1 Samuel 13:5

Authorized King James Version

And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Beth-aven.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֞ים
And the Philistines
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
#2
נֶֽאֶסְפ֣וּ׀
gathered themselves together
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
#3
לְהִלָּחֵ֣ם
to fight
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
#4
עִם
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#5
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
with Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#6
שְׁלֹשִׁ֨ים
thirty
thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth
#7
אֲלָפִים֙
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#8
רֶ֙כֶב֙
chariots
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone
#9
וְשֵׁ֤שֶׁת
and six
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
#10
אֲלָפִים֙
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#11
פָּֽרָשִׁ֔ים
horsemen
a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e., (collectively) cavalry
#12
וְעָ֕ם
and people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#13
כַּח֛וֹל
as the sand
sand (as round or whirling particles)
#14
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#15
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#16
שְׂפַֽת
shore
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
#17
הַיָּ֖ם
which is on the sea
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
#18
לָרֹ֑ב
in multitude
abundance (in any respect)
#19
וַֽיַּעֲלוּ֙
and they came up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#20
וַיַּֽחֲנ֣וּ
and pitched
properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s
#21
בְמִכְמָ֔שׂ
in Michmash
mikmas or mikmash, a place in palestine
#22
קִדְמַ֖ת
eastward
the forward part (or relatively) east (often adverbially, on the east or in front)
#23
בֵּ֥ית
H0
#24
אָֽוֶן׃
from Bethaven
beth-aven, a place in palestine

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing covenant community contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood covenant community. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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