1 Samuel 23:8 — Word Study
WLCוַיְשַׁמַּ֥ע שָׁא֛וּל אֶת־ כָּל־ הָעָ֖ם לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה לָרֶ֣דֶת קְעִילָ֔ה לָצ֥וּר אֶל־ דָּוִ֖ד וְאֶל־ אֲנָשָֽׁיו׃
BSAThen SaulShâʼûwl [the king of Israel, Shaul] summonedshâmaʻ▸ [called to gather, assembled] allkôl his troopsʻam [people, army] to goyârad to warmilchâmâh [battle, fight] at KeilahQᵉʻîylâh [a city in Judah, a fortified place] and besiegetsûwr [to confine, surround] DavidDâvid [the future king, a man after God's heart]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיְשַׁמַּ֥ע | and he summoned | Verb, Piel, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| שָׁא֛וּל | Saul | Noun proper masculine |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| כָּל־ | all | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| הָעָ֖ם | the people | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה | for battle | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| לָרֶ֣דֶת | to go down | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| קְעִילָ֔ה | Keilah | Noun proper |
| לָצ֥וּר | to lay siege | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| אֶל־ | against | Preposition |
| דָּוִ֖ד | David | Noun proper masculine |
| וְאֶל־ | and against | Conjunction, preposition |
| אֲנָשָֽׁיו׃ | men his | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Then Saul summoned all his troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men. |
| KJV | And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. |
| ASV | And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. |
| YLT | And Saul summoneth the whole of the people to battle, to go down to Keilah, to lay siege unto David and unto his men. |
| WEB | Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men. |
| BBE | And Saul sent for all the people to come to the fight, and go down to Keilah to make an attack on David and his men. |
Where they part company is וַיְשַׁמַּ֥ע — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause is supported by several phrases that clarify the purpose and context of Saul's action.
5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
subjectשָׁאוּל
verbשָׁמַע
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 23:8
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 — Saul's Pursuit of Davidgenerated
1 Samuel 23:8 describes how Saul, feeling threatened by David, mobilizes his troops to confront him. This moment illustrates the growing tension and conflict between Saul and David, setting the stage for further developments in their story.
Cross References
The Key Word — וַיְשַׁמַּ֥ע, vay.sha.Ma'generated
The verb שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and encompasses listening, obeying, and proclaiming. In this context, it indicates Saul's command to gather his forces, highlighting his authority as king.
The Piel form indicates an intensive action, emphasizing Saul's active role in summoning his troops. The parsing as a sequential imperfect suggests that this action is part of a narrative unfolding, where Saul's decisions impact the course of events.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb וַיְשַׁמַּ֥ע governs the entire verse, indicating Saul's action. The structure includes a noun phrase for the subject, followed by several phrases that detail the action and its context.
The sequence of phrases provides clarity: Saul is the subject, the troops are the object, and the prepositional phrases specify the action's purpose and destination, illustrating how the narrative unfolds.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates וַיְשַׁמַּ֥ע as παρήγγειλεν (parēngeilen), which means 'to command' or 'to order'. This choice emphasizes Saul's authoritative role in directing his forces against David.
This translation shows a slight narrowing of meaning, focusing on the command aspect rather than the broader sense of hearing or listening inherent in the Hebrew.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
1 Samuel 23:8 tells us that Saul gathered all his troops to go to battle against David in Keilah. This action highlights Saul's determination to capture David and reflects the ongoing conflict between them.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Saul's summoning of his troops indicates his intent to confront David, showcasing his authority as king and his determination to eliminate a perceived threat.
David was in Keilah to protect the city from the Philistines, demonstrating his leadership and commitment to the people of Israel.
This verse reveals Saul's increasing paranoia and hostility towards David, as he feels threatened by David's growing popularity and success.
This event is part of the ongoing struggle between Saul and David, which ultimately leads to David's rise as king and the fulfillment of God's promise to him.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can we learn from Saul's actions in this verse about leadership and authority?
- How does David's response to Saul's threat reflect his character and faith?
- In what ways can we see parallels between Saul's pursuit of David and conflicts in our own lives?
- What does this passage teach us about the nature of power and its impact on relationships?
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 1 Samuel 23:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd Saul called all the people together to war,.... Or "caused [them] to hear" (m) summoned them by an herald, whom he sent into all parts of the kingdom to proclaim war, and require them in his name
Read John Gill on 1 Samuel 23 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. Saul called all the people - not the united tribes of Israel, but the inhabitants of the adjoining districts.
Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Samuel 23 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments1 Samuel 23:8 And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.Ver. 8. To besiege David and his men.] Rather than to pursue the Philistines. So the Pope publisheth his Croysados against the Protestants; holding them greater enemies than are the Turks: witness his wars against the Waldenses in France, and the Hussites in Germany.
Read John Trapp on 1 Samuel 23 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(8) And Saul called all the people together.—Such a summons to war on the part of the sovereign has been always a royal right. The plea, of course, alleged for this “summons” was the necessity of an immediate national effort against the hereditary enemies of the people.
Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Samuel 23 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 8. Saul called all the people together] That is, all the people of that region or district, that they might scour the country, and hunt out David from all his haunts.
Read AdamClarke 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
Then Saul summoned all his troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men.
Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.
Then Saul summoned all his troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men.
So Saul mustered all his army to go down to Keilah and besiege David and his men.
Tyndale line
And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
Then Saul called all the people together to warre, for to go downe to Keilah, and to besiege Dauid and his men.
Strictly literal
And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
And Saul summoneth the whole of the people to battle, to go down to Keilah, to lay siege unto David and unto his men.
And Saul summons all the people to the battle, to go down to Keilah, to lay siege to David and to his men.
And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Ke'ilah, to besiege David and his men.
Saul summoned all his forces for battle, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
From the Latin
And Saul commanded all the people to go down to fight against Ceila, and to besiege David, and his men.
Simplified
So Saul called up his whole army to go and attack Keilah and to besiege David and his men.
And Saul sent for all the people to come to the fight, and go down to Keilah to make an attack on David and his men.
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 presents the verse as וַיְשַׁמַּ֥ע שָׁא֛וּל אֶת־ כָּל־ הָעָ֖ם לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה לָרֶ֣דֶת קְעִילָ֔ה לָצ֥וּר אֶל־ דָּוִ֖ד וְאֶל־ אֲנָשָֽׁיו׃. The Septuagint closely matches this, with 12 of the 13 words aligned, indicating strong agreement.
The Dead Sea Scrolls fragment, while partially restored, supports the reading of the Masoretic Text, confirming the essential content of the verse.
וַיְשַׁמַּ֥ע שָׁא֛וּל אֶת־ כָּל־ הָעָ֖ם לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה לָרֶ֣דֶת קְעִילָ֔ה לָצ֥וּר אֶל־ דָּוִ֖ד וְאֶל־ אֲנָשָֽׁיו׃
12 of the 13 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.
את כל [העם] [למלחמה] [לרדת] [קעילה] [לצור] [אל] [דוד] [ואל] אנשי׳ו
11 words of the verse are on this fragment — 1 partly restored, 8 supplied entire by an editor.
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 23:8
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.
The Hebrew word שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and encompasses a range of meanings including listening, obeying, and proclaiming. It is built from a primitive root and can imply attention and understanding. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of hearing and obeying. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
שָׁמַע 1152 vb. hear
Qal 1052
subj. pers. hum.
י׳ (God) subj.
Niph. 42 be heard, of voice, sound
be heard of
be regarded, obeyed
= (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice.
Pi. he caused the people to hear
Hiph. 63
of man
י׳ subj.
base
H8085 שָׁמַע hear
8085 shama` shaw-mah'
a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with
implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to
tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather) together, X
carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content,
declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make
to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be)
obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish,
regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell,
understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: hear.
: hear
v
1) to hear, listen to, obey
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)
1a2) to hear of or concerning
1a3) to hear (have power to hear)
1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to
1a5) to understand (language)
1a6) to hear (of judicial cases)
1a7) to listen, give heed
1a7a) to consent, agree
1a7b) to grant request
1a8) to listen to, yield to
1a9) to obey, be obedient
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound)
1b2) to be heard of
1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed
1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound
1d2) to sound aloud (musical term)
1d3) to make proclamation, summon
1d4) to cause to be heard
n m
2) sound
שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: obey.
: obey
v
1) to hear, listen to, obey
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)
1a2) to hear of or concerning
1a3) to hear (have power to hear)
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vpw3ms
שָׁאוּל (Sha'uwl) means 'asked' and is associated with several figures in the Old Testament, most notably Saul, the first king of Israel from the tribe of Benjamin. The entries indicate that the name can refer to multiple individuals, including an early king of Edom and a Levite. The name is derived from a passive participle form, suggesting a connection to the act of asking.
שָׁאוּל n.pr.m. (= asked)
397 1st king of Isr.
a king of Edom
a son of Simeon
a Levite
base
H7586 שָׁאוּל (= asked)
7586 Sha'uwl shaw-ool'
passive participle of 7592; asked; Shaul, the name of an
Edomite and two Israelites:--Saul, Shaul.
see HEBREW for 07592
שָׁאוּל (sha.ul) — Saul.
A king of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.9.2;
son of: Kish (H7027); married to Ahinoam (H0293) and Rizpah (H7532);
father of: Jonathan (H3083H), Abinadab (H0041H), Malchi-shua (H4444), Merab (H4764), Michal (H4324), Ish-bosheth (H0378), Armoni (H0764), Mephibosheth (H4648H)
§ Saul or Shaul = "desired"
1) a Benjamite, son of Kish, and the 1st king of Israel
2) an early king of Edom and a successor of Samlah
3) a son of Simeon
4) a Levite, son of Uzziah
שָׁאוּל (sha.ul) — Shaul.
A man of the tribe of Simeon living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.10;
son of: Simeon (H8095) and Canaanite_woman (H3669);
brother of: Jemuel (H3223), Jamin (H3226), Ohad (H0161), Jachin (H3199) and Zerah (H2226L);
father of: Shallum (H7967K)
Also named: sha.u.li (שָׁאוּלִי "Shaulite" H7587)
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
sol (sha'ul; Saoul):
(1) The first king of Israel.
I. EARLY HISTORY
1. Name and Meaning
2. Genealogy
3. Home and Station
4. Sources for Life
5. Election as King
6. Reasons for It
II. REIGN AND FALL
1. His First Action
2. Army Reorganized
3. Battle of Michmash
4. Defeats the Amalekites
5. Deposition Pronounced
6. David Introduced to Saul
7. Two Accounts
8. Saul's Envy of David
9. Attempts to Get Rid of David
10. David Spares Saul
11. Saul's Divided Energies
12. Consults a Necromancer
13. Battle of Gilboa
14. Double Accounts
15. Saul's Posterity
III. CHARACTER
1. Book of Chronicles
2. Saul's Failings
3. His Virtue
4. David's Elegy
I. Early History.
1. Name and Meaning:
The name Saul is usually regarded as simply the passive participle of the verb "to ask," and so meaning "asked" (compare 1Sa 8:4 ff), but the gentilic adjective sha'uli (
Saul
Asked for. (1.) A king of Edom (Gen. 36:37, 38); called Shaul in 1 Chr. 1:48.
(2.) The son of Kish (probably his only son, and a child of prayer, “asked for”), of the tribe of Benjamin, the first king of the Jewish nation. The singular providential circumstances connected with his election as king are recorded in 1 Sam. 8-10. His father’s she-asses had strayed, and Saul was sent with a servant to seek for them. Leaving his home at Gibeah (10:5, “the hill of God,” A.V.; lit., as in R.V. marg., “Gibeah of God”), Saul and his servant went toward the north-west over Mount Ephraim, and then turning north-east they came to “the land of Shalisha,” and thence eastward to the land of Shalim, and at length came to the district of Zuph, near Samuel’s home at Ramah (9:5-10). At this point…
(desired), more accurately Shaul. One of the early kings of Edom, and successor of Samlah. (Genesis 36:37,38; 1 Chronicles 1:48) (B.C. after 1450.) The first king of Israel, the son of Kish, and of the tribe of Benjamin. (B.C, 1095-1055.) His character is in part illustrated by the fierce, wayward, fitful nature of the tribe and in part accounted for by the struggle between the old and new systems in which he found himself involved. To this we must add a taint of madness. which broke out in violent frenzy at times leaving him with long lucid intervals. He was remarkable for his strength and activity, (2 Samuel 1:25) and, like the Homeric heroes, of gigantic stature, taller by head and shoulders than the rest of the people, and…
The son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, the first king of the Israelites, anointed by Samuel, B. C. 1091, and after a reign of forty years filled with various events, slain with his sons on Mount Gilboa. He was succeeded by David, who was his son-in-law, and whom he had endeavored to put to death. His history is contained in 1Sa 10:1-31:13. It is a sad and admonitory narrative. The morning of his reign was bright with special divine favors, both providential, and spiritual, 1Sa 9:20 10:1-11,24,25. But he soon began to disobey God, and was rejected as unworthy to found a line of kings; his sins and misfortunes multiplied, and his sun went down in gloom. In his first war with the Ammonites, God was with him; but then follow his presumptuous sacrifice, in the absence of Samuel…
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
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.
(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.
(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).
עַם (am) primarily means 'people' or 'nation,' referring to a collective group, often in the context of tribes such as those of Israel. It can also denote kinsmen or compatriots. The term appears in various contexts, including military and familial references. There is a mention of a specific individual named Ammi in Song of Solomon 6:12.
עַם, עָם 1810 n.m. people
a people, nation
= smaller units
= common people
people in gen., persons
phrases
base
[עַם] n.[m.] kinsman (on father's side)
base
H5971a עַם, עָם people H5971b עַם kinsman (on father's side)
5971 `am am
from 6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a
tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or
attendants; figuratively, a flock:--folk, men, nation,
people.
see HEBREW for 06004
עַם (am) — people.
: people/nation
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — kinsman.
kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Ammi.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Sng.6.12
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — People's (Gate).
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — (Ibleam)-am.
Combined with yiv.le.am (יִבְלְעָם "Ibleam" H2991)
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Amaw.
This name means nation, people
עַם (am) — people: soldiers.
: soldiers/army
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — people: creatures.
: creatures
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…
מִלְחָמָה (milchamah) means 'battle' or 'war.' It is derived from the root word for fighting and encompasses both specific engagements and the broader concept of warfare. The entries consistently define it in this way, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
מִלְחָמָה 319 n.f. battle, war
base
H4421 מִלְחָמָה battle, war
4421 milchamah mil-khaw-maw'
from 3898 (in the sense of fighting); a battle (i.e. the
engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare):--battle,
fight(-ing), war((-rior)).
see HEBREW for 03898
מִלְחָמָה (mil.cha.mah) — battle.
battle, war
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHRd/Ncfsa
See WAR.
The Hebrew word יָרַד (yarad) means to come or go down, covering various contexts such as descending from mountains, going to battle, or sinking in water. It can also refer to divine manifestations descending or being prostrated. The word has different forms including Qal, Hiphil, and Hophal, which indicate various nuances of bringing down or being brought down.
יָרַד 380 vb. come or go down, descend
Qal 306
come or go down
go down (usu. from mountain or hill-country into plain), to battle
go down to (acc.) threshing-floor
go down (abs.) from Palestine to Egypt
from Jerusalem
from altar
go down
= sink, in water
go down to She’ôl
fig. going down (dissolving) in tears
= be prostrated
of divine manifestations: descend
of inanimate things
Hiph.
cause to come or go down
bring down
send down rain = cause to flow down
= lay prostrate to (acc.) threshing-floor
bring down to She’ôl
take down (from cart)
let down
Hoph.
be brought down
be taken down
base
H3381 יָרַד come or go down, descend .. . come or go down
. go down (usu. from mountain or hill-country into plain), to battle
. go down to (acc.) threshing-floor
. go down (abs.) from Palestine to Egypt
. from Jerusalem
. from altar
. go down
. = sink, in water
. go down to She’ôl
. fig. going down (dissolving) in tears
. = be prostrated
. of divine manifestations: descend
. of inanimate things
. . cause to come or go down . bring down
. send down rain = cause to flow down
. = lay prostrate to (acc.) threshing-floor
. bring down to She’ôl
. take down (from cart)
. let down
. . be brought down
. be taken down
3381 yarad yaw-rad'
a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or
conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary,
the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to
bring down (in all the above applications); -X abundantly,
bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down,
fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, X
indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to,
let) run down, sink, subdue, take down.
יָרַד (ya.rad) — to go down.
1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go or come down
1a2) to sink
1a3) to be prostrated
1a4) to come down (of revelation)
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to bring down
1b2) to send down
1b3) to take down
1b4) to lay prostrate
1b5) to let down
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be brought down
1c2) to be taken down
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
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
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
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.
צוּר (tsur) is a Hebrew verb with a range of meanings including to confine, bind, or besiege, as well as to show hostility or to fashion. It can imply both literal and figurative applications, such as being an adversary or enclosing something. The entries indicate that it covers various contexts, from distressing to fortifying.
צוּר vb. confine, bind, besiege
base
[צוּר] vb. shew hostility to, treat as foe
base
[צוּר] vb. fashion, delineate
base
H6696a צוּר confine, bind, besiege H6696b צוּר shew hostility to, treat as foe H6696c צוּר fashion, delineate
6696 tsuwr tsoor
a primitive root; to cramp, i.e. confine (in many
applications, literally and figuratively, formative or
hostile):--adversary, assault, beset, besiege, bind (up),
cast, distress, fashion, fortify, inclose, lay siege, put up
in bags.
צוּר (tsur) — to confine.
1) to bind, besiege, confine, cramp
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to confine, secure
1a2) to shut in, beseige
1a3) to shut up, enclose
צוּר (tsur) — to provoke.
(Qal) to show hostility to, be an adversary, treat as foe
צוּר (tsur) — to form.
(Qal) to form, fashion, delineate
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
sej (matsor (De 28:52,53; 1Ki 15:27; 2Ki 25:2; Isa 29:3; Eze 4:2); "to be besieged," "to suffer siege," ba-matsor bo' (De 20:19; 2Ki 24:10; 25:2)):
1. In Early Hebrew History
2. In the Monarchy
3. Preliminaries to Siege
4. Siege Operations: Attack
(1) Investment of City
(2) Line of Circumvallation
(3) Mound, or Earthworks
(4) Battering-Rams
(5) Storming of Walls and Rushing of Breach
5. Siege Operations: Defense
6. Raising of Siege
7. Horrors of Siege and Capture
8. Siege in the New Testament
LITERATURE
→ An offer of peace must be made to the city before beginning a De 20:10-12
→ Conducted by erecting embankments parallel to the walls of the besieged city De 20:19,20; Isa 29:3; 37:33
→ Battering-rams used in
See BATTERING-RAMS
→ Distress of the inhabitants during a 2Ki 6:24-29; 25:3; Isa 9:20; 36:12; Jer 19:9
The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),
prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place
Where the limit is actually entered, into
Of direction towards anything
Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
Of rule or standard according to (rare)
Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
base
H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place
. Where the limit is actually entered, into
. Of direction towards anything
. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
. Of rule or standard according to (rare)
. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
413 'el ale
(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});
a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but
occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or
among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,
against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,
by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,
over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,
with(-in).
אֶל (el) — to(wards).
1) to, toward, unto (of motion)
2) into (limit is actually entered)
2a) in among
3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)
4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)
5) in addition to, to
6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of
7) according to (rule or standard)
8) at, by, against (of one's presence)
9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
HR — PrepositionHR
a-genst' (kata; enantion; pros): Preposition expressing contrast. When used of direction, equivalent to "toward" (Mt 10:35; 12:14, etc.); when of position, meaning "opposite," "facing," "in front of" (1Ki 7:5; Ge 15:10, Ro 8:31); when of action, "opposed to" (Mt 5:11; 26:59; 1Co 4:6); "in resistance to" (Heb 12:4); "provision for" (Greek eis, literally, "unto, toward" (1Ti 6:19)). Sometimes also applied to what breaks an established order as "customs" (
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)
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
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…
The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),
prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place
Where the limit is actually entered, into
Of direction towards anything
Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
Of rule or standard according to (rare)
Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
base
H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place
. Where the limit is actually entered, into
. Of direction towards anything
. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
. Of rule or standard according to (rare)
. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
413 'el ale
(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});
a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but
occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or
among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,
against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,
by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,
over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,
with(-in).
אֶל (el) — to(wards).
1) to, toward, unto (of motion)
2) into (limit is actually entered)
2a) in among
3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)
4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)
5) in addition to, to
6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of
7) according to (rule or standard)
8) at, by, against (of one's presence)
9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
HC/R — Conjunction · prepositionHC/R
a-genst' (kata; enantion; pros): Preposition expressing contrast. When used of direction, equivalent to "toward" (Mt 10:35; 12:14, etc.); when of position, meaning "opposite," "facing," "in front of" (1Ki 7:5; Ge 15:10, Ro 8:31); when of action, "opposed to" (Mt 5:11; 26:59; 1Co 4:6); "in resistance to" (Heb 12:4); "provision for" (Greek eis, literally, "unto, toward" (1Ti 6:19)). Sometimes also applied to what breaks an established order as "customs" (
אֱנוֹשׁ (enowsh) refers to man or mankind, often used in a poetic context. It denotes a mortal individual, distinguishing humans from more dignified terms for man. The word encompasses both singular and collective meanings, indicating people or persons in general. Its Aramaic equivalent is אֱנָשׁ (e.nash), also meaning 'man'.
אֱנוֹשׁ n.m. man, mankind, mostly poet.
of individ.
coll. men
man, mankind
base
H582 אֱנוֹשׁ man, mankind, mostly poet.
582 'enowsh en-oshe'
from 605; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the
more dignified 120); hence, a man in general (singly or
collectively):--another, X (blood-)thirsty, certain,
chap(-man); divers, fellow, X in the flower of their age,
husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some
( X of them), + stranger, those, + their trade. It is often
unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in
apposition with another word . Compare 376.
see HEBREW for 0605
see HEBREW for 0120
see HEBREW for 0376
אֱנוֹשׁ (e.nosh) — human.
1) man, mortal man, person, mankind
1a) of an individual
1b) men (collective)
1c) man, mankind
Aramaic equivalent: e.nash (אֱנָשׁ "man" H0606)
HNcmpc/Sp3ms — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3ms