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1 Samuel 28:4 — Word Study

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WLCוַיִּקָּבְצ֣וּ פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ וַיַּחֲנ֣וּ בְשׁוּנֵ֑ם וַיִּקְבֹּ֤ץ שָׁאוּל֙ אֶת־ כָּל־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בַּגִּלְבֹּֽעַ׃

BSAThe PhilistinesPᵉlishtîy [a non-Israelite people, immigrants from other places] gathered togetherqâbats [assembled, gathered themselves] and campedchânâh [pitched their tents, encamped] at ShunemShûwnêm [a city in the region of Issachar, meaning double resting place] while SaulShâʼûwl [Shaul, meaning desired] gatheredqâbats [assembled, collected] allkôl [every single one, the entire nation] IsraelYisrâʼêl [the descendants of Jacob, God's chosen people] and campedchânâh [pitched their tents, set up their positions] at GilboaGilbôaʻ [a mountain in Palestine, meaning swollen heap]

Word
Listen & take away1 Samuel 28
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 4 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 (ba.gil.Bo.a') — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
1 Samuel 28:4quick helps
In a sentenceThe Philistines gathered and camped at Shunem, while Saul assembled all Israel and camped at Gilboa.
Who is speakingThe narrative describes the actions of the Philistines and Saul.
Where we areIn the midst of a military confrontation between the Philistines and Israel.
The hard wordוַיִּקָּבְצ֣וּ
Take awayBoth armies are mobilized, setting the stage for conflict.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectפְּלִשְׁתִּי verbקָבַץ The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

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 28:4

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 Gathering of the Philistines and Israelgenerated

3Now by this time Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land.
4The Philistines came together and camped at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and camped at Gilboa.
5When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid and trembled violently.
6He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.

1 Samuel 28:4 describes a pivotal moment where the Philistines come together to confront Israel, led by Saul. This scene unfolds against the backdrop of Israel's military struggles and the looming threat of conflict, emphasizing the tension between the two groups. The context highlights the dire situation Saul faces as he prepares for battle, reflecting the historical enmity between the Israelites and the Philistines.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Joshua 19:18Their territory included Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem,
22 Kings 4:8One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat.
31 Samuel 31:1Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa.
42 Samuel 1:6–21“I happened to be on Mount Gilboa,” he replied, “and there was Saul, leaning on his spear, with the chariots and the cavalry closing in on him.
52 Samuel 21:12he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the public square of Beth-shan where the Philistines had hung the bodies after they had struck down Saul at Gilboa.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word וַיִּקָּבְצ֣וּ, vai.yi.ka.ve.Tzugenerated

The verb קָבַץ (qabats) means to gather or collect. It is a Niphal form, indicating a passive or reflexive action where the subjects are gathering themselves. This reflects the communal nature of the Philistines coming together as a unified force, which is significant in the context of warfare.

This gathering is not merely physical; it symbolizes their collective intent to confront Israel. The use of this verb in a military context underscores the seriousness of their assembly, as they prepare for an impending battle.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In this study, the verse is read in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses came together for וַיִּקָּבְצ֣וּ and camped for וַיַּחֲנ֣וּ.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The sentence is structured around multiple clauses, with two main actions: וַיִּקָּבְצ֣וּ (they gathered) and וַיַּחֲנ֣וּ (they encamped). Each verb governs its respective subject, creating a parallel action between the Philistines and Saul.

The word order emphasizes the actions of the Philistines first, setting the scene for Saul's response, which follows in a similar structure.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates וַיִּקָּבְצ֣וּ as συναθροίζονται, which means 'they are gathered together.' This choice reflects a similar sense of assembling but may carry a slightly different connotation in the Greek context, focusing on the collective action of gathering.

The term used in the Septuagint shows continuity in the idea of gathering but does not directly match the Hebrew nuance of self-assembly.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

1 Samuel 28:4 describes how the Philistines came together and camped at Shunem, while Saul gathered all of Israel and camped at Gilboa. This sets the stage for the conflict that follows, highlighting the military preparations of both sides.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the Philistines gathered?

It signifies their collective effort to confront Israel, indicating a serious military mobilization.

Why is Saul gathering all of Israel?

Saul is preparing for battle against the Philistines, seeking to unify the Israelite forces.

What is the significance of the locations mentioned?

Shunem and Gilboa are key geographical points in this narrative, marking the positions of both armies.

How does this verse connect to the larger story of Saul?

This moment reflects Saul's leadership challenges and the escalating conflict with the Philistines, pivotal in the narrative of his reign.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does the gathering of the Philistines tell us about their intentions?
  2. How can we understand Saul's actions in this context?
  3. What role do geographical locations play in military narratives?
  4. In what ways does this scene reflect the broader themes of conflict in the Old Testament?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Bede comments on this verse, interpreting the Philistines as representing the faithful from the Gentiles in their gathering.

BedeCommentary on Samuel c. 673–735
And the Philistines gathered together, etc. The Philistines in this place, inasmuch as they seek the aid of David and his men, represent the faithful from the Gentiles;
Early Church Fathers on 1 Samuel 28 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 1 Samuel 28:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And the Philistines gathered themselves together,.... From different parts, and formed a considerable army: and came and pitched in Shunem; a city, in the borders of the tribe of Issachar, of which

Read John Gill on 1 Samuel 28 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa. The Philistines ... pitched in Shunem.

Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Samuel 28 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Shunem; a town in the tribe of Issachar, . Gilboa; a mountain not far from the valley of Jezreel, where the battle was fought, . So the two armies seem to be placed in the same manner as they were 1Sa 17, each upon a hill, and a valley between them.

Read Matthew Poole on 1 Samuel 28 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

1 Samuel 28:4 And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.Ver. 4. And pitched in Shunem.] A city in the tribe of Issachar, ennobled afterwards by the good Shunamite with whom Elisha hosted. Pitched in Gilboa.] Baleful and baneful to Saul and his sons: and therefore cursed by David.

Read John Trapp on 1 Samuel 28 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(4) And pitched in Shunem.—As has been already described in the Note on 1 Samuel 27:1, the Philistine army had penetrated into the heart of Palestine, and, marching across the Valley of Jezreel, took up a strong position on the south-western slope of “Little Hermon,” near to the village, or town, of Shunem, a little to the north of Jezreel. Shunem is known in Biblical history as the home of Abishag (1 Kings 1:3), and the dwelling-place of the woman who entertained Elisha, and whose dead son he raised to life (2 Kings 4). It has been identified by modern travellers. Conder speaks of it as being at present only a mud hamlet, with cactus hedges and a spring; but the view, he says, extends as…

Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Samuel 28 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

4. the Philistines gathered themselves together] This was no border foray, but a gathering of the whole force of the confederacy, as is clear from 1 Samuel 28:1 and 1 Samuel 29:1-4, for a decisive struggle with Israel. They marched northwards along the coast to the plain of Esdraelon, the great battle-field of Palestine, where their chariots and horsemen could move freely. in Shunem] Now Sôlam, on the S.W. slope of the range called Little Hermon (Neby Dûhy), opposite Jezreel and Mount Gilboa, having the deep broad valley of Jezreel between, and overlooking the whole western plain to Carmel. Shunem is elsewhere mentioned as the abode of Abishag (1 Kings 1:3), and the home of the woman who…

Read Cambridge on 1 Samuel 28 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Gilboa - Now called Jebel Fukuak. But the ancient name is preserved in the village of Jelbon, situated on the south side of the mountain. It was separated from Shunem (see the marginal reference) by the deep valley of Jezreel.

Read Albert Barnes on 1 Samuel 28 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

4. Shunem — The modern Solam, on the southwestern declivity of Jebel Duhy, (Little Hermon,) and on the eastern border of the great Plain of Esdraelon. Joshua 19:18.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on 1 Samuel 28 →

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

The Philistines came together and camped at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and camped at Gilboa.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

The Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and encamped in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped in Gilboa.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

The Philistines gathered together and camped at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and camped at Gilboa.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The Philistines assembled; they came and camped at Shunem. Saul mustered all Israel and camped at Gilboa.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and encamped in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped in Gilboa.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And the Philistines assembled, and came and encamped in Shunem: and Saul collected all Israel, and they encamped in Gilboa.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Then the Philistims assembled themselues, and came, and pitched in Shunem: and Saul assembled all Israel, and they pitched in Gilboa.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and encamped in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped in Gilboa.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And the Philistines are gathered, and come in, and encamp in Shunem, and Saul gathereth all Israel, and they encamp in Gilboa,

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And the Philistines are gathered, and come in, and encamp in Shunem, and Saul gathers all Israel, and they encamp in Gilboa,

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And the Philistines assembled themselves together, and came and encamped at Shunem: and Saul assembled together all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa'.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Then the Philistines gathered themselves together and came and camped at Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they camped at Gilboa.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And the Philistines were gathered together, and came and camped in Sunam: and Saul also gathered together all Israel, and came to Gelboe.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

The Philistine armies gathered and set up camp at Shunem. Saul called up all the Israelite army and set up camp at Gilboa.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And the Philistines came together and put their forces in position in Shunem; and Saul got all Israel together and they took up their positions in Gilboa.

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.

וַandclauseverbיִּקָּבְצ֣וּthey.gathered.togethersubjectפְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים[the].Philistinesוַandclauseverbיָּבֹ֖אוּthey.cameוַandclauseverbיַּחֲנ֣וּthey.encampedprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְatשׁוּנֵ֑םShunemוַandclauseverbיִּקְבֹּ֤ץhe.gatheredsubjectשָׁאוּל֙Saulnoun phrase · objectאֶת(et)noun phraseכָּלallיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelוַֽandclauseverbיַּחֲנ֖וּthey.encampedprepositional phrase · prepositionalבַּatnoun phrase(the)גִּלְבֹּֽעַGilboa

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 align closely in this verse, with 11 of the 12 words matched. This indicates a strong agreement in the core narrative between these ancient texts, preserving the essential details of the gathering and camping of both armies.

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

וַיִּקָּבְצ֣וּ פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ וַיַּחֲנ֣וּ בְשׁוּנֵ֑ם וַיִּקְבֹּ֤ץ שָׁאוּל֙ אֶת־ כָּל־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בַּגִּלְבֹּֽעַ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיִּקָּבְצ֣וּσυναθροίζονταιפְלִשְׁתִּ֔יםἀλλόφυλοιוַיָּבֹ֖אוּἔρξονταιוַיַּחֲנ֣וּπαρεμβάλλουσινבְשׁוּנֵ֑םσωμανוַיִּקְבֹּ֤ץσυναθροίζειשָׁאוּל֙σαουλכָּל־πάνταיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לισραηλוַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּπαρεμβάλλουσινבַּגִּלְבֹּֽעַ׃γελβουε

11 of the 12 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.

1 Samuel 28:4קָבַץand they gaand they gatherקָבַץפְּלִשְׁתִּי[the] Phili[the] Philistinפְּלִשְׁתִּיבּוֹאand they caand they cameבּוֹאחָנָהand they enand they encampחָנָהשׁוּנֵםat Shunemat Shunemשׁוּנֵםקָבַץand he gathand he gatheredקָבַץשָׁאוּלSaulSaulשָׁאוּלאֵתthe object the object markאֵתכֹּלallallכֹּליִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelIsraelיִשְׂרָאֵלחָנָהand they enand they encampחָנָהגִּלְבֹּעַat Gilboaat Gilboaגִּלְבֹּעַפְּלֶ֫שֶׁתPhilistiaPhilistiaפְּלֶ֫שֶׁתחָנַןbe gracioube graciousחָנַןאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתכָּלַלto perfectto perfectכָּלַלשָׂרָהto striveto striveשָׂרָהגַּלheapheapגַּלשׁוּנִיShuniShuniשׁוּנִישָׁאַלto askto askשָׁאַלנָדַחto banishto banishנָדַחשְׁאֵרִיתremnantremnantשְׁאֵרִיתנָסַעto set outto set outנָסַעמִשְׁכָּןtabernacletabernacleמִשְׁכָּןסֶ֫רֶןlordlordסֶ֫רֶןנָכָהto smiteto smiteנָכָהשֶׁ֫מֶשׁsunsunשֶׁ֫מֶשׁאִישׁ־בֹ֫שֶׁתIsh-boshetIsh-boshethאִישׁ־בֹ֫שֶׁתיְהוֹנָתָןJonathanJonathanיְהוֹנָתָןמִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁ
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 1 Samuel 28:4

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.

and they gathered together [the] Philistines and they came and they encamped at Shunem and he gathered Saul the object marker all Israel and they encamped at Gilboa
וַיִּקָּבְצ֣וּvai.yi.ka.ve.Tzu and they gathered together H6908 Verb · Niphal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
127× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To gather or collect people or things, like when the Israelites assembled in the book of Numbers. It's about bringing things or people together in one place.
Amplified meaning
assembled, gathered themselves
Tyndale gloss
to gather
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קָבַץ (qabats) is a Hebrew verb meaning to gather or collect. It encompasses various forms, including assembling, being gathered, and taking away. The entries indicate its use in different stems, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, Pual, and Hithpael, which reflect nuances in meaning and action.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָבַץ 127 vb. gather, collect

Qal gather, collect

Niph.

intrans. assemble, gather

pass. be gathered

Pi. 51 gather together

Pu. of land

Hithp. gather together (intrans.), be gathered together

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6908 קָבַץ gather, collect

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6908 qabats kaw-bats'

a primitive root; to grasp, i.e. collect:--assemble

(selves), gather (bring) (together, selves together, up),

heap, resort, X surely, take up.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָבַץ (qa.vats) — to gather.

1) to gather, assemble

1a) (Qal) to gather, collect, assemble

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to assemble, gather

1b2) to be gathered

1c) (Piel) to gather, gather together, take away

1d) (Pual) to be gathered together

1e) (Hithpael) to gather together, be gathered together

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Niphal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
Hc/VNw3mp
and they gathered together [the] Philistines and they came and they encamped at Shunem and he gathered Saul the object marker all Israel and they encamped at Gilboa
פְלִשְׁתִּ֔יםfe.lish.Tim [the] Philistines H6430 Noun gentilic · masculine plural absolute
288× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
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.
Amplified meaning
a non-Israelite people, immigrants from other places
Tyndale gloss
(Sea of the) Philistines
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פְּלִשְׁתִּי 288 adj.gent. Philistine

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6430 פְּלִשְׁתִּי Philistine

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6430 Plishtiy pel-ish-tee'

patrial from 6429; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of

Pelesheth:--Philistine.

see HEBREW for 06429

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Ngmpa — Noun gentilic · masculine plural absolute
HNgmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

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…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(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…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

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.

and they gathered together [the] Philistines and they came and they encamped at Shunem and he gathered Saul the object marker all Israel and they encamped at Gilboa
וַיָּבֹ֖אוּvai.ya.Vo.'u and they came H935 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
2,573× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Tyndale gloss
Lebo
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בּוֹא (bo) is a Hebrew verb meaning to come or go in, with a wide range of applications including entering, arriving, and bringing in. It can refer to both physical movement and abstract concepts like events coming to pass. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal (to come), Hiphil (to cause to come), and Hophal (to be brought). There is no significant disagreement among lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בּוֹא 2569 vb. come in, come, go in, go

Qal

come in

come (approach, arrive)

go, i.e. walk, associate with

go from speaker, but with limit of motion given

Hiph.

cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)

cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)

Hoph.

be brought in (of pers. and things)

be brought

be introduced, put

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H935 בּוֹא come in, come, go in, go .. come in

. come (approach, arrive)

. go, i.e. walk, associate with

. go from speaker, but with limit of motion given

. . cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)

. cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)

. . be brought in (of pers. and things)

. be brought

. be introduced, put

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

935 bow' bo

a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of

applications):--abide, apply, attain, X be, befall, +

besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, X

certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out,

upon, to pass), depart, X doubtless again, + eat, + employ,

(cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be

fallen, fetch, + follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war),

grant, + have, X indeed, (in-)vade, lead, lift (up), mention,

pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, X (well) stricken

(in age), X surely, take (in), way.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): come.

: come/go_in

1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to enter, come in

1a2) to come

1a2a) to come with

1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)

1a2c) to come to pass

1a3) to attain to

1a4) to be enumerated

1a5) to go

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to lead in

1b2) to carry in

1b3) to bring in, cause to come in, gather, cause to come, bring near, bring against, bring upon

1b4) to bring to pass

1c) (Hophal)

1c1) to be brought, brought in

1c2) to be introduced, be put

לְב֥וֹא (bo) — Lebo-(Hamath).

This name means to go in, enter

Combined with cha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574)

בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): towards.

: towards/entrance

1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to enter, come in

1a2) to come

1a2a) to come with

1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)

1a2c) to come to pass

1a3) to attain to

1a4) to be enumerated

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Hc/Vqw3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
Hc/Vqw3mp
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they gathered together [the] Philistines and they came and they encamped at Shunem and he gathered Saul the object marker all Israel and they encamped at Gilboa
וַיַּחֲנ֣וּvai.ya.cha.Nu and they encamped H2583 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
143× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew verb means to set up camp or pitch a tent, like when the Israelites encamped in the wilderness. It can also mean to lay siege against a city.
Amplified meaning
pitched their tents, encamped
Tyndale gloss
to camp
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָנָה (chanah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to decline, bend down, or encamp. It conveys the idea of inclining or settling, particularly in the context of pitching a tent or establishing a temporary dwelling. The word appears in various forms, including the act of encamping or laying siege. It is associated with the imagery of the evening's slanting rays and the conclusion of a day's journey.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָנָה 143 vb. decline, bend down, encamp

Qal

decline, of day drawing to its close

encamp (prop. verge toward, incline to, settle at, of goal of day’s march)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2583 חָנָה decline, bend down, encamp

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2583 chanah khaw-naw'

a primitive root (compare 2603); properly, to incline; by

implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening);

specifically, to pitch a tent; gen. to encamp (for abode or

siege):--abide (in tents), camp, dwell, encamp, grow to an

end, lie, pitch (tent), rest in tent.

see HEBREW for 02603

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָנָה (cha.nah) — to camp.

1) to decline, incline, encamp, bend down, lay siege against

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to decline

1a2) to encamp

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
Hc/Vqw3mp
and they gathered together [the] Philistines and they came and they encamped at Shunem and he gathered Saul the object marker all Israel and they encamped at Gilboa
בְשׁוּנֵ֑םve.shu.Nem at Shunem H7766 Preposition · noun proper
3× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Shunem was a city in the region of Issachar, located near Mount Tabor, and its name means double resting place. It was an important location in the biblical account.
Amplified meaning
a city in the region of Issachar, meaning double resting place
Tyndale gloss
Shunem
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שׁוּנֵם (Shuwnem) refers to a location in the Old Testament, specifically a city in the territory of Issachar, described as a 'double resting place.' The entries suggest it is derived from a root meaning 'quietly.' It is noted as being situated about 5 miles south of Mount Tabor.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שׁוּנֵם n.pr.loc. in Issachar

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7766 שׁוּנֵם

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7766 Shuwnem shoo-name'

probably from the same as 7764; quietly; Shunem, a place in

Pal:--Shunem.

see HEBREW for 07764

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שׁוּנֵם (shu.nem) — Shunem.

§ Shunem = "double resting place"

a city in Issachar, located 5 miles (8 km) south of Mount Tabor

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper
HR/Npl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

shoo'-nem (shunem; Codex Vaticanus Sounan; Codex Alexandrinus Sounam): A town in the territory of Issachar named with Jezreel and Chesulloth (Jos 19:18). Before the battle of Gilboa the Philistines pitched their camp here. They and the army of Saul, stationed on Gilboa, were in full view of each other (1Sa 28:4). It was the scene of the touching story recorded in 2Ki 4:8-37, in which the prophet Elisha raises to life the son of his Shunammite benefactress. Eusebius (Onomasticon) describes it as a village called Sulem, 5 Roman miles South of Mt. Tabor. This points to the modern Solam, a village surrounded by cactus hedges and orchards on the lower southwestern slope of Jebel ed-Duchy ("Hill of Moreh"). It commands an…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Shunem

Two resting-places, a little village in the tribe of Issachar, to the north of Jezreel and south of Mount Gilboa (Josh. 19:18), where the Philistines encamped when they came against Saul (1 Sam. 28:4), and where Elisha was hospitably entertained by a rich woman of the place. On the sudden death of this woman’s son she hastened to Carmel, 20 miles distant across the plain, to tell Elisha, and to bring him with her to Shunem. There, in the “prophet’s chamber,” the dead child lay; and Elisha entering it, shut the door and prayed earnestly: and the boy was restored to life (2 Kings 4:8-37). This woman afterwards retired during the famine to the low land of the Philistines; and on returning a few years afterwards, found her…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(double resting-place), one of the cities allotted to the tribe of Issachar. (Joshua 13:18) It is mentioned on two occasions -- (1 Samuel 23:4; 2 Kings 4:8) It was besides the native place of Abishag. (1 Kings 1:3) It is mentioned by Eusebius as five miles south of Mount Tabor, and then known us Sulem. This agrees with the position of the present Solam , a village three miles north of Jezreel and five from Gilboa.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A city of Issachar, Jos 19:18. The Philistines encamped at Shunem, in the great field or Plain of Esdraelon, 1Sa 28:4; and Saul encamped at Gilboa. Abishag, king of David’s nurse, was of Shunem, 1Ki 1:3; so also was the woman whose son Elisha restored to life, 2Ki 4:8-37. Eusebius and Jerome place it five miles south of Tabor; and it is now recognized in a poor village called Solam, on a declivity at the northwest corner of a smaller valley of Jezreel.

and they gathered together [the] Philistines and they came and they encamped at Shunem and he gathered Saul the object marker all Israel and they encamped at Gilboa
וַיִּקְבֹּ֤ץvai.yik.Botz and he gathered H6908 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
127× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To gather or collect people or things, like when the Israelites assembled in the book of Numbers. It's about bringing things or people together in one place.
Amplified meaning
assembled, collected
Tyndale gloss
to gather
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קָבַץ (qabats) is a Hebrew verb meaning to gather or collect. It encompasses various forms, including assembling, being gathered, and taking away. The entries indicate its use in different stems, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, Pual, and Hithpael, which reflect nuances in meaning and action.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָבַץ 127 vb. gather, collect

Qal gather, collect

Niph.

intrans. assemble, gather

pass. be gathered

Pi. 51 gather together

Pu. of land

Hithp. gather together (intrans.), be gathered together

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6908 קָבַץ gather, collect

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6908 qabats kaw-bats'

a primitive root; to grasp, i.e. collect:--assemble

(selves), gather (bring) (together, selves together, up),

heap, resort, X surely, take up.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָבַץ (qa.vats) — to gather.

1) to gather, assemble

1a) (Qal) to gather, collect, assemble

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to assemble, gather

1b2) to be gathered

1c) (Piel) to gather, gather together, take away

1d) (Pual) to be gathered together

1e) (Hithpael) to gather together, be gathered together

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
and they gathered together [the] Philistines and they came and they encamped at Shunem and he gathered Saul the object marker all Israel and they encamped at Gilboa
שָׁאוּל֙sha.'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, meaning 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…

and they gathered together [the] Philistines and they came and they encamped at Shunem and he gathered Saul the object marker all Israel and they encamped at Gilboa
אֶת־'et- the object marker H853 Particle
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

853 'eth ayth

apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of

entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more

definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or

namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).

see HEBREW for 0226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — [Obj.].

sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative

Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTo — Particle
HTo
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they gathered together [the] Philistines and they came and they encamped at Shunem and he gathered Saul the object marker all Israel and they encamped at Gilboa
כָּל־kol- all H3605 Noun common · masculine singular construct
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Amplified meaning
every single one, the entire nation
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all

. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;

hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a

plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any

(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as

many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.

(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.

(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).

(3) All one, "It is all one" (Job 9:22), "it makes no difference whether I live or die."

(4) At all, "If thy father miss me at all" (1Sa 20:6), "in any way," "in the least."

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they gathered together [the] Philistines and they came and they encamped at Shunem and he gathered Saul the object marker all Israel and they encamped at Gilboa
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לYis.ra.'El Israel H3478 Noun proper
2,508× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
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.
Amplified meaning
the descendants of Jacob, God's chosen people
Tyndale gloss
Israel
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

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.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

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

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3478 יִשְׂרָאֵל Israel (Ēl persisteth, persevereth) . n. pr. m. second name of Jacob

. n. pr. gent. name of Hebrew nation

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

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

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

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

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

iz'-ra-el.

See JACOB.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

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;

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(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…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

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 company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and they gathered together [the] Philistines and they came and they encamped at Shunem and he gathered Saul the object marker all Israel and they encamped at Gilboa
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּvai.ya.cha.Nu and they encamped H2583 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
143× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew verb means to set up camp or pitch a tent, like when the Israelites encamped in the wilderness. It can also mean to lay siege against a city.
Amplified meaning
pitched their tents, set up their positions
Tyndale gloss
to camp
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָנָה (chanah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to decline, bend down, or encamp. It conveys the idea of inclining or settling, particularly in the context of pitching a tent or establishing a temporary dwelling. The word appears in various forms, including the act of encamping or laying siege. It is associated with the imagery of the evening's slanting rays and the conclusion of a day's journey.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָנָה 143 vb. decline, bend down, encamp

Qal

decline, of day drawing to its close

encamp (prop. verge toward, incline to, settle at, of goal of day’s march)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2583 חָנָה decline, bend down, encamp

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2583 chanah khaw-naw'

a primitive root (compare 2603); properly, to incline; by

implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening);

specifically, to pitch a tent; gen. to encamp (for abode or

siege):--abide (in tents), camp, dwell, encamp, grow to an

end, lie, pitch (tent), rest in tent.

see HEBREW for 02603

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָנָה (cha.nah) — to camp.

1) to decline, incline, encamp, bend down, lay siege against

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to decline

1a2) to encamp

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine plural
Hc/Vqw3mp
and they gathered together [the] Philistines and they came and they encamped at Shunem and he gathered Saul the object marker all Israel and they encamped at Gilboa
בַּגִּלְבֹּֽעַ׃ba.gil.Bo.a' at Gilboa H1533 Preposition · noun proper
8× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Mount Gilboa is a mountain in Palestine where Saul and Jonathan died. The name means swollen heap, and it is located near the plain of Jezreel. This mountain is significant in the Bible as the site of a major battle.
Amplified meaning
a mountain in Palestine, meaning swollen heap
Tyndale gloss
(Mount) Gilboa
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גִּלְבֹּעַ (Gilboa) refers to a mountain ridge located at the southeastern end of the plain of Jezreel, known as the site of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. The name is interpreted as "swollen heap" and is derived from roots meaning "fountain of ebullition." The lexicons consistently identify it as a geographical location without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גִּלְבֹּעַ n.pr.loc. Gilboa‛ (derivation unknown), mountain-ridge at S.E. end of plain of Jezreel, where Saul & Jonathan were killed

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1533 גִּלְבֹּעַ

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1533 Gilboa` ghil-bo'-ah

from 1530 and 1158; fountain of ebullition; Gilboa, a

mountain of Palestine:--Gilboa.

see HEBREW for 01530

see HEBREW for 01158

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גִּלְבֹּעַ (gil.bo.a) — Gilboa.

§ Gilboa = "swollen heap"

a mountain-ridge at the southeastern end of the plain of Jezreel, site of the death of Saul and Jonathan

גִּלְבֹּעַ (gil.bo.a) — (Mount) Gilboa.

Gilboa = "swollen heap"

a mountain-ridge at the southeastern end of the plain of Jezreel, site of the death of Saul and Jonathan

Also named: gil.ad (גִּלְעָד "(Mount )Gilead" H1568K)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper
HRd/Npl
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Gilboa

Boiling spring, a mountain range, now Jebel Fukua’, memorable as the scene of Saul’s disastrous defeat by the Philistines. Here also his three sons were slain, and he himself died by his own hand (1 Sam. 28:4; 31:1-8; 2 Sam. 1:6-21; 21:12; 1 Chr. 10:1, 8). It was a low barren range of mountains bounding the valley of Esdraelon (Jezreel) on the east, between it and the Jordan valley. When the tidings of this defeat were conveyed to David, he gave utterance to those pathetic words in the “Song of the Bow” (2 Sam. 1:19-27).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(a bubbling spring) a mountain range on the eastern side of the plain of Esdraelon, rising over the city of Jezreel. Comp. (1 Samuel 28:4) with 1Sam 29:1 It is mentioned in Scripture only in connection with one event in Israelitish history, the defeat and death of Saul and Jonathan by the Philistines. (1 Samuel 31:11; 2 Samuel 1:6; 21:12; 1 Chronicles 10:1,8) Of the identity of Gilboa with the ridge which stretches eastward from the ruins of Jezreel no doubt can be entertained. The village is now called Jelbou .

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A mountainous ridge southeast of the Plain of Esdraelon, having on each side a valley connecting the great plain with the Jordan valley. The valley northeast of Gilboa is the proper Jezreel; that on the southwest side separates Gilboa from the hills of Samaria. On the eastern part of Gilboa was the town from which it was named, now Jelbon. In this vicinity Saul, and Jonathan were defeated by the Philistines, and died, 1Sa 28:4,25. It is now a dry and barren mountain, 2Sa 1:6,21. Endor lay north from Gilboa, and Beth- shean northeast.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

revolution of inquiry

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
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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