1 Samuel 17:3
1 Samuel 17:3 in Multiple Translations
The Philistines stood on one hill and the Israelites stood on another, with the valley between them.
And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.
And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.
The Philistines were stationed on the mountain on one side and Israel on the mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.
The Philistines were on one hill and the Israelites on another with the valley between them.
And the Philistims stoode on a mountaine on the one side, and Israel stoode on a mountaine on the other side: so a valley was betweene them.
And the Philistines are standing on the mountain on this side, and the Israelites are standing on the mountain on that side, and the valley [is] between them.
The Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.
And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.
And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.
So the Philistine and Israeli armies faced each other. They were on two hills, with a valley between them.
There was a hill close by, so the Israel mob went up from the valley on to that hill. From there they saw the Philistia mob on the hill on the other side of the valley.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 17:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Samuel 17:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/פְלִשְׁתִּ֞ים
עֹמְדִ֤ים
אֶל
הָ/הָר֙
מִ/זֶּ֔ה
וְ/יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
עֹמְדִ֥ים
אֶל
הָ/הָ֖ר
מִ/זֶּ֑ה
וְ/הַ/גַּ֖יְא
בֵּינֵי/הֶֽם
וּ/פְלִשְׁתִּ֞ים
Pᵉlishtîy
H6430
Philistines
Conj | Ngmpa
עֹמְדִ֤ים
ʻâmad
H5975
to stand
V-Qal
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
הָ/הָר֙
har
H2022
mountain
Art | N-ms
מִ/זֶּ֔ה
zeh
H2088
this
Prep | Pron
וְ/יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
Conj | N-proper
עֹמְדִ֥ים
ʻâmad
H5975
to stand
V-Qal
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
הָ/הָ֖ר
har
H2022
mountain
Art | N-ms
מִ/זֶּ֑ה
zeh
H2088
this
Prep | Pron
וְ/הַ/גַּ֖יְא
gayʼ
H1516
Valley
Conj | Art | N-cs
בֵּינֵי/הֶֽם
bêyn
H996
between
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 17:3
וּ/פְלִשְׁתִּ֞ים
Pᵉlishtîy
H6430
"Philistines"
Conj | Ngmpa
A Philistine is a person from the region of Philistia, which was inhabited by immigrants from other places. The Philistines were known for their conflicts with the Israelites, as recorded in the Bible. They were a distinct ethnic group.
Definition: Philistine = "immigrants" an inhabitant of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan Another name of ga.dol (גָּדוֹל "Great( Sea)" H1419J)
Usage: Occurs in 244 OT verses. KJV: Philistine. See also: Genesis 10:14; 1 Samuel 17:8; 1 Chronicles 10:1.
עֹמְדִ֤ים
ʻâmad
H5975
"to stand"
V-Qal
Means 'to stand' in a strong sense, like in Exodus 17:12 where Moses stood with his arms up to help Israel win a battle.
Definition: : stand/stop/establish 1) to stand, remain, endure, take one's stand 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stand, take one's stand, be in a standing attitude, stand forth, take a stand, present oneself, attend upon, be or become servant of 1a2) to stand still, stop (moving or doing), cease 1a3) to tarry, delay, remain, continue, abide, endure, persist, be steadfast 1a4) to make a stand, hold one's ground 1a5) to stand upright, remain standing, stand up, rise, be erect, be upright 1a6) to arise, appear, come on the scene, stand forth, appear, rise up or against 1a7) to stand with, take one's stand, be appointed, grow flat, grow insipid 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to station, set 1b2) to cause to stand firm, maintain 1b3) to cause to stand up, cause to set up, erect 1b4) to present (one) before (king) 1b5) to appoint, ordain, establish 1c) (Hophal) to be presented, be caused to stand, be stood before
Usage: Occurs in 497 OT verses. KJV: abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, [phrase] serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry. See also: Genesis 18:8; Joshua 21:44; 1 Chronicles 6:17.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 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)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
הָ/הָר֙
har
H2022
"mountain"
Art | N-ms
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
מִ/זֶּ֔ה
zeh
H2088
"this"
Prep | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.
וְ/יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
Conj | N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
עֹמְדִ֥ים
ʻâmad
H5975
"to stand"
V-Qal
Means 'to stand' in a strong sense, like in Exodus 17:12 where Moses stood with his arms up to help Israel win a battle.
Definition: : stand/stop/establish 1) to stand, remain, endure, take one's stand 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stand, take one's stand, be in a standing attitude, stand forth, take a stand, present oneself, attend upon, be or become servant of 1a2) to stand still, stop (moving or doing), cease 1a3) to tarry, delay, remain, continue, abide, endure, persist, be steadfast 1a4) to make a stand, hold one's ground 1a5) to stand upright, remain standing, stand up, rise, be erect, be upright 1a6) to arise, appear, come on the scene, stand forth, appear, rise up or against 1a7) to stand with, take one's stand, be appointed, grow flat, grow insipid 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to station, set 1b2) to cause to stand firm, maintain 1b3) to cause to stand up, cause to set up, erect 1b4) to present (one) before (king) 1b5) to appoint, ordain, establish 1c) (Hophal) to be presented, be caused to stand, be stood before
Usage: Occurs in 497 OT verses. KJV: abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, [phrase] serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry. See also: Genesis 18:8; Joshua 21:44; 1 Chronicles 6:17.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 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)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
הָ/הָ֖ר
har
H2022
"mountain"
Art | N-ms
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
מִ/זֶּ֑ה
zeh
H2088
"this"
Prep | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.
וְ/הַ/גַּ֖יְא
gayʼ
H1516
"Valley"
Conj | Art | N-cs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to a deep, narrow valley or gorge. It is also another name for Topheth, a place of child sacrifice in the Valley of Hinnom. The word describes a steep and dramatic landscape.
Definition: valley, a steep valley, narrow gorge Another name of to.phet (תֹּ֫פֶת "Topheth" H8612)
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: valley. See also: Numbers 21:20; Nehemiah 11:30; Psalms 23:4.
בֵּינֵי/הֶֽם
bêyn
H996
"between"
Prep | Suff
Between is the meaning of this preposition, used to show a location or a choice, like either or, as seen in Exodus where it describes the space between two objects.
Definition: : between between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), [phrase] from (the widest), [idiom] in, out of, whether (it be...or), within. See also: Genesis 1:4; Joshua 24:7; Psalms 68:14.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 17:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- 1 Samuel 17:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 17:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 17:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:3
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:3
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 17:3
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 17:3
Context — Goliath’s Challenge
1Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim.
2Saul and the men of Israel assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah, arraying themselves for battle against the Philistines.
3The Philistines stood on one hill and the Israelites stood on another, with the valley between them.
4Then a champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was six cubits and a span in height, 5and he had a bronze helmet on his head. He wore a bronze coat of mail weighing five thousand shekels,1 Samuel 17:3 Summary
This verse describes the physical setup of the battle between the Philistines and the Israelites, with each side standing on opposite hills and a valley in between. This setup represents a deeper spiritual divide, with the Israelites trusting in God and the Philistines relying on their own strength. Just like the Israelites, we can trust in God's power and provision, even when faced with overwhelming odds, as seen in Psalm 23:4 and Romans 8:31. By standing firm in our faith, we can experience God's victory and deliverance in our lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the geographical setup in 1 Samuel 17:3?
The valley between the Philistines and the Israelites in 1 Samuel 17:3 represents a physical and spiritual divide, highlighting the opposing worldviews and armies, much like the spiritual battle described in Ephesians 6:12.
Why did the Philistines and Israelites choose to stand on opposite hills?
The hills provided a strategic military advantage, allowing both sides to assess each other's strength and prepare for battle, as seen in the similar battle preparations in Joshua 8:13.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the biblical narrative?
1 Samuel 17:3 sets the stage for the famous battle between David and Goliath, illustrating God's power and provision in the face of overwhelming odds, a theme also seen in Exodus 14:13-14 and Romans 8:37.
What can we learn from the Israelites' decision to stand on a hill opposite the Philistines?
The Israelites' actions demonstrate a willingness to face their enemies and trust in God's deliverance, much like the courage and faith exhibited by the Israelites in Joshua 1:9 and Psalm 20:7-8.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, and what role does faith play in my decision-making?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of standing firm in my faith, despite opposition, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:3 and Ephesians 6:13?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust in God's power and provision, rather than relying on my own strength or abilities?
- How can I, like the Israelites, position myself for spiritual battle and trust in God's victory, as described in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 17:3
And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, e.] Before the Israelites are said to encamp in or by the valley but here they are said to
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 17:3
And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them. And there was a valley between them , [ wªhagayª' (H1516), the ravine].
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:3
On a mountain on the other side, where they had disposed and fortified their cams, that if the one should assault the other, the assailant should have the disadvantage, and be obliged to fight from a lower place.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:3
1 Samuel 17:3 And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and [there was] a valley between them.Ver. 3. And the Philistines stood on a mountain, &c.] Thus the two armies stood long facing one another; expecting who should begin, and waiting for advantages. In like sort when the Caliph of Egypt came against Baldwin II, king of Jerusalem, both the armies lay the one facing the other for three months’ time, and then rose, - the Christians fearing the multitude of the Turks, and the Turks the valour of the Christians, - and so returned without any notable thing done. And so they might have done here, had not David undertaken the giant. Turk. Hist., fol. 27.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:3
(3, 4) And the Philistines stood. . . .—Conder, in his Tent Work in Palestine, writing on the spot, gives us a vivid picture of the scene of the well-known encounter between David and the giant Philistine:—“We may picture to ourselves the two hosts covering the low rocky hills opposite to each other, and half hidden among the lentisk bushes. Between them was the rich expanse of the ripening barley, and the red banks of the torrent, with its white shingly bed. Behind all were the distant blue hill-walls of Judah, whence Saul had just come down. The mail-clad warrior advanced from the west through the low corn, with his mighty lance perhaps tufted with feathers, his brazen helmet shining in the sun. From the east a ruddy boy in his white shirt and sandals, armed with a goat’s-hair sling, came down to the brook, and, according to the poetic fancy of the Rabbis, the pebbles were given voices, and cried, ‘By us shalt thou overcome the giant !’ The champion fell from an unseen cause, and the wild Philistines fled to the mouth of the valley, where Gath stood towering on its white chalk cliff, a frontier fortress, the key to the high road leading to the corn-lands of Judah and to the vineyards of Hebron.” Goliath, of Gath.—The Philistine champion belonged to a race or family of giants, the remnant of the sons of Anak (see Joshua 11:22), who still dwelt in Gath and Gaza and Ashdod. The height mentioned was about nine feet two inches. We have in history a few instances of similar giants. This doughty champion was “full of savage insolence, unable to understand how any one could contend against his brute strength and impregnable panoply; the very type of the stupid ‘Philistine,’ such as has, in the language of modern Germany, not unfitly identified the name with the opponents of light and freedom and growth.”—Stanley.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 17:3
Verse 3. The Philistines stood on a mountain] These were two eminences or hills, from which they could see and talk with each other.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 17:3
3. on a mountain, &c.] Rather, upon the mountain … upon the mountain … and the ravine was between them. The E. V. obliterates the features of the scene. The ravine (Heb. gâî) was the stream-bed at the bottom of the valley (Heb. êmek). The Israelites encamped on the eastern, the Philistines on the western slopes of the valley. “In the middle of the broad open valley we found a deep trench with vertical sides, impassable except at certain places—a valley in a valley, and a natural barrier between the two hosts.… Here then we may picture to ourselves the two hosts, covering the low rocky hills opposite to each other, and half hidden among the lentisk bushes; between them was the rich expanse of ripening barley and the red banks of the torrent with its white shingly bed; behind all were the distant blue hill-walls of Judah, whence Saul had just come down.” Conder, Tent Work, 11. 161.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 17:3
(In the middle of the broad open valley 1 Samuel 17:2 is a deep trench 1 Samuel 17:3 with vertical sides, a valley within a valley: the sides and bed of the trench are strewn with water-worn pebbles.