1 Chronicles 11:32 — Word Study
WLCחוּרַי֙ מִנַּ֣חֲלֵי גָ֔עַשׁ ס אֲבִיאֵ֖ל הָעַרְבָתִֽי׃ ס
BSAHuraiChûwray△ [from the valleys near Gaash Mountain] from the brooksnachal [or streams, rivers] of GaashGaʻash [a hill in Palestine, meaning quaking or shaking] AbielʼĂbîyʼêl [my father is God] the ArbathiteʻArbâthîy [from the desert house, Beth-arabah]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| חוּרַי֙ | Hurai | Noun proper masculine |
| מִנַּ֣חֲלֵי | from [the] wadis of | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct |
| גָ֔עַשׁ ס | Gaash | Noun proper |
| אֲבִיאֵ֖ל | Abiel | Noun proper masculine |
| הָעַרְבָתִֽי׃ ס | the Arbathite | Particle, noun gentilic masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Hurai from the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, |
| KJV | Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, |
| ASV | Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, |
| YLT | Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, |
| WEB | Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, |
| BBE | Hurai of Nahale-gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, |
Where they part company is in the rendering of names, but all versions agree on the essential names of the warriors.
The verse consists of a main clause followed by a noun phrase, presenting the names of two warriors.
4 commentators on this verse
Jamieson, Poole, Ellicott, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 5 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 — 1 Chronicles 11:32
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 Mighty Warriorsgenerated
1 Chronicles 11:32 lists the names of David's mighty warriors, showcasing their origins and bravery. This verse specifically mentions Hurai and Abiel, emphasizing their contributions to David's reign. The context reflects the importance of these warriors in the history of Israel, as they fought valiantly alongside David during his rise to power.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 23:30 | Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai from the brooks of Gaash, |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 23:31 | Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חוּרַי, chu.Raigenerated
The name חוּרַי (chu.Rai) is a proper noun, referring to an Israelite warrior known for his bravery. The name likely means 'linen-weaver', indicating a personal identity rather than a title. Hurai is identified as one of David's mighty men, appearing in both 2 Samuel 23:30 and 1 Chronicles 11:32.
The lexical entries confirm Hurai's significance as a hero in David's army, highlighting his role in the narrative of David's leadership. The word's parsing indicates that it is a masculine noun, signifying a male individual within the context of Israel's military history.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is presented in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the name Hurai consistently across translations.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse is straightforward, with a main noun phrase followed by a series of prepositional phrases that provide additional information. The finite verb is implicit, as the verse lists names rather than actions.
The syntax tree indicates a noun phrase for each warrior, with prepositional phrases detailing their origins. This organization reflects the importance of each warrior's background in the context of David's army.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates חוּרַי as ουρι, indicating a direct correspondence in naming. This choice suggests continuity in the identification of Hurai across translations, emphasizing his role as a notable figure.
The Septuagint's rendering maintains the integrity of the original Hebrew names, reflecting the significance of these warriors in both the Hebrew and Greek traditions.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
1 Chronicles 11:32 mentions Hurai and Abiel as warriors from specific regions. Hurai is noted for being from the brooks of Gaash, while Abiel is identified as the Arbathite, indicating their origins and roles in David's army.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Hurai was one of David's mighty warriors, known for his bravery and mentioned in 2 Samuel 23:30.
The name Abiel means 'my father is God', reflecting a significant faith in God.
The locations, such as Gaash and Beth-arabah, provide context for the warriors' backgrounds and highlight the diverse regions of Israel.
These names illustrate the valor and diversity of David's supporters, emphasizing their importance in his rise to power.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What qualities do you admire in warriors like Hurai and Abiel?
- How can understanding the backgrounds of biblical figures enhance your reading of Scripture?
- In what ways can you apply the bravery of David's warriors in your own life?
- What does the significance of names in the Bible teach us about identity and purpose?
Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 1 Chronicles 11:32 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryIthai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, that pertained to the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Chronicles 11 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleOf the brooks, or of the valleys, i.e. of one of them; the plural number for the singular; so called because he was born or bred there.
Read Matthew Poole on 1 Chronicles 11 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(32) Hurai of the brooks of Gaash seems better than “Hiddai” (Samuel), cf. “Hur” (Exodus 17:10). “d” and “r” are often confused in Hebrew writing. Brooks.—Heb., Nahalê (gullies or wadys). Nahalê-Gaash was no doubt a place on or near Mount Gaash (Joshua 24:30) in the highland of Ephraim, but the site is not identified. Abiel the Arbathite.—Samuel, “Abi-’albon.” Perhaps Abi-baal was the original reading, which was corrupted in the text of Samuel, and altered by the chronicler’s authority after the manner of Beeliada—Eliada. Arbathite—of “Beth-arabah” (Joshua 15:62), in the desert of Judah.
Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Chronicles 11 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges32. Hurai] In 2 Samuel 23:30, “Hiddai.” The true form of the name is uncertain; neither form occurs elsewhere. Gaash] A mountain in Ephraim; Judges 2:9 (= Joshua 24:30). Abiel] In 2 Samuel 23:31 “Abi-albon.” “Arbathite” means “inhabitant of Beth Arabah”; Joshua 15:6, a town on the border between Judah and Benjamin.
Read Cambridge on 1 Chronicles 11 →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
Hurai from the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
Hurai from the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
Hurai from the valleys of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
Tyndale line
Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite;
Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
Hurai of the riuers of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
Strictly literal
Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
Churai of the Nachale-Ga'ash, Abiel the 'Arbathite,
Hurai of the valleys of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
From the Latin
Hurai of the torrent Gaas, Abiel an Arbathite, Azmoth a Bauramite, Eliaba a Salabonite,
Simplified
Hurai from the valleys of Gaash; Abiel the Arbathite;
Hurai of Nahale-gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
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 matches the Septuagint closely, with three out of the five words corresponding directly. This agreement indicates a shared understanding of the names and their importance in the historical context.
חוּרַי֙ מִנַּ֣חֲלֵי גָ֔עַשׁ ס אֲבִיאֵ֖ל הָעַרְבָתִֽי׃ ס
3 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 1 Chronicles 11:32
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.
חוּרַי (Chuwray) refers to a personal name, likely meaning 'linen-weaver.' It identifies Hurai as a hero of David, mentioned in 2 Samuel 23:30 and 1 Chronicles 11:32. The entries suggest that it may be an orthographical variation of another name, H2359, but do not provide further details on this variation.
חוּרַי n.pr.m. a hero of David
base
H2360 חוּרַי
2360 Chuwray khoo-rah'ee
probably an orthographical variation for 2359; Churai, an
Israelite:--Hurai.
see HEBREW for 02359
חוּרַי (chu.ray) — Hurai.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.23.30; also called Hurai at 1Ch.11.32;
Another name of hid.day (הִדַּי "Hiddai" H1914)
§ Hurai = "linen-weaver"
one of David's mighty warriors
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Hurai
Linen-worker, one of David’s heroes, a native of the valley of Mount Gaash (1 Chr. 11:32).
→ One of David's guards 1Ch 11:32
נַ֫חַל (*nachal*) primarily refers to a torrent or stream, often associated with a valley or wadi where water flows, particularly in winter. It can also denote a shaft of a mine. Additionally, the term may relate to palm trees in certain contexts. The word appears in various forms in the Old Testament, including references in Psalms and Ezekiel.
נַ֫חַל n.m. torrent, torrent-valley, wady
base
[נַ֫חַל] n.[m.] perh. palm-tree;—only pl. abs., Nu 24:6
ref
H5158a נַ֫חַל torrent, torrent-valley, wady H5158b נַ֫חַל perh. palm-tree
5158 nachal nakh'-al
or (feminine) nachlah (Psalm 124:4) {nakh'-law}; or nachalah
(Ezekiel 47:19; 48:28) {nakh-al-aw'}; from 5157 in its
original sense; a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by
implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a
shaft (of a mine):--brook, flood, river, stream, valley.
see HEBREW for 05157
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — torrent: river.
: river/bed
1) torrent, valley, wadi, torrent-valley
1a) torrent
1b) torrent-valley, wadi (as stream bed)
1c) shaft (of mine)
Also means: na.chal (נַ֫חַל ": valley" H5158N)
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — palm-tree.
palm-tree
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — Brook.
§ palm-tree
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — (Eshcol) Valley.
Combined with esh.kol (אֶשְׁכֹּל " of Eshcol" H0812H)
§ palm-tree
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — (Shittim) Valley.
Combined with shit.tim (שִׁטִּים " of Shittim" H7851H)
§ palm-tree
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — (Sorek) Valley.
Combined with s.vo.req (שֹׂרֵק " of Sorek" H7796)
§ palm-tree
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — Brook.
§ palm-tree
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — Brook.
palm-tree
Another name of shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Shihor" H7883G)
נַ֫חַל (na.chal) — Brook.
palm-tree
Another name of shi.chor (שִׁיחוֹר "Shihor" H7883G)
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural constructHR/Ncmpc
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.
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…
גַּ֫עַשׁ (Ga`ash) refers to a location, specifically a mountain in Ephraim where Joshua was buried. The word is associated with the meaning 'quaking' and is derived from a root that conveys a sense of shaking or trembling. It is noted in the context of a geographical feature in Palestine.
[גַּ֫עַשׁ] n.pr.loc. mt. in Ephraim
base
H1608 גַּ֫עַשׁ
1608 Ga`ash ga'-ash
from 1607; a quaking; Gaash, a hill in Palestine:--Gaash.
see HEBREW for 01607
גַּ֫עַשׁ (ga.ash) — Gaash.
§ Gaash = "quaking"
a mountain of Ephraim where Joshua was buried
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
ga'-ash (ga`-ash): First mentioned in connection with the burial place of Joshua "in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-serah, which is in the hill-country of Ephraim, on the north (side) of the mountain of Gaash" (Jos 24:30; compare Jud 2:9); see TIMNATH-HERES. The "brooks," or rather the wadies or "watercourses" of Gaash are mentioned as the native place of Hiddai (2Sa 23:30), or Hurai (1Ch 11:32), one of David's heroes. No likely identification has been suggested.
See EPHRAIM, MOUNT.
Gaash
A shaking, a hill, on the north side of which Joshua was buried (Josh. 24:30; Judg. 2:9), in the territory of Ephraim. (See TIMNATH-SERAH.)
(earthquake), a hill of Ephraim, where Joshua was buried. The brooks or valley of Gaash, (2 Samuel 23:30; 1 Chronicles 11:32) were probably at the foot of the hill.
אֲבִיאֵל (Abiy'el) means "El (God) is (my) father" and refers to Saul's grandfather, a Benjaminite during the United Monarchy. The name is derived from the words for "father" and "God." It appears in the context of genealogies, with references to his family members and connections.
אֲבִיאֵל n.pr.m. (Ēl is (my) father)
Saul’s grandfather
= foregoing
base
H22 אֲבִיאֵל (Ēl is (my) father) . Saul’s grandfather
. = foregoing
22 'Abiy'el ab-ee-ale'
from 1 and 410; father (i.e. possessor) of God; Abiel, the
name of two Israelites:--Abiel.
see HEBREW for 01
see HEBREW for 0410
אֲבִיאֵל (a.vi.el) — Abiel.
Abiel = "El (God) is (my) father"
Saul's grandfather, a man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.9.1;
son of: Zeror (H6872C); married to Maacah (H4601N);
father of: Kish (H7027), Ner (H5369), Abdon (H5658J), Zur (H6698I), Baal (H1168B), Nadab (H5070J), Gedor (H1446I), Ahio (H0283I), Zecher (H2144) and Mikloth (H4732); also called Jeiel (Ketiv: Jeuel; KJV: Jehiel) at 1Ch.9.35; Ner at 1Ch.8.33; 9.39;
אֲבִיאֵל (a.vi.el) — Abiel.
Abiel, a man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.23.31
Another name of a.vi-al.von (אֲבִי־עַלְבוֹן "Abi-albon" H0045)
§ Abiel = "El (God) is (my) father"
Saul's grandfather
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
a'-bi-el, ab'-yel, a-bi'-el ('abhi'el, "my father is God," or "God is father"):
(1) A descendant of Benjamin the son of Jacob. Father of Kish the father of King Saul, and also, apparently, the father of Ner the father of Saul's general, Abner (1Sa 9:1; 14:51).
(2) One of David's mighty men (1Ch 11:32), called ABI-ALBON, which see, in 2Sa 23:31.
Abiel
Father (i.e., “possessor”) of God = “pious.” (1.) The son of Zeror and father of Ner, who was the grandfather of Saul (1 Sam. 14:51; 1 Chr. 8:33; 9:39). In 1 Sam. 9:1, he is called the “father,” probably meaning the grandfather, of Kish. (2.) An Arbathite, one of David’s warriors (1 Chr. 11:32); called also Abi-albon (2 Sam. 23:31).
God my father
בֵּית הָֽעֲרָבָה refers to a location known as Beth-arabah, meaning 'house of the desert.' The term is used to denote an inhabitant of this place, called an Arbathite. It is associated with the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, indicating its geographical and cultural significance.
בֵּית הָֽעֲרָבָה n.pr.loc. (place of the depression) reckoned to Judah, to Benjamin
base
H6164 בֵּית הָֽעֲרָבָה
6164 `Arbathiy ar-baw-thee'
patrial from 1026; an Arbathite or inhabitant of
(Beth-)Arabah:--Arbahite.
see HEBREW for 01026
עַרְבָתִי (ar.va.ti) — Arbathite.
Group of bet ha.a.ra.vah (בֵּית הָֽעֲרָבָה "Beth-arabah" H1026)
§ Arbathite, of Betharabah "desert house"
an inhabitant of Beth-arabah
Art | Ngmsa — Particle · noun gentilic masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ngmsa
Arbathite
A name given to Abi-albon, or, as elsewhere called, Abiel, one of David’s warriors (2 Sam. 23:31; 1 Chr. 11:32), probably as being an inhabitant of Arabah (Josh. 15:61), a town in the wilderness of Judah.
a native of the Arabah or Ghor . [ARABAH] Abi-albon the Arbathite was one of David’s mighty men. (2 Samuel 23:31; 1 Chronicles 11:32)