1 Chronicles 14:11
So they came up to Baal-perazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baal-perazim.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּֽעֲל֥וּ
So they came up
H5927
וַיַּֽעֲל֥וּ
So they came up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 23
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
וַיַּכֵּ֣ם
smote
H5221
וַיַּכֵּ֣ם
smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
4 of 23
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
שָׁ֣ם
H8033
פָּרַ֨ץ
hath broken in
H6555
פָּרַ֨ץ
hath broken in
Strong's:
H6555
Word #:
9 of 23
to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative)
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֧ים
God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֧ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
10 of 23
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּיָדִ֖י
by mine hand
H3027
בְּיָדִ֖י
by mine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
13 of 23
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
כְּפֶ֣רֶץ
like the breaking forth
H6556
כְּפֶ֣רֶץ
like the breaking forth
Strong's:
H6556
Word #:
14 of 23
a break (literally or figuratively)
מָ֑יִם
of waters
H4325
מָ֑יִם
of waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
15 of 23
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּ֗ן
H3651
כֵּ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
17 of 23
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
קָ֥רְא֛וּ
therefore they called
H7121
קָ֥רְא֛וּ
therefore they called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
18 of 23
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
שֵֽׁם
the name
H8034
שֵֽׁם
the name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
19 of 23
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
הַמָּק֥וֹם
of that place
H4725
הַמָּק֥וֹם
of that place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
Cross References
Isaiah 28:21For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.Job 30:14They came upon me as a wide breaking in of waters: in the desolation they rolled themselves upon me.Exodus 14:28And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.2 Samuel 5:20And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim.Psalms 144:10It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.Psalms 144:1Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:Matthew 7:27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Historical Context
Ancient warriors often memorialized battle sites with names reflecting theological interpretation (cf. Ebenezer, 'stone of help' in 1 Samuel 7:12). These place names served as permanent testimony to God's faithfulness, teaching subsequent generations about divine intervention in Israel's history.
Questions for Reflection
- How can you better memorialize and testify to God's 'breakthroughs' in your spiritual battles?
- Where do you need God to 'break forth like waters' against enemies (spiritual, not physical) in your life?
Analysis & Commentary
David's naming the place 'Baal-perazim' (Lord of breakthroughs) memorializes God's intervention using water-breakthrough imagery. The statement 'God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters' attributes victory to God while acknowledging human instrumentality. This theological balance - divine sovereignty and human agency - characterizes Reformed thought. David doesn't say 'I broke through' but recognizes himself as God's instrument. The water metaphor suggests overwhelming, irresistible force, echoing prophetic promises about God's Spirit being poured out. This points to Christ's decisive victory over Satan, sin, and death.