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1 Samuel 17:10

1 Samuel 17:10 in Multiple Translations

Then the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day! Give me a man to fight!”

And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.

And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.

And the Philistine said, I have put to shame the armies of Israel this day; give me a man so that we may have a fight together.

Then the Philistine said, “I mock the battle lines of Israel today! Give me a man so we can fight each other!”

Also the Philistim saide, I defie the hoste of Israel this day: giue mee a man, that we may fight together.

And the Philistine saith, 'I have reproached the ranks of Israel this day; give to me a man, and we fight together.'

The Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel today! Give me a man, that we may fight together!”

And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.

And the Philistine said: I have defied the bands of Israel this day: Give me a man, and let him fight with me hand to hand.

I defy/challenge you men of the Israeli army. Send me a man who will fight with me!”

Don’t be weak. Send one man to me so the 2 of us can fight.”

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 17:10

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 17:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר֙ הַ/פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י אֲנִ֗י חֵרַ֛פְתִּי אֶת מַעַרְכ֥וֹת יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל הַ/יּ֣וֹם הַ/זֶּ֑ה תְּנוּ לִ֣/י אִ֔ישׁ וְ/נִֽלָּחֲמָ֖ה יָֽחַד
וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר֙ ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הַ/פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י Pᵉlishtîy H6430 Philistines Art | Ngmsa
אֲנִ֗י ʼănîy H589 I Pron
חֵרַ֛פְתִּי châraph H2778 to taunt V-Piel-Perf-1cs
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
מַעַרְכ֥וֹת maʻărâkâh H4634 rank N-fp
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel N-proper
הַ/יּ֣וֹם yôwm H3117 day Art | N-ms
הַ/זֶּ֑ה zeh H2088 this Art | Pron
תְּנוּ nâthan H5414 to give V-Qal-Impv-2mp
לִ֣/י Prep | Suff
אִ֔ישׁ ʼîysh H376 man N-ms
וְ/נִֽלָּחֲמָ֖ה lâcham H3898 to fight Conj | V-Niphal-1cp
יָֽחַד yachad H3162 unitedness N-ms
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 17:10

וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר֙ 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.
הַ/פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י Pᵉlishtîy H6430 "Philistines" Art | Ngmsa
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.
אֲנִ֗י ʼănîy H589 "I" Pron
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.
חֵרַ֛פְתִּי châraph H2778 "to taunt" V-Piel-Perf-1cs
The Hebrew word 'châraph' means to acquire or expose something, and can also mean to betroth or defame someone. It is translated as 'betroth', 'blaspheme', or 'reproach' in the KJV Bible.
Definition: 1) to reproach, taunt, blaspheme, defy, jeopardise, rail, upbraid 1a) (Qal) to reproach 1b) (Piel) to reproach, defy, taunt
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: betroth, blaspheme, defy, jeopard, rail, reproach, upbraid. See also: Leviticus 19:20; Psalms 55:13; Psalms 42:11.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
מַעַרְכ֥וֹת maʻărâkâh H4634 "rank" N-fp
It refers to a row or rank, often used for military arrays or armies, as in a battle-line or ordered place.
Definition: 1) row, rank, battle-line 1a) battle-line 1b) rank 1c) row Also means: ma.a.rah (מַעֲרָה "army" H4630)
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: army, fight, be set in order, ordered place, rank, row. See also: Exodus 39:37; 1 Samuel 17:21; 1 Chronicles 12:39.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל 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.
הַ/יּ֣וֹם yôwm H3117 "day" Art | 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/זֶּ֑ה zeh H2088 "this" Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.
תְּנוּ nâthan H5414 "to give" V-Qal-Impv-2mp
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
לִ֣/י "" Prep | Suff
אִ֔ישׁ ʼîysh H376 "man" 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.
וְ/נִֽלָּחֲמָ֖ה lâcham H3898 "to fight" Conj | V-Niphal-1cp
In the Bible, this word means to feed on or consume something, often referring to eating food or battling against someone. It's used in stories like David's battles and the Israelites' struggles in the wilderness.
Definition: 1) to fight, do battle, make war 1a) (Qal) to fight, do battle 1b) (Niphal) to engage in battle, wage war
Usage: Occurs in 171 OT verses. KJV: devour, eat, [idiom] ever, fight(-ing), overcome, prevail, (make) war(-ring). See also: Exodus 1:10; 2 Samuel 8:10; Psalms 35:1.
יָֽחַד yachad H3162 "unitedness" N-ms
This adverb means together, describing people doing something in unity, like in Psalm 133:1.
Definition: 1) union, unitedness
Usage: Occurs in 139 OT verses. KJV: alike, at all (once), both, likewise, only, (al-) together, withal. See also: Genesis 13:6; Psalms 62:10; Psalms 2:2.

Study Notes — 1 Samuel 17:10

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 1 Samuel 17:25–26 Now the men of Israel had been saying, “Do you see this man who keeps coming out to defy Israel? To the man who kills him the king will give great riches. And he will give him his daughter in marriage and exempt his father’s house from taxation in Israel.” David asked the men who were standing with him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Just who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
2 1 Samuel 17:45 But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
3 1 Samuel 17:36 Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”
4 Numbers 23:7–8 And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me; come and denounce Israel!’ How can I curse what God has not cursed? How can I denounce what the LORD has not denounced?
5 Nehemiah 2:19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”
6 2 Samuel 21:21 and when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of David’s brother Shimei killed him.
7 Job 40:9–12 Do you have an arm like God’s? Can you thunder with a voice like His? Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, and clothe yourself with honor and glory. Unleash the fury of your wrath; look on every proud man and bring him low. Look on every proud man and humble him; trample the wicked where they stand.
8 Psalms 9:4–5 For You have upheld my just cause; You sit on Your throne judging righteously. You have rebuked the nations; You have destroyed the wicked; You have erased their name forever and ever.
9 Daniel 4:37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride.
10 Jeremiah 9:23 This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches.

1 Samuel 17:10 Summary

In 1 Samuel 17:10, Goliath is essentially saying, 'I dare you to send someone to fight me!' He is confident in his own strength and is taunting the Israelites, but he is also unknowingly setting himself up for a showdown with the God of Israel. This verse shows us that when we face challenges, we have a choice to make: we can trust in our own strength, like Goliath, or we can trust in God's power, like David (as seen in 1 Samuel 17:45-47). By trusting in God, we can overcome even the most daunting challenges, just like David did when he defeated Goliath (1 Samuel 17:51), and just like the Israelites did when they trusted in God's deliverance in Exodus 14:13-14.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of Goliath's defiance in 1 Samuel 17:10?

Goliath's defiance is a direct challenge to the God of Israel, and it sets the stage for the dramatic showdown between faith and unbelief, as seen in other biblical accounts of faith, such as Exodus 14:13-14 and Joshua 1:9.

Why does Goliath ask for a man to fight?

Goliath asks for a man to fight because he is confident in his own strength and wants to prove the superiority of the Philistine gods over the God of Israel, similar to the challenges made by other enemies of God in the Bible, such as in 1 Kings 18:25.

What is the spiritual significance of Goliath's words in this verse?

Goliath's words reveal his arrogance and lack of fear of the God of Israel, which is a common theme in the Bible, as seen in Proverbs 16:18 and Isaiah 2:11-12, where pride and arrogance are condemned as sinful attitudes.

How does this verse relate to the broader context of 1 Samuel?

This verse is a key part of the narrative of 1 Samuel 17, which tells the story of David's victory over Goliath, and it sets the stage for the rest of the chapter, which explores the themes of faith, courage, and God's deliverance, as seen in other biblical accounts of God's intervention, such as in Judges 7:1-25 and 1 Samuel 14:6-14.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that I can apply the lesson of Goliath's defiance to my own life, and how can I avoid falling into the trap of pride and arrogance?
  2. How can I, like the Israelites, be tempted to fear and doubt in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, and what can I do to overcome those feelings?
  3. What does Goliath's request for a man to fight reveal about his character, and what does it teach me about the importance of humility and trust in God?
  4. In what ways can I, like David, trust in God's power and provision, even when faced with daunting challenges, and how can I cultivate that kind of faith in my own life?
  5. How can I use this verse as a reminder to pray for courage and faith in the face of adversity, and to trust in God's deliverance, as seen in Psalm 27:1-3 and 2 Corinthians 12:9-10?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 17:10

And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day,.... Or "reproach" (s) them; that is, should they not accept his challenge, and send down a man to fight with them, he should then

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 17:10

And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. I defy the armies of Israel ... give me a man, that we may fight together.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:10

1 Samuel 17:10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.Ver. 10. I defy the armies of Israel.] This man’ s insolence and self-confidence do plainly prove his heart to be nothing else but a piece of proud flesh. But God will shortly cut off those arrogant lips, and the "tongue that speaketh proud things."

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:10

Verse 10. I defy] אני חרפתי ani cheraphti, "I strip and make bare," the armies of Israel; for none dared to fight him. From the Dhunoor Veda Shastra it appears that, among the Hindoos, it was common, before the commencement of an engagement, to challenge the enemy by throwing out some terms of abuse, similar to those used by Goliath. We find this also in Homer: his heroes scold each other heartily before they begin to fight. See on 1 Samuel 17:43.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:10

10. I defy the armies of Israel this day — Hebrew, I have reproached the armies of Israel this day. He heaps upon them scorn and contempt for their supposed inability to cope with a single warrior.

Sermons on 1 Samuel 17:10

SermonDescription
Carter Conlon Jesus, Wash My Feet by Carter Conlon In this sermon, the preacher focuses on John chapter 13, where Jesus teaches his disciples about the true source of power. He emphasizes that power is not found in worldly wealth,
Horatius Bonar Human Remedies. by Horatius Bonar Horatius Bonar emphasizes the futility of human remedies in addressing spiritual afflictions, using Saul's disobedience and subsequent torment as a cautionary tale. He illustrates
Carter Conlon A Word for Those Who Want to Know God by Carter Conlon In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the book of Daniel and how it relates to our modern times. He highlights Daniel's prophecy about an increase in travel and knowledge in the l
Carter Conlon The Devil Is After One Thing in Your Trial by Carter Conlon In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having God's word deeply rooted within us to resist the devices of darkness. They rebuke depression and lies of the devil,
Bakht Singh Five Stones - Part 1 by Bakht Singh In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of David and Goliath from the Bible. He emphasizes that this story is not just a familiar tale, but a love story that is often tol
Zac Poonen (Through the Bible) 1 Samuel by Zac Poonen This sermon delves into the contrasting lives of Saul and David in the book of 1 Samuel. It highlights Saul's downfall due to disobedience, fear of people, lack of repentance, and
Carter Conlon The Necessity of Weakness by Carter Conlon This sermon emphasizes the necessity of weakness in the Christian walk, drawing from the life of the apostle Paul and the story of David and Goliath. It highlights how God's streng

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