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2 Samuel 1:22 — Word Study

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WLCמִדַּ֣ם חֲלָלִ֗ים מֵחֵ֙לֶב֙ גִּבּוֹרִ֔ים קֶ֚שֶׁת יְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן לֹ֥א נָשׂ֖וֹג אָח֑וֹר וְחֶ֣רֶב שָׁא֔וּל לֹ֥א תָשׁ֖וּב רֵיקָֽם׃

BSAFrom the blooddâm [life-giving fluid] of the slainchâlâl [killed, defeated] from the fatcheleb [richest part, abundance] of the mightygibbôwr [strong, courageous warriors] the bowqesheth [weapon of strength] of JonathanYᵉhôwnâthân [Jehonathan, God-given] did notlôʼ retreatsûwg [turn back, flee] and the swordchereb [cutting instrument, tool of battle] of SaulShâʼûwl [Shaul, desired] did notlôʼ returnshûwb [come back, turn back] emptyrêyqâm [without purpose, unused, vainly]

Word
Listen & take away2 Samuel 1
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 22 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (rei.Kam) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
2 Samuel 1:22quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse praises the bravery of Jonathan and Saul in battle, emphasizing their strength and the effectiveness of their weapons.
Who is speakingDavid, lamenting the deaths of Saul and Jonathan.
Where we areThis verse is part of David's elegy for Saul and Jonathan, reflecting on their valor.
The hard wordרֵיקָם
Take awayThe weapons of both warriors were effective and did not fail in their purpose.
6 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbסוג The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

1 of 14 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.

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 — 2 Samuel 1:22

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 Lament for Saul and Jonathangenerated

21O mountains of Gilboa, may you have no dew or rain, no fields yielding offerings of grain. For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil.
22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not retreat, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.
23Saul and Jonathan, beloved and delightful in life, were not divided in death. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
24O daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and luxury, who decked your garments with ornaments of gold.

2 Samuel 1:22 reflects on the valor of Jonathan and Saul, highlighting their prowess in battle. David mourns their deaths and honors their memory, emphasizing the effectiveness of their weapons and the bloodshed they endured. This lament is part of a larger elegy that captures the deep bond between David and Jonathan, as well as the tragedy of Saul's fall.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
11 Samuel 14:6–14Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”
21 Samuel 18:4And Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.
3Isaiah 34:6–7The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood. It drips with fat— with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word רֵיקָם, rei.Kamgenerated

The word רֵיקָם (reiqam) means 'emptily' or 'vainly,' indicating actions done without purpose or effect. It is used here to describe the sword of Saul, emphasizing that it did not return without having achieved its goal in battle.

This term suggests that the sword was effective, contrasting with the idea of returning empty-handed or without having accomplished anything significant in the fight.


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. The BSB has empty, and so do the KJV and the ASV: all three maintain the sense of the sword's effectiveness.

Where others part company with the BSB they part company over the word רֵיקָםunused (BBE) suggests a different nuance, implying the sword was not utilized effectively.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main clause centers around the finite verb נָשׂ֖וֹג, it turned back, with two prepositional phrases describing the sources of strength: מִדַּ֣ם חֲלָלִ֗ים and מֵחֵ֙לֶב֙ גִּבּוֹרִ֔ים.

The structure emphasizes the sources of the bow and sword's effectiveness, showing how they stem from the blood and fat of the slain and mighty, respectively.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint uses ἀπεστράφη for נָשׂ֖וֹג, indicating a retreat or turning back. This choice aligns with the sense of withdrawal in battle, emphasizing the lack of failure in their efforts.

The translation of רֵיקָם is rendered as κενή, which also conveys the idea of emptiness or lack of purpose, reinforcing the original Hebrew meaning.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

2 Samuel 1:22 describes how the bow of Jonathan and the sword of Saul were effective in battle, emphasizing their strength and the bloodshed they came from. David laments their deaths and honors their bravery, showing the deep bond he shared with Jonathan and the respect he had for Saul.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the phrase 'the bow of Jonathan did not retreat' mean?

It means that Jonathan's bow was effective in battle and did not fail to achieve its purpose.

Why does David mention the blood of the slain?

The blood symbolizes the life and sacrifice of those who fell in battle, underscoring the seriousness of the conflict.

What is the significance of the word 'empty' in this context?

It signifies that Saul's sword did not return without having accomplished something significant in battle, emphasizing the effectiveness of their efforts.

How does this verse reflect David's feelings towards Saul and Jonathan?

It shows David's deep respect and sorrow for their deaths, honoring their bravery and the bond he shared with Jonathan.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How can we honor the sacrifices made by those who have fought for us?
  2. What does it mean to be effective in our own battles in life?
  3. In what ways can we show respect for those who have fallen in our communities?
  4. How can we reflect on the relationships we have with those we admire or respect?

Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 2 Samuel 1:22 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back,.... That is, it always did execution, the arrows shot frown it pierced into men, shed their blood, and

Read John Gill on 2 Samuel 1 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty. From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty , [ gibowriym (H1368)].

Read Robert Jamieson on 2 Samuel 1 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Turned not back, to wit, without effect: compare 55:2. Their arrows shot from their bows, and their swords, did seldom miss, and commonly pierced fat, and flesh, and blood, and reached even to the heart and bowels. Empty, i.e. not filled and glutted with blood: for the sword is metaphorically said to have a mouth, which we translate an edge; and to devour, 11:25 46:10. And this their former successfulness is here mentioned as an aggravation of their last infelicity.

Read Matthew Poole on 2 Samuel 1 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

2 Samuel 1:22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.Ver. 22. From the blood of the slain.] The sword is in Scripture said to "devour flesh" and to "drink blood." Saul and Jonathan were not wont to be worsted, however it hath now fallen out. Hunniades fought five times upon one day with the Turks, and five times foiled them, and put them to flight. Our Black Prince was ever victorious.

Read John Trapp on 2 Samuel 1 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

22. From the blood, &c.] In the figurative language of poetry arrows are represented as drinking blood, the sword as eating flesh. See Deuteronomy 32:42; Isaiah 34:6; Jeremiah 46:10. the bow of Jonathan] His favourite weapon, by the gift of which he sealed his friendship with David. See 1 Samuel 18:4; 1 Samuel 20:20. Was it a reminiscence of that gift which made David call this elegy the Bow?

Read Cambridge on 2 Samuel 1 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

22. Turned not back — This verse celebrates the heroism and unusual success of the mighty dead as warriors.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on 2 Samuel 1 →

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

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not retreat, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, Jonathan’s bow didn’t turn back. Saul’s sword didn’t return empty.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not retreat, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.

NETBNew English Translation2006

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of warriors, the bow of Jonathan was not turned away. The sword of Saul never returned empty.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan turned not back, And the sword of Saul returned not empty.

RVARevised Version, American1894

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

The bow of Ionathan neuer turned backe, neither did the sword of Saul returne emptie from the blood of the slaine, and from the fatte of the mightie.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan turned not back, And the sword of Saul returned not empty.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

From the blood of the wounded, From the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan Hath not turned backward; And the sword of Saul doth not return empty.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

From the blood of the wounded, || From the fat of the mighty, || The bow of Jonathan || Has not turned backward; And the sword of Saul does not return empty.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned never back, and the sword of Saul never returned empty.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

From the blood of those who have been killed, from the bodies of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the valiant, the arrow of Jonathan never turned back, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Jonathan with his bow did not retreat from attacking the enemy; Saul with his sword did not return empty-handed from shedding blood.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

From the blood of the dead, from the fat of the strong, the bow of Jonathan was not turned back, the sword of Saul did not come back unused.

Word by word, the decisions they made

רֵיקָֽם׃rei.Kam empty H7387 2 different renderings
emptyASV BSB DBY DRA FBV ILT KJV LSV MSB NETB NWB RVA ULB WEB YLT
unusedBBE

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.

clauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalprepositional phraseמִfrom.[the]noun phraseדַּ֣םbloodחֲלָלִ֗יםof.[those].slainprepositional phraseמֵfrom.[the]noun phraseחֵ֨לֶב֙fatגִּבּוֹרִ֔יםof.[the].mighty.[ones]noun phrase · subjectקֶ֚שֶׁתthe.bowיְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ןof.Jonathanadverbialלֹ֥אnotverbנָשׂ֖וֹגit.turned.backadverbialאָח֑וֹרbackwardsוְandclausenoun phrase · subjectחֶ֣רֶבthe.swordשָׁא֔וּלof.Sauladverbialלֹ֥אnotverbתָשׁ֖וּבit.returnedadverbialרֵיקָֽםempty

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 agree on the wording of 2 Samuel 1:22, with all words matched in their respective translations, indicating a strong consistency in the text.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

מִדַּ֣ם חֲלָלִ֗ים מֵחֵ֙לֶב֙ גִּבּוֹרִ֔ים קֶ֚שֶׁת יְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן לֹ֥א נָשׂ֖וֹג אָח֑וֹר וְחֶ֣רֶב שָׁא֔וּל לֹ֥א תָשׁ֖וּב רֵיקָֽם׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
מִדַּ֣םαἵματοςחֲלָלִ֗יםτραυματιῶνמֵחֵ֙לֶב֙στέατοςגִּבּוֹרִ֔יםδυνατῶνקֶ֚שֶׁתτόχονיְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ןιωναθανלֹ֥אοὐκנָשׂ֖וֹגἀπεστράφηאָח֑וֹרὀπίσωוְחֶ֣רֶבῥομφαίαשָׁא֔וּלσαουλלֹ֥אοὐκתָשׁ֖וּבἀνέκαμψενרֵיקָֽם׃κενή

14 of the 14 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.

2 Samuel 1:22דָּםfrom [the] from [the] blooדָּםחָלָל[those] sla[those] slainחָלָלחֵ֫לֶבfrom [the] from [the] fat חֵ֫לֶבגִּבּוֹר[the] might[the] mighty [oגִּבּוֹרקֶ֫שֶׁת[the] bow o[the] bow ofקֶ֫שֶׁתיְהוֹנָתָןJonathanJonathanיְהוֹנָתָןלֹאnotnotלֹאסוּגit turned bit turned backסוּגאָחוֹרbackwardsbackwardsאָחוֹרחֶ֫רֶבand [the] sand [the] swordחֶ֫רֶבשָׁאוּלSaulSaulשָׁאוּללֹאnotnotלֹאשׁוּבit returnedit returnedשׁוּברֵיקָםemptyemptyרֵיקָםדָּמַםto silenceto silence: staדָּמַםחָלַלto boreto boreחָלַלקָשָׁהto hardento hardenקָשָׁהיהוהThe LordThe LordיהוהאֲחִירַעAhiraAhiraאֲחִירַעחָרֵבto dryto dryחָרֵברֵיקworthlessworthlessרֵיקגֶּ֫בֶרgreat mangreat manגֶּ֫בֶרשָׁאַלto askto askשָׁאַליָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדזָרַקto scatterto scatterזָרַקנָקִיinnocentinnocentנָקִיחֶ֫רֶבswordswordחֶ֫רֶבכִּלְיָהkidneykidneyכִּלְיָהקָטַרto offer: to offer: burnקָטַרחַ֫יִלHelechHelechחַ֫יִלמִלְחָמָהbattlebattleמִלְחָמָה
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in 2 Samuel 1:22

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.

from [the] blood of [those] slain from [the] fat of [the] mighty [ones] [the] bow of Jonathan not it turned back backwards and [the] sword of Saul not it returned empty
מִדַּ֣םmi.Dam from [the] blood of H1818 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
360× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Blood refers to the liquid that flows through the body, essential for life. In the Bible, blood is often used to symbolize life, guilt, or sacrifice, as seen in the story of Jesus' crucifixion.
Amplified meaning
life-giving fluid
Tyndale gloss
blood
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָּם (dam) means 'blood' and refers to the blood of both humans and animals. It is often associated with death, particularly when shed, and can also figuratively denote the juice of grapes or bloodshed. The term carries religious significance and is used in various contexts, including references to guilt and innocence.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דָּם 300 n.m. blood

blood of man or animal

usually blood become visible

blood used with religious significance

fig. of wine

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1818 דָּם blood

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1818 dam dawm

from 1826 (compare 119); blood (as that which when shed

causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of

the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed

(i.e. drops of blood):--blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), +

innocent.

see HEBREW for 01826

see HEBREW for 0119

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָּם (dam) — blood.

1) blood

1a) of wine (fig.)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
HR/Ncmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

from [the] blood of [those] slain from [the] fat of [the] mighty [ones] [the] bow of Jonathan not it turned back backwards and [the] sword of Saul not it returned empty
חֲלָלִ֗יםcha.la.Lim [those] slain H2491 Adj
94× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes something or someone that has been profaned or hurt, like in Numbers 35:33. It can also mean to be pierced or wounded, as in physically harmed.
Amplified meaning
killed, defeated
Tyndale gloss
slain: killed
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָלָל (chalal) primarily means 'pierced' or 'slain,' often in a context of fatal wounding. It can also refer to something that is 'profaned' or 'defiled.' The word is built from the root associated with piercing and carries both literal and figurative meanings related to death and pollution.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָלָל 90 n.m. pierced

pierced, fatally wounded

slain

base

חָלָל adj. profaned

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2491a חָלָל pierced H2491b חָלָל profaned

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2491 chalal khaw-lawl'

from 2490; pierced (especially to death); figuratively,

polluted:--kill, profane, slain (man), X slew, (deadly)

wounded.

see HEBREW for 02490

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָלָל (cha.lal) — slain: killed.

: killed

1) slain, fatally wounded, pierced

1a) pierced, fatally wounded

1b) slain

Also means: cha.lal (חָלָל ": wounded" H2491H)

חָלָל (cha.lal) — profaned.

adj

1) (CLBL) profaned

1a) defiled, profaned (by divorce)

חָלָל (cha.lal) — slain: wounded.

: wounded

1) slain, fatally wounded, pierced

1a) pierced, fatally wounded

1b) slain

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAampa
from [the] blood of [those] slain from [the] fat of [the] mighty [ones] [the] bow of Jonathan not it turned back backwards and [the] sword of Saul not it returned empty
מֵחֵ֙לֶב֙me.Che.lev from [the] fat of H2459 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
92× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, cheleb refers to fat, whether literal or figurative, representing the richest or best part of something. It can describe the choicest products of the land or the best of human or animal fat. This term is used to convey abundance and richness.
Amplified meaning
richest part, abundance
Tyndale gloss
fat
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֵ֫לֶב (cheleb) means fat, referring to both human and animal fat, as well as the choicest parts of agricultural products. It conveys the idea of richness or abundance, highlighting the best or finest portions. The entries consistently emphasize its literal and figurative uses, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֵ֫לֶב n.m. fat

fat of human body

fat of beasts

choicest, best part of products of land

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2459 חֵ֫לֶב fat . fat of human body

. fat of beasts

. choicest, best part of products of land

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2459 cheleb kheh'-leb

or cheleb {khay'-leb}; from an unused root meaning to be fat;

fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or

choice part:--X best, fat(-ness), X finest, grease, marrow.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֵ֫לֶב (che.lev) — fat.

1) fat

1a) fat (of humans)

1b) fat (of beasts)

1c) choicest, best part, abundance (of products of the land)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct
HR/Ncmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

from [the] blood of [those] slain from [the] fat of [the] mighty [ones] [the] bow of Jonathan not it turned back backwards and [the] sword of Saul not it returned empty
גִּבּוֹרִ֔יםgi.bo.Rim [the] mighty [ones] H1368 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
159× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word describes a strong or mighty man, like a warrior or champion, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:51 where David defeats Goliath. It can also imply a brave or valiant person.
Amplified meaning
strong, courageous warriors
Tyndale gloss
mighty man
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גִּבּוֹר (gibbor) means strong or mighty, and can refer to a powerful person, such as a warrior or chief. It is built from a root that implies strength and valor, covering meanings related to strength and bravery. The entries consistently emphasize its use to describe a strong man or mighty figure.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גִּבּוֹר 159 adj. strong, mighty

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1368 גִּבּוֹר strong, mighty

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1368 gibbowr ghib-bore'

or (shortened) gibbor {ghib-bore'}; intensive from the same

as 1397; powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant:--

champion, chief, X excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one),

strong (man), valiant man.

see HEBREW for 01397

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גִּבּוֹר (gib.bor) — mighty man.

adj

1) strong, mighty

n m

2) strong man, brave man, mighty man

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
from [the] blood of [those] slain from [the] fat of [the] mighty [ones] [the] bow of Jonathan not it turned back backwards and [the] sword of Saul not it returned empty
קֶ֚שֶׁתKe.shet [the] bow of H7198 Noun common · feminine singular construct
76× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for bow refers to a weapon used for hunting or battle, but also symbolizes strength and is used to describe a rainbow. In the Bible, it appears in Genesis and other books. It represents power and beauty.
Amplified meaning
weapon of strength
Tyndale gloss
bow
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קֶ֫שֶׁת (qesheth) primarily means 'bow,' referring to a weapon for hunting or battle, and can also denote 'rainbow.' It is derived from a root meaning to bend, suggesting strength. The term encompasses both literal and figurative uses, including references to archers and might.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קֶ֫שֶׁת n.f. bow

bow

rainbow

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7198 קֶ֫שֶׁת bow . bow

. rainbow

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7198 qesheth keh'-sheth

from 7185 in the original sense (of 6983) of bending: a bow,

for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris:--X

arch(-er), + arrow, bow((-man, -shot)).

see HEBREW for 07185

see HEBREW for 06983

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קֶ֫שֶׁת (qe.shet) — bow.

1) bow

1a) bow (for hunting, battle)

1b) bowmen, archers

1c) bow (fig. of might)

1d) rainbow

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular construct
HNcfsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

from [the] blood of [those] slain from [the] fat of [the] mighty [ones] [the] bow of Jonathan not it turned back backwards and [the] sword of Saul not it returned empty
יְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ןye.Ho.na.Tan Jonathan H3083 Noun proper masculine
82× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Jehonathan was a son of King Saul and a friend of David, meaning 'Jehovah has given'. He was also known as Jonathan.
Amplified meaning
Jehonathan, God-given
Tyndale gloss
Jonathan
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יְהוֹנָתָן (*Yhownathan*) means 'Jehovah has given' and refers to several individuals in the Old Testament, primarily Jonathan, the son of King Saul and a close friend of David. The entries detail various figures named Jonathan, including a high priest's son, warriors, and Levites, with notable mentions in Judges and 1 Samuel.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יְהוֹנָתָן, יוֹנָתָן n.pr.m. (י׳ hath given)

son of Saul

son of Abiathar

nephew of David

of David, i.e. his uncle?

one of David’s heroes

one of David’s treasurers

a scribe

Levites

a priest

priest to the tribe of Dan, son of Gershom

a Judaite captain, after fall of Jerus.

a Judaite

father of Ebed

son of Asahel

a priest

son of Joiada

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3083 יְהוֹנָתָן, יוֹנָתָן

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3083 Yhownathan yeh-ho-naw-thawn'

from 3068 and 5414; Jehovah-given; Jehonathan, the name of

four Israelites:--Jonathan. Compare 3129.

see HEBREW for 03068

see HEBREW for 05414

see HEBREW for 03129

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהוֹנָתָן (ye.ho.na.tan) — Jonathan.

A man living before Israel's Monarchy, only mentioned at Jdg.18.30;

son of: Gershom (H1647)(?)

§ Jonathan or Jehonathan = "Jehovah has given"

1) a son of king Saul and a friend of David

2) a son of the high priest Abiathar and the last descendant of Eli of whom we hear

3) a nephew of David who like David slew a giant of Gath

4) an uncle of David

5) one of David's mighty warriors

6) one of David's treasurers

7) a scribe in the time of Jeremiah

8) a Levite and father of Zechariah, a priest who blew the trumpet at the dedication of the wall

9) a son or descendant of Gershom, the son of Moses, and a priest to the tribe of Dan

10) a son of Kareah and a brother of Johanan; a Judaite captain after the fall of Jerusalem

11) another Judaite father of Peleth

12) father of Ebed in the time of Ezra

13) son of Asahel in the time of Ezra

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Jonathan

Whom Jehovah gave, the name of fifteen or more persons that are mentioned in Scripture. The chief of these are, (1.) A Levite descended from Gershom (Judg. 18:30). His history is recorded in 17:7-13 and 18:30. The Rabbins changed this name into Manasseh “to screen the memory of the great lawgiver from the stain of having so unworthy an apostate among his near descendants.” He became priest of the idol image at Dan, and this office continued in his family till the Captivity.

(2.) The eldest son of king Saul, and the bosom friend of David. He is first mentioned when he was about thirty years of age, some time after his father’s accession to the throne (1 Sam. 13:2). Like his father, he was a man of great strength and activity (

that is, "the gift of Jehovah, " the eldest son of King Saul. (B.C. about 1095-1056.) He was a man of great strength and activity. (2 Samuel 1:23) He was also famous as a warrior, (1 Chronicles 12:2) as is shown by the courage he showing in attacking the garrison of the Philistines, in company with is armor-bearer only, slaying twenty men and putting an army to flight. (1 Samuel 14:6-16) During the pursuit, Jonathan, who had not heard of the rash curse, ch. (1 Samuel 14:24) which Saul invoked on any one who ate before the evening, tasted the honey which lay on the ground. Saul would have sacrificed him; but the people interposed in behalf of the hero of that great day, and…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

1. A Levite, son of Gershom, and grandson of Moses, who after the death of Joshua impiously served as a priest, first to Micah, and then to the Danites in Laish or Dan, where his posterity succeeded him until the captivity, Jud 17:1-18:31.

2. The eldest son of Saul, and one of the loveliest characters in Old Testament history. The narrative of his brilliant exploit in Michmash, 1Sa 13:1-14:52, illustrates his pious faith, his bravery, (see also 1Sa 13:3) and the favor borne him by the people, who would not suffer him to be put to death in consequence of Saul’s foolish vow. This valiant and generous prince loved David as his own soul, 1Sa 18:1-4 19:2 20:1-42; and though…

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

given of God

from [the] blood of [those] slain from [the] fat of [the] mighty [ones] [the] bow of Jonathan not it turned back backwards and [the] sword of Saul not it returned empty
לֹ֥אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
from [the] blood of [those] slain from [the] fat of [the] mighty [ones] [the] bow of Jonathan not it turned back backwards and [the] sword of Saul not it returned empty
נָשׂ֖וֹגna.Sog it turned back H7734 Verb · Niphal · perfect third person masculine singular
1× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to turn back or retreat, and it is used to describe someone moving away from something or someone. It appears in various forms in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
turn back, flee
Tyndale gloss
to turn back
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

סוּג (sug) is a Hebrew verb meaning to turn back or retreat. It encompasses actions like moving away or backsliding, and can imply being repulsed or displaced. The entries indicate that it can be used in various forms, including reflexive and causative, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[סוּג, seldom שׂוּג] vb. move away, backslide

Qal backslide, prove recreant to י׳

Niph.

refl. turn oneself away, turn back

be turned or driven back, be repulsed

Hiph.

usu. of displacing, moving back a boundary mark

remove, carry away

Hoph. and justice is driven back

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7734 סוּג, seldom, שׂוּג

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7734 suwg soog

a primitive root; to retreat:--turn back.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שׂוּג (sug) — to turn back.

1) to move, go, turn back, turn away

1a) (Niphal) to turn oneself away

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · perfect third person masculine singular
HVNp3ms
from [the] blood of [those] slain from [the] fat of [the] mighty [ones] [the] bow of Jonathan not it turned back backwards and [the] sword of Saul not it returned empty
אָח֑וֹר'a.Chor backwards H268 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
41× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means the back or rear side of something. It can also refer to a location or direction, like the West. In Genesis, it describes the back of the Tabernacle.
Tyndale gloss
back
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָחוֹר (achowr) refers to the hinder side or back part of something. It can also imply a direction, meaning backward or behind, and has temporal uses, indicating a time to come or hereafter. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to be behind' and encompasses various contexts, including physical and temporal references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָחוֹר 41 subst. the hinder side, back part

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H268 אָחוֹר the hinder side, back part

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

268 'achowr aw-khore'

or (shortened) achor {aw-khore'}; from 299; the hinder part;

hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the

West:--after(-ward), back (part, -side, -ward), hereafter,

(be-)hind(-er part), time to come, without.

see HEBREW for 0299

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָחוֹר (a.chor) — back.

1) the back side, the rear

1a) backwards

1b) hereafter (of time)

1c) behind

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
from [the] blood of [those] slain from [the] fat of [the] mighty [ones] [the] bow of Jonathan not it turned back backwards and [the] sword of Saul not it returned empty
וְחֶ֣רֶבve.Che.rev and [the] sword of H2719 Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct
413× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A sword or cutting instrument is what this Hebrew word refers to, including knives and tools for cutting stone. It is used in the Bible to describe weapons and sharp objects.
Amplified meaning
cutting instrument, tool of battle
Tyndale gloss
sword
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֶ֫רֶב (chereb) means 'sword' and can also refer to other cutting instruments like knives and tools. It is derived from a root meaning 'drought,' highlighting its destructive nature. The term is used in various contexts in the Old Testament, primarily to denote weapons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֶ֫רֶב 411 n.f. sword (as weapon)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2719 חֶ֫רֶב sword (as weapon)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2719 chereb kheh'-reb

from 2717; drought; also a cutting instrument (from its

destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp

implement:--axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool.

see HEBREW for 02717

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֶ֫רֶב (che.rev) — sword.

1) sword, knife

1a) sword

1b) knife

1c) tools for cutting stone

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct
HC/Ncfsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

from [the] blood of [those] slain from [the] fat of [the] mighty [ones] [the] bow of Jonathan not it turned back backwards and [the] sword of Saul not it returned empty
שָׁא֔וּלsha.'Ul Saul H7586 Noun proper masculine
407× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Shaul is a personal name meaning desired, given to several individuals in the Bible, including a Benjamite who became the first king of Israel and a Levite living during the time of the Divided Monarchy. He is mentioned in 1 Chronicles and 1 Samuel.
Amplified meaning
Shaul, desired
Tyndale gloss
Shaul
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁאוּל n.pr.m. (= asked)

397 1st king of Isr.

a king of Edom

a son of Simeon

a Levite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7586 שָׁאוּל (= asked)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(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…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

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…

from [the] blood of [those] slain from [the] fat of [the] mighty [ones] [the] bow of Jonathan not it turned back backwards and [the] sword of Saul not it returned empty
לֹ֥אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
from [the] blood of [those] slain from [the] fat of [the] mighty [ones] [the] bow of Jonathan not it turned back backwards and [the] sword of Saul not it returned empty
תָשׁ֖וּבta.Shuv it returned H7725 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
1,057× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Amplified meaning
come back, turn back
Tyndale gloss
to return: return
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שׁוּב (shuwb) means to turn back or return, covering a wide range of contexts including physical, spiritual, and relational. It can denote returning to a previous state, repenting, or even apostatizing. The entries describe various forms and uses, including bringing back, restoring, and refreshing. Notably, it can also imply a change in course of action.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שׁוּב 1056 vb. turn back, return

Qal 683;—turn back, return:

turn back

return, come or go back

esp. return unto

of dying

of revival from death

fig. of human relations:

return to leader, king

= change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)

turn, i.e. resort to

return to a physical condition

abs. = change course of action

fig., specif. of spiritual relations:

turn back from God = apostatize

of י׳, turn away

turn back to God (= seek penitently)

abs. repent

turn back from evil

of י׳

of י׳, return (to shew favour)

of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):

denoting repetition, etc.

trans.

Pō‛l.

bring back

fig. restore, refresh

restore, repair

lead away (enticingly)

shew turning = apostatize

Hiph. 353 cause to return, bring back

bring back into bondage

put back

= draw back

= give back, restore

= relinguish

= give in payment, requital

bring one back (from dead)

bring back heart

= refresh

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7725 שׁוּב turn back, return .—turn back, return: . turn back

. return, come or go back

. esp. return unto

. . of dying

. of revival from death

. fig. of human relations: . return to leader, king

. = change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)

. turn, i.e. resort to

. return to a physical condition

. abs. = change course of action

. fig., specif. of spiritual relations: . turn back from God = apostatize

. of י׳, turn away

. turn back to God (= seek penitently)

. abs. repent

. turn back from evil

. of י׳

. of י׳, return (to shew favour)

. of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):

. denoting repetition, etc.

. trans.

. . bring back

. . fig. restore, refresh

. restore, repair

. lead away (enticingly)

. shew turning = apostatize

. cause to return, bring back . . bring back into bondage

. put back

. = draw back

. = give back, restore

. = relinguish

. = give in payment, requital

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7725 shuwb shoob

a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or

intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily

with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to

retreat; often adverbial, again:--((break, build, circumcise,

dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge,

make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) X again, (cause to) answer

(+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all, averse, bring

(again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back),

cease, X certainly, come again (back), X consider, +

continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back,

fetch home again, X fro, get (oneself) (back) again, X give

(again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see)

more, X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put

(again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh,

relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve,

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שׁוּב (shuv) — to return: return.

: return

1) to return, turn back

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to turn back, return

1a1a) to turn back

1a1b) to return, come or go back

1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back

1a1d) of dying

1a1e) of human relations (fig)

1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig)

1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise

1a1f2) to turn away (of God)

1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent

1a1f4) turn back (from evil)

1a1g) of inanimate things

1a1h) in repetition

1b) (Polel)

1b1) to bring back

1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig)

1b3) to lead away (enticingly)

1b4) to show turning, apostatise

1c) (Pual) restored (participle)

1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back

1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment

1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore

1d3) to bring back, report to, answer

1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singular
HVqi3fs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
from [the] blood of [those] slain from [the] fat of [the] mighty [ones] [the] bow of Jonathan not it turned back backwards and [the] sword of Saul not it returned empty
רֵיקָֽם׃rei.Kam empty H7387 Adverb
16× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means doing something empty or without purpose, like acting in vain. It is used in the Bible to describe actions that have no real effect. In the KJV, it is translated as 'without cause' or 'in vain'.
Amplified meaning
without purpose, unused, vainly
Tyndale gloss
emptily
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

רֵיקָם (reyqam) means 'emptily' or 'vainly,' indicating a state of being empty or without effect. It can refer to actions done in vain or without cause. The word is built from a root that conveys emptiness and ineffectiveness, and it appears in contexts where something is done without result.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

רֵיקָם adv. emptily, vainly

in empty condition, empty = with empty hands

in vain, without effect

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7387 רֵיקָם emptily, vainly . in empty condition, empty = with empty hands

. in vain, without effect

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7387 reyqam ray-kawm'

from 7386; emptily; figuratively (objective) ineffectually,

(subjective) undeservedly:--without cause, empty, in vain,

void.

see HEBREW for 07386

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

רֵיקָם (re.qam) — emptily.

1) vainly, emptily

1a) in empty condition, empty, emptily

1b) in vain, without effect, vainly

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adv — Adverb
HD
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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