1 Samuel 17:21 — Word Study
WLCוַתַּעֲרֹ֤ךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים מַעֲרָכָ֖ה לִקְרַ֥את מַעֲרָכָֽה׃
BSAAnd IsraelYisrâʼêl [the descendants of Jacob, God's chosen people] and the PhilistinesPᵉlishtîy [inhabitants of Philistia, a neighboring nation] arrayedʻârak▸ [put in order, set in formation, to arrange] in formationmaʻărâkâh [military array, rank, a row or line] againstqârâʼ each othermaʻărâkâh [face to face, in opposition, to encounter, to meet]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַתַּעֲרֹ֤ךְ | and it deployed | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person feminine singular |
| יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ | Israel | Noun proper |
| וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים | and [the] Philistines | Conjunction, noun gentilic masculine plural absolute |
| מַעֲרָכָ֖ה | battle line | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| לִקְרַ֥את | to meet | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| מַעֲרָכָֽה׃ | battle line | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | And Israel and the Philistines arrayed in formation against each other. |
| KJV | For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army. |
| ASV | And Israel and the Philistines put the battle in array, army against army. |
| YLT | and Israel and the Philistines set in array rank to meet rank. |
| WEB | Israel and the Philistines put the battle in array, army against army. |
| BBE | And Israel and the Philistines had put their forces in position, army against army. |
Where they part company is עָרַךְ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause with two prepositional phrases that clarify the action and the context of the confrontation.
5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
verbעָרַךְ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 1 Samuel 17:21
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 — The Battle Lines Drawngenerated
1 Samuel 17:21 describes the moment when Israel and the Philistines are arrayed against each other, setting the stage for the famous battle between David and Goliath. This conflict illustrates the ongoing struggle between the Israelites and their enemies, highlighting themes of faith and courage in the face of overwhelming odds.
Cross References
The Key Word — עָרַךְ, va.ta.'a.Rokhgenerated
The verb עָרַךְ (āraḵ) means to arrange or set in order, reflecting the military context of the verse. It is a Qal verb in the sequential imperfect, indicating that the action of arranging is ongoing and emphasizes the readiness of both armies for battle.
This word encompasses a range of meanings, including organizing a military formation or assessing value. Here, it signifies the strategic positioning of troops, crucial for the impending encounter.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb תַּעֲרֹךְ governs the sentence, indicating the action of arranging. The subject is יִשְׂרָאֵל (Israel), and the object is מַעֲרָכָה (battle line), which is repeated to emphasize the formation.
The structure reflects a clear military scenario, with the armies facing each other, highlighting the tension of the impending battle.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
1 Samuel 17:21 shows that Israel and the Philistines were organized and ready for battle against each other. This moment sets the stage for the confrontation between David and Goliath, illustrating the ongoing conflict between these two groups.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that both armies were organized and positioned in a military formation, preparing for battle.
The arrangement highlights the seriousness of the conflict and sets the stage for the dramatic encounter between David and Goliath.
The description emphasizes the importance of preparation and strategy in facing challenges, reflecting broader themes of faith and courage.
This verse establishes the context for the battle, illustrating the tension and stakes involved as David steps forward to confront Goliath.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do I prepare myself to face challenges in my life, similar to how the armies prepared for battle?
- What role does faith play in my own confrontations or struggles?
- In what ways can I support others who are facing their own battles?
- How does the story of David and Goliath inspire me to take action in difficult situations?
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 1 Samuel 17:21 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleFor Israel and all the Philistines had put the battle in array,.... Both sides prepared for it, and drew up in line of battle: army against army; rank against rank, battalion against battalion, the
Read John Gill on 1 Samuel 17 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryFor Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Samuel 17 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments1 Samuel 17:21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.Ver. 21. For Israel and the Philistines.] See on 1 Samuel 17:3.
Read John Trapp on 1 Samuel 17 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges21. For Israel … had put] And Israel … put, &c.
Read Cambridge on 1 Samuel 17 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible21. Army against army — Render: And Israel and the Philistines set battle array against battle array — That is, they formed their respective armies in battle array on the mountains on either side of
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on 1 Samuel 17 →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
And Israel and the Philistines arrayed in formation against each other.
Israel and the Philistines put the battle in array, army against army.
And Israel and the Philistines arrayed in formation against each other.
Israel and the Philistines drew up their battle lines opposite one another.
Tyndale line
For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.
And Israel and the Philistines put the battle in array, army against army.
And Israel and the Philistines put the battle in array, army against army.
For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.
For Israel and the Philistims had put themselues in araie, armie against armie.
Strictly literal
And Israel and the Philistines put the battle in array, rank against rank.
and Israel and the Philistines set in array rank to meet rank.
and Israel and the Philistines set in array rank to meet rank.
And the Israelites and the Philistines put themselves in battle-array, army against army.
Then Israel and the Philistines lined up for battle, army against army.
From the Latin
For Israel had put themselves in array, and the Philistines who stood against them were prepared.
Simplified
The Israelites took up their battle line and the Philistines took up their battle line on the opposite side.
And Israel and the Philistines had put their forces in position, army against army.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree in their wording, with all six words matched. This indicates a strong consistency in the transmission of this verse across different textual traditions.
וַתַּעֲרֹ֤ךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים מַעֲרָכָ֖ה לִקְרַ֥את מַעֲרָכָֽה׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 1 Samuel 17:21
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.
עָרַךְ (arak) means to arrange or set in order, applicable in various contexts such as preparing a table, organizing a battle, or stating a legal case. It can also denote valuing or taxing in the Hiphil form. The word encompasses a wide range of meanings related to order and comparison.
עָרַךְ vb. arrange or set in order
Qal
arrange in order, seven altars
set or lay in order, as wood
in common life, arrange a table
arrange a battle, i.e. draw up in battle order
arrange weapons of army in order for battle
arrange words
state in order, set forth a legal case
compare (as result of arranging in order)
intrans. be comparable
base
עָרַךְ vb. denom. Hiph. value (for taxation), tax
base
H6186a עָרַךְ arrange or set in order .. . arrange in order, seven altars
. set or lay in order, as wood
. in common life, arrange a table
. arrange a battle, i.e. draw up in battle order
. arrange weapons of army in order for battle
. arrange words
. state in order, set forth a legal case
. . compare (as result of arranging in order)
. intrans. be comparable
H6186b עָרַךְ vb. denom. Hiph. value (for taxation), tax
6186 `arak aw-rak'
a primitive root; to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order
(in a very wide variety of applications):--put (set) (the
battle, self) in array, compare, direct, equal, esteem,
estimate, expert (in war), furnish, handle, join (battle),
ordain, (lay, put, reckon up, set) (in) order, prepare, tax,
value.
עָרַךְ (a.rakh) — to arrange.
1) to arrange, set or put or lay in order, set in array, prepare, order, ordain, handle, furnish, esteem, equal, direct, compare
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to arrange or set or lay in order, arrange, state in order, set forth (a legal case), set in place
1a2) to compare, be comparable
עָרַךְ (a.rakh) — to value.
(Hiphil) to value, tax
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singularHc/Vqw3fs
יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisra'el) refers to both the second name of Jacob, meaning 'God prevails,' and the name of the Hebrew nation descended from him. It is derived from roots meaning 'to rule' and 'God.' The term encompasses Jacob's descendants and is used historically for the northern kingdom of Israel and the nation as a whole after the Babylonian exile.
יִשְׂרָאֵל 2507 n.pr.m. et gent. Israel (Ēl persisteth, persevereth)
n.pr.m. second name of Jacob
n.pr.gent. name of Hebrew nation
base
H3478 יִשְׂרָאֵל Israel (Ēl persisteth, persevereth) . n. pr. m. second name of Jacob
. n. pr. gent. name of Hebrew nation
3478 Yisra'el yis-raw-ale'
from 8280 and 410; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical
name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity:
--Israel.
see HEBREW for 08280
see HEBREW for 0410
יִשְׂרָאֵל (yis.ra.el) — Israel.
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
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
iz'-ra-el.
See JACOB.
Israel
The name conferred on Jacob after the great prayer-struggle at Peniel (Gen. 32:28), because “as a prince he had power with God and prevailed.” (See JACOB.) This is the common name given to Jacob’s descendants. The whole people of the twelve tribes are called “Israelites,” the “children of Israel” (Josh. 3:17; 7:25; Judg. 8:27; Jer. 3:21), and the “house of Israel” (Ex. 16:31; 40:38).
This name Israel is sometimes used emphatically for the true Israel (Ps. 73:1: Isa. 45:17; 49:3;
(the prince that prevails with God). The name given, (Genesis 32:28) to Jacob after his wrestling with the angel, (Hosea 12:4) at Peniel. Gesenius interprets Israel "soldier of God." It became the national name of the twelve tribes collectively. They are so called in (Exodus 3:16) and afterward. It is used in a narrower sense, excluding Judah, in (1 Samuel 11:8; 2 Samuel 20:1; 1 Kings 12:16) Thenceforth it was assumed and accepted as the name of the northern kingdom. After the Babylonian captivity, the returned exiles resumed the name Israel as the designation of…
Who prevails with God, a name given to Jacob, after having wrestled with the Angel-Jehovah at Penuel. Ge 32:1,2,28,30 Ho 12:3. See JACOB. By the name Israel is sometimes understood all the posterity of Israel, the seed of Jacob, 1Co 10:18; sometimes all true believers, his spiritual seed, Ro 9:6; and sometimes the kingdom of Israel, or the ten tribes, as distinct from the kingdom of Judah.
The Hebrew word פְּלִשְׁתִּי (*pelishtiy*) means 'Philistine' and refers to an inhabitant of Philistia, with roots indicating they are descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor. It is derived from the lemma for Philistia, פְּלֶ֫שֶׁת (*peleshet*), and is first mentioned in Genesis 10:14.
פְּלִשְׁתִּי 288 adj.gent. Philistine
base
H6430 פְּלִשְׁתִּי Philistine
6430 Plishtiy pel-ish-tee'
patrial from 6429; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of
Pelesheth:--Philistine.
see HEBREW for 06429
פְּלִשְׁתִּי (pe.lish.ti) — Philistine.
Philistine = "immigrants"
an inhabitant of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan
Another spelling of pe.le.shet (פְּלֶ֫שֶׁת "Philistia" H6429)
פְּלִשְׁתִּי (pe.lish.ti) — Philistine.
A Philistine living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.10.14;
son of: Casluhim (H3695)
§ Philistine = "immigrants"
an inhabitant of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan
פְּלִשְׁתִּי (pe.lish.ti) — (Sea of the) Philistines.
Philistine = "immigrants"
an inhabitant of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan
Another name of ga.dol (גָּדוֹל "Great( Sea)" H1419J)
Conj | Ngmpa — Conjunction · noun gentilic masculine plural absoluteHC/Ngmpa
fi-lis'-tinz, fil'-is-tinz, fil'-is-tinz (pelishtim; Phulistieim, allophuloi):
I. OLD TESTAMENT NOTICES
1. Race and Origin
2. Religion
3. Individual Philistines Mentioned
4. Title of Ruler and Circumcision
5. History in the Old Testament to Death of Saul
6. History Continued to Time of Ahaz
7. Later Notices
II. MONUMENTAL NOTICES
1. Palestinian Excavations
2. Egyptian Monuments
3. Assyrian Texts
III. THE CRETAN THEORY
1. Cherethim and Kretes
2. Caphtor and Keft
IV. DAVID'S GUARDS
1. The "Cherethi" and the "Pelethi" Not Mercenaries
2. Meaning of These Terms
3. Native Hebrews
4. Review
LITERATURE
I. Old Testament Notices.
1. Race and Origin:
The Philistines were an uncircumcised people inhabiting the shore plain between Gezer and Gaza in Southwestern Palestine (see PHILISTIA). The name Palestine itself (Hebrew pelesheth) refers to their country. The word means "migrants," and they came from another country. They…
Philistines
(Gen. 10:14, R.V.; but in A.V., “Philistim”), a tribe allied to the Phoenicians. They were a branch of the primitive race which spread over the whole district of the Lebanon and the valley of the Jordan, and Crete and other Mediterranean islands. Some suppose them to have been a branch of the Rephaim (2 Sam. 21:16-22). In the time of Abraham they inhabited the south-west of Judea, Abimelech of Gerar being their king (Gen. 21:32, 34; 26:1). They are, however, not noticed among the Canaanitish tribes mentioned in the Pentateuch. They are spoken of by Amos (9:7) and Jeremiah (47:4) as from Caphtor, i.e., probably Crete, or, as some think, the Delta of Egypt. In the whole record from Exodus to Samuel they are…
(immigrants), The origin of the Philistines is nowhere expressly stated in the Bible; but as the prophets describe them as "the Philistines-from Caphtor," (Amos 9:7) and "the remnant of the maritime district of Caphtor" (Jeremiah 47:4) it is prima facie probable that they were the Caphtorim which came out of Caphtor" who expelled the Avim from their territory and occupied it; in their place, (2:23) and that these again were the Caphtorim mentioned in the Mosaic genealogical table among the descendants of Mizraim. (Genesis 10:14) It has been generally assumed that Caphtor represents Crete, and that the Philistines migrated from that island, either directly or through Egypt, into Palestine. But the name Caphtor is more probably…
A celebrated people, who inhabited the southern seacoast of Canaan, which from them took the name of Philistia, Ps 60:8 108:9, or Palestine. They seem originally to have migrated form Egypt to Caphtor, by which some understand Crete, and others with the ancients Cappadocia, Ge 10:14, and thence to have passed over to Palestine under the name of Caphtorim, where they drove out the Avim, who dwelt from Hazerim to Azzah, that is, Gaza, and swelt in their stead, De 2:23. The country they inhabited lay between the higher land of Judea and the Mediterranean, and was in the main a level and fertile territory. It resembles our own western prairies; and bears splendid crops year after year, though miserably cultivated and never manured.
מַעֲרָכָה (ma`arakah) is a feminine noun meaning an arrangement or a pile, specifically referring to a military array, such as a battle-line or ranks. It encompasses concepts of order and organization, particularly in a military context. The word is derived from מַעֲרָך (ma`arak), which also relates to army.
מַעֲרָכָה n.f. row, rank, battle-line;—
מ׳ battle-line
pl. ranks = army
lamps of the rows, i.e arranged in a row.
base
H4634 מַעֲרָכָה
4634 ma`arakah mah-ar-aw-kaw'
feminine of 4633; an arrangement; concretely, a pile;
specifically a military array:--army, fight, be set in order,
ordered place, rank, row.
see HEBREW for 04633
מַעֲרָכָה (ma.a.ra.khah) — rank.
1) row, rank, battle-line
1a) battle-line
1b) rank
1c) row
Also means: ma.a.rah (מַעֲרָה "army" H4630)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
lin (qaw, chebhel): Usually of a measuring line, as Jer 31:39; Eze 47:3; Zec 1:16 (qaw); Ps 78:55; Am 7:17; Zec 2:1 (chebhel). Other Hebrew words mean simply a cord or thread (Jos 2:18,21; 1Ki 7:15; Eze 40:3). In Ps 19:4 (qaw, "Their line is gone out through all the earth"), the reference is probably still to measurement (the heaven as spanning and…
The Hebrew word קָרָא (*qara'*) is a primitive root meaning to encounter or meet, often unexpectedly. It encompasses various nuances, including to befall or happen by chance. The verb appears in different forms: Qal (to meet), Niphal (to meet unexpectedly), and Hiphil (to cause to meet). Brown-Driver-Briggs notes its use in a figurative sense as well.
[קָרָא] 137 vb. encounter, befall
Qal 131
meet, encounter
fig. befall
Niph. meet unexpectedly
Hiph. thou didst cause all this evil to befall them
base
H7122 קָרָא encounter, befall
7122 qara' kaw-raw'
a primitive root: to encounter, whether accidentally or in a
hostile manner:--befall, (by) chance, (cause to) come (upon),
fall out, happen, meet.
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to encounter: meet.
: meet
1) to encounter, befall, meet
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to meet, encounter
1a2) to befall (fig)
1b) (Niphal) to meet, meet unexpectedly
1c) (Hiphil) to cause to meet
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to encounter: toward.
: toward/(come)against
1) to encounter, befall, meet
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to meet, encounter
1a2) to befall (fig)
1b) (Niphal) to meet, meet unexpectedly
1c) (Hiphil) to cause to meet
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to encounter: chanced.
: happen[unexpectedly]
1) to encounter, befall, meet
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to meet, encounter
1a2) to befall (fig)
1b) (Niphal) to meet, meet unexpectedly
1c) (Hiphil) to cause to meet
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
met, adjective (yashar; axios): Various words are employed to express meetness, the sense of what is proper, worthy, or fit. We have yashar, "straight," "upright," "right" (2Ki 10:3, "meetest"; Jer 26:14, the Revised Version (British and American) "right"); yashar (Jer 27:5, the Revised Version (British and American) "right"); yosher (Pr 11:24, the Revised Version margin "what is justly due"); 'arikh, Aramaic "meet" (Ezr 4:14); bene, "sons of" (De 3:18, the King James Version "meet for the war," margin "Hebrew sons of power," the Revised Version (British and…
מַעֲרָכָה (ma`arakah) is a feminine noun meaning an arrangement or a pile, specifically referring to a military array, such as a battle-line or ranks. It encompasses concepts of order and organization, particularly in a military context. The word is derived from מַעֲרָך (ma`arak), which also relates to army.
מַעֲרָכָה n.f. row, rank, battle-line;—
מ׳ battle-line
pl. ranks = army
lamps of the rows, i.e arranged in a row.
base
H4634 מַעֲרָכָה
4634 ma`arakah mah-ar-aw-kaw'
feminine of 4633; an arrangement; concretely, a pile;
specifically a military array:--army, fight, be set in order,
ordered place, rank, row.
see HEBREW for 04633
מַעֲרָכָה (ma.a.ra.khah) — rank.
1) row, rank, battle-line
1a) battle-line
1b) rank
1c) row
Also means: ma.a.rah (מַעֲרָה "army" H4630)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
lin (qaw, chebhel): Usually of a measuring line, as Jer 31:39; Eze 47:3; Zec 1:16 (qaw); Ps 78:55; Am 7:17; Zec 2:1 (chebhel). Other Hebrew words mean simply a cord or thread (Jos 2:18,21; 1Ki 7:15; Eze 40:3). In Ps 19:4 (qaw, "Their line is gone out through all the earth"), the reference is probably still to measurement (the heaven as spanning and…