1 Samuel 22:18
And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּסֹּ֞ב
Turn
H5437
וַיִּסֹּ֞ב
Turn
Strong's:
H5437
Word #:
4 of 22
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
וַיִּפְגַּע
and he fell
H6293
וַיִּפְגַּע
and he fell
Strong's:
H6293
Word #:
6 of 22
to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity
בַּכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים
upon the priests
H3548
בַּכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים
upon the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
7 of 22
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
וַיִּסֹּ֞ב
Turn
H5437
וַיִּסֹּ֞ב
Turn
Strong's:
H5437
Word #:
8 of 22
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
הָֽאֲדֹמִ֗י
the Edomite
H130
הָֽאֲדֹמִ֗י
the Edomite
Strong's:
H130
Word #:
10 of 22
an edomite, or descendants from (or inhabitants of) edom
וַיִּפְגַּע
and he fell
H6293
וַיִּפְגַּע
and he fell
Strong's:
H6293
Word #:
11 of 22
to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity
הוּא֙
H1931
הוּא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
12 of 22
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
בַּכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים
upon the priests
H3548
בַּכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים
upon the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
13 of 22
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
וַיָּ֣מֶת׀
and slew
H4191
וַיָּ֣מֶת׀
and slew
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
14 of 22
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
בַּיּ֣וֹם
on that day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
on that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
15 of 22
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 #:
16 of 22
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
אִ֔ישׁ
persons
H376
אִ֔ישׁ
persons
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
19 of 22
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)
נֹשֵׂ֖א
that did wear
H5375
נֹשֵׂ֖א
that did wear
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
20 of 22
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
Historical Context
The linen ephod was the distinctive priestly garment (Exodus 28:4). Eighty-five priests represented a substantial portion of the Elide line. This massacre effectively destroyed Nob as a religious center and decimated the priesthood that had served since Eli's time.
Questions for Reflection
- What made Doeg willing to do what Israelite soldiers refused?
- How does this passage warn about using outsiders to do what conscience-bound insiders will not?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.
Doeg's willingness to slaughter where Israelites refused completes his villainous portrait. The Hebrew emphasizes his ethnic identity again—'Doeg the Edomite'—this foreigner did what God's covenant people would not. The 'linen ephod' identifies the victims as legitimate priests, ministers of the sanctuary. Eighty-five priests died—a catastrophic loss for Israel's religious establishment. Doeg's obedience to murderous command contrasts with the soldiers' righteous refusal. Psalm 52 pronounces God's judgment on Doeg: 'God shall likewise destroy thee for ever.' This massacre demonstrates how outsiders without covenantal loyalty become instruments of evil that insiders refuse to execute.