1 Samuel 14:6
And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.
Original Language Analysis
הַנַּ֣עַר׀
to the young man
H5288
הַנַּ֣עַר׀
to the young man
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
4 of 24
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
נֹשֵׂ֣א
that bare
H5375
נֹשֵׂ֣א
that bare
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
5 of 24
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
כֵלָ֗יו
his armour
H3627
כֵלָ֗יו
his armour
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
6 of 24
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
לְכָה֙
H1980
לְכָה֙
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
7 of 24
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְנַעְבְּרָ֗ה
and let us go over
H5674
וְנַעְבְּרָ֗ה
and let us go over
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
8 of 24
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
מַצַּב֙
unto the garrison
H4673
מַצַּב֙
unto the garrison
Strong's:
H4673
Word #:
10 of 24
a fixed spot; figuratively, an office, a military post
הָֽעֲרֵלִ֣ים
of these uncircumcised
H6189
הָֽעֲרֵלִ֣ים
of these uncircumcised
Strong's:
H6189
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה
will work
H6213
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה
will work
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
14 of 24
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לַֽיהוָה֙
it may be that the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָה֙
it may be that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לַֽיהוָה֙
it may be that the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָה֙
it may be that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
19 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מַעְצ֔וֹר
for us for there is no restraint
H4622
מַעְצ֔וֹר
for us for there is no restraint
Strong's:
H4622
Word #:
20 of 24
objectively, a hindrance
לְהוֹשִׁ֥יעַ
to save
H3467
לְהוֹשִׁ֥יעַ
to save
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
21 of 24
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
בְּרַ֖ב
by many
H7227
בְּרַ֖ב
by many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
22 of 24
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
Cross References
Matthew 19:26But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.Romans 8:31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?Zechariah 4:6Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.Deuteronomy 32:30How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?2 Chronicles 14:11And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.Jeremiah 9:26Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.2 Samuel 16:12It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
Historical Context
The theological principle that God saves equally by many or few echoes Gideon's reduced army (Judges 7) and David's later confrontation with Goliath. Circumcision marked covenant membership; calling Philistines 'uncircumcised' emphasized their status as enemies of Yahweh.
Questions for Reflection
- How does 'it may be' faith differ from presumption or doubt?
- What impossible situations in your life need the reminder that God is not restrained by numbers or resources?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.
Jonathan's statement to his armor-bearer contains profound theology: 'it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.' The phrase 'it may be' (ulai) acknowledges uncertainty about outcome while maintaining confidence in God's power. The principle 'no restraint to the LORD' (ein la-Yahweh ma'tsor) affirms divine sovereignty over all circumstances. Jonathan's reference to the Philistines as 'uncircumcised' identifies them as covenant outsiders opposing covenant God.