upon 1c) (Polel) 1c1) to fly about or to and fro 1c2) to cause to fly to and fro, brandish 1d) (Hithpolel) to fly away 2) (Qal) to cover, be dark
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: brandish, be (wax) faint, flee away, fly (away), [idiom] set, shine forth, weary. See also: Genesis 1:20; Proverbs 23:5; Psalms 18:11.
הָ/עָ֖ם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
Art | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
מְאֹֽד
mᵉʼôd
H3966
"much"
Adv
Meod means 'much' or 'very' and is used to emphasize something. It can mean 'exceedingly' or 'greatly' and is often used to show strong feelings or actions.
Definition: adv 1) exceedingly, much subst 2) might, force, abundance n m 3) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly 3a) force, might 3b) exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree) 3b1) exceedingly 3b2) up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly 3b3) with muchness, muchness
Usage: Occurs in 278 OT verses. KJV: diligently, especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), [idiom] louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very ([phrase] much, sore), well. See also: Genesis 1:31; 1 Samuel 11:6; Psalms 6:4.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 14:31
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 14:31 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 14:31
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 14:31
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:31
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:31
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:31
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:31
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 14:31
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 14:31
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:31
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 14:31
Context — Jonathan Eats the Honey
29“My father has brought trouble to the land,” Jonathan replied. “Just look at how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.
30How much better it would have been if the troops had eaten freely today from the plunder they took from their enemies! Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been much greater?”
31That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, the people were very faint.
32So they rushed greedily to the plunder, taking sheep, cattle, and calves. They slaughtered them on the ground and ate meat with the blood still in it. 33Then someone reported to Saul: “Look, the troops are sinning against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.” “You have broken faith,” said Saul. “Roll a large stone over here at once.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 10:12 | On the day that the LORD gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the LORD in the presence of Israel: “O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” |
| 2 | Joshua 19:42 | Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah, |
1 Samuel 14:31 Summary
[This verse tells us that after the Israelites won a big battle against the Philistines, they were very tired and hungry. They had been fighting from Michmash to Aijalon, which is a long way, and they needed to rest and eat. This reminds us that our bodies need food and rest to stay strong, just like our spirits need prayer and Bible reading to stay strong, as seen in 1 Timothy 4:8. It's also important to remember that God is our ultimate source of strength and provision, as promised in Psalm 121:1-2.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the people to be 'very faint' in 1 Samuel 14:31?
The phrase 'very faint' suggests that the people were extremely weak and exhausted, likely due to hunger and the physical exertion of battle, as seen in the context of 1 Samuel 14:30 where Jonathan notes the troops had not eaten freely from the plunder they took from their enemies.
Why is the location 'from Michmash to Aijalon' significant in this verse?
The location 'from Michmash to Aijalon' indicates the extent of the Israelites' victory over the Philistines, showing that they had successfully defeated them across a significant territory, much like the victories described in 2 Samuel 8:1 where David defeats the Philistines.
How does this verse relate to the larger story of 1 Samuel?
This verse is part of the story of Saul's reign as king of Israel and the ongoing conflict with the Philistines, highlighting the challenges and consequences of war, as also seen in 1 Samuel 15:1-3 where Saul is instructed to attack the Amalekites.
What can we learn from the physical and emotional state of the people in this verse?
The people's faintness serves as a reminder of the human need for physical and spiritual nourishment, as emphasized in Matthew 4:4 where Jesus teaches that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when I am physically or emotionally exhausted, and what can I learn from the Israelites' experience in this verse?
- In what ways can I prioritize my own spiritual nourishment, just as the Israelites needed physical food to sustain them in battle?
- How can I balance my physical needs with my spiritual needs, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 4:4?
- What are some ways that I can trust in God's provision and care for me, even in times of weakness or exhaustion, as seen in Psalm 23:1-4?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 14:31
And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon,.... Michmash was the place where the camp of the Philistines was when Jonathan first attacked them, and from whence they fled, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 14:31
And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint. The people were very faint.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:31
Aijalon; either that in Dan, ; or rather, that in Judah, .
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:31
1 Samuel 14:31 And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.Ver. 31. From Michmash to Aijalon.] A city in the tribe of Dan, twelve miles distant from Michmash, say some.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:31
(31) From Michmash to Aijalon.—The battle and pursuit had then extended some twenty miles of country. Again the extreme weariness of the Israelites is mentioned. Aijalon, the modern Yälo, is some eighteen or twenty miles from Michmash, where the main body of the Philistine army had been encamped.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:31
Verse 31. They smote the Philistines - from Mishmash to Aijalon] The distance Calmet states to be three or four leagues.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 14:31
31–35. The sin of the people 31. from Michmash to Aijalon] See note on 1 Samuel 14:23.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 14:31
Aijalon. - The modern Yalo. It lies upon the side of a hill to the south of a fine valley which opens from between the two Bethhorons right down to the western plain of the Philistines, exactly on
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:31
31. From Michmash to Aijalon — A distance of fifteen miles or more.
Sermons on 1 Samuel 14:31
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Through the Bible) Joshua 9-16 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker addresses a popular but false story about NASA scientists discovering a missing day in time. He emphasizes that this story is not factual and has no bas |
|
Robert Murray Mccheyne by Thomas Martin | In this sermon, the speaker shares the story of a church that started praying fervently for the work of God, for backslidden members, and for individuals. One man's simple prayer, |
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New Covenant - the Root of Sin - Part 4 by Zac Poonen | This sermon from 2 Peter chapter 1 emphasizes God's divine power that provides everything needed for a godly life, likening our bodies to the land of Canaan where no giants should |
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Message 10 by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker encourages the audience to be proactive in their faith and to share the message of God with others. They mention that they have free books available for |
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A Covenant That Covers by William Carrol | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of making bad decisions and how they can become a part of our lives. He uses the analogy of being hewers of wood and drawers of w |
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2020 Spiritual Resolutions by K.P. Yohannan | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of simplifying one's life and avoiding the love of materialism. He states that material possessions can be destructive and hi |
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Worship - Waiting on God by Christian Weiss | Christian Weiss preaches on the importance of waiting on God in prayer, highlighting the concept of stillness and silence before the Lord as a crucial aspect of genuine prayer. He |