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2 Samuel 1:20 — Word Study

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WLCאַל־ תַּגִּ֣ידוּ בְגַ֔ת אַֽל־ תְּבַשְּׂר֖וּ בְּחוּצֹ֣ת אַשְׁקְל֑וֹן פֶּן־ תִּשְׂמַ֙חְנָה֙ בְּנ֣וֹת פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים פֶּֽן־ תַּעֲלֹ֖זְנָה בְּנ֥וֹת הָעֲרֵלִֽים׃

BSATell [it]nâgad notʼal [do not announce] in GathGath [a major city of the Philistines] proclaim [it]bâsar notʼal [publish it not, do not declare openly] in the streetschûwts [outside, in the public areas] of AshkelonʼAshqᵉlôwn [a key Philistine city] lestpên [beware that, be cautious] the daughtersbath [female children, women] of the PhilistinesPᵉlishtîy [inhabitants of Philistia] rejoicesâmach [be glad, celebrate] and the daughtersbath [women, female descendants] of the uncircumcisedʻârêl [those without a covenant sign, heathen] exultʻâlaz [triumph, jump for joy]

Word
Listen & take away2 Samuel 1
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 20 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 (ha.'a.re.Lim) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
2 Samuel 1:20quick helps
In a sentenceDavid mourns Saul's death and warns against spreading the news to avoid giving joy to their enemies.
Who is speakingDavid, addressing the people of Israel.
Where we areA lamentation over Saul's death, set in a context of mourning and caution.
The hard wordתַּגִּ֣ידוּ
Take awayThe news of Saul's death should not be celebrated by enemies.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbנָגַד 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 — 2 Samuel 1:20

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — David's Lament for Saulgenerated

19“Your glory, O Israel, lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen!
20Tell it not in Gath; proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, and the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.
21O mountains of Gilboa, may you have no dew or rain, no fields yielding offerings of grain. For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil.
22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not retreat, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.

2 Samuel 1:20 captures David's sorrow over Saul's death and his desire to prevent the Philistines from celebrating this event. David's lament reflects the deep ties of kinship and respect, even amidst conflict. His warning serves to protect the dignity of Israel and prevent joy among their enemies, highlighting the seriousness of the moment and the need for restraint in communication.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Deuteronomy 32:26–27I would have said that I would cut them to pieces and blot out their memory from mankind,
2Judges 14:19Then the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, killed thirty of their men, took their apparel, and gave their clothes to those who had solved the riddle. And burning with anger, Samson returned to his father’s house,
3Judges 16:23–24Now the lords of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon. They rejoiced and said, “Our god has delivered Samson our enemy into our hands.”
41 Samuel 31:9They cut off Saul’s head, stripped off his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temples of their idols and among their people.
5Micah 1:10Do not tell it in Gath; do not weep at all. Roll in the dust in Beth-leaphrah.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word תַּגִּ֣ידוּ, ta.Gi.dugenerated

The verb נָגַד (nagad) means to declare or tell, with implications of making something known openly. In this context, it emphasizes the act of telling or announcing, which David seeks to prohibit.

The Hiphil form indicates an action done by the subject, in this case, the people being addressed. David's use of this verb suggests a strong command against public proclamation, aiming to keep the news contained and prevent enemy celebration.


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 main verb of the verse is תַּגִּ֣ידוּ, you tell, which governs the prohibitive phrases that follow. The structure emphasizes David's command against public announcement, with a series of clauses detailing where and how the news should not be spread.

The use of negative particles אַל (al) and פֶּן (pen) creates a strong warning tone, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the need for discretion.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates תַּגִּ֣ידוּ as ἀναγγείλητε, which carries a similar meaning of declaring or announcing. This choice reflects the translators' understanding of the urgency in David's command.

The Greek word choice does not alter the meaning but reinforces the imperative nature of the command, aiming to prevent the spread of news that could lead to enemy celebration.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

2 Samuel 1:20 shows David mourning the death of Saul and warning against spreading the news to avoid giving joy to the Philistines. His lament emphasizes the need for restraint and respect in the face of tragedy.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

Why does David want to keep the news of Saul's death quiet?

David wishes to prevent the Philistines from celebrating Saul's death, showing respect for Saul and protecting Israel's dignity.

What does the term 'daughters of the Philistines' refer to?

It refers to the women of the Philistine people, symbolizing the broader community that would rejoice at Israel's misfortunes.

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

The word 'lest' indicates a warning or precaution, emphasizing the potential negative consequences of spreading the news.

How does this verse reflect David's character?

It shows David's sensitivity to the implications of his actions and his desire to honor Saul, even in death.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are some ways we can show respect for those who have passed, even if they were our enemies?
  2. How can we be mindful of our words and their impact on others?
  3. In what situations might we need to exercise restraint in sharing news?
  4. What can this verse teach us about the importance of dignity in times of loss?

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

John Chrysostom comments on David's lament for Saul, highlighting the importance of not spreading news that could bring joy to enemies.

John ChrysostomDISCOURSES AGAINST JUDAIZING CHRISTIANS 8.4.10 c. 347–407
You have heard David’s lament for Saul.… If David did not wish the matter paraded in public so that it might not be a source of joy to his foes, so much the more must we avoid spreading the story to alien ears.
Early Church Fathers on 2 Samuel 1 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 2 Samuel 1:20 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

Tell [it] not in Gath,.... One of the five principalities of the Philistines, and the chief of them, being raised to a kingdom, and whose king was at the head of the armies of the Philistines that engaged with Saul.

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

Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

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

Tell it not in Gath: this is not a precept, but a poetical wish; whereby he doth not so much desire that this might not be done, which he knew to be vain and impossible; as express his great sorrow because it was and would be done, to the great dishonour of God and of his people. He mentions the daughters of the Philistines, because it was the custom of women in those times and places to celebrate those victories which their men obtained, with triumphant songs and dances; as Exodus 15 Jude 11:34 .

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

2 Samuel 1:20 Tell [it] not in Gath, publish [it] not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.Ver. 20. Tell it not in Gath.] Ah utinam saltem cladem hanc celare possemus hostes nostros. If wishing were anything, I could heartily wish that our enemies might never come to the knowledge of this great loss of ours. For how, alas! will they exult and insult over us, blaspheming God, and condemning his Church! as Judges 16:23-30.

Read John Trapp on 2 Samuel 1 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(20) In Gath . . . in the streets of Askelon.—Two chief cities of the Philistines, poetically put for the whole. In the former David had himself resided (1 Samuel 21:10; 1 Samuel 27:3-4), and in the latter was a famous temple of Venus, which was doubtless “the house of Ashtaroth” (1 Samuel 31:10), where the Philistines put the armour of Saul. “Tell it not in Gath” appears to have become a proverb. (See Micah 1:10.) Lest the daughters of the Philistines.—It was customary for women to celebrate national deliverances and victories (Exodus 15:21; 1 Samuel 18:6). The word uncircumcised might be applied to the heathen generally, but it so happens that, with the exception of Gen 34:14, it is used…

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

20. Tell it not in Gath, &c.] Gath on account of its political importance, Askelon as a great religious centre, are chosen as representative of the whole country. Gath seems to have had special prominence as the city of Achish; not impossibly the temple of Ashtaroth in which Saul’s armour was deposited was the famous temple of Venus at Askelon. See note on 1 Samuel 31:10. The phrase “Tell it not in Gath” is quoted in Micah 1:10 (E. V. declare), and perhaps passed into a proverb. Publish it not] Additional force is gained by keeping the usual meaning of the word, publish not the good news (LXX. accurately, μὴεὐαγγελίσησθε). Of course the words can only be understood as a poetical wish that…

Read Cambridge on 2 Samuel 1 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Gath, the royal city of Achish 1 Samuel 21:10; 1 Samuel 27:2. Askelon, the chief seat of worship (1 Samuel 31:10 note).

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

20. Tell it not — For bitterly humiliating would it be to have the women of Philistia celebrate with singing and dancing and instrumental music (comp. 1 Samuel 18:6) this victory over Israel.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on 2 Samuel 1 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Tell it not in Gath; proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, and the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Don’t tell it in Gath. Don’t publish it in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Tell it not in Gath; proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, and the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Don’t report it in Gath, don’t spread the news in the streets of Ashkelon, or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, the daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate!

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Tell it not in Gath, Publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon; Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Tell it not in Gath, nor publish it in the streetes of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistims reioyce, lest the daughters of the vncircumcised triumph.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Tell [it] not in Gath, carry not the tidings in the streets of Ashkelon; Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Declare [it] not in Gath, Proclaim not the tidings in the streets of Ashkelon, Lest they rejoice — The daughters of the Philistines, Lest they exult — The daughters of the Uncircumcised!

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Do not declare [it] in Gath, || Do not proclaim the tidings in the streets of Ashkelon, || Lest they rejoice—The daughters of the Philistines, || Lest they exult—The daughters of the uncircumcised!

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon; that the daughters of the Philistines may not be glad, that the daughters of the uncircumcised may not rejoice.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Do not tell it in Gath, do not proclaim it in the streets of Ashkelon, so that the daughters of the Philistines may not rejoice, so that the daughters of the uncircumcised may not celebrate.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Tell it not in Geth, publish it not in the streets of Ascalon: lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph,

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Don't announce it in the town of Gath, don't proclaim it in the streets of Ashkelon, so that the Philistine women won't rejoice, so that the heathen women won't celebrate.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Give no news of it in Gath, let it not be said in the streets of Ashkelon; or the daughters of the Philistines will be glad, the daughters of men without circumcision will be uplifted in joy.

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.

clauseadverbialאַלdo.notverbתַּגִּ֣ידוּtellprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְinגַ֔תGathclauseadverbialאַֽלdo.notverbתְּבַשְּׂר֖וּbear.newsprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּinnoun phraseחוּצֹ֣תthe.streetsאַשְׁקְל֑וֹןof.Ashkelonפֶּןlestclauseverbתִּשְׂמַ֨חְנָה֙they.should.rejoicenoun phrase · subjectבְּנ֣וֹתthe.daughtersפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔יםof.[the].Philistinesפֶּֽןlestclauseverbתַּעֲלֹ֖זְנָהthey.should.exultnoun phrase · subjectבְּנ֥וֹתthe.daughtersnoun phraseהָofעֲרֵלִֽיםthe.uncircumcised

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

Both the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with a complete match in the number of words and their meanings. This consistency suggests a strong preservation of the text across traditions.

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

אַל־ תַּגִּ֣ידוּ בְגַ֔ת אַֽל־ תְּבַשְּׂר֖וּ בְּחוּצֹ֣ת אַשְׁקְל֑וֹן פֶּן־ תִּשְׂמַ֙חְנָה֙ בְּנ֣וֹת פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים פֶּֽן־ תַּעֲלֹ֖זְנָה בְּנ֥וֹת הָעֲרֵלִֽים׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אַל־μὴתַּגִּ֣ידוּἀναγγείλητεבְגַ֔תγεθאַֽל־μὴתְּבַשְּׂר֖וּεὐαγγελίσησθεבְּחוּצֹ֣תἐνאַשְׁקְל֑וֹןἀσκαλῶνοςפֶּן־μήποτεתִּשְׂמַ֙חְנָה֙εὐφρανθῶσινבְּנ֣וֹתθυγατέρεςפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔יםἀλλοφύλωνפֶּֽן־μήποτεתַּעֲלֹ֖זְנָהἀγαλλιάσωνταιבְּנ֥וֹתθυγατέρεςהָעֲרֵלִֽים׃ἀπεριτμήτων

15 of the 15 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

2 Samuel 1:20אַלmay notmay notאַלנָגַדyou tellyou tellנָגַדגַּתin Gathin Gathגַּתאַלmay notmay notאַלבָּשַׂרyou bear neyou bear newsבָּשַׂרחוּץin [the] stin [the] streetחוּץאַשְׁקְלוֹןAshkelonAshkelonאַשְׁקְלוֹןפֶּן־lestlestפֶּן־שָׂמַחthey shouldthey should rejשָׂמַחבַּת[the] daugh[the] daughtersבַּתפְּלִשְׁתִּי[the] Phili[the] Philistinפְּלִשְׁתִּיפֶּן־lestlestפֶּן־עָלַזthey shouldthey should exuעָלַזבַּת[the] daugh[the] daughtersבַּתעָרֵלthe uncircuthe uncircumcisעָרֵלפָּנָהCorner (GaCorner (Gate)פָּנָהבָּנָהto buildto buildבָּנָהלֹאnotnotלֹאשָׁקַלto weighto weighשָׁקַלפְּלֶ֫שֶׁתPhilistiaPhilistiaפְּלֶ֫שֶׁתגַּתwine presswine pressגַּתעָרַלbe uncircube uncircumciseעָרַלחָתַתto to be dto to be dismayחָתַתיָרֵאto fearto fearיָרֵאפָּגַעto fall onto fall onפָּגַעשָׁכַחto forgetto forgetשָׁכַחצִיּוֹןZionZionצִיּוֹןאֵםmothermotherאֵםקָרָאto encountto encounter: mקָרָאאָכִישׁAchishAchishאָכִישׁפְּלִשְׁתִּי(Sea of th(Sea of the) Phפְּלִשְׁתִּירוּםto exaltto exaltרוּםמַחֲנֶהcampcampמַחֲנֶה
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in 2 Samuel 1:20

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.

may not you tell in Gath may not you bear news in [the] streets of Ashkelon lest they should rejoice [the] daughters of [the] Philistines lest they should exult [the] daughters of the uncircumcised
אַל־'al- may not H408 Particle
724× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Amplified meaning
do not announce
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

408 'al al

a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified

negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,

nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing

(worth), rather than.

see HEBREW for 03808

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַל (al) — not.

1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)

1a) do not, let not (with a verb)

1b) let there not be (with a verb understood)

1c) not, no (with substantive)

1d) nothing (as substantive)

Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
may not you tell in Gath may not you bear news in [the] streets of Ashkelon lest they should rejoice [the] daughters of [the] Philistines lest they should exult [the] daughters of the uncircumcised
תַּגִּ֣ידוּta.Gi.du you tell H5046 Verb · Hiphil · imperfect second person masculine plural
371× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To tell or declare something openly, as in Genesis 3:11 where God asks Adam to tell the truth. It means to stand boldly and announce something to someone present. In Exodus 32:27, Moses tells the Levites to declare their actions to the people.
Tyndale gloss
to tell
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָגַד (nagad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to declare or tell, with implications of being conspicuous or manifesting something. It covers a range of meanings including to announce, report, and make known, often through spoken word. The entries indicate that it can also mean to expose or predict, and in the Hophil form, it refers to something being told or reported.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָגַד] 363 vb. be conspicuous

Hiph. declare, tell

Hoph. be told, announced, reported

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5046 נָגַד be conspicuous . declare, tell

. be told, announced, reported

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5046 nagad naw-gad'

a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out

opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest;

figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one

present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain,

praise:--bewray, X certainly, certify, declare(-ing),

denounce, expound, X fully, messenger, plainly, profess,

rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, X surely, tell, utter.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָגַד (na.gad) — to tell.

1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known

1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare

1a1) to tell, announce, report

1a2) to declare, make known, expound

1a3) to inform of

1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim

1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess

1a5a) messenger (participle)

1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Juss-2mp — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect second person masculine plural
HVhi2mp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

See TALE.

may not you tell in Gath may not you bear news in [the] streets of Ashkelon lest they should rejoice [the] daughters of [the] Philistines lest they should exult [the] daughters of the uncircumcised
בְגַ֔תve.Gat in Gath H1661 Preposition · noun proper
33× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Gath was a major city of the Philistines, the same people who lived in Goliath's hometown, and its name means winepress in Hebrew.
Amplified meaning
a major city of the Philistines
Tyndale gloss
Gath
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גַּת (gat) refers to a Philistine city, meaning 'winepress.' It is noted as one of the five chief cities of the Philistines and is recognized as the native city of Goliath. The entries consistently identify it as a proper noun related to a specific location.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גַּת n.pr.loc. (wine-press)—Philistine city

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1661 גַּת

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1661 Gath gath

the same as 1660; Gath, a Philistine city:--Gath.

see HEBREW for 01660

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גַּת (gat) — Gath.

§ Gath = "winepress"

one of the five royal or chief cities of the Philistines and the native city of Goliath

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

gath (gath; Septuagint Geth, "winepress"):

One of the five chief cities of the Philistines (Jos 13:3; 1Sa 6:17). It was a walled town (2Ch 26:6) and was not taken by Joshua, and, although many conflicts took place between the Israelites and its people, it does not seem to have been captured until the time of David (1Ch 18:1). It was rendered famous as the abode of the giant Goliath whom David slew (1Sa 17:4), and other giants of the same race (2Sa 21:18-22). It was to Gath that the Ashdodites conveyed the ark when smitten with the plague, and Gath was also smitten (

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Gath

A wine-vat, one of the five royal cities of the Philistines (Josh. 13:3) on which the ark brought calamity (1 Sam. 5:8, 9; 6:17). It was famous also as being the birthplace or residence of Goliath (1 Sam. 17:4). David fled from Saul to Achish, king of Gath (1 Sam. 21:10; 27:2-4; Ps. 56), and his connection with it will account for the words in 2 Sam. 1:20. It was afterwards conquered by David (2 Sam. 8:1). It occupied a strong position on the borders of Judah and Philistia (1 Sam. 21:10;

(a wine press), one of the five royal cities of the Philistines; (Joshua 13:3; 1 Samuel 6:17) and the native place of the giant Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:4,23) It probably stood upon the conspicuous hill now called Tell-es-Safieh , upon the side of the plain of Philistia, at the foot of the mountains of Judah; 10 miles east of Ashdod, and about the same distance south by east of Ekron. It is irregular in form, and about 200 feet high. Gath occupied a strong position, (2 Chronicles 11:8) on the border of Judah and Philistia, (1 Samuel 21:10; 1 Chronicles 18:1) and from its…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A city of the Philistines, and one of their five principalities, 1Sa 5:8 6:17. It was a notable city, in the border of the Philistines nearest to Jerusalem; but its site has long been lost. It was the home of Goliath, 1Sa 17:4. Compare Jos 11:22 2Sa 21:19-22. Here David sought a refuge form Saul, 1Sa 21:10 27:2-7. It came under his power in the beginning of his reign over all Israel, 1Ch 18:1, and continued subject to his successors till the declension of the kingdom of Judah. Rehoboam rebuilt or fortified it, 2Ch…

may not you tell in Gath may not you bear news in [the] streets of Ashkelon lest they should rejoice [the] daughters of [the] Philistines lest they should exult [the] daughters of the uncircumcised
אַֽל־'al- may not H408 Particle
724× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Amplified meaning
publish it not, do not declare openly
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

408 'al al

a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified

negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,

nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing

(worth), rather than.

see HEBREW for 03808

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַל (al) — not.

1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)

1a) do not, let not (with a verb)

1b) let there not be (with a verb understood)

1c) not, no (with substantive)

1d) nothing (as substantive)

Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
may not you tell in Gath may not you bear news in [the] streets of Ashkelon lest they should rejoice [the] daughters of [the] Philistines lest they should exult [the] daughters of the uncircumcised
תְּבַשְּׂר֖וּte.va.se.Ru you bear news H1319 Verb · Piel · jussive second person masculine plural
24× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Basar means to bear tidings or announce good news, often used to describe preaching or publishing glad news. It is used in the Bible to describe the spread of salvation or joyful messages.
Tyndale gloss
to bear tidings
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּשַׂר (basar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to bear or announce good tidings. It conveys the idea of bringing cheerful news and includes nuances of preaching or publishing glad news. The entries suggest it can also mean to receive good news, particularly in the Hithpael form. No significant disagreements among lexicons are noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[בָּשַׂר] vb. bear tidings

Pi.

gladden with good tidings

bear tidings

herald as glad tidings

Hithp. receive good tidings

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1319 [בָּשַׂר] bear tidings . . gladden with good tidings

. bear tidings

. herald as glad tidings

. receive good tidings

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1319 basar baw-sar'

a primitive root; properly, to be fresh, i.e. full (rosy,

(figuratively) cheerful); to announce (glad news):--messenger,

preach, publish, shew forth, (bear, bring, carry, preach,

good, tell good) tidings.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּשַׂר (ba.sar) — to bear tidings.

1) to bear news, bear tidings, publish, preach, show forth

1a) (Piel)

1a1) to gladden with good news

1a2) to bear news

1a3) to announce (salvation) as good news, preach

1b) (Hithpael) to receive good news

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Juss-2mp — Verb · Piel · jussive second person masculine plural
HVpj2mp
may not you tell in Gath may not you bear news in [the] streets of Ashkelon lest they should rejoice [the] daughters of [the] Philistines lest they should exult [the] daughters of the uncircumcised
בְּחוּצֹ֣תbe.chu.Tzot in [the] streets of H2351 Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct
164× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means outside or outdoors, referring to something beyond a wall or boundary. It can also mean a street or highway, as seen in various KJV translations, including abroad, field, and without.
Amplified meaning
outside, in the public areas
Tyndale gloss
outside
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חוּץ (chuwts) refers to the concept of being outside or outward, often associated with streets or highways. It is derived from a root meaning to sever, indicating separation by a wall. The term covers various contexts, including outdoors and fields.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חוּץ n.[m.] the outside, sts., esp. in pl., spec. a street

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2351 חוּץ

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2351 chuwts khoots

or (shortened) chuts {khoots}; (both forms feminine in the

plural) from an unused root meaning to sever; properly,

separate by a wall, i.e. outside, outdoors:--abroad, field,

forth, highway, more, out(-side, -ward), street, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חוּץ (chuts) — outside.

outside, outward, street, the outside

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct
HR/Ncfpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

may not you tell in Gath may not you bear news in [the] streets of Ashkelon lest they should rejoice [the] daughters of [the] Philistines lest they should exult [the] daughters of the uncircumcised
אַשְׁקְל֑וֹן'ash.ke.Lon Ashkelon H831 Noun proper
12× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Ashkelon was a major city in ancient Palestine, southwest of Jerusalem. It was a key Philistine city, mentioned in the books of Joshua and Amos. The KJV translates it as 'Ashkelon' or 'Askalon'.
Amplified meaning
a key Philistine city
Tyndale gloss
Ashkelon
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַשְׁקְלוֹן (ashqlown) refers to Ashkelon, a Philistine city located southwest of Jerusalem. The name is thought to derive from a term meaning 'weighing-place' or 'mart.' It is also noted that the name may imply 'the fire of infamy: I shall be weighed.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַשְׁקְלוֹן n.pr.loc. a city of the Philistines

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H831 אַשְׁקְלוֹן

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

831 'Ashqlown ash-kel-one'

probably from 8254 in the sense of weighing-place (i.e.

mart); Ashkelon, a place in Palestine:--Ashkelon, Askalon.

see HEBREW for 08254

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַשְׁקְלוֹן (ash.qe.lon) — Ashkelon.

Askelon or Ashkelon = "the fire of infamy: I shall be weighed"

a maritime city of the Philistines, southwest of Jerusalem

Also named: esh.qe.lo.ni (אֶשְׁקְלוֹנִי "Ashkelon" H0832)

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

ask'-ke-lon, esh'-ka-lon, as'-ke-lon (the King James Version Eshkalon, (Eshkalonites; Jos 13:3); Askelon, (Jud 1:18; 1Sa 6:17; 2Sa 1:20); 'ashqelon; modern Askelan): A maritime town between Jaffa and Gaza, one of the five chief cities of the Philistines. The Ashkelonites are mentioned by Joshua (Jos 13:3), and the city was taken by the tribe of Judah (Jud 1:18). One of the golden tumors (the King James Version "emerods") sent back with the ark by the Philistines was from Ashkelon (1Sa 6:17).

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Ashkelon

=Askelon=Ascalon, was one of the five cities of the Philistines (Josh. 13:3; 1 Sam. 6:17). It stood on the shore of the Mediterranean, 12 miles north of Gaza. It is mentioned on an inscription at Karnak in Egypt as having been taken by king Rameses II., the oppressor of the Hebrews. In the time of the judges (Judg. 1:18) it fell into the possession of the tribe of Judah; but it was soon after retaken by the Philistines (2 Sam. 1:20), who were not finally dispossessed till the time of Alexander the Great. Samson went down to this place from Timnath, and slew thirty men and took their spoil. The prophets foretold its destruction (

→ Also called ASKELON

→ One of the five chief cities of the Philistines Jos 13:3

→ Captured by the people of Judah Jud 1:18

→ Samson kills thirty men of Jud 14:19

→ Emerods (tumors, R. V.) of 1Sa 6:17

→ Prophecies concerning Jer 25:20; 47:5,7; Am 1:8; Zep 2:4,7; Zec 9:5

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
may not you tell in Gath may not you bear news in [the] streets of Ashkelon lest they should rejoice [the] daughters of [the] Philistines lest they should exult [the] daughters of the uncircumcised
פֶּן־pen- lest H6435 Particle
133× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is used to express caution or warning, similar to saying 'lest' or 'beware that'. It is often used in the Bible to advise against certain actions or to warn of potential consequences.
Amplified meaning
beware that, be cautious
Tyndale gloss
lest
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פֶּן־ (pen) is a conjunction meaning 'lest' or 'not,' often used to express a warning or fear of a potential negative outcome. It is derived from a root meaning 'removal' and is typically found in constructions that indicate a precautionary context. The entries consistently emphasize its adverbial use in cautionary statements.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֶּן־ 133 (alw. with Makkeph) conj. (adverting or deprecating), lest

with impf.

with Pf., the result feared being conceived as having possibly already taken place

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6435 פֶּן־ (alw. with Makkeph) (adverting or deprecating), lest . with impf.

. with Pf., the result feared being conceived as having possibly already taken place

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6435 pen pane

from 6437; properly, removal; used only (in the construction)

adverb as conjunction, lest:--(lest) (peradventure),

that...not.

see HEBREW for 06437

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֶּן־ (pen) — lest.

conj

1) lest, not, beware lest

adv

2) lest

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
may not you tell in Gath may not you bear news in [the] streets of Ashkelon lest they should rejoice [the] daughters of [the] Philistines lest they should exult [the] daughters of the uncircumcised
תִּשְׂמַ֙חְנָה֙tis.Mach.nah they should rejoice H8055 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine plural
155× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to rejoice or be glad, often used in a religious sense, like when the Israelites rejoiced at the dedication of the temple in 1 Kings 8:66.
Amplified meaning
be glad, celebrate
Tyndale gloss
to rejoice
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׂמַח (samach) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rejoice or be glad. It can express joy in everyday life, religious contexts, or even exultation. The verb has different forms: Qal (to rejoice), Piel (to cause to rejoice), and Hiphil (to make glad). The entries indicate a range of meanings related to joy and merriment.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׂמַח, שָׂמִ֑חַ 154 vb. rejoice, be glad

Qal 126

in common life

rejoice religiously

subj. י׳

Pi. cause to rejoice, gladden

Hiph. = Pi.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8055 שָׂמַח, שָׂמִ֑חַ rejoice, be glad

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8055 samach saw-makh'

a primitive root; probably to brighten up, i.e.

(figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or

gleesome:--cheer up, be (make) glad, (have, make) joy(-ful),

be (make) merry, (cause to, make to) rejoice, X very.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׂמַח (sa.mach) — to rejoice.

1) to rejoice, be glad

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to rejoice

1a2) to rejoice (arrogantly), exult (at)

1a3) to rejoice (religiously)

1b) (Piel) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad

1c) (Hiphil) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3fp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine plural
HVqi3fp
may not you tell in Gath may not you bear news in [the] streets of Ashkelon lest they should rejoice [the] daughters of [the] Philistines lest they should exult [the] daughters of the uncircumcised
בְּנ֣וֹתbe.Not [the] daughters of H1323 Noun common · feminine plural construct
588× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Amplified meaning
female children, women
Tyndale gloss
Bath (Shua)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בַּת (bat) means 'daughter' and encompasses a range of meanings including female child, young women, and even personifications of cities or inhabitants. It can also refer to villages in certain contexts. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and is used in various figurative senses, such as 'branch' or 'apple of the eye.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בַּת 587 n.f. daughter

daughter, female child

young women, women

with name of city, land, or people, poet. personif. of that city or inhabitants

pl. = villages, after name of city

in phrases denoting character, quality, etc.

ostrich

fig.

of vine = branch

as n. relat.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1323 בַּת daughter . daughter, female child

. young women, women

. with name of city, land, or people, poet. personif. of that city or inhabitants

. pl. = villages, after name of city

. in phrases denoting character, quality, etc.

. ostrich

. fig.

. of vine = branch

. as n. relat.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1323 bath bath

from 1129 (as feminine of 1121); a daughter (used in the same

wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and

figuratively):--apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter,

X first, X old, + owl, town, village.

see HEBREW for 01129

see HEBREW for 01121

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בַּת (bat) — daughter.

: daughter

1) daughter

1a) daughter, girl, adopted daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, granddaughters, female child, cousin

1a1) as polite address

1a2) as designation of women of a particular place

2) young women, women

1a3) as personification

1a4) daughter-villages

1a5) description of character

Also means: bat (בַּת ": village" H1323H)

בַּת (bat) — daughter: village.

: village

1) daughter

1a) daughter, girl, adopted daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, granddaughters, female child, cousin

1a1) as polite address

1a2) as designation of women of a particular place

2) young women, women

1a3) as personification

1a4) daughter-villages

1a5) description of character

בַּת (bat) — Bath (Shua).

A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2;

daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063);

mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural construct
HNcfpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

may not you tell in Gath may not you bear news in [the] streets of Ashkelon lest they should rejoice [the] daughters of [the] Philistines lest they should exult [the] daughters of the uncircumcised
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔יםpe.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
inhabitants of Philistia
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.

may not you tell in Gath may not you bear news in [the] streets of Ashkelon lest they should rejoice [the] daughters of [the] Philistines lest they should exult [the] daughters of the uncircumcised
פֶּֽן־pen- lest H6435 Particle
133× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is used to express caution or warning, similar to saying 'lest' or 'beware that'. It is often used in the Bible to advise against certain actions or to warn of potential consequences.
Tyndale gloss
lest
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פֶּן־ (pen) is a conjunction meaning 'lest' or 'not,' often used to express a warning or fear of a potential negative outcome. It is derived from a root meaning 'removal' and is typically found in constructions that indicate a precautionary context. The entries consistently emphasize its adverbial use in cautionary statements.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פֶּן־ 133 (alw. with Makkeph) conj. (adverting or deprecating), lest

with impf.

with Pf., the result feared being conceived as having possibly already taken place

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6435 פֶּן־ (alw. with Makkeph) (adverting or deprecating), lest . with impf.

. with Pf., the result feared being conceived as having possibly already taken place

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6435 pen pane

from 6437; properly, removal; used only (in the construction)

adverb as conjunction, lest:--(lest) (peradventure),

that...not.

see HEBREW for 06437

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פֶּן־ (pen) — lest.

conj

1) lest, not, beware lest

adv

2) lest

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTc — Particle
HTc
may not you tell in Gath may not you bear news in [the] streets of Ashkelon lest they should rejoice [the] daughters of [the] Philistines lest they should exult [the] daughters of the uncircumcised
תַּעֲלֹ֖זְנָהta.'a.Lo.ze.nah they should exult H5937 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine plural
16× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To exult means to jump for joy or rejoice triumphantly. It is used in the Bible to describe feelings of great happiness or celebration, like in Psalm 108:7 where it says God will exult over his people.
Amplified meaning
triumph, jump for joy
Tyndale gloss
to exult
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָלַז (alaz) is a primitive root meaning to exult or rejoice. It conveys a sense of jumping for joy and encompasses feelings of triumph and joyfulness. The entries consistently emphasize its use in expressing exuberant joy.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עָלַז] vb. exult

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5937 [עָלַז] exult

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5937 `alaz aw-laz'

a primitive root; to jump for joy, i.e. exult:--be joyful,

rejoice, triumph.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָלַז (a.laz) — to exult.

(Qal) to exult, rejoice, triumph

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3fp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine plural
HVqi3fp
may not you tell in Gath may not you bear news in [the] streets of Ashkelon lest they should rejoice [the] daughters of [the] Philistines lest they should exult [the] daughters of the uncircumcised
בְּנ֥וֹתbe.Not [the] daughters of H1323 Noun common · feminine plural construct
588× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Amplified meaning
women, female descendants
Tyndale gloss
Bath (Shua)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בַּת (bat) means 'daughter' and encompasses a range of meanings including female child, young women, and even personifications of cities or inhabitants. It can also refer to villages in certain contexts. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and is used in various figurative senses, such as 'branch' or 'apple of the eye.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בַּת 587 n.f. daughter

daughter, female child

young women, women

with name of city, land, or people, poet. personif. of that city or inhabitants

pl. = villages, after name of city

in phrases denoting character, quality, etc.

ostrich

fig.

of vine = branch

as n. relat.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1323 בַּת daughter . daughter, female child

. young women, women

. with name of city, land, or people, poet. personif. of that city or inhabitants

. pl. = villages, after name of city

. in phrases denoting character, quality, etc.

. ostrich

. fig.

. of vine = branch

. as n. relat.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1323 bath bath

from 1129 (as feminine of 1121); a daughter (used in the same

wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and

figuratively):--apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter,

X first, X old, + owl, town, village.

see HEBREW for 01129

see HEBREW for 01121

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בַּת (bat) — daughter.

: daughter

1) daughter

1a) daughter, girl, adopted daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, granddaughters, female child, cousin

1a1) as polite address

1a2) as designation of women of a particular place

2) young women, women

1a3) as personification

1a4) daughter-villages

1a5) description of character

Also means: bat (בַּת ": village" H1323H)

בַּת (bat) — daughter: village.

: village

1) daughter

1a) daughter, girl, adopted daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, granddaughters, female child, cousin

1a1) as polite address

1a2) as designation of women of a particular place

2) young women, women

1a3) as personification

1a4) daughter-villages

1a5) description of character

בַּת (bat) — Bath (Shua).

A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2;

daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063);

mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural construct
HNcfpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

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

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

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

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

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

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

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

Lamentations 3:1.

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

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

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

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

may not you tell in Gath may not you bear news in [the] streets of Ashkelon lest they should rejoice [the] daughters of [the] Philistines lest they should exult [the] daughters of the uncircumcised
הָעֲרֵלִֽים׃ha.'a.re.Lim the uncircumcised H6189 Particle
35× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word describes someone who is uncircumcised, meaning they still have their foreskin. It is used to distinguish between Jews and non-Jews, as seen in Acts 7.
Amplified meaning
those without a covenant sign, heathen
Tyndale gloss
uncircumcised
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עָרֵל (arel) means 'uncircumcised' or 'having foreskin.' It is derived from a root that implies being exposed or projecting, specifically referring to the prepuce. The term is used technically in contexts related to circumcision.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָרֵל 35 adj. having foreskin, i.e. uncircumcised

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6189 עָרֵל having foreskin, i.e. uncircumcised

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6189 `arel aw-rale'

rom 6188; properly, exposed, i.e. projecting loose (as to the

prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e. still

having the prepuce uncurtailed):--uncircumcised (person).

see HEBREW for 06188

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָרֵל (a.rel) — uncircumcised.

uncircumcised, having foreskin

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | Adj — Particle
HTd/Aampa
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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