1 Samuel 23:1 — Word Study
WLCוַיַּגִּ֥דוּ לְדָוִ֖ד לֵאמֹ֑ר הִנֵּ֤ה פְלִשְׁתִּים֙ נִלְחָמִ֣ים בִּקְעִילָ֔ה וְהֵ֖מָּה שֹׁסִ֥ים אֶת־ הַגֳּרָנֽוֹת׃
BSANow it was reportednâgad▸ [declared, told] to DavidDâvid Lookhinnêh [behold, see] ◂the PhilistinesPᵉlishtîy [a non-Israelite people, immigrants from other places] are fightinglâcham [waging war, battling] against KeilahQᵉʻîylâh [a fortified city in Judah] and lootingshâçâh [plundering, robbing] the threshing floorsgôren [open areas for grain separation]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיַּגִּ֥דוּ | and people told | Verb, Hiphil, sequential imperfect third person masculine plural |
| לְדָוִ֖ד | to David | Preposition, noun proper masculine |
| לֵאמֹ֑ר | saying | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| הִנֵּ֤ה | there! | Particle |
| פְלִשְׁתִּים֙ | [the] Philistines | Noun gentilic, masculine plural absolute |
| נִלְחָמִ֣ים | [are] fighting | Verb, Niphal, participle (active) masculine plural |
| בִּקְעִילָ֔ה | against Keilah | Preposition, noun proper |
| וְהֵ֖מָּה | and they | Conjunction, pronoun |
| שֹׁסִ֥ים | [are] plundering | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine plural |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| הַגֳּרָנֽוֹת׃ | the threshing floors | Particle, noun common feminine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Now it was reported to David, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and looting the threshing floors.” |
| KJV | Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors. |
| ASV | And they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and are robbing the threshing-floors. |
| YLT | And they declare to David, saying, 'Lo, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are spoiling the threshing-floors.' |
| WEB | David was told, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and are robbing the threshing floors.” |
| BBE | And they sent word to David, saying, The Philistines are fighting against Keilah and taking the grain from the grain-floors. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of נָגַד — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a reporting phrase and two additional phrases describing the situation.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectפְּלִשְׁתִּי
verbנָגַד
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 1 Samuel 23:1
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — David's Response to the Philistine Threatgenerated
1 Samuel 23:1 describes a critical moment when David is informed of the Philistines attacking Keilah. This information prompts David to seek guidance from the LORD on how to respond to this threat. The context highlights David's role as a leader and the ongoing conflict with the Philistines, a recurring theme in his story throughout the books of Samuel.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 15:44 | Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah—nine cities, along with their villages. |
| 2 | Nehemiah 3:17–18 | Next to him, the Levites made repairs under Rehum son of Bani, and next to him, Hashabiah, ruler of a half-district of Keilah, made repairs for his district. |
| 3 | Leviticus 26:16 | then this is what I will do to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting disease, and fever that will destroy your sight and drain your life. You will sow your seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 28:33–51 | A people you do not know will eat the produce of your land and of all your toil. All your days you will be oppressed and crushed. |
| 5 | Judges 6:4–11 | encamping against them as far as Gaza and destroying the produce of the land. They left Israel with no sustenance, neither sheep nor oxen nor donkeys. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נָגַד, vai.ya.Gi.dugenerated
The verb נָגַד (nagad) is a Hiphil form meaning 'to tell' or 'to declare.' It implies a bold announcement, often made in the presence of others. The parsing indicates it is in the sequential imperfect tense, suggesting an ongoing action of reporting.
This word carries a sense of making something known openly, as seen in its use throughout the Hebrew Bible. It emphasizes the act of communication, particularly in contexts where important information is being shared.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses reported for נָגַד.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb וַיַּגִּ֥דוּ (and they told) governs the sentence, with several phrases and clauses providing details about the report. The structure indicates a direct report followed by the content of what was said.
The syntax emphasizes the action of reporting, with the subject ('they') and the object ('to David') clearly delineated, reflecting the flow of information from the messengers to David.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates נָגַד as ἀπηγγέλη (apēngellē), meaning 'was reported.' This choice suggests a focus on the act of communication rather than the content itself, highlighting the importance of the message being conveyed.
This translation choice reflects a similar emphasis on the act of reporting, aligning with the Hebrew while adapting to the Greek audience's understanding.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
1 Samuel 23:1 reports that David was told about the Philistines attacking the city of Keilah and stealing from the threshing floors. This event is part of David's ongoing struggles as he leads his people against their enemies.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It indicates that the Philistines are attacking a fortified city, threatening its safety and the livelihood of its inhabitants.
David is concerned because the safety of the city and its people is at stake, and he must decide whether to intervene.
The threshing floors are important for grain separation, and their looting signifies economic hardship for the people of Keilah.
This report prompts David to seek guidance from the LORD on how to respond to the threat posed by the Philistines.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do I respond when I hear about challenges faced by others?
- What does it mean to seek guidance in difficult situations, as David did?
- In what ways can I support those who are under threat or in need?
- How can I be more aware of the needs of my community, similar to David's awareness of Keilah?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 1 Samuel 23:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThen they told David,.... Either the men of Keilah sent to him, being near them, or some well wishers of theirs, and of their country, acquainted him with their case: saying, behold, the Philistines
Read John Gill on 1 Samuel 23 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThen they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.
Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Samuel 23 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible1 SAMUEL CHAPTER 23 David, inquiring of the Lord by Abiathar, rescueth Keilah, and goeth into it, . God showing him the coming of Saul, and treachery of the Kennites, , he flieth thence to the wilderness of Ziph, with his six hundred men, . Here Jonathan cometh to him, and reneweth the covenant of friendship with him, . The Ziphites discover him to Saul, ; who pursueth him into the wilderness of Maon, . He is called away by a message that the Philistines had invaded the land, ,28. David dwelleth at En-gedi, . Then they told David; or, Now they had told David, to wit, before he heard of the slaughter of the priests. Keilah; a city in the tribe of Judah, , not far from the forest of Hareth…
Read Matthew Poole on 1 Samuel 23 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments1 Samuel 23:1 Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.Ver. 1. Then they told David.] The men of Keilah in the land of Judah seek help of David their countryman; but having served themselves of him, they soon proved false hearted to him, and would have made him an ill requital. In trust I have found treason, said Queen Elizabeth. And they rob the threshingfloors.] Vatablus hath it, Horrea, the barns. Horreum ab hauriendo, barns and threshingfloors were without the city, as Judges 6:11, but necessary appendages to it. Camden.
Read John Trapp on 1 Samuel 23 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(1) Then they told David. . . .—For this and like duties the prophet Gad (1 Samuel 22:5) had summoned David to return with his armed band to Judah. There was a great work ready to his hand in his own country at that juncture. Saul was becoming more and more neglectful of his higher duty—that of protecting his people; as time went on and his malady increased, his whole thoughts were concentrated on David’s imaginary crimes, and the history of the latter part of his reign is little more than a recital of his sad, bewildered efforts to compass the young hero’s destruction. The task of protecting the people from the constant marauding expeditions of the Philistines, and probably of the…
Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Samuel 23 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleCHAPTER XXIII David succours Keilah, besieged by the Philistines; defeats them, and delivers the city, 1-6. Saul, hearing that David was at Keilah, determines to come and seize him, 7, 8. David inquires of the Lord concerning the fidelity of the men of Keilah towards him; is informed that if he stays in the city, the men of Keilah will betray him to Saul, 9-12. David and his men escape from the city, and come to the wilderness of Ziph, 13-15. Jonathan meets David in the wood of Ziph, strengthens his hand in God, and they renew their covenant, 16-18. The Ziphites endeavour to betray David to Saul, but he and his men escape to Maon, 19-22. Saul comes to Maon; and having surrounded the…
Read AdamClarke on 1 Samuel 23 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1 Samuel 23:1-6. The rescue of Keilah 1. Then they told David] Simply, And they told. There is no mark of time. The appeal to David shews that he was growing to be regarded as the champion of Israel. Keilah] A fortified city (v, 7), named in Joshua 15:44 as one of a group of cities in the Shephêlah or “Lowland,” which included the low limestone hills bordering on the Philistine plain. It was perched on a steep hill above the valley of Elah, about three miles south of Adullam, where the name Kila still survives to mark the site. they rob the threshing floors] This indicates that the raid took place immediately after harvest, when the corn was stacked by the floors ready for threshing.
Read Cambridge on 1 Samuel 23 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleDavid’s growing importance, fugitive as he was, is marked by this appeal to him for deliverance from the Philistines. The “threshing floors” were the natural objects of plunder Judges 6:11.
Read Albert Barnes on 1 Samuel 23 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Now it was reported to David, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and looting the threshing floors.”
David was told, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and are robbing the threshing floors.”
Now it was reported to David, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and looting the threshing floors.”
They told David, “The Philistines are fighting in Keilah and are looting the threshing floors.”
Tyndale line
Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.
And they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and are robbing the threshing-floors.
And they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they rob the threshing-floors.
Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshing-floors.
Then they tolde Dauid, saying, Beholde, the Philistims fight against Keilah, and spoyle the barnes.
Strictly literal
And they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshing-floors.
And they declare to David, saying, 'Lo, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are spoiling the threshing-floors.'
And they declare to David, saying, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are spoiling the threshing-floors.”
Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Ke'ilah, and they are plundering the threshing-floors.
They told David, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors.”
From the Latin
And they told David, saying: Behold the Philistines fight against Ceila, and they rob the barns.
Simplified
One day David heard the news, “The Philistines are attacking Keilah and stealing the grain from the threshing floors.”
And they sent word to David, saying, The Philistines are fighting against Keilah and taking the grain from the grain-floors.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording for 1 Samuel 23:1, with a close correspondence in the translation of the key terms. The Septuagint maintains a similar structure but presents the words in its own Greek syntax.
וַיַּגִּ֥דוּ לְדָוִ֖ד לֵאמֹ֑ר הִנֵּ֤ה פְלִשְׁתִּים֙ נִלְחָמִ֣ים בִּקְעִילָ֔ה וְהֵ֖מָּה שֹׁסִ֥ים אֶת־ הַגֳּרָנֽוֹת׃
9 of the 11 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 1 Samuel 23:1
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
נָגַד (nagad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to declare or tell, with implications of being conspicuous or manifesting something. It covers a range of meanings including to announce, report, and make known, often through spoken word. The entries indicate that it can also mean to expose or predict, and in the Hophil form, it refers to something being told or reported.
[נָגַד] 363 vb. be conspicuous
Hiph. declare, tell
Hoph. be told, announced, reported
base
H5046 נָגַד be conspicuous . declare, tell
. be told, announced, reported
5046 nagad naw-gad'
a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out
opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest;
figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one
present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain,
praise:--bewray, X certainly, certify, declare(-ing),
denounce, expound, X fully, messenger, plainly, profess,
rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, X surely, tell, utter.
נָגַד (na.gad) — to tell.
1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known
1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare
1a1) to tell, announce, report
1a2) to declare, make known, expound
1a3) to inform of
1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim
1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess
1a5a) messenger (participle)
1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine pluralHc/Vhw3mp
דָּוִד (David) refers to the second king of Israel, known as the youngest son of Jesse. The name means 'beloved' and is associated with a significant lineage, including many siblings and notable descendants like Solomon. The entries highlight his familial connections and historical context, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
דָּוִד, דָּוִיד 1066 n.pr.m. David
base
H1732 דָּוִד, דָּוִיד David
1732 David daw-veed'
rarely (fully); Daviyd {daw-veed'}; from the same as 1730;
loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse:--David.
see HEBREW for 01730
דָּוִד (da.vid) — David.
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)
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculineHR/Npm
da'-vid (dawidh, or dawidh, "beloved"; Daueid, also in New Testament, Dauid, Dabid; see Thayer's Lexicon):
I. NAME AND GENEALOGY
II. EARLY YEARS
1. Shepherd
2. Slinger
3. Harpist
4. Poet
5. Psalmist
6. Tribesman
III. IN THE SERVICE OF SAUL
1. David First Meets Saul
2. His First Exploit
3. Envy of Saul and Flight of David
4. Jonathan and David
IV. DAVID IN EXILE
1. David as Outlaw
2. David Joins the Philistines
V. DAVID AS KING
1. Civil War
2. Conquests Abroad
3. Political Situation
4. The Ark
VI. DOMESTIC LIFE
1. His Wives and Children
2. Domestic Troubles
VII. HIS OFFICIALS
1. Prophets
2. Priests
3. Military Officers
4. Other Officials
5. Mutual Rivalry
VIII. PERSONAL CHARACTER OF DAVID
1. Chronicles
2. Psalms
3. Complex Character
4. Physical Courage
5. Moral Courage
6. Prudence
7. Strategy
8. Nobility
9. David in Relation to His Family
10. David in Relation to His Friends
11. His Success
12. His Foreign Friends
13. Nemesis
David
Beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother’s name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25. As to his personal appearance, we only know that he was red-haired, with beautiful eyes and a fair face (1 Sam. 16:12; 17:42).
His early occupation was that of tending his father’s sheep on the uplands of Judah. From what we know of his after history, doubtless he frequently beguiled his time, when thus engaged, with his shepherd’s flute, while he drank in the many lessons taught him by the varied scenes spread around him. His first recorded exploits were his encounters with the wild beasts of the field. He mentions that with his own unaided hand he slew a lion and also a…
(well-beloved), the son of Jesse. His life may be divided into three portions: His youth before his introduction to the court of Saul; His relations with Saul; His reign. The early life of David contains in many important respects the antecedents of his future career. It appears that David was the youngest son, probably the youngest child, of a family of ten, and was born in Bethlehem B.C. 1085. The first time that David appears in history at once admits us to the whole family circle. The annual sacrificial feast is being held when Samuel appears, sent by God to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as they pass before him, (1 Samuel 16:6-10) Samuel sends for the youngest, David, who was "keeping the sheep," and anoints him. (1 Samuel 16:11-13) As David stood before Samuel we are enabled to…
Beloved, the youngest son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah, born in Bethlehem B. C. 1085; one of the most remarkable men in either sacred of secular history. His life is fully recorded in 1Sa 16:1 1Ki 2:46. He was "the Lord’s anointed," chosen by God to be king of Israel instead of Saul, and consecrated to that office by the venerable prophet Samuel long before he actually came to the throne, 1Sa 16:1-13, for which God prepared him by the gift of his Spirit, and a long course of vicissitudes and dangers. In his early pastoral life he distinguished himself by his boldness, fidelity, and faith in God; and while yet a youth was summoned to court, as one expert in music, valiant, prudent in behavior, and comely in person. He…
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
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)
HR/Vqcc — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
הִנֵּה (hinneh) is a Hebrew word meaning 'behold' or 'lo!' It serves as a demonstrative particle used to draw attention, appearing in contexts such as Genesis 19:2. The word is derived from a prolongation of another Hebrew term, but the entries do not provide further details on its usage beyond this.
הִנֵּה, once הִנֶּה־ Gn 19:2, demonstr.part. lo!, behold!
base
H2009 הִנֵּה, הִנֶּה־ lo!, behold!
2009 hinneh hin-nay'
prolongation for 2005; lo!:--behold, lo, see.
see HEBREW for 02005
הִנֵּה (hin.neh) — behold.
behold, lo, see, if
Part — ParticleHTj
The Hebrew word פְּלִשְׁתִּי (*pelishtiy*) means 'Philistine' and refers to an inhabitant of Philistia, with roots indicating they are descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor. It is derived from the lemma for Philistia, פְּלֶ֫שֶׁת (*peleshet*), and is first mentioned in Genesis 10:14.
פְּלִשְׁתִּי 288 adj.gent. Philistine
base
H6430 פְּלִשְׁתִּי Philistine
6430 Plishtiy pel-ish-tee'
patrial from 6429; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of
Pelesheth:--Philistine.
see HEBREW for 06429
פְּלִשְׁתִּי (pe.lish.ti) — Philistine.
Philistine = "immigrants"
an inhabitant of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan
Another spelling of pe.le.shet (פְּלֶ֫שֶׁת "Philistia" H6429)
פְּלִשְׁתִּי (pe.lish.ti) — Philistine.
A Philistine living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.10.14;
son of: Casluhim (H3695)
§ Philistine = "immigrants"
an inhabitant of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan
פְּלִשְׁתִּי (pe.lish.ti) — (Sea of the) Philistines.
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)
Ngmpa — Noun gentilic · masculine plural absoluteHNgmpa
fi-lis'-tinz, fil'-is-tinz, fil'-is-tinz (pelishtim; Phulistieim, allophuloi):
I. OLD TESTAMENT NOTICES
1. Race and Origin
2. Religion
3. Individual Philistines Mentioned
4. Title of Ruler and Circumcision
5. History in the Old Testament to Death of Saul
6. History Continued to Time of Ahaz
7. Later Notices
II. MONUMENTAL NOTICES
1. Palestinian Excavations
2. Egyptian Monuments
3. Assyrian Texts
III. THE CRETAN THEORY
1. Cherethim and Kretes
2. Caphtor and Keft
IV. DAVID'S GUARDS
1. The "Cherethi" and the "Pelethi" Not Mercenaries
2. Meaning of These Terms
3. Native Hebrews
4. Review
LITERATURE
I. Old Testament Notices.
1. Race and Origin:
The Philistines were an uncircumcised people inhabiting the shore plain between Gezer and Gaza in Southwestern Palestine (see PHILISTIA). The name Palestine itself (Hebrew pelesheth) refers to their country. The word means "migrants," and they came from another country. They…
Philistines
(Gen. 10:14, R.V.; but in A.V., “Philistim”), a tribe allied to the Phoenicians. They were a branch of the primitive race which spread over the whole district of the Lebanon and the valley of the Jordan, and Crete and other Mediterranean islands. Some suppose them to have been a branch of the Rephaim (2 Sam. 21:16-22). In the time of Abraham they inhabited the south-west of Judea, Abimelech of Gerar being their king (Gen. 21:32, 34; 26:1). They are, however, not noticed among the Canaanitish tribes mentioned in the Pentateuch. They are spoken of by Amos (9:7) and Jeremiah (47:4) as from Caphtor, i.e., probably Crete, or, as some think, the Delta of Egypt. In the whole record from Exodus to Samuel they are…
(immigrants), The origin of the Philistines is nowhere expressly stated in the Bible; but as the prophets describe them as "the Philistines-from Caphtor," (Amos 9:7) and "the remnant of the maritime district of Caphtor" (Jeremiah 47:4) it is prima facie probable that they were the Caphtorim which came out of Caphtor" who expelled the Avim from their territory and occupied it; in their place, (2:23) and that these again were the Caphtorim mentioned in the Mosaic genealogical table among the descendants of Mizraim. (Genesis 10:14) It has been generally assumed that Caphtor represents Crete, and that the Philistines migrated from that island, either directly or through Egypt, into Palestine. But the name Caphtor is more probably…
A celebrated people, who inhabited the southern seacoast of Canaan, which from them took the name of Philistia, Ps 60:8 108:9, or Palestine. They seem originally to have migrated form Egypt to Caphtor, by which some understand Crete, and others with the ancients Cappadocia, Ge 10:14, and thence to have passed over to Palestine under the name of Caphtorim, where they drove out the Avim, who dwelt from Hazerim to Azzah, that is, Gaza, and swelt in their stead, De 2:23. The country they inhabited lay between the higher land of Judea and the Mediterranean, and was in the main a level and fertile territory. It resembles our own western prairies; and bears splendid crops year after year, though miserably cultivated and never manured.
The Hebrew word לָחַם (lacham) has two primary meanings: to fight or do battle, and to eat or use as food. It is a primitive root that conveys both the act of engaging in combat and the act of consuming food. The entries indicate that the word can imply destruction in the context of battle.
[לָחַם] 171 vb. fight, do battle
Qal fight, do battle
Niph. engage in battle (recipr.), sometimes wage war
base
[לָחַם] vb. use as food, eat
base
H3898a לָחַם fight, do battle .fight, do battle
. engage in battle (recipr.), sometimes wage war
H3898b לָחַם use as food, eat
3898 lacham law-kham'
a primitive root; to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by
implication, to battle (as destruction):--devour, eat, X ever,
fight(-ing), overcome, prevail, (make) war(-ring).
לָחַם (la.cham) — to fight.
1) to fight, do battle, make war
1a) (Qal) to fight, do battle
1b) (Niphal) to engage in battle, wage war
לָחַם (la.cham) — to feed on.
(Qal) to eat, use as food
V-Niphal — Verb · Niphal · participle (active) masculine pluralHVNrmpa
קְעִילָה (Q`iylah) refers to a location in Judah, specifically a city known as Keilah, which is described as a fortress. The name may derive from a root meaning to enclose, suggesting a fortified place. It is situated in the lowlands of Judah, northwest of Hebron, and is mentioned in relation to the Philistines.
קְעִילָה 18 n.pr.loc. in Judah, toward Philistines
base
H7084 קְעִילָה
7084 Q`iylah keh-ee-law'
perhaps from 7049 in the sense of inclosing; citadel; Keilah,
a place in Palestine:--Keilah.
see HEBREW for 07049
קְעִילָה (qe.i.lah) — Keilah.
§ Keilah = "fortress"
a city in the lowlands of Judah northwest of Hebron
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npl
ke-i'-la (qe`ilah; Keeilam):
(1) A city of the Shephelah mentioned (Jos 15:44) along with Nezib, Aehzib and Mareshah. Among those who repaired the walls of Jerusalem was "Hashabiah, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, for his district. After him repaired their brethren, Bavvai the son of Henadad, the ruler of half the district of Keilah" (Ne 3:17,18).
1. David and Keilah:
It is, however, from the story of the wandering of David that we have most information regarding this place. It was a city with gates and bars (1Sa 23:7). The Philistines came against it and commenced robbing the threshing-floors. David, after twice inquiring of Yahweh, went down with his 600 men (1Sa…
Keilah
Citadel, a city in the lowlands of Judah (Josh. 15:44). David rescued it from the attack of the Philistines (1 Sam. 23:1-8); but the inhabitants proving unfaithful to him, in that they sought to deliver him up to Saul (13), he and his men “departed from Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go.” They fled to the hill Hareth, about 3 miles to the east, and thence through Hebron to Ziph (q.v.). “And David was in the wilderness of Ziph, in a wood” (1 Sam. 23:15). Here Jonathan sought him out, “and strengthened his hand in God.” This was the last interview between David and Jonathan (23:16-18). It is the modern Khurbet Kila. Others identify it with Khuweilfeh, between Beit Jibrin (Eleutheropolis) and Beersheba…
(fortress), a city of the Shefelah, or lowland district of Judah. (Joshua 15:44) Its main interest consists in its connection with David. (1 Samuel 23:7-13) It is represented by Kila , a site with ruins, on the lower road from Beit Jibria to Hebron.
A city in the plains of Judah, which David once relieved from a siege by the Philistines, but which afterwards sought to deliver him up to Saul, 1Sa 23:1-13; Ne 3:17.
הֵ֫מָּה (hemmah) is a masculine plural pronoun meaning 'they.' The entries indicate that it can also mean 'these,' 'the same,' or refer to people in an emphatic context. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its usage.
הֵ֫מָּה and הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except prob. in so far as the longer or shorter form was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences) pron. 3 pl. masc. they
base
H1992 הֵ֫מָּה, הֵם (without appreciable distinction in usage, except prob. in so far as the longer or shorter form was better adapted to the rhythm of particular sentences) they
1992 hem haym
or (prolonged) hemmah {haym'-maw}; masculine plural from
1981; they (only used when emphatic):--it, like, X (how, so)
many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, X so, X such,
their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye.
see HEBREW for 01981
הֵ֫מָּה (hem.mah) — they(masc.).
they, these, the same, who
HC/Pp3mp — Conjunction · pronounHC/Pp3mp
The Hebrew word שָׁסָה (*shacah*) means to plunder or spoil. It is a primitive root used in various forms, primarily in the Qal and Poel stems, indicating actions of plundering or taking spoil. The entries highlight its usage in contexts related to destruction and robbery, with a specific reference to Isaiah 10:13.
[שָׁסָה] vb. spoil, plunder
Qal they plunder for themselves
Pō‛. = Qal
base
H8154 [שָׁסָה] spoil, plunder
8154 shacah shaw-saw'
or shasah (Isa. 10:13) {shaw-saw'}; a primitive root; to
plunder:--destroyer, rob, spoil(-er).
שָׁסָה (sha.sah) — to plunder.
1) to spoil, plunder, take spoil
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to plunder
1a2) plunderers (participle)
1b) (Poel) to plunder
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine pluralHVqrmpa
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
גֹּ֫רֶן (goren) refers to a threshing-floor, a smooth, open area used for separating grain from chaff. It can also denote a barn or void place. The word is derived from an unused root meaning to smooth, highlighting its association with flat, even surfaces.
גֹּ֫רֶן n.m. threshing-floor
base
H1637 גֹּ֫רֶן threshing-floor
1637 goren go'-ren
from an unused root meaning to smooth; a threshing- floor (as
made even); by analogy, any open area:--(barn, corn,
threshing- )floor, (threshing-, void) place.
גֹּ֫רֶן (go.ren) — threshing floor.
1) threshing-floor
2) (TWOT) barn, barn floor, corn floor, void place
Art | N-cp — Particle · noun common feminine plural absoluteHTd/Ncfpa