1 Samuel 21:7
Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.
Original Language Analysis
וְשָׁ֡ם
H8033
אִישׁ֩
Now a certain man
H376
אִישׁ֩
Now a certain man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 16
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
לְשָׁאֽוּל׃
of Saul
H7586
לְשָׁאֽוּל׃
of Saul
Strong's:
H7586
Word #:
4 of 16
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
בַּיּ֣וֹם
was there that day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
was there that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 16
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַה֗וּא
H1931
הַה֗וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
6 of 16
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
נֶעְצָר֙
detained
H6113
נֶעְצָר֙
detained
Strong's:
H6113
Word #:
7 of 16
to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 16
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וּשְׁמ֖וֹ
and his name
H8034
וּשְׁמ֖וֹ
and his name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
10 of 16
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
הָֽאֲדֹמִ֑י
an Edomite
H130
הָֽאֲדֹמִ֑י
an Edomite
Strong's:
H130
Word #:
12 of 16
an edomite, or descendants from (or inhabitants of) edom
הָֽרֹעִ֖ים
of the herdmen
H7462
הָֽרֹעִ֖ים
of the herdmen
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
14 of 16
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
Cross References
1 Samuel 22:9Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.1 Chronicles 27:29And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai:
Historical Context
Edomites could participate in Israelite worship after the third generation (Deuteronomy 23:7-8). Doeg's position as chief herdsman gave him access to royal intelligence. His presence at Nob was providentially noted by Scripture as the catalyst for coming tragedy.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when you realize someone hostile has witnessed your vulnerable moments?
- What does Doeg's religious observance combined with later cruelty teach about external religion?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.
This ominous verse introduces Doeg with foreboding detail. The Hebrew 'ne'etsar' (detained) suggests he was there for ritual purposes—perhaps fulfilling a vow or undergoing purification. The irony is devastating: a man at the sanctuary for religious observance would become the instrument of its destruction. His identity as an Edomite connects him to Israel's ancient enemy, the descendants of Esau. As 'chiefest of the herdmen' (literally 'mighty one among the shepherds'), he held significant authority. Psalm 52 records David's later reflection on Doeg's treachery. This brief verse demonstrates how witnesses to innocent actions can become deadly accusers when circumstances change.