1 Samuel 14:5
1 Samuel 14:5 in Multiple Translations
One cliff stood to the north toward Michmash, and the other to the south toward Geba.
The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.
The one crag rose up on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.
The one rock went up on the north in front of Michmash and the other on the south in front of Geba.
The cliff to the north was on the Michmash side, the one to the south on the Geba side.
The one rocke stretched from the North towarde Michmash, and the other was from the South toward Gibeah.
The one edge [is] fixed on the north over-against Michmash, and the one on the south over-against Gibeah.
The one crag rose up on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.
The front of the one was situated northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.
One rock stood out towards the north over against Machmas, and the other to the south over against Gabaa.
One cliff faced north toward Micmash, and the cliff on the other side faced south toward Geba town.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 14:5
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 14:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הַ/שֵּׁ֧ן
הָ/אֶחָ֛ד
מָצ֥וּק
מִ/צָּפ֖וֹן
מ֣וּל
מִכְמָ֑שׂ
וְ/הָ/אֶחָ֥ד
מִ/נֶּ֖גֶב
מ֥וּל
גָּֽבַע
הַ/שֵּׁ֧ן
shên
H8127
tooth
Art | N-cs
הָ/אֶחָ֛ד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Art | Adj
מָצ֥וּק
mâtsûwq
H4690
pillar
N-ms
מִ/צָּפ֖וֹן
tsâphôwn
H6828
Zaphon
Prep | N-fs
מ֣וּל
mûwl
H4136
opposite
Prep
מִכְמָ֑שׂ
Mikmâç
H4363
Michmash
N-proper
וְ/הָ/אֶחָ֥ד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Conj | Art | Adj
מִ/נֶּ֖גֶב
negeb
H5045
Negeb
Prep | N-ms
מ֥וּל
mûwl
H4136
opposite
Prep
גָּֽבַע
Gebaʻ
H1387
Geba
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 14:5
הַ/שֵּׁ֧ן
shên
H8127
"tooth"
Art | N-cs
The Hebrew word for tooth can also mean ivory or a sharp cliff. It is used in the Bible to describe the teeth of humans and animals, as well as sharp rocks, and is often translated as tooth or ivory.
Definition: : tooth 1) tooth, ivory 1a) tooth 1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast 1b) tooth, tine (of fork) 1c) ivory 1c1) as material 1c2) of commerce 1d) sharp pointed rock
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: crag, [idiom] forefront, ivory, [idiom] sharp, tooth. See also: Genesis 49:12; Psalms 57:5; Psalms 3:8.
הָ/אֶחָ֛ד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Art | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
מָצ֥וּק
mâtsûwq
H4690
"pillar"
N-ms
This word refers to a pillar or column, often made of molten material. It's used in the Bible to describe structures or monuments, like those in the book of Exodus. Pillars supported buildings and were significant.
Definition: molten support, pillar, column
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: pillar, situate. See also: 1 Samuel 2:8; 1 Samuel 14:5.
מִ/צָּפ֖וֹן
tsâphôwn
H6828
"Zaphon"
Prep | N-fs
This word means 'north' and is used to describe a direction or location. In the Bible, it is often translated as 'north' or 'northern side'.
Definition: This name means north Also named: tsa.phon (צָפוֹן "Zaphon" H6829)
Usage: Occurs in 141 OT verses. KJV: north(-ern, side, -ward, wind). See also: Genesis 13:14; Jeremiah 6:22; Psalms 48:3.
מ֣וּל
mûwl
H4136
"opposite"
Prep
This word means opposite or in front of, often used to describe location or direction. In Exodus 14:2, the Israelites camped in front of Pi-ha-hiroth, facing the sea. It provides a sense of spatial awareness and orientation in biblical contexts.
Definition: 1) front 1a) front 1b) in the opposite direction prep 2) in front of 2a) in front of 2b) (with prefix) 2b1) towards the front of, to the front of, on the front of 2b2) from the front of, off the front of, close in front of, on the forefront of
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: (over) against, before, (fore-) front, from, (God-) ward, toward, with. See also: Exodus 18:19; Deuteronomy 11:30; Micah 2:8.
מִכְמָ֑שׂ
Mikmâç
H4363
"Michmash"
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.
וְ/הָ/אֶחָ֥ד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Conj | Art | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
מִ/נֶּ֖גֶב
negeb
H5045
"Negeb"
Prep | N-ms
The Negeb is the southern district of Judah, also known as the south country, and can occasionally refer to Egypt, which is south of Palestine.
Definition: region of southern Judah Also named: ne.gev (נֶ֫גֶב "south" H5045H) This name means south-country
Usage: Occurs in 97 OT verses. KJV: south (country, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 12:9; 1 Samuel 14:5; Psalms 126:4.
מ֥וּל
mûwl
H4136
"opposite"
Prep
This word means opposite or in front of, often used to describe location or direction. In Exodus 14:2, the Israelites camped in front of Pi-ha-hiroth, facing the sea. It provides a sense of spatial awareness and orientation in biblical contexts.
Definition: 1) front 1a) front 1b) in the opposite direction prep 2) in front of 2a) in front of 2b) (with prefix) 2b1) towards the front of, to the front of, on the front of 2b2) from the front of, off the front of, close in front of, on the forefront of
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: (over) against, before, (fore-) front, from, (God-) ward, toward, with. See also: Exodus 18:19; Deuteronomy 11:30; Micah 2:8.
גָּֽבַע
Gebaʻ
H1387
"Geba"
N-proper
Geba is a place in Palestine, a city in the tribe of Benjamin, near Jerusalem. It is mentioned in the Bible as a significant location.
Definition: Gaba or Geba or Gibeah = "hill" a city in Benjamin, modern 'Jeba', which stands on the top of a steep terraced hill, six miles or ten kilometres north east of Jerusalem and three miles or five kilometres from Gibeah, on the edge of the Wadi Suweinit looking northward to the opposite village of ancient Michmash, modern 'Mukhmas' Another name of giv.on (גִּבְעוֹן "Gibeon" H1391)
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: Gaba, Geba, Gibeah. See also: Joshua 18:24; 1 Chronicles 6:45; Isaiah 10:29.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 14:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Jonathan’s Victory over the Philistines
3including Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was the son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli the priest of the LORD in Shiloh. But the troops did not know that Jonathan had left.
4Now there were cliffs on both sides of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost. One was named Bozez and the other Seneh.
5One cliff stood to the north toward Michmash, and the other to the south toward Geba.
6Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” 7His armor-bearer replied, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”1 Samuel 14:5 Summary
[This verse describes the location of two cliffs, one to the north and one to the south, which Jonathan and his armor-bearer had to navigate to reach the Philistine outpost. This natural barrier represents the challenges we face in our own spiritual journeys, but with faith and trust in God, we can overcome them, just like Jonathan did. As it says in Proverbs 3:5-6, 'Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.' By trusting in God's power and provision, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve great things for His glory.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the cliffs in 1 Samuel 14:5?
The cliffs in 1 Samuel 14:5 represent a natural barrier that Jonathan and his armor-bearer had to overcome to reach the Philistine outpost, much like the challenges we face in our own spiritual journeys, as seen in Joshua 1:9 where God commands us to be strong and courageous.
Why are the locations of Michmash and Geba important in this verse?
The locations of Michmash and Geba are important because they provide a geographical context for the events that are unfolding, and they are also mentioned in other parts of the Bible, such as Isaiah 10:28, which helps to understand the strategic location of these cities.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the story in 1 Samuel 14?
This verse sets the stage for Jonathan's bold plan to attack the Philistine outpost, which is a testament to his faith in God, as seen in 1 Samuel 14:6 where he says 'Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.'
What can we learn from the description of the cliffs in this verse?
The description of the cliffs in this verse reminds us that God often uses natural circumstances to test our faith and trust in Him, as seen in Psalm 121:1-2 where it says 'I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.'
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'cliffs' in my own life that I need to overcome, and how can I trust God to help me?
- How does the geographical context of this verse help me understand the story of Jonathan and the Philistines?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of faith and trust in God's power and provision?
- How can I apply the principles of 1 Samuel 14:5 to my own life, especially when faced with challenges and uncertainties?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 14:5
The forefront of the one was situate northward, over against Michmash,.... The northern precipice of this rock was towards Michmash, where the Philistines lay encamped, and where was the passage of
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 14:5
The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:5
1 Samuel 14:5 The forefront of the one [was] situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.Ver. 5. The fore front.] Heb., The tooth. See 1 Samuel 14:4. Northward over against Michmash.] So that these rocks were placed on either end of the inlet or passage; and he that would pass must climb over both. Sic petitur caelum.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 14:5
5. the forefront of the one, &c.] Lit. The one crag (lit. tooth) was a pillar on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba. The Sept. omits “a pillar.”
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:5
5. Gibeah — Rather, Geba. See note on 1 Samuel 13:16.